Jane Austen's World

There Must Be Murder, a very nice story by Margaret C. Sullivan,

It is one year after Catherine has married her Henry. She still is sweet and naïve, but she now possesses the womanly knowledge that every bride with an adoring husband soon comes to know. Henry Tilney is as charming as ever and clearly loves his pretty Cat. The couple, only one year married, live in Woodston Parish with a cat named Ruby Begonia and an assortment of dogs, including a Newfoundland named MacGuffin. Catherine has redecorated the pretty parsonage, and the couple has a habit of cozying up together as Henry reads passages from The Mysteries of Udolpho. During one such occasion, Catherine fondly recalls her introduction to Henry in Bath by the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. King, and in no time Henry has arranged for a visit to that ancient city.

“Henry, you know perfectly well that I keep no journal. Besides, I did not know then that you were my future husband.”

“Some husbands would be injured at such an admission, but not I; after all, I did not know that you were my future wife. I remember that I was wandering about the Rooms like a lost soul, having no acquaintance there. The master of ceremonies, Mr. King, took pity upon me and asked if I would like an introduction to a clergyman’s daughter who was in need of a partner. In Christian charity, I could not decline; though from my past experiences of ladies described as ‘clergymen’s daughters,’ I expected to be presented to an elderly spinster with a squint. You may imagine my relief when Miss Morland turned out to be rather a pretty girl, and I considered myself fortunate that no other gentleman had already claimed the honour of dancing with her.”

Catherine’s eyes were shining. “You thought me pretty?”

“Indeed.” Henry reached for her hand and kissed it.

Margaret C. Sullivan, the author of this charming tale, deftly combines old characters (General Tilney and Henry’s sister, Eleanor) with the new – an apothecary named Mr. Shaw, a pretty but calculating woman named Judith Beauclerk, her mother, Lady Beauclerk, and Sir Philip, to name a few. Ms. Sullivan takes us on a sweet journey over familiar territory, paying homage to Jane’s characters while staying true to her own writing style. The book is illustrated with pen and ink drawings by Casandra Chouinard, which certainly enhance one’s enjoyment of the novella.

Catherine, Mr. King, and Henry Tilney. Image @There Must Be Murder

Fans of Jane Austen will recognize Margaret as the editrix of Austenblog, the longest surviving Jane Austen blog on the blogosphere, and as one whose knowledge of Jane and the Regency period is that of an expert. And thus the details set down in this tale are accurate and true to the time, including the use of arsenic in beauty potions. Margaret’s humor also shines through, and I found myself turning page after page until I had finished the story in one sitting.

Here’s her bio, with an example of her humor: Margaret C. Sullivan is the author of numerous Jane Austen sequels and editrix of AustenBlog. Her first book, The Jane Austen Handbook: A Sensible yet Elegant Guide to Her World, will be in bookstores this spring. She likes to think that Henry Tilney would dance with her at the Lower Rooms, although she is an almost-middle-aged spinster with a squint.

If you are intrigued by my short review, you may purchase the book in several ways. Girlebooks, an excellent source of free Ebooks, now offers original eBooks that have never been published, such as There Must be Murder. You have a choice of several platforms in which to download the book or purchase a printed copy. It is available for $9.99 at Amazon paperback and for free at Smashwords at this link .

The novella was first commissioned by the Jane Austen Centre, and you may read the book chapter by chapter in this link.

Enjoy! I certainly did.

Book Giveaway (Closed – congratulations to winner, Cecilia): If you leave a comment, you have a chance to win my hard copy of the book with all its charming illustrations. The drawing (by random number) will be held on February 5th.

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Posted in Austenesque novels, Bath, Book review, jane austen, Jane Austen's World, Popular culture | Tagged Catherine Morland, Henry Tilney, Jane Austen book giveaway, Jane Austen Book review, Margaret C. Sullivan, There Must Be Murder | 32 Comments

32 Responses

1. on January 28, 2011 at 09:51 Susan Schneider

   Another Jane Austenesque novel!! YES!!! Looking forward to reading this one!!!

   
   
2. on January 28, 2011 at 10:37 otroscuentos

   It sounds great! Looking forward to reading it^^

   Best wishes from Spain,

   Belén

   
   
3. on January 28, 2011 at 10:47 Nancy

   The story sounds lovely. I am pleased to see an author looking to some other characters besides thise from Pride and Prejudice.
   Margaret Sullivan shows her intellect by including a cat in her story, espexcially one named Ruby Begonia. I don’t know how Jane Austen neglected to have a cat. It is the only area in which she lacks something. She mentions dogs– Pug and Charles Musgrove’s hounds as well as Henry Tilney’s dogs but nary a cat can I find.

   
   
4. on January 28, 2011 at 11:23 Nancy

   OOPs. Cat is Catherine. Wonder why I thought there was a cat named Ruby Begonia? I knew Henry had dogs.
   I have been reading some chapters of the book– and find it delightful.

   
   
   • on January 29, 2011 at 13:11 Jael

     It was mentioned there is also a cat named Ruby Begonia. You read it correctly.

     
     
5. on January 28, 2011 at 12:42 emspeaks

   I’m not always the biggest fan of Austen “inspirations,” but this one has caught my interest!!

   
   
6. on January 28, 2011 at 12:57 Karin

   I found your blog because of Downton Abbey & have stayed to follow it. I love your posts
   …..and also hope to win the “There must be Murder” book!!
   hugs Karin

   
   
7. on January 28, 2011 at 13:41 Cheryl

   This sounds like my kind of book and I am ALWAYS looking for good reads. Thank you for sharing. By the by I LOVE your site.

   
   
8. on January 28, 2011 at 14:34 Elizabeth K

   I read, online, what I thought was the book, but perhaps an excerpt? It was delightful and I would love to have a copy of it.
   I too LOVE your site.

   
   
9. on January 28, 2011 at 14:35 Tom

   Being new to Vic’s web site, I just discovered the great Austen blog. Thanks. I “happened on” the site in searching for info on Downton Abbey – PBS’s must see series.

   
   
10. on January 28, 2011 at 15:58 Katie

    This one looks really good, especially compared to some of the other continuations of Austin novels I have seen. I’m going to have to really catch up on all the interesting novels I haven’t had a chance to read. Can’t wait until me thesis is done; I really miss reading for pleasure!

    
    
11. on January 28, 2011 at 17:30 Kim

    SOunds like an interesting read, I do like to see what people consider characters to be like after they’ve married.

    
    
12. on January 28, 2011 at 18:35 carol d

    With a random number, I might have a chance (smiles).
    This snippet has reeled me in and I do so like hardcover books! Thanks for printing it.

    
    
13. on January 28, 2011 at 18:37 Kathleen B.

    I read the ebook, but I’d love to have the hard copy!

    
    
14. on January 28, 2011 at 22:18 janice

    you have made me want to read not only this, but other books by this author. thank you for telling us.

    
    
15. on January 28, 2011 at 22:57 Karen Field

    I’d love to read this. The picture created of Henry Tilney curled up next to Catherine while reading Udolpho was so cute. I’d definitely love to read the story.

    
    
16. on January 29, 2011 at 02:30 Melissa

    I read this book over the holidays. I enjoyed the portrayal of Henry and Catherine’s marriage, and MacGuffin is a great addition! He stole every scene he was in.

    
    
17. on January 30, 2011 at 01:13 Lauren :)

    I can’t wait to try this book! Hope to get it soon!! :)

    
    
18. on January 30, 2011 at 14:22 Jeannette J

    I would love to read more about Henry and Catherine! I don’t know that I have seen any sequels to Northanger Abbey.

    
    
19. on January 30, 2011 at 15:26 Miss Laurie

    I read this wonderful story when it first premiered chapter by chapter at the Jane Austen Centre. Mags is such a talented writer and I love this sequel to my favorite Austen novel!
    I’d certainly love to win my own copy and reread it.

    
    
20. on January 30, 2011 at 21:48 Cecilia

    lovely! two of my favorite Austen characters!

    
    
21. on January 31, 2011 at 12:17 JessicaC

    This sounds like a fun read! I always wondered if Henry would still approve of Catherine’s novels after their marriage.

    
    
22. on January 31, 2011 at 20:45 Char Brooks

    I’d love to win this book. Please enter my name.
    Thanks

    
    
23. on February 1, 2011 at 02:00 tarina

    I am looking forward to reading this book. Thank you for sharing it with me.

    
    
24. on February 2, 2011 at 12:19 Susan

    This sounds like alot of fun! I would love to read the story.

    
    
25. on February 4, 2011 at 13:05 Luthien84

    I would love to win this book if possible. I do not recall the story though I read it at The Jane Austen Centre website a few years ago.

    
    
26. on February 6, 2011 at 11:44 Vic

    Contest is closed. Thank you all for participating. For those who did not win the hard copy of the book, it is available as an eBook online.

    
    
27. on February 16, 2011 at 19:43 In Praise of Margaret Sullivan « Jane Austen in Vermont

    […] Vic’s Review at Jane Austen’s World […]

    
    
28. on February 16, 2011 at 19:45 In Praise of Margaret Sullivan (and Her Henry Tilney) « Jane Austen in Vermont

    […] Vic’s Review at Jane Austen’s World […]

    
    
29. on February 21, 2011 at 20:16 An Interview with Margaret C. Sullivan, Author of The Jane Austen Handbook « Jane Austen's World

    […] Review: There Must Be Murder by Margaret C. Sullivan, wherein the reader follows the escapades of Henry Tiln… […]

    
    
30. on April 9, 2011 at 04:40 There Must Be Murder (Book 12 of 52) « ANNIE HORN

    […] was an e-book I read about on a blog I follow.  It’s a short book chronicling the newly married Tilneys from Northanger Abbey (my […]

    
    
31. on May 7, 2011 at 20:34 Review of The Jane Austen Handbook or Proper Life Skills from Regency England, by Margaret C. Sullivan « Jane Austen's World

    […] Review: There Must Be Murder by Margaret C. Sullivan, wherein the reader follows the escapades of Henry Tiln… […]

    
    

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