Death in Sensible Circumstances by Riana Everly - Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway

I’m pleased to be welcoming Riana Everly back to the blog with her new book, Death in Sensible Circumstances: A Sense and Sensibility Mystery. This is the fourth book in the Miss Mary Investigates series, where Mary Bennet, the middle daughter of the Bennets in Pride & Prejudice, turns sleuth to find out who committed a murder. In this book she meets characters from another of Austen’s novels, Sense & Sensibility. Previously she’s met characters that feature in Emma and Mansfield Park.  

Read on to learn more about the book, a guest post from Riana on one of the locations that the book will take us, an excerpt of the book to whet your appetite and finally have the chance to win an ebook of Death in Sensible Circumstances for yourself.

Book Description 

A Jane Austen-inspired mystery, set in the world of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, being the fourth novel in the Miss Mary Investigates series.

When Mary Bennet befriends Elinor Dashwood, she expects to become part of the young lady’s circle and be introduced to her friends and relations. She does not expect that one of this circle should die, far too young, and in most unfortunate circumstances. Worse, Elinor is secretly in love with one of the suspects, Edward Ferrars, and he is inconveniently engaged to somebody else.

When an investigator is called in to assist, Mary is more surprised still.

Alexander Lyons expects to find death and deceit in his line of work, but he does not expect to come face to face with Mary, who hasn’t replied to his letters of late. What is she doing in London? And how is she involved with this sorry business of murder? Still, despite the tension between the two, they make a good team as they seek to unravel the mystery surrounding them.

From the elegant drawing rooms of Mayfair to the reeking slums of St. Giles, the two must use every bit of wit and logic they possess to uncover a killer, all the while, trying to puzzle out the workings of their own hearts.

Join Mary Bennet, Lizzy’s often overlooked sister from Pride and Prejudice, and her intriguing and handsome friend Alexander Lyons, as they are pulled into the world of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility in this, their latest adventure.

Guest Post from Riana Everly

I’m so pleased to be back here at Babblings of a Bookworm to talk a bit about my new book, Death in Sensible Circumstances. Thanks, Ceri, for hosting me today.

This new book, the fourth in the Miss Mary Investigates series of mysteries, is set in the world of Sense and Sensibility, and in that part of Ms Austen’s story where the two heroines, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, are staying with Mrs Jennings in London. Not only did I have the tremendous pleasure of introducing Mary Bennet to Elinor and her circle, but I also got to explore one of my favourite cities in the world.

Although not a Londoner, I still know the city somewhat well, and when my characters were running about the place, from one location to another, I had definite images in mind. Alexander, my investigator, lives and works very near Covent Garden. I’ve been there, I’ve wandered those streets, and I can see them clearly. Likewise, the Ferrars’ fine townhouse in Mayfair, and the house in Holborn, where Lucy and Nancy Steele are staying with their cousins.

Gracechurch Street and Cheapside, alas, are harder to picture, since that area is quite unrecognisable now from what it was like 200 years ago. The Gardiners wouldn’t know what happened!

There is another part of London that is quite different from what was there in 1814, when Mary and Alexander were searching for the killer, and that area is Seven Dials. Mary would never think to go there in most circumstances, but when there is a clue to be uncovered, she laces up her boots and gets to work.

Now, Seven Dials is basically a part of the Covent Garden tourist district, with its high-end shops and trendy eateries. Back when Mary followed Alexander into its labyrinthine alleyways, it was anything but trendy. Rather, it was one of the worst slums in London.

Here is a very brief history of Seven Dials and St. Giles.

Covent Garden has been a market for at least fourteen hundred years. The area started as a Saxon trading town with the present market square at its centre, and over the centuries, remained an area for meeting and for trade. As London grew around it, the market remained, and by the seventeenth century, it was ripe for development. In the 1630s, Inigo Jones laid out a set of streets around his church of St Paul and the large market square, and the area become home to the elite, who enjoyed entertainment and places to socialise. But the coffee houses and theatres also attracted the masses, and as the aristocrats moved out, more dubious types moved in.

To the north of the great market square and the glittering theatres were Seven Dials and St Giles. This area was first established in 1101 when a hospital for lepers was founded there by Matilda, wife of Henry I, and until the mid-19th century, it was one of the worst slums in London. Theatregoers could find other sorts of entertainment after the curtains came down, and the well-to-do had to watch their pockets and reticules. St Giles was also conveniently close to the wealthier areas just to the west, a perfect place for my thugs to live before setting upon poor Robert Ferrars.

Seven Dials was originally open land owned by the hospital of St Giles, and was developed by Thomas Neale in the 1690s to its current plan of a series of streets radiating out from a central hub. But instead of attracting the wealthy to its bosom, the area became increasingly less reputable over time, until, by the 19th century, it was one of the most dangerous slums in London, as part of the rookeries of St Giles.

In 1835, Charles Dickens described the area as, “… streets and courts [that] dart in all directions, until they are lost in the unwholesome vapour which hangs over the house-tops and renders the dirty perspective uncertain and confined.”

 

Dudley Street, Gustave Doré, 1860

How things change! When I was in London with my family last December, my daughter and I took a stroll through Seven Dials, enjoying the lights and garlands on the monument at the centre of the area, and delighting in the colourful courtyard known as Neal’s Yard.

Mary and Alexander wouldn’t recognise the place at all.

 

Seven Dials

Neal's Yard

Here is an excerpt, telling of their experience in those dark and treacherous alleys. 

From Death in Sensible Circumstances: A Sense and Sensibility Mystery

The first place to seek answers to that question was in St. Giles, where the two ruffians who had actually done the deed had lived. It was still bright daylight and busy in the streets. Later, when the sky was darker, the area became more dangerous. This, therefore, was the time to go.

He made his notes and gathered his belongings and walked back to Covent Garden. Atkins was not in the Bow Street offices, but Alexander left the key for him in the care of the secretary, and turned northward towards Seven Dials.

“Alexander! I have been waiting for you!”

Once again, his feet were stilled by the sound of his name.

“Mary! What in blazes are you doing here? Who is with you?”

She grinned at him with a look of impish disobedience that he never would have imagined when first they met. Then, she had been this serious and self-important chit more interested in spouting moral judgments than in flouting convention. But here she was, in flagrant defiance of society’s strictures, and seeming to enjoy every moment of it. How she had grown!

“I told my aunt that I was visiting Elinor. She believes my maid to be with me. But I could not spend another minute waiting for news. I had to know for myself what had happened. I came across Mr. Atkins and he told me about the key, so I decided to wait here. There is nowhere in London safer than in front of the Bow Street Courthouse, after all!”

He ought to be angry, but he was really glad to see her. Still…

“I am for St. Giles. That is no place for a lady.”

She stopped in front of him and planted her hands on her hips. The defiant stance, in contrast with her pretty face under her demure bonnet, nearly made him laugh.

“Very well. I see I shall not convince you otherwise. But St. Giles is dangerous. Seven Dials, in the centre of the area, is a place where even I do not go willingly in the day, and certainly not at night. There are gin shops, old shops selling older items for the third and fourth time, unfed children, vermin, men better suited to asylums than the streets, harlots, terrible people…”

“I know what it has to offer. The church where my aunt and uncle attend sends charity there weekly. I have not gone myself, but I hear the others talk. I am not afraid.”

“Have you a reticule? Just a small one? Good. Put it in your pocket and keep it safe. Put your necklace under your collar. You still look far too genteel. We must find you an old shawl or duster. Do not leave my sight! Nay, do not stray further from me than the length of my arm. I will not have you come to harm.”

She beamed up at him. “That is what Colonel Brandon said about Marianne.” She did not elaborate upon her comment, but took his arm and walked with him into one of the most poverty-stricken parts of London.

* * *

Now, what do we think of that?! The mention of Robert Ferrars being attacked is making me think that he was probably the victim, which also makes me wonder how his brother will extricate himself from his unwanted secret engagement. I currently have full faith that Edward is innocent, but who knows what I will think when I read the book!

Thanks also to Riana for the guest post regarding the districts of London. I had heard of St Giles, although didn’t know what type of area it was but had only heard of Seven Dials in relation to Agatha Christie, as I know one of her novels has it in the title. I know time marches on but it’s funny to think of how much some places will have changed from Austen’s time when there are some areas which would have been preserved and so are much more like what she would have seen.

Author Bio

Riana Everly is an award-winning author of romance, both contemporary and historical, and historical mysteries.

Born in South Africa, she moved to Canada as a child, bringing with her two parents, two younger sisters, and too many books. Yes, they were mysteries. From those early days of The Secret Seven and The Famous Five, she graduated to Nancy Drew, and then to the Grande Dames of classical English whodunnits, including Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh. Others followed, and many sleepless nights ensued.

When not matching wits with Miss Marple and Adam Dalgliesh, Riana keeps busy researching those little, but so-important, details for her next fabulous novel.

Trained as a classical musician, Riana has degrees in Music History and Medieval Studies, and enjoys photography, hiking, travelling, learning obscure languages, and experimenting with new recipes. If they include chocolate, all the better.

Her Miss Mary Investigates series has charmed both Jane Austen fans and serious mystery lovers alike, and readers are always asking when the next story will be available.

You can follow Riana's blog, and join her on Facebook and Twitter (@RianaEverly). She loves meeting readers!

Also, check out her website and Amazon Author Page to learn more. 

Buy Links

Death in Sensible Circumstances is available to buy now in Paperback, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. 

• Universal Link • Amazon US • Amazon UK • Amazon CA • Add to Goodreads shelf

Giveaway Time 

Riana is delighted to be giving away one eBook of Death in Sensible Circumstances: A Sense and Sensibility Mystery at each blog she visits. She will randomly select one person who comments as a winner, five days after the date of the blog visit (so in this case, Saturday 25 March). Riana will email the book directly to the winners, so please check back on the site, or make sure she has a way to contact you. Riana’s email is riana.everly@gmail.com

Good luck!

Note about comments:  If you have any problems adding your comment please contact me and I will add your comment for you :)

Please include your name in your comment, as sometimes they post anonymously.

* * *

If you don’t want to miss any of my future posts, please subscribe

Subscribe to Babblings of a Bookworm

If you'd like to be friends on Goodreads then please invite me - just say that you visit my blog when it asks why you'd like to be friends with me.