Death Comes to Pemberley
by James, P.D.
Plot/Summary:
P.D. James pays respect to the fictional world of Jane
Austen in Death Comes to Pemberley, a historical
mystery set in 1803, six years after the conclusion of
Pride and Prejudice. A prologue outlines the
original plot and the history of the family after the
marriage of Elizabeth Bennet to Fitzwilliam Darcy. As the
action begins, Elizabeth is working on final preparations
for the annual ball at Pemberley, the most important
social event of the year. The night before the ball, the
Darcys and a small party of friends are enjoying
after-dinner entertainment, when they see a chaise
speeding dangerously toward the house. The chaise brings
Elizabeth's sister Lydia with news that a murder has taken
place in the woodlands of Pemberley. This breach in the
security of the estate and the suspect's ties to the
Darcys threatens the order of Pemberly and those who make
it their home. The primary conflict of the novel requires
that the killer be brought to justice to restore the
balance at Pemberley. As unexpected events produce
unforeseen social obligations, Darcy's primary obligation
is to ensure the security of Pemberley for future
generations. This duty is at the heart of Darcy's actions
in the novel.
Comments:
Fans will recognize Austen's ghost, lovingly channeled, in
the author's use of language. The novel stands on its own
as a well-crafted combination of historical fiction and
mystery. James excels in melding the mystery to its
richly-detailed setting, a complex social order in which
wealthy landowners and their dependents are bound. Viewers
of the PBS television series
Reviewed by ds, 05-01-12.
Other reviews by ds.
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