On March 24th at 6 pm in the York Library and Archives, Lucy Andrew held a book launch as part of York Literary Festival for her debut cosy crime novel, A Very Vexing Murder.
The book’s is Andrew’s first non-fiction novel. A Very Vexing Murder is the first of a two-book deal, published by Corvus.
Lucy Andrew lectured in English Literature at the University of Chester before leaving academia to pursue writing. She is also an avid Jane Austen fan, which inspires her creative drive and her new book.
A Very Vexing Murder is set in the world of ‘Emma’ by Austen. This book includes Emma’s sidekick, Harriet Smith, as the protagonist.
Andrew said that Harriet Smith’s role in her new book turns Smith from “timid, to a feisty, common- woman-turned-detective who is hired to investigate a murder that hasn’t happened yet”.
More characters from the original novel are included, such as Mr. and Mrs. Churchill, Robert Martin, and Jane Fairfax.
However, you do not have to be familiar with ‘Emma’ or Jane Austen to understand the book. Andrew says the only thing you would need to know is, “Harriet in Austen’s Emma is a really sort of wet blanket type of character and she’s kind of powerless, sort of bullied by Emma […] she is not that in my book.”
Critics have called the Regency-era book “witty” and “wonderful”. With its charming characters, it puts a spin on cosy crime.
During the launch, Andrew joined fellow crime author Angela Ranson. They discussed the book and what’s next for the author.
Andrew said that her editor gave her a piece of advice that helped her write the book for non-Austen fans: “Imagine a world without Jane Austen books.”
During the launch, Andrew revealed that a second book is on the way and she is hopeful that a third will be in the works as well. She said that every book will be based on an Austen novel, with the second, based on Northanger Abbey.
The sequel will continue the adventures of Harriet Smith and will be another cosy crime set in the world of Jane Austen.
A Very Vexing Murder is available online and in stores now. You can also follow Andrew via Instagram.
