Have you ever wondered what happened to all your favorite Jane Austen characters after the end of their book? Ever wished that they could go on and you could see what their lives were like a few years later, or what would happen if they met each other? Maybe you just wished they would have another outing of some sort. Well - your wish has been granted.
This book combines all the fun of a cozy mystery with a house party full of Austen characters all stuck under the same roof with one of our favorite villains. It seems that everyone who knows Wickham has a reason to hate him, and those who have only just met him soon see why. When he turns up dead, there are far too many suspects and motives to go around.
Part of the fun is encountering beloved characters again and seeing them in new situations. But there are a couple of new characters that steal the show (as far as I am concerned). Juliet Tilney is the daughter of female novelist Catherine Tilney and is invited by Emma Knightley to help round out the party since Jonathan, the eldest Darcy son, will also be attending. The two young adults are very different from each other. Juliet is vivacious, inquisitive, and a bit more into sporting activities than is thought proper for a young lady her age. From the descriptions of his behavior and what we see of his thoughts, Jonathan seems to be on the autism spectrum. He depends on rules to get him through social situations and does not know how to respond when the rules are broken. He has difficulty coping with large crowds and noisy gatherings and must withdraw to a corner to regain his calm. He has difficulty with lying and does not understand why people do not mean what they say. Together, they are a formidable pair of detectives - charming people into confidences, noticing when accounts do not tally with events, etc.
The book was so absorbing that I read it through in one sitting, staying up far past bedtime because I just had to see how it would end. Between the multiple suspects, motives, various clues discovered around the house, and all the couples each trying to protect their partner (for fear that their motive might be the one the police decide is most compelling), it was a breathless rush to reach the last page and see it all resolved. The best part is that with this new pair of characters, and possible siblings and friends to mix in, there could easily be another mystery in store for readers sometime in the future.
Highly recommended for fans of Austen's novels (as the editor says "This is a six-way Jane Austen crossover/sequel event." Also perfect for Agatha Christie country house mysteries.
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