The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy's Cousin (Pride and Prejudice Murder Mystery #4) in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016

Jan 07, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

Sophia Rose's review says many things to which I would say "ditto", i.e. I have not read all the novels by Regina Jeffers which come before this one, although I have read 5 others by her. You can read this as a standalone book but you must know of Jane Austen’s P&P to have some background knowledge. There will be a time when I do get to read them. This author does not disappoint.

As the book description tells you Darcy runs to his sister's aid when she cries for help as her husband, the Major Ge Sophia Rose's review says many things to which I would say "ditto", i.e. I have not read all the novels by Regina Jeffers which come before this one, although I have read 5 others by her. You can read this as a standalone book but you must know of Jane Austen’s P&P to have some background knowledge. There will be a time when I do get to read them. This author does not disappoint.

As the book description tells you Darcy runs to his sister's aid when she cries for help as her husband, the Major General Fitzwilliam has disappeared. Darcy has not let go of his role as big brother and guardian to Georgiana and that relationship is part of the development of this story. But on the other side of the coin, Edward Fitzwilliam also has not been able to fully transform from his role as guardian to Georgiana to a full and open one as her husband, such as the type Darcy and Elizabeth enjoy.

And as we are also told that in finding Fitzwilliam who has lost days during an attempt to drown memories in liquor (but also in seeking to return to the battlefield where his nightmares can play out harmlessly) they find that heinous crimes have been committed and there is circumstantial evidence pointing at the Major General. He remembers nothing! So he can’t help in his own defense.

The author brings to our notice (if you haven't been paying attention to news columns, magazine articles and other media) the dire problem with PTSD, especially with men (or women) returning from battlefields. The Major General has no therapist to talk to and keeps it all inside until it comes to a head in this story. (As aside: That need to have someone to talk to gains particular attention at the end of the story when he meets a certain Navy man from another of JA’s novels.)

The story thus has two foci: the charge against this man and how he will continue in his marriage, in his relationship with his wife IF he escapes the noose. This murder mystery kept my attention but at times it was so tense, so angst ridden, I had to take a break for my own peace of mind. We know to expect a HEA but things were not looking good. Things were really, really bad. There is so much happening that you will find yourself holding your breath as one crime is prevented we learn that its stoppage now has the domino effect to put others in mortal danger and, if that is not enough there is a third consequence if the good guys step-in and seem to win. Who will Darcy and his posse chose to save?

The author also gives us a look at the British legal system during this period and at the end of this book cites various research from which she took her facts. The crimes described within are not for the faint of heart: they are bloody and vile and use a nursery rhyme as their structure.

This is an excellent well written story which gives us more mystery and mayhem than actual romance so be prepared. (Darcy and Elizabeth do have their moments…when they can find time.) ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jul 08, 2015 Sophia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-mystery-suspense, jane-austen-austenesque

I've enjoyed this author's books in the past and it has been some time since I picked one up. I couldn't resist the heady combo of historical mystery, sequel to Pride & Prejudice, and a favorite fictional secondary character in Colonel Fitzwilliam.

I didn't realize, but probably should have since I knew about them that this one is connected to a few previous books by the author. I had not read all of them so had a few moments of wishing I had the backstory as a result. I would suggest reading it I've enjoyed this author's books in the past and it has been some time since I picked one up. I couldn't resist the heady combo of historical mystery, sequel to Pride & Prejudice, and a favorite fictional secondary character in Colonel Fitzwilliam.

I didn't realize, but probably should have since I knew about them that this one is connected to a few previous books by the author. I had not read all of them so had a few moments of wishing I had the backstory as a result. I would suggest reading it after Christmas at Pemberley, The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy, and The Death of Mr. Darcy.

The book begins when Georgiana Fitzwilliam sends for her brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy, because her husband General Fitzwilliam has disappeared. Darcy brings along his family to first comfort Georgiana before heading to London to search out her erstwhile husband who left and doesn't want to be found.

Darcy is hurt, angry, and left confused as to Fitzwilliam's actions. He thought he understood the cost of war on his cousin, but learns the man did not heal through his return to peace and marriage. With the help of others, Darcy is able to track down his cousin in a deplorable condition only to learn that the state of affairs is much worse than he imagined. Fitzwilliam's unwillingness to cooperate are the least of it because now the man stands accused of brutal multiple murders. Time is running out in the shadow of the hangman's noose.

First and foremost, this is good storytelling and a cunning historical mystery. I enjoyed the attention to historic detail when it came to the art of detection, the state of criminal law, and the situation of men come back from the war. The mystery had complexity and the least of which was the ensuing courtroom drama.

Of secondary interest for me were the connections to the Pride & Prejudice characters. Shocking, I know, to admit that. Darcy, Lizzy, and Georgie are always fun to read about and they were in this one, but their ongoing story was swallowed up in something else for me.

I read a lot of military romance including historical and contemporary so I tend to be very tender-hearted about the wounded warriors. This was the dynamic that was more compelling- Fitzwilliam's disconnect with family, their perception of him and his situation, and his own perception of all that even as something new must emerge from all this for the family.
In this story, I found it a difficult thing to watch Fitzwilliam's family's anger, blame, and disappointment that he succumbed to the darkness inside him. Darcy had him on a pedestal as did the rest of his family as a 'war hero' and they had to come to terms with him being a mere man. Broke my heart to watch. The flip-side was Fitzwilliam's own acceptance with his new reality which was even more painful. I felt the author treated this all so well.

The original characters like the professional detective that was the family friend and even Anne's husband were a great inclusion. I think I could read a whole series of books about the detective and his cases.

The multiple bits of excitement near the end were the icing on the cake. The drama and danger were just the right amounts. I thought I had this one figured out and learned that I only had about half of it right.

All in all, this was an engaging book both in the suspense and the character driven plot. I heartily recommend it to Austenesque lovers and lovers of historical mysteries. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2017 Talia rated it it was amazing

Angst! Lots of angst. An almost predictable ending but I am not complaining about any Col Fitzwilliam as a main character book out there. Not me! Great writing, E was fabulous!

Reread: I just love this cover! I hope there will be more in this series.

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 09, 2015 Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: just-jane-1813-sequels, just-jane-1813-series, just-jane-1813-mysteries

5 stars for this P&P inspired murder mystery

I really enjoyed reading this book and was surprised by the twists and turns in the plot... The historical perspective was captivating and the Darcy family and their relationships were well-balanced throughout the book...sweet dialogue and the adorable Bennett Darcy made it an even better read!

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 04, 2015 Susan rated it really liked it

Shelves: jane-austen-related

This was a most unusual variation/sequel
to Pride and Prejudice. It uses PTSD as
an important plot element and it is quite
well done. Just coincidentally, I also just
recently read a volume of short stories about the war in Iraq and it was the first time I
ever thought of the Napoleonic Wars in
terms of the trauma sustained.

2 likes · Like · see review