Death Comes to PemberleyIn a marvellous, thrilling re-creation of the world of Pride and Prejudice, P.D. James fuses the work of Jane Austen with her own great talent for writing crime fiction. The year is 1803, and Darcy and Elizabeth have been married for six years. There are now two handsome, healthy sons in the Pemberley nursery, Elizabeth's beloved sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live within seventeen miles, the ordered and secure life of Pemberley seems unassailable, and Elizabeth's happiness in her marriage is complete. But their peace is threatened and old sins and misunderstandings are rekindled on the eve of the annual autumn ball. The Darcys and their guests are preparing to retire for the night when a chaise appears, rocking down the path from Pemberley's wild woodland, and as it pulls up, Lydia Wickham, an uninvited guest, tumbles out, screaming that her husband has been murdered. Death Comes to Pemberley is a powerful work of fiction, rich in its compelling story, in its evocation of place, and its gripping psychological and emotional insight. James brings us back masterfully and with delight to much-loved characters, illuminating the happy but threatened marriage of the Darcys with the excitement and suspense of a brilliantly crafted mystery. |
Contents
BOOK TWO | |
1 | |
2 | |
3 | |
4 | |
5 | |
BOOK THREE | |
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6 | |
BOOK FOUR | |
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BOOK SIX | |
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6 | |
EPILOGUE | |
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Common terms and phrases
arrived asked assize court Belcher Bennet Bidwell Bingley Bingley’s brother Brownrigg Captain Denny chair chaise child Clitheroe coach coachman Colonel Fitzwilliam comfort confidence Constable Cornbinder Darcy’s daughter Denny’s death Derbyshire dinner distress door doubt evidence expected eyes face felt Fitzwilliam Darcy Gardiner gentlemen George Wickham Georgiana Gracechurch Street gunroom hands happy heard Henry Alveston Highmarten hope horses husband inquest Jane Jane’s jury King’s Arms knew Lady Anne’s ball Lady Catherine landaulet leave London Longbourn look Louisa Lydia Lydia Bennet madam marriage married Martin Denny McFee Meryton Mickledore minutes murder Netherfield never night o’clock Old Bailey P. D. James Pemberley perhaps Piggott Pratt prison responsibility Reverend Reynolds seemed servants silence Sir Selwyn Hardcastle sister sleep speak spoke Stoughton stretcher thought told took turned verdict voice waiting Wickham and Captain wife wish woman Woodland Cottage young