This was such a strong start to a great murder mystery series. I loved the use of Jane Austen as a amateur sleuth and thought it worked this story's advantage. Most of the characters were really relatable and that they worked overall in the storyline. Jessica Bull has a great writing style and it left me wanting to read more in this series.

I thank NetGalley and Union Square and Co. for an advance reader copy of “Miss Austen Investigates: The Hapless Milliner.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Miss Jane Austen as detective is not a new concept; several other series use the writer as protagonist; but Jessica Bull keeps her subject freshly engaging (and a good detective) in “Miss Austen Investigates: The Hapless Milliner,” the first in this new series. Even in first person present, not my favorite point of view.

The murder might be enough to examine on its own, but the scene soon involves a member of Jane’s family. So, in between waiting for a marriage proposal and observing the village inhabitants in their comings and goings, something the real Jane Austen would understand, we get a first-class investigation, with a few twists and turns along the way. Fans of the historical mystery genre should enjoy going along as she solves this puzzle in a satisfactory fashion, in “Miss Austen Investigates: The Hapless Milliner.”

"A witty, engaging murder mystery featuring Jane Austen as an intrepid amateur sleuth - the first in a series.

Jane Austen - sparkling, spirited, and incredibly clever - is suddenly thrust into a mystery when a milliner's dead body is found locked inside a cupboard in the middle of a ball. When Jane's brother Georgy is found with some jewelry belonging to the deceased, the local officials see it as an open-and-shut case: one which is likely to end with his death. Jane is certain that he is innocent, and there is more to the murder than meets the eye. Her investigations send her on a journey through local society, as Jane's suspect list keeps on growing - and her keen observational skills of people will be put to the test to solve the crime and save her brother."

I mean, I'm here for all the Jane Austen, but if you want a complete series that has been lauded over the years Stephanie Barron's series about Jane Austen just ended this past fall...

Janeites, put this one on your TBR now! Delightful book #1 in new series features young Jane as an amateur sleuth. Can she save her brother from being charged with murder? Great fun!