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Undeceived: Pride and Prejudice in the Spy Game
“...if I endeavor to undeceive people as to the rest of his conduct, who will believe me?”
-Pride & Prejudice, Chapter 40
Elizabeth Bennet, a rookie counterintelligence officer, lands an intriguing first assignment—investigating the CIA's legendary William Darcy, who is suspected of being a double agent.
Darcy’s charmed existence seems at an end as he fights for his career and struggles against his love for the young woman he doesn’t know is watching his every move.
Elizabeth’s confidence dissolves as nothing is like she planned—and the more she discovers about Darcy, the more she finds herself in an ever-tightening web of danger.
Unexpected twists abound in this suspenseful Cold War era romance inspired by Jane Austen’s classic tale.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2016
38 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Karen M. Cox
15 books219 followersKaren M Cox is an award-winning author of novels accented with romance and history.
Originally from Everett, WA, Karen now lives in Central Kentucky with her husband, where she works as a pediatric speech pathologist, encourages her children, and spoils her granddaughter. Like Austen’s Emma, Karen has many hobbies and projects she doesn’t quite finish, but like Elizabeth Bennet, she aspires to be a great reader and an excellent walker.
"News & Muse Letter" : https://mailchi.mp/40d6c584af55/khjas...
Website: https://karenmcox.com/
Originally from Everett, WA, Karen now lives in Central Kentucky with her husband, where she works as a pediatric speech pathologist, encourages her children, and spoils her granddaughter. Like Austen’s Emma, Karen has many hobbies and projects she doesn’t quite finish, but like Elizabeth Bennet, she aspires to be a great reader and an excellent walker.
"News & Muse Letter" : https://mailchi.mp/40d6c584af55/khjas...
Website: https://karenmcox.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
July 1, 2021
I read this a second time in paperback, a copy of which I won in the grand raffle for the blog tour for The Darcy Monologues...loved it just as much, especially as I had forgotten some of the details. Do watch the YouTube clip for this book; the link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zubtv.... LOVED this book.
Absolutely amazing!....on the edge of my seat, smugly thinking I knew what was coming but now I am all smiles thinking what pleasure all you other readers have coming. This must be read like a drink of fine wine....slowly, savoring the various flavors/aspects and with the assurance you are in for an excellent experience.
Yes, this is a modern variation involving our Elizabeth Bennet, an only child who wants to honor her father, a man lost during the Bay of Pigs disaster in Cuba. It is also a spy thriller and we meet the other half of our favorite couple, one William Darcy, who has gone by William Darcy, Darcy Kent and Liam Reynolds. He has a long history with the CIA but fairly recent events and unknown persons have cast shadows on what was a sterling reputation. Yes, it is a romance and some pages do give us adult content.
This is not the story we know of in canon, but there are many of our “favorite people”: Bill Collins, George Wickham, Charlotte Lucas, Richard Fitzwilliam, Charles Bingley and Mrs. Bennet. Then there are new names given to old favorites: Johanna Bodnar, Lidia, Louis and Cara Hurst, Jirina Sobota, Catrina and Anneliese Vandenburg. (You have to figure those out as I won’t tell you...what fun would that be?) And while the main actions take place in the USA, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean…wait for it…Pemberley shows up…Hooray! You have to smile; you must find mental challenges, as you attempt to make connections between P&P and this story. Really, it is not the same but canon gives us some clues as to characters behaviors and then drops us off a cliff when we find that this author has spun us around and around and around…so cleverly!
While reading the events mostly as to what Elizabeth is doing and her judgments and relationships both from her child hood friend, Charlotte, to her confidence in her new friend and fellow spy, George Wickham, and some other parts from William’s first appearance in Elizabeth’s life to their involvement in many a mission and their dancing around each other deciding trust issues, WE ALSO are given anonymous passages from the mind of an admitted double agent. See if you can figure this one out. (AND please don’t SPOIL it for readers by revealing his or her name in your review or comments.)
Darcy and Elizabeth again have all those issues with first impressions, with pride, with prejudices and misunderstanding and WITH gossip from others. One of my favorite quotes from this book is, “Here’s to the irony of first impressions and the good fortune to overcome them.”
I have not given you the story here, but read the book description and the sample provided. This is set during the post WWII cold war and involves the FBI, the CIA and the KGB as well as other agencies. The fact that there is a double agent within the CIA interprets to death or near death for some of the characters. There are betrayals, there is torture, and there is intrigue and lots of delicious angst.
Here is another book that I will say to you…is a MUST read. I loved it…bought it late in the afternoon and finished by 10:30 PM. Congratulations on a job well done, Karen.
Absolutely amazing!....on the edge of my seat, smugly thinking I knew what was coming but now I am all smiles thinking what pleasure all you other readers have coming. This must be read like a drink of fine wine....slowly, savoring the various flavors/aspects and with the assurance you are in for an excellent experience.
Yes, this is a modern variation involving our Elizabeth Bennet, an only child who wants to honor her father, a man lost during the Bay of Pigs disaster in Cuba. It is also a spy thriller and we meet the other half of our favorite couple, one William Darcy, who has gone by William Darcy, Darcy Kent and Liam Reynolds. He has a long history with the CIA but fairly recent events and unknown persons have cast shadows on what was a sterling reputation. Yes, it is a romance and some pages do give us adult content.
This is not the story we know of in canon, but there are many of our “favorite people”: Bill Collins, George Wickham, Charlotte Lucas, Richard Fitzwilliam, Charles Bingley and Mrs. Bennet. Then there are new names given to old favorites: Johanna Bodnar, Lidia, Louis and Cara Hurst, Jirina Sobota, Catrina and Anneliese Vandenburg. (You have to figure those out as I won’t tell you...what fun would that be?) And while the main actions take place in the USA, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean…wait for it…Pemberley shows up…Hooray! You have to smile; you must find mental challenges, as you attempt to make connections between P&P and this story. Really, it is not the same but canon gives us some clues as to characters behaviors and then drops us off a cliff when we find that this author has spun us around and around and around…so cleverly!
While reading the events mostly as to what Elizabeth is doing and her judgments and relationships both from her child hood friend, Charlotte, to her confidence in her new friend and fellow spy, George Wickham, and some other parts from William’s first appearance in Elizabeth’s life to their involvement in many a mission and their dancing around each other deciding trust issues, WE ALSO are given anonymous passages from the mind of an admitted double agent. See if you can figure this one out. (AND please don’t SPOIL it for readers by revealing his or her name in your review or comments.)
Darcy and Elizabeth again have all those issues with first impressions, with pride, with prejudices and misunderstanding and WITH gossip from others. One of my favorite quotes from this book is, “Here’s to the irony of first impressions and the good fortune to overcome them.”
I have not given you the story here, but read the book description and the sample provided. This is set during the post WWII cold war and involves the FBI, the CIA and the KGB as well as other agencies. The fact that there is a double agent within the CIA interprets to death or near death for some of the characters. There are betrayals, there is torture, and there is intrigue and lots of delicious angst.
Here is another book that I will say to you…is a MUST read. I loved it…bought it late in the afternoon and finished by 10:30 PM. Congratulations on a job well done, Karen.
June 19, 2016
Great mash up between Pride and Prejudice and the 1987 movie No Way Out. The CIA has a mole, and Darcy, a.k.a. The London Fog, is suspected. Elizabeth Bennet is a new recruit who has the linguistic specialty to get her posted to his latest assignment in Hungary and learns that investigating him is part of her assignment. Wickham briefs her and gives her a preconceived bias against Darcy, reinforcing her negative first impression of him from when he gave a presentation to her recruiting class.
The story moves to different locations and delves further into the cloak and dagger espionage of the Cold War era with such spy staples as "assets," "handlers," "cutouts" and "drops." Pride and Prejudice characters are present in different roles: Instead of a sister named Jane, Elizabeth makes friends with a Hungarian asset named Johanna, who is in love with Charles Bingley, a good friend (and fellow CIA agent) of Darcy's. Charlotte is another good friend of Elizabeth, and she works for the FBI. Bill Collins is an awkward bootlicker in the CIA that no one seems to like. Richard Fitzwilliam is Darcy's M16 contact and longtime colleague. Caroline Bingley/Louisa Hurst becomes Cara Hurst, trophy wife to a U.S. diplomat in Hungary. Oberst Catrina Vandenburg is a border commander in East Berlin, and her daughter Anneliese is clearly very interested in Darcy - showing some similarity to Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter Anne. Darcy and Wickham's largest issue with each other regards the botched handling of a young woman named Jirina (Georgiana) in Czechoslovakia, who was captured by the KGB.
Karen Cox makes all this work well together. It doesn't take long for the reader to become immersed in this dangerous world. There are a number of narrow escapes and thrilling murder attempts. The mystery of the mole's identity, which seems rather obvious throughout the book, is NOT as it appears, and the final chapters are full of surprises, including the identity of the mole's handler. This is a wonderful thriller with a lot of heat and steamy scenes between Elizabeth and Darcy. I just loved it.
The story moves to different locations and delves further into the cloak and dagger espionage of the Cold War era with such spy staples as "assets," "handlers," "cutouts" and "drops." Pride and Prejudice characters are present in different roles: Instead of a sister named Jane, Elizabeth makes friends with a Hungarian asset named Johanna, who is in love with Charles Bingley, a good friend (and fellow CIA agent) of Darcy's. Charlotte is another good friend of Elizabeth, and she works for the FBI. Bill Collins is an awkward bootlicker in the CIA that no one seems to like. Richard Fitzwilliam is Darcy's M16 contact and longtime colleague. Caroline Bingley/Louisa Hurst becomes Cara Hurst, trophy wife to a U.S. diplomat in Hungary. Oberst Catrina Vandenburg is a border commander in East Berlin, and her daughter Anneliese is clearly very interested in Darcy - showing some similarity to Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter Anne. Darcy and Wickham's largest issue with each other regards the botched handling of a young woman named Jirina (Georgiana) in Czechoslovakia, who was captured by the KGB.
Karen Cox makes all this work well together. It doesn't take long for the reader to become immersed in this dangerous world. There are a number of narrow escapes and thrilling murder attempts. The mystery of the mole's identity, which seems rather obvious throughout the book, is NOT as it appears, and the final chapters are full of surprises, including the identity of the mole's handler. This is a wonderful thriller with a lot of heat and steamy scenes between Elizabeth and Darcy. I just loved it.
July 5, 2019
I love this author!
May 4, 2016
4.5 stars! Spies and Speculation
CIA, the Cold War, counterintelligence spies? Doesn’t sound like your typical Pride and Prejudice retelling, does it? Oh no, my friends, it certainly is not!
Freshly minted officer Elizabeth Bennet, who specializes in linguistics, is assigned a covert mission to investigate the famous and memorably arrogant William Darcy. Chosen because of her fluency in Hungarian, Elizabeth travels to Budapest to be Darcy’s interpreter, all the while studying his actions to determine if he is indeed a double agent botching up missions and leaking information to the enemy.
Very true to their natures, Darcy and Elizabeth don’t think very much of each at their first meeting. Darcy assumes Elizabeth is too “wet-behind-the-ears” and Elizabeth believes he is an infuriating jerk with no heart. Now of course, Elizabeth’s opinion may be slightly colored by the incriminating tale she heard from fellow counterintelligence officer, George Wickham. Who was quick to share how Darcy’s actions (and inaction) in Prague, makes him believe Darcy might be going rogue… Will Elizabeth be able to discover the truth or is Darcy’s career in the CIA virtually over?
I’ve been a long-time fan of Karen Cox and have always loved and appreciated the beauty and originality of her stories. In her latest tale, Karen Cox raises the bar and transplants Jane Austen’s characters not just to another time period, but to another page in history. With meticulous detail and skill, Karen Cox constructs a story that is filled with engaging spy missions and travels to over half a dozen countries and cultures, all the while, fitting it into significant events that marked our nation’s history in the 1960’s and 1980’s. I loved how authentic this made the story feel.
One aspect of the story I greatly enjoyed was the exhilaration and intrigue of the spy game – I always try and figure out answers alongside the characters! But I think what I loved more was spotting Ms. Cox’s clever allusions to Pride and Prejudice hidden throughout the story (I say hidden because most of the time they weren’t very overt!). She also had a fun game going where she would take a Jane Austen quote and put it in another character’s mouth who would then use it in a completely different kind of situation from the original. She was very crafty! In addition, I loved the surprising twists with the families of these characters. While I did guess a couple of things during the spy game, that was one element that caught me by surprise.
In this retelling, Darcy and Elizabeth are forced engage in some flirtation as a cover for their interactions. Which with their instant attraction for each other was very fun to witness! However, I did sometimes think that the romantic developments in this story often felt a little abrupt and blunt. They were very fast-paced, which maybe was the author’s intent since the story itself was fast-paced and action-packed. But I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of these characters in their “falling in love” stage.
With her latest release, Karen Cox delivers an incredibly unique and riveting tale that brilliantly blends together action, high-stakes danger, espionage, history, and Jane Austen! I love the adventure and the time travel through history this story took me on! I cannot wait to see what Karen Cox writes next!
Note: With some use of profanity and intimate scenes between characters, I’d recommend this story for Mature Audiences.
CIA, the Cold War, counterintelligence spies? Doesn’t sound like your typical Pride and Prejudice retelling, does it? Oh no, my friends, it certainly is not!
Freshly minted officer Elizabeth Bennet, who specializes in linguistics, is assigned a covert mission to investigate the famous and memorably arrogant William Darcy. Chosen because of her fluency in Hungarian, Elizabeth travels to Budapest to be Darcy’s interpreter, all the while studying his actions to determine if he is indeed a double agent botching up missions and leaking information to the enemy.
Very true to their natures, Darcy and Elizabeth don’t think very much of each at their first meeting. Darcy assumes Elizabeth is too “wet-behind-the-ears” and Elizabeth believes he is an infuriating jerk with no heart. Now of course, Elizabeth’s opinion may be slightly colored by the incriminating tale she heard from fellow counterintelligence officer, George Wickham. Who was quick to share how Darcy’s actions (and inaction) in Prague, makes him believe Darcy might be going rogue… Will Elizabeth be able to discover the truth or is Darcy’s career in the CIA virtually over?
I’ve been a long-time fan of Karen Cox and have always loved and appreciated the beauty and originality of her stories. In her latest tale, Karen Cox raises the bar and transplants Jane Austen’s characters not just to another time period, but to another page in history. With meticulous detail and skill, Karen Cox constructs a story that is filled with engaging spy missions and travels to over half a dozen countries and cultures, all the while, fitting it into significant events that marked our nation’s history in the 1960’s and 1980’s. I loved how authentic this made the story feel.
One aspect of the story I greatly enjoyed was the exhilaration and intrigue of the spy game – I always try and figure out answers alongside the characters! But I think what I loved more was spotting Ms. Cox’s clever allusions to Pride and Prejudice hidden throughout the story (I say hidden because most of the time they weren’t very overt!). She also had a fun game going where she would take a Jane Austen quote and put it in another character’s mouth who would then use it in a completely different kind of situation from the original. She was very crafty! In addition, I loved the surprising twists with the families of these characters. While I did guess a couple of things during the spy game, that was one element that caught me by surprise.
In this retelling, Darcy and Elizabeth are forced engage in some flirtation as a cover for their interactions. Which with their instant attraction for each other was very fun to witness! However, I did sometimes think that the romantic developments in this story often felt a little abrupt and blunt. They were very fast-paced, which maybe was the author’s intent since the story itself was fast-paced and action-packed. But I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of these characters in their “falling in love” stage.
With her latest release, Karen Cox delivers an incredibly unique and riveting tale that brilliantly blends together action, high-stakes danger, espionage, history, and Jane Austen! I love the adventure and the time travel through history this story took me on! I cannot wait to see what Karen Cox writes next!
Note: With some use of profanity and intimate scenes between characters, I’d recommend this story for Mature Audiences.
February 2, 2016
Cold War Era Espionage, Double Agents, Moles, Tense Forbidden Attraction? Sign Me Up. And bonus, its Jane Austen's well-loved Pride & Prejudice characters populating such a story which made it icing on a tantalizing layered cake.
The story opens with Elizabeth Bennet following in her father's footsteps to fulfill her dream of working for the CIA. One rude encounter with premier agent, William Darcy, leaves her not that upset to be assigned to a ticklish first assignment. Darcy is a legend in the shadow community and is up for the chief of station position in Moscow, but there are also disturbing issues that point to him as a turned agent who might be betraying his country.
As Elizabeth spies on the arrogant, yet coolly capable spy, she starts to feel uneasy. Darcy has his defects, but he has done nothing to rouse her suspicions and yet more than one mission has gone belly up. Is he or isn't he? And if he isn't, then who is? And why can't she just write him off as an arrogant jerk instead of her heart racing whenever she is with him? If Elizabeth doesn't figure out the truth and if Darcy can't watch their backs, they may not live to figure out that sizzling push and pull they have between them.
What an engaging romantic suspense! While it was fun that it is flavored by Austen's P&P, I found it a lovely twisting page-turner in its own right. Readers don't need to be familiar with the classic this one is based on since really all they have to like is a good spy romance. The author didn't force every scene, character, and plot point to slavishly follow the original and it was a wise decision because this one flowed so much better as a result.
I loved that the author set this one in the Cold War Era which was definitely a time that I associate with the need for intelligence and counter-intelligence work. Defections, double agents, and everyone uneasy about what the other side is doing. There was a nostalgic tone, but there were also intense, tough moments. The setting, backstories, and plot all felt authentic to the time. Darcy and Elizabeth's parents were part of the Vietnam era and Bay of Pigs fiasco. I liked how the author used fabulous exotic settings and even wrote in some spy gadgetry, codes, and mission work.
The reader can see what the heroine can't because she is prejudiced and being manipulated so this adds to the tension. And about the heroine, Elizabeth. She is an otherwise intelligent, strong-willed, skilled rookie agent that is compassionate and determined to do her job well, but she let her bruised personal pride blind her so she doesn't have objectivity. She is attracted to the guy she can't stand and she is grudgingly impressed by his superior skills and abilities. I enjoyed her fiery nature and respected how she handled being undeceived by the truth. She totally rocked the woman power without a chip on her shoulder.
As to the hero, I love it when one is never quite sure what to think in a thriller or romantic suspense. The writer chose to keep the reader in the know somewhat so this wasn't the huge twisty surprise part. Darcy was a likable hero. He has enough flaws not to be too perfect, but his strengths make him total weak-knee hero material. I fell for him right along with the reluctant Elizabeth. He has the responsibility to keep doing his job even after he learns that he is under suspicion and their is a mole deep behind his own lines. Getting to his secrets and seeing the truth about him when it came out was an absolute pleasure.
The rest of the cast of characters were interesting and I enjoyed how they wove into the story and the parts they played. I liked how many of them had secrets, skills, and agendas that played into the story so they weren't just there to prop up behind Darcy and Elizabeth.
The plot itself with its mystery of who the double agent was and how that person would be stopped was exciting furious page-turning stuff. I had my suspicions about things and I got most of it right, but even then, I barely figured out the last twist before it came. Love it when an author can surprise me like that.
The story is a pretty equal balance of romance and suspense which worked well, I thought. There are hints of spice in the romance which was slow to build since they were more hostile than loving for much of the story, but I liked how they felt equal and made good partners even if not sure of each other. The suspense propelled the romance and vice versa.
And as a side note, I don't normally point out covers, but isn't this one gorgeous and perfect for the story?
So all in all, my enthusiasm was never dampened and I was riveted for much of the book. This spicy, intriguing romantic suspense is a definite recommend to romantic suspense lovers especially who want to get nostalgic over a Cold War spy romance. For Austenesque lovers, this is most definitely for those who enjoy a modern(ish) retelling.
My thanks to Meryton Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story opens with Elizabeth Bennet following in her father's footsteps to fulfill her dream of working for the CIA. One rude encounter with premier agent, William Darcy, leaves her not that upset to be assigned to a ticklish first assignment. Darcy is a legend in the shadow community and is up for the chief of station position in Moscow, but there are also disturbing issues that point to him as a turned agent who might be betraying his country.
As Elizabeth spies on the arrogant, yet coolly capable spy, she starts to feel uneasy. Darcy has his defects, but he has done nothing to rouse her suspicions and yet more than one mission has gone belly up. Is he or isn't he? And if he isn't, then who is? And why can't she just write him off as an arrogant jerk instead of her heart racing whenever she is with him? If Elizabeth doesn't figure out the truth and if Darcy can't watch their backs, they may not live to figure out that sizzling push and pull they have between them.
What an engaging romantic suspense! While it was fun that it is flavored by Austen's P&P, I found it a lovely twisting page-turner in its own right. Readers don't need to be familiar with the classic this one is based on since really all they have to like is a good spy romance. The author didn't force every scene, character, and plot point to slavishly follow the original and it was a wise decision because this one flowed so much better as a result.
I loved that the author set this one in the Cold War Era which was definitely a time that I associate with the need for intelligence and counter-intelligence work. Defections, double agents, and everyone uneasy about what the other side is doing. There was a nostalgic tone, but there were also intense, tough moments. The setting, backstories, and plot all felt authentic to the time. Darcy and Elizabeth's parents were part of the Vietnam era and Bay of Pigs fiasco. I liked how the author used fabulous exotic settings and even wrote in some spy gadgetry, codes, and mission work.
The reader can see what the heroine can't because she is prejudiced and being manipulated so this adds to the tension. And about the heroine, Elizabeth. She is an otherwise intelligent, strong-willed, skilled rookie agent that is compassionate and determined to do her job well, but she let her bruised personal pride blind her so she doesn't have objectivity. She is attracted to the guy she can't stand and she is grudgingly impressed by his superior skills and abilities. I enjoyed her fiery nature and respected how she handled being undeceived by the truth. She totally rocked the woman power without a chip on her shoulder.
As to the hero, I love it when one is never quite sure what to think in a thriller or romantic suspense. The writer chose to keep the reader in the know somewhat so this wasn't the huge twisty surprise part. Darcy was a likable hero. He has enough flaws not to be too perfect, but his strengths make him total weak-knee hero material. I fell for him right along with the reluctant Elizabeth. He has the responsibility to keep doing his job even after he learns that he is under suspicion and their is a mole deep behind his own lines. Getting to his secrets and seeing the truth about him when it came out was an absolute pleasure.
The rest of the cast of characters were interesting and I enjoyed how they wove into the story and the parts they played. I liked how many of them had secrets, skills, and agendas that played into the story so they weren't just there to prop up behind Darcy and Elizabeth.
The plot itself with its mystery of who the double agent was and how that person would be stopped was exciting furious page-turning stuff. I had my suspicions about things and I got most of it right, but even then, I barely figured out the last twist before it came. Love it when an author can surprise me like that.
The story is a pretty equal balance of romance and suspense which worked well, I thought. There are hints of spice in the romance which was slow to build since they were more hostile than loving for much of the story, but I liked how they felt equal and made good partners even if not sure of each other. The suspense propelled the romance and vice versa.
And as a side note, I don't normally point out covers, but isn't this one gorgeous and perfect for the story?
So all in all, my enthusiasm was never dampened and I was riveted for much of the book. This spicy, intriguing romantic suspense is a definite recommend to romantic suspense lovers especially who want to get nostalgic over a Cold War spy romance. For Austenesque lovers, this is most definitely for those who enjoy a modern(ish) retelling.
My thanks to Meryton Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2019
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love a good P & P retelling, don’t you? This one is about spies and deceit and it’s filled with angst which I love!
I’m a huge JAFF fan and I love Karen M Cox’s writing. Darcy was swoon worthy in this one and I loved Elizabeth. She’s clever and always ready to stand up to any challenges that faces her. The story is filled with lots of tension and mystery. I kept saying “who is the double agent?” I’m so glad I read this. I loved it! ♥️
This was an ARC from the author which I’m super grateful for and all opinions are my own!
I love a good P & P retelling, don’t you? This one is about spies and deceit and it’s filled with angst which I love!
I’m a huge JAFF fan and I love Karen M Cox’s writing. Darcy was swoon worthy in this one and I loved Elizabeth. She’s clever and always ready to stand up to any challenges that faces her. The story is filled with lots of tension and mystery. I kept saying “who is the double agent?” I’m so glad I read this. I loved it! ♥️
This was an ARC from the author which I’m super grateful for and all opinions are my own!
February 20, 2016
It is the early 1980’s and the zenith of the world-wide communist threat. Following in her late father’s career footsteps, Elizabeth Bennet is assigned to the counter-intelligence unit of the CIA. Her first task is to uncover a mole who has been undermining intelligence operations in Prague, Budapest, East Berlin, and inside headquarters in Langley Virginia. Career officer Will Darcy thinks agent Bennet is accompanying him as an assistant, little knowing she is investigating the possibility that he is the traitor in their midst. This sets off a storm of murderous intrigue, unbridled passions, and the ultimate “whodunit.” This wary and cynical reviewer smugly thought he had it figured out but was blind-sided and cross-checked numerous times on the way to a totally unexpected conclusion.
This thriller-diller of spy versus spy resonated with me deeply on several levels: 1) I lived through menacing height of the cold war. 2) I was an Air Force intelligence analyst reporting to the NSA. 3) I love-love-love the mutability and adaptability of Jane Austen’s colorful characters. Author Karen Cox brilliantly lifts these personalities off the pages of Pride and Prejudice and places them into this espionage mystery with surprising veracity.
The author’s scholarly and painstaking research into the shadowy world of the major intelligence-gathering organizations on both sides of the Iron Curtain are vividly evident.
Even if the reader has no idea who Jane Austen is the story is still so utterly entertaining and engrossing in its own right that it makes no difference. However, for fans of Pride and Prejudice, the author unfolds those personalities gradually with uncanny and delightful results.
I savored the concluding question and answer discussion which gave revealing clues into the author’s intentions and story formation. Finally, the ultimate compliment from me would be to say what a fantastic full-length feature film this would make!
This thriller-diller of spy versus spy resonated with me deeply on several levels: 1) I lived through menacing height of the cold war. 2) I was an Air Force intelligence analyst reporting to the NSA. 3) I love-love-love the mutability and adaptability of Jane Austen’s colorful characters. Author Karen Cox brilliantly lifts these personalities off the pages of Pride and Prejudice and places them into this espionage mystery with surprising veracity.
The author’s scholarly and painstaking research into the shadowy world of the major intelligence-gathering organizations on both sides of the Iron Curtain are vividly evident.
Even if the reader has no idea who Jane Austen is the story is still so utterly entertaining and engrossing in its own right that it makes no difference. However, for fans of Pride and Prejudice, the author unfolds those personalities gradually with uncanny and delightful results.
I savored the concluding question and answer discussion which gave revealing clues into the author’s intentions and story formation. Finally, the ultimate compliment from me would be to say what a fantastic full-length feature film this would make!
September 23, 2022
The narrator was exceptional and the story was engaging.
May 24, 2023
Intriguing Page Turner
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2020
This book somehow got pushed back in my TBR stack. While browsing this author’s books, I realized I’d missed it. I’m glad I found it. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. After resisting modern variations for some months after discovering JAFF, I have come to really enjoy them. This one truly does not disappoint. Very intriguing storyline that includes most of P&P’s known and loved, and some not-so-loved characters. I really liked the way ODC were portrayed. Since I don’t read many mysteries, I truly surprised myself and guessed the ending early on. Well written, well edited, great story. I highly recommend.
July 1, 2021 - Audiobook
Outstanding narration by Elizabeth Grace.
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2020
This book somehow got pushed back in my TBR stack. While browsing this author’s books, I realized I’d missed it. I’m glad I found it. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. After resisting modern variations for some months after discovering JAFF, I have come to really enjoy them. This one truly does not disappoint. Very intriguing storyline that includes most of P&P’s known and loved, and some not-so-loved characters. I really liked the way ODC were portrayed. Since I don’t read many mysteries, I truly surprised myself and guessed the ending early on. Well written, well edited, great story. I highly recommend.
July 1, 2021 - Audiobook
Outstanding narration by Elizabeth Grace.
June 6, 2016
It's been awhile since I've read a book that I couldn't put down. I don't know if it's just been my luck lately or what - but I definitely couldn't put this one down!
In this variation, Darcy and Elizabeth are spies from the CIA in the 1980s! Wickham convinces Elizabeth to do some counterintelligence work and her first investigation is on Darcy - who she already doesn't like. They bump heads a lot, but Darcy clearly falls for her.
This variation was great because there were things I didn't predict, the story kept up a lively pace, and it was pretty action packed. The romance in it was delightful.
Highly recommend!
In this variation, Darcy and Elizabeth are spies from the CIA in the 1980s! Wickham convinces Elizabeth to do some counterintelligence work and her first investigation is on Darcy - who she already doesn't like. They bump heads a lot, but Darcy clearly falls for her.
This variation was great because there were things I didn't predict, the story kept up a lively pace, and it was pretty action packed. The romance in it was delightful.
Highly recommend!
April 9, 2016
What an amazing story! From start to finish it had me completely riveted. Fast paced, plenty of action and intrigue, the essential elements of P&P are expertly woven into the very original plot. As to the mysteries involved, some answers are clearly apparent, but there also red herrings sprinkled in along the way. There was one surprise that I recognized and truly hoped for as I read, but the final reveal proved the adage "be careful what you wish for." Sins of the fathers, indeed.
September 6, 2016
Check out this amazing video for readers based on Karen Cox's book "Undeceived!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zubtv...
Even if you've read the book, this video is terrific!
Can two undercover agents learn to trust and love one another once they learn the truth about their past?
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
There’s just no way to deceive anyone regarding my feelings for this book! Karen Cox, hit the nail on the head when she created this spy story, which has the perfect combination of gripping action, sharp and sassy dialogue, and wonderfully descriptive language that made this story feel similar to a motion-picture experience. Whether I was reading about going to a secret drop, traveling to the next undercover assignment or savoring an intense scene between Darcy and Elizabeth, I felt completely immersed within the context of this story.
These are certainly not the spies I grew up with from the show “Get Smart.”Not to say I didn’t love Maxwell Smart and his adorable, playful sidekick, Agent 99. I remember faithfully watching them as a kid and laughing at their silly antics. But clearly, the Cold War spies here in “Undeceived” are a whole different breed; they’re serious, sexy and ready for all kinds of action!
In the beginning, we meet the infamous “London Fog,” aka, William Darcy, who is less than pleased about being at a CIA event to speak to a bunch of new trainees. Elizabeth Bennet, a new CIA recruit, recognizes who he is and is immediately drawn to his good looks. After accidentally overhearing his obnoxious and demeaning words regarding two female trainees, Elizabeth finds her initial attraction for the London Fog fade into thin air as she begins to develop an intense prejudice against Darcy.
When she eventually meets her new CIA colleagues, Elizabeth learns that her very first assignment is to investigate whether or not William Darcy is acting as a double agent. Everything she currently feels about him makes her want to turn him in as a double agent, but she knows she must begin by sketching his character to decide if her first impressions truly will lead her to these actions.
Throughout this Cold War story, we travel around the world with Darcy and Elizabeth, where they must question everything and everyone surrounding them, determined to find the answers they need before it’s too late. Through a string of assignments, they find themselves caught in a web of entanglements and secret missions, while at other times, they are being played like pawns in a game of chess. Can two people who are trained to deal with every type of deception come to unconditionally trust another person?
The decisions behind the casting of these “Pride and Prejudice” characters within the context of this Cold War spy story were brilliant and brought a whole new layer of intrigue to these characters. I especially enjoyed how the Hursts were cast in this story, which was quite a new twist for me, as well as the characters that Ms. Cox chose to cast in a much darker shade than Austen would ever dare to do. Overall, I felt the characters were faced with a nice balance of internal and external struggles, which made the story flow very smoothly for me and allowed me to feel really connected with these characters.
The two years that Ms. Cox spent researching the information that she included in this story really pays off for her readers. Even the tiniest details made her settings come alive and contributed to the authenticity of her storytelling. I loved reading the Author’s Q&A at the conclusion of this book, where I learned about her decision-making process regarding several parts of this story, as well as her inspiration for writing this book.
Ms. Cox keeps us guessing up until the very end of this story, allowing her readers to feel as though they are also players in this game of intrigue. She does a wonderful job in the way she paces her story and reveals the various connections amongst the characters and the sub-plots she’s woven together within the context of the overall story. “Undeceived” is a sexy and thrilling alternate era Austenesque story that incorporates Austen’s themes about love, unequal circumstances, pride and prejudice and makes them come alive within a titillating Cold War game of intrigue and deception.
July 9, 2021
Audiobook Review
Queue the thrilling music that screams danger and excitement, dim the lights, and prepare for some old style spy action. Jane Austen's well-loved Pride & Prejudice characters are populating a Cold War espionage romance thriller.
While it was fun that that Undeceived is flavored by Austen's P&P, I found it a lovely twisting page-turner in its own right. Readers don't need to be familiar with the classic this one is based on since really all they have to like is a good spy romance.
I loved that the author set this one in the Cold War Era which was definitely a time that I associate with the need for intelligence and counter-intelligence work. Defections, double agents, and everyone uneasy about what the other side is doing. There was a nostalgic tone, but there were also intense, tough moments. The setting, backstories, and plot all felt authentic to the time. Darcy and Elizabeth's parents were part of the Vietnam era and Bay of Pigs fiasco giving good backstory. I liked how the author used fabulous exotic settings and even wrote in some spy gadgetry, codes, and mission work.
The reader can see what the heroine can't. She is an otherwise intelligent, strong-willed, skilled rookie agent that is compassionate and determined to do her job well, but she let her bruised personal pride blind her so she doesn't have objectivity. She is attracted to the guy she thinks she can't stand and she is grudgingly impressed by his superior skills and abilities. I enjoyed her fiery nature and respected how she handled being undeceived by the truth. She totally rocked the woman power without a chip on her shoulder.
As to the hero, I love it when one is never quite sure what to think in a thriller or romantic suspense. The writer chose to keep the reader in the know somewhat so this wasn't the huge twisty surprise part. Darcy was a likable hero. He has enough flaws not to be too perfect, but his strengths make him total weak-knee hero material. Getting to his secrets and seeing the truth about him when it came out was an absolute pleasure.
The rest of the cast of characters were interesting and I enjoyed how they wove into the story and the parts they played. I liked how many of them had secrets, skills, and agendas that played into the story so they weren't just there to prop up behind Darcy and Elizabeth.
The plot itself with its mystery of who the double agent was and how that person would be stopped was furious page-turning stuff. I had my suspicions about things and I got most of it right, but even then, I barely figured out the last twist before it came. Love it when an author can surprise me like that.
The story is a pretty equal balance of romance and suspense which worked well, I thought. There are hints of spice in the romance which was slow to build since they were more hostile than loving for much of the story, but I liked how they felt equal and made good partners even if not sure of each other. The suspense propelled the romance and vice versa.
And as a side note, I don't normally point out covers, but isn't this one gorgeous and perfect for the story?
This was my second outing with Elizabeth Grace as narrator and I have to say that it was sheer pleasure listening in to her mildly husky tones and captivating way of voicing her characters. The book was already engaging, but her narration work took it to a new depth. I didn’t want to stop listening once I started. She especially shone when she caught the sizzling attraction underscoring Elizabeth and Darcy’s dialogues and scenes.
So all in all, my enthusiasm never dampened and I was riveted for much of the book. This spicy, intriguing romantic suspense is a definite recommend to romantic suspense lovers especially who want to get nostalgic over a Cold War spy romance. For Austenesque lovers, this is most definitely for those who enjoy a modern(ish) retelling.
My thanks to the author for providing a digital audio copy of the book to listen to in exchange for an honest review.
Queue the thrilling music that screams danger and excitement, dim the lights, and prepare for some old style spy action. Jane Austen's well-loved Pride & Prejudice characters are populating a Cold War espionage romance thriller.
While it was fun that that Undeceived is flavored by Austen's P&P, I found it a lovely twisting page-turner in its own right. Readers don't need to be familiar with the classic this one is based on since really all they have to like is a good spy romance.
I loved that the author set this one in the Cold War Era which was definitely a time that I associate with the need for intelligence and counter-intelligence work. Defections, double agents, and everyone uneasy about what the other side is doing. There was a nostalgic tone, but there were also intense, tough moments. The setting, backstories, and plot all felt authentic to the time. Darcy and Elizabeth's parents were part of the Vietnam era and Bay of Pigs fiasco giving good backstory. I liked how the author used fabulous exotic settings and even wrote in some spy gadgetry, codes, and mission work.
The reader can see what the heroine can't. She is an otherwise intelligent, strong-willed, skilled rookie agent that is compassionate and determined to do her job well, but she let her bruised personal pride blind her so she doesn't have objectivity. She is attracted to the guy she thinks she can't stand and she is grudgingly impressed by his superior skills and abilities. I enjoyed her fiery nature and respected how she handled being undeceived by the truth. She totally rocked the woman power without a chip on her shoulder.
As to the hero, I love it when one is never quite sure what to think in a thriller or romantic suspense. The writer chose to keep the reader in the know somewhat so this wasn't the huge twisty surprise part. Darcy was a likable hero. He has enough flaws not to be too perfect, but his strengths make him total weak-knee hero material. Getting to his secrets and seeing the truth about him when it came out was an absolute pleasure.
The rest of the cast of characters were interesting and I enjoyed how they wove into the story and the parts they played. I liked how many of them had secrets, skills, and agendas that played into the story so they weren't just there to prop up behind Darcy and Elizabeth.
The plot itself with its mystery of who the double agent was and how that person would be stopped was furious page-turning stuff. I had my suspicions about things and I got most of it right, but even then, I barely figured out the last twist before it came. Love it when an author can surprise me like that.
The story is a pretty equal balance of romance and suspense which worked well, I thought. There are hints of spice in the romance which was slow to build since they were more hostile than loving for much of the story, but I liked how they felt equal and made good partners even if not sure of each other. The suspense propelled the romance and vice versa.
And as a side note, I don't normally point out covers, but isn't this one gorgeous and perfect for the story?
This was my second outing with Elizabeth Grace as narrator and I have to say that it was sheer pleasure listening in to her mildly husky tones and captivating way of voicing her characters. The book was already engaging, but her narration work took it to a new depth. I didn’t want to stop listening once I started. She especially shone when she caught the sizzling attraction underscoring Elizabeth and Darcy’s dialogues and scenes.
So all in all, my enthusiasm never dampened and I was riveted for much of the book. This spicy, intriguing romantic suspense is a definite recommend to romantic suspense lovers especially who want to get nostalgic over a Cold War spy romance. For Austenesque lovers, this is most definitely for those who enjoy a modern(ish) retelling.
My thanks to the author for providing a digital audio copy of the book to listen to in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2018
Good Spy Story of Pride And Prejudice.
This is book is Pride and Prejudice set in the 1980's during the Cold War and has Elizabeth and Darcy as spies for the CIA. Their romance follows the plot of P&P perfectly, but the mystery in the book makes the whole story much more intriguing. I truly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a different take on P&P.
This is book is Pride and Prejudice set in the 1980's during the Cold War and has Elizabeth and Darcy as spies for the CIA. Their romance follows the plot of P&P perfectly, but the mystery in the book makes the whole story much more intriguing. I truly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a different take on P&P.
May 21, 2016
This review was first published on 'Babblings of a Bookworm': https://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot...
Undeceived is a ‘Pride & Prejudice’-inspired story which, unusually, is neither Regency nor contemporary – instead it’s set in the early 1980s. Darcy is an established CIA agent and Elizabeth is new to the Agency. The CIA believes it has a mole in its Eastern European area of operation and Elizabeth has been tasked with surveilling Darcy, under cover of being his interpreter, to work out whether he is the mole. Unfortunately, she and Darcy do not get off to the best start. Before she is even given the assignment she has come to the conclusion that he’s not an agent she’d like to work with, after he is condescending to new recruits in a guest lecture that he delivers. Elizabeth sums up the ‘lesson’ thus:
“I have learned that there are some fatal flaws that even extreme hotness can’t erase.”
However, they are thrown together in each other’s company. Although Elizabeth finds Darcy frustrating, she is fascinated by him in equal measure. At first she is somewhat prejudiced against him, but as a fair minded person, she is willing to put that to one side to discover the truth and over time she comes to her own conclusions.
I thought this was a really exciting and compelling read. From the very first, you are drawn in, as the book begins with quite a dramatic scene before flashing back to previous events. I enjoyed the fact that the setting was quite different – the spy world, by its very nature, is not your run of the mill setting. There is also an element of mystery to this, as there are parts written from the point of view of the mole; and it’s not clear who the mole is. There are some clues, some red herrings and some twists. I enjoyed a little bit of speculation regarding the identity of the mole, and indeed speculation regarding other characters. In general I was quite successful in my conclusions, although there was one person who I didn’t suspect of being different to their initial presentation.
I enjoyed this different reason for Elizabeth’s prejudice. Not only do she and Darcy get off on the wrong foot, but this is compounded by further arrogance when she actually meets him one on one, and then she is asked to investigate him. I will be fair to her though, despite having a poor view of his personality, she is fairly unbiased from the first as regards his patriotism, though of course she is on the lookout for any sign of it.
I also liked that the author had chosen a timeframe for the story that I’m not used to seeing (as she did in her book “1932”), as most Austenesque reads are either Regency or contemporary, although I am not familiar with the nuances of the cold war so I might have missed some of the references there.
The story isn’t a direct ‘Pride & Prejudice’ re-telling, but there are moments from the canon story that are recognisable. For example, there’s a mirroring of the Netherfield stay, a Hunsford, a meeting at Pemberley and some re-adapted lines that you’ll recognise, such as:
‘He had never been as betwitched by any woman as he was by her, and if it were not for the fact that she worked for him, he really believed he might be in danger of falling for her.’
We get quite a bit of time in Darcy's head, and the description of his feelings towards Elizabeth are good to see. He also takes actions which put him in danger so that she isn't put in danger... sigh! All of this helps build your goodwill towards him, and helps you forgive his initial attitude.
For those of you who like to know these things, this book has some sex scenes but they aren't detailed at all and would be easy to skip.
I would certainly recommend this book. It was exciting, perilous, romantic and a very satisfying read. I was hoping for a wonderful reading experience from this author and I feel she really delivered. I would rate this as a 5 star read.
Many thanks to Meryton Press, Karen M. Cox and Jakki Leatherberry for allowing me to take part in the blog tour for 'Undeceived' and for providing me with an e-ARC for my honest review.
Undeceived is a ‘Pride & Prejudice’-inspired story which, unusually, is neither Regency nor contemporary – instead it’s set in the early 1980s. Darcy is an established CIA agent and Elizabeth is new to the Agency. The CIA believes it has a mole in its Eastern European area of operation and Elizabeth has been tasked with surveilling Darcy, under cover of being his interpreter, to work out whether he is the mole. Unfortunately, she and Darcy do not get off to the best start. Before she is even given the assignment she has come to the conclusion that he’s not an agent she’d like to work with, after he is condescending to new recruits in a guest lecture that he delivers. Elizabeth sums up the ‘lesson’ thus:
“I have learned that there are some fatal flaws that even extreme hotness can’t erase.”
However, they are thrown together in each other’s company. Although Elizabeth finds Darcy frustrating, she is fascinated by him in equal measure. At first she is somewhat prejudiced against him, but as a fair minded person, she is willing to put that to one side to discover the truth and over time she comes to her own conclusions.
I thought this was a really exciting and compelling read. From the very first, you are drawn in, as the book begins with quite a dramatic scene before flashing back to previous events. I enjoyed the fact that the setting was quite different – the spy world, by its very nature, is not your run of the mill setting. There is also an element of mystery to this, as there are parts written from the point of view of the mole; and it’s not clear who the mole is. There are some clues, some red herrings and some twists. I enjoyed a little bit of speculation regarding the identity of the mole, and indeed speculation regarding other characters. In general I was quite successful in my conclusions, although there was one person who I didn’t suspect of being different to their initial presentation.
I enjoyed this different reason for Elizabeth’s prejudice. Not only do she and Darcy get off on the wrong foot, but this is compounded by further arrogance when she actually meets him one on one, and then she is asked to investigate him. I will be fair to her though, despite having a poor view of his personality, she is fairly unbiased from the first as regards his patriotism, though of course she is on the lookout for any sign of it.
I also liked that the author had chosen a timeframe for the story that I’m not used to seeing (as she did in her book “1932”), as most Austenesque reads are either Regency or contemporary, although I am not familiar with the nuances of the cold war so I might have missed some of the references there.
The story isn’t a direct ‘Pride & Prejudice’ re-telling, but there are moments from the canon story that are recognisable. For example, there’s a mirroring of the Netherfield stay, a Hunsford, a meeting at Pemberley and some re-adapted lines that you’ll recognise, such as:
‘He had never been as betwitched by any woman as he was by her, and if it were not for the fact that she worked for him, he really believed he might be in danger of falling for her.’
We get quite a bit of time in Darcy's head, and the description of his feelings towards Elizabeth are good to see. He also takes actions which put him in danger so that she isn't put in danger... sigh! All of this helps build your goodwill towards him, and helps you forgive his initial attitude.
For those of you who like to know these things, this book has some sex scenes but they aren't detailed at all and would be easy to skip.
I would certainly recommend this book. It was exciting, perilous, romantic and a very satisfying read. I was hoping for a wonderful reading experience from this author and I feel she really delivered. I would rate this as a 5 star read.
Many thanks to Meryton Press, Karen M. Cox and Jakki Leatherberry for allowing me to take part in the blog tour for 'Undeceived' and for providing me with an e-ARC for my honest review.
April 26, 2016
4.5 stars out of 5
I received this ebook as a winner on a blog.
What can be more exciting then having a modern Pride & Prejudice retelling set against the Cold War and working for the CIA in counterintelligence! James Bonds meet Pride & Prejudice.
Darcy aka "The London Fog" is suspected to be a double agent. Elizabeth Bennet, a newly minted officer with a specialty in linguistics, is assigned a covert mission to investigate Darcy in Hungary.
The story travels to multiple locations in the process of unveiling who the double agent is through different country and cultures. Karen Cox has done a marvelous of integrating history with Austen's favorite characters from Pride & Prejudice. It was fun to spot various lines from the novel and how well they worked. I loved seeing how creative the author was when re-imaging the character from canon to fit the story.
The story was fast pace and the spy action kept you on the edge of your seat while keeping you guessing. There were a few close calls that had you wondering what would happen next. The mole and the handler will surprise you at the end.
Darcy and Elizabeth's romance seemed a bit rushed. I would have loved to have more page time for them to fall in love and spend time together.
Ms. Cox has wonderful way of weaving history with our favorite Pride & Prejudice couple. I look forward to what Ms. Cox has coming up next.
This book is recommended for mature audiences.
I received this ebook as a winner on a blog.
What can be more exciting then having a modern Pride & Prejudice retelling set against the Cold War and working for the CIA in counterintelligence! James Bonds meet Pride & Prejudice.
Darcy aka "The London Fog" is suspected to be a double agent. Elizabeth Bennet, a newly minted officer with a specialty in linguistics, is assigned a covert mission to investigate Darcy in Hungary.
The story travels to multiple locations in the process of unveiling who the double agent is through different country and cultures. Karen Cox has done a marvelous of integrating history with Austen's favorite characters from Pride & Prejudice. It was fun to spot various lines from the novel and how well they worked. I loved seeing how creative the author was when re-imaging the character from canon to fit the story.
The story was fast pace and the spy action kept you on the edge of your seat while keeping you guessing. There were a few close calls that had you wondering what would happen next. The mole and the handler will surprise you at the end.
Darcy and Elizabeth's romance seemed a bit rushed. I would have loved to have more page time for them to fall in love and spend time together.
Ms. Cox has wonderful way of weaving history with our favorite Pride & Prejudice couple. I look forward to what Ms. Cox has coming up next.
This book is recommended for mature audiences.
June 20, 2016
Rating: 4.5 *
Take one new CIA recruit, Elizabeth Bennet and have her covertly investigating a seasoned CIA operative, William Darcy and hold on for the ride! George Wickham was as smooth and smarmy as always and I found myself having to put the book down as I kept telling Elizabeth not to trust or believe him! She just wouldn't listen...LOL!
I was intrigued and beguiled by this story and enjoyed trying to figure out who the real mole was. I did have my suspicions. I enjoyed finding quotes from P&P in the story, sometimes coming from a different person. I was able to figure out which characters represented the originals but was completely surprised with the mole's handler! Bravo Ms. Cox, I didn't see that coming!
The only quibble I have is that I felt Darcy's proposal came out of left field. I would have preferred more time spent together before that actually happened.
This is a well written and researched story that I would highly recommend to all!
Take one new CIA recruit, Elizabeth Bennet and have her covertly investigating a seasoned CIA operative, William Darcy and hold on for the ride! George Wickham was as smooth and smarmy as always and I found myself having to put the book down as I kept telling Elizabeth not to trust or believe him! She just wouldn't listen...LOL!
I was intrigued and beguiled by this story and enjoyed trying to figure out who the real mole was. I did have my suspicions. I enjoyed finding quotes from P&P in the story, sometimes coming from a different person. I was able to figure out which characters represented the originals but was completely surprised with the mole's handler! Bravo Ms. Cox, I didn't see that coming!
The only quibble I have is that I felt Darcy's proposal came out of left field. I would have preferred more time spent together before that actually happened.
This is a well written and researched story that I would highly recommend to all!
July 24, 2019
I love Karen M Cox’s writing and I really liked this one.
Darcy was swoon worthy in this one and I loved Elizabeth. She’s clever and always ready to stand up to any challenges that faces her. The story is filled with lots of tension and mystery. I kept saying “who is the double agent?”
I’m so glad I read this. I loved it! ♥️
This was an ARC from the author which I’m super grateful for and all opinions are my own!
Darcy was swoon worthy in this one and I loved Elizabeth. She’s clever and always ready to stand up to any challenges that faces her. The story is filled with lots of tension and mystery. I kept saying “who is the double agent?”
I’m so glad I read this. I loved it! ♥️
This was an ARC from the author which I’m super grateful for and all opinions are my own!
March 17, 2023
A very intriguing cold war spy mystery variation. Though the period, events and characters are all different, the author had managed to write them so that drawing parallels are not only easy but interesting.
December 21, 2017
A very good Pride & Prejudice's retelling.
Original, very well thought out and written.
Elizabeth is independent, strong, capable and blinded by prejudice just like in the original "tale".
Darcy is accomplished, arrogant and full of pride.
A lot of characters from the original P&P show up in this story and there's even Pemberley!
Even so, the story is original and it will keep you engaged until the very end.
He had never been as betwitched by any woman as he was by her, and if it were not for the fact that she worked for him, he really believed he might be in danger of falling for her❞.
I enjoyed their dancing around each other and I kept guessing about the mysterious double agent causing troubles.
I also loved the setting the author chose...
P&P retelling set during the Cold War after WWII?
Genious.
It's clear she's done her research on the historical facts and CIA's procedures at the time and I very much appreciated all of it.
Why not 5 star?
I approached this book as a P&P retelling and I expected more about the romance!
The "spy game" is the focus of the story and I didn't feel that same "P&P romantic build up" between the MCs.
⭐ 3.5 stars rounded up ⭐
~ My Ratings ~
Writing: 4 /5
Plot: 4 /5
Hero: 4 /5
Heroine: 4 /5
Secondary Characters: 3.5 /5
MC's chemistry: 4 /5
Steam: 2 /5 Sex scenes present but not very detailed.
Triggers: Violence, no major triggers.
Recommended to: Adult Readers looking for suspense and mystery with a touch of romance and of course readers looking for a P&P retelling.
**Jane Austen's P&P is not a prerequisite, you can dive in even if you've never heard of it😉
Are you looking for a specific mix of ingredients for your next read?
June 15, 2016
Undeceived is a recent entry in the newer sub-subgenre of contemporary Austenesque novels with a grittier edge. On the whole I like this category, though the sharper, coarser Elizabeths do sometimes require me to adjust my mind-set. The tougher heroine brings new challenges, but also new interpretations, to the reimagining of Pride and Prejudice.
Karen Cox has set her tale in the height of the Cold War, the early 1980s, and in the nerve center of the Cold War—the CIA. Elizabeth Bennet is a newly trained rookie assigned to counterintelligence under the supervision of Agent Wickham, and the target of her boss’s suspicion is William Darcy, a legendary superagent now under suspicion of being in cahoots with the KGB. This throws our hero and heroine together and into conflict from the start, which is a shrewd basis for retelling their tale.
The action takes us behind the Iron Curtain and to lush locales in the Caribbean, as well as to Washington, D.C. Descriptions of the settings felt a little rushed, and it wasn’t always clear to me what the point of the missions was. But the personal interactions of the characters were richly rendered, and that carried me along through some confusing bits. Nearly all the characters from the original put in an appearance, though some are only minimally present and don’t have much of a role. That’s understandable as there’s a lot to juggle here!
The end of the book is a rolling series of revelations. Familiarity with Pride and Prejudice will lead many readers astray as to the first big reveal, though at a certain point it became clear to me that my facile expectations were not going to be met. The last big reveal was a partial surprise—it was clear to me that the character in question had a story, but my speculations about that story were off-base. The last couple of chapters were a bit jumbled and hard to follow, as a lot of backstory had to be got through in addition to the present climax.
What I enjoyed the most about this story were the great dialogue and the development of the primary relationship. Austenesque readers who like the focus to be primarily on Elizabeth and Darcy will come away satisfied.
Karen Cox has set her tale in the height of the Cold War, the early 1980s, and in the nerve center of the Cold War—the CIA. Elizabeth Bennet is a newly trained rookie assigned to counterintelligence under the supervision of Agent Wickham, and the target of her boss’s suspicion is William Darcy, a legendary superagent now under suspicion of being in cahoots with the KGB. This throws our hero and heroine together and into conflict from the start, which is a shrewd basis for retelling their tale.
The action takes us behind the Iron Curtain and to lush locales in the Caribbean, as well as to Washington, D.C. Descriptions of the settings felt a little rushed, and it wasn’t always clear to me what the point of the missions was. But the personal interactions of the characters were richly rendered, and that carried me along through some confusing bits. Nearly all the characters from the original put in an appearance, though some are only minimally present and don’t have much of a role. That’s understandable as there’s a lot to juggle here!
The end of the book is a rolling series of revelations. Familiarity with Pride and Prejudice will lead many readers astray as to the first big reveal, though at a certain point it became clear to me that my facile expectations were not going to be met. The last big reveal was a partial surprise—it was clear to me that the character in question had a story, but my speculations about that story were off-base. The last couple of chapters were a bit jumbled and hard to follow, as a lot of backstory had to be got through in addition to the present climax.
What I enjoyed the most about this story were the great dialogue and the development of the primary relationship. Austenesque readers who like the focus to be primarily on Elizabeth and Darcy will come away satisfied.
October 16, 2019
This past weekend I devoured Undeceived, a Pride and Prejudice spy novel set in the 1980’s. Darcy and Elizabeth are CIA agents. Darcy is a legendary field officer and Elizabeth is the rookie who is sent to secretly investigate him for counterintelligence. The investigation is instigated by none other than George Wickham, another member of the CIA. It was fun to see familiar characters pop up throughout this novel which I thought was well written and creative. I liked the similarities to the original, the scenes didn’t feel forced but made me smile since I knew where it was all heading. Still it was a fun ride with a good twist or two and a lot of adventure.
Read
November 3, 2017Check out my review on Diary of an Eccentric
August 1, 2019
My second time reading this book is no less of a sexy, emotional thrill ride than the first. Karen M. Cox has always had a talent for taking Jane Austen's characters - jewels in their own right - and putting them into a brilliant new setting. In less talented hands this could be hokey, but this is a skilled author who knows her craft. Even having read an earlier version and knowing what was coming, I still found myself holding my breath in places. And the characters! She's drawn Elizabeth and Darcy so beautifully, so perfectly imperfect, that they felt completely real and three-dimensional. Elizabeth is a hero, plain and simple, one the reader can't help but root for, and as for Darcy...excuse me while I hop into a freezing shower. The tension between these two is absolutely electric. If you're looking for some summer reading with a little more meat on its bones, look no further. Undeceived has all of the action, suspense, and sizzling attraction you never knew you needed in your Austen-Inspired romance.
August 2, 2019
Action packed variation of Pride and Prejudice, set during the cold war of the eighties.
Masterful and cleverly written mystery-romance with an ending that blew my mind!
CIA rookie Elizabeth Bennet were the daughter of the CIA agent Tom Bennet, whom lost his life in the service of his country when his daughter were three years old.
She were sent on a mission to Eastern Europe to translate for the London Fog, William Darcy aka Darby Kent. Although she were a linguist, her assignment was twofold...
Thrilling events unfolded as there always seemed to be someone, one step ahead.
Flirtation were a part of the undercover disguise as well but had its own pitfalls.
An engaging and intriguing book that held up very well as a reread. A quality mark in my book.
Heartily recommend this book!
Masterful and cleverly written mystery-romance with an ending that blew my mind!
CIA rookie Elizabeth Bennet were the daughter of the CIA agent Tom Bennet, whom lost his life in the service of his country when his daughter were three years old.
She were sent on a mission to Eastern Europe to translate for the London Fog, William Darcy aka Darby Kent. Although she were a linguist, her assignment was twofold...
Thrilling events unfolded as there always seemed to be someone, one step ahead.
Flirtation were a part of the undercover disguise as well but had its own pitfalls.
An engaging and intriguing book that held up very well as a reread. A quality mark in my book.
Heartily recommend this book!
April 13, 2016
A fantastic adventure centred on ODC being CIA agents! Very imaginative and highly recommended.
March 2, 2021
I enjoy Karen Cox's books for having just a touch of poignancy - "Undeceived" was no exception. I enjoyed dipping behind the Iron Curtain with this book; I missed a bit more cultural references in the part of the novel that takes place in the USA.
July 26, 2019
Smart. Inventive. And kept me on the edge until the last. I DID NOT see that coming! And tantalizing love scenes. Do not miss this. I love this author’s work!
August 16, 2019
An engaging story
I really enjoyed this book. All the usual suspects participate and it is full of unexpected twists and turns. Thoroughly entertaining and recommended!
I really enjoyed this book. All the usual suspects participate and it is full of unexpected twists and turns. Thoroughly entertaining and recommended!
June 20, 2020
What can I say? Enemies to lovers + Jane Austen + Historical Fiction = PeRfECtIoN
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