Book Launch for “Murder at Northanger Abbey” by Shannon Winslow

MNA bannerThe day is finally here! Maybe some of you have been waiting impatiently for Murder at Northanger Abbey to come out. Believe me, I have too!

Usually I underestimate how long it will take to get everything done and I’m scrambling at the end. So for this book, I decided to be smart and allow plenty of time to finish up all those last-minute details. That way, I wouldn’t be so stressed about making my deadline. Consequently, I’ve been ready for two weeks and have just been waiting for the days on the calendar to tick by. In other words, I still miscalculated, only this time in the opposite direction!

It did come, and exactly when it might reasonably be looked for. It came – it was fine – and Catherine trod on air.

I thought this would be an appropriate Jane Austen quote to use today, because it comes from Northanger Abbey (chapter 26), it speaks of impatiently waiting (as I have been), and of the happiness when the anticipated day finally arrives.

Yes, the waiting is over! Tuesday, June 23rd did come, and exactly when it might reasonably be looked for.

So please join me in celebrating the officially launch of my latest book – my 10th! Here’s the Blurb for Murder at Northanger Abbey, a couple of advance reader comments in its praise, and the Blog Tour Schedule.

Newly married to her beloved Henry, Catherine’s eyes are now open to the grownup pleasures of wedded life. Yet she still hasn’t quite given up her girlhood fascination with all things Gothic. When she first visited Northanger Abbey, she only imagined dreadful events had occurred there. This time the horror is all too real. There’s been a murder, and Henry has fallen under suspicion. Catherine is determined to clear her husband’s name, but at the same time, she’s afraid for her own safety, since there’s a very good chance the real murderer is still in the house.

This delightful sequel reprises the mischievous spirit of Austen’s original spoof on the Gothic novel, while giving Catherine a genuine murder mystery to unravel.


“WOW! This book is absolutely incredible! It is intriguing, mysterious, romantic, and such a great continuation of ‘Northanger Abbey!’ Whenever I picked up ‘Murder at Northanger Abbey,’ I was whisked back in time, and went on quite an adventure!”

“I have just finished Murder at Northanger and I really loved it… I re-read Northanger Abbey before starting Murder at Northanger, and it felt as if I was reading the same book. Both the writing style and the characters remained very close to Austen’s, so this was very well achieved in my opinion. I particularly loved to see what you did with Catherine’s character, I do not believe she is a very interesting character, but you made her interesting, and that is impressive…”

“…this is a sensational sequel and I hope Shannon Winslow feels the urge to write more mysteries set in Jane Austen’s literary world, of course. I would recommend this book for not only those who enjoy Jane Austen-inspired fiction, but also those who appreciate historical cozy mysteries.”

I hope that when you read the book, you feel the same way!


Blog Tour Schedule: (links will be added as the posts go live)


Now, I promised you a surprise.

From the title, you will already have perceived that somebody dies in this book. But who? That is the question.

Months ago, I did an unofficial poll, asking readers who from Jane Austen’s original story they would like to see turn up dead. It seems there are several unpopular characters people think deserve to be murdered, but I could choose only one.

To be specific could be considered a spoiler, even though the answer is revealed early in the book. So I will leave it up to you if you want to know now or not. If you do, you will find the answer here, in the launch post running concurrently on my website/blog. (It’s the person listed there as #3!)

Murder at Northanger Abbey is available at Amazon (paperback, Kindle) and Barnes & Noble (ebook). Audio will be coming asap! 

PS – Find links to excerpts here.


 

49 comments

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    • Jen D on June 23, 2020 at 12:49 am
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    This is the book that really has excited me, and i want to congratulate you for the release. I cannot wait to read it after having read the excerpts previously and Northanger Abbey in May.

    1. Thanks so much, Jen! It’s been fun connecting with you and to know you’re enthusiastic about the new book. 😀

    • Michelle on June 23, 2020 at 1:07 am
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    Congratulations on your new book! Sounds like fun.

    1. Thank you, Michelle! Glad you’re interested.

    • Sophia Simeonidou on June 23, 2020 at 1:36 am
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    Congratulations on your new book Shannon! I enjoyed the excerpts and I’m very happy with your choice of victim!

    1. Glad you approve, Sophia!

    • Nicole on June 23, 2020 at 2:13 am
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    I have already ordered both the kindle copy and the book and can’t not wait to dive into the world you have continued!!!! Thank you some much for more of your brilliant work and please keep it up!!!!

    1. I am going to hire you as my personal cheer leader, Nicole! You are very good for my ego. 🙂

    • Marcia Hamley on June 23, 2020 at 3:39 am
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    Northanger Abbey is one of my favorites, and I also love cozy mysteries. Sounds like a great combo!

    1. It’s made for you, then. Yay!

    • Meg on June 23, 2020 at 8:15 am
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    Murder mysteries are usually not my favorite genre, but I love your other books, so look forward to seeing how you develop the story. If I’m not fortunate enough to win a copy, I’ll be purchasing one soon.

    1. Thanks for your confidence, Meg. And don’t worry, for a murder mystery, this one is very light – not taking itself too seriously. 😀

  1. Always glad to see my favourite genre – mysteries – mixed with JAFF, especially when it is not Darcy or Elizabeth Bennet

    1. Excellent! I love D&E, but I prefer some variety in my diet too. 😉

    • Regina on June 23, 2020 at 9:19 am
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    Sounds intriguing!

    1. Glad you are intrigued, Regina! I think you will enjoy it. 🙂

    • Carole in Canada on June 23, 2020 at 10:21 am
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    Congratulations, Shannon! Excited to this launched and looking forward to reading it as I love a good mystery!

    Btw…I so enjoyed your part as ‘Mrs. Gardiner’! You and Jack were fun to watch!

    1. Thanks so much, Carole! Hope you will discover that it is indeed a “good mystery.” I think it will keep you guessing to the end.
      Glad you enjoyed the Gardiner’s Pillow Talk! I was nervous about it, but it really was fun. 😀

    • J. W. Garrett on June 23, 2020 at 2:31 pm
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    I love a good mystery. I have this on my wish-list and am looking forward to reading it. Blog tours are such fun and I hope you enjoy all the love coming your way as you journey through the many stops. Blessings on the launch and success of this work. Thanks to AV for hosting this launch post for you and many thanks to you and your publisher for the generous give -away. Good luck to all in the drawings. Stay safe and healthy everyone.

    1. I hope your wish for this book is soon granted, JW! In the current situation, our no-contact virtual book tours are the only way to go. I do enjoy them and have fun preparing something different for each stop along the way. Thanks for the good wishes, and wishing you safety and health as well. 🙂

    • Cyndy Henry on June 23, 2020 at 3:07 pm
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    This looks like a great book. It is not often that I see a Nothanger Abbey variation! Thanks for writing it!

    1. I’m glad you’re enthusiastic about a NA book, Cyndy. P&P may be everybody’s favorite JA (mine too), but I love them all!

    • Gayle on June 23, 2020 at 3:20 pm
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    It should be an intriguing read. I can just picture the amazing scenes that Catherine will come up with as she tries to find the person who did the murder. It should be fascinating to read and experience along with Catherine.

    1. I like the way you think, Gayle, and I hope you find MNA all that: intriguing, amazing, and fascinating!

    • DarcyBennett on June 23, 2020 at 5:10 pm
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    Congrats on the release. What a fantastic idea to include readers in determining who gets murdered in the book. I didn’t check the results as I would like to be surprised when I read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    1. It was fun to find out readers’ views on who should be murdered. The harder part for me was deciding ‘who done it.’ Haha!

  2. Congratulations on the launch, Shannon!!! Historical mysteries are my favorite genre with JAFF second, so having my two fave genres all wrapped up in one book is simply a dream come true!!! 😀 😀 😀

    The cover is amazing, BTW–I felt a shiver race down my spine when I saw it!! Now I can’t wait for the book itself!! 🙂

    And good for you for being ahead of your due date!! It may require a bit o’ patience, but it seems much better than frantically rushing around, trying to take care of each important detail!!

    Congrats again, Shannon!!! I am definitely hoping to win a copy!! 😀

    With warmest wishes for the success of your tenth (YAY!!!!) book,
    Susanne 🙂

    1. Good luck on the drawing, Susanne! Sounds like this book was made for you. 🙂

    • Bess Waxenfelter on June 23, 2020 at 7:10 pm
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    I am so excited to read this book. I love Sherlock Holmes and Mrs. Marple, so this will be a real treat!!

    1. Yay! I hope you enjoy it, Bess!

    • Lilyane on June 23, 2020 at 7:12 pm
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    Congratulations on the launch, Shannon – this looks to be a great read! Between continued social distancing and a probable knee surgery next month, I am gathering books, books, and more books to keep me busy and out of trouble.

    Thanks for the chance to win a copy – best of luck to you.

    1. Thank you, Lilyane! Sounds like a good plan. Hope your surgery goes well!

    • Kim P. on June 23, 2020 at 9:19 pm
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    I love cozy mysteries so I can’t wait to read this! I wish there were more Austen inspired mysteries out there, I can only think of a handful, I’m glad you’re adding to this sub genre.

    1. Cool! Glad this book is tailor-made for you, Kim. I don’t read much JAFF myself, so I don’t know of much either. There are Stephanie Barron’s books, where she’s made JA herself a sleuth. You might like Julie Klassen’s books, which are considered JA-inspired (although there’s no direct connection) – mystery and romance.

    • Stephanie Carrico on June 24, 2020 at 7:08 am
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    Adding to TBR list. Looks like a great story, always love a good mystery.

    1. That’s good to hear, Stephanie!

    • Eva Edmonds on June 24, 2020 at 9:26 am
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    It will be fun to see Catherine’s wish come true – a murder at Northanger Abbey! The book is a good idea for a sequel. Kudos on your new publication and thank you for the giveaway.

    1. Thanks, Eva! I’m glad you think so. 😀

    • Lily Bernard on June 24, 2020 at 2:16 pm
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    JAFF and a mystery – my two favorites! Can’t wait to read this one! Love all your books!

      • Shannon Winslow on June 24, 2020 at 10:25 pm
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      Woohoo! MNA is made for you, Lily!

  3. ooh! “The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
    ― Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

    Can’t wait. Henry has long been underestimated as the ideal hero and husband.

    Hint: I prefer tree books as e-books not as tactile…and harder to read in the bath.
    So excited!
    Aroha, Erin

      • Shannon Winslow on June 24, 2020 at 10:29 pm
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      Yes, Henry Tilney is a worthy hero and good husband material. What woman doesn’t like a sexy man who can also make her laugh?

      • Elizabeth MacGregor-Kirkcaldy on June 29, 2020 at 12:32 am
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      Congratulations on your tenth book, Shannon. I love Jane Austen and mysteries, and I cannot wait to read ‘Murder at Northanger Abbey’. I have it on my Kindle and I am looking forward to reading it. I want to re-read ‘Northanger Abby’ first and then read ‘Murder at Northanger Abby’. I love the cover. Happy reading and writing… xxx 💞📚🌹

        • Shannon Winslow on June 29, 2020 at 1:02 pm
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        Yay! I’m so glad, Elizabeth, that you’re going to read them both – the original first and then the sequel – and that you love the cover too. I guess you don’t need the ebook, but maybe you’ll win the paperback. Thank you for the good wishes, and yes, happy reading!

    • Helyn Roberts on June 26, 2020 at 8:51 am
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    Have read quite a few books by the author before, and looking forward to this one. It sounds very different than the usual variations…
    Excited 🙂

    1. Glad you’re looking forward to reading it, Helyn!

    • DIKSHA GUPTA on June 28, 2020 at 11:38 am
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    CONGRATS SHANNON FOR YOUR NEW BOOK.

      • Shannon Winslow on June 28, 2020 at 4:21 pm
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      Thank you so much! I’m thrilled to have it finished and launched out into the world now. 🙂

  4. Congrats on the release of Murder at Northanger Abbey, Shannon. I am looking forward to reading it. Since I’m outside US, I would like to win the Kindle edition.

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