Murder at Pemberley

My love affair with Pride and Prejudice started in sixth form when our English teacher stood before us and revered the majesty of this Austen classic.

I'm pretty sure that I'm not alone with this deep affection. It captured my imagination when I was 17 and never left. It created a solace in my days of being single that I would some day meet a Mr. Darcy - someone who was tall, handsome, dark haired and looked down-right seductive in a pair of breeches! (Hubby meets 3 out of 4 of those characteristics; he's yet to don a pair of 17th century trousers...)

I'm always enraptured by this tale and it never ceases to amaze me how much I get caught up in the intrigue and romance, I mean, I know that they will eventually get together, but I still read/watch with a huge sense of anticipation! By far, my favorite of the adaptations (of which there are endless) is the sumptuous BBC production casting Jenifer Ehle and Colin Firth as the main characters. Admittedly, Jenifer was prettier than Austen's Elizabeth, but it's all forgiven as the actors' chemistry on screen was magical.

Besides watching, I've obviously read and re-read those practically iconic words. And, even though I longed for a follow up (there have been several written), I didn't venture to read any as I didn't think anyone would be able to meet Austen's level of insight and wit.

So it is with some trepidation that I am venturing to read P. D. James' Death Comes to Pemberley. Granted, it is not a sequel but as the title suggests, a murder-mystery, taking place six years after Elizabeth and Darcy marry. I'm a huge fan of James (she herself, is an avid Austen fan and felt compelled to pen a novel as a homage to her) and I look forward to how James' brilliant, descriptive writing, ties in with Austen's infamous characters. I'm sure (or hoping) I won't be disappointed....