What If The Darcys Went to Sanditon?
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Purchased
TYPE OF NOVEL: Mystery, Pride and Prejudice Sequel, Sanditon Continuation
TIME FRAME: Begins a couple days into Charlotte Heywood’s visit to Sanditon and around 4 years into the Darcys’ marriage.
SERIES: Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mystery #7 (does not need to be read in order)
SYNOPSIS:
Learning about Sanditon from Colonel Fitzwilliam and his kind neighbors, the Heywoods, the Darcys decide to enjoy a sojourn to the famed resort town to enjoy its pleasures and help assess its potential for investment (for the Fitzwilliams). Having met Charlotte Heywood and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parker prior to their journey, the Darcys are quick to encounter their extended friends and relations upon arrival in Sanditon and receive an invitation to dine with Lady Denham and other guests at Sanditon House. The dinner party goes awry when the hostess is discovered missing and a tempestuous storm makes all guests spend the night. Is it the work of ghosts? An actual kidnapping? Or does a houseful of possible beneficiaries have something to do with Lady Denham’s disappearance?
WHAT I LOVED:
- The Darcys: So we have: the Darcys happily in love with each other, traveling to all corners of England meeting new friends, and constantly getting embroiled in mysteries wherever they go…could this combination BE and more perfect!?! Love + Travel + Jane Austen Mash-Ups + Mystery = something fantastic! I love the life the Darcys are living…I want to join them wherever they go. It is wonderful that I can do so through the pages of these stories. 😉
- Very Much What They Ever Were: One of Carrie Bebris’s talents is portraying and fleshing out Jane Austen’s characters in a manner that is so reverent and thoughtful to their original creations. She matches their delightful eccentricities and idiosyncrasies, cleverly emulates their dialogue, and fabricates intrigue and mysteries around them in a manner that doesn’t feel wholly improbable. I was thrilled to see Ms. Bebris continue in a like manner (unlike a certain mini-series so far) with the Parkers’ hilarious self-doctoring, Diana Parker’s relentless energy, and Sir Denham’s mortifying attempts at being a romantic Lothario.
- Sanditon House: I love that all the intrigue and drama took place in Sanditon House. It was riveting to witness how all characters would get along in their confinement and observe their continued interactions with each other. And the tension certainly heightened when characters started to pair off and search the house because more than one guest had gone missing! It made me think of the movie Clue (which you must see if you haven’t), with all the characters having possible ulterior motives and breaking away from the others for unknown reasons.
- Kept Us Guessing: It is so fun to be kept in the dark and attempt to puzzle out the mystery before it is all revealed. I love all the red herrings Ms. Bebris incorporated in this tale. With so many characters interested and dependent on Lady Denham’s favor it made for a long list of suspects! I was happy to say that I accurately guessed one third of the mystery, but the other two thirds were surprises.
- The Ending: I loved the wonderfully satisfying conclusions Ms. Bebris created for these characters. There was plenty of detail, promising romantic developments, and a lot of gratifying outcomes for all players involved, big and small. I am so glad Ms. Bebris took such time to illustrate the fates for each character.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- Sometimes Slow: There was an occasional moment or two where I felt the story and action lag a little bit. Some readers may feel the exposition (which is around 80 pages) might be a little long, but I really enjoyed seeing the Darcys arrive in Sanditon, encounter all the key players for the first time, and tour the area.
CONCLUSION:
Readers who love to see beloved characters brought together in and who enjoy stories with murder, mayhem, and intrigue will find so much to appreciate and admire about the remarkable Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries series. I am thrilled that Ms. Bebris included Sanditon in her collection and applaud all her praiseworthy characterizations and attention to detail. I am so hoping that this series will continue with more!!
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** Most likely because of the new mini-series, The Suspicion at Sanditon is currently priced a lot lower than the other books in this series – $2.99. (Might be just US?) Just thought I’d point it out. 😉**
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Friends, I have had these two gently read books waiting in my pile to be given away when I finally read and reviewed this book! I am so happy this day is finally come. 😄 I have a paperback of The Matters at Mansfield and a paperback of Suspense and Sensibility to giveaway to 2 lucky readers of this blog. (Note: both books are previously owned)
All you need to do is leave a comment below and share your thoughts about my review, this series, or Mr. and Mrs. Darcy solving mysteries!
- This giveaway is open to US residents.
- This giveaway ends February 5th!
I have read some of the series and thoroughly enjoyed them. As Meredith wrote, what could be better than ODC, mystery, and a JAFF mash up! This book would be fun to read while watching Sandition on TV. I must confess that I consider the TV series as a “bonnet” show rather than Jane Austen’s Sandition. Thank you for the giveaway.
Definitely! I was very upset at myself for waiting so long to read this one, but at the same time it was perfect to read it during this resurgence in popularity for Sanditon.
I love these books! I keep hoping that Carrie will write more and I would love to own them! I think they are some of the best continuations out there.
Oh I so hope she will write more…I saw other readers mention Lady Susan. Maybe we can start a petition for it?
I love Carrie Bebris books. Mystery with Darcy and Lizzy is a favorite read. When added with other Jane Austen books, mash-up style, you cannot go wrong. Thanks for the opportunity to win a gently read book, and for your exceptional review!
They make a fantastic sleuthing pair, don’t they? I agree…Carrie Bebris really did such a wonderful job blending characters together and creating plausible relationships between them.
Have read and loved all her books. This new one sounds delightful!
It definitely was! Probably one of my favorites from the series too!
What a great idea! The fragment of Sanditon and the characters lends itself perfectly to the mystery genre.
It worked really well…especially with characters that have such an array of possibilities!
I haven’t read any of these yet and would love to! Thanks so much for offering to give them away!
Yes, you should definitely check this series out!! I have really enjoyed all 7 books. My favorites might be North by Northanger and The Intrigue at Highbury…happy to help my duplicate copies find new homes!
I’ve only read one book from the series so far, but I am definitely interested in reading more of them. I actually have the first 6 books because I bought them in a pre-owned set on ebay, so the only thing stopping me is everything else I also want to read!
I’d love to see another author’s take on Sanditon too.
The good thing about good mysteries is that they are page turners and might read them faster than you expect! 😉 Hope you get the chance to read some of the other books in this series soon!
I like reading about ODC in the mystery genre. Carrie ‘s new book sounds interesting. Thank you for your giveaway!
They do very well with mysteries, I definitely would love to see more mystery novels like this in the Austenesque genre.
I am very much intrigued by a whole series of Darcy and Elizabeth traveling England and solving mysteries together! The scenario made me think of the Clue movie before I even saw your comment about it. This sounds like such a fun book and such a fun series — I must read them all!
LOL! Yes, this one gave some terrific Clue vibes! Hope you enjoy this series as much as I did!
This is a real treasure which interests me so much. what a lovely giveaway.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! Best of luck!
I love this series. Thank you for the generous give away.
So glad to hear that! Thanks for entering!
I have enjoyed the whole series except this one which is still unread. I keep dragging my feet because I know its the last one. So glad you loved it.
Please don’t enter me. 🙂
I hope you get the chance to read this one soon!! I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
I have this series on my wishlist. Thanks for your review and giveaway.
Awesome! I hope you get the chance to read some of these books soon!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the previous six books in Carrie Brebis’ series, so I am thrilled to discover a 7th book now!! I’ve definitely added it to my “Want to Read” list on Goodreads!!
Thanks for your lovely review, Meredith–thoughtful and balanced as always!! 🙂
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Oh yay! I am so glad there IS a 7th book….I’m crossing fingers for an 8th. Thanks so much for your kind words about my review!
I love Jane Austen & I love mysteries, so this sounds like a fun series. Thank you for the review & the giveaway opportunity!
Yes, this series sounds perfect for you!! Hope you get the chance to check these books out soon!
I knew this was on your January Agenda so I purchased it and started reading it. I got to one of those slower parts, had RL interrupt and got pulled toward another book I was desperate to start and….. Yes, I need to go finish it. But I appreciate your review, no spoilers and an incentive to read Carrie Bebris in general. Very tidy review Meredith.
Bebris’ books were some of the very first Austen variations I read. Before my e-reader. Back when I was searching the library computer catalogue (unsatisfactory) and scouring the used book stores. Now I can barely read without the ability to read on my iPad or phone where I can boost the font size up. I don’t have all of her books in e-format yet. I keep watching for a sale, like this book. They do come around. They are really well written. And like Sophia said, you want to savor the last one available, or at least the last of hers you’ve read.
Obviously don’t include me in your generous giveaway. You’re sweet to part with them. Now, time for that magical end-of-month round up and the February Agenda. 😀
It will definitely pick up towards the last third, Michelle. So happy to hear you were interested in reading this one.
I love hearing how you discovered these books and how they were some of the very first you found. That makes these books very special to you. I look forward to your thoughts when you do finish this one.
I have not read all of this author’s series. Great review. I really do want to catch up so thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you, Sheila! I hope you get to read the ones you haven’t read yet of this series!
Thanks for featuring a different side o fMr & Mrs Darcy life. I have read only very few mystery books. Eager ro know who will solve this and what really happened.
Thank you for the give-away
Absolutely! Seeing the Darcys as sleuths is definitely one of my favorite portrayals of them! It is an interesting solution… 😉
I have read (and own) a few of the Mr & Mrs Darcy mysteries. I have enjoyed them very much – as others have said – ODC and a mystery! Thanks for the opportunity to add to my collection. And while I am enjoying the PBS Sanditon – I don’t quite think what Jane envisioned.
So wonderful to be introduced to this author’s work. Cannot wait for this latest take on Sanction with D & E