Series: Emma Knightley Mysteries, Book 2
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Historical Mystery
Release Date: November 25, 2025
eBook Source: Publisher
Audiobook Source: Purchased by Reviewer
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Emma’s spirits are elevated after she and husband George Knightley host a joyful holiday celebration at the Hartfield estate. But it’s instantly a bitter January when her father makes an unexpected announcement—he and Miss Hetty Bates have decided to marry. Not only must Emma relinquish her role as mistress of the household, but also accept the reality that the excitable Miss Bates will become her stepmother…
More unwanted news arrives during an extravagant betrothal ball at Donwell Abbey, the grand Knightley estate where Emma and George will soon permanently reside. Nearly every villager in Highbury revels in the dazzling affair—except Emma’s hardworking lady’s maid, Prudence Parr. To Emma’s horror, Prudence is found dead, sprawled across the stones of the library terrace…
The woman’s tragic fall is quickly ruled a terrible accident and whispers circulate around personal troubles leading up to her untimely demise. But Emma’s instincts tell her that something far more sinister is at play. Now, Highbury’s matchmaker-turned-sleuth vows to outwit a cunning criminal before an innocent man loses his freedom—or Donwell Abbey plunges into a darker mystery…
All is well in Emma Knightley’s world after the events of last summer. She and George are happily living in Harfield, their siblings are visiting, and nothing could go wrong. That is, until Mr. Woodhouse makes a shocking announcement: he plans to marry Miss Bates! The Woodhouse-Knighley crew is somewhat alarmed that the chatty Miss Bates is soon to be a member of the family, but they quickly rally and Emma throws a party to celebrate the betrothal at Donwell Abbey. Then the unthinkable happens: Prudence Parr, lady’s maid at Donwell, is found dead on the terrace. Did she fall from her bedroom or was she pushed?
While George is Highbury’s magistrate, Emma isn’t about to sit around and do nothing. Emma’s Holmes has the unlikeliest of Watsons in her eldest nephew, Henry, and her stepmother-to-be, Miss Bates. I loved watching Emma put the pieces of the puzzle together, especially with Miss Bates who is surprisingly helpful. Vanessa Kelly excels at expanding the world of Highbury while still making it feel like the village of Jane Austen’s Emma. She also is fantastic at making the characters from Austen’s novel feel like themselves while allowing them space to grow as they live their lives beyond the original story. The new characters Kelly creates feel organic to the world and I was just delighted to be in it as Emma, George, and their loved ones uncover clues and hunt for the killer.
Murder at Donwell Abbey is a delightful story and I hope Kelly has many more Emma Knightley stories planned because the world is too good to leave. That being said, while this is a cozy mystery the mystery part is where the story did falter somewhat. Prudence’s death is only the beginning of what is going on at Donwell that George and Emma were unaware of. I really liked seeing the two of them – with the help of family and friends – put the pieces together. The mysteries that unfolded were interesting and the resolution of whodunit was satisfying. However, much of the why and how is explained after the fact in an infodump near the end which didn’t work for me. That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and I am very much looking forward to Emma’s next outing as amateur sleuth.
Disclosure: I purchased the audiobook and received the eBook for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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