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Death Comes to Pemberley
Death Comes to Pemberley | P. D. James
101 posts | 218 read | 1 reading | 99 to read
In a marvellous, thrilling re-creation of the world of Pride and Prejudice, P.D. James fuses her lifelong passion for the work of Jane Austen with her own great talent for writing crime fiction.The year is 1803, and Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for six years. There are now two handsome, healthy sons in the Pemberley nursery, Elizabeth's beloved sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live within seventeen miles, the ordered and secure life of Pemberley seems unassailable, and Elizabeth's happiness in her marriage is complete. But their peace is threatened and old sins and misunderstandings are rekindled on the eve of the annual autumn ball. The Darcys and their guests are preparing to retire for the night when a chaise appears, rocking down the path from Pemberley's wild woodland, and as it pulls up, Lydia Wickham, an uninvited guest, tumbles out, screaming that her husband has been murdered.Death Comes to Pemberley is a powerful work of fiction, as rich in its compelling story, in its evocation of place, and its gripping psychological and emotional insight, as the very best of P. D. James. She brings us back masterfully and with delight to much-loved characters, illuminating the happy but threatened marriage of the Darcys with the excitement and suspense of a brilliantly crafted mystery.
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xicanti
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The cover blurb promises DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY has “the grace of Jane Austen [and] the pace of a thriller,” but as of page 70 it‘s mostly just got the verbosity of Jane Austen with the pace of same. I don‘t dislike it, but I ain‘t gripped, either, and the long paragraphs make it tough to go back in when you‘ve gotta pause and, say, rescue the cat from under the deck.

I might drift away from it. I dunno.

dabbe I felt the exact same way when I read this. I do think it picks up at the end, though, if my memory serves me correctly, which these days can be a crapshoot. 😂 3mo
xicanti @dabbe I ended up bailing. I‘ll maybe watch the miniseries somewhere down the line and stick the book in a Little Free Library tomorrow. Hopefully the person who takes it likes it more! 3mo
willaful iIRC, I hailed the bail! 3mo
dabbe It\'s official: #allhailthebail! #betterbooksahead 🙌🏻 3mo
xicanti @willaful @dabbe I stuck it in the LFL this morning, as planned. May the next person delight in it! 3mo
38 likes5 comments
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KristiAhlers
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Mehso-so

For me this was a 🌟🌟🌟 read. Whilst I enjoyed revisiting with old friends, and I'm a sucker for a good murder mystery, the repetitive nature of the writing took away from the full joy I wanted to experience with this. #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks This one keeps going on and off my TBR 😂 2y
39 likes1 comment
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CrowCAH
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40 likes1 stack add
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MidnightBookGirl
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Bailedbailed

This is my second attempt with this book, and I‘m so bored. It‘s so repetitive. Despite the fact that I‘m listening at 2.25x, it‘s still not fast enough to hold my interest. If the pacing still feels slow when I‘m listening to what is basically Gilmore Girls on a sugar high, then it‘s time to walk away. Sigh. I tried, ya‘ll.

Scochrane26 I‘ve read this one twice & found it ok but not great. I do love the miniseries, mostly because of the actors involved. 4y
Erinsuereads It was almost a bail for me too 4y
54 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Avanders
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Oh thank you so much @StayCurious !! I 💗everything in my #AVeryAustenHolidaySwap package!! 💙💙💙💙💙
I love the extra books you found, and am super excited for the journal & cookbook!! 🥰🥰 The candle & soap smell amazing, and I can‘t wait to try those yummy smelling candies! 🤤 And did you cross-stitch that yourself?! I love💙 it!!! Such talent! Thank you!!! ♥️🎄♥️🎄♥️

And thank you to @Chrissyreadit and @sprainedbrain for hosting!! 💙❄️💙

StayCurious I did cross stitch that 😊 glad you liked your package! Will open mine soon! 4y
Chrissyreadit @StayCurious I had serious swap envy over the cross stitch!!! That never happens for me. 4y
StayCurious @Chrissyreadit when @Avanders said she liked Mr.Darcy I looked for the perfect pattern and luckily found one on Etsy. 🙂 4y
See All 6 Comments
Avanders @StayCurious it is hilarious! 🤣🤣 But also, I‘m just really impressed with your skill!! 😘 4y
sprainedbrain 🥰🥰🥰 4y
BookNAround That cross stitch is awesome! 4y
84 likes6 comments
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Jaimelire
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Pickpick

It‘s been a long time since I read Pride and Prejudice...so it took me awhile to figure out who was who, but once I remembered, this was a pretty good book.

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sprainedbrain
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Saturday evening at 7 pm Central is our last watch party for this awesome miniseries!

Zoom invites have been emailed to everyone signed up so far, but there‘s still time to join us:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Se8Di51zNZr6A0FAGWMj-xjHVPJA-jwN7E2da6pp...

#PemberLittens

LitStephanie Hoping to make it if I get back from camping in time. Looked intriguing. 4y
Graciouswarriorprincess Just signed up. 😃 4y
sprainedbrain @Graciouswarriorprincess yay! I forwarded the invite. 😊 4y
quietjenn Sorry I missed it. I hope you all had fun! 4y
71 likes1 stack add5 comments
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KVanRead
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Counting tonight‘s watch party of the tagged hosted by @sprainedbrain towards #scarathlon2020 as it was quite murdery and also a lot of fun. Thanks Jenni!!

3 episodes x 5 = 15 + 1 for posting = +16 points for #TeamHarkness

sprainedbrain I was so impressed with this miniseries! Loved it. Thank you for joining! 🥰 4y
KVanRead @sprainedbrain Great fun watching with y‘all! Thanks for hosting🤗 4y
42 likes2 comments
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sprainedbrain
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This book was a so-so for me, but I‘ve heard good things about the miniseries!

Looking forward to our first #PemberLittens watch party, tomorrow night at 7 PM CST. So far, 7 of my friends have signed up, but there‘s still time to join us!

Link to sign up for this or any of the other Zoom parties (we have 6 different movies/shows!):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Se8Di51zNZr6A0FAGWMj-xjHVPJA-jwN7E2da6pp...

Graciouswarriorprincess I can‘t wait! I have seen it but looking forward to tomorrow night. 4y
Chrissyreadit Yay!!!! 4y
KVanRead Looking forward to it!! The book was just okay for me - maybe because I had high expectations for PD James, but I love Matthew Rhys 😍 4y
Scochrane26 The miniseries is really good. Matthew Rhys is a good Darcy. 4y
LitStephanie Looking forward to kicking off the weekend with some Pemberley intrigue and some #pemberlittens! 4y
58 likes5 comments
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CindiB
Panpan

I don‘t normally read Jane Austen “additions”, believing there really is no way to improve on a Pride and Prejudice, but I thought this book, a murder mystery, might be interesting. I was wrong. Boring and repetitious. 2/5. @TheAromaofBooks

Caroline2 Yep! I thought that was naff too. 🙄 4y
TheAromaofBooks I've tried other mystery books by James before, and they just aren't for me, although I actually do have a soft spot for terrible P&P variations haha 4y
CindiB Her I don‘t mind ... I have read a couple of other books. 😄. But I love your description of a soft spot for terrible P&P variations. 4y
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CindiB @Caroline2 very naff. 😄 4y
inthegreensandblues I haven't read this one but I did enjoy the tv adaptation. 😊 4y
CindiB Oh, I did not see that. Will keep an eye out. 4y
35 likes1 stack add6 comments
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bio_chem06
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Hey #pemberlittens, anyone heard of this? Apparently it‘s fan fiction that has been given the BBC treatment.

KarouBlue Yes! The show is sooo good! 4y
sprainedbrain I read the book, which was... ok? But I still need to watch the show! 4y
Annie1215 I‘ve got to check this out 👀 4y
See All 9 Comments
inthegreensandblues I really enjoyed this one, need to watch again! 4y
inthegreensandblues 👆 series, haven't read the book. 😊 4y
batsy Enjoyed both the book and the show! 4y
bio_chem06 It‘s sounds like everyone seems to like the show, I‘m going to watch it for sure 4y
staci.reads The book was pretty good 4y
Linsy Yes! I loved the show so I listened to the book. Both fun!! 4y
14 likes9 comments
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Juliwyant
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Picked this up at 2nd & Charles in Greenville, SC today! Can‘t wait to read it!!

Susanita I loved it! 4y
Librarianaut This one was so much fun. I enjoyed the mini-series they made from it, too. 4y
Revenge4bess Loved it 😎 4y
74 likes7 stack adds3 comments
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Amandajoy
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Pickpick

This was a fun return to Pemberly. Loved the references to other Jane Austen novels, which makes me want to reread Persuasion. I thought she did a great job staying true to the characters. My March #bookspin.

TheAromaofBooks Great review! Despite my love for P&P variations, I have still somehow never read this one! 5y
44 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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Amandajoy
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For some reason my family is averse to letting me read lately. So I am finishing up the last 9 pages of this one in the parking lot of my office before I head home. Yes, I still have to go in to work.

Lcsmcat Stay safe out there! 5y
Amandajoy @Lcsmcat thank you! I will! 5y
49 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Christinak
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Tomorrow the carriages of the landowners and the hired chaises of the #humbler guests would bowl up the drive to disgorge the chattering passengers, their muslin gowns and glittering headdresses cloaked against the autumn chill, eager again for the remembered pleasures of Lady Anne‘s ball. #QuotsyFeb20 #humble

38 likes1 stack add
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Christinak
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The visit of Sir Selwyn proved to be both less stressful and shorter than the Darcys had feared. The High Constable, Sir Miles Culpepper, had written to his butler the previous #Thursday to say that he would be returning to Derbyshire in time for dinner on Monday and the butler had thought it prudent to pass on this information to Sir Selwyn. #QuotsyFeb20

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WildQuibble
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I really wasn‘t supposed to be buying any new books this month, but these three were in the pound shop, so I put forth that they don‘t count. #bookhaul #readerlogic

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Lizpixie
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#BookMail Pt11 It‘s tax time here in Oz so Booktopia.com.au was having an EOFYS(end of financial year sale) I picked this one up for $5au. I‘ve always meant to read some P.D.James, I‘ve seen the tv adaptation of her Inspector Dalgliesh novels & enjoyed it. This is an historical crime novel set in the world of Austen‘s Pride & Prejudice. Lizzy Darcy‘s little sister Lydia turns up at Pemberley claiming her husband has been murdered.

GlassAsDiamonds Ooohh!!! I‘ve seen this one and always wondered!! Will be interested to hear what you think of it! 😊 5y
61 likes1 comment
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StayCurious
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#30junebooks @howjessreads I was lucky enough to find some #greenbooks in my Jane Austen Collection.

BooknerdsLife Beautiful 😍💚 6y
35 likes1 comment
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cathysaid
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Pickpick

Order of events:

1. Synopsis of Pride and Prejudice.
2. Episode of “Where are they now?”
3. Preparations for yet another ball.
4. Lydia and Wickham cause drama where a murder occurs.
5. Rehash P&P.
6. Rehash.
7. Rehash.
8. Truth revealed (and interest momentarily peaked).
9. Solution offered and accepted.
10. Happy news at Pemberly. Insert unicorns and fairies. 🦄 🧚‍♀️

The End.

(My love of Austen is the only reason this isn‘t a ‘so-so‘.)

BookishMarginalia I enjoyed the tv adaptation too 6y
cathysaid @BookishMarginalia I think I might like that better. I‘ll try to find it! 6y
54 likes2 comments
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cathysaid
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Took a break for sushi...but I audiobooked there and back! #24in48. Now home to the couch and back to reading. Finished two partially read books today; now on to a Department Q novel (Scandinavian crime).

@24in48

readinginthedark Yum! I can't wait to have sushi again! 😍 6y
66 likes1 comment
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Sharpeipup
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Since today‘s my birthday, I‘m feeling lucky🍀
1. Tagged book
2. Fireball & apple cider because it reminds me of dear friends & cool nights sitting around a campfire. #birthdaygiveaway

@gradcat Happy Birthday! 🎂🎉

Nebklvr Happy birthday!! 6y
gradcat Absolutely lucky...thanks for entering!! By the way, what kind of fireball are you talking about here? (edited) 6y
19 likes3 comments
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Deborah42
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Mehso-so

A murder mystery set at Pemberley, six years after Elizabeth‘s marriage to Darcy. Lydia shows up at the door, hysterical, screaming that her husband (the shady Wickham) has been murdered. The mystery that follows is pretty ho-hum. Hardly mysterious, though it is convoluted. I was especially disappointed in the characters, who lack any of their original wit and sparkle.

The writing itself was fine, but the story was tedious and felt too long.

8 likes1 stack add
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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

I‘ve not read any PD James before, but if I understand correctly, James‘ fans will not like this one. But, I enjoyed this. It was a fun adaptation of the Darcy‘s as a murder finds its way onto the grounds of Pemberley. Wickham is as odious as ever, though Darcy seems less brooding. I do feel that James did not give Elizabeth the same spirit as Austen did. I did love the quiet shoutouts to other Austen characters throughout the book.

Pamwurtzler You should watch the PBS adaptation of that. It was really good! 6y
Librarybelle @Pamwurtzler I have...several times! It is really good! 6y
ScientistSam Agreed that Lizzie isn't the same as Austen's Lizzie. Glad you enjoyed this! It wasn't for me, mostly because the characters seemed different to me. 6y
See All 8 Comments
Librarybelle @ScientistSam The characters are different, especially Colonel Fitzwilliam, who just seems more rigid. 6y
batsy I quite enjoyed Matthew Rhys' Darcy in the TV series 😍 6y
Pamwurtzler @batsy Me too! 6y
93 likes4 stack adds8 comments
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Librarybelle
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Bravo, Alveston! A forward thinking man in the 19th century!

k.reads Oh snap... 6y
84 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Owlizabeth
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“Elizabeth had never been popular, indeed the more perceptive of the Meryton ladies occasionally suspected Miss Lizzy was privately laughing at them. They also accused her of being sardonic, and although there was uncertainty about the meaning of the word, they knew it was not a desirable quality in a woman, being one which gentlemen particularly disliked.”

I think I found my mini-slump-buster!! 😂

68 likes2 stack adds
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readtheworld
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My favorite reading spot.

#weekendreads #readingchair #bookshelves

ephemeralwaltz What a great reading nook! 😍😍🙏 7y
readordierachel Love that chair! 7y
Samplergal I love your chair! I used to have a similar one. So comfy. 7y
See All 7 Comments
Felso I love your bookshelf!!! 😍 7y
catiewithac Cosy! 7y
batsy That looks so lovely and cosy! 7y
RavenLovelyReads Looks perfectly perfect! 6y
89 likes7 comments
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JANEissarilyAUSTENtatious
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#JAbookAdaptations

-Pride and Prejudice

The PBS miniseries is also very good!

Melissa_J I really liked the mini-series, the book not so much. 7y
18 likes1 comment
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readtheworld
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Spent most of the day outside in the sun, and now I‘m cooling down with P.D. James. #sundayreads

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BiblioLitten
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Mehso-so

PAN if you are looking for a sequel to Pride and Prejudice. There can never be another. Good thing, P.D James apologizes in the beginning. 😌

So-So if you keep all judgement aside and want to read a murder mystery set in a place called Pemberley. There's some guy called Darcy in it too. 😒
#donteven

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readtheworld
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Currently reading!

ephemeralwaltz Nice photo! 😍🙏 7y
readtheworld @ephemeralwaltz thanks! ☺️ 7y
60 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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KKimber
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Mehso-so

A decent read. Part mystery, but also a review of what the beloved characters of Pride and Prejudice have been up to since we last saw them. A fun read for any Austen fan. While enjoyable, there were certain parts of the book that would be best titled “The Angst of Mr. Darcy.” His inner turmoil was a bit excessive, in my opinion.

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sammisho
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This is one of the rare times I will say I liked the movie better than the book. But I do love the #carriage art on this cover. I also enjoyed the subplot featuring Lydia and Wickham after their #elopement.
#150pnpcoverparty @CrowCAH @LeahBergen

Mommamanzi I 100% agree with you. Loved the movie! 7y
CrowCAH Great book to catch up!!! 7y
LeahBergen I liked the movie, too. 👍🏻 7y
47 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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FantasyChick
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Am I the only one that has "upstairs books" and "downstairs books"? I only read on my Kobo in bed because it's more comfortable but I've got 3 on the go up there and ALL these in process in the living room. I might have a problem ?
#moodreader #currentreads #8onthego #squirrelsizedattentionspan

GarthRanzz I used to have books in different rooms but not since I got an iPad. Now that goes everywhere with me. By the way, have to say I still love that framed Poe page you did. 7y
FantasyChick I usually prefer to read on my eReader but I still have so many physical copies that are unread that I just keep some around so I'll get to them, lol. That Poe is one of my favorite things I've bought @GarthRanzz 😍 I'm happy you like it! I actually bought it from an Etsy shop, without the frame of course. Here's the link if you're interested! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/556814622/edgar-allan-poe-the-raven-dictionary?r... 😊 7y
GarthRanzz Thanks for the link Vanessa! Guess I‘ll be spending more on Etsy today. 😊 7y
FantasyChick Anytime @GarthRanzz 😊 That shop has some amazing prints. Happy shopping!! 7y
49 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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Murder arrives at the Darcy residence via #carriages . Darn that Wickham!! #150PnPCoverParty

CrowCAH Ah it does! Bad Wickham; silly Lydia!!! 7y
batsy Ha, yes! Great pick. 7y
LeahBergen This was a fun read. 👏🏻👏🏻 7y
82 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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BookaholicNatty
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Why had I never heard about this before?????? I found it on the thrift store shelf this afternoon and when I read the preview I about fell over!! This is basically Pride and Prejudice 2.0. It says Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett have been married for 6 years and have two kids in the nursery! I still can‘t believe I have never heard about this book!!!

MicrobeMom I have read this! It is a fun twist on Pride and Prejudice as a mystery novel. I thought it was fun! 7y
xicanti They adapted it for TV a few years back, too. It was pretty good. 7y
Librarybelle I‘m currently reading this one too! 7y
See All 9 Comments
PictureandBook Love that one. A fav of the remix genre. Haven‘t enjoyed any of the other Pride-ish mysteries like that one. Even liked the masterpiece tv version. 7y
GarthRanzz The TV version was great! But Penelope Keith is on it as Lady Catherine and I‘ll watch anything she does. I‘ve never read the book but hear it is very good. 7y
staci.reads It's a great read! Enjoy! 7y
Jensam Can't wait to read! 7y
Dragon If you have Netflix you can watch the miniseries. I really like the actor who plays Mr. Darcy. 7y
SandyW Looking forward to your review! 7y
113 likes12 stack adds9 comments
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Librarybelle
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My mystery book group at the library discussed this last night (I‘m still reading but know the storyline, and I am the resident Austen expert at the library). Today‘s prompts fit well in our discussion themes: #proposals and #isthisdesire . Was it love, or did the allure of money set the scene for the couplings that happened in Pride and Prejudice and in this book? Great discussion! #150PnPCoverParty #FierceFeb

batsy That sounds interesting! I enjoyed this book 👍🏽 7y
CrowCAH A very good question you proposed! 😉 7y
Librarybelle @batsy I really like it so far! 7y
See All 6 Comments
Librarybelle @CrowCAH Haha! ❤️❤️ 7y
LeahBergen This was a fun read. 👏🏻👏🏻 7y
90 likes6 comments
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Librarybelle
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Up next, and hope to complete by Thursday for my mystery discussion group meeting! A #SebastianKitty (and #Zeke in a cat bed) picture for your enjoyment! #catsoflitsy

Lcsmcat 😻 7y
theresidentromantic So good, I loved this book ❤😍 7y
Librarybelle That‘s good to know, @theresidentromantic ! ❤️❤️ 7y
97 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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KVanRead
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#150PnPCoverParty #Estates Not my favorite P.D. James, but I did love getting to spend more time at Pemberley. @LeahBergen @CrowCAH

LeahBergen Exactly, but still a fun read. 👍🏻 7y
CrowCAH It was my first PD James and I have to agree, spending time at Pemberley with my favs was worth the murder! 7y
See All 11 Comments
readinginthedark I‘ve never read anything else by P.D. James. I feel like I would have liked this one more if I were actually spending time with Elizabeth and Darcy, but she didn‘t reflect the original characters in my opinion. She writes well, and it was okay. This was kind of a bummer comment—sorry! 7y
KVanRead @CrowCAH Yes, definitely the best part. 7y
KVanRead @readinginthedark Oh I totally agree. She is a master of crime and police procedural but I‘m not sure the style of those fit very well with PnP. Though I enjoy thinking that she must also be an Austen fan.😊 7y
KVanRead @CrowCAH @readinginthedark I quite like her Adam Dalgliesh series... two I found particularly good are👇 (edited) 7y
readinginthedark Oh, totally! I read an interview with her a while back, and she was saying that the reason she wrote this was because of how much she loves Austen, which is cool. 7y
CrowCAH @KVanRead thanks for letting me know; I‘ll keep them in mind! 7y
55 likes11 comments
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Austen_Nerd
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My class loves to be helpful, so we talked about estates and they made Jane Austen her very own estate. #150PnPCovetParty #teachersonlitsy #janeausten

LA_Mead That‘s so cool! 7y
MiyakoBunny 😍😍😍A Jane Austen figurine!!! 7y
LeahBergen Oh my!! That is just the CUTEST. 😍 7y
CrowCAH Awww that is too adorable! 😊 7y
ladym30 Love it! 7y
44 likes1 stack add5 comments
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DarcysMom
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
#audiobook
#overdrive

Pamwurtzler I liked that too. There was a PBS show as well that we liked - maybe that‘s available somewhere! 7y
DarcysMom @Pamwurtzler It is available on Netflix. I think I am going to have to check it out. 7y
Mollyanna I liked it too. Like you I went into not thinking it was another P&P but a visit with old friends. 7y
80 likes1 stack add3 comments
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DarcysMom
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DarcysMom
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britt_brooke Nicely done! 7y
TaylorMay Awesome! How are you enjoying this book? I'm hesitant to start it but I'm intrigued by the premise 7y
DarcysMom @TaylorMay I am really enjoying it. I decided to ignore all the negative reviews and go in with no expectations. 7y
TaylorMay @DarcysMom I haven't seen any of the reviews so this may be up soon on my to read list 7y
89 likes4 comments
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DarcysMom
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It was a gorgeous day for walking. I saw a dog on a roof and got to visit with one of my favorite horses. I also did a lot of hills - I had a 423 foot elevation gain. 💪😊👟
#audiowalk
#800in2018
#overdrive

Erika13137 Where are you getting that beautiful weather and can you send some my way? 7y
DarcysMom @Erika13137 I live in Southern California 🏜🌞☀️ 7y
Andrea4 Wow, some gorgeous views you found! 7y
DarcysMom @Andrea4 I am lucky enough to he close to some foothills - lots of climbing plus pretty views. 7y
94 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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DarcysMom
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SusanInTiburon That‘s a good one for a walk! 7y
82 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DarcysMom
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86 likes1 stack add
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AiBBot
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Pickpick

If you want to read a fanfic sequel to one of your favourite novels but will become sad when it does not suit what you imagined, then do not read this book. If you want to read an elegant murder mystery written by a brilliant author who produces an intense yet gracious version of Jane Austen‘s beloved characters post Pride and Prejudice, then you should read this book.