M is for Manslaughter

I’m doing folklore and book review posts to reach and please a larger audience. Previous years have shown select interest in both and to minimise blogging throughout the year, I’m focusing my efforts on April.

Focusing on an A to Z of my TBR (to be read) list, each letter will have books starting with that letter on my list, a book I’ve read and reviewed (with the review!) and one of my books matching the letter with a link about more info about the book.

I chose the books this year quite randomly from my Goodreads Want to Read page. Some are quite creatively added to letters.

If you’d rather check out my folklore post for today, go here.

You can read reviews for from previous years for this letter here, here and here, and my year-end reviews here, here, here, here and, most recently, here and here.

My TBR

About the Book I’ve Read

Pride and Premeditation (Jane Austen Murder Mystery #1) by Tirzah Price

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young woman who desires a law career must be in want of a case. So when sixteen year old Lizzie Bennet hears about a scandalous society murder, she sees an opportunity to prove herself as a solicitor by solving the case and ensuring justice is served.

Except the man accused of the crime already has a lawyer on his side: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious Pemberley Associates law firm. Lizzie is determined to solve the murder before Darcy can so that she can show the world that a woman can be just as good as a man. (The fact that Darcy is an infuriating snob doesn’t help.) But there’s still a killer on the loose, and as the case gets more complicated, Lizzie and Darcy may have to start working together to avoid becoming the next victims themselves.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

If you love “Pride and Prejudice”, you’ll enjoy this book. I liked the feminism angle (Lizzie gets to do loads of things young ladies would never be allowed in Regency England) that gives a lot of social commentary without being over the top. I really liked the version of Darcy in this book – it captures all the things I’ve always liked and softens the parts I don’t. the who-dunnit aspect is well-done with loads of red herrings, Lizzie learning more about human nature, and a villain worthy of the title.

So much fun to read! Highly recommended.

About the Book I’ve Read

Sense and Second-Degree Murder (Jane Austen Murder Mystery #2) by Tirzah Price

Three of Jane Austen’s classic novels receive a murder mystery makeover in this romantic and thrilling three-book series that’s perfect for fans of The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy and Stalking Jack the Ripper. In Sense and Second-Degree Murder, aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood and her sister Marianne, a budding detective, work together to solve the mystery of their father’s murder.

When eighteen-year-old aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood discovers her beloved father slumped over the desk of his office study, she knows his death means dire straits for the Dashwood women. To make matters worse, an outdated will entails his estate—including Norland & Company, the private investigation firm where her younger sister Marianne worked as her father’s partner and protégé—to their half-brother and his haughty wife, who waste no time in forcing the Dashwoods out of their home and into a cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.

But before they go, the Dashwood sisters make a startling discovery that points to foul play, and the killer might be family.

Obviously, the girls must investigate. It could be dangerous; it could ruin their reputations; and most importantly, it won’t bring back their father. But if the Dashwood sisters can combine their talents and bring their father’s murderer to justice, it may bring them all some comfort—and it might even lead to love.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

All the things that made you love the original is still in this story, but what made you want to shake sense into Marianne is tamped down slightly and she has a better growth arc; Elinor is slightly more outwardly passionate about something (science); and Margaret is more involved in the story. I liked Brandon. Edward… Meh. But then, I’ve always liked Brandon more.

I like that it is also set in Regency London and the events of the previous book is mentioned in passing (a lady solicitor, etc.). Just as with the previous novel, there’s a good dose of feminism and social commentary.

So much fun to read! Highly recommended.

About the Book I’ve Read

Manslaughter Park (Jane Austen Murder Mystery #3) by Tirzah Price

In this queer retelling of the classic novel and third book in Tirzah Price’s Jane Austen Murder Mystery series, Mansfield Park is the center of a deadly accident (or is it?). Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper.

Aspiring artist Fanny Price is an unwelcome guest at her uncle Sir Thomas Bertram’s estate. It’s his affection for Fanny that’s keeping her from being forced out by her cousins Tom and Maria and nasty Aunt Norris, back to a home to which she never wants to return. But then Sir Thomas dies in a tragic accident inside his art emporium, and Fanny finds evidence of foul play that, if revealed, could further jeopardize her already precarious position.

Edmund, her best friend and secret crush, urges Fanny to keep quiet about her discovery, but Fanny can’t ignore the truth: a murderer is among them.

Determined to find the killer, Fanny’s pursuit for justice has her wading into the Bertram family business, uncovering blackmail, and brushing with London’s high society when Henry and Mary Crawford arrive at Mansfield Park with an audacious business proposal. But a surprising twist of fate—and the help of local legends Lizzie Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy—brings Fanny more complications than she ever expected and a life-altering realization about herself she never saw coming.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

I have to confess that Mansfield Park is my least favourite Austen novel and I didn’t particularly look forward to reading about timid Fanny and meh Edmund. This retelling, though, gave a breath of fresh air to the story. Not only is there art theft, forgeries and other things about the art world involved, but Fanny isn’t a timid mouse.

I liked the new love interest and future for Fanny, and found myself cheering her on. I liked that Lizzie and Darcy made an appearance. I also liked how Fanny discovered her feelings for Mary and that it has a positive story instead of queer suffering so often found in historical novels.

The dose of feminism and slight historical inaccuracies made for fun reading, and the social commentary enriched the plot.

As with the rest of the series, highly recommended.

My Book

Irascible Immortals Volume 4-6

Remember that you can request all of my books from your local library!

I hope you enjoyed this. For more books I’ve read and reviewed, check out either my Pinterest board about reviews or my Goodreads profile. Alternatively, you can check out my reviews on BookBub. Have you read any of the books? Loved or hated any of them?

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*FYI, my reviews are my honest opinion and if something bothers me, I tell it straight. How else will anything change? My opinions are based on being a voracious reader and book buyer, not an attack on the author.*

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