Pride and Premeditation (Jane Austen Murder Mysteries, 1)

Pride and Premeditation (Jane Austen Murder Mysteries, 1)

One of BuzzFeed's best YA books of 2021! Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper , the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries trilogy 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. Three of Jane Austen’s classic novels receive a murder mystery makeover in this romantic and thrilling three-book series that’s perfect for fans of  The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy . Pride and Premeditation is followed by Sense and Second-Degree Murder , in which aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood and her sister Marianne, a budding detective, work together to solve the mystery of their father’s murder. Gr 8 Up-Seventeen-year-old Lizzie Bennet would be the best solicitor in her father's law firm, and she knows it-but the restrictions of Regency-era England stand in her way. When the young Mr. Bingley is arrested for murder, Lizzie sees an opportunity to prove her worth by proving his innocence, even if he's already chosen the infuriating Fitzwilliam Darcy to help him. As Lizzie searches London for clues and a culprit with only days to spare, she and Darcy unwittingly find themselves in the sights of a killer. Price's knowledge of Austen's original novel shines through in this delightful, fast-paced reinterpretation, balancing the intentionally loosened historical accuracy. While the plot is of its own design, Austen's characters are recognizable by both their names and actions, with Charlotte Lucas a notable exception to the almost all-white cast (her father is white, her mother from the West Indies). However, while the story addresses the social implications of her background, Charlotte shoulders the burden of teaching and there is little reflection on it by Lizzie. VERDICT Price's YA debut is a clever, twisting murder mystery adaptation that will keep both Austen fans and newcomers on their toes. This first book in the series will intrigue readers of Brittany Cavallaro's A Study in Charlotte and Kerri Maniscalco's Stalking Jack the Ripper.-Madeline Newquist, Center for Fiction, Brooklyn, NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "Pride and Premeditation  is a romantic and entertaining page-turner, sure to delight readers of any genre." - Kerri Maniscalco, #1 NYT bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series "Clever and witty, perfectly written, compulsively readable, and utterly unputdownable." - Virginia Boecker, author of An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason “A slow-building tale of deception and struggle against societal bounds.” - Kirkus Reviews “Price’s YA debut is a clever, twisting murder mystery adaptation that will keep both Austen fans and newcomers on their toes.” - School Library Journal “Price’s lively debut adds feminist twists in this reimagining of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice . A suspenseful and distinctive read." - Booklist Tirzah Price is a former librarian and Book Riot contributor and holds an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. When she’s not writing, reading, or talking about YA books, she experiments in the kitchen and knits. She lives in Michigan.