Rating:  Summary: Extremely disappointing at best Review: Taking Jane Austen's wonderful characters and plotting this unbelievable mystery is such a grave injustice. Caroline Bingley would never have married an American and taking the mystery into occultic and mysticism is so beneath Mr. and Mrs. Darcy. Changing the ending of the original was not a good choice - everyone wants to know that the Darcy's spent a splendid holiday with friends and family at Pemberley. The author does try to keep up some of the interesting teasing that goes on between the newly married Darcy's, but after the first several chapters that is mostly missing from the story. I think it's better to leave the original alone and allow Jane's characters to stand alone and untouched.
Rating:  Summary: Charming, if unlikely Review: Taking up where "Pride and Prejudice" left off, Bebris captures the spark and wit of Jane Austen's characters - although the plot is a bit farfetched - in this charming series debut.The book opens with the Darcy and Bingley double wedding, where Charles Bingley's sister Caroline, as arrogant and obnoxious as ever, upstages the Bennett sister brides by announcing her imminent marriage to a rich American. But Caroline's triumph is curtailed by a mental breakdown on the night of her wedding. Caroline's condition, characterized by a midnight slum walk, an attempted suicide, erratic temper and more, causes the three sets of newlyweds, along with a scholar of spiritualism, to convene at her brother's home for a hoped-for Christmas convalescence. Instead, Caroline's deterioration accelerates and a series of nasty accidents threaten other members of the household - much like the eerie coincidences of the popular gothic romances of the day. Elizabeth and Darcy approach the mysterious events from different perspectives and their repartee owes as much to Nick and Nora Charles as to Austen (as Bebris freely admits). The suspenseful climax ushers in a less than credible conclusion, but the journey is enjoyable. Quotes from "Pride and Prejudice" head each chapter - a particularly nice touch - and Austen readers will find this a diverting entertainment.
Rating:  Summary: Interesting Sequel! Review: The author took a very entertaining direction with this book. It is hard to put down once you start reading it.
Rating:  Summary: Mixed Marriage Review: The Regency period in England's history has been a fertile field for romance writers for a long time. While writers such as Amanda Quick and Marion Chesney have long crossed the genre boundary by introducing crimes to solve, it's only in the last decade, since the late Kate Ross introduced the elegant crime-solving fop Julian Kestrel, that mysteries have found a home in the time of the madness of King George. There has also been a number of attempts at sequels and prequels to the books of Jane Austen, so it should come as no surprise that someone should attempt a mixture such as that found in "Pride and Prescience," the debut of a series featuring Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, last seen getting married at the end of "Pride and Prejudice." Carrie Bebris' novel continues their story, picking up literally after the Darcy's double wedding with Elizabeth's sister, Jane, and Charles Bingley. At the reception, Bingley's sister, Caroline, announces her engagement to Frederick Parrish, a wealthy landowner from Louisiana. Their whirlwind courtship and marriage prevents the Darcys from returning to his estate, Pemberly, and they stay in London for the wedding. Soon after the wedding, a series of frightening incidents casts a pall over the newlyweds. A horse bolts underneath Caroline. The Darcys' find her walking dazedly through the London streets by night. She apparently tries to kill herself by slitting her wrists. The family wonders if she is going mad and they agree to carry her off to Charles Bingley's country home, to rest and to be treated by Parrish's friend, Professor Julian Randolph. Readers of Gothic novels will discern the pattern this story is treading. "Pride and Prescience" is a story of nots and knots. The story is not bad, but there are no surprises and no interesting scenes to linger over until you reach the inevitable unmasking of the villain. Except for the conflict between Fitzwilliam's belief in rationality and Elizabeth's in intuition, the Darcys act more like a long-married couple rather than newlyweds needing to adjust to new and unique circumstances. The prose hews to the Austen style, its rough edges smoothed, without committing any serious solecisms, but it also lacks Austen's wit and observations, a point made clearer when you compare the quotations from "Pride and Prejudice" that head each chapter. Bebris takes care not to offend Austen fans, but without taking risks, there are also no rewards. "Pride and Prescience" might appeal to Austen fans who want to spend a little more time in the company of her characters, but may be disappointed that more wasn't done with them.
Rating:  Summary: Light hearted and charming Review: This book will be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates the gentle feminine wit of Jane Austen. The story and its characters are set in the Regency world left behind by Jane. This is a refined, drawing room tale, with overtones of detection and Gothic mystery. The writer has tried to write in the same vein as Jane Austen, but there are a few jarring lapses. It's hard to maintain the accuracy and tone when you're a couple of hundred years after and a couple of thousand miles away. The writer manages to convey the social scene and offers acute observation of social interactions. Some of her characters are less than finely drawn, though, and this can be a distraction. But the plot holds up well and this makes an intriguing story, interestingly told.
Rating:  Summary: Nick and Nora Charles meet Anne Perry Review: This is an absolutely delightful whodunit. Imagine the wit and repartee of Nick and Nora Charles blended with the atmosphere of an Anne Perry novel. That's PRIDE AND PRESCIENCE. I found the author's idea to use Jane Austen's characters to be extremely creative and loved the way she developed their personalities. Elizabeth and Darcy are especially well-drawn, as newlyweds as well as partners involved in crime-solving. Their dialogue rings true and sparkles with understated humor that had me smiling throughout every chapter. The plot is fresh, clever, and teeming with surprises. You'll love the resolution. It was so unexpected! Ms. Bebris has certainly found her niche as a mystery writer. She's a natural. I can't imagine Jane Austen herself penning a more engaging story. I highly recommend this book and anxiously await the next installment in the series. It can't come soon enough!
Rating:  Summary: An Excellent Mystery Review: Unlike Stephanie Barron, this Ms. Bebris knows how to write like Jane Austen! This an excellent mystery - well-paced and well-written. Anyone who loved Miss Bennett and Mr. Darcy should love this one! I certainly hope this isn't the last we have heard from Ms. Bebris.
An excellent read!
Rating:  Summary: Brilliant hope this becomes a series Review: Wonderfully written, starts after the double wedding of Elizabeth and Darcy, Bingley and Jane, at the wedding breakfast Miss Bingley announces her engagement to an american called Mr Parish, and that the wedding would be the following wednesday. So the newly married couples will have to stay around for a while so as to attend her wedding. After the wedding many unusual things happen to Mrs Parish and it seems that she is going mad only Elizabeth and Darcy seem to be the one's able to solve it. You almost feel sorry for the hateful Miss Bingley. I found it very captivating and could not put the book down once I started to read it. She keeps the readers captivated by the way this story is weaved and is as good as any agatha christi book to my mind. It has magic and mystical intrigue which is part of its captivation.
|