Title: The Murder of Mr. Wickham
Author: Claudia Gray
Genre: Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Austenesque
Publisher: Vintage (May 3, 2022)
Length: (400) pages
Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook
ISBN: 978-0593313817
Tour Dates: April 25-May 8, 2022
BOOK DESCRIPTION
A summer house party turns into a thrilling whodunit when Jane Austen's Mr. Wickham—one of literature’s most notorious villains—meets a sudden and suspicious end in this brilliantly imagined mystery featuring Austen’s leading literary characters.
The happily married Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a party at their country estate, bringing together distant relatives and new acquaintances—characters beloved by Jane Austen fans. Definitely not invited is Mr. Wickham, whose latest financial scheme has netted him an even broader array of enemies. As tempers flare and secrets are revealed, it’s clear that everyone would be happier if Mr. Wickham got his comeuppance. Yet they’re all shocked when Wickham turns up murdered—except, of course, for the killer hidden in their midst.
Nearly everyone at the house party is a suspect, so it falls to the party’s two youngest guests to solve the mystery: Juliet Tilney, the smart and resourceful daughter of Catherine and Henry, eager for adventure beyond Northanger Abbey; and Jonathan Darcy, the Darcys’ eldest son, whose adherence to propriety makes his father seem almost relaxed. In this tantalizing fusion of Austen and Christie, from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray, the unlikely pair must put aside their own poor first impressions and uncover the guilty party—before an innocent person is sentenced to hang.
REVIEW
If you have ever wished to see Elizabeth and Darcy, Emma and Knightly, Marianne and Brandon, Anne and Wentworth, and Fanny and Mr. Bertram all together in one book, this is that book. When Emma and Knightly throw a house party and invite various associates, including Juliet Tinley and Jonathan Darcy things go awry when George Wickham shows up. The infamous villain has been busy, swindling others in the Austen world. Twists happen when he shows up dead and there is no sign of intruders.
This whodunnit is creatively done and fabulously written. It has all the charm of Austen and all the intrigue of a good Agatha Christie Murder mystery. It is absolute torture to see favorite characters enmeshed with enough motive to go around.
Our two young sleuths have excellent chemistry and Jonathan Darcy is not a typical hero. He has the looks, but is terribly awkward socially. However, they overcome that as they work together to look at the guests, something that magistrate Frank Churchill is not eager to do.
I found this story delightful and the truth, unexpected but not surprising knowing the nature of Wickham. It was wonderful to spend some time with these characters again.
I received an early copy through the publisher via netgalley and this is my honest review.
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB
AUTHOR BIO
Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy. In addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Emily. It was fun to have so many of Austen's main characters together in one story. I hope that there will be a sequel with Jonathan & Juliette as they continue to sleuth.