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Saturday, September 24, 2022

Because I Could Not Stop for Death: An Emily Dickinson Mystery by Amanda Flower

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)
 

about book:

Emily Dickinson and her housemaid, Willa Noble, realize there is nothing poetic about murder in this first book in an all-new series from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Amanda Flower.

January 1855 Willa Noble knew it was bad luck when it was pouring rain on the day of her ever-important job interview at the Dickinson home in Amherst, Massachusetts. When she arrived late, disheveled with her skirts sodden and filthy, she'd lost all hope of being hired for the position. As the housekeeper politely told her they'd be in touch, Willa started toward the door of the stately home only to be called back by the soft but strong voice of Emily Dickinson. What begins as tenuous employment turns to friendship as the reclusive poet takes Willa under her wing. 

Tragedy soon strikes and Willa's beloved brother, Henry, is killed in a tragic accident at the town stables. With no other family and nowhere else to turn, Willa tells Emily about her brother’s death and why she believes it was no accident. Willa is convinced it was murder. Henry had been very secretive of late, only hinting to Willa that he'd found a way to earn money to take care of them both. Viewing it first as a puzzle to piece together, Emily offers to help, only to realize that she and Willa are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse that reveals corruption in Amherst that is generations deep. Some very high-powered people will stop at nothing to keep their profitable secrets even if that means forever silencing Willa and her new mistress....

my thoughts:

Wow! What a thrilling new mystery series by Amanda Flower! I fell in deep with Because I Could Not Stop for Death: An Emily Dickinson Mystery - it was an exciting and powerful story. Definitely dark at times and much more of a murder mystery than a cozy mystery. I loved how history was woven into the story and the characters felt so authentic and well-developed. The story was intriguing and unputdownable. And, the writing was superb. Such a great book!

It's 1855 in Amherst, Massachusetts and Willa Noble is needing a job. She has just interviewed at the Dickinson house and is thinking it did not go well. And, then she hears a voice calling out to her. Yep, Emily Dickinson decides to hire Willa and the two wind up forming a friendship. Tragedy soon strikes in Willa's family - her brother, Henry dies. Except, well, Willa believes Henry was murdered. Seems that he was keeping secrets from her and now she's convinced these secrets are what killed him. So, she turns to Emily and soon the two form a dynamic sleuthing duo who are set on figuring out what really happened to Henry.  Of course, danger shows up and the two women find themselves dealing with secrets that are much more sinister than they could have imagined. The question is, are they willing to risk their lives to get to the truth? Yikes!

Because I Could Not Stop for Death is a must-read! Anyone and everyone looking for an amazing new mystery series to become obsessed with should make sure to get their hands on a copy of Flower's new book - you don't want to miss out!



Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

2 comments:

Terra said...

This book sounds like one I will like, Emily Dickinson and a murder mystery combined.

Vintage Reading said...

Studying the poetry of Emily Dickenson many years afpgonwhen I was at university was a sheer delight!