Death by Misadventure
A Novel
Amazon Publishing · Print & ebook · October 1, 2026
April 29, 1585.
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- Who it’s for
- For readers interested in Elizabethan-era murder investigations.
- Themes
- Historical murder investigation, Women's limited social power, Secrets and clandestine affairs
- Genres
- Historical Mystery, Renaissance Fiction, British Mystery
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Start with this bookAbout this book
April 29, 1585. Coroner John Derrick is summoned to the cozy village of Bramley to investigate a naked dead man found beneath a waterwheel. An unfortunate drowning, by all indications. But upon closer inspection, the case takes a macabre turn: The deceased is missing a certain piece of his anatomy. Impelled by the grisly discovery to uncover the culprit, John must contend with bumbling villagers in his quest for the truth.
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Only sixteen-year-old maid Rebecca Laurence seems to offer any help. In Elizabethan England, servants rarely get a second glance. Rebecca prefers it that way, moving quietly through her world, picking up secrets like dirty clothing. Knowledge is power at a time when women are afforded little, and she deftly wields hers to protect her own clandestine affairs. As John wades through the evidence, Rebecca treads into dangerous waters. And if she’s not careful, she could find herself in over her head. © 2026 by Jane Bitomsky, all rights reserved.
Who it’s for
- For readers interested in Elizabethan-era murder investigations.
- For readers drawn to stories of women navigating limited power.
Where it sits
| Historical Mystery | 96% |
|---|---|
| Renaissance Fiction | 55% |
| British Mystery | 26% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Renaissance Fiction
- Historical Mystery
- Dark Humor
- Authors
- Jane Bitomsky
- Publisher
- Amazon Publishing
- Published
- October 1, 2026
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Historical murder investigation · Women's limited social power · Secrets and clandestine affairs
- Reading lane
- Renaissance Fiction