The Murdr of Mr Wickham

 by Claudia Gray

This book is a takeoff on Jane Austen, obviously.  The author has done a great job of writing in a similar style to Austen.  Apparently she is a Jane Austen fan and is shows.  The thinking and behaviour of the characters is very much in the style of Austen herself, with the class awareness, consciousness of social norms and not embarrassing oneself or ruining one's reputation.  Wickham, as portrayed in the book is very self-serving, deceitful and mean.

The story centres around a gathering at the home of the Knigtley's where characters from several of Austen's books have come to spend what they hope will be a pleasant month.  However, soon after the holiday starts Wickham shows up univited, as if gloating at the hatred the gathered people have for him, including the Darcys.  He takes special glee in having ruined or potentially financially ruined several of the families present who invested in a money making scheme of his which has been a disaster.  It seems Wickham has received money and many people still owe him money.

The Darcy's son Jonathan is one of the guests.  He seems to be a bit of a social misfit, perhaps a bit autistic.  She doesn't like social situatioins because he never knows what is expected of him.  There is a young lady in attendance also.  The two strike up a friendship.  The girl doesn't seem to mind all his quirks.

The weather is terrible, rain and storms so everyone is stuck inside for days.  Wickham's presence casts a pall over everyone.  One night he is found murdered.  As the book proceeds we find that most of the people in the house have reason to want him dead.  As the local offical tries to determine who killed Wickham, the two young people do their own investigating by listening and watching people.  They have to be careful to not be caught alone together as that would be scandalous.  Eventually they point out the actual murder weapon to the official and one of the guests admits that she killed Wickham because he made unwelcome advances to her. 

The magistrate decides that her actions were justified and it appears there will be no legal consequences for her.

It was an entertaining book and I was very impressed with how the author "channeled" Austin.