The Crimes of Elizabeth Darcy by Sophie Turner Published by Self-Published on April 16, 2023
Genres: Historical Fiction
Pages: 578
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon
After a tragic accident, Fitzwilliam Darcy is left for dead. His grief-stricken wife vows to do what is best for their children, including an ill-advised second marriage in the peerage.
Years later, Will Trevills leaves his happy life in Cornwall to discover the truth about his past. Thrust into a strange world after life as a fisherman, he gains a family he cannot recall. Lady Neston becomes Mrs. Darcy once more, and is grateful for her escape. But her husband questions his purpose as a gentleman, and cannot remember the love they shared.
Charged with bigamy, she may face the ultimate punishment, while the family she sought to protect has never been in greater peril.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ends with the new Mrs. Darcy inviting all their family and friends for Christmas and leaving readers with a happy glow of satisfaction. But, what came after the happily ever after? Sophie Turner explores a new harder, darker path for Jane Austen’s romantic couple adding gothic overtones, angsty courtroom and family and drama, and a testing of a couple’s love that must hold against so much.
The Crimes of Elizabeth Darcy was a thick tome that was broken into three parts beginning with a dramatic near death experience of Darcy being lost at sea. His loved ones think him dead and gone while Darcy suffers amnesia and becomes humble fisherman, Will.
Grief-stricken, lonely and a little frightened of her new life alone, Elizabeth makes a momentous decision she thinks will be best for her children. She is unaware that danger lurks nearby and not just from one source. Her grief turns to horror at what she has to endure. Darcy’s return might be long-past longed for, but also heightens the trouble. Can this couple of a woman who has endured the worst and a man just getting his memories and his life back survive what is up against them?
I’m not generally partial to high-angst books, but there was something captivating about this one so I held fast to the story. This one goes dark and Elizabeth ends up in a non-consent situation. There is legal and courtroom drama. And, a couple who must start over with a situation that was fascinating- a Darcy who has lived a very humble life and far from that part of him that was once proud. So much gets turned on its ear and one wonders just how much sorrow and struggle one couple, particularly Elizabeth can endure. Plus, the villains are dastardly and are a powerful number of them.
I’m deliberately being vague because I don’t want to spoil the suspense, twists, and times of triumph. Now, late in The Crimes of Elizabeth Darcy as situations started resolving, there was a sense of treading water for me. I realized the author had to take the situations through these less intense development moments that were still important before the final plot wrap up. For all the darkness, I was glad the author balanced matters with a heartening denouement that allows the readers to see the triumphant pair get a long-savored victory after all the sorrow they went through.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the stellar job of painting historical backdrop so articulately from Regency era Cornwall fishing village to the legal proceedings and courtroom setting of the time. Beyond Darcy and Elizabeth, each character was carefully painted in so they were fully fleshed out and Sophie Turner didn’t lose the plot among the weeds, but brought all the parts along to completion.
All in all, this was an emotional read, but full of good suspense and strong character-driven moments. Whether one is familiar with Pride & Prejudice or not, this could be enjoyed either way if historical gothic romance loaded with drama is one’s thing.
Won on April 13, 2023 (currently $5.99 at Amazon and in KindleUnlimited as of writing this post)
Overall rating 4.66 with 125 ratings and 25 reviews
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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This is such a unique idea, to turn P&P into a Gothic thriller! I’m not sure how I feel about Darcy being lost at sea, but I’m definitely intrigued😁
For sure, Tammy! I was in awe of how the story twisted and turned its way to the end.
Adding to my TBR list. This sounds really good.
Yay! Glad to put you onto it, Carole. 🙂
I like the amnesia aspect of this one.
Yeah, it fit the plot well and didn’t feel like just a contrivance because it had effect long afterward into the story. So good, Mary!
Nice twist to a classic.
Yes, I thought so, too. 🙂
Sounds intriguing and thoughtfully done.
Yes, it was a fascinating way to do a sequel and so much she was careful with like the amnesia time and the abuse.
Sounds like an engrossing continuation of the P&P tale! I wish they had an audio version.
It really was. So much darker drama and tension that had me wondering what was going to come next. Yeah, this one would me a good audio.
Hmmm… this one sounds a bit too dark for me. And as you know, I still have to read the original! LOL Wonderful review.
LOL, yeah, this is one I’m not sure reading the original will make a difference. Jane Austen’s works are light, witty, subtle. This is good stuff, but pretty much the opposite of those traits since its darker and dramatic. 🙂