Free University Jane Austen event features book launch by former lecturer
A former lecturer is returning to the University of Chester to launch her debut novel as part of An Afternoon with Jane Austen event.
Dr Lucy Andrew will share her inspirations for A Very Vexing Murder, a cosy crime retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, at the University’s Exton Park site in Chester on Monday March 30.
The free afternoon of sessions, from the Division of Communication, Screen and Performance, will also include talks as well as a discussion about Jane Austen on screen.
A Very Vexing Murder, the first book in the Harriet Smith Investigates series, was published earlier this month by Corvus. The novel transforms Emma’s timid sidekick, Harriet, into a feisty con-woman-turned-detective who is hired to investigate a murder that has not yet been committed.
Lucy is a former Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Chester, where she ran the Just Write! online creative writing group. Lucy is also a judge for the University-run Cheshire Prize for Literature and was involved in last year’s University of Chester Jane Austen 250th anniversary events. In addition, she gave a talk on Jane Austen and the rise of detective fiction at last year’s University-led Chester Festival of Ideas.
Lucy said: “It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to launch the book at the University of Chester. I worked for the University for eight years and have continued to stay involved in University life now that I’ve left to focus on my writing.
“Professor Deborah Wynne and Professor Melissa Fegan did a wonderful job last year of running a series of Jane Austen events for the 250th anniversary of her birth and I really enjoyed being involved in these events, the University’s Festival of Ideas and more. I’m incredibly lucky to have very supportive former colleagues. It is always a joy to return and explore literary works together, and with the wider Cheshire community.”
Lucy will discuss why Jane Austen’s Emma is such appropriate source material for a detective retelling and why she chose Harriet as the heroine of her novel, as well as sign copies of the book.
An Afternoon with Jane Austen takes place from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Westminster building, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ.
To book a free place at the event, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-afternoon-with-jane-austen-tickets-1984770251250