Murder at Longbourn: A Mystery

by Tracy Kiely

Book Overview

Planning New Year's resolutions to rid her life of all things unhealthy, Elizabeth Parker has dumped fatty foods, processed sugar, and her two-timing boyfriend. Indeed, the invitation to a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312537565
• ISBN13: 9780312537562
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Wonderful and Riveting Austen-Inspired Mystery

Elizabeth Parker is not enthusiastically looking forward to bringing in the New Year. She was just dumped by her two-timing boyfriend, is on her way to Cape Cod to help her Aunt Winny host a Murder Mystery Dinner Party, and she has just discovered that she will be spending the weekend with her childhood nemesis, Peter McGowan. Elizabeth, recollecting how Peter McGowan tortured and tormented her when they were children, seriously doubts that he has lost his immature and mischievous ways in the last fifteen years. The only thing Elizabeth has to look forward to this weekend is spending time with her Aunt Winny at her charming new bed-and-breakfast, The Inn at Longbourn. Winnifred Reynolds is eccentric, unconventional, and wealthy. She has an affinity for Jane Austen, drives like a maniac, and is a delightfully quirky character. The other guest attending this murder dinner party are just as colorful and uniquely defined. Henry and Joan Anderson are middle-aged antique business owners, who are grateful recipients of patronage from the esteemed Mrs. Kristell Dubois. Gerald Ramsey, a wealthy and unfriendly man, shows up with an unpleasant and acrimonious disposition. Daniel Simms, originally from England, is extremely attractive and aggressively pursues Elizabeth (to her delight), but is rumored to be having and affair with Lauren Ramsey, Gerald's younger wife. Polly, Gerald's daughter from a previous marriage, appears to be sullen and reserved, how does she live with such a controlling and disagreeable father? Wealthy and widowed Linnet Westin is new to the neighborhood and has invited her high school friend Jackie Tanner to come live with her as a companion. Jackie Tanner is well-known for her gaudy and over-sized hats and her penchant for sharing the latest gossip. Soon the acting troupe arrives for the Murder Mystery and everything seems to be underway for a pleasant evening full of suspense and intrigue until the lights go out and the wrong person is found lying dead... Instead of finding one of the actors "dead" after the lights are turned back on, they find one of the dinner guests' lifeless form on the carpet. When the police determine that the murderer is a guest at the dinner party everyone becomes a suspect. The tension escalates when the police ascertain that Aunt Winnie has the strongest motive for murder and peg her as their prime suspect. Elizabeth, determined to clear her aunt's name, takes it upon herself to find the true culprit. Alas, Elizabeth is no Nancy Drew and clumsily and comically bungles up the investigation for the police department and she begrudgingly accepts assistance from Peter. What a charming and remarkable debut novel by Tracy Kiely! While I am not well-versed in mystery novels, having only read the Nancy Drew series and novels by Stephanie Barron and Carrie Bebris, I found this novel to be a praiseworthy addition to the mystery genre. The events of the novel were not cliché or predictab

Fun murder mystery with a JA twist

I am a sucker for all things Jane, so was excited to see this new twist. It isn't a direct re-telling, but inspired by P & P. The author did an excellent job with the suspense, and a great twist to the ending. Both Elizabeth and Aunt Winnie love P & P, which inspires the name of the B & B. They quote parts of the book to each other, which I found hilarious. This book is for the mystery genre and for the JA fans. I recommend it highly, and it isn't too short! I am hoping the author will continue the series.

You don't have to love Jane Austen to love this book! (Although you should - she's Jane freaking Aus

I'll read any fiction involving or even alluding to Jane Austen, so when I saw Murder at Longbourn, all I really saw was LONGBOURN. It seemed like a decent Labor Day Weekend beach read, so picked it up without much thought. I read it in a day with the suburn to prove it. Surprisingly enough, it's totally a stand alone mystery novel. You needn't know or even appreciate Jane Austen to enjoy this book. (It pains me to type that because who doesn't like Jane Austen!? But you know who you are and I want to tell you it's ok...well, it's not really, but I won't judge you...yes I will. Regardless, Murder at Longbourn is simply a great read.) It's a solid mystery with little winks to P & P. The characters are strong, the dialogue is witty and the mystery is clever. Two thumbs up!

Fun homage to Jane

This is a great book - a fun cross of Pride and Prejudice and a cozy mystery. As a fan of P & P I really enjoyed the sly references. As a mystery fan, about 3/4 through, I thought I had the puzzle figured out, but I was wrong (I love it when that happens!). I highly recommend this book!

Excellent mystery!

A modern version of the classic English cozy, with lots of fun references to Pride and Prejudice, this book had me guessing "who did it" until the very end. I highly recommend this book for fans of mysteries and Jane Austen.