Short Synopsis
The delightful debut of a Regency historical mystery featuring Jane Austen’s indefatigable Emma Knightly! Perfect for fans of Anna Lee Huber, Darcie Wilde, Claudia Gray, and Stephanie Barron.

Full Synopsis
Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma has grown unusually content in her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. The height of summer sees the former Miss Woodhouse gracefully balancing the meticulous management of her elegant family estate and a flurry of social engagements, with few worries apart from her beloved father's health . . .

But cheery circumstances change in an instant when Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley's tenant farmers, discover a hideous shock at the local church. The corpse of Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar's wife, has been discarded on the altar steps—the ornate necklace she often wore stripped from her neck . . .

As a chilling murder mystery blooms and chaos descends upon the tranquil village of Highbury, the question isn't simply who committed the crime, but who wasn't secretly wishing for the unpleasant woman's demise. When suspicions suddenly fall on a harmless local, Emma—armed with wit, unwavering determination, and extensive social connections—realizes she must discreetly navigate an investigation of her own to protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight.

"The audio version was so fun, the narrator is perfect and the story will have you laughing one minute and full of tense suspense the next." ---I Bee Reading

"Polly Lane does a great job narrating this book. The pacing is well done and I was entertained throughout and never found myself guessing at which character we were hearing from. Lane uses a different tone and even accent work for each character which made it easy to follow." ---Katie's Bookmarks

"Good narration. I could see the people and their voices." ---Books for Life

"Vanessa Kelly is a wonderful storyteller handling numerous plot twists and dramatic revelations with elegance and wit. The tone is delightfully Austenian . . . I am already looking forward to many more [Emma] Knightly Mysteries." ---Jane Austen's Regency World