Happy Friday, friends! It’s been a big week! First, two Austenesque authors paid their first visits to Austenesque Reviews, and now one of our favorite veteran authors is paying her seventh visit to Austenesque Reviews – the lovely Sophie Turner. Sophie is here in celebration of her newest title which has a most provoking title – The Crimes of Elizabeth Darcy What crimes could Elizabeth Darcy have committed?! And what happens when she is tried??? This premise already has me enthralled! 😍
Sophie is here to share more about the various settings in her novel. We hope you enjoy! 🤗
Thank you so much, Meredith, for having me back to visit at Austenesque Reviews! I’m very excited to be sharing more about my new book, The Crimes of Elizabeth Darcy. Since it includes some unique locations, I thought I would take readers on a little virtual tour, starting in Cornwall.
The story begins with Fitzwilliam Darcy receiving a near-fatal head wound while on a ship returning to England. He is left for dead but found by a fisherman, and taken in by that fisherman and his wife. He has no memory of his family or friends, and spends several years living with them in Mousehole, Cornwall. (I’ve heard varying pronunciations for the village, but Mow-zil or Mow-zol seem to be most common – not Mouse-hole.)
Historically a port and fishing village, Mousehole’s harbour is protected by a large stone wall with a gap in it.
It’s a charming village, one I had a chance to visit when in Cornwall many years ago. At the time, I never thought that it would become a setting for one of my books, but when I needed a Cornish fishing village, it was an easy choice.
When a chance encounter makes Darcy begin to consider that he might be a gentleman, he goes to Penzance with his fisherman friend, Jory. One of the most striking features of Penzance is what lays beyond it: St. Michael’s Mount, which is mentioned several times in the story. Formerly a monastery, it passed through a series of owners and eventually came to the St Aubyn family.
Depending on the tide, the house atop the mount can be visited either by boat or via causeway. When I went, I was lucky enough to time things so that I got to experience both.
Also at Penzance is the delightfully salty Admiral Benbow pub, which somewhat made an appearance as an unnamed alehouse.
Although I envisaged more of a dimly lit plain building than the pub’s current eclectic interior, the visible ceiling beams would certainly have been a part of the alehouse I imagined. I really enjoyed writing Darcy as someone who was, in a way, raised by a fisherman, and comfortable drinking a tankard of ale in a place like that.
What Darcy learns in Penzance leads him to take a stagecoach to London, seeking to learn more about his identity. In London, he is reunited with Elizabeth, who had remarried for the sake of their children. This ultimately leads them to her trial for bigamy, held in Derby.
The trial is held at the Derby Shire Hall, which still stands today although it has been significantly reconfigured inside (nor was I able to go in, when I visited Derby). At the time of Elizabeth’s trial, it would have been a vast open space, with courtrooms at either end. In addition to researching the procedure of criminal trials during this time, I also had to research the architecture and fittings of courtrooms, and while some were fitted with more permanent furniture, often the courtroom furnishings were temporary, allowing the hall to be used for other purposes.
Inns in Derby also take a place of prominence. One, the Old Bell, is still extant today, and is a delightful timber-framed building.
The Old Bell still has an intact coachway:
The other inn I feature in Derby is fictitious, but one key feature is its galleries, which can be seen at the George, the last galleried coaching inn remaining in London. Galleries provided a way for an inn’s guest to reach their room through a semi-protected space, while still allowing natural light to reach the room through the window.
Of course, the characters also spend time in London townhouses, Longbourn, and Pemberley, as well as the estate belonging to Colonel (now General) Fitzwilliam’s father. But I found I really enjoyed writing some of these more unique locations, and I hope readers have enjoyed touring them here as well!
Fascinating! I love the photos and I love the virtual tour you took us on Sophie! From the ruggedness and rustic-ness of Cornwall to the cozy charm of village inns and pubs – I can’t wait to see all the scenes that take place in these surroundings. Especially now that I have such visuals to enhance my imagination! Thank you so much for sharing your travels with us, Sophie! 🤩
~~~
~ Book Description ~
After a tragic accident, Fitzwilliam Darcy is left for dead. His grief-stricken wife vows to do what is best for their children, including an ill-advised second marriage in the peerage.
Years later, Will Trevills leaves his happy life in Cornwall to discover the truth about his past. Thrust into a strange world after life as a fisherman, he gains a family he cannot recall. Lady Neston becomes Mrs. Darcy once more, and is grateful for her escape. But her husband questions his purpose as a gentleman, and cannot remember the love they shared.
Charged with bigamy, she may face the ultimate punishment, while the family she sought to protect has never been in greater peril.
Part thriller, part romance, and part courtroom drama, this Elizabeth and Darcy story is a long, absorbing read.
Readers should be aware that this story contains scenes of rape and sexual assault as well as a depiction of an abusive marriage and more general physical violence.
~ Connect with Sophie ~
Blog ❧ Twitter ❧ Facebook ❧ Goodreads
~ About Sophie ~
Sophie C. Turner worked as an online editor before delving even more fully into the tech world. Writing, researching the Regency era, and occasionally dreaming about living in Britain are her escapes from her day job.
She was afraid of long series until she ventured upon Patrick O’Brian’s 20-book Aubrey-Maturin masterpiece, something she might have repeated five times through.
Alas, her Constant Love series is only planned to be seven – or possibly eight – books right now, and consists of A Constant Love, A Change of Legacies, A Season Lost, and A Generation’s Secrets. The tentatively titled fifth book, A Dangerous Connection, is likely to be out in 2024 or 2025, if it comes out as long as its predecessor. She is also the author of Mistress: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, with Parts Not Suitable for Those Who Have Not Reached Their Majority and Less Proud and More Persuasive.
Sophie blogs about her writing endeavours at sophie-turner-acl.blogspot.com, where readers can find direction for the various social drawing-rooms across the Internet where she may be called upon.
~~~
~ GIVEAWAY TIME ~
Today Sophie generously brings with her 5️⃣ copies of The Crimes of Elizabeth Darcy (kindle or paperback – winner’s choice!) to 5️⃣ lucky readers!
To enter this giveaway, leave a question, a comment, or some love for Sophie below!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Sophie!
- This giveaway ends May 19th!
What a premise. Just when you think that it’s all been done before, someone comes along with something that feels completely unique and sounds riveting. This premise sounds amazing and I can’t wait to see the changes these new situations have wrought in the characters. Congratulations of your newest release Sophie and I wish you much success with it. I know that I’m going to jump on my kindle now to track it down.
My first reply didn’t reply, so trying again to say thank you so much, Melissa! I love to hear you like the premise – this was really written as a story for readers who were interested in something different.
I am looking forward to reading this completely unique story.
Thank you, Gwen, so glad to hear you’re looking forward to it!
Great pictures and a very interesting premise though must be high angst story. I hope for HEA. Congratulations and thanks for giveaway
Thank you, Kate! Yes, it’s definitely the highest angst story I’ve ever done, but it all comes out HEA in the end.
I loved this story when it was on the boards, and now look forward to reading the published version. I especially loved the new characters in Cornwall, who certainly inspired loyalty from Darcy.
Thank you, Sarah! So glad to hear you enjoyed the earlier version of the story.
Oh Heavens! This sounds very angsty! I will have to stock up on tissues and chocolate I believe before reading this! I’m assuming that Darcy was declared dead so it’s a travesty that Elizabeth is to be tried for bigamy! I do hope Darcy recalls his love for her and they do eventually get their HEA?
Thank you, Glynis! Yes, it’s definitely the highest angst story I’ve ever done, but it does all come out HEA in the end.
This is going to be my reading for Hawai’i this weekend. Love all of Sophie’s work. Ple3ase do not include me in the drawing.
Ooh, have a wonderful trip, Don!
Interesting twist! I look forward to reading it.
Thank you, Jennifer, glad to hear you’re looking forward to it!
I hope that I am a winner of one of these books! The premise is truly fascinating. It does make me mad that Elizabeth is the one being charged with bigamy , but those of the peerage usually aren’t. Thoroughly enjoyed the photos and explanations. I have enjoyed Sophia’s previous books. Thank you.
Thank you, Eva! So glad to hear you enjoyed the post and my previous books.
Wow. What a unique premise…! Sounds really angsty though. I love the pictures! Thanks for including them so we can see the cool places!
Thank you, Bats! It is definitely the highest angst story I’ve done so far. Glad to hear you loved the pictures.
I’m intrigued by the courtroom drama but what I find even more interesting is the fisherman-Darcy adjusting to his old life.
Good luck with the new release!
Fisherman-Darcy’s adjustment was definitely one of my favourite aspects of writing this. Thank you for your comment, Alexandra!
This sounds amazing – something really different. I look forward to reading it.
Thank you, Heather! I was definitely going for a story for readers who were looking for something different.
What an interesting premise. I love amnesia stories so would love to see Mr. Darcy discovering who he is and rediscovering the love for his wife. Hopefully, they are able to overcome all the challenges.
Thank you, darcybennet! I love amnesia stories too, so it was time to write my own, haha. I really enjoyed writing Darcy as a fisherman who was rediscovering both his old life and his wife.
What an incredible premise! I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Love the pictures, too. Beautiful!
Thank you, Pam! So glad to hear you liked the premise and the photos.
What a unique premise. I so enjoyed seeing the “real” places the story will take place in. Specific settings make a story more real for me. I look forward to reading this one.
Thank you, Sallianne! I agree, writing settings that I’ve been to makes it more real to me, and I love to share them with readers.
WOW, I can see this is going to be an emotional roller coaster. I hope that it will be made into an audiobook as I can envision a deeper connection with the right narrator. I have put this book on my to read list. The photos were great to help give a visual.
Thank you, Glory! I think emotional roller coaster is a great way to describe it. And I am hoping to do an audiobook but we are still in the thick of the audiobook for “A Generation’s Secrets,” so it will be a while.
Sounds different and fun! Looking forward to reading it! Lesley
Thank you, Lesley, glad to hear you’re looking forward to reading!
Oh my, I’ve known I wanted to read this new Sophie Turner book as soon as it came on my radar. But knowing more of the premise, whew! I’m going to have to gear up my courage for this one. Sounds very angsty.
It is definitely the most angsty book I’ve done, but of course there’s an HEA in the end. Thank you for your interest in the book, Michelle!
This looks great!
Thank you, Julie!
Love the photos but not sure I want to read a story which includes those events (abuse, rape, etc.) described at the end. But thanks for the generous giveaway.
Thank you for your comment, Sheila! I definitely get that.
I can’t wait to add this beauty to my library! I so look forward to reading it!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Thank you, Jean! So glad to hear you’re looking forward to reading it.
Thank you so much, Melissa! I love to hear you like the premise – this was really written as a story for readers who were interested in something different.
What crimes indeed????? Loving the pictures.
It’s definitely plural crimes. That’s all I’ll say so I don’t spoil. Thank you for your comment, Mary!
Looks like an angst fest! Thank you for the tour of Cornwall and the giveaway. Congrats and best wishes on the new release!
It is the highest angst story I’ve done, although of course it comes to an HEA in the end. Thank you for your comment, Robin!
Thank you so much for a great idea of what Cornwall looks like and how it plays out in this novel. It is a completely different from the hundreds of P & P variations I have read. It will keep me interested as to the ongoings in this novel! Thank you also for giving us a background of yourself. Hoping to add to my library of my hundred of books and my hundreds of Kindle novels. Wishing everyone good luck in the winnings and also a thank you for your generosity in the giveaway!!!
Thank you, MaryAnn! I was definitely going for a story for readers who are looking for something different to read. And glad the Cornwall photos gave you a great idea of the setting.
I am already intrigued! Adding this to my TBR hoard.
Thank you, Christina! Glad to hear the story is intriguing.
Bigamy charges? That’s a different take! I’ll love to read your latest so I can say that I’m up-to-date on my Sophie Turner collection.
A big part of the plot bunny for this story was when I learned that bigamy was still technically a hanging offense during this time! Thank you for your comment, Joy, and I love to hear that you have a collection.
As they say “A picture is worth a thousand words” thus your pictorial tour of the inspiration for places and scenes in your new book give us wonderful images of the story. The premise is new to me and I look forward to reading it. Your give away is extremely generous-thank you for the chance to win this highly anticipated tale. Congrats on publishing a new work.
Thank you, Jeannette! So glad to hear you’re looking forward to reading the story!
I read a synopsis of this story earlier today and now enjoyed the photos. My appetite for the book as really been whetted.
I think I need a new keyboard: my keys stick as I type away, knowing what word I think I’m typing and forget I need to check before, not after, I hit the Send button.
No worries, Betty, I’m near needing a new keyboard myself so I totally understand. Glad to hear the post whetted your appetite for the book and thank you for your comment!
How exciting! I read this when it was posted online and absolutely devoured it. I won’t give away any spoilers but this is definitely one you won’t want to miss!!
Thank you for your comment, Aimee! Glad to hear you enjoyed the online version.
What an interesting premise! A crime she didn’t know she was committing since she thought him dead! Poor Lizzy!
Thank you, Nancy! I felt like the convergence of (unintentional) bigamy and amnesia made for really interesting possibilities in the story.