The Wharton Plot

 

The Wharton Plot is an engaging and very well written historical mystery by Mariah Fredericks. Released 23rd Jan 2024 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 285 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is an inviting "famous-person-as-sleuth" mystery. Edith Wharton, phenomenally successful, opinionated, jaded, middle aged, and thoroughly tired-of-everyone's foolishness, is drawn into investigating the shooting death of an author she met only once (with antipathy). The deceased author's sister is convinced he was killed to stop the publication of his upcoming tell-all novel.

The writing is consistent and engaging, with well turned prose and clear and clearly rendered characters. Some of the characters' motivations are less compelling, and the dialogue is occasionally a bit stilted (not just because it's a period mystery). Overall, however, it's a good read, and worth seeking out for fans of the American gilded age. It is apparently roughly based on elements of actual events, and contains a number of cameo appearances by actual people from Wharton's life and social set.

Four stars. An entertaining, albeit melancholy, novel.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.