Murder Most Austen

Kiely’s pleasing fourth mystery featuring Jane Austen fan Elizabeth Parker (after 2011’s Murder Most Persuasive ) takes Elizabeth and her great-aunt, Winnie Reynolds, to the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, the setting of Northanger Abbey . There they meet an old chum of Winnie’s, Cora Beadle, and Cora’s daughter, Izzy, all of whom are horrified by a professor of dubious repute, Richard Baines, who makes a “preposterous proclamation” on the cause of Austen’s death. When Baines, dressed as Mr. Darcy, is stabbed to death at the opening ball, Cora, who took particular offense at his theory, falls under suspicion of murder. Elizabeth and Winnie soon find several people with better reasons than Cora to do in Baines. Janeites will appreciate the several minor characters and situations inspired by Northanger Abbey. Elizabeth makes an engaging protagonist, ably misguided by her lively aunt, though the straightforward plot offers few surprises. Agent: Barbara Poelle, Irene Goodman Literary Agency. (Sept.)