Carrie Bebris
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries
“My investigations and decisions are not usually influenced by my hopes or fears.”
Darcy to Elizabeth,
Pride and Prejudice
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!  
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.