Review Detail

As up and coming London solicitors, Lizzie and Darcy conspire to solve an arson case, which puts them in the path of such trials as annoying superiors, old loves, anti-French sentiment, murder, and perhaps most fearsome of all, Mrs. Bennet's matrimonial ambitions.

I'm an avid reader of Austen adaptations, and this litigious iteration of Lizzie and Darcy is such a fun addition. Since I hadn't read P&Premeditation, it took me a few chapters to replace the image of the BBC actors with their mud-tromping, warehouse-investigating alter egos. And once I did, they felt perfectly in character. The dialogue especially feels both original (not quoting directly from the source) and also perfectly in character for what Mrs. Bennet or anyone else would say in these new scenarios. Also, Lady Catherine as a pirate? A team up with the Misses Dashwoods? Happy thoughts indeed.

Adaptation aside, the historical murder mystery element has plenty to say on its own, with the right amount of socio-political commentary, suspense, and romance for a teen novel. For example, Lizzie is primarily concerned with the ongoing case, however, she also talks with her friends and family about what it means to be a working woman in the late 1700s, and how that is impacted by status and relationships. All that to say, shelve this beside Enola Holmes.

With references to past adventures, this book is probably best read as a spinoff to Pride & Premeditation, but fans of the original Austen can enjoy starting it as a standalone mystery.