Pride and Premeditation: MURDER and a Bit of Romance

Did y’all really think I wasn’t going to review a retelling of Pride and Prejudice with murder?!?! I was in from the moment I heard about Pride and Premeditation. Murder mystery with romance is one of my favorite genre/subgenres.

So…let’s get to the review!

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Synopsis (from Goodreads):

When a scandalous murder shocks London high society, seventeen-year-old aspiring lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity to prove herself, despite the interference of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious firm Pemberley Associates.

Convinced the authorities have imprisoned the wrong person, Lizzie vows to solve the murder on her own. But as the case—and her feelings for Darcy—become more complicated, Lizzie discovers that her dream job could make her happy, but it might also get her killed.

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Ok, first I want to say that I listened to an audio ARC of this (audiobook ARC?? audio galley?? whatever) and that it was a robot/computer voice reading the story. This, unfortunately, impacted how I experienced the story and not in a good way. But, I’m going to do my best to simply focus on the story and not how it was read.

I have listened to a few snippets of the actual audiobook and Morag Sims does a MUCH better job reading it than the British woman robot I had lol. (It’s on Scribd right now!)

Ok, now to the story!

Let’s start with the good!

This portrayal of Lizzie Bennet as a wannabe solicitor is PERFECT. She’s strong, demanding, has strong views, loves to walk, and wants to be acknowledged for her accomplishments. She makes mistakes and she’s judgmental and in some cases, she trusts too easily. She embodies all of Lizzie’s traits really well. She also happens to break into people’s houses, con her way into a prison, investigates murder!!!!

DARCY!! I really enjoyed the Darcy in this book as well. He was just as stern and severe as he should be, but we also got to see his softer side sooner because Lizzie is in on private conversations between him and Bingley. We, obviously, don’t get that in the original book because Bingley isn’t accused of murder lol.

But beyond that, we also get to see him as a hero! While you could definitely call him a hero for finding Wickham and Lydia in the original book, but, in this book, he is a FOR REAL hero. Like there are guns and shit involved! OH and he may or may not have participated in a duel!!!

I also love that Lizzie sees him as a snob but also thinks he’s a bit reckless before she gets to know him. I really like that addition to this story.

JANE! Holy hell on a cracker, I LOVE this Jane. She is nice and sweet, but she also tells Lizzie how it is and I LOVE THAT. Sometimes, in Pride and Prejudice retellings, Jane is turned into a meek, shy girl, but I much prefer this version where yes, she sees the best in people, but she will also tell you the truth!

One quick note: if you are a fan of Jane and Bingley…you’ll be disappointed. They do meet, but it’s short and it’s not developed at all. SORRY!

Bingley. The cinnamon rolls of cinnamon rolls BUT he’s also a business man and knows his shit. He’s forgiving, but he won’t let people walk all over him, his family, or his business.

The Bingley sisters. OH CAROLINE. Evil as ever and it was a delight to read about her snobbery lol. Mrs. Hurst is there but she’s really just trying to play the grieving widow but…her hearts not really in it lol.

Mrs. Bennet. She has her nerves and her fainting spells and she can be a nuisance, but she also has her moments of perfect clarity that I LOVED.

CHARLOTTE!! Charlotte is biracial in this retelling and she’s very clear on who she can and can’t marry and how society sees her. She works at Mr. Bennet’s law firm as a receptionist/secretary and she’s willing (as always) to tell Lizzie exactly how it is. Don’t get me wrong, they are great friends, but when Lizzie is out of line, Charlotte calls her on it. I wish there was more of her in this book.

Not good or bad but THE VILLAINS

Wickham….A BASTARD. A KIDNAPPER. But also, kind of a pawn. There’s a bigger danger here and Wickham is just a small piece in the murder puzzle. No spoilers!

Collins. Sadly, there are no boiled potatoes here. Collins is a big ole asshole and a creep. 100% villain.

Let’s talk what could be improved.

I wish there was more development in Darcy and Lizzie’s relationship. I don’t know what it could be or where it would go, but their relationship ended up feeling a little shallow in the end. I don’t know how to describe it.

There’s a scene where the two of them are stuck in an office together that was my PEAK moment in the book. It was perfect, but the moments after didn’t develop that spark enough for me.

There is also a scene in court where it’s Darcy’s turn to speak and he just kind of chokes up. idk, I wanted him to shine in that moment. It was such an AMAZING Lizzie moment, but him becoming shy in court…didn’t feel right for his character.

I also wanted a different resolution for Wickham. I’m fine with the way he ended up but I wanted him to be evil for his own sake, not working for someone else.

Overall, I enjoyed Pride and Premeditation. I think this might be a “I have a better time reading it than listening to it” experience. I pre-ordered the book months ago so I will definitely be rereading the physical book and am looking forward to see if any of my opinions change.

I am giving Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price 3.5 out of 5 stars. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re like me and trying to read every Pride and Prejudice retelling ever.

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price is available now!

Thanks to Edelweiss Plus and HarperTeen for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

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