Pre-order

Sense, Sensibility and Scandal

Get in the xigxag app
Already purchased

Click to open directly in the xigxag app.

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book. Pre-order Buy Now £{{ price }} Send as a gift
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

A Mysterious Stranger, a Fortune at Stake, and a Race Against Time to Save Austen’s Family - perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Bridgerton


‘Who are you, Miss Austen, but a young lady of little experience and no consequence?’

Welcome to Godmersham Park, 1797.

Following many years apart, Jane Austen is set to spend the summer with her estranged brother, Neddy.

As heir to wealthy widow Mrs Knight’s fortune, it is imperative that Neddy stays in his benefactor’s good graces.

But upon arrival in Kent, Jane quickly realises Neddy is in dire need of her help.

For a mysterious young woman named Eleanor currently resides with Mrs Knight – a stranger who threatens to swindle the inheritance for herself.

Jane must uncover who Mrs Knight’s guest really is, to protect the fate of her entire family. When she discovers a series of threatening letters meant for Eleanor, her investigation takes an unexpected turn.

Because the dangers aren’t just within the walls of Godmersham Park. Jane knows someone else is out there watching, waiting – but for what?

Is this curious Eleanor friend, or foe? And can Jane solve the mystery, before danger comes for them all?

'Exceptional - the Austen whodunnit I feel like I've been waiting my whole life for! I loved it' SOPHIE IRWIN

Previously published as A Fortune Most Fatal.

© Jessica Bull 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critics Review

A fun, clever mystery...a must-read for historical crime fiction fans
Good Housekeeping
BRILLIANT. So sharply observed, yet fresh, funny and a joy to read
Jennie Godfrey
This wonderful book feels almost like an immersive experience. Witty, clever and with exquisite detail. Miss Austen is a terrific sleuth
Ian Moore
Sharp, searching and perfectly constructed...filled with wit, wrong turns and pitch-perfect characters, and a mystery that pulls expertly on the threads of 1797 society too. Jessica Bull is the real deal - a storyteller of such skill and empathy and verve, whose prose sings on every page. Jane Austen would adore this series - and so do I!
author of The Housekeepers
What a virtuoso blend of historical detail, colourful characters and plot. Charming from the first page to the last, this mystery captivates with dashing characters and arch wit. Miss Austen would most heartily approve!
author of Knife Skills for Beginners
A delightful return to the world of Jane Austen's sleuthing! Jessica Bull delicately balances the details of Jane's life alongside a richly developed set of mysteries. Rendered in Jane's signature wit and equal parts light and dark, I enjoyed every moment I got to spend with Jane in this briliant follow-up
author of How To Solve Your Own Murder
Jessica Bull's sleuth, Jane Austen, is once again set in a pitch perfect Regency society with a wonderful murder mystery at its core - it's everything a Janeite could want!
author of the Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder
A delight from the very first page - fun, clever and gritty, with fantastic characterisation and a wonderful look into the darkness hidden beneath the glimmering facade of Regency society. Jessica Bull masterfully brings to life Jane Austen and those around her, doing justice to the glimpses we get from letters. Her Jane Austen is my Jane Austen
author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall
The perfect treat for anyone who has ever wantd to don a Regency gown and step inside the pages of a Jane Austen novel...Jessica Bull spins the most perfect myster, laying down clues with a masterful sleight of hand, then revealing them to the reader one by one, making for a hugely satisfying and deeply moving read. I could not have loved it more!
author of A Deadly Discovery
Jessica Bull defly weaves real historical events and characters with a thrilling storyline, and wields her extensive research with expert precision. She conjures Jane's Regency world with as much realism as if she were describing our world today, and I was utterly immerside from the first page. Jane Austen is a plucky, sharp-witted, lovable heroine, and I can't wait for her next adventure!
Louise Morrish

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag

Experience the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed for seamless discovery, purchase, and enjoyment of your favorite titles. Our flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less, providing affordable prices and the best audiobook deals without requiring a subscription. Perfect for gifting, xigxag also features convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

 

Beyond the listening experience, xigxag stands as an exciting alternative to big tech, embodying a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we ensure a guilt-free listening experience from a leader in audiobook innovation.

 

Effortlessly search audiobooks, access honest audiobook reviews that evaluate both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. Whether you prefer to download or stream top audiobook titles, xigxag provides the best possible listening experience anytime, anywhere, on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Discover the future of audiobooks today.