Emma was never my favorite character so I suppose my rating is a little biased but I don't think this was the best of the series. ( )

More than a guilty pleasure. Bebris does a better job than most Austen-inspired writers in creating Austen-like diaogue and characters without being hackneyed. Of course it helps that most of the characters are real Austen characters. ( )

Bebris once more provides us a fun look at the world of Austen taking her most beloved duo into the world of Mystery and Intrigue. It is forced though to provide reasons for the Darcy's to meet the main characters of other novels, in this case Emma.

Adding to the small intrigue we had with Frank Churchill's secret engagement to Jane Fairfax, we expand on the duplicity that was evident in the canon to create a mystery of murder and suspicions. This is well done should you be able to leave any love you have for particular characters at the door.

Here Mrs. Elton is even more condescending than she was in the original work as the woman's need to force herself above her station, (she is wife to the hired hand, not a lady whose husband owns a great and large estate)

If you put aside this, and the introduction of characters non-canonical who are introduced solely to link our protagonists to the editions tie-ins, then you can settle down for a good bit of fun that should last you a few hours. Each of these Mr & Mrs Darcy tales are that, a good bit of fun, but you have to put aside your perception of the canon and give into Ms. Debris' view. Do that and they are worthwhile indeed. ( )

I actually think of this as a 3.5 star read, but I'm giving it 4 stars here because I'm not sure it's the books, or the author's fault.

This book's plot centers around Highbury and the characters from Jane Austen's Emma, one of the few remaining Austen books I haven't yet read. I think this hindered me with this story, as I had a terrible time keeping the characters and which estates they belonged to, straight in my mind while reading. More than once I had to go back to previous chapters to remind myself "who was this person??". This was more pronounced due to the author's choice of opening the book from the perspective of Emma, before the Darcy's arrive on scene.

Once I finally got most of the characters straight in my mind, I really enjoyed the mystery - it was delightfully convoluted with more than a few likely suspects. Unfortunately the murderer stuck out a bit like a sore thumb for me, but it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the unfolding mystery and clues. I really enjoyed the incorporation of word puzzles too, as I felt like I could "play along" more actively in solving the clues.

An enjoyable series and The Intrigue at Highbury isn't the worst or the best book of the bunch, but one I'd probably read again - after I read Emma. ( )

Two stars seems too low. It was enjoyable. ( )