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Eliza Darcy #1
Murder Most Pemberley
Eat a crumpet. Check. Say “bloody hell” in an English pub. Check. Solve three murders and fall in love? Definitely not on the list. But when England dishes up murder, even an American girl knows it’s time to channel her inner Agatha Christie.
American Eliza Darcy travels to Merry Old England to partake in a Darcy/Bennet family reunion for one reason: to solve the estrangement between her father and uncle. Not long after Eliza’s arrival and exploration of the vast estate of her ancestors, a dead body surfaces. Murder and mayhem replace afternoon teas and flirting with her British heartthrob. Eliza has every intention of keeping her snoot out of official Scotland Yard business, but when clues to the murder begin to merge with her investigation into her family’s rift, her inner wannabe sleuth self-activates.
With the help of her batty great-aunt and the sexy Heath Tilney, Eliza hurries to untangle the web of lies and secrets. As corpses start to pile up faster than the clues, Eliza fears the estate’s family graveyard will swallow another body: hers.
American Eliza Darcy travels to Merry Old England to partake in a Darcy/Bennet family reunion for one reason: to solve the estrangement between her father and uncle. Not long after Eliza’s arrival and exploration of the vast estate of her ancestors, a dead body surfaces. Murder and mayhem replace afternoon teas and flirting with her British heartthrob. Eliza has every intention of keeping her snoot out of official Scotland Yard business, but when clues to the murder begin to merge with her investigation into her family’s rift, her inner wannabe sleuth self-activates.
With the help of her batty great-aunt and the sexy Heath Tilney, Eliza hurries to untangle the web of lies and secrets. As corpses start to pile up faster than the clues, Eliza fears the estate’s family graveyard will swallow another body: hers.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2021
261 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Berg
11 books92 followersI was born and raised a small-town girl with a penchant for wild imaginings and a love for the prairie. My passions are my family, my husband, and my four children. I take the advice to write what you know to heart, so my writing centers around the strong bonds of family and the land upon which they live.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
March 22, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Book reviewers often say, “I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.” This title falls in that category. 100%. Murder Most Pemberley is a fantastic Jane Austen fan fiction/spin-off novel.
This isn’t a reimagining of Pride and Prejudice. It is a cleaver link: American born, school teacher Eliza Jane Darcy is a descendant of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. In fact, all of the characters in this modern story are Darcys, Bennetts, Wickhams, and Bingleys. The family has gathered at the Pemberley estate for a family reunion. Love that!!
There are many mysteries in this book. Lots of things for the amateur sleuth, Eliza to figure out. Some involve family secrets, some much more sinister and deadly. I didn’t guess the ending. There are many characters which kept me changing my mind as to who the main criminal was.
You’ll fall in love with the author’s characters: Great Aunt Iris is a HOOT! Tash the butler, Mrs. Bankcroft the cook, squishy, lovable Uncle Fitzwillian etc, etc.
I’m so glad there will be more books in this series.
I had to take away a star for one nit-picky reason. Sorry. The author included characters with the last names of Wentworth (Persuasion), Tilney (Northanger Abbey), and Willoughby (Sense and Sensibility). Maybe you have other thoughts, but I wish she would have stay in the P&P world. It could have been fun to visit descendants of those characters in other books.
Jessica Berg writes for Red Adept Publishing. I also recommend you try titles from that publisher. Always well written books. Amber Waves of Grace is written by Berg and is available now.
Book reviewers often say, “I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.” This title falls in that category. 100%. Murder Most Pemberley is a fantastic Jane Austen fan fiction/spin-off novel.
This isn’t a reimagining of Pride and Prejudice. It is a cleaver link: American born, school teacher Eliza Jane Darcy is a descendant of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. In fact, all of the characters in this modern story are Darcys, Bennetts, Wickhams, and Bingleys. The family has gathered at the Pemberley estate for a family reunion. Love that!!
There are many mysteries in this book. Lots of things for the amateur sleuth, Eliza to figure out. Some involve family secrets, some much more sinister and deadly. I didn’t guess the ending. There are many characters which kept me changing my mind as to who the main criminal was.
You’ll fall in love with the author’s characters: Great Aunt Iris is a HOOT! Tash the butler, Mrs. Bankcroft the cook, squishy, lovable Uncle Fitzwillian etc, etc.
I’m so glad there will be more books in this series.
I had to take away a star for one nit-picky reason. Sorry. The author included characters with the last names of Wentworth (Persuasion), Tilney (Northanger Abbey), and Willoughby (Sense and Sensibility). Maybe you have other thoughts, but I wish she would have stay in the P&P world. It could have been fun to visit descendants of those characters in other books.
Jessica Berg writes for Red Adept Publishing. I also recommend you try titles from that publisher. Always well written books. Amber Waves of Grace is written by Berg and is available now.
March 13, 2021
In the beginning....I was hooked. As a Jane Austen fan, a cozy enthusiast and someone who likes a smattering of romance on the side this seemed like the perfect read for me. Indeed the first couple if chapters sucked me in and i didn't even mind that we didn't have a dead body until well into the story. I loved silly old Aunt Iris, even if she was a bit cliché, and of course the party going cousin Joy who provided an intro to Brit life for our American sleuth. But by half way through I was ready to puke over the cheezy and inevitable and far too childish romance between Heath and Eliza. Indeed I thought the book more a YA romance than anything. The main characters acted much more like 16 and 17 year olds than their supposed mid-twenties. Even Aunt Iris's constant natterings about marriage and romance got on my nerves. Too much for a cozy mystery, in my opinion. At one point I almost set the book aside because of the misused and completely overused Brit expressions shoved into the dialogue. It seemed as if the author was trying to show off some misappropriated knowledge of British way of speaking. A few expressions here and there to emphasize the comical differences would have been fun but this was ridiculous beyond reproach. In all the years I lived in England I never heard people talk the way Berg's characters do. Another dissapoinment was that the outcome was completely predictable. From the start we are sure of one character's involvement and it's only a matter of time before the other clues fall into place. And then in an effort to put in a twist it goes rather dark and thriller-like toward the end. The effort to tie in Pemberly and the Darcy/Bingley/Whickham ancestry was commendable and should have provided a much more exciting backdrop for Austen enthusiasts and a tie in with the current events of the story. But just sticking in Elizabeth Bennet's journal entries didn't quite make the grade for me. I would have liked our sleuth to be a lot more like Austens original Eliza and a lot less the fumbling, bumbling, tripping into the rosebushes person she is. And those sloppy stomach churning moments of desire for Heath were just way out of line for me. More structurally there were times when the time of day and the geographical/room settings didn't add up and the clues discussed didn't add up with the clues revealed. A final line and copy editor's eye would catch those. Berg relies heavily on dialogue to carry the story which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. And then there's that shift from a cozy to a thriller toward the end that really threw me. While exciting and of page turning quality it, like so much else about this book, was not true to the genre. Is there anything wrong with a crossover in genre? No. Not if it works. For me this novel didn't. So to me this book can't quite decide what it wants to be but it leans heavily on the side of a cheezy YA romance most of all.
I was provided an ARC for an honest opinion of this book.
I was provided an ARC for an honest opinion of this book.
February 21, 2021
What a fun murder mystery. I was a bit worried about it picking up from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, but didn't need to be. Yes it is the same Pemberley and the same family, but the happenings are contemporary. This story has nearly everything. Nutty relatives, nice relatives, romance, murder and plenty of tea - the British cure all.
Loved it.
I received an advance review copy for free. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.
Loved it.
I received an advance review copy for free. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.
February 20, 2021
I have a confession - I have never read Pride and Prejudice. I have never read any of Jane Austen's works. I did see a lovely community theatre production of P&P, so I know the basics of the story. But unlike the author, I have never dreamed of walking the halls of Pemberley. With that being said, I don't believe a lack of pre-Austen reading diminished my enjoyment of this book one bit.
Eliza Darcy, namesake of Lizzy Bennet Darcy, is off to England for a family reunion, packing her beloved Agatha Christie loves and wool socks. She meets a dashing stranger on the plane, and in moments that can only happen in Hallmark movies and cozy mysteries, meets him once again at Pemberley. But there's a mystery afoot at Pemberley, and Eliza is only too eager to follow in the footsteps of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.
I really enjoyed this mystery. It made me laugh out loud a few times, and I completely understood how Eliza could find comfort in her books with cracked spines and wool socks. Add a cup of tea and that is a mood. Aunt Iris, the slightly crazy aunt who is always up for an adventure, is an absolute hoot. For me, the eccentric characters make a cozy mystery work, and Iris definitely plays an important role for comic relief and sage advice.
I would say that readers of Jane Austen are more likely to enjoy this book since they will get all the references, but even a casual reader can get a kick out of Murder Most Pemberley.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Eliza Darcy, namesake of Lizzy Bennet Darcy, is off to England for a family reunion, packing her beloved Agatha Christie loves and wool socks. She meets a dashing stranger on the plane, and in moments that can only happen in Hallmark movies and cozy mysteries, meets him once again at Pemberley. But there's a mystery afoot at Pemberley, and Eliza is only too eager to follow in the footsteps of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.
I really enjoyed this mystery. It made me laugh out loud a few times, and I completely understood how Eliza could find comfort in her books with cracked spines and wool socks. Add a cup of tea and that is a mood. Aunt Iris, the slightly crazy aunt who is always up for an adventure, is an absolute hoot. For me, the eccentric characters make a cozy mystery work, and Iris definitely plays an important role for comic relief and sage advice.
I would say that readers of Jane Austen are more likely to enjoy this book since they will get all the references, but even a casual reader can get a kick out of Murder Most Pemberley.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
July 5, 2021
A Darcy/Bennet reunion for the descendants of the Darcys and Bennets of Pride and Prejudice fame. This was a fun and interesting cozy mystery. Eliza Darcy travels to England to meet the family and figure out what happened in the past to cause a falling out between her father and uncle. I enjoyed the mystery, the characters and the romance. The only con for me was the author's almost ridiculous use of so called English-isms that were dropped randomly into the story. Otherwise I enjoyed the relationships, the location and the emotion. I will be reading the next book in this series.
August 12, 2022
American Eliza Darcy decides to travel to England to attend the Darcy/Bennet family reunion. With her cat in tow and an airplane away, Eliza meets Heath Tilney who makes the trip even more enjoyable. What Eliza doesn't know is that there are hidden secrets to uncover and when a dead body joins the reunion, Eliza is determined to figure out who did it.
This was a lot of fun, the chemistry between Eliza and Heath was thoroughly enjoyable. I liked the pacing in this one, the characters and of course the loose ties to the Austin Bennet/Darcy story. Eliza is a delight, really entertaining beginning to new series.
This was a lot of fun, the chemistry between Eliza and Heath was thoroughly enjoyable. I liked the pacing in this one, the characters and of course the loose ties to the Austin Bennet/Darcy story. Eliza is a delight, really entertaining beginning to new series.
August 6, 2024
I have never been a Jane Austen fan; I have been trying to finish Pride and Prejudice since I started it in high school many years ago and can’t get through it. I haven’t been a fan of the novels that are based on her characters set in the same time period but I did enjoy this one in the modern day with Eliza. The mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing; it was front and center, not lost in all the details trying to get the Austen setting just right. I found the love interest to be a little smarmy for my taste but will continue with the series because he was easy to ignore.
November 2, 2022
3.5/5 A fun read. It would’ve been a solid 4 except towards the end it started to be over the top corny/predictable and seemed to jump in some places without enough context for the reader to experience a smooth flow of events and conclusions.
July 17, 2022
Actual rating: Lower / DNF 6%
Every word I listened to of this book was excruciating. But since I didn’t get far, I thought it would be unfair to give a 1 (Actual rating: 0).
Vaguely, in this universe, the characters from Pride and Prejudice were real, with one branch of descendants having gone to the States, and maybe there was a family feud? Not sure because I struggled to follow and pay attention.
What brings me to write about this, though, is our heroine, the modern-day Eliza Darcy who descends from P&P’s Elizabeth. Eliza is an overdrawn manic pixie dream girl full of “lovable” (not to me, obvs) quirks — like she has to travel with loads of Agatha Christie books because they are her security blankets (physical books!), and she has to make CONSTANT quips about grammar, sentence-diagraming, and vocabulary because she is the most self-aware English teacher ever (oh how can she not think of a better word than plain old blue to describe a hot guy’s eyes when she majored in - gasp - creative writing?!). She has to travel with her cat too. I spaced out on the explanation for that. And surprise, surprise, she’s clumsy and trips over nothing, at one point inadvertently sends a meatball flying across an airplane, and then cuddles her seatmate in her sleep. Because of course she does.
The bit of dialogue I got through between Eliza and the man who is sure to become her love interest was unsurprisingly “clever” and “quippy” like a scene from the Gilmore Girls, and yet at the same time designed to embarrass Eliza (and me), as such books do. God forbid a heroine not be made to look like a fool — because looking like a fool evidently makes her adorkable and zany. I’m certain at this point that she must look just like Zooey Deschanel.
Perhaps it’s unfair of me to single out this book and author. But I think this was the straw that broke my back. I see this type of writing all the time these days. Mostly in romantic comedies but now in cozy mysteries too. Basically, female leads are either idiots or bitches and victims or culprits (in the “game of love,” so to speak), with no in between, which is where real people lie. This dichotomy feels very Victorian and, hence, very misogynistic. And then on a much more basic level, the writing just seems ultra-lazy. There’s no real character development, just a few cookie-cutter character types that authors glaze with some icing, et voilà!
Maybe many readers aren’t as jaded as I am. But I am desperate for some light, fun reading that is also smart, engaging, and entertaining — or at the very least not stupid and inane. That shouldn’t be such a big ask. But at the 6% mark, this book definitely wasn’t delivering.
Every word I listened to of this book was excruciating. But since I didn’t get far, I thought it would be unfair to give a 1 (Actual rating: 0).
Vaguely, in this universe, the characters from Pride and Prejudice were real, with one branch of descendants having gone to the States, and maybe there was a family feud? Not sure because I struggled to follow and pay attention.
What brings me to write about this, though, is our heroine, the modern-day Eliza Darcy who descends from P&P’s Elizabeth. Eliza is an overdrawn manic pixie dream girl full of “lovable” (not to me, obvs) quirks — like she has to travel with loads of Agatha Christie books because they are her security blankets (physical books!), and she has to make CONSTANT quips about grammar, sentence-diagraming, and vocabulary because she is the most self-aware English teacher ever (oh how can she not think of a better word than plain old blue to describe a hot guy’s eyes when she majored in - gasp - creative writing?!). She has to travel with her cat too. I spaced out on the explanation for that. And surprise, surprise, she’s clumsy and trips over nothing, at one point inadvertently sends a meatball flying across an airplane, and then cuddles her seatmate in her sleep. Because of course she does.
The bit of dialogue I got through between Eliza and the man who is sure to become her love interest was unsurprisingly “clever” and “quippy” like a scene from the Gilmore Girls, and yet at the same time designed to embarrass Eliza (and me), as such books do. God forbid a heroine not be made to look like a fool — because looking like a fool evidently makes her adorkable and zany. I’m certain at this point that she must look just like Zooey Deschanel.
Perhaps it’s unfair of me to single out this book and author. But I think this was the straw that broke my back. I see this type of writing all the time these days. Mostly in romantic comedies but now in cozy mysteries too. Basically, female leads are either idiots or bitches and victims or culprits (in the “game of love,” so to speak), with no in between, which is where real people lie. This dichotomy feels very Victorian and, hence, very misogynistic. And then on a much more basic level, the writing just seems ultra-lazy. There’s no real character development, just a few cookie-cutter character types that authors glaze with some icing, et voilà!
Maybe many readers aren’t as jaded as I am. But I am desperate for some light, fun reading that is also smart, engaging, and entertaining — or at the very least not stupid and inane. That shouldn’t be such a big ask. But at the 6% mark, this book definitely wasn’t delivering.
February 21, 2021
Eliza Darcy (yes, she’s related to THAT Darcy) visits some relatives in the sprawling estate of Pemberley. Before long, she finds herself entangled in a murder mystery that promises to be much more complicated than a simple whodunit. With her literature-based sleuthing skills and the dashing Heath at her side, she finds herself deeper and deeper in danger the closer she comes to unmasking the killer.
There’s a lot going on in this book! A gorgeous setting, sweet romance, a great sense of humor, and a gripping mystery -- what’s not to love? It’s easy to root for our nosy heroine, and the dotty old aunt Iris and party-girl Joy are icing on the cake. I was surprised how intense the story became towards the end; it ramped up to be a bit darker than most cozies, so sensitive readers, brace yourselves.
The flirting between Eliza and Heath is swoon-worthy, let’s say. I imagine anyone with a thing for English blokes would have a huge crush on Heath by the end of this book. It’s a clean, sweet romance that feels genuine. The match doesn’t seem too improbable and the couple had such great banter, it’s a joy to see them on the page together.
For the first third of the book, I was afraid Murder Most Pemberley wasn’t for me. I love a good mystery, especially a cozy, but I’m not a huge Jane Austen fan -- I’m more of a Dickens person, to be honest. I don’t have a working knowledge of Pride and Prejudice. The word “Pemberley” meant nothing to me before I picked up this book, so I’m sure I missed tons of great lines, asides, and meaningful scenes. But even without a love of Austen, the story held water.
By the time the Agatha Christie influence reared its head, I was already sucked in. The central mystery is scandalous, twisty, and branched. Eliza doesn’t trip over many clues; she goes out and finds them. She’s very snoopy and whoa does she sniff out some dirt! There’s so much going on in this book, I have no doubt this is just the first installment in a long, long series.
I can’t wait to read the next installment and even as a non-Austen fan, I gave this an easy 5 stars. I suspect a reader with a crush on the original Mr. Darcy would give it 6.
Thanks to BookSirens, the author, and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
There’s a lot going on in this book! A gorgeous setting, sweet romance, a great sense of humor, and a gripping mystery -- what’s not to love? It’s easy to root for our nosy heroine, and the dotty old aunt Iris and party-girl Joy are icing on the cake. I was surprised how intense the story became towards the end; it ramped up to be a bit darker than most cozies, so sensitive readers, brace yourselves.
The flirting between Eliza and Heath is swoon-worthy, let’s say. I imagine anyone with a thing for English blokes would have a huge crush on Heath by the end of this book. It’s a clean, sweet romance that feels genuine. The match doesn’t seem too improbable and the couple had such great banter, it’s a joy to see them on the page together.
For the first third of the book, I was afraid Murder Most Pemberley wasn’t for me. I love a good mystery, especially a cozy, but I’m not a huge Jane Austen fan -- I’m more of a Dickens person, to be honest. I don’t have a working knowledge of Pride and Prejudice. The word “Pemberley” meant nothing to me before I picked up this book, so I’m sure I missed tons of great lines, asides, and meaningful scenes. But even without a love of Austen, the story held water.
By the time the Agatha Christie influence reared its head, I was already sucked in. The central mystery is scandalous, twisty, and branched. Eliza doesn’t trip over many clues; she goes out and finds them. She’s very snoopy and whoa does she sniff out some dirt! There’s so much going on in this book, I have no doubt this is just the first installment in a long, long series.
I can’t wait to read the next installment and even as a non-Austen fan, I gave this an easy 5 stars. I suspect a reader with a crush on the original Mr. Darcy would give it 6.
Thanks to BookSirens, the author, and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 6, 2022
This was one of those awful books that I had to finish just to see how bad it could be. Obviously some people did like this book since many on GR have given it a positive review, but I really didn't like it. The main character drove me crazy. She thought that being a smart alecky teaser was the best way to attract a man. She also enjoyed teasing a police inspector during a murder investigation. The case could have been ok except that this same MC decided that it would be fun to investigate and not tell the DCI what she was finding out (until way too late in the investigation). Then there was the attempt to make the story more interesting by bringing in all these Britishisms. The MC's dad is English. She is an English teacher, but we're supposed to believe she doesn't know any British slang.
I will not continue with this series.
I will not continue with this series.
April 15, 2021
Murder Most Pemberley: The basic premise is: a fictional character who lives in South Dakota is related through her father to the fictional Bennetts and the Darcys of Pemberley in England, as created by Jane Austin in her most well known novel Pride and Prejudice. The fictional American Eliza Darcy plans to attend the fictional reunion of the fictional Pemberley, and finds intrigue, romance and mystery in one crazy fictional summer. What a brilliant idea! Sign me up!
This is not a retelling so those of you trying to find a book to match that in a reading challenge prompt need to look elsewhere for fulfillment. I was really excited to read this book that was given to me by Book Sirens, author Jessica Berg and Red Adept Press for my honest opinion and to share that opinion with fellow readers on this site. I thank them for the opportunity.
When I started the book, I was excited to read it, but as I got deeper into the story, little things started to bother me. Why does the best friend always have to be a more sophisticated, gorgeous, shallow, dumb blonde to the bookish, more serious, dark haired nerdy girl? And really, these "girls" were adult women, not teenagers in their sophomore year of high school. I don't know about Belle but Eliza was a teacher so you know she a had to have gone to college plus she likes to read murder mysteries which should show she has an analytical mind but somehow that went out the window as the story went on. I was relived Belle didn't accompany Eliza on the adventure but then we meet her cousin Jo, who strangely she had met before so this was not Eliza's first trip across the pond. I found that odd for sure. So why have Bella when there was already the cousin who was the same type of character? And since she had been there before, shouldn't the long time staff, friends and family know her too?
Then there was Heath, whose name kept making me think of he candy bar, that she met on the plane as he was sitting next to her, then (cue Hallmark moment) she meets again at Pemberley because he was invited to the reunion too, although I really didn't understand why. Turns out Heath was one of Jo's old cast off boyfriends and there didn't seem to be any jealousy or awkwardness at all This is what drives me crazy about books billed as "Mystery" and it ends being a sappy teenage-like romance. which is really strange because both of them are way into adulthood. I mean, when you and your love interest are trapped and a murderer is on the loose and most likely trying to get to them to finish the job and they are discussing their relationship???? It was so sappy and silly and not true to what one would expect from adults.
Then there is the bit about the cat. I am always excited to know there is a cat in the mystery because they can make great characters and even help in solving the crime. But this cat Caesar? After the the ugly incident in which he was involved, he wasn't around much at all. I don't know why a person would bring a cat on a long trip like that anyway when it is not a permanent situation or he didn't play a major role in the story. If there was a dead bloody body in my bed, I wouldn't be running to my boyfriend, I would be frantically searching for my kitty! In fact, he was never mentioned at all in the story after that scene. I kept thinking in the end he would show up but Nada. Maybe he went to London to visit the Queen? That really bugged me even more than the silly teenage-like romance. Men are a dime a dozen but your cat is worth the entire universe.
I didn't tonally hate the book. The writing was OK, I felt like the author didn't have real focus on what she wanted the book to be: A cozy mystery? A dark tragedy? a Rom-Com,? a YA novel? I did like some of the characters, especially Aunt Iris. She was terrific! On the whole, I felt most of the characters were flat and undefined and even stereotypes. Maybe it is because I am a seasoned reader of mysteries and frequently review them, but I figured out whodunit pretty quickly because you just knew by their behavior that they were up to no good. I did laugh at some of the humor but probably not for the reason the author intended.
If you like cozy mysteries and not too picky about details, you will love this book. If you are a Jane Austen fan, you might enjoy it too. My rating is four stars because I think the series shows promise and I will read the next in the series when it is available but if I don't see any growth, then I won't continue the series.
This is not a retelling so those of you trying to find a book to match that in a reading challenge prompt need to look elsewhere for fulfillment. I was really excited to read this book that was given to me by Book Sirens, author Jessica Berg and Red Adept Press for my honest opinion and to share that opinion with fellow readers on this site. I thank them for the opportunity.
When I started the book, I was excited to read it, but as I got deeper into the story, little things started to bother me. Why does the best friend always have to be a more sophisticated, gorgeous, shallow, dumb blonde to the bookish, more serious, dark haired nerdy girl? And really, these "girls" were adult women, not teenagers in their sophomore year of high school. I don't know about Belle but Eliza was a teacher so you know she a had to have gone to college plus she likes to read murder mysteries which should show she has an analytical mind but somehow that went out the window as the story went on. I was relived Belle didn't accompany Eliza on the adventure but then we meet her cousin Jo, who strangely she had met before so this was not Eliza's first trip across the pond. I found that odd for sure. So why have Bella when there was already the cousin who was the same type of character? And since she had been there before, shouldn't the long time staff, friends and family know her too?
Then there was Heath, whose name kept making me think of he candy bar, that she met on the plane as he was sitting next to her, then (cue Hallmark moment) she meets again at Pemberley because he was invited to the reunion too, although I really didn't understand why. Turns out Heath was one of Jo's old cast off boyfriends and there didn't seem to be any jealousy or awkwardness at all This is what drives me crazy about books billed as "Mystery" and it ends being a sappy teenage-like romance. which is really strange because both of them are way into adulthood. I mean, when you and your love interest are trapped and a murderer is on the loose and most likely trying to get to them to finish the job and they are discussing their relationship???? It was so sappy and silly and not true to what one would expect from adults.
Then there is the bit about the cat. I am always excited to know there is a cat in the mystery because they can make great characters and even help in solving the crime. But this cat Caesar? After the the ugly incident in which he was involved, he wasn't around much at all. I don't know why a person would bring a cat on a long trip like that anyway when it is not a permanent situation or he didn't play a major role in the story. If there was a dead bloody body in my bed, I wouldn't be running to my boyfriend, I would be frantically searching for my kitty! In fact, he was never mentioned at all in the story after that scene. I kept thinking in the end he would show up but Nada. Maybe he went to London to visit the Queen? That really bugged me even more than the silly teenage-like romance. Men are a dime a dozen but your cat is worth the entire universe.
I didn't tonally hate the book. The writing was OK, I felt like the author didn't have real focus on what she wanted the book to be: A cozy mystery? A dark tragedy? a Rom-Com,? a YA novel? I did like some of the characters, especially Aunt Iris. She was terrific! On the whole, I felt most of the characters were flat and undefined and even stereotypes. Maybe it is because I am a seasoned reader of mysteries and frequently review them, but I figured out whodunit pretty quickly because you just knew by their behavior that they were up to no good. I did laugh at some of the humor but probably not for the reason the author intended.
If you like cozy mysteries and not too picky about details, you will love this book. If you are a Jane Austen fan, you might enjoy it too. My rating is four stars because I think the series shows promise and I will read the next in the series when it is available but if I don't see any growth, then I won't continue the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2021
This is a contemporary cozy mystery starring Eliza Jane Darcy.
Yes, she's a descendant of THAT Elizabeth Darcy, and her uncle is Fitzwilliam Darcy who lives at Pemberley. She attends a family reunion there, finding out that there is some sort of secret involving her absent father who is not in contact with the family in England. Most of the people at the reunion are strangers to Eliza but some of them have a definite attitude towards her regardless. Fitzwilliam Darcy's social climber wife seems particularly hostile.
When the shades of Pemberley become polluted with murder, Eliza becomes an amateur detective (she is an Agatha Christie fan). She does some annoying stupid amateur detective things, like keeping things from the police and leaving her fingerprints all over a missing person's room. Everyone knows she's trying to snoop because she's rather obvious about it. But sometimes she accidentally stumbles on interesting information regardless. There is a weird tunnel system going around Pemberley (I didn't quite figure out how the secret tunnels could be so extensive and still stay secret : wouldn't they cause some odd layout in the other rooms of the house?)
I chose this book based on the title. If you look at my Goodreads bookshelves you may be able to tell that I'm an Austen fanfiction addict but this is not really JAFF, it's just a contemporary cozy mystery that namedrops Austen character names a lot. I found the Pride and Prejudice connection in this somewhat irrelevant. These are not P&P characters, just people whose ancestors were P&P characters (what are the odds that two centuries and so many generations later everyone in the family is still named Wickham, Darcy or Bingley?) But for the most part this would work without gluing things onto the Austenian world. I found it a little hard to keep the cast of characters straight in my head but if it helps the Bingleys seem generally nice and friendly, the Wickhams might be up to no good, and at least some of the Darcys are a bit stand-offish. The detective is Wentworth and Eliza's love interest is Tilney. Then there is the staff members whom you can tell apart because they're not named for Austen characters.
I didn't see the solution coming.
I am reading this on Kindle and it is a nicely edited and clean copy. A minor layout issue I had was with the quotes from the Pride and Prejudice Lizzy Bennet Darcy's diary that begin each chapter. The quotes are not set apart by spacing, just by the use of italics. I had put the book down at the end of the quote. Due to my font size choices, the quote ending note "Pemberley 1811" ended up stranded alone on top of the next page, and when I picked the book up again it caused a confusing moment when it took me a bit to work out that I was reading about the contemporary times and not something that happened at Pemberley in 1811. This could have been avoided if the quotes were set apart from the other text more clearly.
I got an advance digital review copy from Booksirens and I'm leaving a voluntary honest review.
Yes, she's a descendant of THAT Elizabeth Darcy, and her uncle is Fitzwilliam Darcy who lives at Pemberley. She attends a family reunion there, finding out that there is some sort of secret involving her absent father who is not in contact with the family in England. Most of the people at the reunion are strangers to Eliza but some of them have a definite attitude towards her regardless. Fitzwilliam Darcy's social climber wife seems particularly hostile.
When the shades of Pemberley become polluted with murder, Eliza becomes an amateur detective (she is an Agatha Christie fan). She does some annoying stupid amateur detective things, like keeping things from the police and leaving her fingerprints all over a missing person's room. Everyone knows she's trying to snoop because she's rather obvious about it. But sometimes she accidentally stumbles on interesting information regardless. There is a weird tunnel system going around Pemberley (I didn't quite figure out how the secret tunnels could be so extensive and still stay secret : wouldn't they cause some odd layout in the other rooms of the house?)
I chose this book based on the title. If you look at my Goodreads bookshelves you may be able to tell that I'm an Austen fanfiction addict but this is not really JAFF, it's just a contemporary cozy mystery that namedrops Austen character names a lot. I found the Pride and Prejudice connection in this somewhat irrelevant. These are not P&P characters, just people whose ancestors were P&P characters (what are the odds that two centuries and so many generations later everyone in the family is still named Wickham, Darcy or Bingley?) But for the most part this would work without gluing things onto the Austenian world. I found it a little hard to keep the cast of characters straight in my head but if it helps the Bingleys seem generally nice and friendly, the Wickhams might be up to no good, and at least some of the Darcys are a bit stand-offish. The detective is Wentworth and Eliza's love interest is Tilney. Then there is the staff members whom you can tell apart because they're not named for Austen characters.
I didn't see the solution coming.
I am reading this on Kindle and it is a nicely edited and clean copy. A minor layout issue I had was with the quotes from the Pride and Prejudice Lizzy Bennet Darcy's diary that begin each chapter. The quotes are not set apart by spacing, just by the use of italics. I had put the book down at the end of the quote. Due to my font size choices, the quote ending note "Pemberley 1811" ended up stranded alone on top of the next page, and when I picked the book up again it caused a confusing moment when it took me a bit to work out that I was reading about the contemporary times and not something that happened at Pemberley in 1811. This could have been avoided if the quotes were set apart from the other text more clearly.
I got an advance digital review copy from Booksirens and I'm leaving a voluntary honest review.
March 20, 2021
Imagine a world where Jane Austen's characters are real. Eliza Darcy travels to England for a family reunion at Pemberley. The house is full of family members she has never met before because of an estrangement between her father and her uncle (current Master of Pemberley). When a body is found floating in the fountain, Eliza has another mystery to solve.
I was so excited about the concept of Jane Austen's characters being real and then Agatha Christie was mentioned in the first paragraph and I was hooked! This was a really fun mystery. The characters were great (especially Great Aunt Iris) and I loved seeing all the Austen names - Darcy, Bennet, Tilney, Knightly, Wentworth, Willoughby, Wickham, etc. So fun! The dialogue was really good. The author seems to have a natural flair for writing natural-sounding dialogue.
I thought the author overdid it with the British slang or phrases sometimes but that is such a small thing compared to how much I enjoyed the story and the characters!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was so excited about the concept of Jane Austen's characters being real and then Agatha Christie was mentioned in the first paragraph and I was hooked! This was a really fun mystery. The characters were great (especially Great Aunt Iris) and I loved seeing all the Austen names - Darcy, Bennet, Tilney, Knightly, Wentworth, Willoughby, Wickham, etc. So fun! The dialogue was really good. The author seems to have a natural flair for writing natural-sounding dialogue.
I thought the author overdid it with the British slang or phrases sometimes but that is such a small thing compared to how much I enjoyed the story and the characters!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 24, 2022
Murder Most Pemberley is an interesting story. It is the first book in the series and held a lot of promise. Unfortunately some of the characters frustrated me making it difficult to connect with them which in turn, made it hard to connect with the storyline. The premise is predictable but it did have some fun qualities. For me the story didn’t flow easily it felt a little stilted at times. Sometimes less is more as there are a lot of English colloquialisms/slang/ phrases and it felt like too much. This story reads as though aimed at a younger reader as in it is a YA cozy mystery than for an older audience.
Eliza Darcy is visiting England and her relatives. She and her friends and crazy Great Aunt decide to do some super sleuthing. Whilst there they soon find themselves embroiled in murder and mayhem.
If you love Jane Austen and/or Agatha Christie then this maybe right up your alley.
Eliza Darcy is visiting England and her relatives. She and her friends and crazy Great Aunt decide to do some super sleuthing. Whilst there they soon find themselves embroiled in murder and mayhem.
If you love Jane Austen and/or Agatha Christie then this maybe right up your alley.
April 21, 2021
Thank you Book Sirens and Ms. Jessica Berg for the opportunity to read the ARC of Murder Most Pemberley. I had the time of my life while reading this one! I'm a huge cozy mystery fan, so when I saw this one offered on the website I jumped on it. Knowing it took place in good Old Merry England made it all the more exciting for this historical fiction nut! The only thing I can hope for, after finishing this one is there are many more of this series on the way! Hint, hint Ms. Berg.
Eliza Darcy, an American is headed off to England for a family reunion where she doesn't really know anyone, but is determined to get to the bottom of her father's estrangement from his brother and family. Pemberley is the name of the estate and once there she's enthralled with it's magnificence. Her uncle is very pleased to see her but other than him and a couple distant cousins she knows no one. Her Aunt Nancy is less than thrilled to meet her and is not afraid to show her nastiness. Eliza has no idea what her problem is, but will soon find out exactly why Nancy is so bitter and mean not only to her, but especially to the staff that works for her.
As the reunion gets into full swing a body is discovered in the fountain outside, shock reverberates throughout the house. The police are called and the hunt for a murderer is on. Everyone was a suspect, but there were no leads. Eliza was determined to not only get to the bottom of her father's estrangement, but also find out who murdered this poor man. She's been warned by the police to back off, but Eliza's a huge Agatha Christie mystery reader and figures she's got this! With the help of a few family members and a couple new friends she's on the hunt. This hunt will lead her into some family secrets she shocked to learn, as well as danger she never expected. Will Eliza survive her moment of playing her book hero Agatha Christie?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and absolutely loved the characters! Although I loved Eliza and her Americanism amongst the Brits, it was Great Aunt Iris that had me in stitches. Perhaps because I had an Aunt similar in description and attitude to her, but when I read about Aunt Iris in her sneakers running from clue to clue I couldn't help but laugh out loud. This group of sleuths were novice at best but successful in their quest to draw this reader in from the start. I couldn't put this one down. With cozies it's always about the characters, to me anyway and this one hit that nail on the head. The author did an excellent job leaving hints along the way and keeping me guessing. I was surprised when it all came out in the end. There were thrills and chills, comedy and romance, it had it all. As I said, I can only hope this is the start of something bigger and there will be many more Pemberley books to come! I'll be waiting patiently. Happy Reading!
Eliza Darcy, an American is headed off to England for a family reunion where she doesn't really know anyone, but is determined to get to the bottom of her father's estrangement from his brother and family. Pemberley is the name of the estate and once there she's enthralled with it's magnificence. Her uncle is very pleased to see her but other than him and a couple distant cousins she knows no one. Her Aunt Nancy is less than thrilled to meet her and is not afraid to show her nastiness. Eliza has no idea what her problem is, but will soon find out exactly why Nancy is so bitter and mean not only to her, but especially to the staff that works for her.
As the reunion gets into full swing a body is discovered in the fountain outside, shock reverberates throughout the house. The police are called and the hunt for a murderer is on. Everyone was a suspect, but there were no leads. Eliza was determined to not only get to the bottom of her father's estrangement, but also find out who murdered this poor man. She's been warned by the police to back off, but Eliza's a huge Agatha Christie mystery reader and figures she's got this! With the help of a few family members and a couple new friends she's on the hunt. This hunt will lead her into some family secrets she shocked to learn, as well as danger she never expected. Will Eliza survive her moment of playing her book hero Agatha Christie?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and absolutely loved the characters! Although I loved Eliza and her Americanism amongst the Brits, it was Great Aunt Iris that had me in stitches. Perhaps because I had an Aunt similar in description and attitude to her, but when I read about Aunt Iris in her sneakers running from clue to clue I couldn't help but laugh out loud. This group of sleuths were novice at best but successful in their quest to draw this reader in from the start. I couldn't put this one down. With cozies it's always about the characters, to me anyway and this one hit that nail on the head. The author did an excellent job leaving hints along the way and keeping me guessing. I was surprised when it all came out in the end. There were thrills and chills, comedy and romance, it had it all. As I said, I can only hope this is the start of something bigger and there will be many more Pemberley books to come! I'll be waiting patiently. Happy Reading!
March 17, 2021
American Eliza Darcy is determined to get to the bottom of a long-held family mystery: why did her father leave England decades before, cutting off all contact with his family and in response to her questions, only saying that she must let the past stay in the past? When she receives an invitation to a family reunion at Pemberley, the family estate, she jumps at the chance. But when a murder occurs there, she must gather a slew of sidekicks including the extremely handsome Heath, her writer cousin Joy and her feisty Great-Aunt Iris, to solve the crime, with or without the help of the local constabulary…. This funny and entertaining romp derives, of course, from Jane Austen, with a bit of Agatha Christie thrown in. I am not generally a fan of what’s called “contemporary romance” - not dissing that genre, it’s just not my cup of tea - so I can’t say how this might rank amongst aficionados of the format; what I *can* say is that I found it light, entertaining and a fast read. I liked all of the characters, although the villains are a tad one-dimensional, and what’s not to love about a setting that includes a huge, gorgeous estate in the English countryside complete with hidden passages and sumptuous gardens? The jacket blurb suggests this is the first in a series; if so, I’ll happily read the future adventures of Eliza and Heath!
March 13, 2021
This book has many twists and turns that make it an enjoyable mystery to read. Being based on the author’s imagined modern day descendants of the characters in Pride and Prejudice, as well as the main character’s interest in Agatha Christie‘s detectives, provide an extra interest level to begin with.
There are a couple of things that kept this story from achieving my 5th star. Several key points could have been more fully developed. For example, the book is introduced as being about finding out why Eliza’s father and uncle had become estranged. We are given a basic reason and hints that further details exist, but I don’t feel like there has been a meaningful resolution. Also, we are left at the end with a missing person whose part in the mystery remains unresolved. Maybe these are merely teasers for another book in the series, but it has left me dissatisfied with the ending of this one.
The other issue I have, which seems to be common in contemporary romance novels, is the coincidences and short timeframe for development of a relationship to the point of hinting at forever. It’s just not at all realistic to me. And why is it that heroines who are painfully aware someone is out to get them will run off alone to follow a person they suspect?
The pace of the story, interesting writing style, and scenes that led to my own guessing game of trying to figure out what was going on are the best parts of this book for me as the reader. I do look forward to the next book in the series and hope it will answer the questions I am left with at the end of this one.
I received a free advance ebook copy of this novel in return for my honest voluntary review.
There are a couple of things that kept this story from achieving my 5th star. Several key points could have been more fully developed. For example, the book is introduced as being about finding out why Eliza’s father and uncle had become estranged. We are given a basic reason and hints that further details exist, but I don’t feel like there has been a meaningful resolution. Also, we are left at the end with a missing person whose part in the mystery remains unresolved. Maybe these are merely teasers for another book in the series, but it has left me dissatisfied with the ending of this one.
The other issue I have, which seems to be common in contemporary romance novels, is the coincidences and short timeframe for development of a relationship to the point of hinting at forever. It’s just not at all realistic to me. And why is it that heroines who are painfully aware someone is out to get them will run off alone to follow a person they suspect?
The pace of the story, interesting writing style, and scenes that led to my own guessing game of trying to figure out what was going on are the best parts of this book for me as the reader. I do look forward to the next book in the series and hope it will answer the questions I am left with at the end of this one.
I received a free advance ebook copy of this novel in return for my honest voluntary review.
July 28, 2021
A fan of Agatha Christie's mysteries, Eliza Darcy travels to her relatives' estate in the UK to find out what caused the estrangement of her father and her uncle. But then, she's welcome by a series of murders and other turmoils. Like Christie, the author Jessica Berg delivers the perfect cozy mystery set on British land. You can count on a grumpy cat, an evil aunt, a funny and a bit senile great-aunt, and, of course, an English bachelor for a romance-perfect happy ending. I had lots of fun reading this book and trying to discover who was the murderer (I got it wrong, by the way... haha).
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 18, 2021
A very well written cozy mystery. Murder Most Pemberley is the first book in a series. Elize is on vacation at Pemberley to meet her British side of the family. Little did she know that there would be a kidnapping, murder and a mystery to solve. I won an advance reader copy of the book from library thing.
April 9, 2021
Cute idea, but it just felt forced to me. And what was the point of the cat? Who takes a cat overseas on vacation and then mostly seems to forget it is around? Without spoilers, there were several times where I was wondering, "But where in the hell is her cat??" Should have been left out.
March 2, 2021
I'm rounding my rating up because my problems with this book may be just a matter of personal preference. I read this book with no previous knowledge of it or the author, and as it turns out, it's not my style at all. This is a silly, overly romantic, "cozy mystery", complete with sappy dialogue that I guess is supposed to be witty and improbable plot points. Not the least of which are several "one in a million" coincidences that you see coming a mile away.
April 14, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a clever new Cozy Mystery Series! I loved the links from Pride and Prejudice and the fact that there are Darcy’s in this book. Eliza Jane Darcy, the main character is looking for adventure and love at a family reunion in Merry old England. What Eliza finds are many mysteries and family secrets.
Did I mention that Eliza becomes an amateur detective when a murder is committed at the reunion? What follows left me on a merry chase along with Eliza and the other quirky characters in this book. Aunt Iris was an absolute favorite of mine, full of life and ready for any adventure that comes her way! Eccentric characters are a must for me in a cozy mystery and Aunt Iris fits the bill.
There is a lot going on in this book but it did not take away from the main story. I enjoyed the heaping side dish of romance served up between Eliza and Heath, just enough not to be too sappy. I had no idea as to who the culprit was as there were many twists and turns along the way.
The setting, the characters, and the plot were a win for me. I look forward to the next book in this series.
What a clever new Cozy Mystery Series! I loved the links from Pride and Prejudice and the fact that there are Darcy’s in this book. Eliza Jane Darcy, the main character is looking for adventure and love at a family reunion in Merry old England. What Eliza finds are many mysteries and family secrets.
Did I mention that Eliza becomes an amateur detective when a murder is committed at the reunion? What follows left me on a merry chase along with Eliza and the other quirky characters in this book. Aunt Iris was an absolute favorite of mine, full of life and ready for any adventure that comes her way! Eccentric characters are a must for me in a cozy mystery and Aunt Iris fits the bill.
There is a lot going on in this book but it did not take away from the main story. I enjoyed the heaping side dish of romance served up between Eliza and Heath, just enough not to be too sappy. I had no idea as to who the culprit was as there were many twists and turns along the way.
The setting, the characters, and the plot were a win for me. I look forward to the next book in this series.
September 2, 2024
"Murder Most Pemberley (Eliza Darcy #1)" by Jessica Berg is a Cozy Mystery Romance. I say this because it was heavier on the Romance between Eliza and Heath but in a cozy romance way. At times felt like a romance author restraining themselves to keep it to cozy levels. So, not my preferred cozy mystery but those who like a bit of romance in their cozy mystery will enjoy it.
The mystery part was interesting and kept me guessing. Eliza is visiting her British family for the first time for a big family reunion. Then the servants start dropping like files. Some embezzlement and theft are discovered, and a teetering tier of scandal starts crashing down. I bounced around on who I thought the culprit was and didn't quite settle on them until just before the reveal.
The mystery part was interesting and kept me guessing. Eliza is visiting her British family for the first time for a big family reunion. Then the servants start dropping like files. Some embezzlement and theft are discovered, and a teetering tier of scandal starts crashing down. I bounced around on who I thought the culprit was and didn't quite settle on them until just before the reveal.
November 23, 2021
DNF...40% in left me confused & bored.
November 26, 2021
Way too many words were used to write this silly story.
June 26, 2021
When American creative writing teacher Eliza Jane Darcy accepts an invitation to her first Darcy-Bennet reunion at Pemberley, the family estate in England, she sees it as an opportunity to visit the place her father Andrew left without explanation twenty-five years earlier, meet her extended family, and distract herself from a recent break up.
Delighted to be reunited with her cousin Joy, Eliza is enchanted by the stately property, charmed by her father's brother Fitzwilliam who runs the estate, and bemused by her great-aunt Iris. But she is less than impressed with Fitzwilliam's wife, the pretentious Nancy and the insufferable members of the Wickham branch of the family. While Eliza would like nothing better than to learn what caused the estrangement between her father and uncle and facilitate a reconciliation, her focus is diverted to another mystery when a body is found floating in a fountain on the estate. Who is the killer on the loose at Pemberley?
Realizing that a conversation she overheard in the garden may be linked to the murder, Eliza enlists her cousin Joy, Aunt Iris, and handsome new acquaintance Heath Tilney to help her investigate. Eliza has a natural instinct for finding clues and unearthing secrets, which leads her to uncover dastardly deeds and deceptive alliances that others are desperate to protect. Over the next few days, several more assaults and murders occur and Eliza's own safety is threatened as she gets closer to the truth. Who is responsible for the murder and mayhem at Pemberley, is there a connection to the brothers' estrangement, and will Eliza and those she has come to love escape unharmed?
Murder Most Pemberley, the first book in the Eliza Darcy cozy mystery series, is brimming with appeal factors: its English manor setting; family secrets and dynamics; upstairs-downstairs aspects; lively dialog and use of British slang; a tall, dark, and handsome love interest; and a quirky cast of characters. Readers will appreciate the story's Austen-like qualities; i.e., the enduring charm of the Pemberley estate and contemporary characters who bring to mind Austen's own--the traditional manor staff; Lord Fitzwilliam Darcy with his mutton chops hairstyle; spunky, eccentric great-aunt Iris; and, of course, the dashing Heath Tilney, who bears a strong resemblance to one of Austen's most well-known male love interests.
Author Jessica Berg has created engaging characters and relationships with ample room for story expansion and growth. It will be interesting to watch the future unfold for budding sleuth Eliza, her new beau Heath, and the entire Darcy-Bennet clan.
Note: I received an eBook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Delighted to be reunited with her cousin Joy, Eliza is enchanted by the stately property, charmed by her father's brother Fitzwilliam who runs the estate, and bemused by her great-aunt Iris. But she is less than impressed with Fitzwilliam's wife, the pretentious Nancy and the insufferable members of the Wickham branch of the family. While Eliza would like nothing better than to learn what caused the estrangement between her father and uncle and facilitate a reconciliation, her focus is diverted to another mystery when a body is found floating in a fountain on the estate. Who is the killer on the loose at Pemberley?
Realizing that a conversation she overheard in the garden may be linked to the murder, Eliza enlists her cousin Joy, Aunt Iris, and handsome new acquaintance Heath Tilney to help her investigate. Eliza has a natural instinct for finding clues and unearthing secrets, which leads her to uncover dastardly deeds and deceptive alliances that others are desperate to protect. Over the next few days, several more assaults and murders occur and Eliza's own safety is threatened as she gets closer to the truth. Who is responsible for the murder and mayhem at Pemberley, is there a connection to the brothers' estrangement, and will Eliza and those she has come to love escape unharmed?
Murder Most Pemberley, the first book in the Eliza Darcy cozy mystery series, is brimming with appeal factors: its English manor setting; family secrets and dynamics; upstairs-downstairs aspects; lively dialog and use of British slang; a tall, dark, and handsome love interest; and a quirky cast of characters. Readers will appreciate the story's Austen-like qualities; i.e., the enduring charm of the Pemberley estate and contemporary characters who bring to mind Austen's own--the traditional manor staff; Lord Fitzwilliam Darcy with his mutton chops hairstyle; spunky, eccentric great-aunt Iris; and, of course, the dashing Heath Tilney, who bears a strong resemblance to one of Austen's most well-known male love interests.
Author Jessica Berg has created engaging characters and relationships with ample room for story expansion and growth. It will be interesting to watch the future unfold for budding sleuth Eliza, her new beau Heath, and the entire Darcy-Bennet clan.
Note: I received an eBook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2024
Like the author I’m a big fan of Jane Austen and the BBC adaption of Pride and prejudice. I even formed a club with some of my friend, we called ourself The Friends of Mr Darcy… so this book should be right up my alley I thought, but not really after all.
It’s quite a good story, but I got hang up on too many things to get really invested in it.
I enjoy the thought of Pemberly being an estate with actual relatives of the totally imaginary cast of Pride and Prejudice, with a few extra Austen characters (or at least their names) thrown in the mix.
Unfortunately I think some things are a bit far fetched. Like the fact that ALL the Bennet sister’s offspring just happen to still have the family name that was the sister’s married names, what are the odds after so many generations?
And the characters are a bit stereotypical, like, why are the Wickhams still an untrustworthy bunch? Why is the staff acting like it’s still the 19:th century? Had the entire estate been stuck in time?
Now, I’m neither brittish nor american, but the brittish character’s dialogues are too maxed out with brittish slang that seems quite out of the ordinary to sound reaI. I can’t imagine that everyone from an elderly aunt through a man of the manor to young people born in today’s Britain should all spout all that slang and odd expressions. But sure, I admit that I’m not totally up to scratch on all brittish slang there is.
Heath is a good heart throb, but to me he sticks out like a sore thumb whenever he appears. He should be a great Austen character, but he’s supposed to be a modern man and to me those halfves never really comes together.
Eliza is great though, a perfect Austen character with all the traits of a modern woman. She has spunk, is brave and nosy yet sometimes it all overwhelms her.
I really enjoy the snippets out of the original Elizabeth Bennet’s diary that starts every chapter, as well as some quotes from her would be diary throughout the book. They have just the right touch of the Austen style to ring true.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s quite a good story, but I got hang up on too many things to get really invested in it.
I enjoy the thought of Pemberly being an estate with actual relatives of the totally imaginary cast of Pride and Prejudice, with a few extra Austen characters (or at least their names) thrown in the mix.
Unfortunately I think some things are a bit far fetched. Like the fact that ALL the Bennet sister’s offspring just happen to still have the family name that was the sister’s married names, what are the odds after so many generations?
And the characters are a bit stereotypical, like, why are the Wickhams still an untrustworthy bunch? Why is the staff acting like it’s still the 19:th century? Had the entire estate been stuck in time?
Now, I’m neither brittish nor american, but the brittish character’s dialogues are too maxed out with brittish slang that seems quite out of the ordinary to sound reaI. I can’t imagine that everyone from an elderly aunt through a man of the manor to young people born in today’s Britain should all spout all that slang and odd expressions. But sure, I admit that I’m not totally up to scratch on all brittish slang there is.
Heath is a good heart throb, but to me he sticks out like a sore thumb whenever he appears. He should be a great Austen character, but he’s supposed to be a modern man and to me those halfves never really comes together.
Eliza is great though, a perfect Austen character with all the traits of a modern woman. She has spunk, is brave and nosy yet sometimes it all overwhelms her.
I really enjoy the snippets out of the original Elizabeth Bennet’s diary that starts every chapter, as well as some quotes from her would be diary throughout the book. They have just the right touch of the Austen style to ring true.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 25, 2021
One does not need be a Jane Austen fan to appreciate this spin-off type novel of romance set aside for mystery. The book will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey and BBC mysteries. Overall it is a very interesting and fun read.
Eliza Jane Darcy is an American school teacher. Her father is from England, a direct descendant of the infamous Darcy clan of literary fame. After a major riff within his family, one no one will speak about, Andrew Darcy moves to America, marries, fathers Miss Eliza Jane, and never deals with his English family again.
After many years, the family pleads with him to return for a family reunion, but he swears he has other obligations. Eliza Jane, however, is determined to meet her English relatives. Taking only her cat as a travel companion, she has no clue what awaits her.
An abundance of relatives, including branches of the family that have not gotten along for generations, are present at this reunion. They, along with mysterious staff members, all seem to have secrets. AND motives, when a body is discovered early one morning.
I quite liked the DCI who arrives to investigate. He is a friend of Eliza's uncle and refreshingly NOT a future love interest for our heroine. He warns her not to get involved in the investigation, but adapts to tolerance as she uncovers some clues to assist in his investigation.
The samplings of ancestral Eliza Jane's journals at the beginning of each chapter add to the history and mystique of this book. English terms will make American readers smile as they scratch their heads.
The characters are interesting and exciting. The fascination with secret rooms and tunnels always appeals. The looming mystery about the family rift kept me intrigued and turning pages. Is there a killer among the house residents?. Will modern day Eliza live to find out the truth?
Between searching for the truth and a killer, can Miss Eliza also find romance?
A great escape read for any season.
Eliza Jane Darcy is an American school teacher. Her father is from England, a direct descendant of the infamous Darcy clan of literary fame. After a major riff within his family, one no one will speak about, Andrew Darcy moves to America, marries, fathers Miss Eliza Jane, and never deals with his English family again.
After many years, the family pleads with him to return for a family reunion, but he swears he has other obligations. Eliza Jane, however, is determined to meet her English relatives. Taking only her cat as a travel companion, she has no clue what awaits her.
An abundance of relatives, including branches of the family that have not gotten along for generations, are present at this reunion. They, along with mysterious staff members, all seem to have secrets. AND motives, when a body is discovered early one morning.
I quite liked the DCI who arrives to investigate. He is a friend of Eliza's uncle and refreshingly NOT a future love interest for our heroine. He warns her not to get involved in the investigation, but adapts to tolerance as she uncovers some clues to assist in his investigation.
The samplings of ancestral Eliza Jane's journals at the beginning of each chapter add to the history and mystique of this book. English terms will make American readers smile as they scratch their heads.
The characters are interesting and exciting. The fascination with secret rooms and tunnels always appeals. The looming mystery about the family rift kept me intrigued and turning pages. Is there a killer among the house residents?. Will modern day Eliza live to find out the truth?
Between searching for the truth and a killer, can Miss Eliza also find romance?
A great escape read for any season.
June 22, 2021
"Murder Most Pemberley" is the first book in the new Eliza Darcy Mystery series by Jessica Berg
American Eliza Darcy travels to the Pemberley estate in England for a Darcy family reunion. Her English father left the country thirty years ago and won't return or explain to his daughter why he left. Eliza hopes to find out why while she is in England. Like every family gathering there are a wide array of characters - some friendly and welcoming while others are downright hostile to the young American. The gathering is just nicely under way when a member of the staff is found dead. Eliza tries to stay out of the investigation but her love of mysteries and inner Miss Marple draws her to search for clues to "who done it". The more she snoops and learns, the more danger she finds herself in.
This book had me hooked right from the start! Admittedly, I've never read Jane Austen, but thankfully that isn't a real issue here. All the chapters have titles such as: "Sexy Underwear Or Wool Socks" and "Every Family Tree Has A Few Nuts, Right?". English slang (as well as some American slang) create occasional misinterpretations and make for some interesting conversations and reactions. The banter between Eliza and various members of "her posse" is fun! British hottie Heath is charming and incorrigible! Great Aunt Iris is a royal hoot! I don't think I've ever laughed as much while reading a mystery as I did with Murder Most Pemberley! Yes, there were a few scarier incidents like the murders and the inevitable endangerment(s) to our heroine Eliza but still, this was a wickedly fun read! As Eliza's cousin Joy would say - "It was brill!" I can't wait to see what Ms Berg has in store for us when she eventually publishes the 2nd book in this fab new series!
American Eliza Darcy travels to the Pemberley estate in England for a Darcy family reunion. Her English father left the country thirty years ago and won't return or explain to his daughter why he left. Eliza hopes to find out why while she is in England. Like every family gathering there are a wide array of characters - some friendly and welcoming while others are downright hostile to the young American. The gathering is just nicely under way when a member of the staff is found dead. Eliza tries to stay out of the investigation but her love of mysteries and inner Miss Marple draws her to search for clues to "who done it". The more she snoops and learns, the more danger she finds herself in.
This book had me hooked right from the start! Admittedly, I've never read Jane Austen, but thankfully that isn't a real issue here. All the chapters have titles such as: "Sexy Underwear Or Wool Socks" and "Every Family Tree Has A Few Nuts, Right?". English slang (as well as some American slang) create occasional misinterpretations and make for some interesting conversations and reactions. The banter between Eliza and various members of "her posse" is fun! British hottie Heath is charming and incorrigible! Great Aunt Iris is a royal hoot! I don't think I've ever laughed as much while reading a mystery as I did with Murder Most Pemberley! Yes, there were a few scarier incidents like the murders and the inevitable endangerment(s) to our heroine Eliza but still, this was a wickedly fun read! As Eliza's cousin Joy would say - "It was brill!" I can't wait to see what Ms Berg has in store for us when she eventually publishes the 2nd book in this fab new series!
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