I Died for Beauty

Amanda Flower returns with the third and final book in the Emily Dickinson mystery series, I Died for Beauty. Once again great characterization and world-building are combined with deaths, mysteries, and personal opportunities and challenges. The story starts in January 1857 in Amherst, Massachusetts, five months after the last book.

The winter has been harsh. With record-setting cold, snowdrifts blocking the railroad tracks, and boats unable to move in the frozen harbor, supplies are getting low and families are struggling to stay warm amid fears of fire. Emily and her maid, Willa Noble, have never experienced anything like it.

A blaze breaks out down the street from the Dickinson homes, and a young couple is killed, leaving behind their daughter, Norah Rose. While their deaths initially seem like an accident, Emily has her doubts. Once again, she elicits help from Willa as they brave the temperatures, snow, and cold reception to their questions.

Emily loves her family, but is headstrong, confident, and full of ideas and opinions. She is full of ideas and opinions that many consider bold. Her determination can be daunting to others. She doesn’t like rigid structure and has a keen sense of justice. Willa loves reading and is conscientious about her duties. She’s also compassionate, loyal, kind, and curious. The story is from Willa’s point of view. Emily’s dog, Carlo appears again. He’s a companion and a bodyguard.

Mixing real-life individuals like the Dickinson Family, head maid Margaret O’Brien, and Lucy Stone with fictional characters such as Willa made this an engaging historical mystery story. This novel brings to life the conflicting sentiments that existed in America at the time. It included how people in different social classes were treated and viewed, the attitudes toward and expectations of women, and attitudes towards immigrants. I thought the treatment of and expectations of servants was particularly well-done. Emily’s friendship with a servant is not viewed with approval by others. The story did a particularly good job of exploring the chasm between the life experiences of Emily and Willa as well as how different individuals and organizations approached charity work.

Some of the plot twists were harder to see than others and made for a more intense novel. While the antagonist was relatively easy to discern, the reason behind the actions were not obvious. Based on my limited knowledge of the poet Emily Dickinson, she seemed to be well portrayed in this fictional portrayal of an early period in her life before she went into almost total seclusion. The story is moving and suspenseful at times, but the pace was a little slow on occasion. Additional themes woven into the story include protecting others, greed, loyalty, gossip, friendship, and family dynamics.

Overall, this entertaining and engaging book has twists with great characterization. Those who enjoy an amateur sleuth historical mystery series that is well-researched or are interested in Emily Dickinson will likely enjoy this novel. The note at the end is worth reading as well. I am sorry to see the end of this series, but I’m looking forward to the next book by this author.

Berkley Publishing Group and Amanda Flower provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 25, 2025.