Jessica Berg

American Eliza Darcy is determined to get to the bottom of a long-held family mystery: why did her father leave England decades before, cutting off all contact with his family and in response to her questions, only saying that she must let the past stay in the past? When she receives an invitation to a family reunion at Pemberley, the family estate, she jumps at the chance. But when a murder occurs there, she must gather a slew of sidekicks including the extremely handsome Heath, her writer show more cousin Joy and her feisty Great-Aunt Iris, to solve the crime, with or without the help of the local constabulary…. This funny and entertaining romp derives, of course, from Jane Austen, with a bit of Agatha Christie thrown in. I am not generally a fan of what’s called “contemporary romance” - not dissing that genre, it’s just not my cup of tea - so I can’t say how this might rank amongst aficionados of the format; what I *can* say is that I found it light, entertaining and a fast read. I liked all of the characters, although the villains are a tad one-dimensional, and what’s not to love about a setting that includes a huge, gorgeous estate in the English countryside complete with hidden passages and sumptuous gardens? The jacket blurb suggests this is the first in a series; if so, I’ll happily read the future adventures of Eliza and Heath! show less

Murder Most Pemberley is a delightful cozy mystery featuring the six times great granddaughter of Eliza Bennett. Due to an estrangement between her father and uncle, she has never met her extended Bennett-Darcy family. Upon reaching England (from the US), her goals are to learn why her uncle and father had a falling out 30 years ago and how to spend more time with the handsome gentleman she met on the plane. Once she arrives at Pemberley she realizes there are more mysteries to solve and as show more the bodies pile up around her, she becomes the target of the killer's rage.

Featuring a cast of fantastic and quirky characters, an immersive setting, a sweet romance, and a mystery plot that had me guessing until the very end, Murder Most Pemberley has everything a cozy mystery should offer. I got bogged down in British slang and it took me a few pages to understand that our heroine is the descendent of Elizabeth Bennett Darcy but overall this was a very pleasant read. Highly recommend even for those who are not Austen aficionados. show less

Murder Most Pemberley by Jessica Berg. Eliza Darcy Mysteries, book 1. Imagine a world where Jane Austen didn't exist but the Bennetts, Darcys, Bingleys, Wickhams, etc. did. And a couple of hundred years later, Eliza Darcy, mumble-great granddaughter of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, is going from the US to England for a family reunion. This is the epitome of a cozy mystery, featuring huge coincidences, a heroine who can't stop being nosy (but everyone loves her for it), family secrets, a show more quirky elderly great-aunt, insta-attraction and nearly insta-love, etc. I liked the characters, the dialogue was good, and it passed an afternoon. Decent brain-candy, but maybe not terribly memorable. If they come my way, I would read more in the series. Reviewed from an e-book received for free through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer Program in exchange for an honest review. show less

I was so excited to dive into another Eliza Darcy mystery, and Berg didn't disappoint. Full of twists, turns, old estates, great friends, and an unforgettable mystery, this was a great addition to the series. While you don't need to read book one to enjoy this one, many of the characters are introduced there, and you'll have a better feel for them if you do. That said, Berg easily reacquaints you with both Pemberly and its colorful residents, in a way that makes you feel like you're right show more there with them. Great Aunt Iris will never cease to amaze me, whether it's her tenacity, wit, or just the oddness that seems to surround her. Eliza has been doing a great job balancing Pemberly and ridding it of the remnants of those who sought to destroy it, Heath and Joy were wonderful, and by far the best part of this mystery was watching them all work together to clear the DCI's name. If you enjoy Jane Austen and cozy mysteries, then you'll want to grab this. show less