Cozy regency mystery based on the pride and prejudice book with cultural references, historical events/realistic stories I loved it I do feel the middle was a bit drawn out but the narrator did great

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Miss. Caroline Bingley, of Pride and Prejudice fame, is back and fulfilling a new role other than the jealous sister and scorned suitress. After receiving a startling letter from her dear friend, Georgiana Darcy, Caroline rushes to London to aide her in the hunt for her disappearing maid. Soon caught up in a web of lies and deceit, Caroline somehow finds herself solving a murder; but she may not be the only one after some answers.

This book is charming in its own right, but I do wish it had been with an original character rather than a Pride and Prejudice novel. While the idea of a book centered around Caroline did intrigue me, I soon discovered that the sharp witted mean girl I was expecting was, in fact, not in the room with us. Gardiner and Kumar's Caroline repeatedly stated how much she liked Jane (as if) and seemed to be an overall softer and more tolerant woman than I was expecting. And while the plot was fun and engaging, I can't help but wish it fully its own story.

I received an advanced copy of this audio book. All opinions are my own. Thanks to Harper Audio and Netgalley for the ALC!

I think the narrator really achieved the vibe of Caroline, and she did a great job.

We all know and love (to hate) Miss Caroline Bingley as the foil to Elizabeth Bennet's outdoorsy reader type girl. After she doesn't secure a betrothal to Darcy, Caroline sets up her own household and does her own thing, and honestly, good for her. That's the first bit of growth we see from her, but she is portrayed (accurately for the time, I believe) with a TON of ignorance and prejudice toward servants and Indian people, which we as readers realize immediately, but sort of gradually dawns on Caroline as the story unfolds.

The premise is that Georgiana Darcy's servant runs away, so Georgie follows, writing a letter to Caroline. Caroline follows and finds Georgie, where she realizes for the first time-- in spite of Jade (Jayani) having worked in the Darcy household for two years--that she's Indian. Caroline says there's no reason for her to notice, which sort of instantly put me off her, BUT she does get better. Georgie and Caroline track down Jade/Jayani offending people and crossing lines along the way, only to learn that the girl's brother has been murdered and she's a suspect. So now they must prove her innocence and solve the murder case instead.

Caroline has a bit of a Holmesian complex in that she's <i> so </i> accomplished and <i> so </i> intelligent, no one else could possibly do what she did. And I think that's why she was so interesting, because from the reader's viewpoint, she is SO flawed. Anyway, this was definitely interesting, and I would read the next book if this becomes a series! Caroline is annoying at times, but I think it's worth it in the end.

3.75 ⭐️ I started this book expecting a bit of nostalgia and a cozy mystery and was pleasantly surprised with the overall construction of this story. This story initially just seems like a fun way to bring the world of Pride and Prejudice back to readers, but it becomes evident through the course of the story that the authors have so much love and respect for the classic. The authors expand on the original story, adding just a bit more depth by establishing some historical context (British colonialism) without taking away from the nostalgic fun and pushing the spotlight onto some of the original’s minor characters.

Caroline Bingley and Georgina Darcy aren’t the people you usually think of when referring to Jane Austen’s original work. They are also justifiably not the most modern women. While the mystery remains the core of the story, the authors also construct the plot in a way that allows us to explore a bit of Caroline’s and Georgina’s characters on a deeper level. We hear their thoughts on some of the decisions they made in the original, and we also witness some character development. I simply didn’t expect this level of depth in a “fan fiction” type of story, so I was impressed.

This story was so well written, and Shaheen Khan brought each character to life with her narration (she nailed Caroline Bingley’s snootiness lol). If you’re looking for Jane Austen vibes, you certainly get that here!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for this ALC!

This is a very interesting adaptation of the original read. It was a bit slow at first but was well worth continuing listening. The reader did an amazing job. The story is mixed with clues throughout and with secrets thrown in. While reading it one feels like they are in the story themselves. Recommend this read.

This was a whip smart, socially aware, regency cozy mystery with familiar characters that suck you into the world with ease. Caroline was at times difficult to like but at her core her intentions were good

Following her brother’s marriage, restless Caroline Bingley becomes unexpectedly embroiled in a murder investigation in London’s underbelly when her friend Georgiana Darcy’s maid disappears. Caroline’s sharp mind and resources lead her on a thrilling chase for justice, revealing the dark side of the British Empire along the way.

This is an interesting start to a new cozy mystery series. The plot and characters are well-constructed. I like that the novel weaves themes of empire and injustice into the story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The narrator read at a good pace and fit the cozy tone of the story but I didn't believe that they matched the characters very well. I found the mystery to be a bit long and due to its length a little predictable. I felt that the authors portrayed the expansion of Miss Caroline Bingley's character to be relatively on par with her original character I do not feel the same for Georgiana, Jane, Or Lizzy. Many will enjoy this novel and what I assume will be the upcoming adventures of Miss Caroline Bingley I just needed a more depth in some character and political development of the time and context.

If you are not a fan of Caroline Bingley's character in Pride and Prejudice, be prepared to change our opinion. The Caroline is a whip-smart, take-charge, no-nonsense lady who goes all out to help her friends and family. I have to say that I hope this becomes a series. Don't mess with Miss Caroline Bingley!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

I've enjoyed Tirzah Price's mystery novels set in Jane Austen's world, so when I saw this title I jumped at the chance to read it! I was interested to see how the authors might try to redeem an unlikeable character, and they did not disappoint. Caroline Bingley's friendship with Georgiana Darcy is the catalyst for a trip from Darbyshire down to London in search of a missing maid. Caroline has been bored in the country, and she enjoys the mental stimulation that the ever-more complicated mystery provides. It's been 2 years since the events of Pride and Prejudice, and Miss Bingley has evolved. She has traveled, studied, read widely, and made a home and life for herself. Although she is not above one or two snippy thoughts about the new Mrs. Darcy, she concedes to herself that Elizabeth might actually make a good friend. The mystery is well constructed, but what I enjoyed most was the thoughtful look at the ripple effects of England's presence in India. Shaheen Khan's narration was excellent. She handled a wide range of voices, from upper-crust English gentry to Indian immigrants to street urchins and the poor. I hope this is the start to a series, because I would really like to see more of Miss Bingley's private investigations.

Title: Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Investigator
Author: Kelly Gardiner and Sharmini Kumar
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Shaheen Khan
Publisher: HarperAudio Adult/Harper Audio
Genre: Historical Mystery
Pub Date: July 8, 2025
My Rating: 3.3 Stars
Pages 368

Two years after Caroline’s brother Charles Bingley weds Miss Jane Bennett, she visits his visits his country estate Derbyshire which is near the Darcy’s.
During her stay, Caroline became friends with Georgina, Mr. Darcy’s younger sister.

When Miss Darcy’s Indian maid, Jayani aka Jade, goes missing, Georgina sets out to find her and tells o Caroline about the situation. Caroline wants to help her friend decides to follow Georgina to London determined to solve the case.
It was a different time for women, and Caroline is certainly before her time.

I was sure this was going to be a fun historical/cozy mystery with a bit of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. As I did love the references to the one and only Mr. Darcy!

I am a big fan of psychological thriller but I do love a good cozy –reading one (for me) is like a sweet enjoyable dessert.
I did enjoyed the first part of this story but then it changed and no longer was a nice
’get the bad guy’ cozy.

Most of us cozy readers love the typical formula driven cozy story ~
~Here is a reminder of the formula~
• The crime-solver is usually a woman who is well liked, has a dog or a cat, and of , is an amateur sleuth
• Love Interest ~ usually they don’t like each other at first.
• All the residence know each other and are likeable
• Mystery but no blood and gore
• Little to no profanity.
• Entertaining - character based

Want to thank NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult/Harper Audio for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 8, 2025.

A really fun read! I found Caroline's growth realistic and her slip-ups relatable. I liked that the authors didn't try to make her into a sweet, lovable character but paid tribute to her intellect and used the harsher aspects of her character to make her into a better detective. I did not love the portrayal of Georgiana as the young, naïve, silly girl, but it wasn't that big of an issue. While I will never find myself a big fan of Caroline's, I did enjoy this book and think that it works well enough with Austen's original work. As to the mystery, I felt it was well written with enough clues throughout that I could figure it out, but not so much that I knew every detail before the big reveal. Narration was fantastic!