A diverting murder mystery set in Jane Austen's London, starring Georgiana Darcy and Miss Caroline Bingley.
I admit I thought the theme was shoehorned in, with the character of Caroline quite different to the one in Pride and Prejudice, and also quite different from most women of that time period - wandering around unchaperoned with no desire for a marriage.

The mystery itself kept me going, this was well paced and plenty of lines of enquiry to keep you interested. Although I guessed the culprit early and wasn't as amused by the big reveal at the end. I would definitely read another.

This is a delightful story about Miss Caroline Bingley as you have never imagined her to be. Set two years after the events of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Miss Bingley is staying at her brother’s estate and is, frankly, bored.

Enter Georgiana Darcy, whose maid, Jayani, has gone missing. Miss Bingley seizes the opportunity to whisk them both to London to follow Jayani’s trail and bring her back to Pemberley. Feeling more alive than she has in years, Miss Bingley realises her powers of curiosity and investigation, along with the benefits of her privileged life, allow her to pursue her enquiries. Soon she and Miss Darcy are exposed to murder and a view of society that shocks them both.

I loved this reinvention of Miss Bingley. She is an accomplished, independent woman (with a large fortune) and enjoys solving puzzles. I felt for Miss Darcy, though, as she was constantly astounded by her changed environment. As a young and pampered woman, she was totally unprepared for what she experienced. But that was half the fun of this rollicking story.

If you need an escapist adventure story set in Regency times, Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Detective may satisfy that need. Even if you don’t, read it anyway just because it’s fun.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel.

Early impressions were it suggests an engaging narrative that remains true to the essence of Austen’s characters, particularly Caroline Bingley. The period details are well-crafted, immersing readers in the social and cultural nuances of the time. However, some noted minor discrepancies, such as repeated references to Charles Bingley’s financial ineptitude, which felt a little inconsistent with Austen’s original characterization. Nonetheless, this is viewed as a negligible critique within an otherwise delightful and inventive storyline.

For those who appreciate Austen-inspired works or historical mysteries, this title is highly recommended as an imaginative addition to the genre.

📚 Miss Caroline Bingley: Private Detective by Kelly Gardiner & Sharmini Kumar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Austen and a whodunnit?! Yes, please. I absolutely love the premise and dived right in – this was near perfection for me. I sincerely hope this is just the beginning of a series because I need more.

Set two years after Pride and Prejudice, Caroline Bingley finds herself bored with country life – that is, until Georgiana Darcy’s maid mysteriously vanishes. When Georgiana goes missing in pursuit, Caroline embarks on an adventure neither polite society nor Lady Catherine would approve of. What follows is a brilliant tangle of murder, intrigue, and social commentary as Caroline navigates the grim underbelly of London, uncovering dark secrets of the Empire.

I absolutely adore how faithfully Gardiner and Kumar stay true to Caroline’s character – elegant, ambitious, and wonderfully sharp-tongued. They expand on her in a way that feels authentic to Austen’s world, while giving her room to shine as an investigator. The subtle (and not-so-subtle) barbs, her unwavering confidence, and her complicated relationship with the Darcys are all beautifully handled.

One small note – the repeated references to Charles Bingley’s poor financial management felt slightly inconsistent with Austen’s original portrayal. Bingley has always been more amiable than astute, but his wealth was never depicted as precarious. This is a minor quibble, though, in an otherwise delightful reimagining.

If you love witty historical mysteries with a dash of Austen flair, this book will not disappoint. The humour, the social commentary, and the immersive period detail made this a standout read. A fun, funny, and thoroughly imaginative addition to the Austen-inspired literary world.

I’ll be impatiently awaiting the next instalment – Miss Bingley has many more mysteries to solve!

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