Carrie Bebris

Regency/Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mystery Series

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During all the hoopla surrounding last Fall's release of a new "Pride and Prejudice" movie, I thought it'd be fun and cheeky to review the novel that inspired the flick.

You probably know the tale by now: handsome rich guy who can't communicate his feelings ends up with gently-bred poor girl who's charming and expressive enough for two.

She ... completes ... him.

Anyhoo, Jane Austen wasn't available to answer the AuthorView questions for my "Pride and Prejudice" review. Instead, I found Carrie Bebris, author of the beautifully-written "Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mystery" series.

Bebris drew upon years of study of Austen's works and life and answered the AuthorView as our girl Jane might have done.

Reader response to Bebris was exceptionally positive, so I've decided to share with you the newest addition to Bebris' Darcy series, the sweet, intelligent, and wickedly parodic "North by Northanger."

A happily enceinte Elizabeth Bennet Darcy has been mistress of Pemberly for more than a year but is frustrated that she continues to live in the shadow of her long-deceased mother-in-law, the venerated Lady Anne.

Things only get more stifling when Lizzy finds a mysterious letter from Lady Anne that encourages "the woman who has wed (her) son" to look for a lost family heirloom "hold(ing) the key to greater gifts."

With that missive on their minds, Darcy and Lizzy accept an invitation to visit creepy Northanger Abbey at the behest of a man claiming to be the son of Lady Anne's good friend, also deceased.

After Darcy is arrested for stealing a diamond necklace, Lizzy finds herself under the care of the Mother of All Pregnant Policewomen -- Lady Catherine de Bourgh -- and a Darcy family heirloom, once found, might be the key to uncovering family secrets best left buried.

In "North by Northanger," Bebris wraps her clues and sleuthing in a lovely and lively story of a young couple looking forward to wedded bliss, who are instead distracted by some devilishly annoying hardship they're determined to work through.

If, along the way, they thwart some not very nice people and triumph over a bit of evil, more's the better entertainment for us.

While a bona fide mystery, "North by Northanger" is still quite romantic, especially to the Regency aficionado. Bebris even allows Darcy and Elizabeth a bit of newlywed amour, but in a very innocent, contextual way.

Bebris is spot-on with "North by Northanger" and the Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mystery series. In each, one enjoys the flavor of Austen, while experiencing a refreshing and charming take on one way Romance's favorite couple might have lived out their Happily Ever After.

It's a truth you may well acknowledge a universal one, should you -- .

Buy the book.

To learn more about the Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mystery series, as well as her other novels, visit www.CarrieBebris.com.

Next Week's Review and AuthorView: "My Favorite Witch," by Annette Blair