“I will not send for Mrs. Fitzwilliam, but I do mean to send word that you are safe. Neither Mrs. Darcy nor my sister deserves to spend another hour in worry over your actions.”
He could not control speaking in disappointment.
“I thought better of you, Edward.”
(from The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin)
Quick summary: The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin is the latest Pride and Prejudice mystery by Regina Jeffers. Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy have been happily married for about five years and are enjoying life with their two young sons, but their world is turned upside down when Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, sends word that her husband, Major General Edward Fitzwilliam, is missing. Darcy tracks down his cousin in a seedy inn in London, drunk and in a uniform covered in dirt and blood. Fitzwilliam’s marital problems and PTSD are the least of the family’s concerns, once it becomes known that he is the prime suspect in a serious of gruesome murders.
Why I wanted to read it: I’ve long been a fan of Jeffers’ novels (check out my reviews of Captain Wentworth’s Persuasion, Christmas at Pemberley, and The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy), and I was intrigued by the idea of a darker side to the charming and amiable Colonel Fitzwilliam.
What I liked: I was fascinated by this tale from start to finish, and I especially enjoyed the twists and turns of the mystery. Jeffers really digs deep into her characters, particularly Georgiana’s need to find inner strength in the face of great loss, Darcy’s realization that he is no longer his sister’s protector, and Fitzwilliam’s troubled transition to civilian life. The assortment of original characters, like Cowan, secondary characters given bigger roles, like the Earl and Countess of Matlock, and even some courtroom drama help round out the story, and I was happy to see another of my favorite Austen heroes make an appearance toward the end.
What I disliked: Nothing!
Final thoughts: The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin is a darker take on the characters of Pride and Prejudice, but it is exciting and shines in the complexity of the characters and the multilayered mystery at its core. It was hard to see Fitzwilliam in such a light, but Jeffers’ portrayal of a man who has spent a great deal of his life at war and remains haunted by his experiences is realistic and heartbreaking. Although it focuses on some heavy subjects, like PTSD, and puts Austen’s beloved characters in some dangerous and hopeless situations, the romantic moments between Darcy and Elizabeth help to lighten the mood. Jeffers had me guessing and biting my nails until the very end, a sign of a great mystery, and I hope there will be more installments in this series.
(I haven’t yet read the previous installment, The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy, so that’s something to look forward to, and I should point out here that The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin can be read as a standalone novel.)
Disclosure: I received The Prosecution of Mr. Darcy’s Cousin from the author for review.
© 2015 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Sounds awesome! I love Regina’s novels and especially her mysteries! I need to catch up! 🙂 Glad to hear you give this book so much praise!
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Many thanks for the kind words, Meredith.
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I hope you love it as much as I did!
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Sounds intriguing. Looking forward to reading it. I wanted to read the Mysterious Death first before reading this book.
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The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy won several awards, including being a finalist for the prestigious Frank Yerby Award for Fiction in 2014. Thomas Cowan first makes his appearance in that book, Patty.
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I enjoyed it so much that I’m not too mad at myself for reading them out of order. 😉
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Good to hear it can be a stand alone
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Glad you could join us, Linda.
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I still need to go back and read The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy!
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Great review! I can’t wait to read this one. 🙂
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Wishing you well, Caryl.
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Thanks! I hope you love it as much as I did!
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Wow, this sounds engaging, dark, and fantastic. Things I think need to be explored more, especially given the time that these characters were living in — war with France and all that.
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I know you’d love this book, too!
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Sounds very interesting and I have always liked the Colonel. This will be added to my Wish List.
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Me, too! I love the variations that explore the secondary characters.
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