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Death Comes to Pemberley Audiobook
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(3.00) - 32,742 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A rare meeting of literary genius: P. D. James, long among the most admired mystery writers of our time, draws the characters of Jane Austen’s beloved novel Pride and Prejudice into a tale of murder and emotional mayhem.
It is 1803, six years since Elizabeth and Darcy embarked on their life together at Pemberley, Darcy’s magnificent estate. Their peaceful, orderly world seems almost unassailable. Elizabeth has found her footing as the chatelaine of the great house. They have two fine sons, Fitzwilliam and Charles. Elizabeth’s sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live nearby; her father visits often; there is optimistic talk about the prospects of marriage for Darcy’s sister Georgiana. And preparations are under way for their much-anticipated annual autumn ball.
Then, on the eve of the ball, the patrician idyll is shattered. A coach careens up the drive carrying Lydia, Elizabeth’s disgraced sister, who with her husband, the very dubious Wickham, has been banned from Pemberley. She stumbles out of the carriage, hysterical, shrieking that Wickham has been murdered. With shocking suddenness, Pemberley is plunged into a frightening mystery.
Inspired by a lifelong passion for Austen, P. D. James masterfully re-creates the world of Pride and Prejudice, electrifying it with the excitement and suspense of a brilliantly crafted crime story, as only she can write it.
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"It really doesn't get any better than this: Jane Austin, P.D. James and Roslyn Landor. I listened to this book and was so overjoyed. The mystery is grand, and there isn't any silly, unrealistic sleuthing by Elizabeth. I know I missed some subtle stuff, so will likely re-read in book form in the near future."
— JodiP (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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James rises well above the ever-growing pack of Austen-inspired authors, not only for her intimate familiarity with Austen’s work, but for her faultless replication of time, place and, most notably, Austen’s trademark writing style.
— Newark Star-Ledger -
With well-laid clues, James weaves a credible tale with a satisfying conclusion. . . . She stamps this enticing blend of two authors’ minds with her formidable intelligence and the generosity of spirit that has marked all her work.
— Richmond Times Dispatch -
Dazzling . . . Meticulously plotted . . . In my view Death Comes to Pemberley is as good as anything P.D. James has written and that is very high praise indeed… Long may she continue to delight and surprise us.
— Simon Brett, Sunday Express -
Brimming with astute appreciation, inventiveness and narrative zest, Death Comes to Pemberley is an elegantly gauged homage to Austen and an exhilarating tribute to the inexhaustible vitality of James’s imagination.
— The Sunday Times (London) -
James takes Pride and Prejudice to places it never dreamed of, and does so with a charm that will beguile even the most demanding Janeite.
— London Evening Standard -
The final working-out shows all James’s customary ingenuity. . . . The stylistic pastiche is remarkably accomplished.
— Kirkus Reviews -
A pleasing and agreeable sequel… Historical mystery buffs and Jane Austen fans alike will welcome this homage… Attentive readers will eagerly seek out clues to the delightfully complex mystery, which involves many hidden motives and dark secrets.
— Publishers Weekly -
Satisfying. . . . [James is] an impeccable stylist and a psychological ins-and-outs maven.
— The Huffington Post -
A magnificent novel. . . . Incomparably perfect.
— USA Today -
A glorious plum pudding of a whodunit.
— NPR, Fresh Air -
The queen of mystery has taken on the queen of literature, [and] the combination sings. . . . [James’] elegance and sly wit are in top form.
— The Plain Dealer -
The greatest pleasure of this novel is its unforced, effortless, effective voice… Not infrequently . . . one succumbs to the impression that it is Austen herself at the keyboard.
— The New York Times Book Review -
A major treat for any fan of Jane Austen . . . [and] a solidly entertaining period mystery.
— The Washington Post -
A novel of dark intrigue. . . . [which] Ms. James presents with informed assurance and in fine period detail.
— The Wall Street Journal -
If you appreciate mysteries as well as the Mighty Jane, this pleasant entertainment will do nicely. . . . It is a universe of dark meanings [and] hidden relationships.
— Los Angeles Times -
[James] is the greatest living writer of British crime fiction, and probably that genre’s most talented practitioner ever.
— The New York Times -
A novel of manners par excellence.
— The Boston Globe
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Death Comes to Pemberley Listener Reviews
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" I was hungry for more Austen and Rosalyn Landor is always a treat, but this was just an excruiatingly long example of how the television series made a much better job of some shaky-ass material. This book draaags. Lizzie has no part to play in the investigation (a great change the series made) Darcy stands around on the sidelines angsting, no comedic favourites appear (or if they do, they're quickly bundled off back into the wings, like Lydia, WHOM NOBODY INTERVIEWS EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS LITERALLY RIGHT THERE IN THE FRICKING COACH) nobody really receives justice, and the mystery implodes halfway through the book. Find Rosalyn Landor reading the actual Jane Austen books, and be satisfied. "
— Kay, 1/20/2023 -
" PD James can do much better and even though this was an homage to my favorite Austen book it was just not that good. "
— Debbie, 2/16/2014 -
" Not sorry I read it but glad that this was an library loan and I didn't pay for it. "
— Carol, 2/8/2014 -
" I love her Adam Dalglish stuff, but couldn't finish this. "
— Tim, 2/8/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book. PD James wrote the story as perhaps Jane Austin would have. Well done! "
— Rebecca, 2/6/2014 -
" Enjoyable, but probably my least favorite book by PD James to date. I have read all of her Adam Dalgleish books..this not in that series..and have well enjoyed that series, but not this one so much. Kind of fun in the way she wrote a "sequel" to "Pride and Prejudice" !! "
— Patricia, 1/31/2014 -
" Maybe my hopes were too high, but it was repetitive and lacked the charm I was expecting. "
— Jessica, 1/19/2014 -
" I love P D James, but not this effort. I tried to get into this book due to its setting, but I could not. I did not finish it. I do not give up on a book lightly. Not James. No Austen. Not worth my time. "
— Deanna, 1/6/2014 -
" Didn't finish it. Dull, unwitty, nothing like P&P and didn't care who dun it. Gave up about half way through. Hardcastle is the best thing in it. "
— Jh, 12/11/2013 -
" Interesting extension of the classic. Familiar characters and excellent plot with a mystery built right in that I didn't see turning out the way it did. The ending was fitting and all tied up in a neat bow... meaning nothing was left unanswered. Quick read. "
— Babs, 12/7/2013 -
" This book is so odd. Reads like poorly-paced fan fiction. Don't bother. "
— Laura, 11/14/2013 -
" Not enough Elizabeth. Kinda dragged on at the end. "
— Sam, 10/20/2013 -
" an interesting "sequel" with mystery on the side set in p&p land. wickham is up to no good as usual! "
— svm, 6/27/2013 -
" It wasn't as bad of as all of the reviews actually comparing the author to Jane Austin. The story was not fantastic, but I enjoyed the author's writing style and cadence. "
— Stephanie, 2/13/2013 -
" Just Ok. The characters fell a little flat, but there were a couple of interesting plot twists. "
— Kristine, 2/9/2013 -
" A great author but not a great result, unfortunately "
— Dave, 9/14/2012 -
" A sorbet book - something light to read in between others with a bit more weight to them. Ideal to read when travelling and need something that can be picked up/put down working your way through an airport. So bad I love it. "
— Ashley, 6/14/2012 -
" an interesting twist to a sequel for pride and prejudice "
— Tabatha, 4/16/2012 -
" It's an easy, unobjectionable read, but the story is, at best, slight and nothing survives of Austen's characterizations. The greatest crime is that Darcy is reduced to dithers and doubts! "
— Lynn, 1/21/2012 -
" Oh Dear. This is dreadful. Put it down and make another choice. "
— Karen, 1/18/2012 -
" Long-winded and difficult to finish. I liked the final outcome with Wickham, though. "
— Lara, 12/6/2011
About P. D. James
P. D. James (1920–2014), English crime writer, was the author of numerous detective novels, many of which were New York Times bestsellers. She spent thirty years in various departments of the British civil service, including the Police and Criminal Law Departments of the Home Office. She has served as a magistrate and as a governor of the BBC. In 2000 she celebrated her eightieth birthday and published her autobiography, Time to Be in Earnest. The recipient of many prizes and honors, she was named Baroness James of Holland Park in 1991.
About Rosalyn Landor
Rosalyn Landor is an English-born television, theater, and multiple-award-winning audiobook narrator. Her television credits include Love in a Cold Climate, Rumpole of the Bailey, Sherlock Holmes, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. She has won numerous Audie awards and AudioFile magazine Earphones awards.