What If Someone Is Trying to Dispatch Mr. Darcy?

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE PREMISE: Mr. Darcy is wanted for treason, almost kidnapped and murdered, and unable to trust his own family. And he only has one ally – and she just rejected his proposal of marriage… Who wants Mr. Darcy dead and why? Will he ever be able to return to his own life? Is there any future where Elizabeth will want to be his wife….?

WHAT I LOVED:

• Full of Danger and Drama: The tension is high with Mr. Darcy running for his life and unsure of who he can trust! Hiring killers is serious business! And poor Mr. Darcy is constantly needing to look over his shoulder. This premise is so very different and unexpected, and I loved it. We are taken away from the comforts of quiet drawing rooms and gardens and exposed to the sinister, squalid, and seedy areas of London. Catherine Morland’s overly-active imagination would be excessively diverted by all the wild and horrid things that take place.

• A Woman of Action: Elizabeth, you are as quick-witted, capable and sensible as Anne Elliot in Lyme! And I absolutely loved to see it! There was so much to admire in Elizabeth’s actions throughout this story – I loved her relationship with the Scarlett family, I loved how she was immediately cautious and suspicious about everyone, and I loved that she daringly took steps to find some answers on her own – even when her opinion of Mr. Darcy was not overly positive.

• Darcy Humbled: I don’t want to spoil all that takes place with Mr. Darcy on his unexpected misadventure, but let’s just say he found some ways to occupy his time – side note: I adored the new friends he made. When he isn’t engaging in his new pursuits or trying to solve these puzzles, Mr. Darcy’s time is spent in observation and reflection. Mr. Darcy’s eyes are opened repeatedly – about the himself, about the world, about what he thought he understood. What a wonderfully unique way for Mr. Darcy to learn these lessons. I appreciate how the author portrayed his evolution and growth.

• Falling In Love From Afar: Usually I dislike it when Darcy and Elizabeth are forced apart and a majority of the actions takes place with them not together, but I didn’t so much mind their separation in this book. And I think that had a lot to do with how actively they were thinking and connecting with each other while separated. I love all that Elizabeth learned about Mr. Darcy from other sources. And the letters??? So swoony, so cute, and so funny in their attempts of disguise.

• Twists and Revelations: Little did we know evil, schemes, and secrets were all around. And just when we think we know it all and have it all figured out, something new is discovered or takes place. I was continuously surprised and astonished, and I loved it! I enjoyed how Emilia Stratford found some new and creative ways to add some shade and solemnity to Jane Austen’s “light, bright, and sparkling” world.

WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:

• There are bits that if closely examined will feel a bit far-fetched or inconsistent, but my attention was more agreeably engaged by the author’s storytelling and the delicious suspense she tension she constructed.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

⛓️ Readers will be held captive by suspense in this daring, dangerous, and darker Pride and Prejudice variation.

😮  Dwelling a little bit more on guilt and misery leads to a tale with more evil and mystery…

👏🏼  A sensational debut – an inventive premise, well-constructed plot and character developments, and a  healthy dose of tantalizing tension, drama, and romance. I am looking forward to more from Emilia Stratford!

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