Death by Misadventure: A Novel

April 29, 1585. Coroner John Derrick is summoned to the cozy village of Bramley to investigate a naked dead man found beneath a waterwheel. An unfortunate drowning, by all indications. But upon closer inspection, the case takes a macabre turn: The deceased is missing a certain piece of his anatomy.

Impelled by the grisly discovery to uncover the culprit, John must contend with bumbling villagers in his quest for the truth. Only sixteen-year-old maid Rebecca Laurence seems to offer any help.

In Elizabethan England, servants rarely get a second glance. Rebecca prefers it that way, moving quietly through her world, picking up secrets like dirty clothing. Knowledge is power at a time when women are afforded little, and she deftly wields hers to protect her own clandestine affairs.

As John wades through the evidence, Rebecca treads into dangerous waters. And if she’s not careful, she could find herself in over her head.

Jane has a PhD in early modern English history, a BA (Hons) and an LLB (Hons). She's an award-winning author of historical fiction. Her stories are inspired by real-life figures and interweave history, crime and humour.

“This murder mystery love story charmed me from the beginning, kept me guessing throughout, then delivered exactly the ending I needed. I delighted in the insights into Elizabethan life and death, and I loved the wry, resourceful characters who carry the story. Fascinating and compelling!” —Heidi Reimer, author of The Mother Act and What We Found Instead

“This novel grips from the very first chapter. A vibrant and intriguing sixteenth century mystery that transports you to the era with all its sounds and smells. A stylish historical crime novel full of secrets and creeping tension.” —James Alistair Henry, bestselling author of Pagans