Death Comes to Pemberley

By: P. D. James

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2011 P. D. James (P)2011 Random House Audio

Good Listen

I agree with the author P.D. James. Jane Austen would have done better job of writing this book. Now with that said I actually like the book. In the beginning the story sort of drags, but the more you listen the better it gets.

One of the better Jane Austen sequels out there

With the flood of Jane Austen sequels out there it is refreshing to have the material in the hands of a professional. While never losing her own voice, P.D. James inhabits Austen's world and tells a compelling story. The story focuses more on the male characters and is told mostly through their perspectives. Elizabeth and the other female characters seem relegated to mostly secondary character status. While this certainly diminishes the story it is still a wonderful listen and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Great fun

Any additional comments?

Not a sequel, and not Jane Austen - but so what. Fun story, great to visit back with the characters from Pride and Prejudice. Clever references to other Austen works. Not usually a big mystery fan, but this was a great listen.

Disappointed

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I can now say I've "read" this book, one more in the genre of imaginative after-stories to my favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. Beyond that quest, I would not say it was time well-spent.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Less repeating/explaining the past, as I would imagine only P&P fans would be drawn to it.

What didn’t you like about Rosalyn Landor’s performance?

Any of the principal men's voices. With the majority of the world imagining the Colin Firth/A&E production, to have made these men's voices stiff and old was a HUGE mistake.

Could you see Death Comes to Pemberley being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

NO,

That was fast

I'm trying to watch the TV show, but wanted to read this story first. This audiobook was perfect for my commuting time and also cover this crime. P D James doesn't disappoint on her version of Austin's favorite tale.

The beloved story continues

I am so very fond of the characters in Pride and Prejudice that I was thrilled to discover this book! It’s great-very much in keeping with the spirit of Jane Austen. You won’t be disappointed.

Not the mini-series.

So I love the mini - series of the same title. This is a very different story line, good but different. So different that I had to re-read sections.

wasn't blown away but enjoyable

The author was true to her time period and did Jane Austin proud but didn't fully capture all the characters as faithfully as I might have liked.

Dreadful, gaspy read.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really -- certainly not as worthwhile as a regular PDJames book.

Would you recommend Death Comes to Pemberley to your friends? Why or why not?

No. Same answer.

Any additional comments?

The story is not as bad as the negative reviews claim that it is. It's not great James, but it's not terrible.

However, Landor has a very annoying habit of giving a tiny gasp in almost every paragraph, and in literally EVERY paragraph that is a quotation from a character in the novel. This mannerism isn't noticeable at first, but starts to grate after a while. It's as if the only way she can think of making a statement sound important is to give a little at the end of the sentence. Arghh.

Revisionist Dribble

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This book might be more suitable for those who enjoy sexless romance novels.

What could P. D. James have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

There was no real sense of mystery, she opens by apologizing and saying that she is no Jane Austen, well this book is no good PD James mystery either. It seems to be a complete fantasy with no real grounding in the time period or setting. I truly understand why Pride and Prejudice ended when it did now. This book seems to ramble with little content, essentially extending all the story lines from Pride and Prejudice unnecessarily, with a shallow mystery acting as wheezing bellows to push them forward another 200 pages and many descriptive passages with little merit. The language is poorly disguised as being period appropriate, but is clearly more modern than intended. I imagine all the characters holding hands in the end much like the convenient tying up of all story lines, blech!

Which character – as performed by Rosalyn Landor – was your favorite?

The Narrator did well to perform all characters pretty well regardless of gender and age. It's a shame that she wasted her time on this story.

Any additional comments?

If you like real PD James novels, this one will disappoint.