North By Northanger: Or The Shades Of Pemberley (2007) - Plot & Excerpts
One day Elizabeth finds a letter from Darcy's mother addressed to her. The letter mentions a family heirloom that protects women in labour, but which has unfortunately gone missing. Being in a delicate condition herself, Elizabeth is quite curious about this family heirloom and decides to go on a treasure hunt. The letter also arouses further interest in Darcy's mother, the beloved former mistress of Pemberley, so when the son of one of Anne's old friends invites the couple to Northanger Abbey they decide to accept the invitation. Little do they know the trouble that lies ahead which not only threatens to sully Mr. Darcy's good name, but could possibly cost him his freedom too. Forced to return to Pemberley with a most unwelcome house guest, Elizabeth and Darcy are determined to leave no stone unturned in their quest to discover what happened at Northanger Abbey. Unfortunately someone seems determined to prevent them from getting to the bottom of this mystery...North By Northanger is the third book in the highly addictive series by Carrie Bebris. There is a lot going on in this third book and I am at a loss how to say something sensible without adding spoilers. In this book Elizabeth and Darcy are the victims of a conspiracy directed at them. They really have their work cut out for them trying to figure out who is responsible, what they are after and why. For the answers they need to go back in time to discover Anne Darcy's story. I enjoyed getting to know Darcy and Georgiana's mother through letters and stories. Carrie Bebris sketched a most intriguing portret of her! Not having read Northanger Abbey (yet), I am uncertain what parts of this book will be familiar to those who have read it. However, it allows me to say with confidence that familiarity with Northanger Abbey is not necessary to enjoy North By Northanger. In fact the latter has a lot of familiar Pride and Prejudice characters who make a reappearance as well as a few new characters. Like the obnoxious doctor from Bath that Mr. Darcy insists on employing for Elizabeth instead of the local midwife. Condescending and bosy he is most definitely not a person Elizabeth likes to be around, but for Darcy's sake she tries to suffer through it. Once again Carrie Bebris has delighted me with her Mr. & Mrs. Darcy mysteries. If I have any regrets it is that I will have to wait too long for The Matters at Mansfield and The Intrigue at Highbury to arrive on my doorstep!
This is a Pride and Prejudice pastiche with Austen's Mr and Mrs Darcy as its detectives, the third in a series which I've read out of order yet enjoyed. I don't think you necessarily need to read these in order. This is one of the stronger outings, and I found myself frequently smiling while reading it, enjoying the wit and banter from and between Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy. I'm not ranking this so high because I claim it's the equal of Jane Austen novels such as Mansfield Park or Northanger Abbey, but measured against the usual cozy or historical mystery you can find in the mystery aisle of the book store, yes, I do find this thoroughly entertaining, even outstanding, and in my opinion much more enjoyable than Stephanie Barron's novels with Jane Austen herself as a sleuth.Bebris doesn't try to duplicate Austen's style, which so often fails miserably, but she is very good at conjuring the voices of the various characters, and not just the Darcys but characters such as the formidable Catherine de Bourgh, the silly Lydia and odious Wickam are very much their familiar selves here. The first two novels in Bebris' series are as much fantasy as mystery. That angle is far less to the fore, and more personal, here, rather than figuring directly into the mystery, as the Darcys deal with an accusation of theft and Elizabeth's pregnancy in the midst of her trying to fully come into her own as mistress of Pemberly. A very enjoyable read that should appeal not just to Austen fans, but those that enjoy historical mysteries.
What do You think about North By Northanger: Or The Shades Of Pemberley (2007)?
Complimenti all'autrice per aver avuto il coraggio di realizzare ad una serie di romanzi ispirati ai protagonisti di Orgoglio e Pregiudizio. Avevo paura che la lettura sarebbe stato una delusione, invece si �� rivelata molto piacevole, in quanto coniuga l'ambientazione ottocentesca con una trama da giallo. Una bella sorpresa poter ritrovare finalmente gli incantevoli personaggi della Austen, primo fra tutti l'affascinante Mr Darcy. La lettura adatta a chi si rammarica che la Austen abbia scritto troppo poco.
—AnnaP
This is the third in Bebris's series of paranormal mysteries featuring Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. It wasn't as good as the first one, but was still enjoyable. I don't like most Austen continuations, but Bebris does a decent job, perhaps because her books are deliberately in a different genre, and so she doesn't try too hard to make herself sound exactly like Austen. One interesting feature of this series is that the main characters are always Elizabeth and Darcy, but characters from other Austen books are involved in each mystery. In this case, a friendship between Darcy's late mother and a former resident of Northanger Abbey is discovered, and their letters to each other form a large aspect of the mystery. In addition, various Bennets and Lady Catherine show up at Pemberley to confuse things and add a comic element. Overall, this series is an enjoyable read for Austen fans, but probably not for Austen purists.
—Kate
"After the excitement of their recent Season in London, the Darcys are eager to reach Pemberley. They look forward to spending a peaceful time enjoying Elizabeth's first pregnancy.'However, such serene solitude is not meant to be."First, a mysterious letter from the long-deceased Lady Anne Fitzwilliam Darcy is discovered. Then, a summons to Northanger Abbey involves the young couple in intrigues that threaten not just the Darcy legacy and good name, but quite possibly Darcy's freedom as well. Making matters even worse for the newly expectant mother, Darcy's overbearing Aunt Catherine de Bourgh arrives to further bedevil Elizabeth."Adding to all of the madness are rumors of treasure and past scandals. Pemberley is not the quiet estate the Darcys envisioned. Rather, it is home to secrets and spirits of the past, whose revelations can have a chilling effect on not only the Darcys but on their prowing family."~back coverExcessively diverting.
—Kate
