This book was the perfect rainy day mystery! Jessica did a fantastic job of researching Austen’s life and weaving this crazy mystery into it in a way that felt totally realistic and believable. I loved it!!

The characters felt so true to life, and the mystery literally kept me guessing the whole time. Every time I felt like I understood what was going on (usually right alongside Jane), there was another twist and a new development that completely threw me. There were definitely some darker elements to the narrative, but Jessica balanced the storytelling so well that the book never felt overly dark or heavy. I would check out trigger warnings though too.

I enjoyed this one, and if you’re looking for a creative, historic mystery—I do recommend it!

This was an interesting book where the main concept is Jane. Austin is investigating a fictional situation involving her brother. It’s loosely inspired by real events, but the author knew shares some of the ways the author moves the timeline around for the purpose of the story. The idea is intriguing, but I found some of the execution little lacking. There were several times I wanted to tell the characters to sit down and talk to each other. So much of the tension would have been resolved by a conversation. The parts of the book that were based on real events, were fascinating and I found the handling of mental illness at that time Well done. It was an intriguing book I would give 3 1/2 stars. I kept coming back to it but other books would intervene.

A Fortune Most Fatal is a page-turning mystery with so many twists and turns it kept me guessing right up to the action-packed finale! I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, and I adored author Jessica Bull’s vivid descriptions of the English countryside, her spot-on depictions of Jane Austen’s family members, and her witty and clever Jane Austen, who’s determined to uncover the truth, even though, like her future heroine Emma, she doesn’t always get it quite right along the way. Don’t miss this brilliant installment in the Miss Austen Investigates series!

The second in the Miss Austen Investigates series see our heroine, Jane Austen, caught up in another scandal. Broken-hearted Jane has been sent to look after her brother’s children and happens across an heiress who is not all that she seems. Can Miss Austen uncover the true identity of this imposter without endangering her own life & the lives of her loved ones?

A charming, engaging cozy crime for Jane Austen fans.

Jessica Bull sets out Miss Austen Investigates: a Fortune Most Fatal. Jane Austen is at her brother's home she thinks to help in the pregnancy of her sister in law; her relatives want her to concentrate on marriage possibilities. Then a mysterious young lady is staying with her brother's patroness; she seems to have multiple personalities. Moderately interesting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well written historical mystery which featured an imagined Jane Austen as the main character. Each time I opened up the book, I was transported back to 1797.

Jane is nothing, if not curious. Her insatiable curiosity leads her to write delicious novels, get into a bit of trouble and solve some rather unusual mysteries. Developing some self control helped Jane to keep her curiosity in check. Jane loves words…hearing them, speaking them, reading them and writing them. Jane is also a woman of her word.

Jane possessed remarkable observational skills. Always keenly aware of her surroundings, nothing escaped her attention. This proved to be problematic for those who were busy trying to hide things. I loved the way Jane processed all that she observed. She found value in looking at things from many different angles. Shouldn’t we all?

I really enjoyed this entertaining and satisfying story. Well done!

I received copies of this book from Union Square & CO through AustenProse and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts expressed in this review are mine.

This was such a fun read! It felt very similar to a Nancy Drew mystery and I loved Jane Austen as the main character.

A Fortune Most Fatal is the second book in the Miss Austen Investigates Series, but it works as a standalone novel. If you’re looking for a witty, captivating, and delightful read full of mystery and Jane Austen, look no further! The Regency Mystery book will instantly draw you in from the first page and keep you hooked until the end.

A Fortune Most Fatal begins in 1797 and follows Jane Austen on an adventure to solve a new mystery amid intriguing characters – and I absolutely loved it. It’s a fun read with a unique take on Jane Austen that I quite enjoyed.

Overall, A Fortune Most Fatal (and the Miss Austen Investigates Series) is a must-read escapist cozy fiction with a touch of romance for all the Austen enthusiasts.

Adaptation Recommendation: As a continuing series, this would make for a fantastic television show like Miss Scarlet and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. What better than Jane Austen as an amateur sleuth? I’d watch it.

Content Note: It’s mild overall, but there is brief language and disturbing references to child abuse and assault.

Overall Rating: 4.5

So excited to read everything Jessica Bull writes! I am really excited for more book in the series as this one was a delight.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Can’t express this feeling of excitement when the author combines both Jane Austen and a murder mystery together; it’s the perfect marriage if you asked me! This is the second installment in the 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 series and it is refreshing and twisty with a highly addictive set of mysteries to uncover. This delightful Austen-infused armchair cozy is one-of-its-kind and undoubtedly my cup of tea.

If you are a fan of murder mysteries then this is a must read, especially if you love Jane Austen. This is the second in the Miss Austen investigates series, and it was just as cozy and exciting as the first.

Jessica Bull did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. Each one was so clever and witty, the dialogue was superb. I absolutely adored Jane and her amateur sleuthing skills. The mystery kept me guessing. It was fun trying to solve it right along with Jane.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, mysteries, all things Jane Austen or even the Regency era, then I highly recommend this novel.

*I received an e-arc via the publisher and Netgalley for review. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you also to @austenprose for having me on the tour. All thoughts are my own*

After reading and enjoying the first book in the series, I was thrilled to be able to read the second book. It did not disappoint and has endeared this author to me even more. I love how much research and thought were put into the story. I really hope there are more books coming!

In book two, Jane travels to her brother Edward “Neddy” Austen’s home to look after his children as his wife is expecting their next child. Her sister-in-law hopes to find Jane a husband while she is there. Jane however hopes to further her writing whilst visiting. She soon realizes that she must help her brother’s adoptive mother discover the identity of her houseguest claiming to be a princess, before she is swindled out of her fortune. The Austen’s have come to rely upon this much-anticipated inheritance, so it is imperative that Jane solves this mystery.

All in all, a compelling historical mystery that fans of Jane Austen will enjoy! I definitely recommend.

An intriguing mystery unfolds when Jane is in Kent at the home of her brother Edward Austen (soon to be Knight) and his family. This is the second book of the Miss Austen Investigates series, but can easily be read as a standalone story. Jane has quite the imagination in this one, forming all sorts of wild theories, she’s alone in her efforts for most of the story but her persistence pays off in the end. I am enjoying this series. 4.5 stars rounded up.

An enticing mystery which combines the grit of Anne Perry with the well-researched historical details of Jane Austen’s life. I’ve loved reading mysteries involving Jane Austen’s characters, but never before read a mystery involving the famous author herself. Jessica Bull does a fantastic job bringing Jane & her world to life with an intricate whodunnit that kept me on my toes.

Jane travels to Kent to look after her brother Neddy’s children while his wife prepares to have another baby. While there reacquainting herself with her family, a young woman arrives claiming to be a princess & the survivor of a shipwreck. Neddy’s adoptive mother & benefactor seems to be taken with the princess & Neddy’s wife Elizabeth fears Mrs. Knight may favor this new interloper over Neddy. As Jane investigates the suspicious young woman, she begins to suspect there’s a deeper, more sinister story afoot.

I enjoyed this intriguing mystery. The historical detail is amazing & I loved the way the author wove Jane’s characters & history into the story. Much like her characters, Jane has a complicated personality. She often jumps to conclusions, & her vivid imagination causes her to leap to sometimes wild conclusions, especially where it concerns her brother Neddy. Even though I liked her portrayal, I honestly think she gets an easy pass from some characters whom she wrongly accuses.

The mystery itself is complicated at first, mainly because there are a lot of characters to process. The second half of the story definitely becomes more intense as each clue is revealed. Sensitive readers should know that the subject of Jane’s investigation involves child abuse & the effects of this horrific crime. There’re also a few instances of swearing, including taking the Lord’s name in vain.

All in all a compelling mystery with a hint of romance. Though part of a series, it’s easily read as a standalone. Looking forward to reading more from this author. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

This is my first book from this author and I was intrigued by the description. I hold cozies close to my heart, and Jane Austen investigating, yes please! I appreciated the author’s take on the beloved Austen and how Bull showed her strengths. Not only in writing but problem solving. This is the second book in the series and I must read the first soon. There is a nod to my favorite Austen book, Sense and Sensibility, and I was thrilled.

A mysterious princess arrives under the care of Mrs Knight. Jane tries to unravel what happened to her. But could Jane’s brother, Neddy, have secrets of his own?

I enjoyed the story. The mystery was exciting and well done. I enjoy historical cozies with a strong female lead, like Jane, who are sharp and fantastic heroines. Of course, there is the inevitable sister in law trying to make a match for Jane. There is the elusive Eleanor, with her strange behavior and the mysterious circumstances that surround her are engrossing and the mystery depends with unpostmarked letters and unexplained happenings. The story takes a surprising turn, one I haven’t read often, and I felt the author handled it well.

CW: rape is mentioned, but no details. Childhood trauma.

I received an NetGalley link and a paperback from the publisher. All views are my own.

What real life person would you like to see as an investigator? I love seeing Jane Austen as a sleuth, but I also like stories where Agatha Christie is an investigator.

Jane Austen is visiting her brother Edward to help with his children as his wife Elizabeth will be delivering another child soon. The year is 1797. Jane has recently had a romance with Tom Lefroy, and Cassandra’s fiancé, Thomas Fowle, has just died from yellow fever while in the Caribbean on a military expedition. Jane has taken Cassandra’s place visiting Edward so that Cassandra can have time to grieve. Edward’s adopted mother, Mrs. Catherine Knight, has taken in a woman who proclaims that she is a foreign princess. As Jane realizes that Edward’s future fortune may be settled upon this “princess,” she decides she must discover who she really is before it is too late.

My thoughts on this novel:
• I loved reading a book with Jane Austen as a main character living in her world. She is at a hopeful period of life, still young enough to hope for love and marriage, and working on her novels.

• I loved when Jane Austen was reading her novel (the first draft of Sense and Sensibility) to Mrs. Knight and she falls asleep. It made me laugh. I wish I could have been around to listen to Austen reading her own work and providing voices!

• Edward “Neddy” and Elizabeth were interesting. Elizabeth annoyed me at times, but I can see why you would be upset about your inheritance that you are counting on to support your family potentially being ripped away. She also thought she was being helpful with trying to find Jane a husband.

• I enjoyed the mystery within this book and it kept me riveted all of the way through. I don’t want to ruin it for someone else – but I did enjoy it and its resolution.

• Jane at times reminded me of Catherine Morland in this novel with all sorts of interesting theories.

• This is the second book in the series. I have the first book, The Hapless Milliner, and I need to read it soon!

• There is a great author’s note at the end of the novel on changes to history made for this historical fiction novel as well as real life inspirations.

• The elephant in the room is that this is the second series with Jane Austen as the sleuth that I have read. I loved the Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Barron. That series has ended with Jane’s death. This new series is telling different stories in a different way. The real-life characters have different personalities, which is interesting.

Overall, Miss Austen Investigates: A Fortune Most Fatal by Jessica Bull is a wonderful historical mystery that puts you firmly into the Regency world of Jane Austen. It was an interesting mystery and I loved the historical time period and characters.

Book Source: Review copy from Union Square & Co as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a clever and delightful mystery that portrays Jane Austen as an amateur sleuth. The author did a great job of blending an intriguing mystery with period details, well drawn characters, sharp dialogue, and authentic details about the Austen Family.

The mystery was skillfully layered, with some twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.

What I loved most about the book was Jane’s character! She’s witty, intelligent, and independent—just as I imagine the real Jane Austen to have been. As a fan of her works, I especially enjoyed the mentions of Jane’s drafting of Sense and Sensibility.

Recommend for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and clever detective stories, and especially for fans of Jane Austen.

Union Square & Co. and Austenprose PR provided this complimentary copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I’m so happy to be today’s book tour stop for Jessica Bull’s newest release in her “Miss Austen Investigates” series: A Fortune Most Fatal. This is the second novel in the series and spoilers, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Huge thanks to Austen Prose, Union Square & Co., and Jessica Bull for the free digital copy AND physical copy in exchange for an honest review!

It shouldn’t come as any surprise that I am a fan of all things Jane Austen. I’m a complete sucker for Austen rereads, retellings, continuation stories…all of them. This year is especially exciting as December will mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. Be prepared to hear a lot more about Austen’s works and retellings from me as the year goes on.


Okay, back to A Fortune Most Fatal. Reminiscent of Stephanie Barron’s “Being A Jane Austen Mystery” series, here we have our beloved Jane herself as the sleuth, and I absolutely love this. Bull clearly knows Austen and has done her research, but I also love how transparent she is about tweaking history and adding things to fit her story.

While I love reviewing mysteries, sometimes I find it difficult because I don’t want to give anything away. In this novel, Jane travels to Kent to stay with her brother Ned, sister-in-law Elizabeth, and their children. Ned has not yet received the fortune he expects from his adoptive mother Mrs. Knight…and here is where our mystery comes in.

I won’t say too much more plot-wise, but I will say that this was a great mystery read and I am looking forward to more in this series! Jessica Bull has done a marvelous job with Jane, and this series is a great entry in the long list of Austen-inspired novels. I think as readers of classic Austen now, we revere Jane as a witty, wise, and astute commentator of society in her time. Which, yes, she is all of those things. What Bull has done well though, is making our 20-21 year old Jane human. Throughout the first book in this series (The Hapless Milliner) and this one, Jane makes mistakes, works through trials and triumphs, and yes, solves some mysteries. This all helps bridge the 250 years between the modern reader and our beloved Jane.

1797 Jane is sent to Rowling Manor, home of brother Edward Austen Knight to look after the children. At Godmersham Park, home of Mrs Catherine Knight, Jane meets 'Princess Eleanor', supposedly a survivor of a shipwreck. Mrs Edward Knight believes she is after their inheritance and wants Jane to investigate, though it seems she is not as intelligent as she believes.
An enjoyable historical cozy mystery with its varied characters, a good second story to this series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
(A pity it is written in the present tense)

Jessica Bull dives yet again into the mystery-solving world of Jane Austen with “Miss Austen Investigates: A Fortune Most Fatal.”

When Jane Austen’s sister Cassandra loses her fiance, Jane is tasked with attending to the upcoming birth of her brother Neddy and sister-in-law Elizabeth’s fourth child. While there, she learns Neddy’s adoptive mother, Mrs. Knight, has taken in a strange young woman with an even stranger story.

Eleanor claims to be a Spanish princess who was kidnapped by pirates at a young age, and was recently able to escape and is seeking refuge. But as Jane visits with Eleanor, she quickly learns there is more to the woman’s story. And with family concern that Mrs. Knight may choose to leave her estate to this woman instead of Neddy, Jane knows she needs to quickly figure out what is truly going on.

Bull does a great job of drawing out the world of Jane Austen, creating a delightful cast of characters, including some truly unique characters. She also creates a plot filled with twists and turns, and many misdirections that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. She also bases several characters and situations from real-life scenarios.

For those who may be triggered, there is a plot line surrounding a delicate subject matter dealing with abuse.

Fans of Austen’s novels and authors like Stephanie Barron, Julie Klassen, Sarah E. Ladd and Claudia Gray will love this story.

Five stars out of five.

Union Square & Co. provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.