Death comes to Pemberley- P.D.James

This book works at two levels- as a murder mystery and as a sequel or as I prefer to think of it, a revisit to old, familiar and much -loved characters. So, my response will also be on two levels.

As a murder mystery- This is a P.D. James after all. So naturally all the elements are in place. Mention worthy- the fact that this is a story set in Victorian England and she has made sure that reasons and motives fit the climate of that time. The mystery it self , however is not dazzlingly brilliant or breathtaking in it's cleverness.It works and it is interesting

Where the book scores is in taking the readers back to the lives of Bennetts,  Darcys and Bingleys. James has remained true to the characters. She has tried to recreate Austen's style of writing, and succeed at least in the opening line- as much as it possible for somebody to- Let's be fair-Austen is a tough act to follow.
Every Austen fan must have imagined life after Jane and Lizzy get married. James gives us one possible life- we get a lot of Darcy- a gentler Darcy, a mature Liz and more confident Georgiana who incidentally gets her own romance.
Lizzy and Darcy's lives, their minds get as much space in the novel as the murder. We also met Colonel Fitzwilliam and other familiar characters.
True to tradition. it is Lydia and Wickham who cause the upset that sets the story moving.
The plot moves cleverly ; James has used all the traits Austen established to her advantage. The additional characters she has created blend in seamlessly into the story. There is never a wrong foot here.
The resolution is also very satisfying.
Read it- if you are an Austen fan. Read it if you want a good mystery with all you favourite characters in it. Read it if you like Victorian murder mysteries.
Caveat- judged only a whodunit- there have been better.