P.D. James is no novice when it comes to writing mystery and she has built a solid and respected reputation with such books as the Adam Dalgliesh mysteries and the dystopian novel Children of Men. In her most recent publication, Death Comes to Pemberley, James takes on the recent trend of retelling Jane Austen’s most famous novel, as seen in other adaptations like Bridget Jones’s Diary and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. But unlike these retellings, James creates a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, fabricating an intriguing murder mystery set at the Darcys' estate, Pemberley. Fans of James will be pleased to learn she has not lost her deft skill even at 91, while Janeites will appreciate James’ evident knowledge of and appreciation for Austen’s original works.
Plot Summary
Death Comes to Pemberley begins in 1803, six years after Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet married. The Darcys live at Pemberley with their two young sons, and Charles and Jane Bingley – Darcy’s friend and Elizabeth’s sister – are not far off with their own family. Elizabeth is comfortably content with her life, and as readers enter the story she is preparing for Pemberley’s annual ball in memory of Darcy’s mother. The Darcys and their guests – the Bingleys, Darcy’s sister Georgiana, and Henry Alveston, a lawyer and friend of the Bingleys – are settling in for the night, while Darcy’s cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam opts for a horse ride through the stormy and blistery night. Just as Elizabeth feels everything is running smoothly for the next day’s ball, a hysterical and uninvited Lydia Wickham, Elizabeth’s estranged sister, appears at the Pemberley gates in a chaise. She screams that her husband, George Wickham, has been murdered.
Shocked and frightened, the men of Pemberley search the woods to find not Wickham’s body, but that of Colonel Denny, arguably Wickham’s only friend. He appears to have been bludgeoned to death and while Wickham, sobbing and ranting over his dead friend, admits they quarrelled and expresses guilt over contributing to his friend’s unfortunate demise, he claims not to be the murderer they seek.
Thus the residents and guests of Pemberley are thrust into a murder mystery that twists and turns at every page. The inquest and trial, and the gossip surrounding them, reveal grudges old and new, from Darcy and Wickham’s enmity to the strange history of Pemberley and its servants.
While readers can use their experience with James and their knowledge of Pride and Prejudice to attempt to piece together the clues, it is likely most will be surprised by the ending’s revelation.
Austen Appreciation
Unlike many other adaptations of Austen’s work, which merely insert her plot points into new eras or characters, James’ Austenian murder mystery pays tribute to the author in more than simply using her material.
James rarely resorts to punning on Austen’s most famous lines, but instead infuses Death Comes to Pemberley with the dry wit and ironic social commentary that set Austen apart from her contemporaries, making Death Comes to Pemberley seem as though it could be written by Austen herself, if she were inclined to crime fiction. It is clear that James is a true fan and avid reader of Austen, as she meticulously infuses her own voice and penchant for mystery with Austen’s clever observation.
Like Austen, James teases her characters and yet retains their human and sympathetic quality. The Elizabeth of Death Comes to Pemberley flows naturally from the Elizabeth of Pride and Prejudice, and it is obvious that James has taken the time to think on how a matured Elizabeth would act, and what she would feel and think, now that she is a wife, mother and mistress of Pemberley – one that has to grapple with an embarrassing sister and a murderous scandal on her household.
Those familiar with Austen’s other works will relish in James’ references to characters from other books, such as Emma and Persuasion, woven throughout the story. While readers do not meet these characters, they play small roles in the story’s resolution, and provide a sense of depth and realism to the community around Pemberley.
Conclusion
Despite its heavy subject matter, Death Comes to Pemberley is a fun read. It not only provides a good murder mystery, but it also creates a believable and engaging world using material from not only Pride and Prejudice, but also Austen’s other works.
It is clear James found pleasure in writing this book, and despite playing with Austen’s original text, James pays great respect to the author through her wit, irony, and keen attention to detail. James fans and Janeites alike will enjoy this book for its cleverness, and quirkiness, and, of course, for the opportunity to try to solve the murder themselves.
Source
James, P.D. Death Comes to Pemberley. Published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. ISBN 978-0-307-36203-2.
Carolyn Psutka - MA in English and self-professed bibliophile.
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