Description

‘Brilliantly entertaining and original’ C.L. Taylor

‘A standout book’ Rosie Walsh

From the Sunday Times-bestselling author Rowan Coleman, comes a special new series featuring the Bronte sisters, written under the name Bella Ellis

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 . . .

Loved The Vanished Bride? Pre-order The Diabolical Bones, the next book in the Bronte Mysteries series now!

Praise for The Vanished Bride:

‘Evocative and utterly enchanting’ Sarah Hilary

‘A gripping, twisty mystery’ Angela Clarke

‘A splendid adventure’ Guardian

‘A joy from start to finish’ Alex Marwood

‘Happily, more Bronte mysteries are to be expected’ TLS

Publisher Review

The Vanishing Bride twists the lives of Brontes, with blurred lines between fact and fiction, and as much imagination as the siblings... Clues to familiar characters, glimpses of what novels they might create are all woven into a mystery that that lures you into the Brontes world. Move over, Jane Austen, for the latest literary ladies who snoop . . . [a] lively series debut * Kirkus * Appropriately gothic touches as well as the author's solid research on the lives and works of the Brontes . . . enrich a diverting adventure. Bronte aficionados won't want to miss this one * Publishers Weekly * The Bronte sisters as sleuths - what a delicious idea! Bella Ellis has brilliantly recreated the feel and atmosphere of the Bronte novels, as well as bringing the three sisters (and their dissolute brother) vividly to life. What's more, it's a rattling good story! The Vanished Bride hooks you from the first page with intricate characters, a wonderful plot and best of all, an amazing sense of time and place. I look forward to reading Ms. Ellis's next adventure of the Bronte Sisters The Vanished Bride is a clever and unique historical mystery that offers fascinating insights into the lives of the Bronte siblings alongside an equally compelling atmospheric, gothic, and twisty tale. Fans of the Bronte sisters' exquisite books will find much to love as Ellis pays homage to the spirit of their rich literary oeuvre. The Vanished Bride is sure to delight historical mystery lovers An absolute delight, period perfect, a racing romp of a mystery in the best tradition of the Brontes - I loved it with my whole heart. What a treat! The Vanished Bride is an absolute delight from start to finish. Dashing across the Yorkshire moors with the Bronte sisters felt like visiting dear old friends, and Bella Ellis does the most wonderful job in imagining Emily, Charlotte and Anne as 'detectors'. Beautifully written, deliciously atmospheric, and enormous fun, this series is certain to become a firm favourite A joy from start to finish. I've gone from loving Charlotte Bronte to wanting to be her. What a breath-taking concept that Rowan has completely pulled off - setting up our most beloved literary heroines as investigators in a compelling mystery that asks us to think about the constraints of women in that time . . . Fun, charming and intriguing. Clever and captivating Compelling, clever and hugely imaginative, it brings the three Bronte sisters magnificently to life . . . Glorious fun - I adored it! Ms. Ellis - writing under a pen name - hews to the biographical facts in fashioning this swift story, while her plot (Gothic touches included) seems suitably Bronte-esque. The Vanished Bride is a delight * The Wall Street Journal * Wonderful . . . A treat for everyone. I loved it so very much Great, gothic fun . . . the Brontes are so skilfully and cleverly depicted that it's no stretch at all to imagine the sisters, and their wastrel brother, Branwell, as amateur sleuths * Red Magazine * Evocative and utterly enchanting -- Sarah Hilary Bronte aficionados are sure to enjoy the accurate characterization and context, the twists turns and Gothic touches of the plot, and the strong feminist streak that manifests itself throughout, but most triumphantly at the end. Happily, more Bronte mysteries are to be expected. * TLS * Incredible . . . Bella Ellis is a very special talent: the Brontes are magically brought to life in this gripping, twisty mystery. I need more! a gorgeous book - perfectly paced and completely charming. As a mystery, it is compelling and satisfying; as a portrait of the Brontes it is insightful, moving and inspiring. It is an absolute treat from start to finish -- Jane Casey Elegant, witty and compulsively readable - I think the Bronte sisters would have been delighted. A standout book -- Rosie Walsh Brilliantly entertaining and original Bronte fans will undoubtedly get the most out of this: possible inspirations for Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall are everywhere. But you don't need insider knowledge to enjoy either the splendid adventure, or the touching and often funny portrayal of the sisters' devotion to and exasperation with one another and their debauched brother. * Guardian * Romps along and is lashed with Gothic colour. Fun and inventive. * Daily Mail *