DNF'd after about a third of the book. This had none of the spark of Austen's originals. The characters were like the heavily-watered-down whiskey version of themselves. No nuances, no dimensions, nothing. The perspective seemed to switch around every five lines, and everybody was just miserable in their life. This was just a waste of time.

After reading this book, I have been inspired to read the actual books that the characters come from!
What a clever concept for a book.
I have been recommending to patrons at the library who enjoy murder myteries and Austen characters.

In the beginning, I was intrigued by the dark cloud looming over our characters.Then the murder mystery captured my interest. I had to keep guessing until the end! (then shocked at who did it).

Loved the development of the story: the revelations of each character and the resolution of their issues. Also, was enticed by the snippets of phrases from the original stories, which blended well with the scenes, Overall, this was a page-turner.

If you want to be engrossed in a murder mystery with a brush of JA novels, this is one to read.

Who hasn't wanted to see Mr. Wickham dead after reading Pride and Prejudice? Apparently a lot of people! In this Regency, Jane Austen set murder mystery we start off with that exact premise. Turns out a lot of people both in real life and in this story have a reason to see Mr. Wickham dead. You are able to re-meet some your favorite Jane Austen characters interact and it feels like the weirdest, but coziest crossover ever. I will say that if you are new to Jane Austen a lot of references might be missed, but also if you are a huge Jane Austen fan you might be bothered by some of characterizations of some of the characters.

This was an interesting take on the beloved characters. I have read Claudia Gray before, and have always enjoyed her writing, and I think that helped my enjoyment of the book. I think I would've liked it to have been a more cozy mystery without heavier themes, but that's a preference. I also felt like there were too many POV's, so that wasn't my favorite. Overall, I'm glad I had the chance to read it, but I won't be rereading it.

I was overjoyed when I first saw this book, given what a vile character Mr. Wickham is. The first several chapters were just was I was looking for—a reunion of some of my favorite Austen characters. As the book progressed, however, my joy waned. It felt as if the author was trying too hard to shoehorn every Austen character into the story, which required creating convoluted connections to the point that it became difficult to follow. This confusion coupled with the slowing pace, left me disappointed. The idea was great, but the story would have benefited from having half as many characters.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 Stars

What happens when old familiar characters are tossed together into a new genre: a murder mystery? Claudia Gray cleverly crafts the answer.

Some of Jane Austen's most famous characters are gathered together, (literally, at a house party), when a shocking murder happens — that of the infamous Mr. Wickham. Each character must be scrutinized under a new light — from Mr. Darcy to Fanny Bertram — as they come to terms with the fact that one of their own party is a murderer.

Gray is, no doubt, a skilled writer, and clearly devoted to the original novels of Austen and to the historical time period. This book provides a very thoughtful study of characters we know and love, often drawing me in with genuine belief that this would be how the characters had developed over the years since their novels ended. The relationships between all of the characters was nimbly done. However, as a mystery novel, it didn't quite grab my attention — leading to a *very* long reading process (I'd put this novel down, and then genuinely forget about it for weeks at a time). In a mystery, I expect twists and turns, something revealed that is then undone, a puzzle to try to piece together. I did not experience that with this novel. We learned more about character relationships every chapter, but there was a lack of many of the clues and questions that intrigue me in mysteries. I grew to love the characters (both Austen's characters in new situations and Gray's own new characters), but I did not leave the story with the thrill of a murder mystery.

If you're longing to spend more time with some of Jane Austen's characters, this is a charming read. But if you're looking for a true, thrilling mystery, this might not be the book for you.

Originally received by the publisher as an ARC.

The Murder of Mr Wickham is a terrific read for anyone who loves a a good mystery set in the 19th century during Jane Austen's s time. It has all the elements I love in a mystery...a country house party with a cast of characters from Jane Austen's novels. An uninvited guest, Mr Wickham, a nasty character if there were was one in all literature. Then a thunderstorm amd torrential rain that traps all the guests in the house for several days. A murder of the unwanted hous3eguestsw and everyone a suspect because everyone had a good reason to kill Mr Wickham. The young couple of Juliet Tilney and Johnathan Decay set to amuse themselves talking about the murder and begin a real investigation, to the chagrin of the hosts, the Knightly, Jonathan's parents the Darcy's and the police detective Mr Couchful. There is even a ball and small town sunberry of the party by the locals. Totally delightful and kept me guessing. I thought the outcome might be as described but it would have only worked with a female suspect so I focused on them. Is thta too much to revealer? I suppose I just better say that this is a great book to have any time. I don't think you have to be a Janeite to enjoy it but it might give you some insight ion the characters and story if you knew who everyone was. There should hopefully be a chart or aid of some kind to help you in that case, but really if you haven/t read Jane Austen, you really should! I am not familiar with author Claudia Geay but I would like to read more by her. Her Acknowledgements piece in the back was enlightening especially the story about Paul! Also, with all the parties and visits Juliet now has from various guests to visit their homes, I hope she and the young Me Darcy will be abode to get together and perhaps be presented with other mysteries to be solved. They make a great team!

Thank you to author Claudia Gray, Vintage Books and NetGalley for allowing me a copy of the ebook version of the novel. It was a treat! I apologize for the late response but life got in the way.

My Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5

A murder mystery with all of Jane Austen’s leading characters and the death of the infamous Mr. Wickham. Mr. Knightley and Emma host a summer party at their home, inviting their family and friends to stay - when Mr. Wickham shows up unannounced. Due to turbulent weather, he spends the night and the next day he is found dead. The killer has to be one of the guests. While the case is being investigated, Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy aid with their own research around the estate to unmask the killer.

It was a delight to read most of Jane Austen’s leading characters together in the “room” and up until Mr. Wickham’s death, the story kept up the intrigue. As soon as he dies, the story in between slows painfully. I would have loved to read more about about Jonathan and Juliet’s blossoming friendship/romance, but it focused on a painstakingly slow investigation process. The story picks up as you get closer to the end, but I found it more of a relief that it was over. Overall, a nice mystery for the Jane Austen lover, but I did not love it.

Thank you to Vintage books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I stopped about 65% of the way through the novel on audio with some reading of the text. If I do finish the title , I will come back and finish the review.

Most of the loving pairs from Austen's completed novels are visiting the Knightleys. Conflict begins after Mr. Wickham is murdered, and problems in marriages surface or become more critical. Darcy's son, Jonathan, and the Tilneys' daugther, Juliet, start to play detective. I liked the representation of neurodiversity in Jonathan, Juliet's intelligence being embraced for a lady of her time. Wickham was always a villian, but his ties to other beloved Austen characters and his crimes will really make readers loathe him.

3.5 rounded up

Thanks to Vintage and NetGalley for the e-galley.
My reviews are my own.

I was intrigued by the premise of this--it seemed like it could be a really fun time. However, I wasn't super excited about the execution. The writing style and narrative voice I found a bit hard to really latch on to, and I found myself starting to speed through it just to get it over with. I just think the book was a bit...dull, not terrible but not very engrossing either.

This was disappointing. I felt like characters deviated from their true selves in order to suite this storyline. Expected more from this.
Fun concept, poor execution.

Thanks so much to the author, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, and Netgalley for the gifted advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are entirely my own. { partner } All of my reviews can also be found on Instagram @Tackling_TBR and on my blog at tacklingtbr.home.blog

TW: murder, homophobia

This book was such a delight to read! People who know me know that I love me some Jane Austen, so seeing her characters come together for a good, old-fashioned, Christie-style mansion murder mystery? It felt like my birthday! I was seriously so excited to read this book, and I am very glad to say that it did not disappoint.

As anyone who has read Pride and Prejudice can probably tell you, George Wickham has no shortage of enemies, and so it should surprise nobody that after his death in this book there are no shortage of suspects present at the house. And honestly, I spent most of the booking hoping that whoever it was would just walk away no questions asked. And also kind of hoping for a Murder on the Orient Express situation (sorry, spoiler warning? I suppose?) where they're all in on it together.
So I will say that I was pleasantly surprised that I did not see the ending coming! I usually have a pretty good idea of who the murderer is in these situations before the "now let's explain how they did it" portion at the end, but this one really kept me guessing. It could equally be so many different people, based on motive and opportunity and all that, and so it wasn't until the end that I was sure who had done it.

Also just as a brief aside for anyone else who, like me, re-reads and re-watches Austen when they need something easy and comforting - which TV/movie versions of the characters did you see in your head as you read this book? Was it the BBC actors? I bet it was. It absolutely was for me. As much as I love the more modern movies, those particular performers couldn't escape my head while reading this book. And honestly, part of me wonders if that isn't (at least for me personally) some indication of how true to the characters a lot of this story seemed, because in my head the BBC adaptations of these stories always feel like some of the most true to the source material. Okay, fangirl moment over.

Overall I would absolutely recommend this book to friends and fellow readers! It is a bit of a slower-paced read, much like the Austen books that the characters come from, but if you like that or can get passed it, I think that this is a really enjoyable and worthwhile book to pick up. I think that the perfect way to read this book would be sitting in a big, comfy arm chair by a fireplace on a cold, rainy day. The louder the rain is on the windows, the better.

-I liked this featured Pride & Prejudice characters and didn’t bore me like when I try to read Jane Austen’s books, but I am familiar with Pride & Prejudice since I do love the movie
-Entertaining and I liked the mystery
-Kept me guessing

Thank you netgalley for the digital arc but I just couldn't get on with the writing.
Picked it up and set it down again more times I could count but ultimetly I decided I couldn't continue reading it.
This was clearly my fault and not the book tho and it doesn't mean this will be your experience too.

while this was a clever idea, I just could not get involved with the characters. I really wanted to like this book, since I had heard so much about it. Just could not finish it.

"The Murder of Mr. Wickham" by Claudia Gray is a mystery set in the world of Jane Austen's characters. Emma Knightley and her husband are throwing a house party that will bring together Marianne Brandon (and her husband); Elizabeth Darcy, her husband, and son; Fanny Bertram and her husband the rector; Anne and Frederick Wentworth; and Juliet Tilney (the daughter of Catherine Tilney). On the first evening at dinner, Mr. Wickham (who most know from "Pride and Prejudice") shows up uninvited. He has connections with most of the people in attendance. A few days later, Wickham is dead and Juliet and Elizabeth's son John decide to solve the mystery despite the involvement of the magistrate Frank Churchill.

A fun story for Jane Austen fans. Some may find the mystery to be resolved in a overly convenient manner, but others may appreciate it. Based on the invitations issued to Juliet at the end (and a little matchmaking by Emma and John Darcy's mother), there will be more stories with the same characters in the future.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham is for Jane Austen fans who loved mystery and thriller genre! It's everything you wanted in a book: Jane Austen characters, thrilling story, mysteries, and murder! What more you could ask for? This book is a very interesting take on "What if Mr. Wickham got killed off?" and indeed it wasn't disappoint.

Overall a decent book referring to couples from Jane Austin’s Pervious books . Mr. Wickham arrives, uninvited, to the party and causes a disturbance amongst all. The overall premise is the two youngest guests take upon the role of detectives to determine whodunnit. Many have reason, but how will they figure it out? Thanks to Net galley for an advanced copy!

Jane Austen fans: here’s another JA inspired book to enjoy, “The Murder of Mr. Wickham” by Claudia Gray.

It was published by @vintagebooks in May of this year. It currently has a 3.78 average rating on Goodreads with over 3,000 reviews.

Set in 1820, this historical fiction retelling follows a summer house party hosted by Mr. Knightly and Emma. The party brings together characters from other stories 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.

This book is often described as a mix between Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. The author is a successful prolific writer; in fact, when I first picked up this book, I was actually surprised when I saw the author and googled it — I love some of her Star Wars novels, so I was surprised to just so happen to come across another of her newer books.

It is a delightful idea and well executed. I think Gray is a top talent in the writing community and has done a great job branching out into JA retelling.