Genuinely delightful, though admittedly to a specific audience. The conclusion was reasonably satisfying, which was more than I was hoping for from a book that actually got the classic characters pretty spot-on.

The characters from several Austen novels are attending a house party at Emma and George's place. They will be together for a month conversing and following the rules of etiquette for such an event. Two young people have been included in the group. Now an uninvited guest arrives, the nefarious Mr. Wickham. After two days of being quite awful to the other guests he is found dead. What a relief, BUT who did it? The two young people investigate.
This is a review of a digital galley provided by NetGalley.

I recently read a review copy of The Murder of Mr Wickham by Claudia Gray thanks to Knopf Doubleday and Netgalley

Set in 1820, right at the end of the Regency Era and featurung characters from all six of Jane Austen's completed novels + a couple of new characters from the next generation.

Emma and Mr Knightley are hosting a country house party and have invited various friends and distant relations who just happen to be characters from the other Austen novels. Some new characters, the oldest son of Mr Darcy and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice and the daughter of the Tilney's from Northanger Abbey are also in attendance.

The party soon goes awry when an unexpected and definitely uninvited George Wickham (from Pride and Prejudice) crashes the party. It turns out pretty much everyone has a good reason to hate Wickham and soon almost everyone becomes a suspect when Wickham is found dead in the middle of the night.

Miss Tilney and Mr Darcy Junior join forces to investigate the crime but have to be pretty low key sneaky about it.

I've previously read six YA science fiction novels by Claudia Gray and highly recommend the Firebird trilogy and the Defy the stars trilogy.

I'm a big fan of Jane Austen. I've been to her former home in Chawton, Hampshire & visited her grave in Winchester Cathedral. I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time when I was 17 and have read most of her books twice or more. I've seen just about every screen adaptation there is and read modern retelling like Clueless & Bridget Jones diary. At some point this year I plan to read the four Austen project novels... modern adaptations of Austen's stories by best selling authors. Basically I'm saying I know Austen's stories and characters pretty well and I'm not convinced that I would have enjoyed or even understood this book so well if I wasn't an Austen fan. There are a lot of characters to keep track of all with their own personalities and back stories.

I was in love when I read the description for this book, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype in my mind; I loved reading what all the couples were up to, but Juliet and Jonathan’s investigation curtailed my delight. Also, I did not like how Fanny and Edmund were portrayed.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I absolutely LOVE the idea of this. Jane Austen's beloved characters in an Agatha Christie-esque story? I couldn't request this fast enough. I especially loved that one of the original characters would be the older son of Elizbeth Bennet & Mr. Darcy.

Unfortunately, the whole thing fell a little flat. I get that you have to make Mr. Wickham EXTREMELY unlikeable, so that everyone would be a suspect, but he comes across as a caricature of villain, and too vile to actually be real. And some of the connections these characters had to him were a little ridiculous.

It also started to drag a bit in the middle. Too much explaining, not enough showing, and it gets repetitive. We're told over and over and over how inappropriate it is for Jonathan and Juliet to be alone together, or to exchange letters, or for Juliet to involve herself in this in the first place.

But the ending was satisfactory, and it was nice to revisit with some of these beloved characters for a little while.

4.5 stars

There was so much to like about this Austen mash-up closed circle mystery. I had to look up the “closed circle” thing—I was mistakenly calling this a locked room mystery.

First of all, the suspects being all characters I already knew and loved made the wondering all the more distressing and delicious. I didn’t want any of them to be the murderer! Of course, I love some more than others, and my guess at who the murderer was (made at the 75% point) was definitely biased.

Almost every romantic couple from Jane Austen’s novels is present in this book. The Tilneys are absent, sadly, since I have a soft spot for Catherine from Northanger Abbey, the first Austen novel I ever read. But their daughter Juliet is a guest, and she plays an important role, along with the Darcys’ son Jonathan. I loved their growing friendship and understanding as they quietly conducted their own investigation of Wickham’s murder. They’re both wonderful characters, and the portrayal of Jonathan’s social challenges was well done. I just loved him and Juliet’s response to him.

The author did a lovely job of creating connections between these different characters, so that a house party with all of them present felt plausible. It was hard seeing couples who had all gotten their HEA endings now in a state of conflict and unease. Secrets and misunderstandings generally drive me crazy, but I thought the ones here were resolved well. I’ve only reread a few of the novels recently, and I wasn’t sure about the portrayal of the Bartrams, which seemed exaggeratedly pious. Since Mansfield Park is my least favorite of Austen’s novels, I don’t know if I’ll ever reread it, but I was happy with the development of that couple’s attitudes and relationship, although it also seemed the least likely of the changes of heart that happened in the book. I enjoyed the set-up for it with Edmund’s confrontation with Elton, though—easily one of my favorite scenes in the book.

The language didn’t feel especially Austeny, but it wasn’t distractingly not Austeny either. I know some folks are pickier about that than I am, and that might be a sticking point for them. Then again, the premise of this novel might be enough to cause super Austen sticklers to avoid it, which is perfectly fine. We’re all Janeites, sticklers. I still like you.

Once the murder occurred, I found this hard to put down. The rather tidy resolution once the murderer was revealed (although I also found it easy to buy) and the trouble between couples I love knocked down my rating a tiny bit, but I still highly recommend it to Austen fans.

What Jane Austen fan could resist a novel that kills off her quintessential “ bad boy” Wickham? Well, certainly, not me! This book quickly accomplishes the title’s promise and sets to lay ruin to Emma Knightly’s house party.

The reader best served by this Austen-inspired novel will be the one with total recall of all of Miss Austen’s heroines, suitors, and families. I have read each novel multiple times, but must confess to forgetting “ who’s who” and who was wronged by whom. So, I was often a bit at sea as the relationships ebbed and flowed in this novel.

I enjoyed the young protagonists very much. they were a treat to imagine and fun to follow, but they were characters that sprang to life in this novel alone. Those characters of Jane Austens who’d matured ( like Emma) were not so satisfying for me. They lost their sparkle in this novel, or perhaps were just lost in the sea of other Austen heroines we met ( and loved) in their youth, but didnt enjoy as much in their maturity.

Netgalkey provided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for granting me an ARC for review*

The Murder of Mr. Wickham is like the Avengers of the Austen universe - and like the Avengers, I found it to be a little too scattered and a little too weighed down by its enormous cast to give it a full five stars.

I came into this book only having read Pride and Prejudice of the several referenced works (Austen's other works are on my TBR), but enjoyed myself nonetheless. Juliet Tilney is a breath of fresh air in a world so constrained by propriety, and her unique chemistry with the young Jonathan Darcy was charming, if not adorable. Overall, this is a book that I think most modern Austen fans would enjoy, especially if they also appreciate a decent, drama-filled murder mystery.

I don't know if anyone else got excited with crossover shows growing up, but something about my favorite characters from one show interacting with my favorite characters from another show just made me irrationally happy. This book is the grown up version of that.

A story that involved all of Austen's most beloved characters going to a house party at Donwell Abbey together was something that I didn't really know I needed until this book, but let me tell you, it was absolutely delightful (the fact that the narrative closely followed Agatha Christie's style was just an added bonus). I loved how Claudia spaced the events of Austen's books out so that they roughly took place during the year they were originally written in. It was really interesting to see that all of the heroines were at different places with their marriages, from newly married in Brandon and Marianne's case, to happily married for more than twenty years in Darcy and Elizabeth's case. I loved getting to see how they all ended up after the close of their original tales.

One of the top things I look for in a book that is a retelling/spinoff of a classic is how well they captured the essence of the original, and this book excelled on that point. The characters aged generally how one would expect, the way they interacted with each other was completely believable, and even the tone of the writing was on point for Austen's style. It felt like Austen wrote a sequel. Plus their references to the original books were absolutely golden.

There were only two points that I didn't completely love. First, some of the characters - while in keeping with their original personalities - felt a bit caricatured at different points. I noticed it especially in Edmund and Fanny Bertram. This Edmund reminded me a good deal of Mr. Collins, which I don't remember thinking of the original, and Fanny was much more timid than I remembered. Again, it is in keeping with their characters, it just felt a bit exaggerated at times.

The second saddening point is that I wanted an epilogue. I wanted to see how all of the characters moved forward from the events of the book, and whether or not they stayed friends (or became more than friends as the case may be). This is totally a minor detail, I just care deeply about my happily-ever-afters.

Overall, this is a gem of a book. It is perfect for fans of Austen, especially if they are also fans of Agatha Christie.

I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The happily married Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a house party, 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 a tantalizing fusion of Austen and Christie, the unlikely pair must put aside their own poor first impressions and uncover the guilty party—before an innocent person is sentenced to hang. (Goodreads synopsis)

I have not read any novels by Claudia Gray prior to this, but I certainly will be checking out her previous works.

I, like most people, have read Jane Austen’s novels. The obvious and most likely one of Pride and Prejudice, but also Emma. I have not read any of the others, nor have a seen any adaptations of them. With that stated, I thought Claudia Gray did a fantastic job in keeping Jane Austen’s characters true to themselves. I am not a fan of Emma Knightly nee Woodhouse, but found I did like her better in this novel. I imagine that years of being married would change the individuals and their personalities somewhat. Claudia Gray’s interpretation of their maturity was more than acceptable. However, she did not remove some of the personality traits that make the characters so enjoyable, like Elizabeth’s wit. I liked how she, also, made sure to include key scenarios from Jane Austen’s novels, weaving them through her novel smoothly. I would add, for those of us who are casual Austenites, that a Cast of Characters with a brief synopsis would be slightly helpful.

Additionally, Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney are a very compatible sleuthing duo. Jonathan is indicated as being on the spectrum, and I love how he copes with his many “peculiarities”, but that doesn’t seem to bother Juliet at all. If Claudia Gray were to continue them as a series, I would wholeheartedly read it with the hope that they also continue their romantic partnership as well.

I thought the mystery was well written. Obviously there is no shortage of suspects because Wickham is such a despicable man, but the clues and theories flowed. In this novel, Wickham has continued his harmful ways, not only towards the Darcy’s, but also with many of the other characters. To be honest, I almost felt that the ending could have been written like the 1985 movie Clue, where there are 2 possible solutions and then the actual ending. Though anyone with a wit of sense would agree that this ending was the only true way it could have gone. But alternate endings would have still been fun.

A Jane Austen novel is not exactly a fast paced novel with the graphic descriptions, but that’s also what peaks certain readers’ interest. This novel was very similar. It wasn’t fast paced but it felt that way because I simply couldn’t put it down.

Overall I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars

First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I'm going to start off by giving this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 stars. Yes, I loved it that much!

OK, so let me say the author's love for Jane Austen shines through and makes this book a rare treat. The characters feel act like themselves and the language was *chefs kiss* historically accurate. It read like an old school mystery and I couldn't be happier. The introduction of two new characters, Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy, was done very well and by the end of the book I was entirely invested in their (hopefully?!) Next adventure. If you love Jane Austen and want to read a great take on her work I implore you to pick this book up!

Posted to my Instagram @booknookcook04

A very witty and fun novel. I loved all the Jane Austen detail. That was both interesting and entertaining to read. Writing was well done and story kept my interest, highly recommend!!

This book is absolutely fantastic and though it is only February, it is definitely being marked down as one of my favorites of the year!

Pulling together a group of Jane Austen's most beloved characters was never going to be an easy feat, but reading this novel, it feels like the most natural thing in the world. I especially loved that there are pairings of characters together who you would never expect to have a conversation (Fanny and Elizabeth, for one) and yet have a surprisingly deep connection on the pages of the novel. The murder mystery is well plotted throughout and will genuinely keep you guessing through to the very end, with plenty of red herrings and twists. While the book feels like a true continuation of Jane Austen stories, it is also commendable that it is inclusive as well! It is clear that Jonathan Darcy is written to be autistic, and while it is never named, his behaviors are clear and super well done. I also happen to love the brewing love story between Jonathan and Juliet - if somehow a sequel is written, continuing to follow them would be an absolute joy.

But what I loved most about this book was the natural continuation of the love stories from Jane Austen's works. Darcy and Elizabeth's love after twenty years is genuinely beautiful to follow, especially seeing how it is tested and changed. Marianne and Brandon hold a very special place in my heart and reading more of what their life is like after their wedding and how they still are learning the specifics of each other is so truthful to how their experience would be. I could rattle on about all of the couples because each feels true and captivating.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What Jane Austen fan hasn't wanted to murder the rascally Mr Wickham? Now, thanks to the creativity of Claudia Gray, your darkest impulse has been rewarded. A treat of a mystery, THE MURDER OF MR WICKHAM is perfect escape reading--highly recommended.

Anyone who is a Jane Austen fan will love this book, I mean Mr. Wickham is murdered and deed was done at a house party that just happened to be attended by many of the beloved Austen characters. The only cons for me while reading this mystery was the character of Jonathan Darcy, the oldest son of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. His personality was not fleshed out enough to make me really like him or even care that he helped solve the murder. That and to get to the end it just seemed to drag on a little bit too much in my opinion. However, if you love Jane Austen and cozy mysteries I highly recommend you read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

Jane Austen fans this one is for you!
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Imagine the villian of all villains attended a party, and before the night is over he winds up dead. Murdered in fact. As the rest of the night unfolds, fingers are pointing at one another to guess who killed Mr. Wickham.
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This story is very clever. I love how Gray breathed new life in to some of Austen’s most beloved characters. I have to praise that because there was lots of planning that had to occur. Unfortunately for me this one was a miss. I should preface that by saying, I’ve never read a Jane Austen book. I should have done my research prior to requesting this book. While it’s not completely necessary, it will help you be more invested in the story and characters.
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For me, I just didn’t really care. I was interested in the mystery of the story and I found myself skipping over sections. This ultimately ended in a DNF for me. I still give it 3 stars, because it’s very well written and I know Jane Austen fans will want to read this one.
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Thank you so much to netgalley and Knopf double day publishing for the opportunity to read this some in exchange for an honest review.

Mr. and Mrs. Knightley are having guests visit and have invited a host of beloved Jane Austen characters, including Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and their son Jonathan. Everyone is excited for a month of fun and socializing, including young Juliet Tilney, who is ready for some high brow socializing. However, the house party quickly turns sour when Mr. Wickham shows up uninvited, and inclement weather forces the Knightleys to host him. Mr. Wickham is clearly unwanted at this party, and that’s further reinforced when he is found dead in the gallery. Juliet and Jonathan team up and investigate the murder, finding plenty of twists and that every person in the house has motive.

I gave this book 5 stars. The Murder of Mr. Wickham was an absolute delight to read. It had the warmth and coziness of a Jane Austen novel with the intrigue of a good mystery. The characters were dynamic with interesting backstories, and all the loose ends were tied up by the end of the book. I highly, highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys period fiction. What a delight!

Austenites Unite!!!!

When I saw the concept for this book, I was already sold. As a huge Jane Austen fan, the idea of one of the biggest villains in a classic story being murdered was already a huge seller to me. But for all the other main couples from Austen's books to be involved in a Clue/Whodunit style book? TAKE MY MONEY!!

Claudia's writing style is unique, but wonderful. I really loved reading this story and her world she's come up with. While it did drag a bit near the middle, I had to finish and it easily picks up again. The ending was a little predictable but almost on par with Austen endings at the same time.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray is a great historical fiction that includes mystery, suspense, and characters from several of my beloved Jane Austen novels. Such a great idea!

I loved this murder/mystery novel that also should be included under historical fiction. Ms. Gray fabulously takes several beloved characters, places them within the same novel, and adds a fantastic murder/mystery plot involving the infamous and equally despicable Mr. Wickham. Not only did he finally get his “come uppins”, but we get to follow along as the mystery is slowly unraveled.

It was creative, entertaining, and quite an enjoyable read. If you liked any of the characters within Austen’s novels, you should read this.


4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Vintage/Knopf Doubleday Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/3/22.

A must read for Austenites, some of the best known characters ever created by Jane Austen put all in one place at one time; a house party at the estate of the Knightley’s., I thought the author did a great job staying true to the original characters but maturing them. Definitely recommend reading this book.