Pride and Premeditation
Series: Jane Austen Murder Mystery #1
Author: Tirzah Price
Published April 6th 2021 by HarperTeen

Goodreads Synopsis
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 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.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via Edelweiss. This in no way impacted on my view.

In Pride and Premeditation, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is 17, and wants nothing more than to join her father's law firm, Longbourn and Sons, but as a woman, she's denied the opportunity. Helping her father in his work, by reading through contracts, and using her opportunities as a lady in society to discover information most men would never uncover, has been a joy, but she wants more. When it's revealed that Mr Charles Bingley, of the Netherfield Bingley's, is accused of murdering his brother in law, Lizzie hopes to be able to help him go free, and discover the true murderer, and in turn allow her father to see the merits of hiring her to Longbourn. Disguising herself as Miss Bingley, she manages to work her way into Newgate, meet with Mr Bingley, and also make a somewhat enemy of Bingley's friend, and lawyer, Fitzwilliam Darcy. From their first meeting, Lizzie and Darcy are at odds with each other, though the longer they are thrown together, their feelings become complicated, as does the investigations. Will Lizzie be able to get Bingley off the murder charge, and bring the real culprit to justice, or has she bitten off more than she can chew?

With the whole cast and crew from the original Pride and Prejudice present, this was an utterly amazing retelling! Ever since I heard about this book, I knew that I would love it, and devoured it all in just a few hours. Like I said, the characters from the original are all present, and it was lovely to see them in different situations, while still being in the Regency Era. Lizzie remains a obstinate, headstrong girl, but one who knows what she wants, and just because she's a girl, doesn't mean she has to be only interested in the Marriage Mart. She wants to be happy, and do something with her life, though she also appreciates a handsome gentleman, when one or two cross her path. Being a young woman, during the Regency Era, her life was really restricted, but she manages to yoke out some freedom for herself, and the admiration of her family, and even of Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy - though Darcy doesn't like to show his feelings. I really felt that this was such a faithful adaptation, but also one that was wholly original, and just blew me away! We still have our 'villains' in Whickham, Mr Collins, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh, though in slightly different guises. The plot line surrounding Bingley's money worries, and Hurst's murder, was expertly done, and just when you think you know who's behind it, someone else appears from the woodwork, or there's a new clue, or death. It kept me engaged right until the final page.

The chemistry and banter between Darcy and Lizzie was as good as the original, though slightly watered down, perhaps owing to the age change. I still shipped them, and the final chapter was amazing! I've just noticed on GR that there's two more books in this series, focusing on Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park, so I hope that we might see more of Lizzie and Darcy then. Definitely a book any lover of Pride and Prejudice needs to read!

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