Author: Amanda Flower
Series: Emily Dickinson Mystery #1
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Audiobook
Length: 8 hrs 32 mins
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
No. of Pages: 336
Date of Publication: September 20, 2022
My Rating: 4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
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 Todaybestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Amanda Flower.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....
Title: I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died
August 1856. The Dickinson family is comfortably settled in their homestead on Main Street. Emily’s brother, Austin Dickinson, and his new wife are delighted when famous thinker and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson comes to Amherst to speak at a local literary society and decides he and his young secretary, Luther Howard, will stay with the newlyweds. Emily has been a longtime admirer of Emerson’s writing and is thrilled at the chance to meet her idol. She is determined to impress him with her quick wit, and if she can gather the courage, a poem. Willa Noble, the second maid in the Dickinson home and Emily's friend, encourages her to speak to the famous but stern man. But his secretary, Luther, intrigues Willa more because of his clear fondness for the Dickinson sisters.
Willa does not know if Luther truly cares for one of the Dickinson girls or if he just sees marrying one of them as a way to raise himself up in society. After a few days in his company, Willa starts to believe it’s the latter. Miss Lavinia, Emily’s sister, appears to be enchanted by Luther; a fact that bothers Emily greatly. However, Emily’s fears are squashed when Luther turns up dead in the Dickinson’s garden. It seems that he was poisoned. Emerson, aghast at the death of his secretary, demands answers. Emily and Willa set out to find them in order to save the Dickinson family reputation and stop a cold-blooded fiend from killing again.
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Title: I Died for BeautyCan an esteemed lady and her maid truly be friends? That’s what has blossomed between Emily Dickinson and her maid, Willa Noble. Moreover, they defy tradition in another way. When there are untimely deaths, which ultimately turn out to be murders, the duo goes above and beyond to solve the mysteries at hand.
Emily and Willa have proved instrumental when it comes to solving murders. Presently, a devastating fire has taken the life of a little girl named Norah Rose. Willa, along with Emily, work hard to find a safe new home for Norah Rose. It doesn’t take long when they discover that the fire where she lost her parents was no accident. In fact, her parents were killed and Emily and Willa are determined to find the person responsible.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amanda Flower is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author of over thirty-five mystery novels. Her novels have received starred reviews from Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Romantic Times, and she had been featured in USA Today, First for Women, and Woman’s World. She currently writes for Penguin-Random House (Berkley), Kensington, Hallmark Publishing, Crooked Lane Books, and Sourcebooks. In addition to being a writer, she was a librarian for fifteen years. Today, Flower and her husband own a farm and recording studio, and they live in Northeast Ohio with their two adorable cats.
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:
It is 1855 in Amherst MA, and Willa Noble is about to apply for a position as housemaid at the Dickinson household. She gets the job, but before long, is more than concerned at the news of her brother Henry’s sudden death. Willa, as well as Emily Dickinson, hit it off, and Emily helps Willa to look for answers, especially since Henry’s death might not have been due to an accident.
With the period of time they live in, Willa’s quick familiarity with Emily will no doubt raise eyebrows. Then there is the fact that Emily is the black sheep of the family. The two work together well, especially as Willa asks question after question while trying to discover her brother’s killer.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. For me, when you mix historical fiction with a real life historical individual, it can get a little muddy. But Amanda Flower has done a fabulous job. Now on to book two - and let’s not look past this intriguing and descriptive book titles.
With the period of time they live in, Willa’s quick familiarity with Emily will no doubt raise eyebrows. Then there is the fact that Emily is the black sheep of the family. The two work together well, especially as Willa asks question after question while trying to discover her brother’s killer.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. For me, when you mix historical fiction with a real life historical individual, it can get a little muddy. But Amanda Flower has done a fabulous job. Now on to book two - and let’s not look past this intriguing and descriptive book titles.
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Author: Amanda Flower
Series: Emily Dickinson Mystery #2
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Audiobook
Length: 8 hrs 13 mins
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
No. of Pages: 352
Date of Publication: November 14, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
When a literary icon stays with the Dickinson family, Emily and her housemaid Willa find themselves embroiled in a shocking murder in this new mystery from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Amanda Flower.August 1856. The Dickinson family is comfortably settled in their homestead on Main Street. Emily’s brother, Austin Dickinson, and his new wife are delighted when famous thinker and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson comes to Amherst to speak at a local literary society and decides he and his young secretary, Luther Howard, will stay with the newlyweds. Emily has been a longtime admirer of Emerson’s writing and is thrilled at the chance to meet her idol. She is determined to impress him with her quick wit, and if she can gather the courage, a poem. Willa Noble, the second maid in the Dickinson home and Emily's friend, encourages her to speak to the famous but stern man. But his secretary, Luther, intrigues Willa more because of his clear fondness for the Dickinson sisters.
Willa does not know if Luther truly cares for one of the Dickinson girls or if he just sees marrying one of them as a way to raise himself up in society. After a few days in his company, Willa starts to believe it’s the latter. Miss Lavinia, Emily’s sister, appears to be enchanted by Luther; a fact that bothers Emily greatly. However, Emily’s fears are squashed when Luther turns up dead in the Dickinson’s garden. It seems that he was poisoned. Emerson, aghast at the death of his secretary, demands answers. Emily and Willa set out to find them in order to save the Dickinson family reputation and stop a cold-blooded fiend from killing again.
MY THOUGHTS:
Book two in this engaging and suspenseful trilogy follows the Dickinson family as they host a notable guest, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emily Dickinson is thrilled to have Emerson visiting and hopes to impress him with one of her poems. However, as before, Emily and her maid, Willa Noble, find themselves entangled in a murder mystery.
Emily has consistently defied convention throughout her life, and her growing friendship with Willa has caused consternation among her family. They expect things to be done in a conventional manner. Moreover, Emily and Willa’s frequent disappearances while searching for clues further complicate matters. Between Emily’s father, brother and sister’s, the family’s annoyance is clear.
The murder case that is going on is that of Emerson’s secretary, Luther Howard. His death occurs shortly after their arrival. Luther had a reputation, which adds another layer of intrigue to the investigation. While the method of Luther’s death is clear to Emily and Willa, the reasons behind it remain elusive. Determined to uncover the truth, they act swiftly, fearing that the murderer may strike again.
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction mystery. Although I am not a poetry fan, I was familiar with Emily Dickinson by name. Reading about her in this fictional context was a refreshing and enjoyable experience. The introduction of another historical character, Emerson, brought even more into the story.
Overall, this second book in the series offers a captivating blend of historical fiction and mystery, making it an excellent read.
Author: Amanda Flower
Series: Emily Dickinson Mystery #3
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 352
Date of Publication: February 25, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
When a blaze takes both a neighbor’s home and his life, Emily Dickinson and her maid Willa have a burning desire to crack the case in this new historical mystery from Agatha Award–winning author Amanda
Amherst, 1857. The Dickinson family braves one of the worst winters in New England’s history. Trains are snowbound and boats are frozen in the harbor. Emily Dickinson and her maid, Willa Noble, have never witnessed anything like it. As Amherst families attempt to keep their homes warm, fears of fire abound.
These worries prove not to be unfounded as a blaze breaks out just down the street from the Dickinson in Kelley Square, the Irish community in Amherst, and a young couple is killed, leaving behind their young child. Their deaths appear to be a tragic accident, but Emily finds herself harboring suspicions there may be more to the fire than meets the eye. Emily and Willa must withstand the frigid temperatures and discover a killer lurking among the deadly frost.
MY THOUGHTS:
Emily and Willa have proved instrumental when it comes to solving murders. Presently, a devastating fire has taken the life of a little girl named Norah Rose. Willa, along with Emily, work hard to find a safe new home for Norah Rose. It doesn’t take long when they discover that the fire where she lost her parents was no accident. In fact, her parents were killed and Emily and Willa are determined to find the person responsible.
Although I only had this third book to read for review, the series fanatic that I am led me to read the first two books, Because I Could Not Stop for Death and I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died. It was during my read of the second book that my curiosity about these titles led me to Google. Now I am aware that the titles in this trilogy are also the names of poems by Emily Dickinson. That immediately broadened the entertainment value of reading this series as a whole. In fact, I definitely recommend that other readers do the same.
With I Died for Beauty, as well as the first two books, Amanda Flower did a fine job blending real life characters into a fictional setting. Factor in the intrigue and any reader is in for quite a treat.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
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