The Elizabeth Papers in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016

Mar 01, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

This is a masterpiece…I loved it. It is not overly long but it is definitely captivating. I was reminded of those Perry Mason mysteries in that not only do we have a mystery but we have a human side to the case. However in this story the modern day male lead is more Paul Drake. Charlie Hayward had taken on work as a PI when his family met with their own tragedy and then, with success, opened up his own business. And he is good at what he does: usually it is tracking down adulterous spouses. Howe This is a masterpiece…I loved it. It is not overly long but it is definitely captivating. I was reminded of those Perry Mason mysteries in that not only do we have a mystery but we have a human side to the case. However in this story the modern day male lead is more Paul Drake. Charlie Hayward had taken on work as a PI when his family met with their own tragedy and then, with success, opened up his own business. And he is good at what he does: usually it is tracking down adulterous spouses. However, here he is hired by a greedy recipient of The Darcy Trust who wants to eliminate some other recipients so as to receive a greater portion.

We read of this story from three different angles. One of which is the modern day one spoken of above. In the book we first read of Darcy’s instructions (1860) to his legal counsel. And this is very interesting. Readers you know how the Bennet women are to be “thrown into the hedgerows due to an Entail on Longbourn”. Well, in this story our man looks to secure the future of his own female descendents. Then we read of Elizabeth’s journaling (~1817) and her worries about having produced several daughters but no heir and pondering the meaning of attentions paid to a nephew. It was so sweet to read of how Darcy does not allow Elizabeth’s moods and her withdrawal to continue without discussion paid to them. I wondered if post partum depression was in part at work here but we also know that Mrs. Bennet produced five daughters so there is a pattern.

The modern day sleuthing was very well played. When Charlie, usually having no qualms about how or who he is investigating, is brought up short by the background and circumstances of his quarry and then has to face her opinion of his means and methods, we read as he takes stock of where this could be leading.

Evie Pemberton is such a dear. Yes, she does have many of the character traits I associate with Elizabeth Bennet. She cares deeply for her sister and puts Clemmie’s needs foremost. She also acts with honor when faced with a decision which just might have a permanent affect on her and her sister’s future.

Where do the Elizabeth papers come in? Travel with our couple to modern day Pemberley and watch as they persuade James and Honoria Darcy to allow them to examine an old family painting of Darcy’s wife and daughters but use that to cover their search for The Elizabeth Papers.

I felt somewhat melancholy reading of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy in past terms. But in the end loved how they worked together in love and honor to preserve the legacy of their family and future generations.

There is a Q & A section with the author at the end. ...more

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Feb 09, 2016 Sophia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen-austenesque, romantic-suspense, review-requests

What comes after the Happily Ever After for a favored couple from a classic is a story line sure to grab my interest. But take that and layer it into a modern story of mystery and romance and, shazam, I am practically guaranteed a tale that will keep me riveted from cover to cover. And this one delivered.

The answer to a two hundred year old secret will either destroy or continue to bring hope to a woman who desperately needs the funds from the Darcy Trust. A cunning private investigator delves What comes after the Happily Ever After for a favored couple from a classic is a story line sure to grab my interest. But take that and layer it into a modern story of mystery and romance and, shazam, I am practically guaranteed a tale that will keep me riveted from cover to cover. And this one delivered.

The answer to a two hundred year old secret will either destroy or continue to bring hope to a woman who desperately needs the funds from the Darcy Trust. A cunning private investigator delves deep into the past following a trail of clues that will hopefully lead to a satisfying resolution for the woman who has captured his attention, but whom he has already hurt dearly.

In the past, a woman seemingly has a happy life of home, family, and loving husband, but feels the distance growing as she cannot give her husband the son and heir that she feels is he expects from her. And what of this situation that has arisen? Will it be just that one thing too much for him to accept?

I enjoyed this tandem of past and present stories that had a connection, but also offered two very different tales. Split stories like this are hit or miss for me because of the potential of being distracted as they flip back and forth, but also the potential for one to be weaker than the other. But not in this case. The author did a marvelous job of writing two strong story lines and tying them together in such a way that they leave off in good places for the shift to the other story. I won't lie, there will be moments the reader will groan over getting pulled back to follow the other path, but both held this appeal so that was good.

The two story threads are told in two different voice styles which worked to distinguish the stories as much as the era in which they were written. In the past, Darcy and Elizabeth's story is told first person through his few letters and her diaries and, in the present, Charlie and Evie share third person narration of their story. It was a interesting choice and I thought a good one.

Elizabeth and Darcy's story had that tone and texture of the past. I thought the author wrote a good historical sounding dialogue, description of upper class family life, and considerations a married pair must face when the bloom is off the honeymoon and life happens. There is a strong effort to make the characters true to Austen's and I thought it was well done. It was neat to reunite with all the well-loved characters of the Bennet and Darcy clan to see where they are at a few years later. The secret element added some spice to the quieter yet equally strong conflicts of this part of the story. But that very last scene in the diary made my romantic heart swoon and return to it two times before I could move forward.

And in the present, the new characters, Charlie and Evie with their backgrounds and stories were no less interesting. Charlie is a jaded detective who pretty much lives for the win. He takes the check and does his job until he encounters Evie. Suddenly she is more than a case and a job for him, but he arrogantly messed up with her and now has to overcome her well-earned prejudice. Sound familiar? I loved the echoes of the classic story in the new one. The hunt for the evidence that would prove or disapprove Evie's right to the Darcy Trust was a nice little mystery that balanced well with their fledgling romance.

I liked the dynamic the suspicion that one of the Darcy daughters was illegitimate did to the story. The reader is kept in suspense through the investigations in the modern story and through the events of Darcy's letters and Lizzy's diary in the past until nearly the end. This was the real nailbiter for Darcy and Lizzy fans.

In summation, this dual story of light romantic suspense was fantastic and stand-out read. It will undoubtedly be one I re-read for the pleasure of several passages that I marked. This is definitely for the Austen lover, but also those who enjoy a little conspiracy in their classics and a modern day clue hunt in their romance.

I was gifted this book by the editor in exchange for my honest review thoughts.

...more

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Feb 09, 2016 Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813 rated it it was amazing

It's here everyone... I mean REALLY here!! KindleUnlimited and Kindle for purchase... Please read it soon so we can discuss it... You won't regret it, I promise!!

The Elizabeth Papers

https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Pape... ...more

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May 15, 2020 Ceri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austen-inspired, austenesque-different-era, 2016-austeneseque-challenge

This review was first posted on Babblings of a Bookworm: http://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot....

Jenetta James’ ‘The Elizabeth Papers’ grips you from the opening page of the prologue – it starts with a letter from Fitzwilliam Darcy, written in his old age. Mr Darcy is desirous of setting up a trust which will only benefit his female descendents, stating as his reasons that a family of females may prove vulnerable, like Elizabeth’s family would have, had he and Bingley not supported them. Having This review was first posted on Babblings of a Bookworm: http://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot....

Jenetta James’ ‘The Elizabeth Papers’ grips you from the opening page of the prologue – it starts with a letter from Fitzwilliam Darcy, written in his old age. Mr Darcy is desirous of setting up a trust which will only benefit his female descendents, stating as his reasons that a family of females may prove vulnerable, like Elizabeth’s family would have, had he and Bingley not supported them. Having a family of five daughters himself, in addition to his son, Darcy wants to ensure that his future female descendents will be safe. There is a hint in Darcy’s letter at some sort of mystery...

‘It is to be an entail in favour of the women in my family. It is in my mind to use the estate at Rosschapel for this purpose. You and I, alone in the world, understand the significance of that.’

We then flashback to Elizabeth’s diary – here she is a matron of five years’ standing and a mother of two girls so far, and pregnant again. Her marriage is very happy, but she is keen to provide Mr Darcy with an heir:

“If I knew some manner of magic that would assure Mr. Darcy of a son to join his two daughters, then I would do it.”

Another switch in time and viewpoint follows, to London in 2014 where we meet Evie Pemberton, an aspiring artist, and a man currently unknown to her, Charlie Haywood. Charlie runs a successful private detective agency and is not much bothered about the morals of a situation, just finding the facts and getting his fee. A new client wants him to look into the youngest Darcy daughter, Victoria, who, it is rumoured, wasn’t Mr. Darcy’s daughter at all. If this daughter’s female descendents (Evie and her sister Clemmie) are removed as beneficiaries of the trust, the amount received by the other beneficiaries will increase, and it’s a substantial sum.

So, Charlie begins his investigation – it seems as though there may be some papers relating to Elizabeth Darcy that may contain some sort of explanation, but where are they, what is the truth surrounding Victoria Darcy and can Charlie find out without completely alienating Evie?

The jumping around in time sounds confusing but I didn’t find it so; most of the jumps were between Elizabeth’s diary, as she deals with family pressures and worries more and more about what the lack of an heir might do to her marriage, and 2014, where Charlie begins to realise the potential implications of his work and his growing attraction to Evie.

We follow both sides, the past detailing events as they unfold and the present time taking steps in the investigation and I thought the two different parts flowed together surprisingly well. I found Elizabeth’s side of things was very plausible, because her most vital responsibility, as mistress of an estate is to provide an heir – I really felt for her. As time goes on the elephant in the room just gets bigger and bigger.

‘Although I have made merry at her expense all my life, I am now contrite. For I have never understood my mama better than I understand her now.’

The jumps to the future provided a real change of pace and there was a minor character that I particularly enjoyed. Charlie’s cousin, Peter, seemed like lovely bloke but he had a real knack for putting his foot in it!

The story was unusual in construction because not only was it set in two different periods but it’s also more than one genre – mystery and the most beautiful romance. The truth of the mystery wasn’t that hard for the reader to predict because there are indicators in Elizabeth’s diary before the events happen, but seeing how the modern sleuths fare made for an exciting read. There was more emotion in the historical part including an event that was written so touchingly that it made me cry! I thought the author captured Elizabeth’s character believably, which is important, as sections of the book are written from her perspective. I liked the opportunity to catch up with many of the main characters from ‘Pride & Prejudice’ – all of the Bennet sisters and their parents appear plus Colonel Fitzwilliam and even Caroline Bingley! I also really enjoyed the original storyline. For those who prefer to avoid sex and bad language there was only one instance of swearing that I noticed and no detailed sex scenes. I would certainly recommend this book and I’d rate it as a 4½ star read.

*I received an e-ARC of this book for my honest review courtesy of Meryton Press as part of the blog tour, organised by Leatherbound Reviews ...more

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Nov 06, 2016 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-books

Dear reader,

Spanning the 1800s and modern day,this compelling tale involves us on a journey of mystery,intrigue and deep suspense!

Evie Pemberton,an artist,is one of eleven females currently in receipt of funds from the Darcy Trust,something that our beloved Fitzwilliam set up in the 1800s to benefit only his female descendants,in perpetuity.

Cressida Carter,another such recipient,has learned that there are people in her very extended family in receipt of such monies, who have no legal basis for ...more

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Nov 25, 2016 Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen, pride-and-prejudice

Uncovering the Important Truth of the Darcys’ Marriage!

What if Mr. Darcy, being the responsible and magnanimous man he is, decided to set up a Darcy Trust to endow his future female descendants so they wouldn’t have to fear poverty or dependency on their relations?

What if in 2014 one of those modern-day descendants believed there was some truth to the rumor that one of the original Mr. Darcy’s daughters wasn’t actually his daughter?

What if this descendant hired a private investigator to find the Uncovering the Important Truth of the Darcys’ Marriage!

What if Mr. Darcy, being the responsible and magnanimous man he is, decided to set up a Darcy Trust to endow his future female descendants so they wouldn’t have to fear poverty or dependency on their relations?

What if in 2014 one of those modern-day descendants believed there was some truth to the rumor that one of the original Mr. Darcy’s daughters wasn’t actually his daughter?

What if this descendant hired a private investigator to find the answers about Victoria Darcy and discover if Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy truly were her parents?

In her outstanding new release author Jenetta James delivers an enthralling romantic mystery that has an unlikely pair – Charlie Haywood (private investigator) and Evie Pemberton (a Darcy descendant that could be disinherited) hunting to find the hidden truth about the Darcys’ marriage. Is it possible that Victoria Darcy isn’t really Mr. Darcy’s daughter? The rumors must have came from somewhere…all they need is to find the some document, letter, or maybe a diary that divulges a long ago family secret…

In between the chapters where we follow Evie and Charlie, Jenetta James reveals with tantalizing slowness some challenging times in the Darcys’ marriage through diary entries in Elizabeth’s private journal. While it is wonderful to read of the blissful happiness between Darcy and Elizabeth, this story illustrates the real moments of doubt, insecurities, and what happens when you don’t communicate with your partner. However, readers need not feel too anxious – Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth may have some misunderstandings and communication issues, but Mr. Darcy’s powerful love and endless devotion towards Elizabeth continue to speak loudly through his actions more than his words. *sigh* Very romantic!

I’m afraid it is impossibly difficult for me to decide what I loved most about this Pride and Prejudice adventure! I loved the concept and was entranced with the dual storyline – it had a perfect balance of intrigue, poignancy, and possibility. I adored all the characters – I wanted to be Evie’s best friend and I loved seeing how Charlie became so affected around her. While he did sometimes come off as a bit arrogant and insincere, deep down he was sweet and good. In addition, the Darcys (both past and present) were wonderfully drawn and brilliant additions to the story. Lastly, I love that we went on a road-trip to Pemberley and how art (and one piece of artwork in particular) was featured prominently in this tale.

There isn’t a thing I would change about The Elizabeth Papers! Jenetta James crafted a compelling and remarkable story that cannot help but enchant readers! Written with reverence towards Jane Austen’s characters and filled with vibrant settings in brilliant detail, this genuine and unique romantic mystery is one I emphatically recommend! Brava Jenetta James, this story is well-deserving of all the lovely praise it receives!

Austenesque Reviews ...more

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Oct 03, 2016 Suzan Lauder rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff-regency, loved-it, jaff-modern

Exceptional.

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Jun 21, 2016 Tamra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen-fan-fiction, regency

Update: just read for the second time... brilliant!

After reading The Elizabeth Papers, I realize I may give 5 stars out too freely. This one is worthy of so much more! There really aren't enough P & P sequels out there and this sequel didn't disappoint. The Elizabeth Papers gives the reader a glimpse into Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's life after the wedding with the addition of a little mystery and a little modern day romance. ...more

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May 26, 2016 Nicole Barton Sasser marked it as jaff-tbr

Shelves: p-and-p, kindle, arc, gift-from-author, jaff

*** Gift from Editor Christina Boyd - Received an Advance Reader Copy/Gift from author - provided with no expectation of, or promise of a review (favourable or otherwise). ***

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Feb 10, 2016 Charlene rated it it was amazing

Elizabeth and Darcy's story

Loved this story. It mixed the story of P&P with the present day. The story starts out with us reading a letter of Darcy's to his solicitor to set up a trust for the female descendants. Than we fast forward to present day and see that one of the descendants learns of a dark secret that could mean she could get more money from the trust if she could prove the secret to be real. The only proof is Elizabeth Darcy's diary if only she could find it.

The author seamlessly wo ...more

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Feb 11, 2018 Dung rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austen-inspried

Wow, talk about amazing writing with two different time periods. It was beautifully woven story. I loved how the plot played out in both time periods.

The questions & answers in the back were great as well. I just can’t say enough good things about this Darcy. ❤️

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Sep 16, 2016 ana darcy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff

I am going to be a bit naughty and I will start the review of this book with a negative comment: it is far too short. I wrote it, that’s it. I would have loved to read two hundred pages more!

Jenetta James was so extremely kind as to offer me a copy of her book in exchange of a honest review and here you have it. I do apologise for taking so long but life got in the middle.

If you like books like The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown or The Eight by Katherine Neville + Jane Austen, you will love this boo I am going to be a bit naughty and I will start the review of this book with a negative comment: it is far too short. I wrote it, that’s it. I would have loved to read two hundred pages more!

Jenetta James was so extremely kind as to offer me a copy of her book in exchange of a honest review and here you have it. I do apologise for taking so long but life got in the middle.

If you like books like The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown or The Eight by Katherine Neville + Jane Austen, you will love this book. The Elizabeth Papers features two intertwined storylines set two centuries apart where the protagonist of the 19th century are Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, yes, the characters from Pride and Prejudice. Whereas the protagonists from the 21st century are Charlie Haywood, a private detective, and Evie Pemberton, a young artist.

Both Charlie and Evie come together due to a Darcy Trust that gives money to all Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s female descendants. But why? Why only the women and what does Charlie and Evie have to do with it?

In order to know the reasons behind that trust, Charlie investigates to know the truth and what will make this book awesome is a secret diary written by Elizabeth Darcy about her life and her secrets. Do you believe that Darcy and Elizabeth were always happy? Do you think that there was no betrayal or infidelity? Are you of the opinion that Elizabeth and Darcy were happy ever after their double wedding with the lovely couple of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bingley?

You must read this book and discover it for yourself. There will be moments of disbelief and incredulity but you will have to keep reading and find out why does this trust exists and what happened to the protagonists of, I believe, the most famous novel by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.

I want to also mention a bit more about Charlie and Evie: there is mistrust, there is chemistry, there is attraction, there is pain but eventually things get better for them after they solve the enigma of The Elizabeth Papers. However, will there be a happy ending for the 21st century characters? ...more

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Mar 25, 2017 Trai rated it it was ok

Shelves: ebooks, jane-austen

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really hate that this one didn't work for me, because it worked for so many others, including people whose tastes align closely with mine, and I was prepared to love it. But overall, I just found it too predictable--the ultimate location of Elizabeth's diary is forecasted early on, and, well, it just was not hard to guess at all what the secret behind Victoria's parentage would be. (It would have been more interesting to me if it was Elizabeth covering for Hannah, a maid she trusts as her frie I really hate that this one didn't work for me, because it worked for so many others, including people whose tastes align closely with mine, and I was prepared to love it. But overall, I just found it too predictable--the ultimate location of Elizabeth's diary is forecasted early on, and, well, it just was not hard to guess at all what the secret behind Victoria's parentage would be. (It would have been more interesting to me if it was Elizabeth covering for Hannah, a maid she trusts as her friend.)

Never mind that the diary itself exists as a contradiction. Elizabeth considers writing to Jane about the truth but reflects it's a story for lips and ears only... and yet records every shred of dialogue in her diary, which she recognizes the folly of years later, only to not destroy it once she has. I just can't see someone as intelligent and prudent as Elizabeth not destroying something so incriminating. And this story was a perfect example of how hard it is to suspend disbelief when it comes to epistolary novels. Let's put aside the absurdity of people recording entire verbatim conversations in diaries or letters, complete with dialogue tags. Let's focus on how Elizabeth ends an entry with the shocking arrival of an individual, writes her next entry about her and Darcy preparing to leave Pemberley after receiving information from this individual that causes them to hatch a hasty plan (and when exactly is Elizabeth supposed to be writing this particular entry about their hasty departure??), and only THEN, after they've left Pemberley, does she write down what happened after that individual arrived. Really? Elizabeth writes her personal diary as though it were a novel and she's an author withholding information from a reader?

Putting all this aside, I just wasn't a fan of Charlie Haywood, the typical Darcy stand-in of modern-era stories that use P&P as a framework. He's proud and insufferable, sure, and he's also an atrocious horndog who can't fathom why a woman would say no to his romantic advances. Considering Austen absolutely skewers men like this in P&P with Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy, I was expecting there to be some comeuppance for him, some Darcy's letter-esque moment where he realizes not every woman is going to say yes to him, some semblance of humility. But nope. His ex-girlfriend is more than happy to risk her job by obtaining confidential documents pertaining to the Darcy trust for him. Evie is annoyed by his advances at first but finds herself attracted to him anyway, and ultimately they sleep together with little preamble, in Elizabeth's bed. Yeah.

This isn't to say I don't see why people enjoy this novel, or that I look down on anyone who does--obviously it works for most people, judging by the number of year's best awards it received last year! I'm glad most people found something to enjoy in it, and there were things I appreciated about it myself. I loved the idea of Darcy being so affected by the knowledge of how difficult it was for the Bennet sisters that he sets up a trust specifically to benefit his female descendants, and I was glad to see him and Elizabeth having honest conversations about Elizabeth's misgivings about their marriage as it progresses. This portrayal of Darcy struck the right balance between a man of his era (not wanting to bore Elizabeth with estate business and other, men's-work sorts of things) and a progressive (specifically making sure his female descendants are provided for, even if it lessens what his male descendants are entitled to). I enjoyed most of the Regency era portion; I was less enthralled by the modern day story. Regardless, between this and Suddenly Mrs. Darcy, I flew through James' output in six days, three days for each novel, and I do look forward to seeing where else she goes as a writer. There are things I really like about how she interprets the characters and I'm hopeful that I'll enjoy her future output.

(There's also a couple of distracting editing mistakes--not a lot, but more than I would've expected. For instance, oldest daughter Anne is referred to as "Alice" and then correctly as "Anne" within the same paragraph, and a door "creeks" rather than "creaks" open at one point.) ...more

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Sep 25, 2020 Teresita rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: jaff, teresita

The story keeps shifting from the present to the past and develops a very imaginative tale with interesting flashes of the life of our beloved couple mixed with an entertaining story of tests and descendants.
Highly recommended!

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