A Most Agreeable Murder

A Novel

By: Julia Seales

Narrated by: Fiona Hampton

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “A delightful cocktail that mixes elements of the Bridgerton series, Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries . . . The payoff is a wealth of wit, hilarity and suspense.”—People (Book of the Week)

When a wealthy bachelor drops dead at a ball, a young lady takes on the decidedly improper role of detective in this action-packed debut comedy of manners and murder.

A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Feisty, passionate Beatrice Steele has never fit the definition of a true lady, according to the strict code of conduct that reigns in Swampshire, her small English township: She is terrible at needlework, has absolutely no musical ability, and her artwork is so bad it frightens people. Nevertheless, she lives a perfectly agreeable life. But she harbors a dark secret: She is obsessed with true crime. If anyone in her etiquette-obsessed community found out, she’d be deemed a morbid creep and banished from respectable society forever.

For her family’s sake, she’s vowed to put her obsession behind her. Eligible bachelor Edmund Croaksworth is set to attend the approaching autumnal ball, and the Steele family hopes that younger daughter Louisa will steal his heart. So Beatrice must be on her best behavior—a difficult challenge when a disgraced yet alluring detective inexplicably shows up to the ball.

Beatrice is just holding things together when Croaksworth drops dead in the middle of a minuet. As a storm rages outside, the evening descends into a frenzy of panic, fear, and betrayal as it becomes clear that the guests are trapped with a killer. Contending with competitive card games, tricky tonics, and Swampshire’s infamous squelch holes, Beatrice must rise above decorum and decency to pursue justice and her own desires—before anyone else is murdered.

©2023 Julia Seales (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Despite its title, [A Most Agreeable Murder] is as much a parody of Regency conventions as it is a jaunty sendup of the locked-room mystery. It’s with a loving hand and a gimlet eye that she guides us through one fateful evening among the ever-so-proper elite of the aptly named township of Swampshire.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Without exaggerating, it’s one of the funniest cozy mysteries I’ve ever read.”—Book Riot

“Wish Bridgerton had a bit more Agatha Christie flair? That’s what Julia Seales offers up with her debut.”—Entertainment Weekly

A fun story

This story was so much fun to listen to! It’s a great mixture of fun and mystery. Lots of twists and turns and times when you’ll laugh out loud! Can’t wait for a sequel!!

Lots of twists and turns

Suspenseful and amusing. I hope there will be some sequels. Good narration.A Some predictable outcomes, but not all.

Most Agreeable!

What can I say? I loved it! Well written, well developed characters, an exciting story with twists and turns, witty dialogue, and all topped off with murder and intrigue. It was an excellent book and I hope there will be a sequel. I would love to hear about Miss Beatrice Steel and more agreeable murders!

The author’s sense of the ridiculous is delightful

I loved the mixture of Austen’s original characters found wrapped within Seale’s characters in A Most Agreeable Murder. While this is the Steele family from Sense and Sensibility - you clearly pick up on hints of characters from other stories written by Austen.

While there is a sense of the absurd - highlighted by Miss Boltons Parachute - it somehow all fits with the author’s tongue in cheek humour and does not appear ridiculous and weaves in well with the incredible storyline. There is a touch of Agatha Christie to be found as well.

All in all a wonderful listen. I’m looking forward to listening to the sequel!

Great Parody

If you are a fan of Jane Austin you will enjoy this tongue in cheek novel. It’s characters have telling name. IT’s location could not be more absurd as these seemingly proper characters wander through a grisly murder or two,

A fun listen

This book is Pride & Prejudice in a different story line. Lots toy twists and turns and enjoyable all around.

A fun read!

If you are a fan of crime stories from the Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie era, you will love this one!

Great story

I enjoyed this book so much!! I laughed at parts and thought it was incredible!! Highly recommend

Very entertaining!

I believe I’ve found my new favorite author. Wonderful mystery and an equally wonderful narrative.

A touch of mystical whimsy

Fun detective story with good tension, just the right amount of humor, and well fleshed-out characters. The one thing that surprised me was the little bit of mystical, magical whimsy in the story. I would have preferred something that stuck more true to the era, but honestly that's just me. Even with it, I still enjoy the story and will read another one of her books.