Because I Could Not Stop for Death

By: Amanda Flower

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik

Emily Dickinson and her housemaid, Willa Noble, realize there is nothing poetic about murder in this first book in an all-new series from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Amanda Flower.

January 1855 Willa Noble knew it was bad luck when it was pouring rain on the day of her ever-important job interview at the Dickinson home in Amherst, Massachusetts. When she arrived late, disheveled with her skirts sodden and filthy, she'd lost all hope of being hired for the position. As the housekeeper politely told her they'd be in touch, Willa started toward the door of the stately home only to be called back by the soft but strong voice of Emily Dickinson. What begins as tenuous employment turns to friendship as the reclusive poet takes Willa under her wing.

Tragedy soon strikes and Willa's beloved brother, Henry, is killed in a tragic accident at the town stables. With no other family and nowhere else to turn, Willa tells Emily about her brother’s death and why she believes it was no accident. Willa is convinced it was murder. Henry had been very secretive of late, only hinting to Willa that he'd found a way to earn money to take care of them both. Viewing it first as a puzzle to piece together, Emily offers to help, only to realize that she and Willa are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse that reveals corruption in Amherst that is generations deep. Some very high-powered people will stop at nothing to keep their profitable secrets even if that means forever silencing Willa and her new mistress....

Critic reviews

“Because I Could Not Stop for Death is USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower’s first foray into historical mystery, and she acquits herself beautifully. She brings beloved American poet Emily Dickinson to life in a nuanced portrayal, giving us glimpses of the brilliant literary mind at work, turning over ideas and phrases, even as she teams up with an able and sympathetic maid to solve a murder. Well-researched, richly textured, and skillfully plotted, readers will fall for Flower’s lyrical mystery—word, verse, and stanza.” –Anna Lee Huber, USA Today bestselling author of A Perilous Perspective

“Amanda Flower captures the culture of mid-19th century American society in the absorbing and well-written Because I Could Not Stop For Death. Flower adds her plotting and pacing skill to make this book hard to put down.”- Charles Todd, New York Times bestselling author of A Game of Fear

“A fascinating glimpse into the life of beloved poet Emily Dickinson as she and her maid solve a murder together. You will be delighted by this clever premise set in a little-explored historical time period.”--Victoria Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of Murder on Madison Square

“Historical context adds excitement to the twin mysteries of murder and the poet's hidden life.”-Kirkus

“Amanda Flower does an exemplary job of extrapolating from the real Ms. Dickinson’s life to construct a clever, socially-conscious historical mystery…It is a superlative effort, and entertaining to boot.”-Criminal Element

“[A] sprightly series launch…a good start to what could be a rich historical series.”—Publishers Weekly

Setting

Beautiful mystery novel with some historical reference. Great preview of some of the issues of the 1850s.

It was wonderful!

This was an excellent story & I was sad when I finished it! Very well written & well performed!

Excellent story,

Captivating and flows very well. Amanda Flower is one of my all time favorite authors. I have read almost everything she has written!!

Delightful

I love Amanda Flower's Amish mystery series, but this book reaches another level altogether. It is somewhat reminiscent of Anne Perry, Victoria Thompson, or Rhys Bowen, but unique in its own right. The mixture of genteel society, the service class, and a growing middle class in 1850s America is well done, as is the sleuthing duo of a fictionalized but believable Emily Dickinson and her maid, Willa Noble. The mystery was sound, and I did not zero in on the murderer until late in the book. The book is altogether entertaining, and though well developed, these characters have so many more stories to tell. I cannot wait for Emily's and Willa's next adventure. Bravo, Ms. Flower!

What's the connection?

Another good story for the Inspector's household. Multiple breadcrumbs through out the story. But I the end, the last twist throws you off! Keep Reading