The Wharton Plot by Mariah Fredericks is the story of Elizabeth Wharton in 1911 and is a famous novelist and she is tired of Manhattan. She is in a loveless marriage. She wants to leave America and start fresh in Europe. David Graham Phillips, who is a known for his controversial ideas and notions about women and their place is society is shot dead outside of The Princeton Club. Edith met him once and she did not like him. While trying to get out of New York, her husband is waiting to get cleared by his doctor but he is stuck in Massachusetts and David’s sister is convinced someone shoot him because of his writings. His next book to be published is controversial and is set to tell secrets about the well to do New Yorkers. Nobody wants this book published. Edith’s curiosity gets the better of her and while she is delayed, starts down the rabbit hole of David Graham Phillips. She becomes obsessed with solving the crime and entangled with his family and his enemies. I really do like historical fiction and this book didn’t disappoint. It was well written and enjoyable. This was a four star read for me. I want to thank Netgalley and the author for my copy, for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.

The Wharton Plot is a murder-mystery with its protagonist a successful female writer from the early 1900’s. Based on a true story, it takes place in 1911. The reader is taken back to a time when men were powerful, and women were pretty much considered second class. Even women such as Edith Wharton whose writings were well received and was extremely opinionated was constantly downplayed as being weak. With so many important messages about women throughout the book, let’s not forget this is quite an entertaining mystery with a very interesting list of suspects. 

Novelist David Graham Phillips, notoriously known for his sharp tongue and overt opinions on everything is shot dead outside the Princeton Club in New York City one morning. With few witnesses present, the killer was able to run away. The writing community is in shock, as was Edith Wharton herself. She had just met him recently and had immediately disliked him. 

At first, Edith is not really interested in the killing as she has had enough of New York City as well as her husband for that matter and wants to escape. But with her publisher eager for her to turn in her next, very late book, she’s stuck in this new emerging city.

But when Phillips’ sister goes to Edith insisting his death was caused by his new book which was being released and he had been getting threatening notes, including the morning of the murder, well her interest is certainly piqued. As she agrees to look into the situation, she finds herself immersed in reading Phillips’ new book coming out, talking to his friends and colleagues as well as a few shady characters really to no avail. But suddenly all that changes as Edith herself begins to receive threatening notes which don’t really make any sense. Now it’s up to her to try and put the pieces of this puzzle together because it seems she herself is in danger!

The Wharton Plot is an interesting jaunt into feminist history with a woman ahead of her time with very strong opinions and a creative problem-solving mind and a mystery which pulls the reader in and never lets them go.

Thank you #NetGalley # MinotaurBooks #MariahFredericks #TheWhartonPlot for the advanced copy.

This story is based on a true story. We glimpse into Edith Wharton's life, but then the fiction weaves in seamlessly. She's approaching 50 and at a turning point in multiple aspects of her life. The murder of a fellow author (she barely knows) thrusts her into the plot of this book.

I was quite excited to read this book but I had trouble getting entranced by it. I picked it up and put it down several times.

I finally gave up before I could reach 100 pages. I was about 70 pages in.

The writing was great and the story was there but it couldn't hold my interest but that is just me. This could be great for others.

I couldn't get into this book. The character didn't captivate me. I couldn't get past the first 100 pages, and I tried multiple times.

This book blew me away. Fredericks’ characterization captivates in this engrossing historical mystery. Edith Wharton is one of my favorite authors, and imagining that I was seeing New York through her eyes was incredibly satisfying. Literature lovers and fans of The Gilded Age will appreciate this one! The mystery is intriguing, but even more captivating is gaining insights into Wharton’s life.
Edith Wharton, tired of Manhattan and facing uncertainties in her personal and professional life, decides to leave America, her publisher, and her loveless marriage behind. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when the dashing novelist David Graham Phillips is shot to death outside the Princeton Club. Despite having met Phillips only once, Edith's life becomes intertwined with the investigation as Phillips' sister believes he was killed to halt the publication of his upcoming book, one that threatened to unveil powerful secrets.
In this well-researched and beautifully crafted novel, Author Mariah Fredericks infuses heart and soul into an author who can seem stiff to our 21st century tastes while conjuring an early 20th century New York that is disturbingly like our own times. A must-read.

I’m surprised by the frequency with which these “real writer becomes fictional detective” novels show up, because it doesn’t seem to succeed as a concept in most attempts. This was better than some I’ve read, but ultimately I was primarily interested in the fictionalized Wharton biography rather than the mystery, which was just okay.

And it’s too bad, because Fredericks—in addition to being a notably good writer (which is evident in all of her books, including this one)—has written a number of mysteries before, and she’s got talent for it.

I wonder why the Jane Prescott series (which I thought was quite good) was abandoned in favor
of these gimmicky attempts at historical mystery.

All of that said, the story flows well and Frederick’ writing is as lovely as ever. But I would prefer she return to Jane or another like her in the future.

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.

Edith Wharton was a real gilded age author. She is trying to write her next book – which is over due – deciding whether to divorce her husband, and is disenchanted with New York. She decides to immerse herself in investigating the arrogant author's murder either as a diversion from her needy and troubled husband or to liven up her predictable rut. I have to say I didn't particularly like her but neither did I dislike her.

Husband Freddy is going through some mental health issues, depression and some mania and is more like dealing with an adult child. Edith is emotionally drained from the relationship and grabs at the excuse to investigate. Good friends Walter Berry and fellow author Henry James and her old flame Morton Fullerton all play sidekick at different times.

The premise is that she looks into the murder of an author because the deceased man's sister fears his about-to-be-published book will be blocked or worse changed and that he was murdered to prevent the "explosive" book from being published. Anonymous warning notes had been sent for a few weeks before he is shot.

I suspect the writing style was intended to be either like the time period or mimic the real Wharton's own style. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the style myself with a lot of extraneous inner chatter by Ms. Wharton that some might find more literary. This also slowed down the pacing too much for me until about the last fourth of the book. I believe Ms Fredericks is a talented author and this book will definitely be superlative to many, but it just wasn't my cup of tea with the writing style and slower pace.

It did have a tense killer reveal which I appreciated. I hadn't considered that person for the killer, so that was well done.

Rating: Good - A fun read. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. I would recommend based on certain tastes. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

The Wharton Plot by Mariah Fredericks is a well written historical fiction/mystery inspired by true events and people.

Author Edith Warton finds herself investigating the death of a brash novelist, whom she had recently met and disliked. Who wanted him dead, and does it have anything to do with his latest unpublished novel?

I personally had never heard of this story before getting the ARC and thoroughly enjoyed the mix of truth and fiction in this novel.

Audible review

New York 1911 A favorite era I love and combine with a historical mystery with author Edith Wharton involved makes it even better! When history and fiction combine, it always makes me go down a rabbit hole with a little research!

Although based on a real event, the story of course is fiction but the author has created a world and situation that captures the imagination. I have not read any of her books before but this makes me sure that I will do so!

Sit back and enjoy!

I loved the story told, however I did not enjoy the way it was told. This book moved painfully slow. Like I could have read 4 other books before I read through half of this book. Wharton's story is great - I love a strong woman, especially during a time that women were not typically the "main character" in life. I just did not love the execution of this story. It was too wordy, too descriptive and I felt like there were too many characters. I think if this book was shorter and less detailed it would have been a fascinating read. 
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Edith is in a quandary. Or rather she is bored with her marriage and her writing. But then a novelist is shot outside the Belmont Hotel and Edith becomes very curious. So curious in fact…she decides to find out exactly what happened.

I enjoyed learning about Edith Wharton. She is a character you will not soon forget. I love her tenacity and her intellect. And, of course, who doesn’t love a murder set in the Gilded Age. Very unique situation, this murder! And I want to know more about it being based on a true story! Who knew!?!? However, this story is a bit slow moving and it goes around and about to get to the “true grit” as I like to say.

I will be honest, I started this book and stopped. I was just not that interested in it. Then I read someone’s review and decided to try again. It still was not as captivating as I like. But, I did enjoy it for the most part.

The narrator, Kitty Hendrix, did a pretty good job. I just believe this story moved too slowly for me.

Need a different take on a famous author…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I don't think I've ever seen the personality of a real-life character as well described as it is in this portrayal of Edith Wharton. Mariah Fredericks has captured the inner thoughts, feelings, doubts, heartbreak,, and desires of her main character so well that she comes alive. It is a master class in writing and a true portrait of Wharton's faults, disappointments, and imperfections as well as her talents and strengths.

The murder mystery is based on the real-life murder of David Graham Phillips, and it is captivating from start to finish. The plot and history of the time combine with superbly written, strong characters to create a fascinating and compelling story. Wharton's struggles, both in her marriage and her career, are honestly depicted and nothing is hidden from the reader. It is an intriguing combination of murder mystery and fictionalized biography that fans of historical fiction will enjoy.

I also listened to the audiobook, and the narration by Kitty Hendrix is well done.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Having really enjoyed Mariah Frederick’s THE LINDBERGH NANNY, I was excited to read THE WHARTON PLOT. The Guilded Age is also one of my favorite eras of historical fiction. I also thought the book cover was stunning. I had high hopes for this mystery of who killed writer, David Graham Phillips. I soon found myself having to reread sections as the pace of this novel was very slow. This 285 page book seemed to read like 450 pages. My thanks to St. Martin’s Minotaur and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

This is the second story I have read by this author and just has the first it was very interesting and appealing. I love historical fiction and I really enjoy the blending of fact and fiction. I can’t wait to read more by Ms. Fredericks.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This took a bit of time to get into, because I had to adjust to the style of writing that is more in keeping with Wharton's style. Albeit on a modified and less elaborate scale. The fact that this is based on real events was both good and bad, because it meant that every time Wharton went down the wrong path, I was annoyed and felt like things were dragging along. But the reality was that this book is really a fiction about Wharton, painting her as a person living her life and being absorbed in a story. How the whole story interwove with her writing, her peers, and her relationships was well done, and I truly enjoyed all of the players and those around her. I definitely agreed with Wharton that Phillips was a bit of a narrow minded egotist, but as with many people who judge, she had to adjust her views because of his murder.

Despite the fact that you know who killed Phillips, I was always left wondering whether Wharton actually figured it out or not, because you don't see the killer in the story. And the final plot twist was, well, really interesting. As well as how this story and its events lead to the writing of Ethan Frome.

If you like Wharton, you will enjoy this book which is a fictionalization of her New York visit. If you like a historical mystery, then also a good read. If you want to be surprised a bit more, don't get tempted to read about Phillips and his murder because that will be a bit of a spoiler.

The Wharton Plot by Mariah Fredericks gives an interesting look into New York and the publishing world in the early 20th Century. 1911 in this case. Edith Wharton ran in distinguished circles both in and out of publishing during the Gilded Age, although she spent most of her time in Europe. Her husband, Teddy, seemed to be in the early stages of dementia and she was in a quandary of how to handle it. One day at luncheon she met an obnoxious young author named David Graham Phillips who, in an unrelated action, was shot to death on the street shortly thereafter. New York was changing and Edith wasn’t sure she liked the changes. Yes, she was a snob. But, touched by his sister’s pleas, she agreed to read his as-yet-to-be-published book. She arrived at the publisher’s office to encounter a young receptionist, male, who had no idea who she was. When he reported her name to the publisher, she was greeted with the proper respect. He relayed to her that the manuscript could not leave the office, but she could read it here if she liked. She did and found it pedantic and wordy, but nothing scandalous or worthy of murder, until the end.

Edith Wharton is an American icon. Through research, Fredericks has managed to capture her personality in this work of fiction, as well as that of her husband, and her-ex-lover, as well as other icons, like Henry James. There was little sleuthing but rather a good amount of observation and common sense. It did make for an intriguing read, after a slow start. It was exemplary of the age and this strata of society, a glimpse if you will. It was an interesting read in which she did indeed figure out who the killer was. The murder is factual, obviously Wharton’s part in it is purely fictional. The book he wrote did turn out to be controversial as had some of his others, but not the motive for his murder.

I was invited to read The Wharton Plot by St Martin’s Press, Minotaur. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #MariahFredericks #TheWhartonPlot

Having tea with her editor in New York City, Edith Wharton meets fellow author David Graham Phillips and forms an immediate antipathy toward him. Not because he is way more successful than her (though that grates), but he is so full of himself. Still, she is disturbed to hear he has been murdered just a day later--on her birthday, no less--outside the Princeton Club. At a crossroads with her career, marriage, life, and seeking a diversion, she determines to read his forthcoming novel, Susan Lenox, which is rumored to be the motive for his murder.

A mystery based on real-life characters (including Henry James and the ubiquitous Vanderbilts) and incidents, this novel starts out strong, but Edith Wharton is more interesting as a novelist and woman than she is as an amateur sleuth. Still, the details of early 20th century Manhattan and the obnoxiously wealthy upper-crust society are still fascinating. Edith Wharton emerges as not such a sympathetic character, while her husband (soon to be ex-), Teddy, is so pathetic and sad. Thank goodness for the availability of anti-depressants today. I will seek out the work of David Graham Phillips, who I'm embarrassed to admit I'd never heard of. #TheWhartonPlot #NetGalley

At a meeting with her editor, author Edith Wharton was introduced to David Graham Phillips, another author who
Immediately annoys Wharton with his abrasive personality. He touts his soon to be published book which is guaranteed to be controversial. Soon after meeting Phillips he is gunned down in front of his club. At his funeral, Wharton meets his sister, who is sure he was murdered because of his book. She asks Wharton to read it and advocate for its’ publication. Phillips had received threatening notes before his death. Now that Wharton has involved herself with the book she is receiving similar notes. At a time when she is dissatisfied with her marriage and is avoiding her husband, reading the book and looking into Phillips’ murder is the perfect distraction.

Gilded Age New York is going through changes and nearing its’ end. While society is still ruled by the Vanderbilts and the wealthy few, the city has lost its’ charm for Wharton. She is under pressure from her editor to complete another book and is looking forward to her return to Europe. Phillips’ murder is based on an actual event and Mariah Fredericks has pitted Wharton against a killer who keeps to the shadows. This is a suspenseful mystery that will please fans of historical fiction. I would like to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Minotaur for providing this book for my review.