MURDER AT DONWELL ABBEY

Emma Woodhouse Knightley has given up matchmaking for marriage and a peaceful life catering to the whims of her father, who imagines that sickness and death lurk around every corner. When Mr. Woodhouse announces that he’s marrying Miss Bates, it’s a major shock to Emma; her sister, Isabella; and their husbands, brothers George and John Knightley. Although they’re not pleased, they go along with the couple’s plans, including a ball at Donwell Abbey, George’s home, which is in the process of being upgraded so that he and Emma can live there. Donwell’s staff is currently limited to Mr. Larkins, the estate manager; Mrs. Hodges, the housekeeper; chambermaid Prudence Parr; Harry Trotman, a rather dim footman; and a few stablehands. With some outside help, however, they manage to pull together a dinner and ball for a disparate group of guests. Except for one drunken visitor, all goes well until Prudence apparently falls to her death from the window in her room. The coroner and Constable Sharp smell spirits on her body even though Prudence did not imbibe. They think her death an accident or suicide, but Emma’s not convinced. When smugglers are discovered to be using a path through Donwell’s lands, Constable Sharp gets an anonymous note accusing Larkins of being involved. He arrests him after a search turns up evidence of smuggling and possibly the murder of Prudence. George, a magistrate, and John, a lawyer, set out to prove Larkins innocent. But it’s Emma, with the unlikely help of Miss Bates, who uncovers the truth, at risk to their lives.