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Miss Darcy Investigates #2
The Haunting of a Brontë
Georgiana Darcy travels through time once more in this wildly amusing and entertaining sequel to Amelia Blackwell's A Crime Through Time, the first in the cosy crime timeslip series.
Pemberley, 1799.
Like many a Regency heroine, Georgiana Darcy is pining for the man she loves. The difference is, her lover is in 1995, and she has been left behind in 1799 waiting for the mysterious device that transports her through time to re-activate.
Thorp Green Hall, 1845.
But when her Motorola pager finally comes back to life, Georgiana finds herself only forty-six years in the future, at the gloomy Thorp Green Hall, where Branwell and Anne Brontë are the tutor and governess.
Georgiana assumes she will soon come across a murder to investigate, but even before she discovers the cook’s father dead on a chopping block, she finds herself entangled in a web of passion, deception, and danger centred on the eccentric Branwell Brontë.
Branwell is engaged in a perilous affair with the mistress of the house and experiences a series of sinister omens and terrifying encounters. As Georgiana uncovers the mysteries of Thorp Green Hall, and learns more about the origins of her time-travelling capabilities, she must find the killer and save the Brontë siblings from an evil plot, preventing a most terrible loss to readers everywhere . . .
***
Praise for Amelia
'The perfect book to unwind with' – Rachel Wolf, author of Five Nights
'Clear your diary to finish it in one go' – Rebecca Reid, author of The Will
'An irresistible mix of laugh-out-loud humour, gripping mystery and endearing love story' – Saskia Sarginson, author of One Dark Summer
'Wonderfully original . . . a twisty cosy crime' – Emma Pass, author of Before The Dawn
'The perfect escapist read' – Katy Moran, author of the Regency Romance Trilogy
'Cosy, quirky crime' – Platinum
'Heralds the start of another winning cosy crime series' – Lancashire Post
'Cosy fun' – Crime Monthly
'Romance, humour and a crime riddle make it irresistible' – Peterborough Telegraph
Pemberley, 1799.
Like many a Regency heroine, Georgiana Darcy is pining for the man she loves. The difference is, her lover is in 1995, and she has been left behind in 1799 waiting for the mysterious device that transports her through time to re-activate.
Thorp Green Hall, 1845.
But when her Motorola pager finally comes back to life, Georgiana finds herself only forty-six years in the future, at the gloomy Thorp Green Hall, where Branwell and Anne Brontë are the tutor and governess.
Georgiana assumes she will soon come across a murder to investigate, but even before she discovers the cook’s father dead on a chopping block, she finds herself entangled in a web of passion, deception, and danger centred on the eccentric Branwell Brontë.
Branwell is engaged in a perilous affair with the mistress of the house and experiences a series of sinister omens and terrifying encounters. As Georgiana uncovers the mysteries of Thorp Green Hall, and learns more about the origins of her time-travelling capabilities, she must find the killer and save the Brontë siblings from an evil plot, preventing a most terrible loss to readers everywhere . . .
***
Praise for Amelia
'The perfect book to unwind with' – Rachel Wolf, author of Five Nights
'Clear your diary to finish it in one go' – Rebecca Reid, author of The Will
'An irresistible mix of laugh-out-loud humour, gripping mystery and endearing love story' – Saskia Sarginson, author of One Dark Summer
'Wonderfully original . . . a twisty cosy crime' – Emma Pass, author of Before The Dawn
'The perfect escapist read' – Katy Moran, author of the Regency Romance Trilogy
'Cosy, quirky crime' – Platinum
'Heralds the start of another winning cosy crime series' – Lancashire Post
'Cosy fun' – Crime Monthly
'Romance, humour and a crime riddle make it irresistible' – Peterborough Telegraph
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 28, 2026
Pemberley, 1799 & Georgiana Darcy is pining for Quinn whom she met on her first time travel journey to 1995. Since her return the pager has been frustratingly silent but Georgiana persuades her brother & sister-in-law to accompany her on a trip to Saltram as she hopes to somehow get a message to Quinn.
Whilst at Saltram the pager activates & Georgiana is sent forward in time again, but this time it's only forty-six years in the future. She finds herself at Thorp Green Hall in 1845 as the special companion of the resident family's eldest daughter, alongside a brother & sister who are there as tutor & governess to the children - Branwell & Anne Brontë.
This second book in the historical time travel mystery series is a slight improvement on the first book (although that one was entertaining enough). I enjoyed Anne & Branwell Brontë being pulled into the mystery but I feel like I should have liked this more than I did.
There were some lighter moments although the contrast between the past & present was obviously not so marked as between 1799 & 1995, however, the mystery was quite convoluted & at some points I had no idea what was going on. The ending was a bit too much in all honesty, plus I know she isn’t the MC here but I hate how Elizabeth is in these books. There was however enough to keep me interested enough to finish the book. 3.75 stars (rounded up)
SUMMARY:
Plot: Good - I enjoyed Anne & Branwell Bronte being pulled into this second time travel mystery.
Writing Style: OK - I know she isn’t the MC here but I hate how Elizabeth is in these books.
Enjoyment Level: Moderately High - I feel like I should have liked this more than I did. At some points I had no idea what was going on but there was enough to keep me interested enough to finish the book.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pan Macmillan, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Whilst at Saltram the pager activates & Georgiana is sent forward in time again, but this time it's only forty-six years in the future. She finds herself at Thorp Green Hall in 1845 as the special companion of the resident family's eldest daughter, alongside a brother & sister who are there as tutor & governess to the children - Branwell & Anne Brontë.
This second book in the historical time travel mystery series is a slight improvement on the first book (although that one was entertaining enough). I enjoyed Anne & Branwell Brontë being pulled into the mystery but I feel like I should have liked this more than I did.
There were some lighter moments although the contrast between the past & present was obviously not so marked as between 1799 & 1995, however, the mystery was quite convoluted & at some points I had no idea what was going on. The ending was a bit too much in all honesty, plus I know she isn’t the MC here but I hate how Elizabeth is in these books. There was however enough to keep me interested enough to finish the book. 3.75 stars (rounded up)
SUMMARY:
Plot: Good - I enjoyed Anne & Branwell Bronte being pulled into this second time travel mystery.
Writing Style: OK - I know she isn’t the MC here but I hate how Elizabeth is in these books.
Enjoyment Level: Moderately High - I feel like I should have liked this more than I did. At some points I had no idea what was going on but there was enough to keep me interested enough to finish the book.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pan Macmillan, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
July 26, 2026
It's strange to say I enjoyed this much more than my 3 star rating reflects. There is one particular reason for that which will be covered (spoiler free) below.
Firstly, I love time travel novels and the more chaotic, the better. The Haunting of a Brontë is delightful in that respect. I like the character of Georgiana (our time-travelling sleuth) and seeing how much she has grown since the first novel. Back in her own time, Georgiana finds herself pining for more than just adventure, and so when she is granted the opportunity of time travelling again, she seizes it.
Another enjoyable aspect of the novel is the depiction of Thorp Green, the Robinson family, and of course, the Brontë family. Just two of the siblings appear here (Anne and Branwell) and the narrative is set during the time their historical counterparts were actually employed by the Robinson's. The set up is eccentric and mysterious and it works really well with the overall chaotic flavour of the plot. It's silly, fun, and scary at times and by the end, Georgiana finds herself with more questions - and some revelations - that I do hope will lead to a third novel in the series.
I enjoyed reading about the dynamics of Anne and Branwell, the two siblings who tend to be overlooked out of the four writers. They appear to have been such polar opposites in reality l, and this is reflected in the book, but underneath this there is a sense of kinship and deep affection. I particularly liked how the novel brought them both out of the shadows of Charlotte and Emily.
The one thing I really didn't like and which brought down my review was the changing of the fates of Anne and Branwell. I feel as though the narrative shone a light on them both, only to put them back in the box marked "other" at its conclusion.
Yes, I appreciate artistic licence and I don't want to read a biography of the family, however, it left a bitter taste for me. I think my biggest issue is that this wasn't acknowledged in the author's note at the end, with the fates of the real Anne and Branwell revealed.
Firstly, I love time travel novels and the more chaotic, the better. The Haunting of a Brontë is delightful in that respect. I like the character of Georgiana (our time-travelling sleuth) and seeing how much she has grown since the first novel. Back in her own time, Georgiana finds herself pining for more than just adventure, and so when she is granted the opportunity of time travelling again, she seizes it.
Another enjoyable aspect of the novel is the depiction of Thorp Green, the Robinson family, and of course, the Brontë family. Just two of the siblings appear here (Anne and Branwell) and the narrative is set during the time their historical counterparts were actually employed by the Robinson's. The set up is eccentric and mysterious and it works really well with the overall chaotic flavour of the plot. It's silly, fun, and scary at times and by the end, Georgiana finds herself with more questions - and some revelations - that I do hope will lead to a third novel in the series.
I enjoyed reading about the dynamics of Anne and Branwell, the two siblings who tend to be overlooked out of the four writers. They appear to have been such polar opposites in reality l, and this is reflected in the book, but underneath this there is a sense of kinship and deep affection. I particularly liked how the novel brought them both out of the shadows of Charlotte and Emily.
The one thing I really didn't like and which brought down my review was the changing of the fates of Anne and Branwell. I feel as though the narrative shone a light on them both, only to put them back in the box marked "other" at its conclusion.
Yes, I appreciate artistic licence and I don't want to read a biography of the family, however, it left a bitter taste for me. I think my biggest issue is that this wasn't acknowledged in the author's note at the end, with the fates of the real Anne and Branwell revealed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Haunting of a Brontë is an absolute delight—witty, atmospheric, and brimming with the kind of bookish charm that makes this cozy timeslip series such a joy. Georgiana Darcy’s latest leap through time lands her not in the 1990s with the man she loves, but in 1845 at the shadowed, unsettling Thorp Green Hall, where Branwell and Anne Brontë are quietly navigating their own storms.
The setting is irresistible: a gloomy estate, whispers of scandal, and a household thick with tension long before a body is discovered on the chopping block. Georgiana’s voice remains wonderfully engaging—sharp, curious, and just self‑aware enough to make her misadventures feel both humorous and heartfelt. Her assumption that a murder must be imminent is part of the fun, and the way she stumbles into a web of passion, deception, and danger feels deliciously inevitable.
Branwell Brontë is a standout here—eccentric, troubled, and surrounded by omens that lend the story a lovely gothic shimmer. The blend of real literary history with a playful, time‑bending mystery works beautifully, and the stakes feel surprisingly high as Georgiana uncovers not only the truth behind the death at Thorp Green Hall, but also new pieces of the puzzle surrounding her own time‑travelling abilities.
What makes the novel so charming is its balance: cozy yet eerie, clever yet heartfelt, threaded with danger but never losing its sense of fun. It’s a love letter to classic literature wrapped inside a twisty, imaginative mystery.
Atmospheric, inventive, and wonderfully entertaining, The Haunting of a Brontë is a perfect next chapter for this delightful series.
With thanks to Amelia Blackwell, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The setting is irresistible: a gloomy estate, whispers of scandal, and a household thick with tension long before a body is discovered on the chopping block. Georgiana’s voice remains wonderfully engaging—sharp, curious, and just self‑aware enough to make her misadventures feel both humorous and heartfelt. Her assumption that a murder must be imminent is part of the fun, and the way she stumbles into a web of passion, deception, and danger feels deliciously inevitable.
Branwell Brontë is a standout here—eccentric, troubled, and surrounded by omens that lend the story a lovely gothic shimmer. The blend of real literary history with a playful, time‑bending mystery works beautifully, and the stakes feel surprisingly high as Georgiana uncovers not only the truth behind the death at Thorp Green Hall, but also new pieces of the puzzle surrounding her own time‑travelling abilities.
What makes the novel so charming is its balance: cozy yet eerie, clever yet heartfelt, threaded with danger but never losing its sense of fun. It’s a love letter to classic literature wrapped inside a twisty, imaginative mystery.
Atmospheric, inventive, and wonderfully entertaining, The Haunting of a Brontë is a perfect next chapter for this delightful series.
With thanks to Amelia Blackwell, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
July 6, 2026
In this book, we follow Georgiana Darcy, who has been waiting in 1799 for her time-travelling pager to come back to life. When it finally does, it transports her a mere forty-six years forward, to Thorp Green Hall in 1845, where Anne and Branwell Brontë are working as governess and tutor. Georgiana soon finds herself entangled in a web of secrets centred on the eccentric Branwell.
This is the second book in the Miss Darcy Investigates series. I would recommend reading the first instalment, A Crime Through Time first, as the story continues from there.
I like Georgiana as a time-travelling Regency heroine, and it was fun to see her interact with Anne and Branwell Brontë this time round. There’s also a wider story building around the origins of her abilities. The appearance of at least one other time traveller left me curious to see where the series goes next. That said, as with the first book, I’m not sure the story needed its ties to the wider Pride and Prejudice universe as I feel the time travel premise is strong enough on its own. That said, it adds an extra layer of fun!
A recommended read for fans of Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series, Jodi Taylor’s Chronicles of St Mary’s, and cosy time travel mysteries with a literary twist.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with a digital and hardback copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the Miss Darcy Investigates series. I would recommend reading the first instalment, A Crime Through Time first, as the story continues from there.
I like Georgiana as a time-travelling Regency heroine, and it was fun to see her interact with Anne and Branwell Brontë this time round. There’s also a wider story building around the origins of her abilities. The appearance of at least one other time traveller left me curious to see where the series goes next. That said, as with the first book, I’m not sure the story needed its ties to the wider Pride and Prejudice universe as I feel the time travel premise is strong enough on its own. That said, it adds an extra layer of fun!
A recommended read for fans of Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series, Jodi Taylor’s Chronicles of St Mary’s, and cosy time travel mysteries with a literary twist.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with a digital and hardback copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2026
The Haunting of a Bronte is the second book in the series featuring Georgiana Darcy as a time travelling amateur sleuth!
In a Crime Through Time, Georgiana travelled from 1799 to 1995 and fell in love. Hoping to be reunited with the object of her affections, in this book she time travels again - but only 46 years into the future arriving at Thorp Green Hall, where she encounters Branwell and Anne Bronte. Secrets abound at Thorp Green Hall and Georgiana finds herself in the midst of plenty of intrigue - and it is not long before she comes across a dead body.
Georgiana is such a great character and she really shines in this second book - sharp as a tack and wonderfully funny at times. The addition of the Brontes based on real life events is cleverly blended into the story, with Branwell adding a brooding charm as he experiences some sinister encounters that add a gothic eeriness to the story. And we also learn some background about Georgiana's time travelling abilities.
It all makes for a clever combination, hugely fun with just the right amount of mystery whilst at the same time a celebration of classic literature.
In a Crime Through Time, Georgiana travelled from 1799 to 1995 and fell in love. Hoping to be reunited with the object of her affections, in this book she time travels again - but only 46 years into the future arriving at Thorp Green Hall, where she encounters Branwell and Anne Bronte. Secrets abound at Thorp Green Hall and Georgiana finds herself in the midst of plenty of intrigue - and it is not long before she comes across a dead body.
Georgiana is such a great character and she really shines in this second book - sharp as a tack and wonderfully funny at times. The addition of the Brontes based on real life events is cleverly blended into the story, with Branwell adding a brooding charm as he experiences some sinister encounters that add a gothic eeriness to the story. And we also learn some background about Georgiana's time travelling abilities.
It all makes for a clever combination, hugely fun with just the right amount of mystery whilst at the same time a celebration of classic literature.
July 1, 2026
4.5 ⭐
The haunting of a Brontë is the second entertaining entry in the Miss Darcy Investigates series of timeslip mysteries.
I finished reading A crime through time not so long back, and I really wanted to like it more than I did. I'm glad I continued with this series because I loved this book! 🩷
The plot was much more fast paced, and with the time travel them already set up, the story focussed much more on the mystery at hand. Thorp Green Hall had creepy gothic vibes, with murders, ghosts strange demonic creatures, fortune tellers and so much more. I got to learn so much more about the Brontës, especially Branwell Brontë (I had forgotten he existed, if I'd even come across him before. I am much more familiar with the sisters).
We also get a glimpse of an interesting reason behind Darcy's change of manners in Pride and Prejudice. I won't spoil it, go read the book 🤭
The haunting of a Brontë is the second entertaining entry in the Miss Darcy Investigates series of timeslip mysteries.
I finished reading A crime through time not so long back, and I really wanted to like it more than I did. I'm glad I continued with this series because I loved this book! 🩷
The plot was much more fast paced, and with the time travel them already set up, the story focussed much more on the mystery at hand. Thorp Green Hall had creepy gothic vibes, with murders, ghosts strange demonic creatures, fortune tellers and so much more. I got to learn so much more about the Brontës, especially Branwell Brontë (I had forgotten he existed, if I'd even come across him before. I am much more familiar with the sisters).
We also get a glimpse of an interesting reason behind Darcy's change of manners in Pride and Prejudice. I won't spoil it, go read the book 🤭
August 29, 2026
Fabulous story, thoroughly enjoyed this. I enjoyed it more than the first book - I did enjoy that one, but this was a real page turner, a bit mad, and roller coaster crazy at times - which, don’t get me wrong is a good thing! What a mash up of so many things, made me laugh out loud at times and, not wanting to share spoilers, I loved the denouement at the end which I had surmised so I was thrilled to discover it was actually true - ah, go and read and enjoy thus very well written and inventive story. Can’t wait for the next one!
July 13, 2026
A real joy, witty, entertaining with an excellent plot, great characters, some nice gothic touches and a few shocks along the way. Georgiana Darcy time travelling detective find a herself in 1845 mixed up in murder, hauntings and illicit romance. Lots of Bronte, Austen and horror references dot the book. An impressive book and an improvement on the previous on the series although I enjoyed both very much. Narration is perfect with a great range and an easy listen.
July 26, 2026
This is the second in the Timeslip Mysteries series. I haven't read the first book, and felt that although this works as a standalone I would have preferred to have the background information from book one.
Unfortunately I found myself skim reading a lot of the book, I struggled with the writing style. I did however like the references to classic literature, and I liked Quinn being so modern against the formal old fashioned background.
Unfortunately I found myself skim reading a lot of the book, I struggled with the writing style. I did however like the references to classic literature, and I liked Quinn being so modern against the formal old fashioned background.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Haunting of a Bronte is the fantastic sequel to last year’s Miss Darcy Investigates by Amelia Blackwell. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and I was excited to hear that Georgiana’s adventures through time would continue on.
This time around, she is desperate to get back to 1999 and Quinn, the man she loves. However, when she does eventually leap into the future again, she only lands in 1845. She arrives at Thorp Green Hall where she meets an eclectic cast of characters, including Miss Anne Bronte and her brother Branwell. The latter of whom is involved in all kinds of mysterious goings on.
I loved all the little nods and references to literary characters and stories, along with a few other special things to try and spot in the book. It was fun to follow along with Georgiana again as she always seems to get herself embroiled in one puzzle or another. It’s also interesting to see her discover some new facts about her ability to time travel and there are a few surprises for her and the reader!
This was a very fun and entertaining sequel. There was mystery, drama and adventure all wrapped up together. I thought it was brilliant!
This time around, she is desperate to get back to 1999 and Quinn, the man she loves. However, when she does eventually leap into the future again, she only lands in 1845. She arrives at Thorp Green Hall where she meets an eclectic cast of characters, including Miss Anne Bronte and her brother Branwell. The latter of whom is involved in all kinds of mysterious goings on.
I loved all the little nods and references to literary characters and stories, along with a few other special things to try and spot in the book. It was fun to follow along with Georgiana again as she always seems to get herself embroiled in one puzzle or another. It’s also interesting to see her discover some new facts about her ability to time travel and there are a few surprises for her and the reader!
This was a very fun and entertaining sequel. There was mystery, drama and adventure all wrapped up together. I thought it was brilliant!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews