What do you think?
Rate this book
Murder & Matchmaking
The young ladies of Hertfordshire are dropping like flies.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet could not be more pleased when the famous London detective Mr Sherlock Darcy makes it his business to solve the mystery of three young ladies’ deaths – not least because he shares her suspicion that there must be more behind the deaths than mere accident. But even she never could have guessed, as they embark upon the investigation, how close to home the solution lies.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a mother in possession of unmarried daughters must be in want of eligible bachelors. Less well known are the lengths to which she might go to attract them…
Bursting with subterfuge, flirtation, and murder most foul, Murder & Matchmaking will lure you into a world of romantic intrigue, family drama, and amateur detectiving. Jane Austen’s witty prose meets the perplexing mysteries of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in a book that finally answers the question: if Mrs Bennet is so concerned about her daughters finding suitable matches, why doesn’t she really do something about their chances?
Miss Elizabeth Bennet could not be more pleased when the famous London detective Mr Sherlock Darcy makes it his business to solve the mystery of three young ladies’ deaths – not least because he shares her suspicion that there must be more behind the deaths than mere accident. But even she never could have guessed, as they embark upon the investigation, how close to home the solution lies.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a mother in possession of unmarried daughters must be in want of eligible bachelors. Less well known are the lengths to which she might go to attract them…
Bursting with subterfuge, flirtation, and murder most foul, Murder & Matchmaking will lure you into a world of romantic intrigue, family drama, and amateur detectiving. Jane Austen’s witty prose meets the perplexing mysteries of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in a book that finally answers the question: if Mrs Bennet is so concerned about her daughters finding suitable matches, why doesn’t she really do something about their chances?
215 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2015
10 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 29, 2017
This is a really one of a kind P&P/ Sherlock / Regency mystery, gentle farce, romance, adventure story.
To be honest it isn't much of a mystery as that the killer is identified on the first page so that we, dear readers, have to wait for the rest of the characters to catch up with what we already know, and probably would have suspected.
It also isn't too much of a farce, except that Lydia is a Pug and the four other Bennet daughters aren't so much the jewels of the county but rather some sub par looking young women of doubtful health and intelligence.
While some of the families of Meryton are there the author also brings in the Middletons and Barton Park, Emma Woodhouse and her father and Fanny Price.
Meryton is developing a reputation for danger to attractive young ladies. In the past few months no fewer than 3 attractive young ladies have been felled by accidents or could it have been murder. The situation is so desperate that Sir John has felt the need to send for the greatest detective in the land -Sherlock Darcy and his friend and diarist Mr. (Dr.) Bingley. Lizzy has been investigating these deaths on her own Darcy immediately insults her and all women.
While I have identified this as a farce it is not over the top or so absurd to be annoying. The humor is well placed and the interaction between the characters is handled with appropriate seriousness. The humor mostly comes from the reader when you reflect upon what the author has twisted to her purpose.
I would love to read more books with Sherlock Darcy.
February 5, 2017
This is a cute mashup of Pride and Prejudice with a Sherlock Holmes mystery with the author's tongue placed very firmly in her cheek. It's hard to take a P&P seriously that transforms Lydia into a yappy little pug dog and Mrs. Bennet into a stone cold killer of any beautiful young lady that might be competition for her four daughters. Don't worry... That's not a spoiler because Mrs. Bennet's evil side is revealed immediately in the first chapter.
Although P&P characters are dominant, characters from Sense and Sensibility, Emma and Mansfield Park also have significant roles. Poor Charlotte Lucas, Fanny Price and Emma Woodhouse have suffered "accidental" deaths in the Meryton area, and Sir John Middleton, as the magistrate, sends for the famous detective, Mr. Sherlock Darcy, and his associate, Dr. Charles Bingley, to investigate the possibility that they were victims of foul play.
There's really no mystery here, since the reader is in on the solution right from the start. The fun is watching Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet gathering and adding up the clues, and also reading the machinations of Mrs. Bennet, whose maniacal obsession with matching up her daughters to these highly eligible gentlemen makes her oblivious to the fact that her guilt might be exposed.
Darcy as Holmes is a brilliant know-it-all who KNOWS he knows it all and discounts anything Elizabeth has to say just because she's a woman. This gets her hackles up, of course, and his constant directives that she stop her own investigation just makes her that much more determined to figure it out before he does, especially when he makes it clear that he thinks she's a prime suspect to have been the murderer.
It's an entertaining story from beginning to end.
Although P&P characters are dominant, characters from Sense and Sensibility, Emma and Mansfield Park also have significant roles. Poor Charlotte Lucas, Fanny Price and Emma Woodhouse have suffered "accidental" deaths in the Meryton area, and Sir John Middleton, as the magistrate, sends for the famous detective, Mr. Sherlock Darcy, and his associate, Dr. Charles Bingley, to investigate the possibility that they were victims of foul play.
There's really no mystery here, since the reader is in on the solution right from the start. The fun is watching Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet gathering and adding up the clues, and also reading the machinations of Mrs. Bennet, whose maniacal obsession with matching up her daughters to these highly eligible gentlemen makes her oblivious to the fact that her guilt might be exposed.
Darcy as Holmes is a brilliant know-it-all who KNOWS he knows it all and discounts anything Elizabeth has to say just because she's a woman. This gets her hackles up, of course, and his constant directives that she stop her own investigation just makes her that much more determined to figure it out before he does, especially when he makes it clear that he thinks she's a prime suspect to have been the murderer.
It's an entertaining story from beginning to end.
Read
April 7, 2019PD James eat your heart out - you have been owned. This detective story set in the world of Pride and Prejudice is entertaining, clever, and, to use a kiwi expression, "bloody brilliant". (Pun intended!)
It keeps the spirit of Pride and Prejudice, staying true to the characters and Austen's world, while at the same time bringing its own unique voice and story.
Debbie Cowens has seamlessly blended Fitzwilliam Darcy and Sherlock Holmes into a proud, disagreeable, logical, observant (and hot!) character; and sparks definitely fly between himself and Lizzy Bennet!
And not to give any spoilers - but what Cowens has done with Lydia Bennet's character is truly spectacular.
I also loved the cameo appearances of characters from Austen's other novels - you will see Fanny Price, Sir John Middleton, and Emma Woodhouse amongst others.
Goodreads should have an 11/10 rating, beacause this is what I give this novel!
It keeps the spirit of Pride and Prejudice, staying true to the characters and Austen's world, while at the same time bringing its own unique voice and story.
Debbie Cowens has seamlessly blended Fitzwilliam Darcy and Sherlock Holmes into a proud, disagreeable, logical, observant (and hot!) character; and sparks definitely fly between himself and Lizzy Bennet!
And not to give any spoilers - but what Cowens has done with Lydia Bennet's character is truly spectacular.
I also loved the cameo appearances of characters from Austen's other novels - you will see Fanny Price, Sir John Middleton, and Emma Woodhouse amongst others.
Goodreads should have an 11/10 rating, beacause this is what I give this novel!
May 19, 2015
Murder & Matchmaking is heaps of fun but also very clever. It's a seamless mashup, seamless to the point I forgot it was a mashup at all (then again I also forgot mid-point about Lydia's...ahem... transformation and got very confused by her barking out of the window, but to be honest that just added to the enjoyment). This isn't an "...and zombies" style work, fun as those are - it's a thoughtful re-imagining with characters and deeds that, disturbingly, don't seem nearly as out of place as you might think. I especially appreciated the epilogue, which made no attempt to shy away from the inevitable but instead thoroughly cements Mrs Bennet's character. A satisfying end to a thoroughly enjoyable book.
April 11, 2015
Light hearted and clever - every time Lydia does anything, I laughed! The references to the original are deftly and sometimes unexpectedly handled. I read this in one sitting and enjoyed it immensely.
August 29, 2018
Cowen’s writing style delightfully and deftly captures the essence of Jane Austen while providing a fun and thoroughly entertaining new twist in this literary mash-up of Pride and Prejudice meets Sherlock Holmes.
What I especially liked was how logically the two ideas were meshed together, and also how well the story had been executed. Murder Matchmaking is more than a cute idea, it is a solid and entertaining work of fiction in its own right. One that I shall read and re-read for years to come.
Only one question remains: who to imagine as Sherlock Darcy? Firth or Cumberbatch?
What I especially liked was how logically the two ideas were meshed together, and also how well the story had been executed. Murder Matchmaking is more than a cute idea, it is a solid and entertaining work of fiction in its own right. One that I shall read and re-read for years to come.
Only one question remains: who to imagine as Sherlock Darcy? Firth or Cumberbatch?
May 13, 2015
A delicious concoction of Austen meets Doyle. From the opening sentence: "It is a truth universally known that a pug in possession of a good appetite must be in want of a biscuit" it is clear that you are in for a delightful read, and this proved to be the truth, indeed.
Now, call me a heathen if you will, but I have never read either "Pride and Prejudice" (not even the zombie version) nor "Sherlock Holmes", although I have a fairly decent understanding of both. "Pride" begins with a young woman of no great beauty, who meets with a quarrelsome, disagreeable man - it is pretty much the basis of the "hate (or, at least, dislike) turns to love" romance trope. Now, Cowens take on it is no exception to the rule. Mr Sherlock Darcy proves to be most unfallibly irksome, with his lack of social etiquette and the way he looks down his nose at those of a feminine persuasion. Why, I just wished to slap that superior expression from his face - as I am sure Miss Elizabeth Bennet did too. However, not only did Miss Elizabeth combat him with her sharp tongue, but also her perception and analytical mind, combining with her stubborn determination to prove him wrong.
There is very little suspense here - from almost the beginning you know who the murderer is - nor do you feel particularly for the safety of the Bennet sisters. However, you are drawn into this tale: by the desire to see the murderer brought to justice, with hope that Elizabeth will solve the case before Darcy and thus prove him wrong and because the prose is just so utterly engaging that you cannot help but be compelled along with it.
Now, call me a heathen if you will, but I have never read either "Pride and Prejudice" (not even the zombie version) nor "Sherlock Holmes", although I have a fairly decent understanding of both. "Pride" begins with a young woman of no great beauty, who meets with a quarrelsome, disagreeable man - it is pretty much the basis of the "hate (or, at least, dislike) turns to love" romance trope. Now, Cowens take on it is no exception to the rule. Mr Sherlock Darcy proves to be most unfallibly irksome, with his lack of social etiquette and the way he looks down his nose at those of a feminine persuasion. Why, I just wished to slap that superior expression from his face - as I am sure Miss Elizabeth Bennet did too. However, not only did Miss Elizabeth combat him with her sharp tongue, but also her perception and analytical mind, combining with her stubborn determination to prove him wrong.
There is very little suspense here - from almost the beginning you know who the murderer is - nor do you feel particularly for the safety of the Bennet sisters. However, you are drawn into this tale: by the desire to see the murderer brought to justice, with hope that Elizabeth will solve the case before Darcy and thus prove him wrong and because the prose is just so utterly engaging that you cannot help but be compelled along with it.
May 17, 2015
In "Murder & Matchmaking" Debbie Cowens takes the classic tale of "Pride & Prejudice" and transforms it into a detective story. Sherlock Darcy arrives in Hertfordshire with his friend Mr Bingley to investigate a number of mysterious deaths of young ladies in the region. During the course of his enquiries he crosses paths with Miss Elizabeth Bennet who is conducting her own amateur investigation. However, fear not gentle reader, rather than following the classic whodunnit formula the murderer will be revealed on page 2. Thus you will not have to tax your brain with timelines and alibis and instead will be free to enjoy the banter between Darcy and Elizabeth.
Unlike some other Austen mash-ups (I'm looking at you "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies") "Murder & Matchmaking" manages to emulate the style of Austen's writing without taking itself too seriously. There are also several clever hat-tips to the original text that Austen fans may enjoy.
Of course, the true star of the story is Mrs Bennet's pug Lydia. Unfortunately she does not feature in the cover art, which I feel is an oversight (but you can't win them all).
All-in-all if you are a fan of Austen and/or detective stories and are looking for a quick, fun read then I'd recommend "Murder & Matchmaking"
Disclaimer: I am a relative of the author and so I have seen this novel grow from an early draft to the final published version. I have also been given a cool coffee mug with a picture of Lydia on it. Therefore feel free to take this review with a grain of your preferred condiment if you consider it necessary.
Unlike some other Austen mash-ups (I'm looking at you "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies") "Murder & Matchmaking" manages to emulate the style of Austen's writing without taking itself too seriously. There are also several clever hat-tips to the original text that Austen fans may enjoy.
Of course, the true star of the story is Mrs Bennet's pug Lydia. Unfortunately she does not feature in the cover art, which I feel is an oversight (but you can't win them all).
All-in-all if you are a fan of Austen and/or detective stories and are looking for a quick, fun read then I'd recommend "Murder & Matchmaking"
Disclaimer: I am a relative of the author and so I have seen this novel grow from an early draft to the final published version. I have also been given a cool coffee mug with a picture of Lydia on it. Therefore feel free to take this review with a grain of your preferred condiment if you consider it necessary.
June 26, 2015
Disclaimer: Debbie Cowens is a friend of mine, and Paper Road Press is a publisher I'm associated with. With that out of the way, I highly rate this book, especially for anyone who likes the classics and doesn't mind taking it with a solid dollop of dry wit and understated humour. I giggled all the way through this book, and read it much faster than I usually make it through a book because it was a delight to read, and very easy going, while still being devilishly clever. Long live the mashup!
May 22, 2015
I received this book as an award from GoodReads. I would have preferred to give it 3.5 stars but from now on, I'll "round UP' in my ratings. The book was a quick, amusing read with a play on Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. We are led through the machinations and manipulations of Mrs. Bennet in her efforts to marry off her 4 "spinster" daughters, with the assistance of her Pug, Lydia. I agree, Lydia should be featured on the cover..
April 5, 2015
Love this book! Clever and funny,certainly not elementary (and I never did like pug dogs anyway!)
July 15, 2019
I laughed when I first read the premise but was very impressed with the sample. As a fan of Sherlock Holmes I was surprised at how well a mashup between Arthur Conan Doyle and Jane Austen worked itself out. Like many others I would have preferred to discover the identity of the murderer with Sherlock but had fun with the novel nonetheless. Over priced it took me till Amazon offered a promotion on ebooks till I purchased it.
December 23, 2024
An enjoyable mashup in the styles of Jane Austen and Auther Conan-Doyle with great humour. Loved the banter between Miss Benett and Sherlock Darcy, and as for Lydia, that was inspired. Great and quick read and hope the author has more like this.
August 11, 2015
How Lizzy Bennet meets Sherlock Darcy. A pastiche of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Sherlock Holmes, this novel brought me some laugh out loud moments. I love Jane Austen, though I have not read books by Arthur Conan Doyle.
The mystery of why beautiful girls are getting murdered, and who is murdering them, is solved for the reader in chapter 1. For the rest of the book, we find out through a number of characters’ perspectives, how Elizabeth Bennet and Sherlock Darcy deduce who the killer is.
Mr. Bennet’s character is brilliantly portrayed. His insights are as funny as Jane Austen would have wished.
I could have done with a lot less of Lydia. Although she is a vital character in this novel the text about her felt like anthropomorphism, and therefore unnecessarily childish in an adult’s book.
Darcy, narcissistic and self-praising, was interestingly portrayed. That he lacked the charm of the real Darcy was a function of the crime element I suppose – rather than as the romantic hero of Jane Austen’s literary novel. Lizzy and Jane are loving sisters and daughters, but at the end things are a little too cold, black and white, from what I would have expected. If it is simply a satire, then fair enough. But if we are to engage with the characters, I would have expected Lizzy to show more restraint, compassion and filial obligation.
** Spoiler ** I must say I was quite a bit sad that the murderer get their comeuppance at the end.
The mystery of why beautiful girls are getting murdered, and who is murdering them, is solved for the reader in chapter 1. For the rest of the book, we find out through a number of characters’ perspectives, how Elizabeth Bennet and Sherlock Darcy deduce who the killer is.
Mr. Bennet’s character is brilliantly portrayed. His insights are as funny as Jane Austen would have wished.
I could have done with a lot less of Lydia. Although she is a vital character in this novel the text about her felt like anthropomorphism, and therefore unnecessarily childish in an adult’s book.
Darcy, narcissistic and self-praising, was interestingly portrayed. That he lacked the charm of the real Darcy was a function of the crime element I suppose – rather than as the romantic hero of Jane Austen’s literary novel. Lizzy and Jane are loving sisters and daughters, but at the end things are a little too cold, black and white, from what I would have expected. If it is simply a satire, then fair enough. But if we are to engage with the characters, I would have expected Lizzy to show more restraint, compassion and filial obligation.
** Spoiler ** I must say I was quite a bit sad that the murderer get their comeuppance at the end.
January 26, 2016
Murder & Matchmaking
Mr. Sherlock Darcy and Dr. Charles Bingley were invited to Meryton to solve three murders that have occurred around the town. All ladies had been beautiful: Charlotte Lucas, Emma Woodhouse, and Fanny Price, especially when the four Bennet daughters were considered plain looking. Well the competition had to be gotten rid of it the Bennet sisters were to have any luck at getting married. Darcy and Bingley were invited to Barton Park (Netherfield) by Sir John the town's magistrate. This story still our prideful, arrogant and stoic Darcy and impertinent, argumentative Elizabeth Bennet. Darcy's first comment pushes Elizabeth well over the edge of civility when she tells him all that she's observed and drawn of the crime scenes. Darcy explains that her investigations were not needed or valued because women cannot seem to observe correctly. Emma Workshouse's cousin and companion i
Mr. Sherlock Darcy and Dr. Charles Bingley were invited to Meryton to solve three murders that have occurred around the town. All ladies had been beautiful: Charlotte Lucas, Emma Woodhouse, and Fanny Price, especially when the four Bennet daughters were considered plain looking. Well the competition had to be gotten rid of it the Bennet sisters were to have any luck at getting married. Darcy and Bingley were invited to Barton Park (Netherfield) by Sir John the town's magistrate. This story still our prideful, arrogant and stoic Darcy and impertinent, argumentative Elizabeth Bennet. Darcy's first comment pushes Elizabeth well over the edge of civility when she tells him all that she's observed and drawn of the crime scenes. Darcy explains that her investigations were not needed or valued because women cannot seem to observe correctly. Emma Workshouse's cousin and companion i
February 10, 2017
I enjoyed the premise of this book. Sherlock Holmes meets Pride and Prejudice. It was interesting that the author decided to drag in other Austen characters from Emma and Mansfield Park.
We find out on the second page who the murderer is and their motives.
But the end felt a little rushed. After spending all that time building up the characters and their relationships, the big reveal (at least to the characters) is surprisingly short and based on things we couldn't have seen.
It just felt a little like we had a page limit and had to struggle to fit in the ending within it.
I think this book would make a great TV one-off.
We find out on the second page who the murderer is and their motives.
But the end felt a little rushed. After spending all that time building up the characters and their relationships, the big reveal (at least to the characters) is surprisingly short and based on things we couldn't have seen.
It just felt a little like we had a page limit and had to struggle to fit in the ending within it.
I think this book would make a great TV one-off.
July 21, 2015
This is a very silly P&P/Sherlock mash-up. There isn't really a mystery to solve (since we find out who the murderer is immediately and get a lot of the story from that character's point of view), but the story itself is fun. The characters are familiar but have some twists - I really enjoyed Mrs. Bennet in this version. It was a fun read for my plane ride home, but it felt more like fanfiction than a fully realized novel that can stand on its own.
January 18, 2017
After three deaths Mr Sherlock Darcy and Dr Bingley are called in to investigate by Sir John Middleton. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is pleased because she believed that none of them were accidents. But what could be the possiblemotive for these seemingly unrelated deaths.
An enjoyable quick tale though as a lover of mysteries finding out who the murderer is virtually straightaway was a bit of a let down.
An enjoyable quick tale though as a lover of mysteries finding out who the murderer is virtually straightaway was a bit of a let down.
October 9, 2016
Darcy as Sherlock Holmes
The book is just fun. The story recalls both Jane Austen and Arthur Conan Doyle, without being pretentious. The book is not going to make any literary prize lists, but it is erudite and entertaining!
The book is just fun. The story recalls both Jane Austen and Arthur Conan Doyle, without being pretentious. The book is not going to make any literary prize lists, but it is erudite and entertaining!
Read
September 2, 2016Quirky Jane Austen style murder mystery NZ author
Surprising fun to read, a short romp through Jane Pride & Prejudice & Sherlock Holmes by a NZ author. Look out for more.
Surprising fun to read, a short romp through Jane Pride & Prejudice & Sherlock Holmes by a NZ author. Look out for more.
Read
August 7, 2017Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes. Need I say more?
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews