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NORTHANGER ABBEY sequels are as scarce as a comely heiress. I can count them on one hand. THERE MUST BE MURDER, by Margaret C. Sullivan is a welcome addition to the slim collection. At 118 pages and twelve chapters it qualifies as a novella. I am not complaining. At all. I will take a Jane Austen sequel continuing the story after the wedding of our heroine in the making Catherine Morland and Austen's most underrated hero Henry Tilney without hesitation, but with a wary eye. The story has a promising beginning. The tone is pleasing and the reverence to canon characters a relief. We find Catherine and Henry comfortably settled as newlyweds at Woodston parsonage in Gloucestershire. Ever the thoughtful romantic, Henry proposes that they celebrate the anniversary of their first meeting in Bath with a visit to the city. Once there they are reunited with Henry's sister Eleanor and introduced to her new husband Lord Whiting. Also in attendance at the Lower Rooms is Henry's father the dour autocrat General Tilney, his recently widowed wealthy neighbor Lady Beauclerk, her twenty-seven year-old unmarried daughter Judith, and her husband's nephew and heir Sir Philip Beauclerk. Catherine is happy to dance the night away, while family differences bubble and stew. As Henry and Catherine continue to enjoy the delights of Bath attractions, they begin to learn that there are suspicious circumstances involving the death of General Tilney's neighbor Sir Arthur Beauclerk brought forward by his widowed sister Fanny Findlay. She believes his death had not been natural - and it appears that many in this unhappy family would benefit from his early demise. The suspects stack up like winter cord-wood ready for the fire. Is it the wife, Lady Beauclerk, eager to be free of his miserly pocketbook? The daughter, Miss Judith, squashed by parental oppression? The dissipated nephew, Sir Philip, prohibiting his uncle from changing the will? Or the sister, Mrs. Findlay, ready to bump off all the heirs in line before her to regain the family fortune? Catherine's Gothic inspired imagination may serve her well as a detective, if Henry can temper her impulses and guide them to a logical conclusion. THERE MUST BE MURDER had me hooked at Henry reading UDOLPHO, Anne Radcliffe's classic Gothic novel, to his young bride in bed. Brilliant. It is exactly how I envisioned their marriage would continue: Henry romantically feeding his wife's passion for a horrid novel and Catherine finding new insights from the text from his patient and humorous explanations. The story cleverly builds, slowly layering in new characters, revealing family conflicts, planting evidence. Along the way we revisit Milsom-street, Beechen Cliff, the Pump-room, Laura Place and all the highlights of Catherine's first adventure in the beautiful Georgian-era city. Sullivan has captured the charm and endearing delight of Austen's characters beautifully, added new ones rich in folly and nonsense, and a Newfoundland dog named MacGuffin who steals every scene. The numerous illustrations by Cassandra Chouinard are enchanting. My only disappointment was in the length. It was over much too quickly. Austen's Henry Tilney would have been annoyed, claiming this shortcoming was "nice." We will agree. Laurel Ann, Austenprose
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 3, 2011
Pleasant, light reading-characters very much illustrative of English society of Jane Austen.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MommaG
Posted May 4, 2012
This is a fun read, espcially for anyone looking for JAFF. The young Tilneys read Udolpho every night before blowing out the candle. But when they go to Bath for their anniversary it becomes a struggle for Catherine to hold her imagination at bay. This is a book to read when the world makes sleep unattainable and the rest of the house is quiet and dark.
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Posted February 2, 2012
Now you will die in 54321 blahh lameest book wast of money
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Posted January 11, 2012
I hate to say this but I just think its a really boring book. Don't buy this
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Posted December 29, 2011
Just a slow read. Maybe you think differently.
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Posted October 31, 2011
Powwwwww go turkeys
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 15, 2011
This is one fun, short read. Nothing too complicated. Friends of Jane Austen cannot disapprove.
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Posted August 14, 2011
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Posted July 23, 2011
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Posted April 9, 2011
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Posted June 14, 2011
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Posted January 28, 2011
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Posted April 11, 2011
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Overview
To the Tilneys, revisiting to Bath a year after they first met seems it can only add to their happiness; but Catherine finds Bath still carries dangers she must learn to navigate. Revisit the pleasures of Georgian Bath with your favorite characters from Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and prepare for romance, mystery, and a very nice story indeed! Includes 29 illustrations by Cassandra Chouinard.