A free Jane Austen-themed event at the University of Chester will celebrate the launch of a former lecturer's debut novel.

Dr Lucy Andrew, author of A Very Vexing Murder, a crime retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, will share her inspirations for the novel on Monday 30 March.

Taking place at the university's Exton Park site in Chester, An Afternoon with Jane Austen is a free event featuring talks and a discussion about Jane Austen on screen.

Bublished earlier this month, A Very Vexing Murder is the first book in the Harriet Smith Investigates series.

The novel transforms Emma's timid sidekick, Harriet, into a feisty con-woman-turned-detective who is hired to investigate a murder that has not yet been committed. 

"It's wonderful to have the opportunity to launch the book at the University of Chester," said Dr Andrew.

"I worked for the University for eight years and have continued to stay involved in University life now that I've left to focus on my writing.

"I'm incredibly lucky to have very supportive former colleagues. It is always a joy to return and explore literary works together, and with the wider Cheshire community."

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At the event, Dr Andrew will explain why Emma was the perfect source material for a detective story and why she chose Harriet as her heroine. Copies of the book will also be available to purchase and sign.

Dr Andrew, a former Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Chester, is also a judge for the University-run Cheshire Prize for Literature.

She was involved in last year's University Jane Austen 250th anniversary events and gave a talk on Jane Austen and the rise of detective fiction at the Chester Festival of Ideas.

An Afternoon with Jane Austen takes place from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Westminster Building.

You can book a free place here.