Synopses & Reviews
A thrilling literary mystery costarring Jane Austen from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bookmans Tale
Charlie Lovett first delighted readers with his New York Times bestselling debut, The Bookmans Tale. Now, Lovett weaves another brilliantly imagined mystery, this time featuring one of English literatures most popular and beloved authors: Jane Austen.
Book lover and Austen enthusiast Sophie Collingwood has recently taken a job at an antiquarian bookshop in London when two different customers request a copy of the same obscure book: the second edition of Little Book of Allegories by Richard Mansfield. Their queries draw Sophie into a mystery that will cast doubt on the true
authorship of Pride and Prejudiceand ultimately threaten Sophies life.
In a dual narrative that alternates between Sophies quest to uncover the truthwhile choosing between two suitorsand a young Jane Austens touching friendship with the aging cleric Richard Mansfield, Lovett weaves a romantic, suspenseful, and utterly compelling novel about love in all its forms and the joys of a life lived in books.
Review
“A delightful novel.”
—People
“[Lovetts] story weaves together both past and present, fact and fiction, in pursuit of a secret that threatens to turn the literary world upside down….This novel is, at its heart, a love letter to fiction — not just for its writers, but also for its readers.”
—Washington Post
“[A] thrilling romance.”
—Womans Day, “WD Picks”
“A charming story.”
—Christian Science Monitor
“Part mystery, part love story, First Impressions is a 100 percent thumping good read and a loving homage to one of literatures most beloved authors. Lovett takes readers on a rollicking adventure that cleverly weaves in the best elements of Austens novels, while also giving life to Austens own personal history in a satisfying and captivating way. Its a giddy novel that celebrates books and the people who love them as much as it entertains, making it the perfect read for bookworms and Janeites alike.”
—Bookpage
“A completely captivating and charming book….the authors passion for Jane Austen and his knowledge of printing methods and practices of the 1700s truly make this book a standout. The reader gets a nice adventure story, a little bit of romance and mystery, and a real feel for book collecting and for the authors love of Jane Austen. If its a love you share, you may well find this book irresistible.”
—Mystery Scene
“This novel is both beautiful and exciting….A must-read, especially for those who love books, writing and reading!”
—Historical Novels Review
“A charming, entertaining story, perfect for bibliophiles and Austenphiles alike . . . Lovetts storytelling and humor keep you captivated from the first page to the last.”
—Burlington Times News
“Fans of Austen will devour the backstory. . . . Lovers of intrigue and romance will relish the presentday journey. . . . Bibliophiles will savor the interconnectedness of both stories. . . . First Impressions is an Austen appetizer—leaving the reader eager to explore or revisit works that have touched us for more than two centuries.”
—The Mountain Times
“A book about books . . . an intriguing story [about] an author whose stories have not lost their romantic appeal in two hundred years.”
—Suspense Magazine
“[An] ingenious novel….Ardent fans of Jane Austen and lovers of gripping stories will enjoy following Sophies pursuit of the truth.”
—Publishers Weekly
“[An] appealing combination of mystery, romance, and bibliophilism….An absolute must for Austen fans, a pleasure for others.”
—Booklist
“A delightful read that Janeites will love….[Lovett] adds bookish intrigue to the life of another luminary of English literature.”
—Library Journal
“Lovetts tale is a lovely and entertaining one…that lovers of Austen and antiquarian books will adore.”
—Shelf Awareness
“Lovetts love of books and libraries once again energizes his storytelling.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Charlie Lovetts delightful First Impressions weaves together two stories: one about a modern young woman who loves books and the other about the friendship between nineteenth-century novelist Jane Austen and a clergyman. The result is an inventive tale with elements of romance and suspense, wrapped around a bookish mystery that will please lovers of old libraries and Austen fans.”
—Deborah Harkness, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Life
“Jane Austen, true love, great books, and a literary mystery of epic proportions: Charlie Lovett packs all my favorite things into a thoroughly engaging story that keeps us enthralled to the very last page. Austen herself would adore the counter-point heroine, the bright and delightful Sophie Collingwood. A pure gem.”
—Katherine Reay, author of Dear Mr. Knightley
“Brimming with charm and intrigue, Charlie Lovetts new novel will leave a lasting impression on lovers of books, literary enigmas, and the eternally fascinating Jane Austen. First Impressions spans centuries, but time ceases to exist as Lovetts riveting story begins to unfold.”
—Erika Robuck, author of Hemingways Girl
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a reader in want of a marvelous mystery and lovely literary fiction must be in want of First Impressions. With a deep understanding of Jane Austen and a deft hand at mystery, Lovett strikes the perfect chord between literature and a first rate thriller.”
—Craig Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of the Walt Longmire Mysteries, the basis of A&Es hit series Longmire
About the Author
Charlie Lovett is a former antiquarian bookseller, an avid book collector, and a member of The Grolier Club, the preeminent club for bibliophiles in North America.
He and his wife split their time between Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Kingham, Oxfordshire, in England.