Two different eras. Two different stories. One common secret.
The Elizabeth Papers is a unique book that presents something I had never seen in any JAFF novel before: it combines 2 different genres, sequel and modernization, in a perfect symbiotic storyline.
The book starts with a letter from Mr. Darcy stating that he wishes for a trust to be created with the purpose of supporting his female descendants through the decades. Shortly after that, the book “jumps” to 2014 with one of the beneficiaries of the trust hiring a private detective to prove that Victoria Darcy, Mr. Darcy’s last daughter, was in fact an illegitimate child fathered by someone else, with the purpose of excluding all her descendants from the trust.
From this moment on, each chapter focuses on one era, and when we get to the end of it, we do not want to change the era, we want to continue reading and see what happens next, but then, the following chapter will cause the same sensation at the same time that it will provide us with more clues and answers to the mystery of Victoria Darcy’s birth.
Then we start to want the eras to change as we know that the details that will be revealed in one era will be important to the development of the story in the other, and this is when we realize what an incredible work of art this book is, and how two different stories can be so perfectly interlaced that they become one single story prolonged through the years. We come to the conclusion that there is only one story, and that is the story of the Darcy family.
The 19th century based chapters are voiced through Elizabeth’s diary entries which were written in the first person, creating a great proximity and intensity to the scenes, and reminding us of the unique writing style Jenneta James presented us with on Suddenly Mrs. Darcy, while the 2014 storyline is written in the third person adapting the chapters to the modern era and giving it a more modern and relaxed speech. This is done as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and I have to praise Jenneta James’s ability to write such a book.
The suspense associated to Victoria Darcy’s birth is present in the majority of the book, and while our hearts want Mr. Darcy to be the father and our minds know Elizabeth would never betray him, some clues lead us to believe that there is no smoke without fire. I will say no more on this matter expect that the anxiety we feel throughout the book is rewarded with a feeling of justice and warmth in the end.
The book will relate 2 love stories, and I also enjoyed the balance the author created between the mature relationship that Darcy and Elizabeth have, with the instability of Evie and Charles’ relationship. I felt drawn to both in different ways, but above all, both felt realistic and not overly romanticized, which I truly appreciated. These relationships were presented with the joys of love, but also the insecurities and troubles it carries. I particularly liked to read Elizabeth’s perspective of her relationship with Mr. Darcy as it felt raw but real.
There were many details I enjoyed in this book, such as the parallelism between Charles’ cousin disclosure and Col. Fitzwilliam’s in P&P but I will not mention them all to avoid filling you with an interminable list. I will only say this is an incredibly good book with literary quality that I highly recommend.
You can find The Elizabeth Papers at:
Amazon.com – The Elizabeth Papers
Amazon.co.uk – The Elizabeth Papers
Curious about the book? Haven’t read the blurb yet? Here it is :
Book Blurb
“It is settled between us already, that we are to be the happiest couple in the world.” —Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice
Charlie Haywood is a London-based private investigator who has made his own fortune—on his own terms. Charming, cynical, and promiscuous, he never expected to be attracted to Evie Pemberton, an emerging and independent-minded artist living with the aftermath of tragedy. But when he is hired to investigate her claims to a one hundred and fifty year old trust belonging to the eminent Darcy family, he is captivated.
Together they become entwined in a tale of love, loss, and mystery tracing back to the grand estate of Pemberley, home to Evie’s nineteenth century ancestors, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy.
How could Evie know that in 1817 Elizabeth Darcy began a secret journal? What started as an account of a blissful life came to reflect a growing unease. Was the Darcy marriage perfect or was there betrayal and deception at its heart?
Can Evie and Charlie unearth the truth in the letters of Fitzwilliam Darcy or within the walls of present-day Pemberley? What are the elusive Elizabeth papers and why did Elizabeth herself want them destroyed?
Don’t miss the guest posts, reviews and giveaways wth the Blog Tour:
5/30: Guest Post & Giveaway at My Jane Austen Book Club
5/31: Excerpt & Giveaway at Romance Novel Giveaways
6/1: Review at Tomorrow is Another Day
6/1: Guest Post & Giveaway at Liz’s Reading Life
6/2: Review at From Pemberley to Milton
6/3: Guest Post at Moonlight Reader
6/4: Review at Babblings of a Bookworm
6/5: Review at Just Jane 1813
6/6: Guest Post & Giveaway at Austenesque Reviews
6/7: Excerpt & Giveaway at So Little Time…
6/8: Character Interview at More Agreeably Engaged
6/9: Author Interview at Savvy Verse & Wit
6/10: Review at Diary of an Eccentric
6/10: Excerpt & Giveaway at Skipping Midnight
6/11: Review at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice
6/12: Review at Margie’s Must Reads
6/13: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars
Lovely review Rita! I love this story too and the way you captured it here is great. I love that there are no spoilers. I feel like this is a book that has a lot for the reader to discover on his/her own!
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Thank you Claudine! I thought that spoilers on this one would ruin the book for readers. The suspens is one of the main aspects of the book, so I don’t want to take it away from other people 🙂
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I completely agree! Terrific review Rita. 😉
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Thanks Claudine – I agree a spoiler free review that still captures a book’s essence is a tall order but Rita has done it here which I love. Thanks for visiting and commenting and supporting The Elizabeth Papers on her travels!
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I am so happy to read this engaging and spoiler-free review. I love love love when a reviewer/reader really gets the author’s intent. That to me is success! I can’t wait for more to read–I feel like I’ve been keeping this secret as long as Pemberley! Thank you for your time in crafting and sharing such a thoughtful review.
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Thank you Christina! It’s curious but I guessed the secret of Victoria’s birth in the beggining of the book, and then I spent the entire time thinking that I had to be wrong. It turned out I was not, but the way Jenetta James made it happen in the end was very, very good and I loved it! It gave a very tender feeling to the book. I wish I could be more open in this discussion, but I’m sure we’ll talk about this book without fear of spoiling something to everyone in a few months :)))
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That is lovely to read Rita, thank you. I am an inveterate guesser – so I have been fascinated to know how guessable it is – since I can’t really tell myself! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it, Jenetta:-)
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Oh Rita this book sounds so intriguing. I really hope that there is proof of Victoria’s legitimacy as I can’t bear the thought of Elizabeth being unfaithful to Darcy. I may have to read it with my eyes closed?????.LOL
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I think that Jenetta James has a very unique writing style Glynis, and you will find some entries in Elizabeth’s diary that show that not everything is a bed of roses between her and Mr. Darcy after they’re married for a few years, but that was so realistic, intimate and intense that I just love reading it! It felt much like Suddenly Mrs. Darcy which I loved. But you can read, I guarantee you will not regret it 😉
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Dear Glynis – you have given me a wonderful mental image of you reading with your eyes closed! I hope it isn’t that bad:-) There is tension and mystery but I guess that ODC are still ODC if you know what I mean. Thank you for visiting and commenting, Jenetta
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Thanks so much Jenetta, I will definitely have to read it now and maybe even open my eyes a bit 😊
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Oh boy! I can hardly wait to read this – a mystery and JAFF together. Sounds like a one-night read, to me!
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It might be Ginna! This book is compelling, when we are reading it we just need to know. It killed me not knowing, so I kept reading and reading 🙂
I hope you enjoy this book.
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Hope that you enjoy it Ginna. I enjoyed reading mysteries before I discovered romance so maybe that is where it all came from. Anyway, thanks for visiting and commenting:-)
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Such an intriguing review without spoilers which I prefer as well! I enjoy the journey of learning on my own. Soooo looking forward to reading this book! I would like to wait though until I can get it in book format! I have Jenetta’s ‘Suddenly Mrs. Darcy’ in paperback and would like to continue my ‘collection’ of her novels this way.
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Dear Carole, bless you! Thank you, I’ll let you know when the paperback is available… Best wishes, Jenetta
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Carole, I think that the paperback is *likely* to be available in the week of 20th June, but I’ll update my Facebook page & twitter when I know for sure …
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Thank you Jenetta! Believe it or not, I’m not on Facebook or Twitter! I just signed up for Goodreads this year! I will keep watch there!
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Wonderful review. Part of what makes this story so special is how real the Darcy’s marriage is.
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Thank you Beau:-)
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A great review Rita. This seems to be an intriguing book,two parallel stories in one. Am looking forward to reading it.
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Thank you Mary! In that sense it is a very different book and I enjoyed immensely. I think you’ll like it as well 🙂
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I hope that you enjoy it Mary – Its 2 stories and its 1 story – I have been trying to find a way to express that and actually Rita has done it for me perfectly in this review! Thank you for visiting and commenting:-)
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Thank you for such interesting review! It made me even more curious about the book which I surely add to my growing list of books to be read. I liked Suddenly Mrs.Darcy and I look forward to reading new book by Jenetta which has intriguing legal and detective turns and twists of the plot.
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Thank you Oloore – I hope that it doesn’t disappoint! Thanks for visiting and commenting. Best wishes, Jenetta
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I’m reading this one now (so far, very good), Rita, so I’ll have to come back for your book thoughts, but yay, love seeing that high rating. 🙂
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Finished! Came back to see your thoughts. Yes, I agree about the twofer and the comparisons between the couples.
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Thank you Sophia, I’m so pleased that you liked it!
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sounds like I am going to have to read it in one sitting if each chapter stops so suddenly
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I hope that you enjoy it Vesper & thank you for visiting & commenting
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Great review. I also endorse the recommendations. 5 star read for me. The cover is also beautiful.
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Thank you Sheila, your support means a lot to me:-)
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Thanks for the wonderful review, Rita! Suddenly Mrs Darcy was amazing but this sounds even better. I can’t wait to read it and I’m sure I’ll love every word. I’m especially drawn to the idea of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy having to work at their relationship, and that it’s not all just love, smiles and plain sailing after the “I do.” Thanks for another fabulous book, Jenneta!
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Gosh, thank you for those words Joana. I am currently reading Miss Darcy’s Companion & greatly enjoying it.I hope that you do like The Elizabeth Papers *she says from edge of seat*. Best wishes, Jenetta
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Reblogged this on Lepidopterae and commented:
Curiosos? Eu também!
Já está na minha wishlist da Amazon!
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Rita, I curse you, you brought this terror into my life! (joking)
My list of books to buy/read is getting fatter and mostly filled with JAFF! All because you said: “hey, have a look at my blog, I have a book giveaway and I know how much you like to read. By the way, do you like Pride and Prejudice?”…and bam! The Unthinkable Triangle in my kindle and I was hooked!
Thank you for bringing me into this and to you for the wonderful work you do here, creating such interesting reviews while being able to keep them spoiler-free and making us wanto to read at the same time!
And thank you to Mrs. Jenetta James, for sharing her writing with the world! I haven’t had the pleasure yet of reading one of yours, but I am thouroughly convinced of doing so ASAP, especially after reading such positive remarks from other readers!
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I do hope that you enjoy one or both of them.The Unthinkable Triangle is enough to get anyone hooked:-)
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I was already interested in this book, but the tiny additional glimpse here just added to my excitement! I love how you teased us without any true spoilers, Rita, both in the review and in the comments. Congratulations to Jenetta on this excellent review.
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Thank you Suzan!
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So many great reviews! Can’t wait to read it!
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Thank you Dung – I hope you enjoy it:-)
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