Pentapod reviewed The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray (Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney, #1)
Review of 'Murder of Mr. Wickham' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I've yet to meet writer who even comes close to the funny, sarcastic, incredibly clever writing of Jane Austen and that includes Claudia Gray. So don't go into this book expecting Austen's turn of phrase; alas, she's dead and gone and I don't think anyone will ever match her. However! If you love all her characters you may enjoy this book just to imagine them existing for a little longer, not to mention interacting with each other. While they are all slightly different ages (the author has a foreword in which she explains how she estimated their probable relative ages), all the major characters from all her books somehow end up as house guests of the Knightleys. When Mr. Wickham turns up unexpectedly to the house party and is forced to stay due to a storm, it turns out that almost all those present have reason to hate him for some reason or another. And, of course, when Mr. Wickham turns up dead, the book becomes a murder mystery investigation that is not only enjoyable for its own sake, but allows the author to share with us what she imagines each of the characters may have been up to since the Austen novels ended.
While most of the characters are directly from Austen, Gray introduces two new characters who act as the primary investigators: Julia Tilney (daughter of the Tilneys from Northanger Abbey), and Jonathan Darcy (eldest son of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy). As Julia had never met or heard of Wickham, and Jonathan had an alibi, they take the opportunity to work together to investigate more deeply. And, of course, as they are roughly of the same age and Jonathan is now one of the most eligible bachelors in England, there's plenty of opportunity for understandings and misunderstandings along the way.
A couple of interesting choices the author makes in addition; Jonathan is pretty clearly presented as neurodivergent to some degree, likely autistic; while one of the other characters discovers their brother is homosexual and has to decide how to reconcile that with existing morals and Christian values.
Overall, a fun romp through a murder mystery party with characters you know and love, which feels like hanging out with old friends.
