A review by readwithmekt
Sense and Second-Degree Murder by Tirzah Price

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Elinor, Marianne and Margaret all have less than “normal” interests and their parents have been encouraging in their pursuits. That is until Elinor discovers her father dead in his study. With their lives completely changed, there are questions that the Dashwood daughters are not willing to give up getting answers for. While Elinor and Marianne work to discover how they can continue to provide for their family they will stop at nothing to figure out who may have murdered their father. With information to be gathered from others such as Edward and Brandon. Will the girl be able to solve this mystery and stay safe? 

 

I have not read Sense and Sensibility as many times as I have read other Austen books, so some of the characters were not as well remembered for me but that did not detract in the slightest how much I loved this book. I decided to listen to the audio version this time around and I absolutely loved it. The narrator had a British accent and it allowed for me to become even more engrossed in the story. 

 

This was a fast read/listen for me. I was invested and wanted to know what was going to happen and how things would be resolved. I was obsessed with the dynamic between the 3 sisters and how strong and independent they all were. I have been reading a few historical fiction books set during this same time period and I am obsessed with how the female main characters are given characteristics and interests that women during that time period were not to engage with. 

 

Marrianne I believe was my favorite of the sisters. I loved that she wanted to step up and take care of those she cared most about. The fact that she was unwilling to take any BS from her halfbrother and his wife was perfect. The banter and responses that she gave to them were incredible. Not only did her character have some of my favorite lines but she grew and learned that maybe she was expecting too much or setting unrealistic expectations on others. 

 

Tirzah Price does an absolutely incredible job of weaving a murder mystery into the plot of an Austen book. The mystery was just perfect. I know that there were times when I was unsure of who could be trusted and what information the girls were giving out and if they should be giving it out or not. I also really enjoyed that there were not a ton of twists and turns and that it just progressed as the Dashwood daughters learned more information. 

 

With medium pacing and chapters that varied in length I found this to be one of my favorite audiobooks so far this year. From the writing to the narrator that read the story I did not want to stop listening. I have already put a hold on the next book in the series because I can’t wait to hear how Price adapts that story. If you love Jane Austen books and mysteries this is 100% a series that you need to check out.