Murder at Donwell Abbey

Vanessa Kelly

Nov 2025 · An Emma Knightley Mystery Book 2 · Kensington Books

About this ebook

In this latest Regency-era mystery, Jane Austen’s clever Emma Knightley navigates shocking changes in her family—while meeting her match in a deadly adversary . . . 

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 . . .

Ratings and reviews

Smuggling, murder, delightful humor, & a puzzling mystery made Murder at Donwell Abbey unputdownable! Vanessa Kelley brilliantly captures the essence of Jane Austen’s Emma in this clever whodunit sequel. With her gift for meddling, Emma finds herself on another sleuthing adventure this time involving Miss Bates & her young nephew Henry. Highly recommend this charming historical mystery! Fans of Emma will love seeing their favorite heroine captured so well in this series.

Following a joyful holiday, Emma’s life is upended by a tragic death at Donwell Abbey. Suspecting foul play, Emma turns sleuth to uncover the truth before more darkness descends on Highbury. This book is so much fun. It’s a clever mix, of humor, heart, and intrigue. The characters and tone are consistent with Austen’s original, making the book a delight to read. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I really enjoyed this fun mystery. All of the clues kept taking you on many twists and turns and it was entertaining trying to figure out the killer. I just adored all of the characters and together they made for a wonderful story.

About the author

Vanessa Kelly is a bestselling author of historical mystery and historical romance. She has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for best historical romance. She is a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and Amazon bestseller several times over. To date, her books have been published in eleven languages. After receiving her MA in English literature from Rutgers University, Vanessa spent several in the Ph.D program at the University of Toronto, studying women authors of the 18th Century. She worked as a researcher for many years, and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband. Visit her at VanessaKellyAuthor.com.