"Like a modern-day Agatha Christie bestowed with a hefty dollop of Jane Austen." — Laura Childs, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jane Austen meets reality TV and murder in this quirky cozy mystery—the first in a new series! Phaedra Brighton is perfectly content with her life of lecturing college students, gossiping with her best friends, and dreaming of Mr. Darcy. As a young, respected (if somewhat peculiar) English professor, her expertise lies in all things Jane Austen—but she knows that the closest she'll ever get to being a real-life Elizabeth Bennet is in her dreams. When Who Wants to Marry Mr. Darcy , a new reality TV show, starts filming at her best friend Charlene's estate, Phaedra is intrigued. And when the producer asks her to lend her Austenian knowledge as a consultant on the show, she's over the moon. But on the first day of filming, when Charlene's new husband is found electrocuted and Charlene herself is accused of the crime, Phaedra comes crashing back to reality. With murder on the syllabus and her best friend in dire straits, there's no Mr. Darcy around to help Phaedra—she'll have to get to the bottom of this mystery herself. "A crackling good mystery: like a modern-day Agatha Christie bestowed with a hefty dollop of Jane Austen. It’s deliciously written, emotionally resonant, and delightfully engaging. Katie Oliver’s cinematic eye is spot on!" — Laura Childs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mystery series "Katie Oliver has penned a delightful mystery that pays homage to Jane Austen with a head strong heroine, Phaedra Brighton, whose quick wit and deductive reasoning are tested on a terrific puzzler of a murder mystery set against a brilliant literary backdrop. This is a must read for all Jane Austen fans!" — Jenn McKinlay , New York Times bestselling author "With her empire waist dresses and her cell phone tucked into her reticule Professor Phaedra Brighton might seem to go overboard lecturing on the works of Jane Austen, but there’s no denying her passion for her subject. She might dream of Regency romance, but when it comes to solving murders, Phaedra proves to be a thoroughly modern woman. You don’t have to love Jane Austen to love the quirky, determined Phaedra and immerse yourself in her world in this sparkling new series." — Vicki Delany , national bestselling author of the Catskill Summer Resort Mysteries "Oliver links her passion for all things Jane Austen to a cozy whodunit...[she] bustles so nimbly among the assorted academics, relatives, and TV types that the killer sneaks in under the radar." — Kirkus Reviews Katie Oliver is known internationally as a writer of Jane Austen rom-coms with a hint of mystery. In the U.S. and the U.K., she's the bestselling author of the Dating Mr. Darcy and Marrying Mr. Darcy series (HQ Digital). One   Spend the night with Mr. Darcy again, Phaedra?"   Professor Phaedra Brighton ignored the comment as she entered the faculty lounge. Not only because she was in imminent danger of dropping the briefcase and umbrella thrust under her arm, but because she no longer found Darcy jokes particularly funny.   "I know I'm late," she acknowledged, dumping her briefcase on the conference table. "And yes, before you ask, I stayed up to finish rereading Pride and Prejudice."   "There are other books out there, you know." Lucy Liang, professor of modern and postmodernist literature, barely looked up from texting. Black hair framed her face in a short, angular style that, on anyone else, would've looked severe, but suited her sharp edges perfectly. "Admit it. You're obsessed with Mr. Darcy."   Phaedra touched her hair, pinned up in a dark blond topknot. She'd spent ten minutes in front of the bathroom mirror with a curling iron to create a cluster of ringlets on each side of her face, with debatable success. "What can I say? I like socially awkward older men."   "The ringlets look great, by the way. Very Carey Mulligan in Northanger Abbey."   "Thanks." Phaedra glanced down at her Empire waist gown. She'd made it years ago for a summer job as a docent at Monticello, former president Thomas Jefferson's home in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dressing in historically appropriate clothing was important to her.   Even now, her students at Somerset University enjoyed seeing her deliver lectures in full Regency attire.   She gave her umbrella a brisk shake and set it aside. "At least I won't miss the Thursday morning staff meeting."   "You say that like it's a good thing." Lucy glanced at the clock. "Ten minutes more, and you'd have avoided Dean Carmichael's justification for slashing the Humanities budget yet again. Not to mention finding out how much, or more to the point, how little he's giving the English department for the Jane Austen lit fest."   Removing her soggy sneakers, Phaedra retrieved a pair of ballet flats from her briefcase, slipped them on, and withdrew a reticule, lecture notes, and a Moleskine planner. "I can st