What an absolute delight! A Very Vexing Murder is a clever, witty blend of Austen-esque charm and classic whodunnit intrigue. Harriet Smith as an amateur sleuth is such a fun twist—her sharp observations and unexpected cunning make her the perfect (and most unlikely) detective.

The story sparkles with humour and period detail, yet the mystery at its heart is genuinely gripping. I loved the tangled web of motives and secrets surrounding Frank Churchill, Jane Fairfax, and the ever-suspicious Mrs Elton. Harriet’s investigation kept me guessing right to the end, and the romantic tension added just the right amount of spice.

As a fan of Austen, I adored the way Lucy Andrews captured the tone and manners of the era while weaving in a murder plot that feels fresh and exciting. It’s smart, playful, and thoroughly entertaining—a treat for anyone who loves historical mysteries with a literary twist.

I couldn’t stop smiling while reading this one. If you enjoy Austen-inspired fiction with a dash of danger and a heroine who’s far more resourceful than anyone gives her credit for, this is a must-read!

With thanks to Lucy Andrew, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

4.5 stars

I met Lucy at the Harrogate Crime Festival 2025 whilst we were in the queue to meet Leodora Darlington (author of The Exes - which is brilliant). Lucy was a beautiful person, so warm and friendly, and I instantly put her book on my list and was thrilled to be sent a digital ARC. And it's set in the world of Jane Austen so what could be better?

Jane Fairfax is from Emma, which, whilst I own a copy, it is not an Austen book I've actually read, and so I came into this not really knowing what to expect.

You can practically see Lucy's love for Jane Austen oozing off the page. You can do research, sure, but passion can improve a story far more than research alone can.

It's a 2026 book but it could pass as much older. She's got the pacing of the sentences right, the form of chapters. She's gone into so much detail - as classic novels tend to do - that you can practically step into this world.

I admit, there's a lot going on. I did wonder if it was too much but overall I think it's okay. You've got the "vexing murder" storyline, but there's also romance, revenge, and scandals to keep you on your toes.

I think she's got the tone right. To try and write a story based in the world of one of the most loved authors was always going to be a tall order, but she's smashed it. It feels familiar, like we've gone to meet an old friend, but Lucy hasn't tried to be Jane Austen, you can clearly still hear her own voice.

I liked reading about Harriet. She's a strong, independent woman during a time where women were not encouraged to be so. She's so well written. And I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes where someone underestimates her, just to be proven otherwise. She is the star of the book, so natural and familiar and likeable.

Did I want more of the "vexing murder"? Yes I did. Well, no. It's not that I wanted more, it's that I wanted it earlier. What there is brilliant, don't get me wrong, I'd just have liked a bit more focus on that part earlier in the story, but that's a personal thing.

I did find it a little difficult to keep up with all the characters, but that's definitely a me thin rather than something wrong with the book, as I am terrible with names and faces and people.

I read it in a day, I just couldn't put it down. It got more exciting as it went along and I didn't see the ending coming at all. Overall the story, characters, themes, pacing, writing style, language, historical elements...everything is so enjoyable.

I am hoping this is the beginning of a series. It finishes well if it is just a standalone, but I do want more.

For a debut it was very promising indeed, and Lucy will definitely be a name I look out for, and when she's this rich and famous novelist I can say "I know her".