Arsenic with Austen: A Crime with the Classics Mystery

The execution falls short of the well-conceived concept of Hyde’s first novel, a contemporary series launch. Widowed Reed College literature professor Emily Cavanaugh travels to the peaceful seaside retreat of Stony Beach, Ore., after her late great-aunt, Beatrice Runcible, leaves her $6 million, a mansion, and most of the buildings in town. It isn’t long before Emily hears rumors that Aunt Beatrice may have been murdered to clear the way for a resort development that she vehemently opposed. Now the property belongs to Emily, who’s equally determined to maintain the town’s character. Another suspicious death and a couple of close calls show that someone wants Emily out of the way as well. There’s no mistaking who’s on Emily’s side and who’s against her. The good guys are charming, and the bad guys are mustache-twirling villains. Hopefully, Hyde will give her characters more depth in the sequel. [em]Agent: Kimberly Cameron, Kimberly Cameron & Associates. (July) [/em]

Correction: An earlier version of this review misspelled "Austen" in the book's title.