Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Hodder & Stoughton (2019), 352 pages
Description
Before they became legendary writers, Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, and Anne Brontë were detectors in this charming historical mystery... Yorkshire, 1845. A young wife and mother has gone missing from her home, leaving behind two small children and a large pool of blood. Just a few miles away, a humble parson's daughters--the Brontë sisters--learn of the crime. Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë are horrified and intrigued by the mysterious disappearance. These three creative, energetic, and resourceful women quickly realize that they have all the skills required to make for excellent "lady detectors." Not yet published novelists, they have well-honed imaginations and are expert readers. And, as Charlotte remarks, "detecting is reading between the lines--it's seeing what is not there." As they investigate, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne are confronted with a society that believes a woman's place is in the home, not scouring the countryside looking for clues. But nothing will stop the sisters from discovering what happened to the vanished bride, even as they find their own lives are in great peril...… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member sleahey
The Bronte siblings are brought to life in this Gothic mystery. A childhood friend of Charlotte's has asked for help when her mistress seems to have been the victim of a brutal crime. Charlotte, Emily, and Anne put their individual talents and personalities to use, becoming detectors trying to find
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out what happened to the missing young woman. There is no body, but they believe she would never have left her young children behind with her brutal husband. It's clear that all of the characters have secrets and regrets of their own as the investigation unfolds. Brother Branwell is portrayed as a worry to his sisters because of his drinking and unfocused life. The three sisters are at loose ends professionally, considering starting up a school for girls, but writing is clearly in their future, as is their search for independence. Fans of the Bronte's works may enjoy this fictitious glimpse into their lives, based on the author's research and own admiration. Show Less
LibraryThing member cathyskye
When I first learned of The Vanished Bride and the fact that it was the first in the Brontë Sisters historical mystery series, I thought that it was a concept that would require careful tending to keep it from dying on the shallow-rooted vine of cuteness. I am very happy to say that author Bella
The major reason why I chose to read this book is that I've read all the books the three sisters wrote. I've been to the parsonage at Haworth, wandered through the graveyard, listened to the rooks' depressing calls from the trees shading the house, and I've walked the moors. I've read about the sisters' lives as well. So I suppose you could call me a Brontë fan. As I read The Vanished Bride, I also discovered that the characters got around a lot more than I expected-- and that I'd been to their destinations, too. Bella Ellis was making me feel right at home.
As the pages turned, I saw seeds of the future books they would write, and I found the depictions of the three sisters and their occasional squabbles enchanting. (And that's a word that I seldom use.) All three long to be the captains of their fate in a society where they're considered nothing but property. When their brother Branwell wasn't at the local pub, he got underfoot, and it certainly wasn't easy to keep their father in the dark.
There are wonderful characterizations and humor in this book, and-- what all mystery lovers crave-- an excellent mystery to solve. I'd fit one piece into its proper place, then another, but I was nowhere close to completing the entire puzzle. In fact, the misdirection with regard to one certain character threw me for the proverbial loop.
Brontë fans should really enjoy The Vanished Bride-- and so should historical mystery lovers who don't know (or don't care) about the family who lived in Haworth Parsonage in the mid-nineteenth century. I now find myself looking forward to the Brontë sisters' next investigation.
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Ellis is a master gardener. With a writing style that is vaguely reminiscent of the Brontës, she has crafted an excellent mystery that brings the three sisters to life.The major reason why I chose to read this book is that I've read all the books the three sisters wrote. I've been to the parsonage at Haworth, wandered through the graveyard, listened to the rooks' depressing calls from the trees shading the house, and I've walked the moors. I've read about the sisters' lives as well. So I suppose you could call me a Brontë fan. As I read The Vanished Bride, I also discovered that the characters got around a lot more than I expected-- and that I'd been to their destinations, too. Bella Ellis was making me feel right at home.
As the pages turned, I saw seeds of the future books they would write, and I found the depictions of the three sisters and their occasional squabbles enchanting. (And that's a word that I seldom use.) All three long to be the captains of their fate in a society where they're considered nothing but property. When their brother Branwell wasn't at the local pub, he got underfoot, and it certainly wasn't easy to keep their father in the dark.
There are wonderful characterizations and humor in this book, and-- what all mystery lovers crave-- an excellent mystery to solve. I'd fit one piece into its proper place, then another, but I was nowhere close to completing the entire puzzle. In fact, the misdirection with regard to one certain character threw me for the proverbial loop.
Brontë fans should really enjoy The Vanished Bride-- and so should historical mystery lovers who don't know (or don't care) about the family who lived in Haworth Parsonage in the mid-nineteenth century. I now find myself looking forward to the Brontë sisters' next investigation.
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LibraryThing member lexxa83
I listened to this on audiobook, and generally enjoyed it. The writing and narration were quite good, and it was an interesting take on the Bronte family. Unfortunately, I found the ending of this book very disappointing. The inability of women to live independently was an understandable theme
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throughout this book, so the ultimate resolution of running away with another women was annoyingly cliche at best and at odds with the setting and time period at worst. Show Less
LibraryThing member nicx27
Girl Power was alive and well in 1845 and the Brontë sisters were amateur sleuths. No, this is not an alternate universe you have stumbled into but the plot of The Vanished Bride by Bella Ellis. However, whilst there is no evidence the sisters were ever detectives, I think it’s clear that they
When Charlotte, Emily and Anne hear about an incident at a house not far away from them their interest is piqued when they realise it’s where Charlotte’s old friend, Matilda French, lives and works as governess to the two children of the house. It transpires that Elizabeth Chester, the lady of the house, has disappeared from her bedchamber and from the amount of blood left behind it doesn’t look good for her. The sisters decide to investigate and see if they can find out what on earth has happened.
Each chapter follows the story from a different sister’s point of view, although always in the third person. I loved how this really helped to bring each one to life and highlighted their individual strengths and weaknesses. Emily, for instance, is portrayed as a fearless woman, one who would think nothing of breaking into a house to spy on the owner. Charlotte is more reserved but also kinder and less direct, whilst Anne uses her friendly nature to encourage people to talk to her. I also liked the fact that their brother, Branwell, is so well-portrayed in this story. His problems with ladies, drink and opiates are well known and he comes across as rather feckless but also incredibly likeable.
I confess I was a little worried about this book. I did wonder if it would work having the Brontës as detectives or whether it would be a little bit on the naff side. I can tell you that it works beautifully and I absolutely adored following them as they dug into the lives of the Chesters. Bella Ellis has written a fantastic piece of fiction, cleverly weaving her clearly extensive knowledge of the family into the narrative. I thought it was wonderful and I can see this being the first of several investigations for Charlotte, Emily and Anne (and maybe Branwell too).
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were trailblazers in a time when women were expected to keep quiet and behave themselves and I thought the author did a brilliant job of bringing to life the feisty threesome.When Charlotte, Emily and Anne hear about an incident at a house not far away from them their interest is piqued when they realise it’s where Charlotte’s old friend, Matilda French, lives and works as governess to the two children of the house. It transpires that Elizabeth Chester, the lady of the house, has disappeared from her bedchamber and from the amount of blood left behind it doesn’t look good for her. The sisters decide to investigate and see if they can find out what on earth has happened.
Each chapter follows the story from a different sister’s point of view, although always in the third person. I loved how this really helped to bring each one to life and highlighted their individual strengths and weaknesses. Emily, for instance, is portrayed as a fearless woman, one who would think nothing of breaking into a house to spy on the owner. Charlotte is more reserved but also kinder and less direct, whilst Anne uses her friendly nature to encourage people to talk to her. I also liked the fact that their brother, Branwell, is so well-portrayed in this story. His problems with ladies, drink and opiates are well known and he comes across as rather feckless but also incredibly likeable.
I confess I was a little worried about this book. I did wonder if it would work having the Brontës as detectives or whether it would be a little bit on the naff side. I can tell you that it works beautifully and I absolutely adored following them as they dug into the lives of the Chesters. Bella Ellis has written a fantastic piece of fiction, cleverly weaving her clearly extensive knowledge of the family into the narrative. I thought it was wonderful and I can see this being the first of several investigations for Charlotte, Emily and Anne (and maybe Branwell too).
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LibraryThing member gpangel
The Vanished Bride by Bella Ellis is a 2019 Berkley publication.
The Bronte sisters as amateur sleuths? Yes, please!
I have read a few mystery novels featuring real life persons as detectives, but with mixed results.
This is the first one I’ve encountered in which the three Bronte sisters work
However, the author did a stellar job of breathing life into these legendary authors, creating their distinct personalities, and giving readers a few clues as to why they were inspired to write the types of stories they eventually became famous for.
In this first installment of what promises to be a solid cozy mystery series, the ladies are pulled into a most puzzling case in which a young wife vanishes, leaving behind a bloody, gruesome scene, and two small children without a mother. Charlotte, Emily and Anne are horrified, but also titillated, deciding they should get to the bottom of the mystery themselves.
However, they soon learn that many feel female detectors are unladylike and that the women should not be out roaming the countryside alone, scouring for clues. However, that may be the least of their concerns, as their probing into the missing persons case could put them in grave danger.
I am quite impressed with this debut novel! The author has obviously studied the real- life counterparts of her main characters. Readers get a delightful and realistic depiction of their personalities before they became famous authors. The banter between the sisters is crisp and sharp, while the mystery is very well constructed and executed.
The story is atmospheric, occasionally creepy, and is an absorbing whodunit that kept me interested and guessing from start to finish. I loved it!! My kind of story all the way!!
I am very much looking forward to the second book in this series!
The Bronte sisters as amateur sleuths? Yes, please!
I have read a few mystery novels featuring real life persons as detectives, but with mixed results.
This is the first one I’ve encountered in which the three Bronte sisters work
Show More
together to solve a mystery, and I must admit I was immediately intrigued by the all the possibilities- although, I was also cautiously optimistic.However, the author did a stellar job of breathing life into these legendary authors, creating their distinct personalities, and giving readers a few clues as to why they were inspired to write the types of stories they eventually became famous for.
In this first installment of what promises to be a solid cozy mystery series, the ladies are pulled into a most puzzling case in which a young wife vanishes, leaving behind a bloody, gruesome scene, and two small children without a mother. Charlotte, Emily and Anne are horrified, but also titillated, deciding they should get to the bottom of the mystery themselves.
However, they soon learn that many feel female detectors are unladylike and that the women should not be out roaming the countryside alone, scouring for clues. However, that may be the least of their concerns, as their probing into the missing persons case could put them in grave danger.
I am quite impressed with this debut novel! The author has obviously studied the real- life counterparts of her main characters. Readers get a delightful and realistic depiction of their personalities before they became famous authors. The banter between the sisters is crisp and sharp, while the mystery is very well constructed and executed.
The story is atmospheric, occasionally creepy, and is an absorbing whodunit that kept me interested and guessing from start to finish. I loved it!! My kind of story all the way!!
I am very much looking forward to the second book in this series!
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LibraryThing member AdonisGuilfoyle
I keep reading Rowan Coleman's books without intentionally seeking new titles - this makes the third of her novels! (Writing under pen name Bella Ellis here, but the same Bronte focus as The Girl at the Window). Overall, despite the mixed reviews and my own wavering opinion, I would call The
The concept is also pretty cute, and might keep me reading - what if Charlotte, Emily and Anne actually lived the gothic melodramas they wrote about, deriving inspiration from investigating dark deeds as amateur sleuths? The sisters are drawn into the case of the vanished bride when they hear that a schoolfriend of Charlotte's, employed as a governess at a nearby estate, has discovered her mistress' room awash in blood and the woman herself missing from the house. But has Elizabeth Chester been violently dispatched by her Heathcliffian husband, or run away with a lover? Rather improbably to begin with, the Brontes start searching for clues and questioning witnesses.
Charlotte’s mouth curled into a small echo of a smile as she remembered what adventures they had forged together, the dangers they had faced, the shocking revelations they had uncovered and the secrets they had kept.
The mystery is intriguing enough, with all the best Victorian literary devices, from gypsies to an element of the supernatural, thrown in. There are also nods and winks to the Bronte novels abound, so that when one character says to Charlotte, 'Your sisters should be writing the novels – I imagine the past few weeks have brought them much inspiration', it's easy to guess which elements each sister will be taking from 'real life'! The pacing could have been tighter, but I was enjoying the sisterly bickering too much to care overmuch.
I'm not really a Bronte aficionado, but Rowan/Bella has certainly done her research. Although the dialogue is very modern, the character studies of Charlotte, Emily, Anne and brother Branwell - 'Charlotte knew that when he pictured them all old and grey, he painted himself out of every scene' - are beautifully rendered. They are great fun together.
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Vanished Bride another hit. I enjoyed the mystery, although the pacing was off, and loved the relationship between the Bronte siblings. (Emily is my spirit animal, not least because we share a birthday: ‘I don’t mind danger,’ Emily said. ‘It’s polite conversation I can’t abide.')The concept is also pretty cute, and might keep me reading - what if Charlotte, Emily and Anne actually lived the gothic melodramas they wrote about, deriving inspiration from investigating dark deeds as amateur sleuths? The sisters are drawn into the case of the vanished bride when they hear that a schoolfriend of Charlotte's, employed as a governess at a nearby estate, has discovered her mistress' room awash in blood and the woman herself missing from the house. But has Elizabeth Chester been violently dispatched by her Heathcliffian husband, or run away with a lover? Rather improbably to begin with, the Brontes start searching for clues and questioning witnesses.
Charlotte’s mouth curled into a small echo of a smile as she remembered what adventures they had forged together, the dangers they had faced, the shocking revelations they had uncovered and the secrets they had kept.
The mystery is intriguing enough, with all the best Victorian literary devices, from gypsies to an element of the supernatural, thrown in. There are also nods and winks to the Bronte novels abound, so that when one character says to Charlotte, 'Your sisters should be writing the novels – I imagine the past few weeks have brought them much inspiration', it's easy to guess which elements each sister will be taking from 'real life'! The pacing could have been tighter, but I was enjoying the sisterly bickering too much to care overmuch.
I'm not really a Bronte aficionado, but Rowan/Bella has certainly done her research. Although the dialogue is very modern, the character studies of Charlotte, Emily, Anne and brother Branwell - 'Charlotte knew that when he pictured them all old and grey, he painted himself out of every scene' - are beautifully rendered. They are great fun together.
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LibraryThing member whitreidtan
Great authors are have amazing insights into human nature. They need to understand the motivations behind the actions, reactions, and feelings of their characters. So it's not a far stretch to imagine our favorite authors as detectives and investigators as Bella Ellis does with Charlotte, Emily,
Governess Mattie French discovers blood leaking out of her mistress' room one early morning in 1845. Her mistress has vanished but the quantity of blood can only mean murder. Brother Branwell brings this ghastly news to Haworth and Charlotte and Emily realize that their school friend Mattie is the one who discovered her mistress missing. They resolve to walk across the moor to Chester Grange and comfort their friend and perhaps to discover the truth of what happened to Elizabeth Chester. Knowing that Mrs. Chester left behind a child and a young stepchild and that Mr. Chester was not a good man, the three sisters are determined to become lady detectors and solve this troubling case.
Ellis, a play on Emily Bronte's own pen name--Ellis Bell, who is actually novelist Rowan Coleman, takes readers on a fun, cozy mystery ride with the three amateur sleuth and as yet unpublished novelist sisters. The atmosphere often veers toward the gothic and there are common Victorian plot contrivances like gypsies and the supernatural contained here. There are seeds of the sisters' future novels scattered throughout the mystery as well. The sisters have a delightful bickering and bantering way with each other and they are all drawn with curious and lively minds. There is a real sense of them pushing against the strictures placed on women in their time both in their own choices and in their sympathy for the missing Mrs. Chester. Occasionally though, they discuss the lot of women in terms that feel anachronistic. Their observational skills suit them well in detecting. The plotting of the mystery is consistent and the denouement is unexpected but well drawn. Fans of the Brontes who don't mind a little creative license will certainly enjoy this entertaining historical mystery.
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and Anne Bronte in The Vanished Bride, the first novel of the Bronte Sisters Mystery series.Governess Mattie French discovers blood leaking out of her mistress' room one early morning in 1845. Her mistress has vanished but the quantity of blood can only mean murder. Brother Branwell brings this ghastly news to Haworth and Charlotte and Emily realize that their school friend Mattie is the one who discovered her mistress missing. They resolve to walk across the moor to Chester Grange and comfort their friend and perhaps to discover the truth of what happened to Elizabeth Chester. Knowing that Mrs. Chester left behind a child and a young stepchild and that Mr. Chester was not a good man, the three sisters are determined to become lady detectors and solve this troubling case.
Ellis, a play on Emily Bronte's own pen name--Ellis Bell, who is actually novelist Rowan Coleman, takes readers on a fun, cozy mystery ride with the three amateur sleuth and as yet unpublished novelist sisters. The atmosphere often veers toward the gothic and there are common Victorian plot contrivances like gypsies and the supernatural contained here. There are seeds of the sisters' future novels scattered throughout the mystery as well. The sisters have a delightful bickering and bantering way with each other and they are all drawn with curious and lively minds. There is a real sense of them pushing against the strictures placed on women in their time both in their own choices and in their sympathy for the missing Mrs. Chester. Occasionally though, they discuss the lot of women in terms that feel anachronistic. Their observational skills suit them well in detecting. The plotting of the mystery is consistent and the denouement is unexpected but well drawn. Fans of the Brontes who don't mind a little creative license will certainly enjoy this entertaining historical mystery.
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LibraryThing member Vesper1931
December 1851 and Charlotte Bronte is at Haworth Parsonage and reflects on the past. Back to 1845 when the three sisters learn of the disappearance of Mrs Elizabeth Chester, from her room which is covered in blood, too much blood to give hope. She is the second wife of Mr Chester of Chester
As they are friends with Matilda French, the children's governess, they decide to visit their neighbour on the morrow. Resulting in their determination to solve the mystery.
A slow paced historical mystery, well-written and an enjoyable story with its well-drawn characters.
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Grange.As they are friends with Matilda French, the children's governess, they decide to visit their neighbour on the morrow. Resulting in their determination to solve the mystery.
A slow paced historical mystery, well-written and an enjoyable story with its well-drawn characters.
Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
8.58 x 5.59 inches
ISBN
1529388988 / 9781529388985
Local notes
Yorkshire, 1845. Dark rumours are spreading across the moors. Everything indicates that Mrs Elizabeth Chester of Chester Grange has been brutally murdered in her home - but nobody can find her body.
As the dark murmurs reach Emily, Anne and Charlotte Bronte, the sisters are horrified, yet intrigued. Before they know it, the siblings become embroiled in the quest to find the vanished bride, sparking their imaginations but placing their lives at great peril .
As the dark murmurs reach Emily, Anne and Charlotte Bronte, the sisters are horrified, yet intrigued. Before they know it, the siblings become embroiled in the quest to find the vanished bride, sparking their imaginations but placing their lives at great peril .