Carrie Bebris
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries
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“My investigations and decisions are not usually influenced by my hopes or fears.” Darcy to Elizabeth, Pride and Prejudice
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The Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mysteries feature newlyweds Elizabeth Bennet and Mr.
Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice as reluctant sleuths who become
embroiled in intrigues surrounding their friends and family. The series debuted with
Pride and Prescience, which made the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association
bestseller list and was named one of the five best mysteries of 2004 by Library
Journal. Successive books bring the Darcys into contact with characters from other
Austen novels, but you do not need to have read Austen's originals to enjoy the Darcy
mysteries. If you wish to read the series in order, the books are:
Pride and Prescience (2004), based on Pride and Prejudice
Suspense and Sensibility (2005), based on Sense and Sensibility
North by Northanger (2006), based on Northanger Abbey
The Matters at Mansfield (2008), based on Mansfield Park
If you're a fan of Jane Austen, historical fiction, traditional ("cozy") mysteries, or
romance, you won't want to miss the Darcys' further adventures. The series offers
plenty of lively dialogue, suspense, and romantic interplay, with eerie twists
reminiscent of the gothic novels so popular in Austen's day.
The Darcys as detectives? Yes!
Austen's works lend themselves well to the mystery genre; in fact, bestselling
mystery writer P.D. James has made a case for reading Emma as a mystery. To me,
the Darcys are natural protagonists for a mystery series. Though they would never
think of themselves as "detectives," Elizabeth and Darcy make a great team when it
comes to solving problems and piercing the armor of people they encounter. We see
in Pride and Prejudice that Elizabeth is a sharp observer of human nature and foibles,
a witty conversationalist, a woman who relies on her instincts. Darcy, in contrast, is
a deductive reasoner and a man who knows how to move about in the world. She
predicts Lydia's disgrace; he ferrets out the eloped couple. Now, solving puzzles
amid quick banter and lighthearted jesting, the newlywed Darcys are a dynamic,
resourceful investigative couple in the tradition of The Thin Man's Nick and Nora
Charles.
Mr. Darcy: Mystery Hero
Shortly after I sent the final draft of Pride and Prescience off to my editor, a British survey of 1,900 female readers identified Mr. Darcy as the literary character with whom women would most like to go out on a dinner date. Of the next six characters on the list, five were detectives or crime fighters. So I figure Mr. Darcy as a detective makes him pretty much the perfect hero!
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Praise for the Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mysteries
"Mannered prose, Regency backdrops, moody country houses, and delightful
characterization place this new series high on the to-buy list."
-- Library Journal starred review
"Charming . . . Fans of Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen books will want to check out
Bebris' debut." -- Booklist
"Well-crafted . . .Bebris works her own brand of Austen magic."
-- Publisher's Weekly
"The lively dialogue makes Elizabeth truly endearing." --The Poisoned Pen
"Thoroughly 'light, and bright, and sparkling,' in the best Austen tradition, with a
dollop of murder and mayhem to leaven the whole. A delight."
-- Stephanie Barron, author of the Jane Austen mysteries
"The characters are delightfully true to Miss Austen's originals and penned in prose
worthy of Jane herself. The story moves from love story to mystery and back again
in a most sprightly and enjoyable way. Truly a treat for Austen fans and mystery
lovers alike." -- Victoria Hinshaw, author of Ask Jane

Click on any cover for more information about individual books in the series.
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