The
Miss Austen Investigates series is my tribute to Jane Austen, telling
the story of her life and work through the format of a murder mystery. I really
wanted to capture the vibrant, witty, and joyfully irreverent woman I believe Austen
was. I also wanted to tell her story, because it’s tempting to conflate Austen
with her more privileged heroines and imagine her path to success was easy.
All
the things that stand in the way of her investigations are the same obstacles
she faced in becoming a published author, and the unique qualities which
enabled her genius in real life (such as her sense of justice, an innate
understanding of human nature and a determination to succeed) allow her to
solve the mysteries in my novels.
In
this second instalment, a broken-hearted Jane Austen travels to Kent to look
after her brother Neddy’s children and further her writing. She soon realizes
it’s imperative she uncovers the true identity of a mysterious young woman
claiming to be a shipwrecked foreign princess before the interloper can swindle
Neddy’s adoptive mother out of her fortune and steal the much-anticipated
inheritance all the Austen’s rely on.
As
well Austen, there is another fascinating historical figure who inspired this
novel. In 1817, a former servant girl, Mary Baker (née Willcocks), persuaded a Gloucester
magistrate and his wife she was Princess Caraboo of the fictional island of
Javasu in the Indian Ocean, and that she had been captured by pirates and
escaped by jumping overboard in the Bristol Channel and swimming ashore.
Her
ruse was eventually discovered but, rather than prosecute, Mary’s benefactress
gave her some money to start afresh in America. Everyone who knew Mary said she
loved to tell stories. It made me wonder, if Mary had been born into the class
of women who were fortunate enough to receive an education, would she be
remembered as another Jane Austen?
A
Fortune Most Fatal will be published by Penguin Michael
Joseph on 27 March 2025. Who are you, Miss Austen, but a young lady of
little experience and no consequence?’ Welcome to Godmersham Park, 1797. Following
many years apart, Jane Austen is set to spend the summer with her estranged
brother, Neddy. As heir to wealthy widow Mrs Knight’s fortune, it is imperative
that Neddy stays in his benefactor’s good graces. But upon arrival in Kent,
Jane quickly realises Neddy is in dire need of her help. For a mysterious young
woman named Eleanor currently resides with Mrs Knight – a stranger who
threatens to swindle the inheritance for herself. Jane must uncover who Mrs
Knight’s guest really is, to protect the fate of her entire family. When she
discovers a series of threatening letters meant for Eleanor, her investigation
takes an unexpected turn. Because the dangers aren’t just within the walls of
Godmersham Park. Jane knows someone else is out there watching, waiting – but
for what? Is this curious Eleanor friend, or foe? And can Jane solve the
mystery, before danger comes for them all?
Jessica
Bull lives in Southeast London with her husband and two daughters. A former
librarian and communications consultant, she studied English literature at
Bristol University and information science at City, University of London. A
Fortune Most Fatal is the second novel in the Miss Austen Investigates series.
More information about Jessica Bull can be found on her website. You can also find her on
Instagram @ jessicabullnovelist, on Facebook @JessicaBullAuthor
and on Bluesky @jessicabull.bsky.social
Buy your copy: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-fortune-most-fatal-jessica-bull/7703849?ean=9780241642115
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