Synopses & Reviews
Fresh from the curious and unsettling matter of Caroline Bingley (as related in
Pride and Prescience), Mr. and Mrs. Darcy have every intention of enjoying their still newlywed status at Pemberly until they are confronted with another mysterious situation, ... one of
Suspense and Sensibility
Elizabeth Darcy and her beloved husband Fitzwilliam are taking on the responsibility of finding a suitable suitor for Elizabeth's younger sister Kitty, thereby assuring her a proper place in society.
The angels smile on the young and a perfect match is found, and wedding plans are soon under way. Suddenly a change in personality occurs in Kitty's soon to be model husband-a change so striking as to jeopardize not just the Darcys' social standing, but their lives as well.
A mysterious mirror, an insidious reprobate from the past, and matters far beyond the social circles around Pemberly all come into play in a dangerous puzzle, where the consequences may be the exchange of a soul for a soul.
Once again the Darcys take center stage as the Regency era's answer to The Thin Man's Nick and Nora, searching for truth between tea times, amid the social whirl of Jane Austen's England.
Review
"Thoroughly 'light and bright and sparkling'," in the best Austen tradition with a dollop of murder and mayhem to leaven the whole. A delight." --Stephanie Barron, author of the Jane Austen Mystery series on
Pride and Prescience"Well crafted ...Bebris works her own brand of Austen magic, whetting the reader's appetite for a sequel...Taking a lighter approach than Stephanie Barron's sleuthing Jane Austen series this one should appeal as much to Regency readers as to Austenites."
-- Publishers Weekly on Pride and Prescience
"Charming" --Booklist on Pride and Prescience
"Mannered prose, Regency backdrops, moody country houses, and delightful characterization place this new series high on the to-buy list." --Library Journal on Pride and Prescience
Review
"Perhaps the epitome of 'niche fiction,' these too cutely titled but entertaining yarns feature Jane Austen's most celebrated couple, the now married Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy. The antics of these softboiled sleuths are amusing....Austen buffs will find a lot of good period stuff about gardening, fencing, raising rabbits, and the care and feeding of discontinued Royal Worcester china patterns."--The News & Observer on
Suspense & Sensibility
"After launching the series with Pride and Prescience last year, she skillfully brings Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy of Pride and Prejudice together with characters from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility....there is a supernatural twist built around an object with strange powers."--The Capital Times web edition
"The protagonists are a charming couple--the comparison to the Mr. and Mrs. North mysteries by Frances and Richard Lockridge is not misplaced--and the mystery itself is a nice blend of the natural and the supernatural. Looking forward to more in the series."--Chronicle on Suspense and Sensibility
"Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy solve another supernatural mystery in this sequel to Bebris's Pride and Prescience....The story is witty and charming--a mixture of Austen and Nick and Nora and great fun for teen fans of the first book."--Voice of Youth Advocates on Suspense and Sensibility
Review
Questions for Discussion
1. The books subtitle, First Impressions Revisited, serves as a theme of the novel. Discuss first impressions in Suspense and Sensibility. What were your first impressions of Harry Dashwood and other characters, and did they differ from the impressions the characters made on each other? How were these impressions changed, or revisited, as events unfolded?
2. Another theme of the novel is that of seeing and reflection. How does each character wish to be seen by others? What events, actions, statements, and objects reflect his or her true nature? Are some characters better at “seeing” than others?
3. Is Sir Francis evil? Was he wrong to trap Harry in order to free himself from the mirror, or was he justified in escaping any way he could?
4. When Mr. Darcy tells Professor Randolph that he is not discontent, Randolph responds, “Everybody wants something, Mr. Darcy.” Do you believe this statement is true? Is it possible for a person ever to be perfectly content?
5. After Harry is rescued, he accepts all blame for what happened. Is he indeed responsible?
6. What kind of future will Harry and Kitty have?
7. The book takes place primarily in London during the high social season. To what extent does this setting— including the constant background presence of the ton, or fashionable society—influence the story? What contrast do scenes at Pemberley and/or Norland offer?
8. Jane Austen fans might also recognize the subtitle as an echo of First Impressions—Austens working title for Pride and Prejudice, the book upon which the Mr. & Mrs. Darcy mystery series is based. If you are familiar with Austens novel and/or the first book in Bebriss series (Pride and Prescience), how does Suspense and Sensibility revisit characters and elements of those preceding novels? How has the Darcys relationship—both as a married couple and as a sleuthing team—developed? Was this a satisfying sequel?
9. If you are familiar with Jane Austens Sense and Sensibility, compare Bebriss representations of Austens characters (the Dashwoods, Brandons, Ferrarses, and Middletons) with the originals. "The antics of these softboiled sleuths are amusing....Austen buffs will find a lot of good period stuff...."
The News - & - Observer
Review
"...the comparison to the Mr. and Mrs. North mysteries by Frances and Richard Lockridge is not misplaced...."
Chronicle
Review
"....[Bebris] skillfully brings Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy of Pride and Prejudice together with characters from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility...."
The Capitol Times (web edition)
Review
"The story is witty and charming--a mixture of Austen and Nick and Nora...."
Voices of Youth Advocates
About the Author
Carrie A. Bebris is a former school teacher and editor for TSR. A member in good standing of the Jane Austen Society, she resides in Wisconsin.
Suspense and Sensibility is her second Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery.