“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.”
GoodReads

“It is a solidly entertaining period mystery and a major treat for any fan of Jane Austen.”
The Washington Post

At 91, P.D. James, the beloved crime novelist, is not just still going strong, she’s thriving! She recently published Death Comes to Pemberley, a genteel “who dun it” that combines her two literary loves: Jane Austen and detective stories.

That’s right! One of the premier detective story writers is a huge devotee of that astute observer of social mores, the incomparable Lady Jane.

P.D. James rereads Austen every year and is such a great admirer that she decided to riff off Pride and Prejudice and introduce a bit of spice and mystery into the halls of Pemberley. Her story picks up six years after Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are wed and gives them two children and a raft of relatives.

While P.D. isn’t trying to imitate Austen’s unique style, she does hope that her writing offers a pleasing “echo” of Jane’s voice. Her decision to introduce a bit of murder and mayhem into the orderly world of Pemberley has some loyal Austen fans miffed and others clamoring for blood — P.D.’s that is!

Whatever readers feel about P.D.’s invasion of Pemberley, P.D. herself seems to have had a rollicking good time penning her tale. She began writing in her late thirties, and sixty years later she still cherishes her craft and is still pushing herself in new and challenging directions. Now that’s writing dangerously! Bravo, P.D., write on!