Jonathan Darcy has recovered from the wound he received in a duel three months prior, during a disastrous London Season. But his parents aren’t over the shock, and they remain convinced that, no matter how many murderers have been caught via their investigations, Jonathan must end his association with Miss Juliet Tilney—particularly now that she is a young lady of ruined reputation. He prays for some opportunity to be with her again, but unfortunately, the answer to those prayers comes in the form of murder: his uncle Charles Bingley’s brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, is found dead from poisoning at Netherfield Park. Aunt Jane is desperate for answers, which means Miss Tilney must be invited to Netherfield to investigate!
Juliet, still reeling from her newfound ruination, is happy to be back in the thick of an investigation. The reunion with Mr. Darcy is difficult—Juliet has missed Jonathan terribly, but she is tormented by the knowledge that his parents will never approve their match. Adding to her troubles are the scheming Caroline Bingley Allerdyce and her daughter Priscilla, whose machinations threaten any hope Juliet might have of societal rehabilitation, much less an engagement. Then, Mr. Hurst proves to be only the first victim at Netherfield, casting a pall of danger—and worse, scandal—over the Bingleys' household. Jonathan and Juliet must find the culprit, and will ultimately be called to make a final choice between respectability…and love.
SPOILERS!!!
THEY HAD BETTER TURN AROUND!! I am sorry but I am now becoming fed up with this series. I love the mysteries. I love the character and being in Jane Austen’s world. However, more and more the “slow burn” of Juliet and Jonathan is becoming unbearable. I am now not certain as to what the point of the romance even is meant to be. That said, I find that the romance is beginning to overshadow the mysteries. If Claudia Gray wishes the series to be more of a romance than a cozy mystery than from here on out it should be advertised as such.
I do not find the conduct of Fitzwilliam Darcy to be held in the manner that Jane Austen would have intended for him. It appears that though it is implied in the original text that Fitzwilliam had understood the error of his ways, that Claudia Gray does not wish that to be so. I do, however, agree that it would take a lot to anger Jane Bingley. Her eventual targeted and spirited response do align with the character that Austen would have approved of.
As for the other, supporting, characters it is easy to see that there was no need to deviate from Austen’s original personalities. I applaud Gray with a likelihood of how those individuals may have ended their days, as well as how a possible murder and the motives could have gone. If one can get away from the angst of “love” than the plot of the novel was sublime.
Overall, I rate this novel 3 out of 5 stars.
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