Our first panel of experts proved unavailable, but characters from each book (or connected to the source material) listed today graciously agreed to comment. 

Historical Fiction about Austen’s Life

The Mysterious Death of Miss Jane Austen by Lindsay Ashford 

Anne Sharp, left homeless and without family due to her father dying in debt, arrives as governess at Godmersham, the home of Edward and Elizabeth Austen. (The family name became Knight, like his adoptive family, later.) Edward is the older brother of Jane Austen and the father of Fanny, one of her favorite nieces. Miss Sharp soon grows to love Fanny and proves an excellent governess. But when she meets Jane, she feels a very different love. (The book makes it plain that Miss Sharp is gay without actually coming out and saying it.)

It’s never quite clear whether Jane returns her feelings, but she certainly loves her and values their friendship, which continues until the author’s death in 1817 at age 41. Jane suffered from a lengthy illness and when Anne hears of her symptoms and the similarities to the symptoms of other recently deceased family members, she becomes suspicious and begins investigating. She gets her keepsake lock of Jane’s hair tested (high levels of arsenic) and questions family members who were present when the others died. But eventually, she must choose between vengeance and moving forward with her life. 

I found this book to be engrossing, well-written, dark, romantic, and yet somehow comforting. Ashford made the Austen family into such compelling characters that I want to know all about the Austen family now. I liked the characterization of Jane and the family drama and intrigue. It could have been too much and ended up cheesy or melodramatic with a lesser writer. 

Jane Austen: I can neither confirm nor deny the veracity of this account. But it is a thrilling story. 

Supporting Character Pastiche

The Lovesick Maid (Charlotte Collins Mysteries 1) by Mark Brownlow 

I found Charlotte Lucas Collins annoying at times in my readings of Pride and Prejudice, but I find her an agreeable main character in this series starter. She is understanding, but firm in her beliefs. Her contentment in her marriage to Mr. Collins seems real, but the frustrations and some wistfulness for more add to the realism. 

Charlotte goes to the home of one of Rosings’ (Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s, patroness of Mr. Collins and aunt to Mr. Darcy, estate) footmen to check on his daughter, who also works at the estate as a maid. Mary Booth has been ailing and missed work for several days. It is uncertain whether she is physically ill or lovesick over her father Adam’s refusal to allow her to marry Tom Calker, a footman who asked to court her. 

Mary becomes better only to fall ill again. This cycle repeats and Charlotte begins to worry that the sickness comes from the cure. Mary only consumed treatments from Rosings’ stillroom. Did a snake oil salesman who sickened people in neighboring towns manage to peddle some wares in Hunsford? Or does Lady Catherine unknowingly harbor someone who wishes harm to Mary? 

This book is more of a novella and an enjoyable read. I found Charlotte good company and her relationship with Mr. Collins humorous. Charlotte’s ability to get at least some of what she wants out of life is admirable, as is her care for her husband’s parishioners and wish to be fully accepted by them. (They like her, but still see her as an outsider.) The mystery involves genuine moments of suspense, although it becomes clear quickly that the concoction Mary takes is making her sick. The reason and culprit are not. 

Mr. Collins: Lady Catherine is always so good in her attentions to her servants! I am so pleased that I encouraged my wife to get to the bottom of this. 

Charlotte Collins: (deep breath) Thank you, dearest. You are always so wise when approving the actions of others. 

The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet (The Secret Life of Mary Bennet 1) by Katherine Cowley 

Mr. Bennet died, and Mary takes her turn sitting up with the body. A late-night knock surprises her. The visitors, Lady Trafford and Mr. Withrow, claim to be relatives and they come in to pay their respects. 

After Mary foils the theft of the family’s mourning rings and Lady Trafford’s case, Lady Trafford offers for Mary to stay with her and Withrow at Castle Durrington and continue her education. Mary agrees. 

Mary finds a dead body on her first trip to the nearby beach. It is the body of the thief Mary foiled, who turns out to be Mr. Holloway, a curate from Crawley. She alerts the authorities in a nearby village who alert Withrow, who’s already odd, secretive behavior increases. Mary begins to investigate not only the murder, but her hosts, despite her inclination to trust Lady Trafford. But Mary’s stubbornness and dependence on certain rules for behavior begin to alienate her new friends and cause Mary to doubt her abilities in everything. She realizes that she might need help more in interpersonal relations than French, and that a secret reason exists for Lady Trafford’s interest in her. 

I sympathized so deeply with Mary’s struggles with “normal” behavior and between fitting in and being true to herself. Also, with her propensity for accidentally offending people or going on too long about things. (I suspect Mary might be on the autism spectrum.) We see a much more human side of Mary in this story with her difficulty processing her grief over her father’s death and her desire to repair relationships when she offends. She possesses such bravery and intelligence and just needs encouragement and guidance. 

The story was excellent with its backdrop of the Regency and the Napoleonic Wars. I loved Kitty’s letter to Mary and hope we see more of her in subsequent books. And I loved that they included descriptions of the art of letter locking! I only recently learned about that topic from Atlas Obscura and I found it completely fascinating. 

Mary Bennet: I’m pleased I finally found a talent that doesn’t annoy people. Although it annoys me that I can’t tell them about it. 

Mansfield Park Pastiche

The Mansfield Park Murders by Victoria Grossack

Susan Price just wants some amusement to vary the days at Mansfield Park. While she loves her home, she misses her sister Fanny, who moved away after her marriage. Susan gets more than she bargained for when a visitor Mr. George Yates, older brother to her cousin Julia’s husband, turns up murdered in the stables. The finger of blame could and does point at practically everyone during Sir Thomas and Susan’s investigation, including most of the Bertram siblings. Then more deaths and a threat to Mansfield Park itself arise. Will the culprit be found? Or will an innocent person or the entire Bertram family pay for the crime?

While I don’t dislike Fanny Price as many do, I found Susan a much more interesting heroine. She is intelligent, spirited, loyal, and loving. Reading more of the characters from Mansfield Park helped me appreciate anew the uniqueness of both characters and story in that novel. While still humorous, that novel is darker and more complex. The mystery in this continuance arises from that complexity leading to an interesting plot and solution. 

Fanny Price: While I wish I could have helped with the situation, I am glad I did not have to deal with it. Dear Susan appears much more equal to dealing with Aunt Norris’s poisonous outbursts. 

Maria Bertram: Another Price replaces me while my brother Tom gets away with worse behavior than what I am banished for. 

Lady Bertram: Did something happen? Oh, well, my husband will handle it. Sister, where is Sir Thomas?

Mrs. Norris: Investigating with that Susan. I am sure he did say he wanted me to assist, not her. 

Austen Fan Pastiche

Murder at Longbourn (Elizabeth Parker Mysteries 1) by Tracy Kiely

Elizabeth Parker, newly single for NYE, decides to attend the murder mystery night at her aunt Winnie’s new inn Longbourn. (They both are P&P fans.) But the game becomes very serious when one of the guests ends up very dead. The victim made many enemies, including Aunt Winnie, and even his wife and daughter aren’t sorry he’s dead. 

Elizabeth is determined to steer suspicion away from her aunt, but ends up genuinely trying to solve the crime. The culprit is determined to remain free, no matter who stands in their way. Will she live to solve the crime? 

This book is a solid cozy. The mystery works and Aunt Winnie and Elizabeth are well done characters, particularly Aunt Winnie. Negative descriptive words repeatedly used for heavier people, such as the word “beefy” applied to the main police detective bothered me. There are also some stereotypical attitudes about women and their looks and fashion choices. But I am planning to give another in the series a try. 

Mrs. Bennet: This young woman is so resistant to a good match, just like our Elizabeth. Is it something about that name? Perhaps we could change it. 

Mr. Bennet: If a different name can change someone’s behavior, I have some in mind for you and our younger daughters. 

Pride and Prejudice Pastiche

Pride and Prescience (Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries 1) by Carrie Bebris

The newlywed Darcys feel displeased that Caroline Bingley chose their double wedding reception with the Bingleys to announce her engagement, then proceeded to dominate the conversation with it. But they are too happy to mind very much until they find out that the wedding occurs so soon that they must delay their return to Pemberley in order to attend. 

Darcy and Elizabeth make the best of it at their townhome in London, but delays due to weather try their patience, as well as Caroline’s strange behavior. Starting from her very wedding night, she exhibits increasingly erratic and risky behavior, despite the obvious happiness of both bride and groom at their engagement and wedding. 

Everyone continues to rearrange plans and returns to Netherfield to help Caroline recover, including Professor Randolph, a friend of the groom’s who specializes in the branch of archaeology concerning supernatural artifacts and talismans. 

Events become even worse at Netherfield, but something just does not sit right with Elizabeth concerning Caroline’s illness. The others are beginning to think Caroline beyond hope and, whether Elizabeth agrees or not, someone dangerous is definitely operating at Netherfield. Until they find out who and why, no one is safe. Especially if supernatural powers are involved. 

I liked this book very much and plan to read more of the series. The characters rang true to Austen’s originals and I found the plot engaging. Although I enjoy books with supernatural elements and did not mind it here (It’s folklore-type magic and used pretty sparingly.) it mixes a little uneasily with Austen’s characters and settings. I wonder if that aspect will continue in the series. But the Gothic romance-esque scenes were spot-on and very enjoyable. 

Darcy: My wife will never let me forget this. I will never win an argument again. 

Elizabeth: Did you ever win that much before, dearest?

Sara Farmer lives in Austin, TX, with her husband, three kids, and two cats. When she’s not chasing kids and cats, she reads and writes mysteries.
You can find her on her website and follow her on Twitter.

The post Cozy to Cold-Blooded: Jane Austen Mysteries, Part 2 appeared first on DIY MFA.

On this list, you will find sequels, alternate universe retellings, modern retellings, crossovers containing all the best characters, and mysteries with Austen herself as sleuth.

One aspect they all share is humor, wit, and portrayals of her characters that I believe Austen might have approved.

I feel honored to have a panel for this article consisting of a trio of Austen’s most beloved busybodies. They graciously assented to give us their impressions of the books. 

Our Panel

Mrs. Bennet – Wife and mother of five daughters (!). Receives no help in the onerous task of marrying them off from a sarcastic husband. 

Miss Bates – Longtime denizen of Highbury. Well respected by all (except Emma Woodhouse once). Thinks no one in the world is as wonderful as her niece Jane Fairfax, except maybe the person she is currently talking to. 

Mrs. Norris – Sister to Lady Bertram. Widow of Mr. Norris, the parish curate. Has plenty of time to help out at Mansfield Park and with this column and thank heaven for that. None of it could get done otherwise. 

Mr. Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourgh, benefactress to Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice, also make cameo appearances. Without further ado, let us indulge our Austen-mania, crime fiction-style. 

Pride and Prejudice Pastiche

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

James brings a darker atmosphere to an intriguing murder mystery set at Pemberley, the home of Mr. Darcy and the former Elizabeth Bennet. On the eve of the Darcys’ annual ball, a carriage races up the drive, alarming everyone. Inside is Lydia Bennet Wickham, an unexpected guest, screaming that her husband lies murdered in the woods of Pemberley. 

Darcy and several other men go to investigate and find instead the body of Wickham’s friend Denny with Wickham very much alive. Wickham confesses, is arrested, and put on trial. But despite his dislike of Wickham, Darcy does not believe him capable of murder. 

I found this book gripping, due to the dark atmosphere and excellent writing. P.D. James was an admired and bestselling writer, as well as an ardent Austen fan, so it is no surprise that she turned out such a satisfying Austen mystery. The TV adaptation was also excellent with perhaps the best cast Elizabeth Bennet I’ve ever seen. 

Mrs. Bennet: Our dear Wickham a murderer? Something must be done! Surely he is innocent. Mr. Bennet, you must do something!

Mr. Bennet: (Turns page of book.) It’s a book. It’s fictional, my dear. But rest assured, if our “dear” Wickham was ever really to be on trial, I certainly would do something. 

Pride and Premeditation (Jane Austen Murder Mysteries 1) by Tirzah Price

I’ve long wanted to read Price’s Austen retellings. This column helps so much with prioritizing my TBR! (Price’s series currently includes this work and a retelling of Sense and Sensibility described below. Manslaughter Park will arrive in 2023.) Price’s takes on Austen’s stories and characters were not what I expected, but I found them a pleasant surprise. Price puts an alternate universe spin on Austen’s stories. 

Elizabeth Bennet wants to work at her father’s law firm Longbourn and Sons. Mr. Bennet has chosen the odious Mr. Collins to take over eventually. Collins is incompetent and rude, but Mrs. Bennet remains dead set on Lizzie marrying him. 

Mr. Bennet tells Lizzie he will consider her for the open solicitor position and train her if she shows she can solve a case purely with logic, no hunches. She finds out that Mr. Bingley, head of Netherfield Shipping, stands accused of the murder of his brother-in-law George Hurst. He found the body and spent time with him the night before. Hurst was drunk and he helped him home from his club. 

Bingley has already engaged Mr. Darcy of the Pemberley Associates Law Firm to be his solicitor. But he agrees to have Lizzie investigate. Lizzie is determined to do whatever it takes to find the real killer, not just win the case against Bingley, but she soon isn’t sure who she can trust or if she will even make it to court alive. 

Mrs. Bennet: (Sniffs.) My husband and daughter as lawyers. I would die of shame. Whoever heard of such a thing?

Miss Bates: A lady lawyer! How very novel!  I would like to see her argue before the court. 

Mrs. Norris: Women shouldn’t be lawyers. But if any of them were, it would be me. I have a deep understanding of people. 

Sense and Sensibility Pastiche

Sense and Second-Degree Murder (Jane Austen Murder Mysteries 2) by Tirzah Price

This is the only Sense and Sensibility retelling I’ve encountered so far. I liked it very much, even better than the first in the series Pride and Premeditation (described above). 

In this retelling, Mr. Dashwood supports his family by working as a private investigator. Marianne is very eager to follow in his footsteps and helps him with cases sometimes. Elinor is passionate about science, particularly chemistry, while younger sister Margaret spends her time reading and writing novels. 

After Elinor finds Mr. Dashwood dead in his study, her sister-in-law Fanny unceremoniously removes the Dashwood women from their home. Marianne suspects that their father’s death wasn’t natural and John and Fanny’s eagerness to move into the family home increases this suspicion. Elinor will have none of this until she remembers the open window in Mr. Dashwood’s study. When she and Marianne discover a mysterious substance in his teacup, the investigation begins. But will Marianne’s passion prove her downfall when her new love Willoughby seems to be involved? Will Elinor save the day with Science or will she blow up the kitchen? Or both? 

Never fear, alternate versions of Colonel Brandon and Edward Ferrars (renamed Farrows for some reason) both play important roles in the story. 

Mrs. Bennet: What if this happens to me after Mr. Bennet dies? Living in a flat? My daughters working?! (Shudders and faints, falling on Miss Bates, who fans her anxiously.)

Mrs. Norris: If they were better people, this wouldn’t have happened to them. I am indispensable at Mansfield, but I would never enter a profession. 

Miss Bates: (Struggling a bit to hold up Mrs. Bennet) Those young ladies are so plucky! And really remain so genteel, no matter the circumstances. (Author reminds her of some of Marianne’s behavior with Willoughby.) Oh, well, youthful high spirits. We can’t condemn young love. I’m sure my niece Jane would say the same. 

Crossover Pastiche

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

George and Emma Knightley host a house party at their home Donwell Abbey. Their two children are at the seashore with the Westons, but we soon meet Jonathan Darcy (oldest son of Darcy and Elizabeth) and Juliet Tilney (daughter of Henry and Catherine from Northanger Abbey). We are also reacquainted with Darcy and Elizabeth, Marianne and Brandon, Anne Eliot and Captain Wentworth, and Fanny and Edmund Bertram. And Wickham, of course. (The Eltons, Miss Bates, and Harriet Smith all make cameos, since the book is set in the Knightleys’ home village.) Frank Churchill and his daughter Grace also play important roles in the story. (Jane Fairfax died in childbirth and Lydia Bennet Wickham died of smallpox three years before the events of this story.)

Wickham shows up uninvited during dinner the first night, causing great upset. And not just to Darcy, Elizabeth, and their son. It turns out everyone there, except for Juliet Tilney, has a connection to Wickham. When foul weather traps them all under the same roof the next day and the next, someone snaps. Juliet finds Wickham dead in the portrait gallery. Which of Austen’s beloved characters is a murderer? And will they get away with it? I mean the author making a loved Austen character into a murderer. (I kid. Partly.)

Mrs. Bennet: Wickham again! Why must everyone besiege poor Wickham? I’m sure all of these other people are not so very agreeable. 

Mrs. Norris: If I had been in charge of this house party, this never would have happened. I would not allow a murder at my house party. And there was no need to invite Fanny.

Miss Bates: Oh, but they are all such lovely people! I cannot believe any of them a murderer. I cannot believe anyone a murderer. At least I can be sure it wasn’t my niece Jane Fairfax, since she died in childbirth in this story. (Wipes away a tear.)

What Happened on Box Hill (Austen University Mysteries 1) by Elizabeth Gilliland 

Austen University in Highbury, Louisiana, boasts a thriving Greek system. Freshman Caty Morland is thrilled to get into the Kappas along with her new best friend Isabella Thorpe. 

On Initiation Night, Isabella plummets to her death at the after-party on Box Hill. Everyone thinks it’s an accident except true crime aficionado Caty. With the help of new friend Tilney, she sets out to find justice for her best friend. But many secrets are revealed before the killer is, including incidents between Caty and Isabella. Isabella had a secret life and one of those secrets might have killed her. 

Lady Catherine de Bourgh: I run this university, yet I don’t appear in the story. I cannot countenance this insult. I demand this be rectified in the next installment. 

Mrs. Bennet: My daughter. At university. I – I (Begins wailing incoherently.)

Mrs. Norris: How dare they besmirch Maria’s reputation? As if calling her Marla fools anyone. 

Miss Bates: My dear Jane studying music! Nothing else suits her so well! I am so gratified. 

Austen Cultural Impact

Midnight in Austenland (Austenland 2) by Shannon Hale

Charlotte Kinder needs to occupy herself while her kids stay with her ex James and his mistress turned fiancée Justice for a month this summer. She finds a list of “Things to do before I’m 30” that she wrote in middle school. One of the unfinished goals is to read Jane Austen.  So, after devouring and thoroughly enjoying all of Austen’s books, she finds out about Austenland and books a stay. 

Austenland is fun, if strange. As Charlotte works to overcome her nervousness about being charming enough for her assigned romantic interest, one of the other actors introduces an old mystery into the proceedings. Charlotte, desperate to keep her mind off her nerves and her worry about her kids, latches on to the problem to solve. But a secret room and a real corpse weren’t supposed to be part of the package. 

Author Shannon Hale, who writes the Princess in Black children’s series with her husband Dean Hale, is a favorite of mine. So, I was delighted to see she is the author of this series. The same cheeky humor and heart pervade the story, but with romance and murder added. 

Mrs. Bennet: None of us are in this. And I find it confusing. They dress and act like us for amusement? 

Mrs. Norris: I like this idea. I wonder if I could start something similar at Mansfield? Perhaps they could pay to pretend to be Americans? 

Miss Bates: Such a lovely story. Such a comfort to know the future isn’t that different. I must write to Jane about it this minute. 

Fictionalized Versions of Austen’s Life

The Being a Jane Austen Mystery series by Stephanie Barron 

I have read many installments of this series and enjoyed them all. I think this is still my favorite Austen pastiche. (I previously profiled the first book Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor in my “Famous Authors as Sleuths” column.) In this series, mystery novel manuscripts written by Austen based on mysteries she solved in real life have been discovered in a coal cellar in Maryland. Austen is an amateur sleuth who stumbles upon mysteries going about her regular life, in the grand tradition of amateur sleuths everywhere. 

Barron’s Austen is an eager, incisive sleuth while staying true to what we know of Austen’s personality. Barron also uses some of the events and travels of Austen and her family in the series, as well as beautifully imitating Austen’s writing style while slightly modernizing it. 

Mrs. Bennet: Who is this Miss Austen? I’m sure I never heard of her. She and her sister are still unmarried? Their poor parents. 

Mrs. Norris: I could catch murderers just as well. But I don’t need to. No one in our acquaintance would ever stoop to murder. 

Miss Bates: Ohhh, I enjoyed this very much. So scary. Miss Austen must be very brave. Such an elegant writer. Just like my niece Jane. Let me read you her latest letter. 

Tell us in the comments: What is your favorite Austen pastiche?

Sara Farmer lives in Austin, TX, with her husband, three kids, and two cats. When she’s not chasing kids and cats, she reads and writes mysteries. You can find her at www.kittymomma.com and on Twitter @avonlea79.

The post Cozy to Cold-Blooded: Jane Austen Mysteries appeared first on DIY MFA.