It’s no secret my newest book – a non-romance, murder mystery – THE JANE AUSTEN MURDERS, is releasing in ecopy on 9.1.26. The print copy will release on 8.10.26
You can preorder the ecopy at Amazon and it will be in KU for 90 days. As far as the print version goes, you can either order it from Amazon or from my website. The advantage of my website is that the copy will be autogpraphed/personalized, and it costs less. Shipping is included, too.
This book was originally published on the Kindle Vella platform ( remember that one?!) and once the site shut down, Amazon said authors could publish their works any way they wanted. I waited a bit because…life, but now I’m offering it to readers who never took advantage of Vella.
I’ve updated the story a bit, changed a few things – nothing central to the plot – and I think it’s even a better story now. But I’m biased.
Here’s the blurb:
Homicide Detective Elizabeth Bennett and senior partner Frank Churchill are called to Longbourne College when the body of student Charlotte Lucas is found bludgeoned to death. Charlotte, a scholarship student, had a healthy supply of designer clothes, jewelry, and a safe deposit box loaded with cash. Where did she get them?
During Lizzy’s investigation into Charlotte’s life, she discovers the student had an antagonistic relationship with her English professor, Dr. Darcy. Word on the street is they couldn’t stand one another, and the night before she was killed, the duo had a loud, contentious argument in front of the entire class.
When more clues start popping up about Charlotte’s extracurricular activities, Darcy becomes the primary suspect.
But did he do it?
So…why write a book using the entire cast of Jane Austen characters in this day and age?
The idea came to me one day when I was re-reading Pride and Prejudice for what had to have been the fifteenth time. To say I love the story is too tame a descriptor.
I wondered, as an author will, what the characters would look like in modern times. Would the passion between Lizzy and Darcy hold up across the centuries? What scenario would force them together, because I didn’t think a woman on the hunt for a man to marry and take care of her would fly in these times.
Plus, Lizzy always reminded me of a woman born before her time – a badass; a feminist; a gal out to make her own way in the world, unapologetically.
Giving her the occupation of homicide detective seemed appropriate. Once I had that, the story unfolded itself.
This version was originally published under the Kindle Vella platform and it got such great traction there I decided to publish it as a standalone novel once the criteria and rules of Vella were completed.
Back in my 20s and 30s before I ever thought to write romance books, I was fascinated with crime, true crime, and serial murderers. I grew up in the era of Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and Son of Sam. All my books up on Kindle Vella show that fascination, this one included.
I hope you liked reading about Lizzy and Darcy in this format. Who knows? Maybe I’ll make them a crime-fighting duo in a series. Heehee
Happy Reading,
Peg
