Thank you to the publisher for providing a voice galley of Pride and Premeditation in exchange for an honest review.

Being a huge fan of both Jane Austen and Agatha Christie, I am usually a little skeptical when reading a different take on the characters or style of writing. I hold the originals stories in such high regard that I always read interpretations with a grain of salt.

When I read that both my worlds would be clashing together in one book I was intrigued but doubtful and happily listened to the voice galley with trepidation.

I was so struck by how easy and collected the writing was. The way the characters were reimagined to fit into the story made sense. She made me forget the original sequence of events that I would have expected and made her story come to life in its own way. Her world became as interesting as the original borrowed material and made me excited to see what was next and how the next character would be. She took out the parts that I didn't fully enjoy from the original, limiting the story without hurting it's full purpose. Though I wish there had been a little more interaction between Lizzy and Darcy, it's the same feeling I felt in Pride and Prejudice, it still kept a smile on my face.

You'll need to let go of the framework the original work had, but it is worth the time doing so. It's a great re-visioning of the original and look forward to purchasing it when it becomes available. I'm excited to read the next installments from this author!

Lizzie Bennet is an aspiring lawyer. When her father tells her she needs to prove herself if she wants to work at the law firm, she sets out to do just that. So, when a murder happens that shocks the high society, Lizzie is determined to solve the case and prove to her father that she could make a good lawyer.

The first bit of knowledge I wish I had before reading this book (which I know by the summary I should have guessed) is that the author took some liberties with the history. While Price did try to stick to the Austen time, she didn't want Lizzie so restrained and opened the world up for her a bit more. There is nothing wrong with this is the slightest. It did just take me out of the story from time to time as I had to think about what time period this was actually in.

<i>Pride and Premeditation</i> had plenty of callbacks to the original with some of the same or similar lines. Lizzie and Darcy still feel true to the original and their banter was nice. I could tell that the author really does love and care for the original works as she did try to stick to that feel as much as she could which was nice.

The mystery itself wasn't entirely captivating for me. I enjoyed watching Lizzie work through it all and thought she was brilliant. It was nice to see how as the case went on it did bring Lizzie and Darcy closer together.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, quick read that did leave me entertained.

This was such a fun retelling of Austen's Pride and Prejudice! I loved that Lizzie is obsessed with her crime-solving, especially as she follows the case of Bingley. I liked that the mystery is intertwined with the characters in a way that makes the story and the characters still innately the ones we know and love. It was fun to read the story and I can't wait to see what the next book in the series will be!!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Pride and Premeditation was slow to start, but I quickly was caught up in solving the mystery. I was frustrated by the road blocks the main character faced while being a girl, but feel that it would spark important conversations about women's rights with students. I was thrilled with the way all the small details evolved in the case and appreciated the subplot romance. The narrator was distracting at times because it felt to automated. Great reimagination of Pride and Prejudice.

I want to start by saying I have never read or seen Pride and Prejudice so I'm not exactly sure how similar this retelling is to the original; however I am familiar with the names of the characters and time period. I think I was expecting a more contemporary retelling of the original story rather than using the same characters in a different storyline. I'm not typically a fan of classics , which is why I wanted to give this version a try but unfortunately it just wasn't for me and I found it a bit difficult to get through. I think those out there that have read and loved Pride and Prejudice and enjoy mystery/thrillers will really like this retelling.

Lizzie Bennet wants to be a lawyer, which is very clearly frowned upon as she is a woman. Fitzwilliam Darcy is the heir to Pemberley Associates. After a brutal murder, Lizzie vows to find the correct killer, sure that they've got the wrong guy.

Chaos ensues, enemies to lovers and awkward sexual tension ensues, and smashing the patriarchy ensues.

I will be transparent here - I am not typically a fan of classics, I am not typically a fan of Austen, and I don't really enjoy the "BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE A WOMAN IN THIS SOCIETY" *stomps feet* trope that is so over-stressed by Austen and the like. I like a good smash the patriarchy, prove you're a boss who doesn't need a man trope, but not (what I perceive as) the whiny overdone version. Since this is an Austen reimagining, there is some of this, however it feels like the author gets it out at the beginning, and then moving forward it's not mentioned as much.

You may be asking, "okay but if you don't like Austen, why did you decide to read this book?" Well, nosy, it's because I found the idea of this mash-up very creative. It was described similar to the My Lady Janies series ad Stalking Jack the Ripper series, both of which I enjoyed.

As far as the story itself, it kept me interested. The pacing was great, especially for an audio where it tends to be easier to lose interest and have your mind drift. Where the story falls flat for me was the characters and my lack of connection to them (this could also be because I feel a lack of connection to the OG Elizabeth & Darcy). Overall, it was good and I won't run out for the second installment, but I will be interested to see where the story goes from here.

In any event, I think that any P&P/Austen fans will enjoy this. I also really think with the actual narration it will be even more enjoyable.

3.5 stars

Pride and Prejudice is one of my all-time favorite books, so when I saw this book on NetGalley being promoted as "Pride and Prejudice" meets murder mystery, I knew I HAD to check it out. I enjoyed the authors feminist approach to Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bennet's career ambitions, and felt it was realistic for the character created initially by Jane Austen. I do wish that there had been more interpersonal relationship build-up amongst the characters, but appreciated the mystery twist. I found it enjoyable and plan to continue reading the series.

Additionally, the ALC I was gifted by NetGalley (thank you!) was an automated voice, so that did at times make it a little more difficult to listen to as some of the inflections were off. This may have affected my overall experience, but as noted above, I did enjoy it and plan to continue the series.

This one started off slow but I did enjoy it. Price was able to take the characters from my favorite book and spin it into a murder mystery. Each of them was fit into the story without it being too obvious or forced. I was happy that she didn't try to make the deplorable characters from Pride and Prejudice more likable and vice versa. I'll probably reread this in a few years when i forget the details. It's a fun and quick read (or rather listen since I used the voice galley format).

Side note. I liked the authors note at the end, I was wondering when women had started to be allowed to court in England but wasn’t sure which century it was.

I'm always eager to read a fresh twist on an old classic especially if it's based on Jane Austen ; so of course I requested this.

Unfortunately I had a bit of a mixed reaction to this book. It kept my attention and the premise was interesting ; but at the same time it was lacking depth and was missing something that makes the original special. What exactly that is i'm not sure, but I was feeling the loss nonetheless.

I appreciate this book for what it was though. This retelling felt like it's own thing while being what it was advertised as which was a fresh take on Pride and Prejudice. It had the characters we all know and love with a new purpose and did touch plot points from the original ; so far as retellings go it was decent. Just can't stop from feeling the potential was somewhat lost, which i'm hoping is only the case because it's just the first book in the series.

Overall I didn't love it, but I did enjoy it so I will definitely keep an eye out for the next book.

Upon having this for way longer than the other books and galleies I've been approved for, I will say that Price's elevator pitch for this is creative, and her prose seems to be good, I could never fully engage with the story, solely because of the voice galley. I finished, it was solid, I probably will end up rereading once it's published with more opinions.

This was a well crafted, clever murder mystery set slightly after the Jane Austen era. Parts of the mystery were predictable, but there were twists and complications that made it intriguing. The feminist ideas were a bit heavy-handed at times, but I genuinely enjoyed the characters and writing style.

Pride and Prejudice is one of my top 10 of all time novels, and I never want it to end so I will pretty much read any adaptation of it. This is definitely the most interesting one I have come across. The author mentioned in her author's note that she was going for a cross between Austen and Agatha Christie and I think she succeeded. This novel is still set in the regency era but there are liberties taken in places (which the author also noted) so if you can step out side of historical accuracy and enjoy a good feminist twist, this was an excellent read. The element of a murder mystery added a new level of excitement and anticipation.i really liked it. I recommend this book if you love strong femal characters,

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a brilliant idea, conceived and executed by a clever young woman, must be claimed by a man.”

This book was such a delight! It combined two of my favorite things: a retelling of a Jane Austen classic & mystery/suspense! I loved the reimagining of Lizzy & Darcy as rivals working for competing law firms, and especially enjoyed some of the additions the author made to humanize both characters as well as to provide them with ample opportunities to match whits and to see each other as equals. While the mystery itself was not too difficult to solve as a reader, I really enjoyed the pacing and felt satisfied with the ending.

One thing to note is that this book isn’t particularly historically accurate. I was easily able to suspend my disbelief but it might be difficult for others to get past. I did really appreciate the author’s note at the end explaining the historical differences and findings from their research on the time period.

Overall, I can’t wait for the other books in the series!

As a bit of a Jane Austen fan (okay, maybe more than a bit…), I am picky about my Austenalia. I’ve read some really bad spin-offs or rewrites and am easily disappointed by writers who try to emulate Austen. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this reimagining of the classic Pride and Prejudice. Tirzah Price did a marvelous job of blending the heart of the original story with her own twists, bringing Lizzie and Darcy back to life, and making me dislike Mr. Collins even more!

I loved the fresh setting of a Regency era law firm (even though, as the author admits in her note, liberalities were taken with the historicity — but it is fiction, after all). And she didn’t change the characters so much that I didn’t recognize them, as some writers have a tendency to do. Overall, one of my favorite retellings of Pride and Prejudice ever.

Also, this was my first time listening to a NetGalley voice galley (audiobook ARC), and I’m so glad I started with Pride and Premeditation. Even though it wasn’t the final product, the story was so engaging that I enjoyed even this synthetically voiced audiobook. I’m definitely excited to hear the final production!

Pride and Premeditation is set to release on April 6th, so pre-order your copy now. I highly recommend it and give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. 🙂

Many thanks to HarperTeen/Harper Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC of this story. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book courtesy of HarperTeen via NetGalley.

Expected Publication Date: April 6th, 2021

Publisher: HarperTeen (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)

Genre: YA, Mystery, Retellings

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Storyline (from the publisher):

“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.”

The Good:

I’ll confess to only knowing the bare bones plot of the original classic, Pride and Prejudice, but I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling. I won’t be able to compare at all between the two books, so I will only be writing about this unique plot. In this story, Lizzie is a moxie-filled young woman attempting to solve a crime to earn a spot at her fathers law office. I found her spirit compelling and her sleuthing skills wonderful. I was drawn to this retelling because it’s in my favorite genre, and features a female sleuth. And on these points it did not disappoint. I’d like to imagine that I would be like Lizzie if I was born in this era, and I liked the liberties taken with some of the historical data to give Lizzie her crime-solving abilities.

I read this in just a few sittings over two days, something I cannot say for the original classic that I have started multiple times over the years. Part of it for me is the language and genre-focus of the classic, but this book did have me considering a revisit to the classic. However, I could see how someone true to the classic might not enjoy the changes, but as someone new to the book, I found it delightful.

The Bad:

The only reason this lost 0.5 stars from me was simply the era of the setting. This has nothing to do with the author’s writing or storytelling. I’m usually just not a fan of historical pieces in this era. However, Price’s writing and story crafting skills made this possibly the most fun I’ve had reading something set in this era.

The Bottom Line:

A delightful, action-packed historical mystery with a determined female-sleuth at the forefront.

This is a "voice galley," intended only for reviewers and read by a synthetic voice, not whoever will be the narrator. This is not the version that will be for sale.

This an alternative version of Pride and Prejudice, in which Mr. Bennet is a barrister, and the family live in the Cheapside section of London. His firm is Longbourne & Sons, but of course there are no sons, and the dreadful Mr. Collins, a cousin from Hertfordshire, has been employed as a solicitor for the firm, and named as the heir.

Next we come to Elizabeth Bennet and her friend, Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte in this retelling has a very respectable father, Sir Henry Lucas, but Sir Henry married a West Indian woman, and Charlotte is too dark-skinned to pass as "really English." Charlotte works as a secretary in the Longbourne firm. Elizabeth longs to be a barrister, and volunteers at the firm, doing work the junior solicitors don't have time for, and in Mr. Collins's case, isn't really very good at.

Let's be clear that that entire paragraph is impossible in Regency England. Women did not work in law firms, certainly not as secretaries, which is how up and coming young men got their start. A woman becoming a barrister or a solicitor was not just unlikely and disapproved of; it was impossible. The mixed-race Charlotte, without a rich dowry, would have no chance, rather than very little chance, of achieving what from her upbringing and education she would consider a respectable marriage. A position as a governess or a companion would have been her best prospects.

The author, however, knows this, and made the changes intentionally, to give the intelligent and headstrong Elizabeth Bennet more scope. It's really handled very well, just plausible enough that I was willing to run with it.

The other major change, of course, is that this is a murder mystery.

The murder victim is William Hurst, husband of Charles Bingley's sister, Louisa. Charles, of course, is the obvious suspect. William is a drunk and an unsuccessful gambler, a constant drain on the resources of Bingley and his company, Netherfield Shipping. He took Hurst home, dead drunk, at night, and in the morning returned to the Hurst home to find him, quite simply, dead. Stabbed nearly a dozen times--and when Elizabeth asks him specific questions about the condition of the body, it's clear that when found, he certainly wasn't killed by Charles, the night before. The body is not yet cool, nor is the blood completely dry.

What follows is a puzzling mystery, as Charles, with his frustrations over William Hurst's drain on the family resources and neglect of Louisa, is the one with the most obvious motive. The Bingley solicitor, Fitzwilliam Darcy, of Pemberley & Associates, intends to have a barrister defend Bingley on the basis of his excellent character and great respectability, but Elizabeth doubts this will be effective. The conflict between the two of them is as delightful as ever, and they almost despite themselves uncover the nefarious plot behind the murder.

This is just a lot of fun, and I forgive the historical inaccuracies because they are both intentional and entertaining.

Recommended.

I received a free "voice galley" of this audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley, and am reviewing it voluntarily.

It didn't quite end up being what I expected but I overall enjoyed it. The mystery added a fresh new element and the characters were enjoyable. It didn't wow me but it was a fun read.

A sizzling and dark retelling of a beloved classic, still absolutely appropriate for teens? With an amazing and original mystery element? What more could you want! I do wish character development went a bit further in this book, but other than that I really did enjoy all of the elements and it's shot up to my list of favorite retellings :)

As a fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and a lover of mysteries, this book was a treat to read!

Author Tirzah Price has done a great job of reinventing the setting and circumstances of the classic P&P, bringing it new life and intrigue! No longer a country setting, this story takes place in London and our famous houses of Longbourn and Pemberley are now the familial law practices that are run and employed by our traditional cast of characters!

Lizzy Bennet is an aspiring barrister at her father’s small practice of Longbourn. In order to prove herself and achieve her rightful place in her father’s practice, she must outside her cousin, Mr. Collins and make her own case.

When Mr. Bingley is accused of murdering his brother in law and employee at Netherfield shipping, Lizzie jumps at the chance to represent his case… too bad his close friend and barrier from the Pemberley practice, Mr. Darcy is already on the job.

Lizzy and Mr. Darcy butt heads as they both try to help Mr. Bingley the best way they can and along the way we run into surprising ally Mr. Wickham, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Charlotte Lucas.

I absolutely adored the casting and reimagine of this classic. Lizzy as the investigative, crime solving, hopeful barrister was a lot of fun. The mystery had me guessing until the end! The interacting between Lizzy and Mr. Darcy had a chemistry reminiscent to the original.

This was fun read that captured my imagination. I highly recommend it to fans of Pride and Prejudice and cozy historical mystery fans!

The voice galley I was provided did not represent the actual audiobook that will be produced. The narration of this book was created by computer generation. I had had my doubts on the listenability of such a copy, but soon found that through it was missing the inflection of a proper narration, it did not detract from the story.

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price is scheduled to release April 6th, 2021.

I received a complimentary copy of this voice galley from Harper Audio, via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#PrideandPremeditation #TirzahPrice #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

I really enjoyed this book. It was provided early from NetGalley. This book is fast paced and captured my attention from the start. It is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice but with a murder mystery twist. The events keep you guessing on who the true murderer is while falling in love all over again with Mr. Darcy and Lizzie’s relationship. I appreciated the way Tirzah Price highlighted Lizzie’s spunky and headstrong attitude. These characteristics made Lizzie a great sleuth and contributor to her father’s firm. I did not rate 5 stars only because I wish there was more romance with Lizzie and Mr. Darcy but hopefully there will be more in book two. I highly recommend this book. These opinions are my own.