Author: Laura Martin
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery and Suspense
Publisher: Sapere Books
Book Release Date: 2023
Pages: 239
Source: Borrowed
Synopsis: The Austen sisters find themselves embroiled in another murder case! For fans of Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, Elizabeth Bailey and Ashley Gardner.
Have a series of murders been covered up…?
1798, Dorset, England
Jane Austen is on holiday with her parents and her sister, enjoying time at the seaside in Lyme Regis.
But one morning, while out on an early stroll, her peace is shattered.
There is someone lying at the bottom of the cliffs.
After rousing her father and sister, she hurries along the beach to find a young woman, dead.
It is clear to Jane that the young woman has been strangled. There is bruising about her neck and marks of discolouration on her face, yet the magistrate and doctor are quick to dismiss her concerns.
As Jane starts to investigate further, she discovers there have been two other young women found dead on the beach between Charmouth and Lyme Regis in the last five months.
Jane and Cassandra are certain the deaths are connected, but why is no one else looking for their killer?
Were the women known to each other? Are they connected in some way?
Can the Austen sisters unravel the mystery?
THE BODY ON THE BEACH is the fourth book in the Jane Austen Investigation series: thrilling Regency-era murder mysteries with a tenacious literary heroine working as a female sleuth.
My Review: Jane and Cassandra Austen are vacationing at the seaside in Lyme Regis. While they are walking along the beach, they find the body of a young woman who was strangled. However, investigators rule the death as an accident. Jane decides to take the investigation into her own hands. As she investigates the case, she learns that there were two other murders that may be connected to the case. Can Jane find the true culprit and give the victims’ family justice?
Jane Austen was a very likable heroine. She is very smart and determined to solve the murder. There were a few times that I thought that she was brazen and impulsive though. She could also be ruthless. Sometimes when she is desperate, she uses trickery and manipulation. However, I still find her to be a refreshing and charming heroine. I like her skills at deduction and how she cares for the victims’ families. I also like how Cassandra supports and helps Jane with her investigation! I thought they made a great team in solving the mystery.
Overall, this book is about justice, family, and secrets. I liked all of the characters and found them to be very engaging. The mystery was very complex, and I liked how all the puzzles connected. I like the simple writing style but it had vivid descriptions. I also liked the picturesque setting of an English beach town. I thought that The Body on the Beach moved at an incredibly fast-pace and was a very light breezy read! It was a fun and cozy historical mystery! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series in The Dead Curate! I recommend this for fans of Jessica Bull, Grace Burrows, and Sarah F. Noel!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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