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Dark Darcy Mystery #3
The Poisoned Proposal: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Book 3 of a Four-Part Series
When Elizabeth Bennet arrives at Hunsford Parsonage to visit her newlywed friend, she is horrified to find Charlotte accused of poisoning her husband’s patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Determined to prove her friend’s innocence, Elizabeth begins her own investigation and soon discovers that Lady Catherine has many enemies. Would one of them stoop to murder? When her search for answers is challenged by the handsome, austere Mr Darcy, Elizabeth braces herself for a battle of wills, but he surprises her with a proposal of a very different kind…
A romantic Regency mystery inspired by Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice! This is the third book in the Dark Darcy Mysteries - a Pride and Prejudice variation combining suspense and romance. * Each book in this series features a standalone mystery which is resolved, but the overall story of Darcy and Elizabeth's courtship is told over the 4 books of the series.
- The Netherfield Affair (Book 1)
- Intrigue at the Ball (Book 2)
- The Poisoned Proposal (Book 3)
- Secrets at Pemberley (Book 4)
When Elizabeth Bennet arrives at Hunsford Parsonage to visit her newlywed friend, she is horrified to find Charlotte accused of poisoning her husband’s patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Determined to prove her friend’s innocence, Elizabeth begins her own investigation and soon discovers that Lady Catherine has many enemies. Would one of them stoop to murder? When her search for answers is challenged by the handsome, austere Mr Darcy, Elizabeth braces herself for a battle of wills, but he surprises her with a proposal of a very different kind…
A romantic Regency mystery inspired by Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice! This is the third book in the Dark Darcy Mysteries - a Pride and Prejudice variation combining suspense and romance. * Each book in this series features a standalone mystery which is resolved, but the overall story of Darcy and Elizabeth's courtship is told over the 4 books of the series.
- The Netherfield Affair (Book 1)
- Intrigue at the Ball (Book 2)
- The Poisoned Proposal (Book 3)
- Secrets at Pemberley (Book 4)
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2015
24 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 20, 2018
Ok, so, Lizzy is less stupid in this one because thankfully there's no Wickham around. She and Darcy solve the mystery of who has been poisoning Lady Catherine. It was very entertaining, and I was able to figure it out from one specific conversation, but all in all it was very interesting! Some characters we don't usually see had a bit of the limelight!
August 31, 2019
As a stand alone mystery it’s basic. Someone poisons Lady C and Darcy & Lizzy want to find out who did it. Given that it was a second attempt at poisoning, I though people were a bit relaxed in their response, including how many people inauspiciously drink tea prepared by others following the supposed poisoning by tea! Only one of the suspects is restricted in their movements. Everyone else is able to go about their business at Rosings despite being in contact with the victim. Though there are a number of potential victims it is almost immediately obvious who did it. It is cleared up fairly quickly, blamed on someone completely different and everyone moves on. It’s definitely not an unputdownable whodunnit; if it wasn’t a P&P variation I wouldn’t read it as a mystery.
As a variation, it’s split the original timeline into 4 books. I admit I haven’t read the others, but this one is disappointingly short and lacking in romance for P&P. There are some longing looks and, as per the title, a proposal, but to get the full story we have to buy 4 books which would cost nearly £20... definitely too much for the length and quality of the story. There is a lot of repetition of Austen’s words so it doesn’t feel very fresh. I don’t mind if it’s appropriate but I do hate out of context use of Austen, e.g. Lizzy overdresses to see Darcy and then worries about overdressing, to which Mr Collins replies with the line about Lady C preserving distinctions of rank which is contradictory if she’s overdressed.
The P&P side of the plot is quite weak. It’s hard to see why Darcy would even like Lizzy, given the backstory hinted at with Wickham. Their behaviour towards each other is changeable, especially Lizzy’s as she’s definitely flirting. The refusal of the proposal didn’t make sense as Darcy surely would have said “here’s my reasons, I’ll do better on trust...courtship?” or else been so angry at her flirting and then withdrawing that he has nothing to do with her. Yet they both end up being more flirty after her refusal! Nothing is resolved in the end, including Lady C’s threat.
I was also disappointed that either of them would think it ok to blame the Luddite for attempted murder. It’s morally wrong, and both Darcy and Lizzy have strong morals, whatever their other faults. I can see they would both want to help Anne, but not at the expense of someone else suffering for her crimes. I also would like to think Darcy would be more sympathetic to Luddite fears, if not their methods.
As a variation, it’s split the original timeline into 4 books. I admit I haven’t read the others, but this one is disappointingly short and lacking in romance for P&P. There are some longing looks and, as per the title, a proposal, but to get the full story we have to buy 4 books which would cost nearly £20... definitely too much for the length and quality of the story. There is a lot of repetition of Austen’s words so it doesn’t feel very fresh. I don’t mind if it’s appropriate but I do hate out of context use of Austen, e.g. Lizzy overdresses to see Darcy and then worries about overdressing, to which Mr Collins replies with the line about Lady C preserving distinctions of rank which is contradictory if she’s overdressed.
The P&P side of the plot is quite weak. It’s hard to see why Darcy would even like Lizzy, given the backstory hinted at with Wickham. Their behaviour towards each other is changeable, especially Lizzy’s as she’s definitely flirting. The refusal of the proposal didn’t make sense as Darcy surely would have said “here’s my reasons, I’ll do better on trust...courtship?” or else been so angry at her flirting and then withdrawing that he has nothing to do with her. Yet they both end up being more flirty after her refusal! Nothing is resolved in the end, including Lady C’s threat.
I was also disappointed that either of them would think it ok to blame the Luddite for attempted murder. It’s morally wrong, and both Darcy and Lizzy have strong morals, whatever their other faults. I can see they would both want to help Anne, but not at the expense of someone else suffering for her crimes. I also would like to think Darcy would be more sympathetic to Luddite fears, if not their methods.
August 27, 2017
I really enjoyed the mystery in this volume. I never guess the perpetrator.
March 9, 2022
Quite enjoyable. And free on Kindle
July 26, 2015
This book starts off with Elizabeth visiting the Collinses in Hunsford with Sir Lucas and his daughter, Maria. They are invited to dinner the same day that they arrive in Hunsford. After dinner when they are drinking tea Lady Catherine falls deathly ill after being served her tea by Charlotte. It is determined that it is the work of poison and Charlotte is the one suspected because she is the one who made and served Lady Catherine's tea. Elizabeth and Darcy race to find the true culprit to clear Mrs Collins of any wrong doing. While Lady Catherine is recovering she threatens that if Lizzy were to receive a marriage proposal from Darcy she would personally make it her mission to destroy Jane's new found happiness by blackening her name in society. So when Darcy proposes she has no choice but to refuse his proposal even though she would have accepted him. This however doesn't stop Darcy from loving Lizzy still.
I enjoyed this book in the series much more than the previous two. I hate that Lady Catherine is still a bitch even when she is in her sickbed. I would have loved for her to die. She is the character I hate the most out of Pride and Prejudice.
I enjoyed this book in the series much more than the previous two. I hate that Lady Catherine is still a bitch even when she is in her sickbed. I would have loved for her to die. She is the character I hate the most out of Pride and Prejudice.
June 1, 2015
Part 3 of 4 books this one surrounding the events at Hunsford. Lady Catherine is poisoned and when Charlotte is accused Elizabeth comes to her defends and is determined to find the true culprit. Darcy is also determined to find out the truth and the two of them are thrown into each other company. Elizabeth realizes she cares for Darcy just when lady Catherine forces her to promise to never enter into an engagement with her nephew and has the blackmail to get her way. Poor Darcy although this book ends with hope still. Can't wait to read the end!
July 4, 2015
Overbearing and controlling certainly describes Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She certainly makes enemies and also adoring followers, but.. someone close to her has poisoned her and now we must find out whodunnit! Some interesting twists among
those closest to Lady Catherine kept me guessing.. Just the right amount of suspense and a few twists to the romance. I enjoyed this story and I thank the author for gifting me a copy of another intriguing story..
those closest to Lady Catherine kept me guessing.. Just the right amount of suspense and a few twists to the romance. I enjoyed this story and I thank the author for gifting me a copy of another intriguing story..
June 21, 2015
My fave of the three
I thoroughly enjoyed book three of the dark Darcy books. The language and characters , I feel, are true to jane Austen's originals. This mystery is my favorite, except for the resolution, which seemed a bit far fetched, but perhaps during the time period could have been pulled off. The attraction between Darcy and Elizabeth is great fun to read about .
I thoroughly enjoyed book three of the dark Darcy books. The language and characters , I feel, are true to jane Austen's originals. This mystery is my favorite, except for the resolution, which seemed a bit far fetched, but perhaps during the time period could have been pulled off. The attraction between Darcy and Elizabeth is great fun to read about .
June 24, 2015
Part three of an ongoing series and my favorite so far.
August 6, 2016
Love, love, love!!!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews