Sense and Second-Degree Murder by Tirzah Price #YA #Mystery

Series: Jane Austen Murder Mysteries # 2
Format: Hardcover, 416 pages
Release Date: April 5, 2022
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Mysteries

Three of Jane Austen’s classic novels receive a murder mystery makeover in this romantic and thrilling three-book series that’s perfect for fans of The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy and Stalking Jack the Ripper. In Sense and Second-Degree Murder, aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood and her sister Marianne, a budding detective, work together to solve the mystery of their father’s murder.  

When eighteen-year-old aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood discovers her beloved father slumped over the desk of his office study, she knows his death means dire straits for the Dashwood women. To make matters worse, an outdated will entails his estate—including Norland & Company, the private investigation firm where her younger sister Marianne worked as her father’s partner and protégé—to their half-brother and his haughty wife, who waste no time in forcing the Dashwoods out of their home and into a cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.

But before they go, the Dashwood sisters make a startling discovery that points to foul play, and the killer might be family. . .

Obviously, the girls must investigate. It could be dangerous; it could ruin their reputations; and most importantly, it won’t bring back their father. But if the Dashwood sisters can combine their talents and bring their father’s murderer to justice, it may bring them all some comfort—and it might even lead to love.

Tirzah Price's Sense and Second-Degree Murder, the authors retelling of Sense and Sensibility, is the second in a series of books reimagining Austen classics, and will be followed by the series finale Manslaughter Park. You do not have to have read Pride and Premeditation in order to enjoy this story since it focuses on two different characters. 18-year-old Elinor Dashwood and her 16-year-old sister Marianne take the lead in this story. 

The Dashwood sisters have always been a lively bunch, but readers will love this new twist where all three sisters—including Elinor and Marianne’s youngest sister, Margaret—must deal even more explicitly with the issue of being female in a man’s world. When aspiring scientist and eldest sister Elinor discovers her beloved father slumped over the desk of his office study, she knows his death means dire straits for the Dashwood women. 

For Marianne, Mr. Dashwood's death in an arrow to her heart since he was investigating cases and learning how to handle the business. With Marianne's knowledge of investigating, soon the sisters find themselves in a twisted web of lies, and the new people in their lives may be hiding their own secrets. To make matters worse, an outdated will entails his estate—including Norland & Company, the private investigation firm where Marianne worked as her father’s partner and protégé—to their half-brother John and his haughty wife Fanny, who waste no time in forcing the Dashwoods out of their home and into a cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street. 

While her romantic interest Willoughby might turn her head for the slightest moment, she understands there’s more at stake than a handsome face. As expected, the top suspects for Mr. Dashwood's untimely murder focuses on John and Fanny.  Fanny is the perfect petty selfish character that everyone hates, and everyone knows of one of these people in their life. Elinor understands her limitations when it comes to her knowledge of Chemistry but is willing to push the envelope. 

This does not deter her from endeavoring to uncover answers by unconventional means if necessary or by asking for assistance from those with more experience. Toss in 11-year-old Margaret, who is an aspiring writer to the mix, and you have a story that hits on all the bases that one loves the original story can't help reading until the end to find out what happens next. The mystery is intriguing and has many twists and turns. You don't need to have read Austen to enjoy this. Even though it is set in the same time period as Austen's novels, it doesn't feel that way. It has a modern feel, with the characters sometimes acting in ways they should not.

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