I love Pride and Prejudice adaptations and modernizations but Sense and Sensibility is my favorite Austen book and movie. So I thoroughly enjoyed Tirzah Price’s Sense and Second-Degree Murder.

The Dashwood sisters set out to prove their father's death was no random heart attack. Elinor is an aspiring chemist, Marianne an intrepid investigator and Margaret a budding gothic novelist. With these skills and their determination, they seek not only answers to their father’s death but also look into another unsolved case that gets them involved in London's opium scourge of the early nineteenth century.

Mr. Edward Farrows, Mr. Brandon, and of course Willoughby are all along for the ride.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A quick, fun read. Price does a good job of creating realistic, likable characters while keeping the pacing of her stories even and logical. While this one could do with a bit more hint dropping early on, a savvy reader will figure out most of the plot with only minor struggling. Additionally, this is a well-researched book and I do suggest that you all check out the notes in the back to find out a little bit more about the topics covered in this book.

While I'm not sure how much this will appeal to its intended audience, I enjoyed spending a day reading this one. I'm also not too sure about how well this one mirrors/parallels Sense and Sensibility since I have never read that book, I do think it stands well enough on its own.

In conclusion, if well-researched historical murder mysteries with budding romances are your jam, then definitely pick this one up when it comes out in 2022.

4.5/5 Stars
Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are shocked to wake up one morning and find their investigator father, Mr. Dashwood dead at his desk. Marianne, an aspiring investigator who followed her father around on all his cases, suspects foul play, especially after it is revealed their older step-brother has been left their father's entire estate. Elinor, who secretly wants to become a chemist, and the oldest sister, takes care of her sisters and mother following their father's passing. She also handles the nuances of their new reality after being pretty much kicked out of their own home by their brother and nasty sister-in-law, Fanny. Finding a suspicious substance at the bottom of the teacup their father last drank from, Elinor and Marianne begin investigating their father's desk on the down low.

What ensues is an adventurous murder mystery, taking many twists and turns to uncover the truth of their father's death. Price also weaves in the classic romances, feminist values, and addresses the mental health response to losing a loved one. Every character is bright and well-rounded, and the mystery details are woven well. The mystery was well-paced and had me fully immersed.

My favorite Austen novel is Sense and Sensibility, mainly because of the sister relationships, which Tirzah Price nails! I loved Pride and Premeditation, but I think I enjoyed Sense and Second-Degree Murder even more. I adore the idea of Elinor wanting to become a chemist, Marianne an investigator, and Margaret, the youngest, a novelist. This is a wonderful, fresh rendition of a classic Austen novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC copy I received in exchange for my honest review. #SenseandSecondDegreeMurder #NetGalley

I'm glad this author is carrying on with this series. It has a unique perspective that manages to not feel disloyal to the original while offering something entirely new.