In 1911, Edith Wharton found herself stuck at the Belmont Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

Her life was stagnant. She was at the beginning of her divorce from Teddy Wharton. They were at the Belmont, awaiting the arrival of his family doctor, delayed in Lenox by the flu, who was to sign off of Teddy's trip to California (a prescribed solo trip). Her latest novel, "The Fruit of the Tree," had not been as well received or promoted by her publisher as she had hoped. Her publisher was wanting her next novel, "The Custom of the Country," but she was more interested in writing what would become "Ethan Frome."

Almost 50, Wharton is feeling her age. She no longer considers New York to be her home. She abhors the changes in architecture and in societal structure. Her good friend, Henry James, has become reclusive. Her yearslong affair with William Morton Fullerton is over.

Restless and ready to return to Paris, Wharton is ripe for a distraction.

During a meeting with an editor, who is hounding her for her next "House of Mirth," Wharton is introduced to the bestselling novelist, the brash David Graham Phillips. A journalist of the "muckraker" persuasion, Phillips is poised to publish his next book, which he proudly announces will be an "eye-opening" affair. There are many who do not want his book to be published, she learns, as the young man had written "The Treason of the Senate," which exposed widespread corruption in the U.S. Senate.

The next day, Philips, on his way to the Princeton Club, is shot and killed. His death is considered to be a mugging gone wrong, but several of the women in his life — his sister; a close friend — are sure his new novel, "Susan Lenox: Her Fall and Rise," is the reason for his death. They beg Wharton to go to his publisher, read the novel and ensure that it is published.

Wharton agrees and soon finds herself with a list of potential suspects who had motive to kill Philips — an author with a similar book that the publisher has put on hold; the son of a senator; an estranged brother-in-law. She's also receiving threatening notes and being followed. She fears she is next on the killer's list and races to unmask the villain before she becomes a victim herself.



Recently released as audiobook by Dreamscapes Media, "The Wharton Plot" is the latest offering by Mariah Fredericks, author of over a dozen historical mysteries, including "The Lindbergh Nanny," which blend fact with fiction. This novel is a departure for Fredericks, who chose to write the novel in the third-person (15 of her novels are first-person), the voice that Wharton wrote her novels in.

For fans of Wharton, this book is worth the listen as Fredericks, in an interview with careerauthors.com, said she strived to for it to "have the feel of a Wharton novel," even mirroring passages after "The House of Mirth." Indeed, the book feels like a Wharton novel. Kitty Hendrix is one of those narrators who adds to the quality of the work, as she captures each character's personality while not distracting from the central text. She truly brings the story to life.

The Wharton Plot opens with famed author, Edith Wharton, playing a game of negotiation chess with her publisher over lunch, when a young novelist that “sells well” enters the restaurant in old New York with a chrysanthemum in his lapel and challenges Edith’s ideas of story and what real women are like.

That scene sets our gilded age heroine on a journey to find her next project, her personal next chapter, and a murderer as well.

Fredericks does a marvelous job showing both the rivalry and camaraderie of authors and how Wharton and her circle evolve during this time period, as the old guard and their monuments begin to disappear, as well as crafting a mystery that keeps the reader or listener guessing.

I will not hold the fact that I didn’t really enjoy listening to The Wharton Plot – my first full-length audiobook – against the author or the book or the narrator. I’ve listened and been moved by NPR Radio’s Selected Shorts but alas, I just didn’t have much patience listening to this novel.

I do, however, highly recommend reading The Wharton Plot. I wish I had. I received this advanced reader audio copy of The Wharton Plot from Dreamscape Media.

I love historical fiction and had high hopes for this. Unfortunately, it did not live up to its potential. Based on a true story and the life of writer, Edith Wharton, as she tries to solve fellow writer, David Graham Phillips’s murder. I love learning about women who break the mold, are strong and independent and fight for what they want. The story never pulled me in. I tried listening to the audiobook and the narrator was too breathy for my liking. I then tried reading the physical copy I had and just kept putting it down and often found my mind wandering. The pacing was very slow, and I was bored. This ended up being a DNF at 75% for me.

This was very interesting. I especially enjoyed the setting and the portrayal of social life and people in New York City during the Gilded Age. The character of Edith Wharton is complicated one, and I could not get behind her in many ways. It was an interesting read and it did make me want to learn more about Wharton.

Thank you @minotaur_books and @dreamscape_media and @netgalley for my gifted book and audiobook. My thoughts are my own.

If you love historical fiction and reading about the Gilded Age, then you will enjoy this book. With glimpses of several famous people of the time, the main character, Edith Wharton, is part of the Four Hundred, the upper crust of New York Society, led by Mrs. Caroline Astor. Mrs. Wharton, a famous novelist in her own right, takes an instant dislike to novelist David Graham Phillips when she meets him over tea. The next day he is shot and killed and his sister tells Edith that she believes he was killed by someone in order to prevent his latest book from being published. Phillips had been receiving threatening notes, which he ignored. Edith decides to do a little investigating on her own. Then Edith also receives a threatening note!

I enjoyed the interactions between Edith Wharton and her peers. Told in a conversational tone, from Edith’s perspective, the story kept me engaged from the first page. I also checked out the audiobook. The narrator provides the perfect voice for Edith. Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this book, which is inspired by a true story.

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 Fredericks’ writing is as lovely as ever. But I would prefer she return to Jane or another like her in the future.

Netgalley audiobook.

Not sure how I feel with this constant inserting of real life people in fictive stories but I know nothing of Edith Wharton so I don’t min (but had this been Jane Austen).

Edith finds herself drawn into the murder of a fellow writer, David Graham Phillips (also a real person) who she just met and didn’t like.

It’s a slow pace story and not that much mystery, more about Edith casting a very sad shadow over everything. She was a real downer and appeared so lonely and isolated.

As a mystery is not very engaging. Nice writing but that’s it.

The narrator Kitty Hendrix (now that’s a name for a cozy mystery heroine) does a good job reading.

2.5 rounding up as the writing is not bad.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of The Wharton Plot by Mariah Fredericks. It was narrated by Kitty Hendrix, who did a great narration. It’s inspired by a true story, following Edith Wharton in New York City in the early 1900s where she has to solve a crime.
I enjoyed her description of a vampire as “an individual who feeds off people, draining them … or is nourished by them … is it so wrong to take sustenance from our fellow human beings … to the point where you deprive them of life.”
I love reading about the gilded age and was whisked back into the glitz and glamor of the high society of that time. Thanks also to Dreamscape Media for the chance to listen to this book.
#NetGalley #TheWhartonPlot

In New York City in 1911, Edith Wharton makes the acquaintance of David Graham Phillips just days before he is murdered in broad daylight. Edith Wharton becomes embroiled in the mystery as David Graham Philips' sister believes he was murdered over the new book he was publishing. I will say that this felt like more of a literary tour of high society than a mystery, but that didn't make it any less fun of a book. The narrator was excellent and did a lot to bring out the humor and voice of the book. I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction or writers from the late 19th and early 20th century.

I love it when a woman takes charge and solves the murder! This book had a bit of a slow start but once I got into it I enjoyed it. This was my 1st book by Mariah Fredericks but will not be my last, I am adding her books to my TBR!

#TheWhartonPlot
#NetGalley

In 1911 Edith Wharton is at a crossroads. She is in New York considering leaving her husband and moving to Europe. During a tea with her editor she has a chance meeting with fellow author David Graham Phillips, who does not acquit himself well. When his is later murdered, Edith is shocked. As she reads Phillips last book at the behest of her editor, she pursues the killer through New York society.

Edith Wharton is one of my favorite authors. Fredericks' interpretation of Wharton's character is very well done. In 1911 Wharton is 50 and is working on Custom of the Country, a book with a very dislikable female protagonist. Phillips' last book is a typical good girl gone bad, suffers story. Wharton of course wrote similar books, but instead of blaming the girl, she blames society. She keeps coming back to the phrase "A woman who leaves her home walks the streets. She is neither pure no protected. Wharton considers how this applies to her, when thinking of her possible new independence. The plot is fine, but the real star here is Edith Wharton.

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.

Who better to solve a whodunit than an author?

The Wharton Plot follows author Edith Wharton as she distracts herself from her ailing husband with the murder of David Graham Phillips. A man and fellow author she had a brief unfavorable encounter with shortly before his death. While I enjoyed the opportunity to dive into the gilded age, the suspense was a bit lacking for me.

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 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.

Edith Wharton is in New York City with her husband Teddy. He is I'll and needs to see a doctor. Edith is invited to soiree and meets novelist David Graham Phillips and they have a lively interesting discussion. Later that week David is killed in broad daylight in front of the Princeton club. Edith decides to look into his murder.

I found this historical fiction/mystery very good. I was wrong in thinking whodunnit. But enjoyed following the clues with Edith. I enjoyed the narration and the writing.

An incredible story based on true events and a wonderful narration from the exceptionally talented Kitty Hendricks. I was imediately transported to New York, 1911, where the novelist, Edith Wharton is disucussing her latest work with her agent (who is so delightfully tactful regarding the direction in which he would prefer Mrs Whartons novels to traverse)

It is at this point that Mrs Wharton first meets the vile David Graham Phillips, who epitomises the men who balked against burgeoning womens rights at the turn of the century.

This audiobook is so good, the listener is drawn in and becomes part of the cast, talking as if one has the best elocution.

But, on to the review;

I was immediately taken with Mariah Fredericks descriptive style, creating an ambience authentic to the time. This extends to the interactions between the characters and immediately sets the scene for Mrs Wharton's temperament as well as raising questions throughout the book.

The dialogue is well-researched and the pace matches the narrative well. I am not ashamed to admit I have had it on all day as Kitty hendricks is so perfectly matched to this book

This book is more than a mystery, it is an authentic retelling, an insight into how women forged ahead at a time of great change in soceity and in their own rights, but also, the walls put up in front of them, and the disdain they endured

An absolute belter

Thank you very much to NetGalley and DreamScape Media for this wonderful ALC. The review is left of my own volition and all opinions are my own

Lovely historical fiction set at the end of the gilded age. Based on real events (the murder in the story) it plunges Edith Wharton into becoming a bit of a sleuth (that's the fiction part). It delved into book censorship, wealth hierarchies, scandals, etc...It was fascinating!

I am a big fan of Edith Wharton's books, so I was eagerly anticipating reading about a story in her life.

I found the plot to be quite dull. The murder of a fellow novelist, David Graham Phillips, her competitor, piqued Edith's interest; her investigation was unimpressive as she had no way to narrow down the suspects. She kept accusing anyone she thought was the murderer without any concrete evidence, which made her appear foolish.

Moreover, her relationship with her husband is a significant part of the novel, with Edith constantly trying to avoid him.

In my opinion, the book lacked any real suspense. The story focuses on too many different things thrown into the plot, making it unnecessarily longer.

I was completely engrossed by the writing of Old New York and its society. This part of the story truly stood out to me and I found it to be the most enthralling aspect of the entire narrative.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a complimentary and early copy of the novel.

This is a great historical mystery book. I really enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the setting! I felt the author did a good job creating a fun atmosphere.

I love the historical details and the narration! This in an engaging story if you like the history stuff for sure.