The Murder of Mr. Wickham
2022
Ratings8
Average rating3.1
15
Ratings8
Average rating3.1
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. “Had Jane Austen sat down to write a country house murder mystery, this is exactly the book she would have written.” —Alexander McCall Smith 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. A VINTAGE ORIGINAL
Featured Series
2 primary booksMr. Darcy & Miss Tilney is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2022 with contributions by Claudia Gray.
Reviews with the most likes.
While the book title makes it clear this is Pride and Prejudice related, the story takes place in the Jane Austen Literary Universe. Familiarity with all Austen books is helpful and it can be hard to follow without. Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility are probably the most important to know.
This is a closed circle mystery. The characters are unable to leave the house party due to bad weather and then because the investigation is underway. We get scenes from the perspective of every character present, all but two of which are from Jane Austen novels. Mr Jonathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tilney are original characters and both very enjoyable. Despite the variety of perspectives, figuring out who done it is a challenge.
Content warning: Death of a child discussed. Unpleasant but historically accurate views on certain minority groups voiced by characters.
A well written mystery that also happens to very believably and satisfyingly continue the tales of all of [a:Jane Austen 1265 Jane Austen https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1651510251p2/1265.jpg]'s major characters.I expected to enjoy this story, but I wasn't expecting to be sucked into the interpersonal dynamics so quickly or so powerfully. I think it's a testament to the author's skill that, while reading, I really believed that these were Austen's characters and I really wanted them to be OK. I mean if Elizabeth is acting cold towards Mr Darcy or if Marianne and Colonel Brandon seem to be in trouble, then of course it bothers me - I'm already invested and I know what these characters have been through to get to where they are - they deserve a happy ending!Fanny and Edmund Bertram's journey was especially rewarding.In a minor (but very good) way this is book is also “Austen: The Next Generation” with the introduction of the young Mr. Jonathan Darcy of Pemberley and Miss Juliet Tilney of Northanger Abbey, whom Emma Knightley is very keen to introduce to each other. These two youngsters are intent on solving the titular mystery but are severely hampered by the dictates of propriety which, among other things, forbids them to meet or correspond privately. An excellent tale, and I do so hope that we shall hear more of the young Mr Darcy and Miss Tilney, they make a charming couple, and an excellent crime fighting duo.
