Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper, the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series is a clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a thrilling and high-stakes whodunit. When a scandalous murder shocks London high society, seventeen-year-old aspiring lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity … lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity to prove herself, despite the interference of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious firm Pemberley Associates.
Convinced the authorities have imprisoned the wrong person, Lizzie vows to solve the murder on her own. But as the case—and her feelings for Darcy—become more complicated, Lizzie discovers that her dream job could make her happy, but it might also get her killed.
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Pride and Premeditation is a romantic and entertaining page-turner, sure to delight readers of any genre.
A very fun re-imagining of Pride & Prejudice! I have to admit, I was a little put off at first because while there are nods to the original text and quirky allusions for Austen fans, a lot of the book takes significant liberties with Austen’s novel, including with Elizabeth Bennet’s character and personality. It took me some time to get used to this version of Lizzie Bennet, but once I got into it, this book ended up being a delightful, fun cozy mystery (which is for some reason shelved as YA?) that reminded me a lot of Miss Scarlet and the Duke (a favorite quarantine binge watch). Don’t go in expecting scathing social criticism or Austen’s signature wit – instead, expect classic mystery capers, some familiar characters in completely unexpected roles, and of course, a typically broody Darcy.
PRIDE AND PREMEDITATION was every bit as delightful as I was hoping. It’s a perfect mashup of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. I loved seeing these well-known characters cast in new and often devious lights. The writing is fun and punchy and the pacing is lightning fast. The whole tone of the book reminded me a lot of the PBS Masterpiece show MISS SCARLETT AND THE DUKE (which is excellent and highly recommended if you haven’t seen it yet). I think Elizabeth Bennett lends herself so well to the assertive and determined detective she plays in this book. So fun! I’m super excited to read the next book in this series, perfectly titled SENSE AND SECOND-DEGREE MURDER which comes out next year.
This is a delightful twist on Pride & Prejudice. It’s still Regency England, but imagine the tale you know so well set in London and crossed with your favorite British crime drama. Here, Mr. Bennet is a barrister and Lizzie desperately wants to convince her father to hire her at his firm. When she hears of a Mr. Bingley in Newgate awaiting trial on murder charges, she finagles her way into the jail and convinces him to let her find the real killer. Mr. Darcy–Bingley’s lawyer–is none too pleased with her interference, but from the ballroom to the docks, the irrepressible Miss Bennet will NOT be deterred as she searches for the truth. And there’s lots of lovely banter between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, OF COURSE! (Content: Delightfully wholesome!)
There are two genres I love: mysteries and retellings. So mashing them together and having it be historical makes for one happy Caryn.
If you’re a fan of YA, mysteries, retellings and/or historical settings you absolutely have to pick this up. The amount of Austenesque quotes was spectacular and the prose matched Austen’s quite well, while at the same time remaining fresh and new.
The mystery itself was great and it took a few turns even I wasn’t expecting. There was also a fair bit of subtle humour packed into every page.
This has quickly become a new favourite book. I absolutely loved it.
This was such a fantastic book and I completely adored it!!! Sometimes when I really love a book, it’s difficult for me to create a review that captures how much I enjoyed reading the book and sounds above an elementary school writing level. I’m gonna do my best here
This was such a unique take on Pride & Prejudice! To be honest, I had the original plot of P&P in the back of my mind the entire time as I was reading this… I was pleasantly surprised that this book was not predictable just because I knew the original like the back of my hand. If it is a loose retelling, then that is a bit of a generous explanation. It has the same elements, locations, etc. as Pride & Prejudice, but with the thrill and mystery that surrounds Stalking Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes.
Most importantly, this book gave me new appreciation for Mr Darcy! He really is such a sweetheart, but this poor thing has social anxiety when it comes to meeting new people and expressing himself. I was really impressed with the creation of Lizzy and Darcy in this world.
The author took some creative liberties that I loved and there were plenty of twists mixed in with the elegant banter between characters. The epilogue provided some cited sources and additional historical facts, expanding on the liberties taken by the author. It was the perfect addition for this nerd!
And in the Author’s note, there was this nonchalant gem, a new favorite way to describe the book:
“I’m sorry about all the murders”
Much like one of my favorite classics, I’ll be rereading this one in the future!
Great for fans of… Stalking Jack The Ripper Series, And The Clockwork Angel Series, Enola Holmes, Written In The Stars, Bridget Jones, Pride And Prejudice, Agatha Christie, Regency Mystery
Pride and Premeditation takes a new approach to give a classic a new look.
Unique Storytelling
I am going to be honest I have never read Pride and Prejudice. I have seen movie adaptations, so I know what the story is about, but I have never actually made it through the actual book.
That said, I loved Pride and Premeditation. Price did a fantastic job of adapting the classic elements and making them work in a murder mystery setting. Bingley has been accused of murder, and Lizzie, eager to prove herself to her father that she can be a barrister, seeks to prove him innocent on her own. Of course, being a woman in Victorian England, she meets some bumps. One of the bumps is Mr. Darcy, Bingley’s friend, and family solicitor.
Price develops the story amazingly, focusing on the characters and their dynamics. She creates this beautiful murder mystery that is reminiscent of Sherlock. It is wonderful how it starts setting up Lizzie’s strong personality and how unfair society is towards women, limiting their worth to what they can do at home. This is a theme repeated throughout the narrative and will resonate with readers. It has that feministic edge, saying women can be whatever they choose to be and that society should not limit them.
It is a great theme that creates relevancy while adding tension to the story.
Now, the rising tension is already incredible because of the murder mystery. However, not all murder mysteries are engaging. Some can be downright boring. That is not the case here. It is incredible to see the rising tension balance off the characters, what they see, what they think, and how they adapt to their situations.
Price shows their passion in the storytelling. They weave together this mystery while also pulling in those elements from the original, working them in to make the story unpredictable.
Characterization
Honestly, the characterization is everything in Pride and Premeditation.
Price was able to capture the strong spirit of Lizzie and the pride she and Mr. Darcy have. That tension between them captures the heart of the classic but gives it new life. Lizzie is so headstrong and observant. Her clever mind and the fact that she is a woman allow her to see the world’s injustices, that not everything is as perfect as Mr. Darcy would hope.
The way their relationship develops is expected, but it was written in such a fantastic way. It has this freshness to it, this passion that develops through their shared love of the law. I loved it, how they butt heads, how they learn to compromise and work together.
Price made sure that they had the personality and passion for keeping the story engaging and moving forward.
Final Thoughts
Pride and Premeditation was such a fantastic novel. From start to finish, from the story to the characterization, to the dynamics, this novel is engaging.
Who Dunnit? Well let me tell you! Tirzah Price, you have done it, and done it well, you did indeed!
This book checks off everything I love in a book.
Jane Austen inspired
Pride and Prejudice brilliant retelling
A YA Lizzie Bennet and of course, our swoon worthy Mr. Darcy
Thrilling Murder Mystery Page Turner
This is the first book in a series and it is absolutely brilliant, wickedly witty, unputdownable, and super entertaining. This certainly is an epic read!
Do check this book out if not for the gorgeous cover, for a great YA mystery that will sure keep you guessing.
Thank you @EpicReads for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Read this once back in January when I got an advance copy, and I am so excited it lived up to my own hype on both the first and second reads! It’s a perfect blend of the characters from the Jane Austen novel, with a similar setting but also plenty more intrigue, drama, and MURDER. The mystery is well-crafted, and it made me so happy to see a bada** heroine like Lizzy unravel the clues to solve the case. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loved Stalking Jack the Ripper!
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley*
In this retelling of the classic story, Elizabeth Bennett, or Lizzie as she’s known in this version, longs to work for her father’s law firm. However, being a woman, she’s overlooked and worse, does the work only to have that insufferable Collins take the credit. When, Bingley, a local gentleman is accused of murder, she sees her chance to solve the case and be taken seriously. Unfotunately, Bingley has already hired a solicitor, Darcy, who seems more concerned with avoiding scandal than solving the crime.
Price’s modern twist on the tale is fun and engaging. All the familiar characters are there and do more than attend balls and moan about who they will marry. All the period atmosphere is there with more action. I enjoyed the mystery and seeing old friends in a new light.
Clever and witty, perfectly written, compulsively readable, and utterly unputdownable.
Same characters as Pride and Prejudice, but in very different rokes.
Jane Austen meets Agatha Christy for a fun, easy and entertaining read! I really enjoyed how the author wrote these characters in a way that felt both familiar and new at the same time. It was thoroughly enjoyable. I would have happily kept reading more of their story, if given the pages.
This is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice in a modern way, made into a murder mystery. Mr. Bennett is a lawyer and Lizzie works with him as an accountant and assistant, wishing to become a solicitor. Mr. Hurst is found dead and Lizzie decides to investigate. Mr. Bingley has been arrested for the murder, Lizzie decides to try to get him as a client. I’ve never read the original book by Jane Austin but i have watched the movie a few times. It’s basically the same idea with Mr. Darcy is a lawyer. This book is fine but the audio is done in an English accent and i stay away from English accents as they as harder for me to understand. If you like Jane Austin retellings then you’ll love this book.
A fun new mystery series that I cannot wait to continue! Tirzah swept me into the world of Jane Austen with her dialogue, setting and some characters; however I do not have enough Jane Austen knowledge and did not feel left behind. The murder mystery kept the story moving along at a great speed. I also connected with the main character Lizzie; one for name twins but two for her clever mind to puzzle out clues. I love a good puzzle and trying to solve the mystery along with her.
Things I love = Pride and Prejudice retellings
Things I love even more = P&P retellings where the author takes liberties with the plot and characters
Things I don’t love = sloooowwwww first halves of books
So I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book for months, and it was honestly kind of meh. The plot idea and the refashioning of the plot were brilliant and unique, so big credit for that. My issue was that the first half I was bored and easily distracted, and then *everything* happened in the third quarter of the book and I was hooked! I was all for it right up to the end. But overall, the romance was not as well done. There was very little but animosity between Elizabeth and Darcy, barely a hint of sexual tension. In the beginning, that’s totally fine, but there seemed to be no slow burn of romance between the two steadily building after that. There was just a sudden switch to Darcy falling head over heels for Elizabeth.
Random things I loved:
Georgiana Darcy being a wingwoman and generally the best character ever
Wickham, Collins, and Lady de Burgh! While the reveal was pretty silly for all three of them, as a proud Elizabeth/Darcy shipper I don’t mind one bit seeing those characters get their due.
I heard that line from the 2005 P&P movie in there, don’t think I didn’t! “What shall I call you then?” It was seen and very much appreciated.
4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Between my love of Pride and Prejudice, the addition of a murder mystery and the cover, I was so in. I was not disappointed! As someone who is very familiar with the story, I saw some of the twists coming… but I enjoyed the journey! I also loved how the author added in some feminist spins and I could care less whether it’s historically accurate. I appreciated that she addressed some of the many problematic aspects of Regency life. I wish the whole series was going to take place in the Pride & Prejudice world, but it will be fun to see the other stories come to life.
This is a delightful twist on Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Bingley is accused of murdering his brother in law. Lizzie takes it upon herself to prove his innocence. Mr. Darcy is Mr. Bingleys hired council and must tolerate her investigation.
Opinion
I love this twist to the old tale. Liberties were taken, as was explained at the end of the book, to make it so Lizzie could hold a job. I think that made the book more modern while still holding on to a historic presence.
The author did a great job of retaining part of the original story while updating it to a murder mystery. I did not see the conclusion coming. (It has been a while since I’ve read Jane Austin.)
I look forward to more books in this series.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
4.5
When a scandalous murder makes waves within London society, aspiring barrister Lizzie Bennett sees it as the perfect opportunity to prove to her father that she deserves a place at Longbourn and Sons. Competing against the more prestigious Pemberley Associates, specifically Fitzwilliam Darcy, makes things all the more complicated. Lizzie is convinced that the wrong person has been accused and is determined to find the real murderer. She’s prepared for justice, but she’s not so prepared for the danger that awaits.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that this reader is drawn to anything that fits the description “Jane Austen Retelling”. I was particularly drawn to the idea of Pride and Prejudice getting caught up in a murder-mystery plotline. And I think that Tirzah Price pulls it off pretty well.
I loved the familiarity of the characters and the overall story. Such as knowing that there will be a Lizzie, there will be a Darcy, they will be at odds with one another.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the ways in which other things from the main story would pop up throughout. Like Longbourn and Sons and Pemberley Associates referring to law practices instead of houses. Interesting things like that.
I loved seeing the various ways the familiar characters popped up throughout as well. Fulfilling the ingrained image readers have of these classic characters in their minds, but fitting them perfectly into the mystery setting.
The most important thing for me in retellings is when authors honor that original material, yet put their own stamp on the material and I do think that Tirzah Price has achieved that. I think it’s safe to say that nothing was super surprising in terms of how the mystery plays out if you have read the source material you won’t be surprised by the villain at the end, but I think that the way that each part gets somehow accounted for and included is spot on. I also enjoyed the moments when originally passages / dialogue would be reproduced possibly in a different context than the original, but would still pack that witty punch that Jane Austen is known for in her dialogue.
Overall, if you’re like me and enjoy a good Pride and Prejudice retelling, I don’t think you can go wrong with Pride and Premeditation. I look forward to Tirzah Price putting her own mystery spin on more classics.
Ok I actually liked this one! It was totally different and I’m glad it still took place in early 1800’s and its just Jane Austen’s world of P&P reimagined with a murder mystery. It took me awhile to get into the murder mystery and Lizzie wanting to become a solicitor for her father’s company. I’m just really into different variations of P&P lately. It was sort of interested and well thought out what Tirzah did with this book. Cover is cute.
I received this VOICE GALLEY at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.