Murder Most Persuasive by Tracy Kiely: A Review and Book Giveaway

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Murder Most Persuasive by Tracy Kiely: A Review and Book Giveaway

September 5, 2011 by Vic

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:

Posted in Austenesque novels, Book review, Jane Austen's World, Popular culture | Tagged Murder Most Persuasive, Tracy Kiely | 54 Comments

54 Responses

on September 5, 2011 at 17:54 Julie

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
- on September 5, 2011 at 20:52 Erica McFarland
  
  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.
on September 5, 2011 at 17:58 krystall uzzi

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!
on September 5, 2011 at 18:04 Patricia West O'Donnel

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
on September 5, 2011 at 18:40 janice

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.
on September 5, 2011 at 19:11 candace

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.
- on September 5, 2011 at 19:21 Julie
  
  Ah, but what if it were Elinor? She IS pragmatic…
on September 5, 2011 at 19:12 Isabel Ribeiro

Lucy Steele, that bitch. Over and over again.
- on September 5, 2011 at 19:20 Jennie@gotmyreservations
  
  I wish there were a like button for your entry. My sentiments on Lucy Steele exactly!
- on September 5, 2011 at 19:23 Julie
  
  Hahaha – I see it much more likely that Lucy would do in Robert once the money was “in hand”…
  
  Julie
on September 5, 2011 at 19:17 Jeannette

Lady Catherine gets my vote!
on September 5, 2011 at 19:31 Patricia Finnegan

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
on September 5, 2011 at 19:49 evajoy

Mr. Willoghby in S and S – he’s such a jerk
on September 5, 2011 at 19:56 Jo

John Thorpe most definately from Northanger Abbey. He lies to and about poor Catherine making him most ungentleman like. :)
on September 5, 2011 at 20:05 Sherry

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.
on September 5, 2011 at 20:24 Birdsong

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.
on September 5, 2011 at 20:58 Char Brooks

Definitely Mrs. Elton.
on September 5, 2011 at 20:59 junewilliams7

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.
on September 5, 2011 at 21:02 Mum-me

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?
on September 5, 2011 at 21:06 Amy Pearsall

Either Lucy Steele or General Tilney, both for being vicious and abominable.
on September 5, 2011 at 21:25 Lauren

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?
on September 5, 2011 at 21:37 Teresa

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!!!!!
on September 5, 2011 at 22:10 Erin

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.
on September 5, 2011 at 22:55 Niki

Lady Catherine gets my vote :)
on September 5, 2011 at 23:25 Elizabeth

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.
on September 5, 2011 at 23:38 Nancy Matthews

I’d kill William Elliot for his nastiness to Mrs. Smith and her husband. He’s the worst sort of creep.
on September 5, 2011 at 23:48 Rebecca W.

John Thorpe, hands down!
on September 5, 2011 at 23:50 Suzan

I just started the series. I would have to agree with several of the above. Mrs. Clay, Mrs. Norris, Maria Rushworth.
on September 6, 2011 at 00:38 Anne Hardock

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!
on September 6, 2011 at 00:40 Reina

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!) :)
on September 6, 2011 at 02:33 Beverly Sobolewski

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!
on September 6, 2011 at 04:23 AndieP

George Wickham because he is a predator of the worst sort, a gamester, a libertine and despoiler of young, innocent women.
on September 6, 2011 at 06:20 Rita Watts

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.
on September 6, 2011 at 09:14 Michelle

The book does sound like a fun read! My vote is for Fanny Dashwood because of her ongoing viciousness and greed.
on September 6, 2011 at 09:54 Jakki Leatherberry (@J_Leatherberry)

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.
on September 6, 2011 at 11:56 Delia Iglesias

I would suggest Lucy Steele..I can’t stand her either
on September 6, 2011 at 11:58 Delia Iglesias

Lucy Steele definitely…I can’t stand her
on September 6, 2011 at 12:08 Margaret

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
on September 6, 2011 at 12:50 LaurenG

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…
on September 6, 2011 at 13:17 Elizabeth Kerri Mahon

Oh that’s simple, it would have to be the insufferable Fanny Price. I just find her holier than thou attitude appalling.
on September 6, 2011 at 13:19 Terese Lisbeth

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!!
on September 6, 2011 at 16:32 Tracy Kiely

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.
- on September 6, 2011 at 23:05 Vic
  
  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!
on September 6, 2011 at 18:51 Martha

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?
on September 6, 2011 at 22:28 Karen Field

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!
- on September 6, 2011 at 23:01 Vic
  
  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.
on September 7, 2011 at 00:13 Luthien84

My choice would be Mrs Norris. The way she treats her niece Fanny Price is really awful as though Fanny was her servant.
on September 7, 2011 at 08:36 Tracy Kiely

Vic – Then we are well met in our needs! I typed “Fanny Ferris” rather than “Fanny Ferrars Dashwood.” Sigh.
on September 7, 2011 at 15:52 Mary

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!
on September 7, 2011 at 23:37 AprilFool

I think Sir Walter Elliot would allow for some interesting plot development and lots of suspects!
on September 8, 2011 at 10:18 Pam

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…
on September 10, 2011 at 11:13 Virginia

MURDER MOST SENSIBLE finds fiendish Fanny Dashwood a victim of poison.
on September 10, 2011 at 13:06 Lizzy

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…
on September 11, 2011 at 17:41 Vic

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.

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