This was a wonderful start to a new series! Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books and I will read anything that retells this story. I don't want to spoil anything with this review, but you are going to see many of the same characters and dynamics in this murder mystery whodunit as you would in the original story. The tension between Elizabeth and Darcy as solicitors for opposing firms is just as palpable as the original. The book was truly a unique twist on a classic story. It's a fast paced read and you won't be able to stop reading it once you start it. Are some of the plots twists and villains predictable? Yes. But it's still a fun time and let's be honest, the main attraction in this story is Elizabeth and Darcy's romance. And that romance is *chef's kiss*.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins Children's Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Pride and Premeditation

Author: Tirzah Price

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 3/5

Recommended For...: mystery, ya, thriller

Genre: YA Mystery

Publication Date: April 6, 2021

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 368

Recommended Age: 15+ (murder, gore, violence, romance)

Synopsis: 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.

Review: For the most part this was a fun book. The murder mystery added a cool twist to the original tale and I felt like the characters were well translated from the original to this story. The world building was also well done.

However, I had issue maintaining concentration in this book. There was a lot going on at any given time and it made it a little hard to follow the book plot. The characters were also a little flat and the way the mystery was handled wasn't well done in my opinion. I also guessed the ending about 40% into the book.

Verdict: It's good

If you think you know Pride and Prejudice, no you don't. This P&P retelling was everything I hoped it would be and more!! The mystery, the humor, and, most of all, the romance were all spectacular. You have to read this book!

Let me start with one of my favorite parts of this book (and something that makes Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship so great): the banter! Price did an amazing job with the banter between these two. It felt authentic to Jane Austen and these characters were also helping the story to continue progressing. There were so many times where I was grinning ear to ear at the cleverness and humor of their exchanged dialogue. It was so great!

Along the same lines, the humor was top-notch in this book. Along with Darcy and Elizabeth's banter, there is also just the witty humor you would expect to find in one of Austen's books. Price has brought that humor and wit back to life and given it all a twist.

I also really liked that this book was quick-paced and started right off the bat. We dive right into the murder plot almost exactly from the first page and never slow down from there. It's clue after clue being investigated which helps this mystery unfold seamlessly.

Lastly, I wanted to mention how wonderful the characters in this book are! Price did a great job of keeping these characters true to their original selves while adding her own twist to keep these characters moving in a murder-mystery plot. Specifically, I wanted to point out how great she did with Wickham. We know Wickham is a scum bag going in and oftentimes, he feels like a player in adaptions of the Austen's P&P, but he felt a little different here. Normally, I can't figure out why Elizabeth is so intelligent throughout the book, but so dumb when it comes to Wickham. In this book, I think Price did a good job of making Wickham more appealing. Of making him seem more like a nice and progressive and genuinely good guy when no one else is. I loved that!

This feminist retelling of Pride and Prejudice (+ murder) is the book you've been missing from your library. I couldn't put it down once I started it and chances are you won't be able to either. This is a must-read for everyone!

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars!

I never thought I'd be reading a Pride and Prejudice retelling with murder in it but here we are. 😉 Pride and Premeditation was such a fun and fast-paced read and I really enjoyed it! Though I will say that this is a *very* loose retelling so if you're going into this (somehow) expecting a strict retelling of Austen's work, this might not be for you—but I would definitely urge giving it a try because it was so entertaining!

I enjoyed Price's writing and I was particularly pleased with the clever ways she'd insert Austen's famously recognisable lines from the original into this retelling. I admit that every time I came across a familiar passage, I'd happily sigh in appreciation of how it was so naturally inserted in the text, even if the context was different! I also liked how the author took the original cast of characters and gave them new roles while staying quite true to their original characterisations. This does mean that there wasn't a whole lot of new character development but it was still a comfort to see the characters that I love come to life in these more 'modern' roles. The new setting was also refreshing—the legal practices, the London location, the bow street runners—all of these more or less familiar details of the period really made the story come to life for me. The author does note (at the end) how she took some liberties with the historical setting but I didn't think there were such glaring inaccuracies that make it unbelievable or unenjoyable (that said, I'm not overly familiar with this period so take that as you will).

The murder mystery aspect was fun to unravel and although I was able to figure out whodunwhat before it was revealed, it was still great to see my theories play out! The author kept the story moving at a fast pace with lots of action, and twists and turns. To my delight, Wickham and Mr Collins had much more sinister roles to play and it was so satisfying to see how their comeuppance played out—*so satisfying*! I do wish we got to see more of Charlotte and Jane but most of the supporting cast in the original were also the same here. As always, I loved Lizzie and Darcy—I will never not love these two and I thought that Price kept them very true to the original. Lizzie is so smart, headstrong and fiercely determined to put herself in an environment that's traditionally male dominated. I loved how she challenged the gender norms and although I found Mr Bennett to be a bit more severe/reserved in this telling, I loved how he supported his favourite daughter. Darcy was as sneakily charming as ever 😍 Reading this did make me realise just how little time Darcy and Lizzie spend together before feelings turn to love yet I still couldn't help but swoon at the romance—that said, the romance plays quite a small role in this retelling but I didn't mind that at all.

Overall, a super entertaining retelling of one of my all-time favourite novels. I didn't really know what to expect when I went into this (because I mean, I really had no idea how Pride and Prejudice + murder would work out) but I'm glad to say that it didn't disappoint me! I'd so love if Lizzie and Darcy got some kind of murder mystery series out of this because I would definitely read it 😂 I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what else this author writes in the future!

Pride and Premeditation, the first book in a trilogy which reworks Jane Austen novels as murder mysteries, finds Lizzy Bennet aspiring to a position in her father's law firm. When the head of a local shipping firm, Charles Bingley, is accused of murdering his brother-in-law, Lizzy attempts to prove him innocent to prove herself to her father. Although his best friend Fitzwilliam Darcy is Bingley's lawyer, Lizzy searches London for clues and they end up working together to free Bingley and find the real killer. This Regency era mystery will especially delight Jane Austen fans. The extensive cast of original characters appear in differing roles but still retain their personalities. For instance, Collins is set to inherit the law firm, but is woefully inept as a lawyer, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a powerful woman but has devious ties to the shipping world. In an author's note Price discusses being inspired by Austen and Agatha Christie and acknowledge the liberties she has taken with class and gender roles. This imaginative suspenseful adaptation will appeal to both murder mystery and Austen fans alike. It comes out April 6, 2021.

I love retellings and this one added in a mystery that our favorite heroine, Elizabeth Bennett has to solve. But her reason for wanting to solve the murder... perfect. She wanted to become a lawyer, and had to work extra hard to prove herself as a woman.
The beginning was a little slow and it took me about 3 chapters to really get into, but those early chapters were painful for me, I don’t know if I was thrown off by the concept or what. Once I got into it though, it was a page turner.
I feel like the characters were kept true to the original, so their roles in the murder mystery were believable. While this wasn’t my favorite Pride and Prejudice retelling, it is definitely worth a read if you like the original and mysteries.

*4.5 stars
This is such an amazing retelling of Pride and Prejudice, I 100% recommend it if you loved the classic but it is also perfectly readable if you haven't read the classic before. Why did I love this retelling so much? The absolute main reason is that it retells one of my favourite classics but with a murder mystery included. Elizabeth Bennet is this fierce feminist main character that tries to fight the patriarchy by proving that she is just as much able, if not more able, to be a solicitor or barrister as a man is. She wants to prove her abilities by solving a murder mystery. Next to this, the story includes a slow burn enemies to lovers romance, which I thought was a nice touch to the story. All in all, I think the author wrote a great retelling and did a good job of sticking close to the main elements of the classic while also adding amazing new aspects that give the reader a completely new story with characters they already are familiar with.

As an Austinite I was absolutely thrilled to be given this ARC. It did not disappoint. I love Lizzie’s headstrong and sometimes reckless personality in this book almost more than the usual telling. It was a refreshing twist on a story we have read and heard so many times. The twists I tell you! You will not see them coming. Seeing each of the Pride and Prejudiced characters in a new light is a fun way to spend an evening. If you are a fan on Jan Austen; add this to your list. I think Jane would be proud too!

Happy Publication Eve Tirzah Price! Pride and Premeditation exceeded my expectations! I saw an ARC available on NetGalley and I knew I had to see if I could get it. Now, I'll admit, I was drawn to the book after watching Bridgerton (I know, predictable) and reading books like the Royal We, by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, American Royals, by Katherine McGee, and To Have and to Hoax, by Martha Waters and I must admit this book hits differently. Lizzie is a fiercely independent young woman who wants to work at her father's firm. but in a male dominated society, Lizzie is faced with many obstacles. This young woman is charming and feisty. Her internal commentary about London high society kept me smirking. Price offers such an array of characters with this book between Darcy and Wickham who surprised me with their balance between traditional characters and something a bit more modern. Of course there are the high society women and the events that just made me wish I were there too in my own handcrafted ball gown. This book marries the world of Martha Waters with that of Agatha Christie when a murder occurs and Lizzie is determined to find out who the culprit is to prove her worth to her father. Although categorized as YA, I think this book can be enjoyed by people of all ages, I enjoyed this read very much.

I really enjoyed this re-telling of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Setting the story in Regency-era England and making the family business law was an interesting twist. I really like Price's small changes to characters, making Mr. Collins and Catherine du Bourgh more villainous and making Elizabeth a little more openly clueless when it comes to her opinions of people.

The writing is really good! I love how Price matched the tone and overall sound of the story to Austen's style. It reads very similarly and so lovers of Jane Austen will probably find a kinship with this book just because of that. The story is unique enough, though, that it doesn't feel like it's retreading old ground. The mystery element creates a sense of newness to the familiar P&P story that will keep the reader guessing and turning pages.

I think that this is probably one of my more favorite re-tellings of this story and I look forward to reading more from Price. I definitely would recommend this book to Austen lovers, or lovers of historical mystery.

4.5 stars

I LOVE retellings so a Pride and Prejudice murder mystery retelling? I'm into it and this was actually really fun and I enjoyed it so much! Pride and Premeditation follows Lizzie Bennet, the daughter of a barrister, trying to prove her worth as a lawyer in London's high society. When she finds out a prominent gentleman, Bingley, is charged with murdering his brother-in-law, Lizzie sees this as her chance to show her father, and society, that she is capable of studying law and being in the courtroom. Lizzie just knows Bingley did not commit this murder but his hired solicitor Darcy won't let her help. Lizzie must prove and attempt to solve the case without the help of her father and without running into Darcy.

Overall? Loved it! It was such a fun read and take on the classic Jane Austen novel. Fully open, I haven't read the actual classic (I know I'm sorry, hopefully soon) so I can't personally speak on how much the characters stick to the actual storyline of the original, but I think this was really great at staying within the world that Austen created without it being too constricted. Price uses the backdrops and characters of Austen's work to create their own story and plot without it feeling like the original isn't there at all. While some things have changed, I think that it fits the narrative quite well and works for this novel.

I really liked Lizzie and Darcy and it was great to see their bickering (which eventually may turn into something more). Lizzie is a very strong and independent woman going against the society she was raised in and we see the negative and positive outcomes from this. Throughout most of the book, Darcy isn't seen too much but his and Lizzie's opinions of each other change throughout the novel and it is very clear to see this happening and it is done well. I really wish we got to see more of Darcy and a bit more of the romance, which is more implied rather than shown, because I did really enjoy what there was.

I really enjoyed Price's writing as well. It is very clear they know the original novel quite well and took this to create their own story. It all flowed well and was a fun read with emotional and humourous scenes sprinkled in. The murder itself had a lot of complexities to it but it was written well enough that I was not confused and was able to follow it along. I personally did not see who the murderer was, until Lizzie figured it out as well, so I think that is always important in a mystery novel for me.

Overall, really enjoyed it! I don't really have anything bad to say about it other than I wish Darcy was involved a little more and maybe a bit longer (because I really loved it lol). I CAN'T wait for the next novels!

This is Pride and Prejudice, but with murder and pirates.

Lizzie Bennett is just as headstrong as ever, but this time she wants to be a crime-solving lawyer. When the handsome and rich Mr. Bingley is accused of murder, she sees her chance to prove her worth, if only his best friend Mr. Darcy will stop getting in the way.

This is a fast-paced novel, filled with twists and turns, of characters getting kidnapped and locked in rooms together and secrets being revealed. Lizzie’s banter with Mr. Darcy is fun, and I enjoyed seeing sparks fly.

Lizzie makes a good investigator, with the style of the mystery and how she put the pieces together reminding me at times of Sherlock Holmes. Having Lizzie make social calls while investigating was clever, and I love how the author worked in more of the so-called lower class characters, with a street orphan and a maid having roles in the mystery.

Maybe I just love the original too much, but I missed the larger roles that Jane and even Lydia play in Jane Austen’s version. I also wished that Lizzie and Mr. Darcy’s romance had progressed further, but perhaps there will be a sequel. Still a fun read, especially when I wasn’t comparing it to the original. And the author worked in some of the quotes I loved so much from the original.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Pride and Prejudice characters in Victorian England but all part of a murder mystery in London! Lizzie being the center detective trying to prove women can do men’s jobs.

This story was riveting the entire time and the second half had me at the edge of my seat! Lizzie’s strong character and trying to smash through societal gender roles, all while trying to solve a mystery. Darcy was just as brooding but now he’s a solicitor who is suppose to team up with Lizzie to save Mr Bingley!

I would 100% buy this for my classroom! It is YA, and a fun mix on a classic. There’s a lot to learn about the Victorian period in England with this fun read.

4 ⭐️

What a cheeky and surprising retelling of a classic! I loved Jane Austen in high school, and was intrigued by the premise of this novel. Now having read it (in only two days!) I will definitely be offering this as a historical fiction option for book clubs in my classroom! It's not common to find a genuine mystery that's school appropriate. You don't lose the slow burn of Darcy and Lizzie, and the common characters you recognize from the original novel have quirks and comforts just as you'd expect!

Pride and Prejudice is one of my absolute favorites, and I love mysteries, combining the two and that is gold. I love the idea of reintroducing classics to the younger generation with a twist that readers today will love. Tirzah Price kept the spunk of Lizzie and the haughtiness of Darcy while intertwining a murder mystery. Jane would be proud.

Pride and Premeditation, Price’s debut novel, is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a murder mystery set in the Regency era. Now, while I like Pride and Prejudice, I’m definitely not a die-hard fan and mystery is not exactly one of my favourite genres. However, the notion of a classic drawing room drama reimagined as a whodunnit was really intriguing to me, and when I saw the book being likened to the Lady Janies books, I knew I had to pick it up. I’m pleasantly surprised to report that I ended up loving Pride and Premeditation, despite having a few quibbles and perhaps even more than the original book.

Price’s Lizzie Bennet is an aspiring barrister, despite it being an improbable dream for a girl in the Regency period, and Lizzie spends all her time helping her father at his law firm, Longbourn & Sons. However, her parents don’t approve of her working on cases for the firm or solving mysteries, and after Mr. Bennet forbids her from coming to the firm ever again, Lizzie sets out to prove herself to her father.

When Mr. Bingley is accused of murdering his brother-in-law, Lizzie believes him innocent. She sees the perfect opportunity to prove to her father that she is capable of becoming a lawyer by taking on Bingley’s case. However, it seems Mr. Darcy of the Pemberley and Associates (a rival to Longbourn) and is a friend of Bingley’s has already beaten her to it. Not to be outdone, Lizzie vows to seek out the real murderer anyway, but what she didn’t account for was her slowly growing feelings for Darcy.

Firstly, don’t go into this book expecting a lot of romance, since Price chooses to focus more on the murder mystery aspect of the book, which is done well and keeps you guessing until the very end. Price manages to bring the feel of Austen’s works into her book with a writing style that is very similar to that of Austen’s, which is something I’m sure will appeal to Jane Austen fans. As for the characterisation, Price’s versions of all the characters from the original book are charmingly familiar, even as she changes up their backgrounds and personalities a bit to suit her story better.

Lizzie in Pride and Premeditation is just as unyielding, headstrong, and witty as we know Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet to be, and she really does fit the role of an aspiring female lawyer in a society where the odds are stacked against her. As for Darcy, he’s also as solemn and oddly enchanting as ever; however, I found Price’s rendition of Darcy to be more flesh-and-blood and likeable than the original Mr. Darcy. As I mentioned before, Price doesn’t prioritise the romance in her story, and so the relationship between Lizzie and Darcy felt a little underdeveloped and sudden. However, the witty banter between them that we loved in Pride and Prejudice is still here, and it’s delightful as always.

One thing that might irk readers, especially fans of thrillers and mysteries, is the moderate pace of the book. Though that pace suits the story well, it’s by no means a fast moving mystery that keeps you on your toes, and I did find that a little disappointing. Of course, that didn’t stop me from enjoying Pride and Premeditation immensely and I’ll absolutely be picking up the upcoming books in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery series so I can’t wait to see what Price does with other works by Austen! If you’re a fan of The Lady Janies series and of course, like Jane Austen’s books, or if you’re just a historical fiction buff, I’m pretty sure you want this book on your shelf.

Pride and Premeditation hits a lot of notes that tempt me - it’s a Jane Austen retelling, a murder mystery, and an historical romance.

This novel sets Elizabeth Bennett in London as the daughter of a barrister striving to prove her worth. She is the second of five sisters, and while Lizzie wants nothing more than to practice law, her mother worries more over her marital prospects. Lizzie does a lot of work behind the scenes at her father’s firm, but wants to be hired and formally trained. In order to show her father she has what it takes, Lizzie takes on a dubious case: a gentleman, Mr. Charles Bingley, has been accused of murdering his feckless brother-in-law.

Lizzie encounters Bingley, a charming fellow, and his less-than-friendly counsel, Mr. Darcy. While Darcy insists he has the case in hand, Lizzie disagrees with his methods, and conducts her own investigation. In seeking the truth, Lizzie encounters danger, lies, and conspiracies, all while continuing to bump into the frustrating and beguiling Mr. Darcy.

The path of Pride and Prejudice is one often trod, and there is a certain rhythm to a lot of stories that do a take on Jane Austen’s most famous work. This story completely throws convention out of the carriage, creating an all-new world populated with some familiar friends. It can be a bit repetitive to read the same story with different details over and over, but this novel is different. The murder-mystery really adds something, and the way Lizzie is characterized adds dimension to her personality. Not only is she ambitious and headstrong, but unlike the source material, she aspires to a profession, and she applies herself to a discipline. The role of the other Bennett sisters is drastically reduced, as the marriage plot takes a slight backseat. Readers who love to be annoyed by Mrs. Bennett will not be disappointed, she is truly a delight, and while Mr. Bennett is a tad more useful than you might remember him, he is also a treat.

The romance is stellar, and while it isn’t the main focus of the story, Lizzie’s growing awareness of Darcy is natural and their mutual respect is earned. Darcy’s character comes across honestly and his presence feels familiar and grouchy, just as fans love. There are some really romantic, sweet scenes that still have a lot of tension.

While this take isn’t entirely faithful to the source material, it works well as a narrative and the changes add to its appeal. In many ways, this retelling has some elements that I prefer to the original story. (Controversial, I know, but dear Jane didn’t have access to third-wave feminism. We can’t blame her for that!) I would sincerely recommend Pride and Premeditation to any fan of Austen retellings, or readers looking for some light murder mystery.

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Rating: 4.5/5 missing buttons

Format: ebook. I’d like to thank the author and TBR & Beyond Tours for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review!

To sum up:
This is a retelling of Pride & Prejudice but with murder! All our favorite characters are here, and even some of the iconic lines are preserved, but Lizzie is enamored with the law, her father owns his own law firm, and she is desperate to prove her worth to him so that he will agree to bring her into the firm as a solicitor. When a wealthy and prominent member of their society is accused of murder (Oh no! Not Mr. Bingley!) Lizzie is determined to land him as a client for her father and prove his innocence. The only problem is, Mr. Bingley already has a lawyer, a Mr. Darcy and he doesn’t play well with others.

What I enjoyed:
This was SO fun. The time period is a little difficult to nail down because the author took some creative liberties, but it’s still sort of set around the same time as the original story, but with a better outlook for Lizzie trying to find an independent career. The characters are all very familiar, the author didn’t change much in their personalities, and the themes of betrayal and social satire are very much still present, BUT there is murder! I loved the mystery that the author provides and find out all the character's roles in the drama was such a delight. This story was fast-paced, funny, and romantic, AND we get to see Lizzie be a badass feminist, there is really a lot to love about this story!

What was meh:
I really don’t have anything bad to say about this! It made me smile and turn the pages and was a wonderful retelling. I reserve the last .5 points for something extra to put it over the top that I can’t quite put my finger on.

Overall, I thought this was a super fun adaption and I enjoyed it immensely! If you liked Stalking Jack the Ripper, The Alienist, or the Truly Devious books, then definitely pick this one up!

Very enjoyable book regardless of the ties to Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I will state diehard fans of Austen will most likely not like this book; although, I do feel that Price gave justice to the characters at heart. Overall, the book was a murder mystery wrapped around a romance. The setting and characters are very true to Austen’s vision and believe many will find this story enjoyable on that front. The plot and story overall was well designed and the romance was a nice addition and not feel like it was force into the story.

I adored this! The best P&P adaptation/retelling I've come across since Bridget Jones's Diary. Fun and oh so clever the way it snaps into place, while still providing some genuine surprises. It's hard to say more without being spoilery, but it was a delightful reading experience, as each new detail spooled out and I found myself chuckling with recognition or with surprise at the confoundingly clever spin the author put on the story.