Pride and Premeditation, Price’s debut novel, is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a murder mystery set in the Regency era. Now, while I like Pride and Prejudice, I’m definitely not a die-hard fan and mystery is not exactly one of my favourite genres. However, the notion of a classic drawing room drama reimagined as a whodunnit was really intriguing to me, and when I saw the book being likened to the Lady Janies books, I knew I had to pick it up. I’m pleasantly surprised to report that I ended up loving Pride and Premeditation, despite having a few quibbles and perhaps even more than the original book.
Price’s Lizzie Bennet is an aspiring barrister, despite it being an improbable dream for a girl in the Regency period, and Lizzie spends all her time helping her father at his law firm, Longbourn & Sons. However, her parents don’t approve of her working on cases for the firm or solving mysteries, and after Mr. Bennet forbids her from coming to the firm ever again, Lizzie sets out to prove herself to her father.
When Mr. Bingley is accused of murdering his brother-in-law, Lizzie believes him innocent. She sees the perfect opportunity to prove to her father that she is capable of becoming a lawyer by taking on Bingley’s case. However, it seems Mr. Darcy of the Pemberley and Associates (a rival to Longbourn) and is a friend of Bingley’s has already beaten her to it. Not to be outdone, Lizzie vows to seek out the real murderer anyway, but what she didn’t account for was her slowly growing feelings for Darcy.
Firstly, don’t go into this book expecting a lot of romance, since Price chooses to focus more on the murder mystery aspect of the book, which is done well and keeps you guessing until the very end. Price manages to bring the feel of Austen’s works into her book with a writing style that is very similar to that of Austen’s, which is something I’m sure will appeal to Jane Austen fans. As for the characterisation, Price’s versions of all the characters from the original book are charmingly familiar, even as she changes up their backgrounds and personalities a bit to suit her story better.
Lizzie in Pride and Premeditation is just as unyielding, headstrong, and witty as we know Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet to be, and she really does fit the role of an aspiring female lawyer in a society where the odds are stacked against her. As for Darcy, he’s also as solemn and oddly enchanting as ever; however, I found Price’s rendition of Darcy to be more flesh-and-blood and likeable than the original Mr. Darcy. As I mentioned before, Price doesn’t prioritise the romance in her story, and so the relationship between Lizzie and Darcy felt a little underdeveloped and sudden. However, the witty banter between them that we loved in Pride and Prejudice is still here, and it’s delightful as always.
One thing that might irk readers, especially fans of thrillers and mysteries, is the moderate pace of the book. Though that pace suits the story well, it’s by no means a fast moving mystery that keeps you on your toes, and I did find that a little disappointing. Of course, that didn’t stop me from enjoying Pride and Premeditation immensely and I’ll absolutely be picking up the upcoming books in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series so I can’t wait to see what Price does with other works by Austen! If you’re a fan of The Lady Janies series and of course, like Jane Austen’s books, or if you’re just a historical fiction buff, I’m pretty sure you want this book on your shelf.
Pride and Premeditation is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper, the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series is a clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a thrilling and high-stakes whodunit.
When a scandalous murder shocks London high society, seventeen-year-old aspiring lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity to prove herself, despite the interference of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious firm Pemberley Associates.
Convinced the authorities have imprisoned the wrong person, Lizzie vows to solve the murder on her own. But as the case—and her feelings for Darcy—become more complicated, Lizzie discovers that her dream job could make her happy, but it might also get her killed.
