Gwendalyn's Books posted: " Hello Darlings, Today is my stop on the book tour for The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray The Murder of Mr. Wickham By Claudia Gray Genre: Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Austenesque Publisher: Vintage (May 3, "
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.
Advance Praise
"Had Jane Austen sat down to write a country house murder mystery, this is exactly the book she would have written. Devotees of Austen's timeless novels will get the greatest possible pleasure from this wonderful book. Immense fun and beautifully observed. Delicious!" —Alexander McCall Smith
"What a splendid conceit! . . . Gray provides plenty of backstory and enough depth to her characters that even those who mix up their Pride and Prejudice with their Sense and Sensibility will delight in the Agatha Christie–style mystery. . . . There's so much fun to be had in this reimagined Austen world—and the mystery is so strong—that one can only hope, dear reader, that more books will follow." —Ilene Cooper, Booklist (starred review)
"[An] enchanting mystery. . . . Gray perfectly captures the personalities of Austen's beloved characters. This is a real treat for Austenites." —Publishers Weekly
"Who would NOT want to read a book in which one of literature's most notorious rakes meets his final demise? . . . A delightful Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen romp." —Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose
This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.
The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray is a perfect example of a Jane Austen inspired book infused with a murder mystery. Cleverly weaving some of our beloved Jane Austen's characters from her six main novels, only with one that we are honestly glad of their demise. The despicable Mr. Wickham, who most of our fellow
Janeites have had many thoughts on his downfall.
We follow Mr. Knightley and Emma who are throwing a summer house party at Donwell Abbey. The invited house guests make up, relatives and friendly acquaintances. Mr. Mr. George Wickham arrives uninvited, and the weather is to treacherous for him to leave. As everyone is gathered, along with authors own inventive characters, Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney,
When the unthinkable or not so unthinkable thing happens. A murder occurs, and anyone could be the culprit. It falls on the shoulders of Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney, to uncover the guilty one.
I found setting to be perfect for a regency murder mystery, from the house to the unruly weather. The period details were spot on, and the dialogue was incredible.
The characters are older, and the reader is given a somewhat where are they now look into their lives. Claudia Gray, excels above all other authors in her ability to masterly integrates all of the Austen characters seamlessly together. Then she goes above that and infuses them into a lockroom mystery. Bravo!
Once I started reading I couldn't stop, in this thrilling story. with its Agatha Christie inspired elements, along with a well developed group of characters. The propulsive storyline, offering both drama and historical authenticity made for engaging reading experience.
The excellent part of this book is you do not need to know the works, or characters from Jane Austen's novel. The author's narration is that good, and the book plot line stands on its own. Claudia Gray has found a devoted and loyal follower in me.
I am excited to read whatever she writes next!
I received a free copy of this book from Knopf Doubleday via Austenprose PR. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
ABOUT JANE AUSTEN
Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 at Steventon near Basingstoke, the seventh child of the rector of the parish. She lived with her family at Steventon until they moved to Bath when her father retired in 1801. After his death in 1805, she moved around with her mother; in 1809, they settled in Chawton, near Alton, Hampshire. Here she remained, except for a few visits to London, until in May 1817 she moved to Winchester to be near her doctor. There she died on July 18, 1817. As a girl Jane Austen wrote stories, including burlesques of popular romances. Her works were only published after much revision, four novels being published in her lifetime. These are Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma(1816). Two other novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were published posthumously in 1818 with a biographical notice by her brother, Henry Austen, the first formal announcement of her authorship. Persuasion was written in a race against failing health in 1815-16. She also left two earlier compositions, a short epistolary novel, Lady Susan, and an unfinished novel, The Watsons. At the time of her death, she was working on a new novel, Sanditon, a fragmentary draft of which survives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment