Reviews for North by Northanger: Or, the Shades of Pemberly (Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries Series #3)

The average rating for North by Northanger: Or, the Shades of Pemberly (Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries Series #3) based on 2 reviews is 2.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-03-10 00:00:00 James Dunham Probably the severest case of "it's not you, it's me" I've ever experienced. •You see, this is actually a good book. Since I admittedly hardly have any expertise when it comes to fanfiction, I can't tell whether Bebris's are among the best ones or not, but I honestly could find nothing wrong with North by Northanger. The author clearly possesses a deep knowledge of the originals (in the case at hand, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey), which surely showed in her work, and that's probably the highest praise I could give to any book presenting itself as the continuation of such a beloved story. The writing was fitting as well: refined and generally pleasing, and as close to Austen's as it humanly gets, I guess. Nothing wrong to be found with the characters, too, though I can't say I suddenly became enamoured with any of Bebris's version of them. I think that if I rated my books merely with objectivity -with my brain rather than with my guts- this one would deserve three full stars. A pity I don't. •The true problem I had with North by Northanger is that it is painfully boring. At one point I just couldn't wait for it to finish already. The mystery is tiresome, unexciting, uselessly far-fetched (like really far-fetched), utterly predictable (seriously now) and far too diluted in endless talk of babies, Lady Anne's perfection, and a horrifyingly detailed account of what is wrong with Elizabeth's management of Pemberley by Lady Catherine de Bourgh. All very nice things, you see, but all inconsequential to the plot. Result, I was bored out of my mind. And I'm not even one bit sorry. ➽ I haven't read the previous two instalments in the series, but I can say that North by Northager doesn't shame Pride and Prejudice in any way, so I reckon even purists should have a good chance of enjoying it. I sadly didn't because the mystery part was just so weak and the rest just so unnecessary, I basically had no reason whatsoever to feel invested. What did I say? It's not you, book; my mind knows that. My heart still thinks it is, though.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-05-18 00:00:00 Vincent Handal [Someone as rich and powerful as Darcy would never have to stand trial without evidence, without a victim, without the crime being anything less than murder, treason, or blasphemy. Someone as well-connected as the Darcys would have the annoying Mr Melbourne removed or worse, without much effort! It's also a shame that the mysterious Tilney and his weird housekeeper never make an appearance otherwise in the story to give it some depth. (hide spoiler)]