About

An “in conversation” event with authors Jessica Bull, writer of the Miss Austen Investigates series, and Susan Stokes-Chapman, Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author of The Twelve Days of Christmas. The discussion will be hosted by Dr. Amy Frost, Senior Curator at Bath Preservation Trust.

The Austen Christmas Murders by Jessica Bull

As the festive season approaches, Jane Austen fears there will be little Christmas cheer in the Austen household without her siblings at home. However, when she discovers a skeleton in the cellar of Deane Rectory, her concerns quickly shift. Who needs merriment when there is a mystery to unravel? Her investigation leads her to the legend of a young bride long believed to haunt the nearby woods. The bride fled her wedding breakfast and was never seen again. Has Jane finally found her? Or is there more to the story than meets the eye? ’Tis the season for Jane to indulge in festive delights, make merry, and solve murders.

Miss Austen Investigates was universally adored by readers and reviewers, with Red describing it as “a note-perfect crime caper” and Jennie Godfrey praising the series as “fresh, fiendish and funny.” Blending a brilliantly plotted mystery with rich historical accuracy and a warm, witty protagonist, the next instalment promises to delight readers once again.

About the Author:

Jessica Bull grew up in South East London, where she still lives with her husband, two daughters, and an abundance of pets. A lifelong lover of stories, she studied English Literature at Bristol University and Information Science at City University, London. She first worked as a librarian (under the mistaken belief she would be able to read all day) before becoming a communications consultant. Her debut novel, Miss Austen Investigates, has sold in eighteen territories and counting and was shortlisted for the 2025 CWA John Creasey First Novel Dagger. A Fortune Most Fatal is the highly anticipated second book in the series.

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Susan Stokes-Chapman

This beautiful collection of seasonal stories is inspired by the Georgian Christmas carol.

The snowy village of Merrywake shimmers with hope as it celebrates the Christmas season following the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars. Ahead of the Viscount’s famous Twelfth Night Ball, the villagers share their stories: a lovelorn vicar and a kind maid reunited after a misunderstanding; three sisters competing for the attention of a dastardly duke; two servants concealing a dangerous secret; and a soldier making his uncertain journey home. As these tales intertwine, life and love in the village are revealed—from belowstairs to high society.

Reimagining each of the carol’s traditional gifts and written in tribute to Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, The Twelve Days of Christmas offers festive tales filled with seasonal cheer and heartwarming characters. Whether the challenges and mysteries faced by the Viscount’s guests will be resolved by the night of the ball remains to be seen.

About the Author:

Susan Stokes-Chapman was born in 1985 and grew up in the historic Georgian city of Lichfield, Staffordshire. She studied for four years at Aberystwyth University, earning a BA in Education & English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. Her debut novel, Pandora, was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2020 and the Glass Bell Award, and became an instant Sunday Times number-one bestseller. Her most recent novel is the gothic mystery The Shadow Key.