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Jane Austen Investigations #4
The Body on the Beach
The Austen sisters find themselves embroiled in another murder case! For fans of Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, Elizabeth Bailey and Ashley Gardner.Have a series of murders been covered up…?1798, Dorset, EnglandJane Austen is on holiday with her parents and her sister, enjoying time at the seaside in Lyme Regis.But one morning, while out on an early stroll, her peace is shattered.There is someone lying at the bottom of the cliffs.After rousing her father and sister, she hurries along the beach to find a young woman, dead.It is clear to Jane that the young woman has been strangled. There is bruising about her neck and marks of discolouration on her face, yet the magistrate and doctor are quick to dismiss her concerns.As Jane starts to investigate further, she discovers there have been two other young women found dead on the beach between Charmouth and Lyme Regis in the last five months.Jane and Cassandra are certain the deaths are connected, but why is no one else looking for their killer?Were the women known to each other? Are they connected in some way?Can the Austen sisters unravel the mystery?THE BODY ON THE BEACH is the fourth book in the Jane Austen Investigation thrilling Regency-era murder mysteries with a tenacious literary heroine working as a female sleuth.THE JANE AUSTEN INVESTIGATIONS Book Death of a LadyBook Last ImpressionsBook A Poisoned FortuneBook The Body on the Beach
- GenresFiction
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2023
6 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Laura Martin
127 books31 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Laura Martin was born and bred on the South Coast of England into a family of two loving parents and a spirited older sister. Books were a feature of her life from early on. One of her earliest memories involves sitting with the family on a rainy Sunday afternoon, listening to the exploits of a clumsy but lovable stuffed bear and his assorted cuddly friends. Laura's first ambition was to be a doctor, and in 2006 she went off to Guy's, King's and St Thomas's Medical School in London to study medicine. It was whilst she was earning her degree that she discovered her love of writing. In between ward rounds and lectures Laura would scribble down ideas to work on later that evening and dream of being an author. In 2012 Laura married her high school sweetheart, and together they settled down in Cambridgeshire. It was around this time that Laura started focussing on the Romance genre, and found what she had always suspected to be true: she was a romantic at heart. Laura now spends her time writing Historical Romances when not working as a doctor. In her spare moments Laura loves to lose herself in a book, and has been known to read from cover to cover in a day when the story is particularly gripping. She also loves to travel with her husband, especially enjoying visiting historical sites and far-flung shores.
Laura Martin was born and bred on the South Coast of England into a family of two loving parents and a spirited older sister. Books were a feature of her life from early on. One of her earliest memories involves sitting with the family on a rainy Sunday afternoon, listening to the exploits of a clumsy but lovable stuffed bear and his assorted cuddly friends. Laura's first ambition was to be a doctor, and in 2006 she went off to Guy's, King's and St Thomas's Medical School in London to study medicine. It was whilst she was earning her degree that she discovered her love of writing. In between ward rounds and lectures Laura would scribble down ideas to work on later that evening and dream of being an author. In 2012 Laura married her high school sweetheart, and together they settled down in Cambridgeshire. It was around this time that Laura started focussing on the Romance genre, and found what she had always suspected to be true: she was a romantic at heart. Laura now spends her time writing Historical Romances when not working as a doctor. In her spare moments Laura loves to lose herself in a book, and has been known to read from cover to cover in a day when the story is particularly gripping. She also loves to travel with her husband, especially enjoying visiting historical sites and far-flung shores.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 19, 2025
Jane and Cassandra Austen are vacationing at the seaside in Lyme Regis. While they are walking along the beach, they find the body of a young woman who was strangled. However, investigators rule the death as an accident. Jane decides to take the investigation into her own hands. As she investigates the case, she learns that there were two other murders that may be connected to the case. Can Jane find the true culprit and give the victims’ family justice?
Jane Austen was a very likable heroine. She is very smart and determined to solve the murder. There were a few times that I thought that she was brazen and impulsive though. She could also be ruthless. Sometimes when she is desperate, she uses trickery and manipulation. However, I still find her to be a refreshing and charming heroine. I like her skills at deduction and how she cares for the victims’ families. I also like how Cassandra supports and helps Jane with her investigation! I thought they made a great team in solving the mystery.
Overall, this book is about justice, family, and secrets. I liked all of the characters and found them to be very engaging. The mystery was very complex, and I liked how all the puzzles connected. I like the simple writing style but it had vivid descriptions. I also liked the picturesque setting of an English beach town. I thought that The Body on the Beach moved at an incredibly fast-pace and was a very light breezy read! It was a fun and cozy historical mystery! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series in The Dead Curate! I recommend this for fans of Jessica Bull, Grace Burrows, and Sarah F. Noel!
Jane Austen was a very likable heroine. She is very smart and determined to solve the murder. There were a few times that I thought that she was brazen and impulsive though. She could also be ruthless. Sometimes when she is desperate, she uses trickery and manipulation. However, I still find her to be a refreshing and charming heroine. I like her skills at deduction and how she cares for the victims’ families. I also like how Cassandra supports and helps Jane with her investigation! I thought they made a great team in solving the mystery.
Overall, this book is about justice, family, and secrets. I liked all of the characters and found them to be very engaging. The mystery was very complex, and I liked how all the puzzles connected. I like the simple writing style but it had vivid descriptions. I also liked the picturesque setting of an English beach town. I thought that The Body on the Beach moved at an incredibly fast-pace and was a very light breezy read! It was a fun and cozy historical mystery! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series in The Dead Curate! I recommend this for fans of Jessica Bull, Grace Burrows, and Sarah F. Noel!
December 27, 2023
Let me start off by saying that as a huge Janeite, I will read just about anything related to Austen and/or her works. None of these inspired-by books will ever come close to Austen's dearly beloved writings, but they are still typically fairly entertaining.
This particular title is actually the fourth installment in a mystery series which sees Jane as a sleuth. One does not need to have previously read the other books in order to dive into this one.
Is it particularly good? No. Did I remain interested and engaged throughout? Yes.
The aspect of this book that detracts from it the most is the lack of historical accuracy as regards the social behaviors, manners, speech, etc. of the time period. However, I just tried to keep reminding myself that Laura Martin is a modern author writing for a modern audience; it's not as though she is claiming to be a historian or a contemporary Jane Austen.
I will probably read the rest of the books in this series. They are quick reads and the mysteries and the writing are not bad. Plus, as I have already stated, if it's Jane Austen-related, you can almost always count me in.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book.
This particular title is actually the fourth installment in a mystery series which sees Jane as a sleuth. One does not need to have previously read the other books in order to dive into this one.
Is it particularly good? No. Did I remain interested and engaged throughout? Yes.
The aspect of this book that detracts from it the most is the lack of historical accuracy as regards the social behaviors, manners, speech, etc. of the time period. However, I just tried to keep reminding myself that Laura Martin is a modern author writing for a modern audience; it's not as though she is claiming to be a historian or a contemporary Jane Austen.
I will probably read the rest of the books in this series. They are quick reads and the mysteries and the writing are not bad. Plus, as I have already stated, if it's Jane Austen-related, you can almost always count me in.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book.
January 2, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Laura Martin for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Body on the Beach. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Jane Austen is on holiday with her parents and her sister, enjoying time at the seaside in Lyme Regis.
But one morning, while out on an early stroll, her peace is shattered.
There is someone lying at the bottom of the cliffs.
After rousing her father and sister, she hurries along the beach to find a young woman, dead.
It is clear to Jane that the young woman has been strangled. There is bruising about her neck and marks of discolouration on her face, yet the magistrate and doctor are quick to dismiss her concerns.
As Jane starts to investigate further, she discovers there have been two other young women found dead on the beach between Charmouth and Lyme Regis in the last five months.
Jane and Cassandra are certain the deaths are connected, but why is no one else looking for their killer?
I have this series, but this is the first book I’ve read. I’m obsessed with the regency era, and all things Jane Austen. The idea of Jane Austen solving mysteries is so fun and fascinating to me. I was really interested in the plot. I thought the characters were really solid. I also loved the captain and his involvement in solving his sister’s murder. The writing gives off very cozy vibes and I love it. Jane and Cassandra seemed so close as sisters and I thought their differences added a lot to the plot.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the regency era, Jane Austen and mysteries!
Jane Austen is on holiday with her parents and her sister, enjoying time at the seaside in Lyme Regis.
But one morning, while out on an early stroll, her peace is shattered.
There is someone lying at the bottom of the cliffs.
After rousing her father and sister, she hurries along the beach to find a young woman, dead.
It is clear to Jane that the young woman has been strangled. There is bruising about her neck and marks of discolouration on her face, yet the magistrate and doctor are quick to dismiss her concerns.
As Jane starts to investigate further, she discovers there have been two other young women found dead on the beach between Charmouth and Lyme Regis in the last five months.
Jane and Cassandra are certain the deaths are connected, but why is no one else looking for their killer?
I have this series, but this is the first book I’ve read. I’m obsessed with the regency era, and all things Jane Austen. The idea of Jane Austen solving mysteries is so fun and fascinating to me. I was really interested in the plot. I thought the characters were really solid. I also loved the captain and his involvement in solving his sister’s murder. The writing gives off very cozy vibes and I love it. Jane and Cassandra seemed so close as sisters and I thought their differences added a lot to the plot.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the regency era, Jane Austen and mysteries!
February 5, 2024
This was a mystery murder which portrayed Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra as the sleuths in this beautiful setting of Lyme Regis. The Austens are on holiday and Jane discovers the body of a young woman on the beach. The girl has been strangled and the signs including bruising are very apparent. What becomes surprising is that the coroner and magistrate almost immediately give a verdict of accidental death and send the body home in a sealed coffin.
Jane is furious at this careless attitude and realises that they are covering up. It especially becomes important because over the last two years two other young girls have been discovered dead under shady circumstances. Further enquiry going back years uncovers another two unaccounted deaths.
Trying as outsiders and as women to uncover the truth is no easy task. They are blocked at every turn especially as the enquiry turns on the local aristocrats. However, the final outcome is very surprising and added to the tension in the story.
Despite it being a murder mystery the entire tone of writing was soothing. Talk about being contradictory.
Jane is furious at this careless attitude and realises that they are covering up. It especially becomes important because over the last two years two other young girls have been discovered dead under shady circumstances. Further enquiry going back years uncovers another two unaccounted deaths.
Trying as outsiders and as women to uncover the truth is no easy task. They are blocked at every turn especially as the enquiry turns on the local aristocrats. However, the final outcome is very surprising and added to the tension in the story.
Despite it being a murder mystery the entire tone of writing was soothing. Talk about being contradictory.
December 21, 2023
THE BODY ON THE BEACH by LAURA MARTIN is an easy and enjoyable read. It is the fourth novel in the Jane Austen Investigations series, but it can easily stand alone.
Jane and Cassandra are on holiday with their parents in Lyme Regis. On an early morning walk Jane finds the body of a young girl on the beach. With the local doctor and magistrate doing all they can to cover up the fact that a murder has taken place, Jane and her sister get moving to solve the case. In their investigations they find that two other similar cases have also been hastily covered up. Is the same person responsible for all three murders?…..
I like the way Jane follows leads, and is not afraid of play acting in order to obtain the desired effect!
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Sapere Books. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
Jane and Cassandra are on holiday with their parents in Lyme Regis. On an early morning walk Jane finds the body of a young girl on the beach. With the local doctor and magistrate doing all they can to cover up the fact that a murder has taken place, Jane and her sister get moving to solve the case. In their investigations they find that two other similar cases have also been hastily covered up. Is the same person responsible for all three murders?…..
I like the way Jane follows leads, and is not afraid of play acting in order to obtain the desired effect!
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Sapere Books. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
February 9, 2024
While holidaying in Lyme Regis in 1798, Jane Austen stumbles upon the lifeless body of a young woman at the bottom of the cliffs. Convinced the woman was murdered, Jane faces dismissive authorities and a town unwilling to investigate. Undeterred, she delves into the mystery, uncovering a series of deaths that others seem keen to overlook, prompting Jane and her sister Cassandra to untangle the web of secrets connecting the victims.
Having read two of this series before, I enjoyed seeing Miss Jane Austen tackling another murder. This time, she is on holiday with her family, so she has the added obstacle of her parents’ disapproval. With authorities reluctant to admit that there has been more than one murder, Jane has to use all of her wits for this case.
The plot moves at a fast pace. The setting comes alive, though it is not overly detailed. My biggest criticism with this is that Jane doesn’t come across as unique. Aside from a few references to her writing, this could be any feisty young lady in any time period of history.
Overall, it was a fun read. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy mystery stories. I received an advance reading copy through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
Having read two of this series before, I enjoyed seeing Miss Jane Austen tackling another murder. This time, she is on holiday with her family, so she has the added obstacle of her parents’ disapproval. With authorities reluctant to admit that there has been more than one murder, Jane has to use all of her wits for this case.
The plot moves at a fast pace. The setting comes alive, though it is not overly detailed. My biggest criticism with this is that Jane doesn’t come across as unique. Aside from a few references to her writing, this could be any feisty young lady in any time period of history.
Overall, it was a fun read. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy mystery stories. I received an advance reading copy through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
December 23, 2023
I have read all the books in this series and have loved them all. This one is out of Jane's area while she is on holiday with her family so she does struggle more as she doesn't have any authority in the area. There are a number of suspects but I must say I didn't guess the culprit. A page turner I didn't want to put down. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review
February 28, 2024
The Tale of Murders
A predictable story of young women’s murders. I figured out the culprit immediately. Rehashed multiple times. A waste of time
A predictable story of young women’s murders. I figured out the culprit immediately. Rehashed multiple times. A waste of time
December 23, 2023
I found this book difficult to put down. The story had me hooked from the beginning. It takes place in Lyme Regis in 1798 where Jane and her family are on holiday. Of course, there are the usual condescending comments from some of the men about ladies getting involved in activities they are not capable of understanding. However, Jane doesn’t let that stop her and she is determined to discover the truth. There are a number of possibilities as to who might be the culprit but I must say it was a surprise to me. I’m really enjoying this series and hope for more.
January 26, 2024
1798 Lyme Regis. The Austens are on holiday when Jane discovers a female body on the beach. The authorities aim to cover up the murder but Jane decides to investigate.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
May 14, 2024
A solid mystery starring Jane Austen as the investigator, though with plenty of help from her sister Cassandra. This is the fourth in the series and you do not have to read the others to understand what is going on here. There were plenty of twists and turns to this mystery and I did not expect the solution.
Of course, the depiction of Jane isn't going to be 100% in line with behaviors and thoughts from the time period because this is for a modern audience. So there has to be some leeway given to the author. Most of it I could except but at the end there was some steps she took that could get her in big trouble in this day and age so it is even more unbelievable then. That led me to lower my rating. I have read others in this series and while she pushed some boundaries I found them acceptable. Here, I just didn't find it believable.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Of course, the depiction of Jane isn't going to be 100% in line with behaviors and thoughts from the time period because this is for a modern audience. So there has to be some leeway given to the author. Most of it I could except but at the end there was some steps she took that could get her in big trouble in this day and age so it is even more unbelievable then. That led me to lower my rating. I have read others in this series and while she pushed some boundaries I found them acceptable. Here, I just didn't find it believable.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews