Author: Jessica Bull
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Book Release Date: 2024
Pages: 364
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: 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.
Featuring the same lively wit, insightful social commentary, and relatable characters that have made Jane Austen books into perennial classics, this first entry in the Miss Austen Investigates series is perfect for anyone who enjoyed The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl or other historical mystery books based on real people, as well as fans looking to add to their Jane Austen collection.
My Review: The Hapless Milliner is a historical mystery which features Jane Austen as an amateur sleuth. During a ball one night, Jane Austen is determined to get Tom Lefroy to marry her. However, the ball is disrupted when a milliner is found dead inside a locked cupboard. Jane Austen’s brother, Georgy, is accused of killing the milliner because he possesses some of the victim’s jewels. Jane Austen knew that her brother was innocent. She was determined to find the real killer and prove her brother’s innocence.
Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors. I loved the premise, and I wanted to see how competent she is in solving crimes! However, I found this book to be very disappointing. I did not like how Jane Austen was portrayed as an amateur sleuth. In fact, she was not a competent sleuth at all. Jane Austen in real-life is known for her shrewd observations and attention to detail. Yet, this fictional Jane Austen was not observant at all. In fact, I did not like how she handled the investigations. She just made up theories that were not backed up by evidence. Instead, she just went around and accused everyone of murder. She did not even solve the mystery. Instead, the killer just confessed out of nowhere. Therefore, I did not like how Mrs. Bull handled Jane Austen’s character.
Overall, this novel is about secrets, societal expectations, and family. I did not care for any of the characters because they were very flat. The mystery was a disappointment. There was no real investigation and no build up of evidence. The reveal was just thrown at the reader in a very careless way. The book was also very slow moving. I did like the historical details of Jane Austen’s real life. I also found the book to be meticulously researched. I am still curious to read the sequel, A Fortune Most Fatal. The Hapless Milliner may appeal to fans of Jane Austen who love to read everything about her. However, there are better books out there that feature Jane Austen as a female sleuth. They are Death of a Lady and Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor. Therefore, I advise you to skip this book and read those books instead because they are more enjoyable and turn Jane Austen into a clever detective!
Rating: 2 ½ out of 5 stars
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