A Country House Party, A Serial Killer and A Whirlwind Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Publisher
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation Mystery
THE PREMISE: In this outside of canon story, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet meet through different connections (and yet Mr. Darcy still makes a terrible first impression.) Both characters are invited to a month-long house party where they decide to begin anew and become friends. But their budding relationship is interrupted when a suspected serial killer attacks one of the houseguests, and a hired Bow Street Runner places most of the male guests (including Mr. Darcy) under suspicion…
MY THOUGHTS:
Country house parties and mysteries – two things I love! What could be better? The intermingling of friends and acquaintances for an extended stay, the pleasure-seeking diversions, the matchmaking and romantic pairings – Regency house parties are so fantastic! And this most definitely is not one to miss – as it turns about to involve much more excitement and drama than anyone expected!
Kelly Miller implements some bold and unique changes with this variation – there are only two Bennet daughters, Mrs. Bennet passed away, Jane is married, and both were mostly brought up by the Gardiners. With the absences of many original Pride and Prejudice characters, this story focuses primarily on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy and the many new original characters attending this house party. I will admit, I don’t mind taking a break from Wickham, Lydia, and Lady Catherine, occasionally! I enjoyed spending time observing these new personalities and relationships develop. Especially the relationships between Elizabeth and other characters! I loved seeing her warm friendship with her cousin Rose Kendall, her walks and exchanges with Mr. Darcy, and her interest and romantic potential with Captain Kendall.
With frightful attacks, murders, and shadowy scenes from the murderer’s point-of-view, this tale is a bit more dark and grim. (NOTE: Because there are some brief moments of violence and allusions to mature content, I’d recommend this tale for Mature Audiences.) I loved the juxtaposition of seeing these darker and more sinister parts of this story alongside the gaiety of a house party. In addition, I also loved how Kelly Miller dangled some small details about our murderer – his first name, his purpose, his twisted relationship with his mother – without revealing all. These scenes were wonderfully tense and gripping, and it was great fun to try and piece the mystery together with these clues. And this was one of those very rare times where I had guessed it correctly! Although, I can’t decide if I enjoy it more when I solve the mystery or when I am stumped!
My quibble for this story is that I felt some disjointedness with the pacing. There were some slow passages outlining day-to-day activities that sometimes detracted a little from the intensity and excitement of the mystery and romance. Perhaps some of those extraneous scenes could have been lop’t and crop’t. In addition, while I loved seeing the encounters and devoted affection between Darcy and Elizabeth, it sometimes felt as if their romance developed a little too swiftly.
With the danger of a serial killer, the tension of a murder investigation, and the drama of a whirlwind romance taking place during a Regency house party Accusing Mr. Darcy proves to be a most engaging and memorable Pride and Prejudice variation. This mystery is a wonderful choice for readers looking for a refreshingly unique and ominous tale to enjoy!
It’s been a while since I read this one Meredith but I love it. I must disagree a little as the faster the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth develops, the better as far as I’m concerned . Great review as usual.
Thank you very much, Meredith, for reading “Accusing Mr. Darcy” and sharing your thoughts!
I read and enjoyed this story. Great review, Meredith. I also posted my review.
Thanks for another great review. I look forward to reading this one.
This book is on my “To Be Read” list along with another group of books on my Kindle. Along with the drafts of FanFiction that I read by some of the authors, I can’t keep up with it all!
I read this book awhile back and really enjoyed it. It was a welcome break from the usual P&P characters & scenarios. I love the brooding Darcy on the cover!
I am late commenting because I was just starting to listen to the book on audio at the time. My third listen to this great story. And knowing whodunit didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Mostly because I have a terrible memory and couldn’t remember how it was worked out in the end. Really great new characters. Kelly Miller has become an author I eagerly await a new book from and enjoy rereading. I wish her great luck on the new book launch.