Jane Austen Investigations

Death of a Lady (Jane Austen Investigations Book 1)

Laura’s first book in the Jane Austen Investigation series, Death of a Lady, features a young Jane Austen caught up in a murder mystery whilst attending a ball with her family. She must use her natural curiosity and wit to solve the murder before anyone else gets hurt. On sale from 28th April 2023.

Can Jane use her observational skills to solve a horrific murder…?

1795, Hampshire, England

Jane Austen and her family are delighted to be attending Lord Wentworth’s ball. The event has been at the centre of village gossip after it was announced Wentworth was holding a ball to celebrate the return of his brother, who went missing in India many years earlier and had been declared dead.

At the ball an old friend, Emma Roscoe, bumps into Jane and tells her she saw something she shouldn’t have. She asks Jane to meet her at ten o’clock in the library to discuss it.

Delayed by dancing with the charming Mr Tom Lefroy, Jane is late to meet to her friend.

But when she arrives, she finds the body of Emma Roscoe lying on the floor with a dagger sticking out of her chest.

Distraught and feeling horribly guilty, Jane is determined to help with the investigation into Emma’s murder.

Was it a coincidence that the murder happened on the night of Lord Wentworth’s brother being reintroduced to society? What did Emma see that was worth killing her over?

And could more people be in danger?

With the help of her sister Cassandra, Jane must use her wit and intelligence to get to the heart of the mystery

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Last Impressions (Jane Austen Investigations Book 2)

Can solving a mystery mend a broken heart…?

1796, Hampshire, England

After having her heart broken by the man she thought she was going to marry, Jane Austen is in desperate need of a distraction. So her sister, Cassandra, accepts every social invitation going, and one of them is to stay with a family friend at Melmont Hall.

Mrs Paulson welcomes them to her home and introduces them to the other guests who have arrived for a dinner party. But when they sit down to eat, Mr Paulson is nowhere to be found.

After discovering his study is locked, the guests break in and find a shocking scene. Mr Paulson is dead – and not of natural causes. Someone has stabbed him.

Jane has already helped solve one murder mystery and she is determined to put her skills to use to help her hostess get justice for her husband.

Everyone at the dinner party must be questioned as a suspect, as well as the servants at Melmont Hall.

But what had Mr Paulson done to provoke such anger? Why would someone want to kill him?

Can Jane Austen use her quick wit to unmask the killer?

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A Poisoned Fortune (Jane Austen Investigations Book 3)

When a fortune is at stake, anyone could be a suspect…

1797, Bath, England

Devastated by the news of the death of her fiancé, Cassandra Austen has slipped into a melancholy that her sister Jane is desperate to relieve.

Jane suggests a short trip to stay with their aunt, Mrs Leigh-Perrot, in Bath with the aim of lifting Cassandra’s spirits.

Whilst out walking they meet Lady Arabella Waters, and they receive an invitation to meet her at the musical celebration in the Parade Gardens by the river.

But after taking a sip of his drink, Lady Arabella’s husband, Lord Waters collapses, dead.

Despite his advanced years Jane feels there is something not quite right about his death, and her suspicions are confirmed when the inquest determines Lord Waters was poisoned.

The magistrate announces he has found belladonna in Lady Waters’ possessions. He takes her into custody and sends her to the gaol in Ilchester. As she is taken away she pleads with Jane and Cassandra to help her prove her innocence.


Jane believes in Lady Waters, but why was there poison in her possession? And who else could have a motive for killing Lord Waters?

Can the Austen sisters unravel the mystery and prove the innocence of their new friend?

A Body on the Beach (Jane Austen Investigations Book 4)

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 Dead Curate (Jane Austen Investigations Book 5)

This murder case feels personal…

1798, Steventon, England

Mr Austen’s role as rector of Steventon church has meant that Jane and her sister Cassandra are well connected in the local community.

With Mr Austen indisposed, Jane and Cassandra walk to church to greet the curate, Mr Williamson, who will be leading the sermon in his place.

But when they arrive the church is locked and the parishioners are already milling around outside.

Already fearing something is amiss, Jane rushes home to find her father’s key and when she returns she makes a horrifying discovery.

At first the church appears to be empty, but a series of blood drops lead Jane up into the belfry.

And there she finds Mr Williamson, propped up with iron nails through his hands and feet.

The Austen sisters are used to investigating murders by now, but this one is too close to home…


Who would have a grudge against the unassuming curate? Why his body displayed in such a manner?

And are any other lives at risk in the sleepy village of Steventon?

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