Consider this recipe for a modern Austenesque mystery: Take a familiar and beloved novel, Mansfield Park, with characters whose motives and actions we know intimately, and tear the book up. Throw the pages inside a bag, shake vigorously, and let the characters and plot fall where they may. Add a writer who has cooked up a complex plot for a delicious murder (or two or more, who knows?), and you have Murder at Mansfield Park, a truly hearty and satisfying new mystery novel.
Lynn Shepherd, the chef of this roman à clef, has by dint of her imagination turned Jane Austen’s classic novel topsy turvy. The characters’ names are familiar, the setting is the same, some of the action as originally described by Jane Austen has been retained, and yet Ms. Shepherd has managed to create something new, refreshing and different.
I must admit to disliking mysteries in general, as many regular readers of my blog know. And I tend not to review Jane Austen sequels. But this novel is different. Oh, I was skeptical at first, slogging through the first chapter, trying to wrap my mind around the changes in the characters. And then I got caught up in the plot and became absorbed to the point where I could not put the book down.
Some red herrings are thrown into the mix, but not so many as to make the reader angry. The plot’s denouement was more than satisfactory and made logical sense. I suppose a true mystery fan might have guessed the killer sooner. Truth be told I held off guessing, for I wanted to be surprised, and so I was.
That Murder at Mansfield Park is Lynn Shepherd’s first novel is most surprising. Her writing style is lovely and effortless as she weaves several plot elements into a seamless whole. Rather than copy Jane Austen, Ms. Shepherd uses Mansfield Park as a take-off point. This novel is intelligently written and assumes that the reader has some command of the English language and enough background knowledge in history, Jane Austen, and other subtle historical and social references to understand the numerous references that crop up.
I give Murder at Mansfield Park six regency fans, my highest rating ever.
Post script: Gentle reader – If you are curious to learn more about Lynn’s novel after reading my review, be forewarned. Many reviewers have spoiled the plot by giving away too much of Lynn’s changes while gushing about them. Honestly, does no one take Review a Novel 101 any more? One irresponsible reviewer of a major online news publication even gave away who was murdered, ignoring the fact that half the fun of this mystery is guessing who the victim will be. So be careful, wary reader, of careless reviewers who do not even bother to place *Spoiler Alert* at the top of their reviews.
- Click here to read Lynn’s article for this blog: Regency Crime Scene Investigation
- View her YouTube video about her novel below:
Jane Austen's World 
Thanks for this review – I have had my eye on this book for a while, so when a book coupon came to my email, I went out and bought it. (Literally, TODAY. Two hours ago.) So your post is very timely and gets me even more excited to read this book!
My guess – Mary Crawford in the Library with a candle stick. LOL
thanks for the review! I recently saw this on the Jane Austen Centre website and thought that it looked potentially delicious! I’m excited to tear into it!
How can one not be curious with a rating such as that!
I hope I haven’t overpromised, Heather. It’s rare that I like a mystery this much. In the midst of a huge amount of work both at home and professionally, I would pick up the book to read it. :)
Great review! I’m really curious about this book now, I need to check it out!
Ooh, I’m afraid I didn’t like this book very much at all! I didn’t like the character changes or the plot, our opinions differ quite a lot I think!
That’s ok, Bella. And I am glad you weighed in because your opinion tempers mine and informs readers as well. It took me a while to get accustomed to the character changes at first, and I thought that I would not like the book at all, for I am not one of those Mansfield Park haters.
But then I “bought into the story,” and every element fell into place. And then I found I could not put the book down. Lynn is so accurate in her little details, and I just love good, intelligent writing, which hers is.
This novel is next in my TBR list! Now I have to hurry up and finish the one I have in my hands these days!!! Thanks Vic, great review!
I *did* like this book, but it relied a little too heavily on allusion for my taste.
I have this on my TBR pile and haven’t read it yet because like you I was sceptical. You convinced me that I need to give this a try.
I too am not much of a mystery buff, Vic, but I’ve heard so many good things about this book that I ordered it today from B&N.
~Jo~
Thank you for the review! It is great to see other people’s opinion of this novel as well!
As someone who loves Jane Austen combine with mystery I think this would be a novel I would take great plesaure in!
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As another someone who loves mysteries and Jane Austen, thanks for the review. I’ve already reserved it at the library.
I loved the book. I’ve just reviewed it on my blog even though I’ve never read Austen’s Mansfield Park. I hesitated at first to offer my review, but since I enjoyed the book so much I went ahead and threw caution to the winds.
I did mention Fanny Price as the murder victim, but only because the ‘news of her death’ was prominently displayed on the back cover of the book.
So, no guessing game there.
Yvette
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