Before they became legendary writers, Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, and Anne Brontë were  detectors in this charming historical mystery...   Yorkshire, 1845. A young wife and mother has gone missing from her home, leaving behind two small children and a large pool of blood. Just a few miles away, a humble parson’s daughters—the Brontë sisters—learn of the crime. Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë are horrified and intrigued by the mysterious disappearance.   These three creative, energetic, and resourceful women quickly realize that they have all the skills required to make for excellent “lady detectors.” Not yet published novelists, they have well-honed imaginations and are expert readers. And, as Charlotte remarks, “detecting is reading between the lines—it’s seeing what is not there.”   As they investigate, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne are confronted with a society that believes a woman’s place is in the home, not scouring the countryside looking for clues. But nothing will stop the sisters from discovering what happened to the vanished bride, even as they find their own lives are in great peril... Praise for The Vanished Bride “The Bronte sisters as sleuths--what a delicious idea! Bella Ellis has brilliantly recreated the feel and atmosphere of the Bronte novels, as well as bringing the three sisters (and their dissolute brother) vividly to life. What's more, it's a rattling good story!”—Rhys Bowen New York Times bestselling author of the Royal Spyness novels, the Molly Murphy Mysteries and The Victory Garden   “ The Vanished Bride is a clever and unique historical mystery that offers fascinating insights into the lives of the Brontë siblings alongside an equally compelling atmospheric, gothic, and twisty tale. Fans of the Brontë sisters’ exquisite books will find much to love as Ellis pays homage to the spirit of their rich literary oeuvre. The Vanished Bride is sure to delight historical mystery lovers.”—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times Bestselling author of When We Left Cuba   “ The Vanished Bride hooks you from the first page with intricate characters, a wonderful plot and best of all, an amazing sense of time and place.  I look forward to reading Ms. Ellis’s next adventure of the Bronte Sisters.”—Emily Brightwell, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Mrs. Jeffries mysteries     "What a treat! The Vanished Bride is an absolute delight from start to finish. Dashing across the Yorkshire moors with the Bronte sisters felt like visiting dear old friends, and Bella Ellis does the most wonderful job in imagining Emily, Charlotte and Anne as 'detectors'. Beautifully written,  deliciously atmospheric, and enormous fun, this series is certain to become a firm favourite."—Hazel Gaynor, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author     “Appropriately gothic touches as well as the author’s solid research on the lives and works of the Brontës—including cameos by their dissolute brother, Branwell; their good-hearted father, Patrick; and Charlotte’s clumsy future husband, Arthur Nicholls—enrich a diverting adventure. Brontë aficionados won’t want to miss this one. “— Publisher’s Weekly     “Move over, Jane Austen, for the latest literary ladies who snoop…[a] lively series debut.”— Kirkus Bella Ellis is the Brontë-esque pseudonym of Rowan Coleman, an acclaimed author of numerous novels for adults and children. She first visited the former home of the Brontë sisters when she was ten years old. From the moment she stepped over the threshold she was hooked, and embarked on a lifelong love affair with Charlotte, Emily, and Anne; their life; their literature; and their remarkable legacy. ***This excerpt is from an advance uncorrected copy proof*** Copyright © 2019 Bella Ellis Haworth Parsonage, December 1851   Drawing her shawl a little closer around her, Charlotte adjusted her writing slope once more, and dipped the nib of her pen back into the ink, her head bent low, nose just above the paper. Yet, just as so many times before, her hand hovered over the blank page, and it seemed impossible to put pen to paper in a house so empty of anything but the ghosts of those she loved.             All was very quiet now: even the fire in the grate seemed muffled and muted, and it felt near impossible to draw any warmth from the brightly dancing flames, almost as if she were already a ghost herself. Papa was in his study, as he always seemed to be these days. Tabby and Martha were in the kitchen, locking up for the night, even though, according to the clock that stood on the staircase, it was only a little after seven. Outside, the night leaned in against the little house, the weight of it creaking against the window glass. But even as the wind howled down the chimney breast, all that Charlotte heard was silence. All she felt was absence. All she knew was loss. Not even Emily’s beloved dog Keeper was here anymore to keep her company with his snuffles and barks, playfully dragging