I recently reviewed the second book in this series – Murder on the Bride’s Side by Tracy Kiely. Murder Most Austen is another library find and the 4th in the series. So I did have a gap between the two novels. Thankfully you get enough reflection on the previous (and for me missing) book to follow the relationships.

The intrepid Elizabeth Parker is joined by her Aunt (great aunt really) Winnie on a trip of a lifetime to Bath for the Jane Austen Festival. On the flight there we are introduced to a rather unusual Austen scholar Professor Richard Baines and his assistant Lindsay. With some very… unique… opinions on what he saw as the “true” meaning behind Austen’s work and the woman herself he was a prime candidate for drama.

Once in Bath we are introduced to a whole new host of characters including an old friend of Aunt Winnie’s and the family of the professor. With drama and secrets it is a prime situation for the ensuing murder.

I love this one and honestly did NOT figure out who the killer was. Bath is a dream location for me and I do admit to looking up some of the art the ladies saw in London and daydreamed a little about the streets and hotels. There is a touch of romance, a bit of intrigue and murder for the books. I actually enjoyed this book as well as the one I read previously. I cannot wait to get my hands on numbers 1 and 3!

So again. love love love these books by Tracy Kiely. Be sure to check them out if you want a Jane Austen infused read. 

Another random library find win BIG TIME. In fact, though this is not the first book in the series by author Tracy Kiely, but the SECOND book, I found that I fell right into loving the characters. Murder on the Bride’s Side pulls its inspiration from a favourite author of mine – Jane Austen. Specifically the book Sense and Sensibility (and the movies are mentioned as well). The other lucky library find in this series… Murder Most Austen (the 4th installation) also pulls from the same inspirational waters.

What I love about the characters is they are all truly characters… Our main protagonist is Elizabeth Parker who is absolutely infatuated with all things Jane Austen. She is fulfilling the role of maid of honour for her best friend Bridget who is getting married. This brings her to the home of Bridget’s grandmother Elsie who lives in a rather palatial mansion. With a family of people who do not always get along Elizabeth is simply expecting in fighting… not the murder of one of the least likable family members.

There is the boyfriend (past bully) Peter, Chloe the wedding planner and potentially old flame of boyfriend and a family of people you either love or would love to hate. You get to go along with Elizabeth and find the solution to not only the murder but a host of questionable goings on in the great house. What I love about this story is that the main character is a babbler… she loves to think and chatter and you have to laugh along with her as she thinks outrageous things and sometimes lets them slip out.

There are plenty of wonderful Jane Austen quotes included along with a touch of romance… a good mystery and a wedding to boot. Murder on the Bride’s Side is a great cozy mystery in what I am sure will be an amazing series. Definitely a book to check out!

If teacups could talk…

The death of a beloved aunt leads a stumped authoress to inspiration 3 weeks later with the delivery (by a dishy UPS delivery man) of a box from home full of tea cups and saucers. Each one bringing to mind a story shared by her aunt ready and willing to be recorded onto paper. It is here that our stories begin in the novella Tea With Emma (the Teacup Novellas book 1) by Diane Moody.

The first of these stories is centered on a young woman returning from a trip to England with the inspiration to create a Jane Austen tea room in Texas. Her flight home with friend in tow is interrupted by a cranky British man who chastises them for their boisterous speech on the flight home. Maddie and her friend Lanie return to Texas with somewhat disastrous results… including a runaway suitcase and a negligent roommate causing the death of a beloved kitten (Mr. Darcy… so many Jane Austen references).

Tea With Emma brings to light how one’s faith and belief in what’s right and what you are called  to do can change your life. Maddie feels she, like Austen’s Emma is a matchmaker (with the support of God). And like Emma, we see how even the best intentions can cause less than happy results. We see how forgiveness and letting go of a difficult past can alter a person from their very core.

I would suggest Tea with Emma by Diane Moody to anyone who is looking for a light read with a religious context. The characters are engaging and the addition of tea and Jane Austen give this story a lovely flavour. I will definitely be looking for more from this series.