Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd

Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd

A Novel

The style is in keeping but Lynn Shepherd has dramatically changed the lead characters of Mansfield Park. Fanny Price is not the down trodden poor relation so viciously put upon by Mrs Norris. 

In this story she is completely the opposite to the original, she is an orphaned heiress with property and a large fortune and Mrs Norris cannot do enough for her.

She is mean and haughty and treats her cousins with distain, while acting as if butter would not melt in her mouth. And, if that is not different enough, Mary Crawford in this alternate Mansfield Park is intelligent, thoughtful kind and caring just knowing that should make you want to find out more.

But, add murder of a most brutal kind and a thief catcher brought in to solve the terrible crime. A man who will use any means to catch his villain including physical violence and spying.

Everyone in the household starts to look guilty and one disaster is soon followed in quick succession by more.

This is a good who dunnit in it’s own right, I am usually too quick to work out who the killer is, but, this one was a pretty good mystery through to the climax. Mixing Austen and murder rather well.

I certainly found it hard to put it down once I had got into the story.

I do hope Lynn Shepherd keeps up the good work and writes us some more Austen murder mysteries.

Lynn Shepherd's Website HERE

The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss

The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss

Davids Website

A dark gothic tale full of demons and black shadows that come to life only when glimpsed from the corner of your eye.

The heroine Lucy Derricks life is blighted as she and her sister Martha are orphaned.

Mr Buckles (A far nastier and cruel version of Mr Collins) who inherits their estate is a clergyman with Patroness Lady Harriet (who makes Lady Catherine de Bourgh seem like a pussy cat, a sweet cuddly one).

They will stop at nothing to make her life difficult. Martha has Married Mr Buckles in the hope of helping Lucy to no avail, she is sent to live with her mean old uncle.

She is to be married off  to a horrible mill owner, but fate steps in,  in the form of a cursed Lord Byron.

Lucy is also befriended by Mary Crawford and the young man who nearly ruined her reputation as a sixteen year old who had romantic ideas of an elopement, also returns to haunt her.

She has a terrible task to help save Britain from following France into a blood soaked revolution but she does not know who to trust.

Nothing is as it seems for poor Lucy, the decisions are not easy ones. Will she prevail in this action packed gothic thriller.

I shall be looking out for David Liss on my next trip to the book shop !!!!

Interview With An Author – Janet Mullany

Interview With An Author – Janet Mullany

Janet Mullamy’s Website Here

1) Your own favorite Austen character and why?

Janet – Henry Tilney. He’s such an adorable flirt and he really seems to like women.

2) Your Favorite Austen book?

Janet – My answer usually is whichever one I happen to be rereading, which at the moment is Sense and Sensibility, but I’m torn between Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Indecisive? Not really.

3) Which actor would you chose to be YOUR Mr Darcy and why?

Janet – Obviously I don’t have a calling as a casting director because I can’t honestly think of anyone! I’m really tired of all the perpetual cooing over Colin Firth and I’m impressed that he’s managed to have a career despite P and P. I tend to visualize Darcy as a fairly ordinary looking sort of man. Just about any competent actor in his mid 20s could do it.

4) Who would be your perfect Elizabeth?

Janet – A younger Emily Blunt or Emily Mortimer.

5) Your favorite book of all time by any author?

Janet – Wives and Daughters by Mrs. Gaskell

6) Your favorite Austen film or TV adaption?

Janet – 1995 Persuasion

7) You are having a dinner party and can invite four Austen characters which would they be?

Janet – Henry Tilney, Anne Elliot, Mary Crawford, Mr. Darcy

8. Why have you chosen them?

Janet – Mary would flirt outrageously with all the men but I think there’s the basis for interesting conversation.

9) Which character would you like to play in a film?

Janet – Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She’s so awful.

10) Tell us about your next planned book (whether Austen related or not)?

Janet – JANE AUSTEN: BLOOD PERSUASION (October 2011)–Jane, Damned again. Jane Austen battles rogue vampires, a sulky ex-lover, family members behaving badly, and other interruptions to her writing in Chawton, 1810.

Thank you very much Janet, very much appreciated.

Interview With An Author – Jane Greensmith

Interview With An Author – Jane Greensmith

Jane Greensmith’s  Website Here:

1) Your own favorite Austen character and why?

Jane:  Depends on my mood, but I really enjoy Emma Woodhouse.  She gains so much self-awareness in the course of the book, and her willingness to try to grow is both endearing and admirable.

2) Your Favorite Austen book?

Jane: Whichever one I am currently reading.  I don’t have a favorite child or a favorite Austen.

3) Which actor would you chose to be YOUR Mr Darcy and why?

Jane:   Colin Firth continues to set the mark, and in my eyes is Mr. Darcy 

4) Who would be your perfect Elizabeth?

Jane:  Actually I think Greer Garson, Elizabeth Garvie, and Jennifer Ehle all did wonderful in the role, though I think Elizabeth Garvie is still the best.

5) Your favorite book of all time by any author?

Jane:  There is no one favorite, although if forced I would have to go with Middlemarch.

6) Your favorite Austen film or TV adaption?

Jane:   My current favorite is the latest Emma but I am also a fan of the both SandS films, the 1995 PandP, and the Persuasion with Amanda Root.

7) You are having a dinner party and can invite four Austen characters which would they be?

Jane:  Lady Russell, Mr. Bennet, Captain Wentworth, and Mary Crawford

8. Why have you chosen them?

Jane:  I think these would provide outstanding conversation, tell the best stories, listen as well as talk, flirt as appropriate.  They are well-educated and not shy.

9) Which character would you like to play in a film?

Jane:  Sophie Croft

10) Tell us about your next planned book (whether Austen related or not)?

Jane:  A set of interrelated short stories that span 1850-1950 and are set in Colorado.

Thank you very much Jane, very much appreciated.