The Honorable Mr. Darcy: Only Death can Challenge Love
The Overview:
I found this book about 3 years ago, forgot about it, then found it again when my great-grandma asked for Regency recommendations. I had to look it up. It was buried so deep in my history I couldn’t find it. I knew that something with Wickham and someone died, and then I found it. The Honorable Mr. Darcy, Book One in the Meryton Mysteries. Apparently, I can not escape series. I just picked up my next read for this blog, thinking it was a single book… I was wrong; Book Two is currently being written. Internal Screaming
Anyways.
The Honorable Mr. Darcy starts with Wickham being murdered. Oh, no… I am so sad. Said only Lydia. Mr. Darcy becomes the prime suspect because of a heated argument. Here is the thing thou. Elizabeth, his more than tempting rival, is the only one who can vouch for his innocence. Why? Because they were at the Netherfield Park ball, stuck in the library… together… alone.
For those who don’t know about 1800’s England, if you are a woman left alone with a man who is not your sibling or your father, instant marriage or be a social outcast. So… Darcy and Lizzie being trapped in the Library alone spelled disaster, because the two of them can’t communicate and admit they like each other.
To keep their social status, they now will do anything possible to prove Mr. Darcy’s innocence, even if that means risking life and limb.
My Thoughts:
I love the Meryton Mysteries. I found this series when I couldn’t find my copy of Pride and Prejudice and was desperate for something to listen to while bored. I was intrigued to see how my favorite couple went up against a murderer. Also, it was satisfying to hear of Wickham’s death before he could do worse things. And I was in for a treat! This series has so many great twists and turns. The one thing I have a hard time with some Jane Austen adaptations is that they are either way too off or they are basically copying the original books. Thankfully, Jennifer Joy’s stories are nothing like that. She did an amazing job of keeping the original cast feeling like the original cast and blending some new characters in to add to the story. Also, listened to the audiobook; the voice actress, Nancy Peterson, does a fantastic job voicing Collins. She nailed the oily nature of his voice, similar to the BBC Show. If you know, you know.
Speaking of characters, Jennifer brings in a few new characters that give this mystery a fun sense of who dunit. With these added characters, you also get a new side to all the characters. This creates a new
All in all. 10/10, would recommend this book to anyone who wants just a fun, lighthearted read to satisfy any comfy vibes and romance itches.
The Graph:
Murder! and all things related - 5%: They are trying to solve a murder; the reason why it’s so low is that it is not gruesomely written; note: someone does step on glass. Again, not overly descriptive.
Made me squeal - 35%: There are lots of cute scenes and great one-liners from the story.
Yelled in frustration- 35%: It is a Lizzie and Darcy story.
Skin-crawling due to Collins- 20%: Collins being… Collins.
Compromise!!!- 5%: How this whole thing starts! Nothing happens in the library that would raise eyebrows.
Name meanings:
Fitzwilliam: A Norman French name meaning "Son of William."
Darcy: Derived from the French d'Arcy, meaning "from Arcy". An alternate Irish Gaelic root also translates to "dark."
Elizabeth: A Hebrew name meaning "My God is an oath" or "pledged to God."
Bennet: A medieval English short form of Benedict, meaning "blessed."
George: Greek meaning "earth-worker" or "farmer."
Wickham: An English name meaning "village by the manor" or "dairy farm."
Bingley: An English surname meaning "Bing's clearing" or "meadow."
Collins: A surname meaning "son of Colin" (with Colin being a diminutive of Nicholas, translating to "victory of the people ")
Tanner: A literal Old English occupational name meaning "leather worker" or "one who tans hides."
Stallard: An Old English nickname derived from the Middle English word stalwart, meaning "stalwart," "brave," or "resolute."
Yates: An English name meaning "gates." It originally referred to someone who lived near or served as a gatekeeper of a walled town or manor.
Links:
YouTube (This is where I listen to all her books)
Spoilers:
Tanner and Darcy- This is the only spoiler I’m giving. There is a connection between them and it’s funny.
Thank you so much! For reading my rantings and my random links. Definitely, 5/5 stars for this book. It is an amazing clean and comfy romance that will get anyone in the mood for tea and a warm blanket. If you had a chance to write your own comfy mystery what setting would you choose?
Keep turning pages. Bard out!
Another great review! Who doesn't like a comfy murder mystery? If I had to write one, it'd be a cyberpunk one or high fantasy. Looking forward to the next one!