The murder of Mr. Wickham A novel

What a splendid conceit! Emma and Mr. Knightly are having a house party, and a number of other characters from Jane Austen's books have been invited. Among those visiting Donwell Abbey are newly married Colonel and Marianne Brandon; clergyman Edmond Bertram and his wife, Fanny; the Darcys, along with their handsome son, Jonathan; and young Juliet Tilney, the clever daughter of Northanger Abbey's Catherine and Henry. But then the dastardly, uninvited Mr. Wickham arrives, and his dark history with almost all of the guests makes for no end of suspects after he meets his demise. Of course, this works best if readers are familiar with the Austen crew, but even without that, Gray (the pen name of YA author Amy Vincent) 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, nineteenth-century version. One of the book's surprising elements is Gray's decision to focus on Jonathan Darcy's personal habits, which today would put the young man on the autism spectrum. It's Jonathan's ability to see things differently that allows him and Juliet to take the lead as the tale's sleuths. 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.

This enchanting mystery from YA author Gray (Defy the Stars) answers the question long in the mind of every Jane Austen fan. Did all the couples from her novels live happily ever after? In 1820, Emma Woodhouse Knightley, social as ever after 16 years of marriage, decides to host a house party for her friends, including Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy and their 20-year-old son, Jonathan, and Juliet Tilney, the 17-year-old daughter of Emma's good friend Catherine Tilney from Northanger Abbey. Emma definitely did not plan on George Wickham, despised widower of Elizabeth Darcy's sister Lydia, showing up unannounced during a raging thunderstorm. Age has not improved Wickham's character. He's now a financial "advisor" whose latest investment scheme has brought several of his clients to the brink of ruin--including more than one of Emma's guests. When Wickham is murdered, no one in the house party is above suspicion. The younger generation rises to the occasion when Jonathan and Juliet make a secret plan to uncover the murderer. The middle section drags a bit, but Gray perfectly captures the personalities of Austen's beloved characters. This is a real treat for Austenites. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary. (May)

Jane Austen fans will delight in Gray's (The Fallen Star) 19th-century whodunit featuring the key players of Austen's works. An unexpected--and much despised--attendee of the Knightleys' house party, George Wickham, immediately puts the hosts and their guests on edge. When his body is discovered late one night, it is apparent that foul play was the cause. Local magistrate Frank Churchill doesn't consider the possibility that one of the guests committed the crime, causing Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy to conduct their own investigations. Billie Fulford-Brown's narration fully immerses the audience in this murder mystery, transporting them 200 years in the past, where they will find themselves rooting for the budding romance between the two amateur detectives, gasping at the plot twists, and sympathizing with the characters' plights. Fulford-Brown expertly performs the extensive cast of characters, easily moving between them while imbuing each with their described personalities, quirks and all. VERDICT A captivating production that's perfect for readers who enjoy historical mysteries and for those Austen fans who'd love to see Mr. Wickham's ultimate comeuppance.--Amanda L. S. Murphy