A Matter of Murder

Gr 9 Up–Lizzie Bennet, a solicitor in her father’s firm, met the dashing Mr. Darcy in the first book, In Want of a Suspect. In this conclusion of the duology, Lizzie’s beloved sister, Jane, has married Mr. Bingley and moved to Netherfield Park. The Bennet family, along with Mr. Darcy, decide to pay the newlyweds a visit. However, the visit soon becomes menacing when a dead body is found in the flue of the fireplace. Lizzie was hoping for a bit of a rest from her last case but cannot help herself, and soon a full-blown investigation ensues. During her inquiries, Lizzie finds out that the locals believe that Netherfield is cursed. The more Lizzie and Darcy delve into the case, the more dangerous it becomes. They must decide if the curse is real, or if there is someone behind the scenes threatening them. Fans of Jane Austen will delight in encountering familiar faces—Lizzie, the Bennet family, Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and even the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh. While a few plotlines diverge from the original, the most notable difference is that Lizzie and Darcy do not marry alongside Jane and Mr. Bingley. Instead, they remain unmarried during much of this story. Still, devoted Austen enthusiasts will appreciate the twist and enjoy this charming mystery where Lizzie and Darcy join forces and ultimately discover love together.