4.5 rounded up to 5
This is a wonderful conclusion to this series of P&P-inspired mysteries, giving both Georgiana and Lydia the spotlight for the final adventure.
It starts with a Prologue to remind the reader how dishonorable a man Georgiana's father was and how determined her brother is to restore the respectability of the Darcy name. Chapter 1 jumps forward into five years after Darcy's happy marriage to Elizabeth, with both Georgiana and Lydia currently residing at Darcy House with them. The two girls are the best of friends. Lydia urges Georgiana to come out of her shell more, but the memory of Ramsgate still lingers, keeping Miss Darcy more unsure of herself than she should be at the age of one-and-twenty. Georgiana knows she should be content with such a loving family, but she yearns for more adventure in her life and also yearns for a man who will love her for herself and not her hefty dowry. Lydia, meanwhile, is quite certain she can never love a man who isn't titled and wealthy.
Chapter 2 shifts to Mr. Michael Nelson, who had originally been introduced in one of the previous books. He's the second son of an impoverished gentleman, has worked hard to become a successful barrister, and now devotes his talents to help the less fortunate. Much as he enjoys his work, he's a lonely man without any family except his moody childhood friend, Nathan Bradford.
Georgiana and Mr. Nelson become reacquainted at a ball when he observes her eluding three persistent so-called gentlemen who are determined to win a bet posted at White's concerning the wealthy young lady. She's attracted to Mr. Nelson but haunted by her previous poor judgement regarding Mr. Wickham, while he's aware that her wealth and high standing in society puts her out of his reach.
The mystery pops up later at a masked ball with the Darcys, Lydia, and Mr. Nelson all in attendance. A young lady disappears, and Mr. Nelson is immediately on the case, which worsens when it becomes apparent that the girl has been kidnapped and that she's not the only victim.
Both Lydia and Georgiana have some great scenes here. Lydia loves to role play, and she finds opportunities to channel her friend's more demure demeanor, Lady Catherine's haughtiness, and the Queen of Sheba's imperial manner when the circumstances warrant. Her single-minded desire for a suitable husband makes for a few chuckles even in the most stressful situations. Georgiana finds strength she didn't know she possessed, giving Mr. Nelson glimpses into the passionate nature that lies beneath her calm facade. Both young women prove to be remarkably clear-headed.
I did find one minor glitch in the mystery. The families of only three of the kidnap victims know that other young ladies are involved because all have contacted Mr. Nelson for his assistance. However, when another household is approached, they are aware of at least one other victim besides the one in their own family. Nothing in the story explains how they learned anyone else was missing.
A pet peeve of mine also crops up. Here's the quote: "...she had read too many novels where the hero of the story would have one final battle to fight before the happy ending could come. Life did not follow the dramatic laws of fiction." I will never understand why even talented authors make statements like this, which only destroys the readers' immersion and reminds us that these ARE characters in a book and it's NOT real life.
The rest of the story--the characters, the plot, and the quality of the writing itself--is excellent enough for me to recommend this despite the flaws I've mentioned. It's a satisfying way to end the Meryton Mysteries.