Thank you so much to Austen Prose and Union Square Co. for the ARC of this book!

4.5 rounded down to 4.

A Fortune Most Fatal is the second book in the Miss Austen Investigates series. I have to say that I'm so happy I was introduced to this series by Austen Prose. They are the most fun cozy mysteries. I've said this before, but I didn't know a whole lot about Jane Austen's life. Of course I know who she is and all about her books, but not much beyond that. While these books are entirely fiction, Jessica Bull does an OUTSTANDING job incorporating actual facts about Jane Austen and her family into these books. I fact checked a lot of information and come to find out, I'm learning quite a bit about her! How much extra umph does that add to a fiction book with a real life literary icon as the main character? To me, it adds so much! Not only was the mystery fun and exciting to try to figure out, but I'm learning a few things along the way! To me, this is just a novel jackpot!

I am a huge fan of mysteries featuring Jane Austen's characters, but I had not yet read a series involving the author herself. Though I found the writing style in 'The Hapless Milliner' entertaining and easier to follow than Jane Austen's own (just my modern-day preference; Austen is, of course, a masterful writer), I was disappointed with how the character of Austen herself was portrayed. It feels strange when authors take creative liberties with a real person in their stories, making decisions that I believe the person would not have been proud of. However, I was already approved for the sequel on NetGalley, so I pressed on to see if these issues had been remedied.

'A Fortune Most Fatal' is harder for me to follow since I chose not to complete the first book. I recommend this to those who aren't concerned about Jane Austen's representation in this fictional work, and who are looking for witty yet serious historical mysteries.

Special thanks to the publisher, Union Square & Co., and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

In the second installment of Jessica Bull's Jane Austen mystery series, Miss Austen Investigates: A Fortune Most Fatal, we meet a more seasoned Jane. She is coming off her "disappointment" with her "Irish fellow." Something she wishes everyone would stop mentioning. She has been sent to Kent to help her brother and sister-in-law before the birth of their next child, a task for which she is comically unsuited. We meet her brother Neddy, who the wealthy Knight family adopted. This introduces Jane to a higher social circle, and with that comes all the trappings of matchmaking and navigating her position in this new social hierarchy.

When Jane arrives, her sister-in-law begs for help persuading Mrs. Knight that her new house guest is not the shipwrecked foreign princess she claims to be. I loved this nod to the real-life mystery of Princess Caraboo. Of course, it's not as simple as just discrediting the princess, and Jane becomes embroiled in a web of danger that threatens more than her brother's inheritance.

The mystery was different in tone than The Hapless Milliner, and one that I connected with more (though I still really enjoyed that book). Instead of a whodunnit, it has more of a thriller vibe. Is cozy thriller a genre? It should be. I enjoyed how it focused on inheritance issues and their cascading effect on the Austen family, especially for Jane herself. Like the first novel, Jane has a vested interest in solving the mystery. In fact, solving it might be the only thing keeping her writing dream alive. She even meets a new co-investigator, whom I very much hope to see again.

I love how we get to see Jane develop both as an investigator and an author. She is more confident in her investigative skills, maybe a little too much at times, which results in many blunders along the way. Does it sound like any Austen heroines you know? I also love that we get to see her struggle to find her voice in an early draft of Sense and Sensibility. It's clear that Jane hasn't come into her own yet, but she is making strides. I hope that in future installments Jane continues to grow in confidence, ability, and most importantly, self-awareness.

Bull does a good job of balancing many dark themes with moments of levity. There were a couple of plot twists I saw coming, but they didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the mystery, and I was so engrossed with Jane's familial drama that I didn't mind.

It can be read as a stand-alone; however, be aware that there are some spoilers for The Hapless Milliner if you read them out of order. I highly recommend A Fortune Most Fatal to all Austen lovers. Even if you don't read mysteries, there are so many Austen tidbits sprinkled throughout to satisfy. I can't wait for more Austen investigations.

4.5/5 stars

CW: death, violence, mental health struggles, childbirth struggles, chronic illness of a child, discussions of past sexual abuse, and human trafficking

I usually enjoy Jane Austen themed books and the writing in this was good but there were so many characters and I got confused and didn’t end up finishing it.

Thank you to Net Galley for proving this ARC for me to offer my honest review.

I thank NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for an advance reader copy of “A Fortune Most Fatal.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Busy fending off the would-be suitors her over-bearing sister-in-law has foisted off on her, Miss Jane Austen once again finds herself involved in a peculiar investigation in “A Fortune Miss Fatal,” Jessica Bull’s latest in the entertaining series. This one has the budding novelist uncovering the secrets of a confused young “squatter” who has attached herself to the very rich Mrs. Catherine Knight, who happens to be her brother’s mother by adoption. The worry is that the girl is out to gain herself part of the rather substantial inheritance. So, in between resisting the threats to her unmarried state and figuring out just what is going on (the “housemate” girl is getting death threats), dear Jane has a heck of a lot to occupy her time. And boy, does she have a lot of it wrong before she gets it all right.

What starts out as a supposed simple tale of fraud and deception is eventually uncovered by Jane’s determined efforts, with the help of a “younger son” who is quite the helpful fellow, to be a doozy of a story. And included is a look at a person who, through no fault of her own, is the key to everything, in more ways than one. Author Jessica Bull has Jane handling the plot’s big twist with great empathy, at a time when such a “disease” would have inspired horror and revulsion.

The Author’s Note details the artistic license taken with timelines, the real people used throughout “A Fortune Most Fatal,” including the helpful Mr. Brook Edward Bridges, and the medical issue described in the book. Jessica Bull gives readers a story that will satisfy readers who enjoy the Austen oeuvre and a plot that offers up twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end.

I got the ARC for A Fortune Most Fatal, book 2 in the Miss Austen Investigates series, and it is so good.

A young Jane Austen seeks to smooth out a delicate situation between family members and uncovers a crime.

I think Austen herself would have liked this series.

"A witty, engaging murder mystery featuring Jane Austen as an intrepid sleuth - the second installment in the Miss Austen Investigates series.

1797: A broken-hearted Jane Austen travels to Kent to look after her brother Neddy's children and further her writing. She soon realizes it's imperative she uncovers the true identity of a mysterious young woman claiming to be a shipwrecked foreign princess before the interloper can swindle Neddy's adoptive mother out of her fortune and steal the much-anticipated inheritance all the Austens rely on."

So, I guess we've sticking with this cover design. I thought it was cute on the first, now it's just too repetitive.

This is the second book in a series that apparently has to be read in order. I didn’t realize that when I requested the the book. The opening doesn’t make any sense to me, since I haven’t read the first book. I’m also not a huge fan of the writing style or the neurotic portrayal of Jane Austen. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Miss Austen Investigates: A Fortune Most Fatal
by Jessica Bull
Pub Date: Mar 25 2025

1797: A broken-hearted Jane Austen travels to Kent to look after her brother Neddy’s children and further her writing. She soon realizes it’s imperative she uncovers the true identity of a mysterious young woman claiming to be a shipwrecked foreign princess before the interloper can swindle Neddy’s adoptive mother out of her fortune and steal the much-anticipated inheritance all the Austens rely on.

Miss Austen Investigates: A Fortune Most Fatal is a wonderful follow up to Jessica Bull's first Miss Austen Investigates: The Hapless Milliner. Jessica Bull keeps the action going throughout the whole novel, while showing that she has extensive knowledge of Jane Austen and her family, without it being pedantic. Jessica Bull's Jane Austen is very much what one would expect of a spirited teenager with a keen mind. This Jane isn't perfect either, which is also relatable. While The Hapless Milliner involved Austen's relationship with her favorite brother, Henry (understandable), A Fortune Most Fatal focuses more on Austen's relationship with her brother Edward (Neddy) who was adopted by the wealthy Knights and became their her.
This novel is a must read for any Austen fan, casual or not.

A Fortune Most Fatal brings together two of my favorites- Jane Austen and historical mystery. In this second installment in the mystery series it was fun to see Jane in the process of finishing Sense and Sensibility. I also loved the subtle nods to Austen’s characters seen in the dialogue and actions of the characters in this book.

The mystery took a dark turn that I wasn’t expecting and there are some disturbing and sad elements to the story.

Overall, if you love Jane Austen and enjoy mysteries this is a series to check out. Thank you to the publisher and Austenprose for a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Good to Know:
A few instances of profanity and God’s name in vain, a character speculates that another character is possessed by a demon, references to prostitution and child abuse, and a character has a serious mental health condition.

what a delight! I love the mix of fact and fiction, it makes you feel like you're part of the Austen family. Fun and clever writing, a great mystery and investigation story.

This was a strong sequel in the Miss Austen Investigates series, it had that element that I enjoyed from the first book. The characters were everything that worked in this universe and was engaged with what was going on and enjoyed the mystery of this and how it uses the historical element. Jessica Bull has a strong writing style and was glad I was able to read this.

I received a free copy of, Miss Austen Investigates: A Fortune Most Fatal, by Jessica Bull, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Jane Austen is visiting her brother Neddy, who has secrets of his own. Can Jane help her brother or will she end up hurting him? This was a real good read.

Sharp and witty, this murder mystery is perfect for Jane Austen fans who want to try something new. It’s very well researched and incredible work down for characterization and setting. The mystery is intriguing and satisfying. Thanks to @austenprose for the advance copy!

An absolutely glorious novel. Sensitively written and bursting with Jane's personality and precociousness. A joy to read, and although it was totally different to book one in the series, it's the perfect sequel. I'm already desperate for book three.
I loved the exploration of class and Jane's place within society. Mr Bridges was a particular hero and a worthy heart throb. Gorgeous to spend time with Neddy and Elizabeth too.

This is a really great second book in the ‘Miss Austen Investigates’ series. Once again Jessica has managed to skillfully weave fact and fiction into a thoroughly entertaining mystery which keeps you guessing until the end.
Set against the backdrop of her beloved sister’s grief due the death of her fiancé, Jane is called upon by her brother’s family, and reluctantly leaves Cassandra for Kent in order to help Edward/Neddy Austen Knight’s wife as she prepares for childbirth.
Whilst also helping Neddy’s ‘mother’, (Mrs Knight), with various errands, Jane overhears a conversation which sets her mind racing as to what can be done; and just who is the mysterious house guest that Mrs Knight has taken in and are they really capable of destroying all of one’s hopes for the future? One thing is sure, danger lies ahead, and Jane must work out who she can trust.
A Fortune Most Fatal is ‘darker’ in its storyline than ‘The Hapless Milliner, and doesn’t have as many light-hearted moments as its predecessor, which I am sure is purposely reflective of the fact that the story opens after the Austen family has experienced the grief of Mr Fowle’s death (Cassandra’s fiancé)..
Despite the more serious nature of the plot, ‘A Fortune Most Fatal’ is another triumph of good research, and Jessica is careful to explain at the end of the novel not only where her inspiration came from, but also where timelines and events have been adjusted to fit with the narrative.
As an avid reader and collector of books relating to Jane Austen, I can thoroughly recommend this one as another enjoyable read. I very much hope Jessica will continue the series with a third book and I’d like to thank her and Netgalley for the opportunity to read it in advance of its general release.

Book 2 in this fab series is everything I hoped for and more. The characterization of the Austen clan is masterfully done. And the mystery kept me rapt through to the end. A must-read for Janeites and fans of fine histfic mysteries. Book 3, please come soon!

I absolutely loved this brilliant second installment in the "Miss Austen Investigates" series. Jessica Bull has somehow mananged to keep all the appeal of the first book while giving readers a mystery that's really quite different and unique, and kept me guessing until the end. I love the new setting (Kent), I love the way Jessica Bull brings the Austen family to life so delightfully (so very much like a "real" family -- and so funny!!), and I adore the character of Brook. There's just so much to love here. I am thoroughly hooked on this series, and cannot wait for the third booik!!

Enjoyed reading this book and will seek out others in the series. The author does not shy away from the cruel situations in life and their consequences.