Pride and Premeditation (Jane Austen Murder Mysteries, 1)

Pride and Premeditation is the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series by American author, Tirzah Price. Lizzie Bennet works at her father's legal practice, Longbourn & sons (at which no sons are employed) under the guise of visiting her dear friend, Charlotte Lucas, who is engaged as a legal secretary.

Lizzie's work entails proof-reading and rewriting of contracts, although she has made discreet enquiries in certain cases, only to have her hard-won information stolen by the firm's junior partner, the odious Mr Collins, who presents it to Mr Bennet as his own. Determined she will one day be a barrister, she implores Mr Bennet to employ her as a solicitor, and is told she needs to find her own case and prove herself first.

When she hears of the arrest of a Mr Charles Bingley for the murder of his brother-in-law, George Hurst, Lizzie poses as Bingley's sister to gain entry to Newgate prison. Bingley is impressed by Lizzie's theories but his own solicitor and good friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy is not only dismissive but also insulting towards her. Nonetheless, Bingley assents to her making enquiries…

In the days that follow, Lizzie takes audacious action: she impersonates a friend of Mrs Hurst to gain access to the house; insinuates herself into the crime scene; collects trace evidence; interviews witnesses; performs covert surveillance; and almost gets herself arrested by a Bow Street runner.

Lizzie proves to be inventive, resourceful and daring, but when Darcy complains about her to Longbourn and sons, she attracts her father's ire and engages in a very spirited exchange with Darcy. Subsequently she is given disturbing information about him and warned off him by several people.

Many of the Pride and Prejudice players feature, their character true to form, their connections, affections and enmities mostly the same, although some are given occupations: Mr Bennet, Mr Collins and Fitzwilliam Darcy are all in the legal profession, George Wickham is a Bow Street runner; and, as usual, Jane Bennet gives wise advice to Lizzie, Lydia Bennet is frivolous and headstrong, and Mrs Bennet is still intent on marrying off her daughters.

The plot is, of course, quite different, and cleverly done to incorporate many of the relationships of the original, but manages to include kidnappings, pirates, a very dramatic dockside scene, gunplay, several murders and a brilliant defence in court.

The author's note does state that she has taken liberties with facts such as women in legal professions, and she intentionally makes Lizzie ambitious, an amateur sleuth, and a feminist. Taken in the spirit intended, this is quite an entertaining read.

This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Audio. The voice galley is an interesting concept in itself: it is created with a synthetic voice only, so is not a preview of the audio book. Hence the narration can be quite stilted, with strange emphasis.