Death Comes to Pemberley

P. D. James

Dec 2011 · Sold by Vintage

About this ebook

A rare meeting of literary genius: P. D. James, long among the most admired mystery writers of our time, draws the characters of Jane Austen’s beloved novel Pride and Prejudice into a tale of murder and emotional mayhem.
 
It is 1803, six years since Elizabeth and Darcy embarked on their life together at Pemberley, Darcy’s magnificent estate. Their peaceful, orderly world seems almost unassailable. Elizabeth has found her footing as the chatelaine of the great house. They have two fine sons, Fitzwilliam and Charles. Elizabeth’s sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live nearby; her father visits often; there is optimistic talk about the prospects of marriage for Darcy’s sister Georgiana. And preparations are under way for their much-anticipated annual autumn ball.
 
Then, on the eve of the ball, the patrician idyll is shattered. A coach careens up the drive carrying Lydia, Elizabeth’s disgraced sister, who with her husband, the very dubious Wickham, has been banned from Pemberley. She stumbles out of the carriage, hysterical, shrieking that Wickham has been murdered. With shocking suddenness, Pemberley is plunged into a frightening mystery.
 
Inspired by a lifelong passion for Austen, P. D. James masterfully re-creates the world of Pride and Prejudice, electrifying it with the excitement and suspense of a brilliantly crafted crime story, as only she can write it.

Ratings and reviews

The minute I began reading this lovely novel I couldn't wipe the smile from my face. P. D. James has done a masterful job of taking our dearest Jane Austen characters and continuing their stories with the added twist of a murder mystery. There are also "easter eggs" woven in for all of us avid Austen fans, and perhaps even a little more closure to the original story. What a joyous read. And for the record, I loved the P&P summary at the start of the book. Like so many, I know the novel almost by heart, but couldn't help but enjoy the cleverly written recap. Thank you, Ms. James!

This author does Austin proud. P.D. James.does not disappoint in her revived betrayal of the Pride and Prejudice characters...Darcy and Elizabeth are a amazingly evoked... Read and find out.

Jane Austen fans rejoice! A satisfying sequel to Pride and Prejudice, that includes a P. D. James mystery. Wish I could give it six stars!

About the author

P. D. James is the author of twenty previous books, most of which have been filmed for television and broadcast in the United States and other countries. She spent thirty years in various departments of the British Civil Service, including the Police and Criminal Policy departments of Great Britain’s Home Office, and has served as a magistrate and as a governor of the BBC. The recipient of many honors and prizes, she was created Baroness James of Holland Park in 1991 and was inducted into the International Crime Writing Hall of Fame in 2008. She divides her time between London and Oxford.