The Murder of Mr. Wickham, by Claudia Gray

If you are a fan of Jane Austen's writings and like the "fan fiction" that has emerged surrounding her stories then you will find this an intriguing murder mystery. What makes it fun also, in my opinion, gives it a flaw which makes me lower it from a five star to a four star rating.

What's fun about the novel is that all of Jane Austen's major characters from all her major novels come together in this one story. The Darcy's, the Wentworth's, the Knightly's, the Bertram's, even Frank Churchill. While this is fun it also makes the book a bit tedious. So many backstories must be told that you start to get swamped with details. But it is also fun to see how the characters all relate to each other in a most trying time.

The story is set two decades after the wedding of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. This allows for bringing together all of the various characters (time line wise). It also allows for three new characters to come together, Jonathan Darcy, Juliet Tilney and Grace Churchill, all three teenagers, children of our major story characters.

The Knightly's are hosting a house party to which all of our characters (except the Churchhills) have been invited. After they are all together another guest spoils the party. Mr. Wickham shows up, uninvited. But due to severe weather he is offered a room for one night.

As the title of the book suggests, Mr. Wickham is eventually murdered. He has been forced to stay more than a night because of the weather. He starts to grate on everyone's nerves, and is a most un welcomed guest.

The question of the book is, "Who murdered Mr. Wickham?" But I think a better question might be, "Who didn't want Mr. Wickham murdered?" That question is what really drives the story.

The bulk of the time is spent developing why each character had a good reason to murder Wickham. The only issue is to determine who had the temerity to actually commit the murder?

The fact that we all want to see Wickham dead is what drives us to continue reading the story. We can't wait to see "Who did it!" 

I think this was a good blend of Jane Austen's books as well as being a good Who Done It.

Get a pad of paper and a pencil so that you can take notes while reading, that will help you keep track of all the characters and their various motives.

Enjoy! 

Accusation by Paul Batista

First of all let me say that the publisher provided me an advance copy of the book for no cost in exchange for a fair review.

If you are one of my regular review readers let me give a disclaimer about the book as I start.

The book has some graphic language and scenes that would make me not recommend the book to young readers, nor to those who are turned off by such language. It is not overwhelming, it is true to today’s culture, so it will be nothing shocking.

The story is set when a world famous actor is accused by two women of sexual misconduct. The accusations are set, a lawsuit is filed and a prosecutor sinks her teeth into the claims to see if there is actionable material to indict Aaron Julian for a major sex crime.

Needless to say the fact that he is world famous is what drives this story to the top of the fold on newspapers throughout the country. The #metoo movement is going to be front and center in the drama to follow.

The actor claims innocence. His wife, a famous singer, also claims his innocence. 

A third woman comes forward and gives an explosive interview on network television giving graphic details to what she slams was a sexual attack.

The problems mount for our star. But he maintains his innocence. He hires a high price lawyer and she and her investigators jump into action. They find evidence that the actor is being set up.

Now, let’s add a murder of an attorney to the mix and more accusations will fly.

The story is well written for the drama and intensity of emotions that the characters will work through.

The ego’s of lawyers, judges, detectives and even the FBI come into question.

Let me just remind people that human nature is sinful. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). So, is Aaron without sin? Nope, but has he been targeted for accusations that are false? Well, that is the crux of the story.

I hope you can enjoy the read and that you will find things in it that make you ponder your trust is our judicial system as well as in human nature.