Noted as Austen's weakest book Northanger Abbey is still a fun read. Not necessarily as "good" as Pride and Prejudice, but this book still has it's own cute little voice and it's own message to readers which is valid and worthy. This story is centered on Catherine who is too plain and too poor (yet not poor enough) to be a heroine, but manages to be one against the odds. She is a pleasant girl who likes to read gothic novels (ala, Mrs. Radcliffe) and daydream of being in the menacing grasp of some terrible rapscallion only to be saved at the last minute. Taken to Bath on vacation by her godmother Catherine falls in with a "saucy" girl and her scheming brother. She quickly meets Mr. Right. Immediately smitten she falls in with his sister, a more mature girl who helps Catherine improve her reading. Thanks to Catherine's rumored wealth she is invited to return to Northanger Abbey with the family. At this beautiful gothic castle Catherine's overactive imagination runs wild and soon convinces her that the tyrannical father must have murdered his wife. She shares her "discovery" with her beloved who (no surprise here) is insulted that she believes murder runs in his family. When her wealth turns out to be a lie (not perpetuated by Catherine) she is turned out of the abbey instantly, proving that while he might not be a murderer the father is a tyrant and a monster. Catherine travels by post and at night (very dangerous) home to her family. After this adventure Catherine is left heartbroken convinced that she was tossed out because of her revelation to her Mr. Right, never knowing about the father's misguided misconception of her financial situation. She spends her time improving her mind and being a better sister to her multitudinous siblings. As usual, Mr Right returns, they reconcile, fall in love and marry and have lots of babies. The end.