Murder Most Persuasive is Tracy Kiely’s 3rd mystery based loosely on Jane Austen’s novels. One can readily guess the influence from the title. Elizabeth Parker makes her third appearance as a sleuth. Much like Miss Marple she finds herself at the right place at the right time. Like Miss Marple, Elizabeth understands that she has a talent for solving mysteries.
In this instance, Elizabeth has gathered with family members at the funeral of great-uncle Martin Reynolds. When Uncle Martie’s house in St. Michael’s is sold for the benefit of his three daughters, the body of Michael Barrow is discovered buried underneath the swimming pool. Michael, who was to have married Reggie, Martie’s eldest daughter, had disappeared the night before the wedding and only days before the pool’s concrete shell was poured.
Along with Michael went a great deal of Uncle Martie’s money, embezzled by the runaway groom it was presumed. With the discovery of Michael’s body the questions uppermost in everyone’s minds are: how did Michael wind up under that slab of cement and what happened to the money?
As with Tracy’s other novels, the writing style is light and breezy and the mystery’s fun to follow. In this instance, the parallel to Austen’s Persuasion is hard to ignore. Ann, Uncle Marty’s middle daughter, broke up with young Joe Muldoon under the influence of her father and her dead mother’s dearest friend, an action she still regrets 8 years later. A mousy professor who has lost her looks, she encounters Joe, now a successful man and the detective on the case. Will this star crossed couple come to find love again? My curious mind not only wanted to know, but was wholly satisfied.
I could describe the plot in more detail, but I don’t want to spoil the fun for you. Of Tracy’s three mysteries, this is my favorite so far (as is Austen’s Persuasion). I enjoyed meeting the characters so much that I quite forgot to follow the clues. Still, even when I tried to solve the mystery, I was pleasantly surprised to find out who had done the dastardly deed.
Tracy writes mysteries in the old style. No gritty reality and base language sully her pretty towns and well-drawn characters. Blood, while mentioned, is not described down to its forensic core. Thus I recommend that you read Tracy’s book on a lazy afternoon in a sunny alcove, with a pot of steaming hot tea and some scones and clotted cream, and a cat on your lap and a dog at your feet. I give this delightful tale four out of five Regency tea cups.
Murder Most Persuasive by Tracy Kiely
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (August 30, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312699417
ISBN-13: 978-0312699413
Giveaway Contest:
The name of the winner will be drawn by random number generator at midnight on September 10th, EST. To enter, please tell me which Jane Austen character you would like to see murdered in a mystery and why. Contest over. Congratulations, Martha!
My other Kiely reviews:
Jane Austen's World 
Oh, that’s easy – if Mr. Collins could die tragically, somehow leaving a “lost legacy” for Charlotte, allowing her to live in security for the rest of her life, without having to quick find another husband, I’d be very happy indeed. I can’t help but feel so very sorry for Charlotte – I know she chose to marry Mr. Collins, with her eyes open, but it seems such a dirty trick to have to make such a choice. Something I’m sure so many women had to do in those times, but still… I’d rather see her a young widow of some means, and able to find at least a modicum of happiness.
Julie
I’d love to see Lucy from S&S murdered. She’s horrid in the way she constantly flouts her apparent good fortune in Elinor’s eyes. Plus, we don’t know much about her family, so it could be an interesting expansion.
I would most like to see Mr. Collins be murdered! He is so slimy and arrogant! Id love to see him be the victim of a murder mystery!
Yes, I am afraid Mr. Collins would make a wonderful murder victim. Love Tracey Kiely’s books, she can weave a stunning mystery. Thanks so much
Mr. and Mrs. Elton in “Emma”. Why someone would make them a murder victim would be very interesting. Of course, life would be different for the people of the area after a murder and give lots to talk about for years.
Willoughby. I’m sure alot of people would have thought about that,
but it would add to the plot as Col. Brandon and/or Marianne would
be suspect of course. I like to think Col. Brandon would figure out
who the true murderer is before he and Marianne marry.
Ah, but what if it were Elinor? She IS pragmatic…
Lucy Steele, that bitch. Over and over again.
I wish there were a like button for your entry. My sentiments on Lucy Steele exactly!
Hahaha – I see it much more likely that Lucy would do in Robert once the money was “in hand”…
Julie
Lady Catherine gets my vote!
I think it would be interesting to see Miss Bingley murdered. I dont know why but i think it would be a interesting read on a character that has close ties to Mr. Darcy
Mr. Willoghby in S and S – he’s such a jerk
John Thorpe most definately from Northanger Abbey. He lies to and about poor Catherine making him most ungentleman like. :)
Oh my, so many to chose from, lol. George Wickman would be interesting because Georgiana would have a reason to see him dead as well as Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennett.
Lady Catherine, for making such an evil scene… though that would definitely make for the start on a new story and possibly delay the natural conclusion of the original one.
Definitely Mrs. Elton.
I would gladly take a dead Lucy Steele any day, but a dead Fanny Ferrars Dashwood is long overdue, as she is the one who convinced her weak husband to leave his stepmama and sisters in penury.
Mrs Clay from Persuasion. There would be quite a few suspects, young Mr Elliot, Sir Walter?, Lady Russell, maybe Anne?, even perhaps Elizabeth if she finally opened her eyes and saw what her ‘friend’ was about?
Either Lucy Steele or General Tilney, both for being vicious and abominable.
Maria Rushworth nee Bertram. Did Mr. Rushworth kill her in anger? Did Julia kill her out of jealousy? Did Henry Crawford kill her in a lover’s spat? Did Mrs. Norris kill her to cover up the family’s folly? Hmmm?
I really enjoyed the previous comments. I think I would like to see Lady Catherine murdered- her death would not cause much grief. There would be lots of suspects!!!!!
I would say Mr. Wickham because he’s such an evil character, but he deserves his fate of a long miserable life with Lydia much more than a gruesome death. So instead, I would like to see Lady Catherine or Mr. Collins murdered. Or maybe both…And Charlotte could be freed from her life there.
Lady Catherine gets my vote :)
I would say Mrs. Norris, who tried her best to make Fanny’s life miserable and Maria’s wonderful . . . but failed spectacularly in both attempts.
I’d kill William Elliot for his nastiness to Mrs. Smith and her husband. He’s the worst sort of creep.
John Thorpe, hands down!
I just started the series. I would have to agree with several of the above. Mrs. Clay, Mrs. Norris, Maria Rushworth.
Lucy Steele, hands down! Though I do like the idea of Charlotte being free of Mr. Collins…………
Loved the sound of the book that you reviewed!
I vote Lucy Steele because she is so horrid. Thank you for introducing me to these books. They sound like my cup of tea. (Sorry for the cliche!) :)
While many of the aforementioned people are great choices, the seem, in most cases to get their comeuppance. (Except Mr. Collins, who is so clueless, he wouldn’t even notice)
Lucy marries into a family that HATES poverty & obscurity, Lady C. is destined to miss out on “a most eligible match” for her daughter. Even Wickham is stuck with Lydia – an ever-present reminder of the cost of his “charms”. And although William Elliott is quite a cad, I anticipate a tiresome & impoverished marriage/liaison with Mrs. Clay, who appears to have talents all her own.
I agree Mr. John Thorpe is a splendid choice – self-serving, slimy, odious; a perfect candidate. Suspects: someone whom he befriends (read leaches off of), or a woman scorned, or someone who was simply tired of his offensive language, bad carriage driving, constant lying & general boorish behavior. Now, that could be a LONG suspect list, which would also include the general or either son, especially if the facts of General Tilney putting stock in Mr. Thorpe’s exaggerations caused some embarrassment – the cardinal sin!
George Wickham because he is a predator of the worst sort, a gamester, a libertine and despoiler of young, innocent women.
Mrs. Catherine de Bourgh – Murder Most Prejudiced. I think it would be interesting because of her fortune and prejudice against everybody. There wouldn’t be just a few suspects. A lot of people would benefit from her death. First of all, her daughter. She would be free to do as she pleased. Or she could be the perpetrator once her mother drives her over the edge. It would be great if Mr. Collins did it!!!! Tired of her meddling.
The book does sound like a fun read! My vote is for Fanny Dashwood because of her ongoing viciousness and greed.
I would love to see either Wickham or Mr. Collins die. I think it would be quite commical to see Mr. Collins die chocking or someone hit him upside the head with a candlestick because they can take no more of his effusions.
I would suggest Lucy Steele..I can’t stand her either
Lucy Steele definitely…I can’t stand her
I think I would love to see the end to Mrs. Elton. She is just annoying. In fact Mr. Elton too! Hilarious question!
Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com
I think Caroline Bingley would make an elegant victim! The possibilities are endless; she could be eliminated in a graceful, genteel fashion (found in her drawing room, strangled with her own lace, perhaps?) or done in less daintily (a nod to the family’s roots in trade-found bludgeoned in some business district alley maybe?). I’m sure there were many who disliked Caroline enough to wish her out of the way – – permanently! Maybe even her own sister…
Oh that’s simple, it would have to be the insufferable Fanny Price. I just find her holier than thou attitude appalling.
Mary Bennet. She is a thinly-drawn character with interesting potential – why is she so sententious? Is she really writing abstracts alone in her room? Is she actually as meek and demure as she pretends or do those “qualities” hide something more? Does being the least attractive girl in the family make her resentful enough of her sisters (and mother possibly?) to drive her to some terrible act culminating in an awful consequence? Oh!! The Drama!!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Vic! I’m very flattered that you liked the book – you made my day. And while I’m here, I would just like to say that I think it’s a shame that Jane Austen never wrote a mystery as she clearly created some odious characters that are tailor-made victims for a nice cozy murder mystery. That said, I would like to see Fanny Ferris get bumped off. She makes Lady Macbeth seem almost charming.
Tracy, thanks for stopping by! Of course, three seconds after reading your comment I saw an error in my post. I sorely need a proofer!
How about Lady Susan? She’s quite the conniving piece of work. The original cougar, as it were. Poor Frederica- what a nasty mother she had! Any number of jilted wives would’ve wanted Lady Susan Vernon bumped off. A fit of passionate rage, perhaps?
Unusually, I haven’t read the above comments. Without a blink of an eye I immediately thought of Mr. Collins. I suppose if I think about it further I would put Wickham in there as my 2nd choice. I would love to win this book. I read the 1st one and still need to read the 2nd one. Would it be the best idea to make sure I read the 2nd one before this new one? I’ll order it immediately!
Karen, the books are not dependent on each other. Elizabeth Parker’s romance with Peter deepens in Book 2, but since he practically disappears in Book 3, that development does not matter for you to enjoy the 3rd installment before reading the 2nd.
My choice would be Mrs Norris. The way she treats her niece Fanny Price is really awful as though Fanny was her servant.
Vic – Then we are well met in our needs! I typed “Fanny Ferris” rather than “Fanny Ferrars Dashwood.” Sigh.
It’s hard to choose since Austen does such a good job of subtly punishing people…Lydia and Wickham are stuck with each other…good riddance. ;-) From a mystery point of view, perhaps Mother Ferrars would be an intriguing murder after she meets with a lawyer to change her will, but prior to the revised version being signed. Lots of suspects.
Good question!
I think Sir Walter Elliot would allow for some interesting plot development and lots of suspects!
It would be Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Line up the suspects! I would love to see her daugher Anne inherit Rosings Park. Anne would be come miraculously well and become fast friends with Charlotte. The two of them would take London by storm leaving Mr. Collins to tend to his parish. The intrigue and scandal that would transpire at Rosings balls…
MURDER MOST SENSIBLE finds fiendish Fanny Dashwood a victim of poison.
Mr Collins or perhaps Wickham or Lucy Steele or even Lady C are all wonderful choices for another murder most foul! Lovely review! I’m away over to Amazon to read more…
Contest is over. Thank you all for participating and giving us wonderful victims and gruesome ideas.
Martha is the winner. Please contact me and leave your name and address.
janeaustensworld at gee male dot com.