Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd

This text consists of excerpts from the novel "Murder at Mansfield Park" by Lynn Shepherd, a dark reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic story. In this version, the protagonist Fanny Price is portrayed as a wealthy, manipulative heiress whose sudden disappearance and subsequent murder shatter the lives of the Bertram family. The narrative follows Mary Crawford as she navigates the grim aftermath of the crime, eventually performing the harrowing task of laying out Fanny’s body. A thief-taker named Maddox arrives to investigate the tragedy, uncovering deep-seated resentments and secrets among the residents of the estate. The mystery culminates in the revelation of Mrs. Norris’s lethal greed and her desperate attempt to secure Fanny's fortune. Ultimately, the story explores a complex romance between Mary and the grieving Edmund Norris, set against a backdrop of betrayal and social upheaval.