Tirzah Price

Sense & Second-Degree Murder

Sophia Geron

4.5/5 Stars 
Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are shocked to wake up one morning and find their investigator father, Mr. Dashwood dead at his desk. Marianne, an aspiring investigator who followed her father around on all his cases, suspects foul play, especially after it is revealed their older step-brother has been left their father's entire estate. Elinor, who secretly wants to become a chemist, and the oldest sister, takes care of her sisters and mother following their father's passing. She also handles the nuances of their new reality after being pretty much kicked out of their own home by their brother and nasty sister-in-law, Fanny. Finding a suspicious substance at the bottom of the teacup their father last drank from, Elinor and Marianne begin investigating their father's desk on the down low. 

What ensues is an adventurous murder mystery, taking many twists and turns to uncover the truth of their father's death. Price also weaves in the classic romances, feminist values, and addresses the mental health response to losing a loved one. Every character is bright and well-rounded, and the mystery details are woven well. The mystery was well-paced and had me fully immersed. 

My favorite Austen novel is Sense and Sensibility, mainly because of the sister relationships, which Tirzah Price nails! I loved Pride and Premeditation, but I think I enjoyed Sense and Second-Degree Murder even more. I adore the idea of Elinor wanting to become a chemist, Marianne an investigator, and Margaret, the youngest, a novelist. This is a wonderful, fresh rendition of a classic Austen novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC copy I received in exchange for my honest review. #SenseandSecondDegreeMurder #NetGalley

Sense & Second-Degree Murder

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