Death and Sensibility (2021) - a Jane Austen Book Review

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

sharing is caring

Table of Contents

A disappointing review of Death and Sensibility: A Jane Austen Society Mystery by Elizabeth Blake.

Death and Sensibility: A Jane Austen Society Mystery Description

Bookstore owner Erin Coleridge seeks the scoundrel who silenced a conference’s keynote speaker in Elizabeth Blake‘s second charming Jane Austen Society mystery.

When the quaint English town of York hosts a Jane Austen Society conference, bookseller Erin Coleridge is glad to get out of Kirkbymoorside for a while–until featured speaker Barry Wolf suddenly perishes from what appears to be a heart attack.

Erin is suspicious, since Barry had no history of heart disease. But who did him in? Was it the decedent’s assistant, Stephen, who was observed chatting to Barry’s young wife Luca earlier that night? Might it have been Barry’s ex-wife Judith, who was seen arguing with her erstwhile betrothed at the bar? Meanwhile, conference co-chairs Hetty and Prudence have been at one another’s throat since the conference. Is one of them the culprit?

Matters of the heart are putting Erin off her guard. Both Detective Inspector Peter Hemming and schoolteacher Jonathan Alder have made gestures of romantic interest, but Erin isn’t sure who is her Willoughby and who is her Colonel Brandon. DI Hemming tries to persuade Erin that her entanglement in the murder investigation is far from sensible, but his entreaties come to naught. Dauntlessly, Erin joins forces with Kirkbymoorside’s cat lady, Farnsworth, to ferret out the guilty party.

Who is Elizabeth Blake, Author of Death and Sensibility: A Jane Austen Society Mystery?

Elizabeth Blake has written ten published novels, six novellas, and a dozen or so short stories and poems under other pseudonyms.

Many of her works appear in translation internationally. Winner of both the Euphoria Poetry Competition and the Eve of St. Agnes Poetry Award, she is a two time Pushcart Poetry Prize nominee and First Prize winner of the Maxim Mazumdar Playwriting Competition, the Chronogram Literary Fiction Prize, Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Award, and the Jean Paiva Memorial Fiction Award. She was a finalist in the McClaren, MSU, and Henrico Playwriting Competitions.

She is a Hawthornden Fellow and Writer in Residence at Bydcliffe, Lacawac, and Karun Colonies.

Why was Death and Sensibility: A Jane Austen Society Mystery so Boring?

As a lover of Jane Austen and cozy mysteries, I was eager to dive into Death and Sensibility by Elizabeth Blake. The promise of a murder mystery set within the world of a Jane Austen Society sounded like the perfect combination of charm, intrigue, and literary nostalgia. Unfortunately, the book failed to live up to expectations, leaving me disappointed and wishing for more.

What Went Wrong?

Overwhelming Cast of Characters
From the start, the book introduces a large ensemble of characters, each with unusual and hard-to-remember names. Without much distinction between personalities, keeping track of who’s who feels like a chore. For readers unfamiliar with the series (myself included), this lack of clarity adds to the confusion and detracts from the enjoyment of the story.
Snail-Paced Plot
For a cozy mystery, Death and Sensibility is severely lacking in actual sleuthing. The story meanders through mundane activities—eating, flirting, and endless quoting of Jane Austen—without delivering the suspense or excitement one expects from the genre. Even when the mystery is solved, the conclusion feels rushed and unearned, with little build-up or explanation for the culprit’s motives.
Protagonist Lacks Appeal
It takes a significant portion of the book to warm up to Erin, the protagonist, and her circle of friends. Their interactions, filled with flirtations and Jane Austen references, come across as superficial rather than endearing. The romantic subplots also fail to add depth or interest to the story.

What Could Have Been Better?

Tighter Plot: The book’s pacing could have been vastly improved with better editing. A reduction of about 100 pages might have cut unnecessary filler and made for a more engaging mystery.
Balanced Austen References: While it’s understandable that a Jane Austen Society mystery would include quotes and nods to Austen, the constant references become excessive and detract from the narrative. A lighter touch would have allowed these moments to shine without overwhelming the reader.
Stronger Mystery Elements: A cozy mystery should deliver intrigue, clues, and a satisfying resolution. This book struggles to achieve these, leaving readers feeling underwhelmed.

Who Is This Book For?

Despite its flaws, Death and Sensibility might appeal to:

Readers who prioritize atmosphere over plot in their cozy mysteries.
Die-hard Jane Austen fans who enjoy any and all connections to her work, regardless of execution.
Those who are already invested in the series and familiar with its characters.

For everyone else, there are far better Jane Austen-inspired mysteries available.

Final Thoughts

Death and Sensibility: A Jane Austen Society Mystery had the potential to be a delightful combination of Austen-inspired charm and murder mystery intrigue. Unfortunately, the story’s sluggish pacing, lackluster mystery, and over-reliance on Austen quotes make it a disappointing read. If you’re looking for a compelling Jane Austen-inspired mystery, you’d be better off exploring other options.

Rating: ⭐ (1/5)
A slow and uninspiring mystery with too much filler and too little substance.

Where to Buy Death and Sensibility – A Jane Austen Society Mystery

Death and Sensibility – a Jane Austen Society Mystery

Joy Michelle Austin | The Joyous Living

Death and Sensibility (2021) – a Jane Austen Book Review