Cyanide and Sensibility: A Cozy with Flavors of Austen

Cyanide and Sensibility by Katie Oliver was published in 2023.

Our Sleuth: Phaedra Brighton is a “young” professor of English literature and a noted Jane Austen scholar who likes to teach her classes in period-appropriate clothing, such as Regency-style gowns and ballet slippers.

The Setting: We’re in Laurel Springs, a small city in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia and home to Brighton’s employer, Somerset University.

The Premise: In this third installment of the Jane Austen Tea Society mysteries, Phaedra must help clear her sister Hannah’s name after a woman dies from eating poisoned icing at the grand opening of Hannah’s patisserie. In addition, the icing was on a cupcake intended for Phaedra and her father so it looks like one or both may have attracted the attentions of a killer.

My Take: I’m pretty sure I’m the target audience for this series, as someone who loves Jane Austen, academic settings and cozy mysteries with strong female leads. If that describes you too, then this series is definitely worth checking out. The writing flows well, the plots are not overly complicated and the focus is on Phaedra, an Elizabeth Bennet-type character, and her relationships with friends and family. She and two friends — Lucy Liang, a professor of post-modern literature, and Marisol Dubois, Phaedra’s teaching assistant — form the Jane Austen Tea Society and their regular meetings double as mystery-solving sessions. And let’s not forget Professor Mark Selden, the noted Shakespearean scholar and Phaedra’s British colleague, who serves as her somewhat elusive Darcy-like romantic interest. Finally, there’s her cat, Wickham, a handsome and aloof Himalayan. It’s a lighthearted escape perfect for a snowy day.

Opening Lines:

Phaedra Brighton knew she was dangerously close to losing control of her car on the twisty, ice-slick road.

She tightened her grip on the wheel and drew in a calming breath. It was early December in the Blue Ridge, after all. The snow-dusted mountain peaks and tree branches rimed in ice offered a singular beauty – but danger as well. Branches snapped and pines fell under the weight of ice and snow. Winter made driving perilous, especially on infrequently traveled rural roads.

Like this one.

Of Note: My library doesn’t have book 1 in the series but I read both book 2, A Murderous Persuasion, and book 3, Cyanide and Sensibility, back to back. While Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel, I preferred Book 3 mostly because it takes place over the winter holidays. UPDATE: I’ve now read Book 1, Pride, Prejudice and Peril, and also recommend it.

Heads Up: No trigger warnings here as it’s a traditional cozy.