Congratulations to Laura Martin, whose gripping Regency murder mystery, The Dead Curate, is published today!
The Dead Curate is the fifth book in the Jane Austen Investigation series.
1798, Steventon, England
Mr Austen’s role as rector of Steventon church has meant that Jane and her sister Cassandra are well connected in the local community.
With Mr Austen indisposed, Jane and Cassandra walk to church to greet the curate, Mr Williamson, who will be leading the sermon in his place.
But when they arrive the church is locked and the parishioners are already milling around outside.
Already fearing something is amiss, Jane rushes home to find her father’s key and when she returns she makes a horrifying discovery.
At first the church appears to be empty, but a series of blood drops lead Jane up into the belfry.
And there she finds Mr Williamson, propped up with iron nails through his hands and feet.
The Austen sisters are used to investigating murders by now, but this one is too close to home…
Who would have a grudge against the unassuming curate? Why his body displayed in such a manner?
And are any other lives at risk in the sleepy village of Steventon?
Congratulations to Laura Martin, whose absorbing Regency-era mystery, The Body on the Beach, is out now!
The Body on the Beach is the fourth book in the Jane Austen Investigation series: thrilling historical murder mysteries with a tenacious literary heroine working as a female sleuth.
1798, Dorset, England
Jane Austen is on holiday with her parents and her sister, enjoying time at the seaside in Lyme Regis.
But one morning, while out on an early stroll, her peace is shattered.
There is someone lying at the bottom of the cliffs.
After rousing her father and sister, she hurries along the beach to find a young woman, dead.
It is clear to Jane that the young woman has been strangled. There is bruising about her neck and marks of discolouration on her face, yet the magistrate and doctor are quick to dismiss her concerns.
As Jane starts to investigate further, she discovers there have been two other young women found dead on the beach between Charmouth and Lyme Regis in the last five months.
Jane and Cassandra are certain the deaths are connected, but why is no one else looking for their killer?
Were the women known to each other? Are they connected in some way?
Can the Austen sisters unravel the mystery?
Congratulations to Laura Martin, whose absorbing Regency mystery, A Poisoned Fortune, is published today!
A Poisoned Fortune is the third book in the Jane Austen Investigation series: thrilling Regency-era murder mysteries with a tenacious literary heroine working as a female sleuth.
1797, Bath, England
Devastated by the news of the death of her fiancé, Cassandra Austen has slipped into a melancholy that her sister Jane is desperate to relieve.
Jane suggests a short trip to stay with their aunt, Mrs Leigh-Perrot, in Bath with the aim of lifting Cassandra’s spirits.
Whilst out walking they meet Lady Arabella Waters, and they receive an invitation to meet her at the musical celebration in the Parade Gardens by the river.
But after taking a sip of his drink, Lady Arabella’s husband, Lord Waters collapses, dead.
Despite his advanced years Jane feels there is something not quite right about his death, and her suspicions are confirmed when the inquest determines Lord Waters was poisoned.
The magistrate announces he has found belladonna in Lady Waters’ possessions. He takes her into custody and sends her to the gaol in Ilchester. As she is taken away she pleads with Jane and Cassandra to help her prove her innocence.
Jane believes in Lady Waters, but why was there poison in her possession? And who else could have a motive for killing Lord Waters?
Can the Austen sisters unravel the mystery and prove the innocence of their new friend?
