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The Secret Life of Mary Bennet #1
The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet
In Jane Austen’s revered Pride and Prejudice, Mary, the middle sister, is often passed over. Until now…
Upon the death of her father, Mary Bennet’s life is thrown into turmoil. With no fortune or marriage prospects, Mary must rely on the kindness of her relatives. When a mysterious late-night visit by an unknown relative—a Lady Trafford from Castle Durrington—leads to an extended stay and the chance for an education, Mary gratefully accepts the opportunity.
But even as she arrives at the castle, she’s faced with one mystery after another. Who is Lady Trafford really and what is she hiding? Do her secrets and manipulations place the small seaside community at risk of an invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte? Always curious, Mary sets out to discover the truth. But when she discovers the dead body of a would-be thief she outed prior to her father’s funeral, Mary jeopardizes her position at the castle and her family’s good name in her quest for the truth.
Never underestimate the observation skills of a woman who hides in the background.
Upon the death of her father, Mary Bennet’s life is thrown into turmoil. With no fortune or marriage prospects, Mary must rely on the kindness of her relatives. When a mysterious late-night visit by an unknown relative—a Lady Trafford from Castle Durrington—leads to an extended stay and the chance for an education, Mary gratefully accepts the opportunity.
But even as she arrives at the castle, she’s faced with one mystery after another. Who is Lady Trafford really and what is she hiding? Do her secrets and manipulations place the small seaside community at risk of an invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte? Always curious, Mary sets out to discover the truth. But when she discovers the dead body of a would-be thief she outed prior to her father’s funeral, Mary jeopardizes her position at the castle and her family’s good name in her quest for the truth.
Never underestimate the observation skills of a woman who hides in the background.
342 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2021
About the author
Katherine Cowley
6 books222 followersKatherine Cowley read Pride and Prejudice for the first time when she was ten years old, which started a lifelong obsession with Jane Austen. Her debut novel, The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet, was nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. The Mary Bennet spy series continues with the novels The True Confessions of a London Spy and The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception.
Katherine loves history, chocolate, traveling, and playing the piano, and she has taught writing classes at Western Michigan University. She lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her husband and three daughters.
Katherine loves history, chocolate, traveling, and playing the piano, and she has taught writing classes at Western Michigan University. She lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her husband and three daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
October 21, 2020
“Cowley’s creative continuation of the story of one of literature’s famous forgotten sisters into a world she could never have dreamed possible broadens her horizons and ours. Following the pedantic Mary Bennet in her adventures after the conclusion of Pride and Prejudice was a delight that Jane Austen and mystery fans will embrace and cheer.”— Laurel Ann Nattress, editor of Jane Austen Made Me Do It, and Austenprose.com.
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August 13, 2020I have spent years thinking about Mary Bennet. She's the overlooked character, the sister who doesn't experience change or growth over the course of Pride and Prejudice. And I think she is like so many of us--underestimated, capable, still learning and growing. I wanted to give her a story that allowed her to come into her own, and I thought, "What if Mary is actually a spy?" This is that story, and I hope that you enjoy it.
June 9, 2021
Always the overlooked, plain daughter, but what will she do with the chance to become something more? Lovers of underdog heroines, curious mysteries, and historical settings that bring the past to life need look no further for your reading pleasure. I was tickled to give this delightful debutant book in the series a go.
The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet is technically a sequel of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, but it is also something a great deal more. Mary Bennet is no one’s idea of a heroine with her social awkwardness, plainness, and prickly wall of defense she has learned to mount against neglect and hurtful remarks from her own family and beyond. However, the author brings the reader behind Mary’s wall and inside her heart and head to spy a young lady who wants what we all want- acceptance, friendship, love, find her place in the world, and to be comfortable in her own skin.
This book faithfully portrays this stumbling, bumbling attempt on Mary’s part to grow and become more in the face of a recently deceased father who she wished had thought her worthy and an indifferent mother who feels nothing for her but exasperation and sisters, older and younger, who have always been too caught up in their own lives to see past her prosy, pedantic speeches to the quivering bundle of socially inept girl inside who uses what she thinks are her great accomplishments to mask her inability to hold a normal conversation let alone display pleasing manners to others.
But, she does grow when she steps out of her comfort zone and accepts the invitation of a mysterious Lady Trafford and her nephew who agree to teach her while letting her stay with them in a castle on the English Channel near Worthing.
She falls down a few times and my heart ached for her, but, in her own way, this woman was scrappy and learned from her mistakes to get back up stronger and wiser to keep going. I was emotionally invested in her.
A murder happens, but Mary has already spotted some odd occurrences. Perhaps because others find her inadequate like Lady Trafford’s nephew, Mary is determined to discover the truth behind the murder and determines to spy on several pivotal characters around her to find the answers on her own. I wanted Mary to succeed so much because here in lies her true skill. This gal observed so much and not only that, but her mind worked out the significance of her observations and discoveries. The book was slow at times, but when Mary was in investigation mode, I was riveted and was as anxious to get to the bottom of things as Mary.
As the reader, I had an inkling about some of the secrets going on around Mary and I really hoped I was right. At first, I didn’t realize that this was only the start of a series that would follow Mary’s life adventures, but near the end, I was ecstatic to realize there was going to be more beyond the end of Mary’s discovery at the truth of the murder and I was right about those reveals. The author left things at a good place showing that Mary had come far, personally, and that Mary had solved the mystery, but I love what was also liked where her future is headed.
All in all, this was a tough-fought character-driven and gently-paced, but engaging suspense-driven start of series. I suspect the later books will take off with the suspense and the character will grow even more intrepid in this Regency Era Napoleonic War Espionage mystery series that I can definitely recommend.
I rec'd a finished print copy of the book through the publisher to read in exchange for an honest review.
The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet is technically a sequel of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, but it is also something a great deal more. Mary Bennet is no one’s idea of a heroine with her social awkwardness, plainness, and prickly wall of defense she has learned to mount against neglect and hurtful remarks from her own family and beyond. However, the author brings the reader behind Mary’s wall and inside her heart and head to spy a young lady who wants what we all want- acceptance, friendship, love, find her place in the world, and to be comfortable in her own skin.
This book faithfully portrays this stumbling, bumbling attempt on Mary’s part to grow and become more in the face of a recently deceased father who she wished had thought her worthy and an indifferent mother who feels nothing for her but exasperation and sisters, older and younger, who have always been too caught up in their own lives to see past her prosy, pedantic speeches to the quivering bundle of socially inept girl inside who uses what she thinks are her great accomplishments to mask her inability to hold a normal conversation let alone display pleasing manners to others.
But, she does grow when she steps out of her comfort zone and accepts the invitation of a mysterious Lady Trafford and her nephew who agree to teach her while letting her stay with them in a castle on the English Channel near Worthing.
She falls down a few times and my heart ached for her, but, in her own way, this woman was scrappy and learned from her mistakes to get back up stronger and wiser to keep going. I was emotionally invested in her.
A murder happens, but Mary has already spotted some odd occurrences. Perhaps because others find her inadequate like Lady Trafford’s nephew, Mary is determined to discover the truth behind the murder and determines to spy on several pivotal characters around her to find the answers on her own. I wanted Mary to succeed so much because here in lies her true skill. This gal observed so much and not only that, but her mind worked out the significance of her observations and discoveries. The book was slow at times, but when Mary was in investigation mode, I was riveted and was as anxious to get to the bottom of things as Mary.
As the reader, I had an inkling about some of the secrets going on around Mary and I really hoped I was right. At first, I didn’t realize that this was only the start of a series that would follow Mary’s life adventures, but near the end, I was ecstatic to realize there was going to be more beyond the end of Mary’s discovery at the truth of the murder and I was right about those reveals. The author left things at a good place showing that Mary had come far, personally, and that Mary had solved the mystery, but I love what was also liked where her future is headed.
All in all, this was a tough-fought character-driven and gently-paced, but engaging suspense-driven start of series. I suspect the later books will take off with the suspense and the character will grow even more intrepid in this Regency Era Napoleonic War Espionage mystery series that I can definitely recommend.
I rec'd a finished print copy of the book through the publisher to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2021
this story stayed true to mary, though gave her reason to be like what she was in p&p and also by the end of the story she grew? or atleast became a bit less silly and conceited...maybe. though really most of the time she was silly, unlikeable, self absorbed and stumbled about all the secrets without really about intellegent about them.
February 10, 2021
I love this book!
When I think of historical spy stories, I ask myself a couple of questions. “Is Hitler attacking in World War One again?” and “Is this a spy story, or a “Spy” story Romance. Where somehow the main character is beautiful, intelligent, perfect yet clueless, needs to be saved every other page, but is strong and independent. And spends the whole novel wondering about her love life and at the end just so happens to solve a crime.”
Those of you who have been burned by historical inaccuracies or shamed by a helpless bikini model scientist. Do not fear, this book is none of those things!
First off, I really appreciated how the story stayed true to the Jane Austen canon. Mary was still Mary, we just got to see inside, see why she was perceived as dull and prosy. Mary felt like the only thing of value about herself was her talents and her morals. She wasn’t the pretty one, the witty one, the fun one. She was smart, observant, kind and she was socially anxious. If you add it all together you get Mary, who wants to be loved and accepted. She wants to help, but she doesn’t know how, except by finding a sermon that she hopes will encourage you. Her heart is in the right place. She is trying to prove she is worth your time, trying so hard it comes across as sermonizing.
Honestly, how many of us have been the odd one out? Have said the most embarrassing thing and felt like sinking from mortification? If you said no, then you should read a sermon about lying.
I really connect with Mary. I was so happy when she found her own, and she does, in a delicious way! Those who doubted and belittled her, get shown how wrong they were about her. She found her place, she made her place.
Wrapping up my section about character development, let’s move on to the plot, history and the spy part of this spy story. Now, I don’t know about you, but I was never a spy in the 1800s, I’m no expert, but from my humble opinion it’s historically sound. I love the inclusion of the war and Napoleon into the Jane Austen world. In Persuasion, we get a glimpse through the movements of the Navy. I really enjoyed exploring it more in this book! It was well researched, and I learned about sealing my letters to protect and alert against tampering. The mystery of the story was amazing! I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’ll be vague. It took some serious sleuthing from Mary to find the answer. I loved how everyone was trying to solve it and Mary just tiptoes around and solves it by herself, BAM! (Well, there goes me being vague… oops) She was clever and careful, and she cared. It wasn’t this “I’m going to prove how amazing I am and do it all by myself”, she honestly cared, she honestly did her best, and then she rocked it. With her wits and gumption, she solved it.
Don’t you hate it in books where Miss Roxanne Smoulders can’t decide if Mr. Dash Charming or Mr. Stabby McKilly did the crime, but she follows her heart.
Not this book, not my homegirl Mary!
She might have social anxiety, she might struggle with her self-image, but she pursues the truth and she finds herself. She learns to love herself. What can be better than that??
One of my favorite parts in the book was when I realized there are two more books planned in the series.
Come on, Mary, Let’s do this!
It's is a clean read, no swearing, nakedness or explicate content
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, and I’d be very happy to receive more advanced copies from this author
When I think of historical spy stories, I ask myself a couple of questions. “Is Hitler attacking in World War One again?” and “Is this a spy story, or a “Spy” story Romance. Where somehow the main character is beautiful, intelligent, perfect yet clueless, needs to be saved every other page, but is strong and independent. And spends the whole novel wondering about her love life and at the end just so happens to solve a crime.”
Those of you who have been burned by historical inaccuracies or shamed by a helpless bikini model scientist. Do not fear, this book is none of those things!
First off, I really appreciated how the story stayed true to the Jane Austen canon. Mary was still Mary, we just got to see inside, see why she was perceived as dull and prosy. Mary felt like the only thing of value about herself was her talents and her morals. She wasn’t the pretty one, the witty one, the fun one. She was smart, observant, kind and she was socially anxious. If you add it all together you get Mary, who wants to be loved and accepted. She wants to help, but she doesn’t know how, except by finding a sermon that she hopes will encourage you. Her heart is in the right place. She is trying to prove she is worth your time, trying so hard it comes across as sermonizing.
Honestly, how many of us have been the odd one out? Have said the most embarrassing thing and felt like sinking from mortification? If you said no, then you should read a sermon about lying.
I really connect with Mary. I was so happy when she found her own, and she does, in a delicious way! Those who doubted and belittled her, get shown how wrong they were about her. She found her place, she made her place.
Wrapping up my section about character development, let’s move on to the plot, history and the spy part of this spy story. Now, I don’t know about you, but I was never a spy in the 1800s, I’m no expert, but from my humble opinion it’s historically sound. I love the inclusion of the war and Napoleon into the Jane Austen world. In Persuasion, we get a glimpse through the movements of the Navy. I really enjoyed exploring it more in this book! It was well researched, and I learned about sealing my letters to protect and alert against tampering. The mystery of the story was amazing! I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’ll be vague. It took some serious sleuthing from Mary to find the answer. I loved how everyone was trying to solve it and Mary just tiptoes around and solves it by herself, BAM! (Well, there goes me being vague… oops) She was clever and careful, and she cared. It wasn’t this “I’m going to prove how amazing I am and do it all by myself”, she honestly cared, she honestly did her best, and then she rocked it. With her wits and gumption, she solved it.
Don’t you hate it in books where Miss Roxanne Smoulders can’t decide if Mr. Dash Charming or Mr. Stabby McKilly did the crime, but she follows her heart.
Not this book, not my homegirl Mary!
She might have social anxiety, she might struggle with her self-image, but she pursues the truth and she finds herself. She learns to love herself. What can be better than that??
One of my favorite parts in the book was when I realized there are two more books planned in the series.
Come on, Mary, Let’s do this!
It's is a clean read, no swearing, nakedness or explicate content
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, and I’d be very happy to receive more advanced copies from this author
November 5, 2021
Mary Bennet Discovers a New Purpose
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Sequel about a Secondary Character
THE PREMISE: After the passing of Mr. Bennet, Mary Bennet has the opportunity to live with a distant relation who offers to arrange lessons to help improve her education. And not long after she arrives, Mary has the misfortune to discover a dead body washed upon the shore, and finds herself embroiled in solving a murder mystery amongst other mysteries…
MY THOUGHTS:
Mary Bennet solving mysteries? To paraphrase Schitt’s Creek, “love that journey for her!” And I love how Ms. Cowley set it all up with unexpected relations, a long-term sojourn to Worthing, an intriguing castle, and loads of suspicious activities stringing together from Meryton to Brighton. Mary catches wind of smuggling enterprises, discovers some treasonous links to France, and very early on starts to suspect her hosts of telling many falsehoods. Our dear Mary has more intrigues than she knows what to do with!
What I am enjoying most about this series (expected to be 3 books in total) is witnessing this author’s portrayal and evolution of Mary Bennet. In this first installment readers will see Mary very much as she is known to us in P&P – stiff, severe, arrogant, and lacking in social awareness. She makes some cringe-y mistakes that make it hard to like her. But eventually, Mary starts to see her wrongs and amends her actions and behaviors. I appreciate that even though Mary has been overlooked and lonely for much of her life, she is determined to think for herself, be true to herself, and make her own way.
One area where Mary is not in any way flawed or needing improvement is her observational skills – she is a female Sherlock Holmes! She takes note of everything very quickly with very explicit detail, is surprisingly quick on her feet, is in possession of a bounty of courage, and as we might expect, is very devoted to discovering the truth and preserving justice. The one detective/sleuth skill Mary needs to work on is her communicating/interrogating skills when trying to covertly glean information from a person of interest. I enjoyed seeing Mary so capable and savvy in her spying endeavors – she was brilliant! And I really loved how, whenever she was in a situation where she felt out of her depths, she channeled one of her sisters and tried to act as they would – whether it was Jane’s kindness, Lizzy’s witty retorts, Kitty’s flirtatiousness, or Lydia’s boldness.
While the mysteries surrounding the murder and suspicious activities around Worthing were interesting and exciting, I think they sometimes fell secondary in importance and interest to Mary’s growth and evolution. In addition, there were some parts of the story where the pacing felt a bit too slow, and others where it felt too abrupt. And there were a couple of characters I would have liked to learn more about or see more developed – perhaps this will happen in the next book?
The Secret Life of Mary Bennet series promises to be and exhilarating and compelling series full of adventure, politics, and action! This first installment is an excellent choice for readers who are already #TeamMary, who have a fondness for unlikely heroines and transformative evolutions, and who long to become entangled in mysteries with murders, intriguing castles, and dangerous risks. I am looking forward to Book Two – True Confessions of a London Spy (expected release: March 2022).
Austenesque Reviews
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Sequel about a Secondary Character
THE PREMISE: After the passing of Mr. Bennet, Mary Bennet has the opportunity to live with a distant relation who offers to arrange lessons to help improve her education. And not long after she arrives, Mary has the misfortune to discover a dead body washed upon the shore, and finds herself embroiled in solving a murder mystery amongst other mysteries…
MY THOUGHTS:
Mary Bennet solving mysteries? To paraphrase Schitt’s Creek, “love that journey for her!” And I love how Ms. Cowley set it all up with unexpected relations, a long-term sojourn to Worthing, an intriguing castle, and loads of suspicious activities stringing together from Meryton to Brighton. Mary catches wind of smuggling enterprises, discovers some treasonous links to France, and very early on starts to suspect her hosts of telling many falsehoods. Our dear Mary has more intrigues than she knows what to do with!
What I am enjoying most about this series (expected to be 3 books in total) is witnessing this author’s portrayal and evolution of Mary Bennet. In this first installment readers will see Mary very much as she is known to us in P&P – stiff, severe, arrogant, and lacking in social awareness. She makes some cringe-y mistakes that make it hard to like her. But eventually, Mary starts to see her wrongs and amends her actions and behaviors. I appreciate that even though Mary has been overlooked and lonely for much of her life, she is determined to think for herself, be true to herself, and make her own way.
One area where Mary is not in any way flawed or needing improvement is her observational skills – she is a female Sherlock Holmes! She takes note of everything very quickly with very explicit detail, is surprisingly quick on her feet, is in possession of a bounty of courage, and as we might expect, is very devoted to discovering the truth and preserving justice. The one detective/sleuth skill Mary needs to work on is her communicating/interrogating skills when trying to covertly glean information from a person of interest. I enjoyed seeing Mary so capable and savvy in her spying endeavors – she was brilliant! And I really loved how, whenever she was in a situation where she felt out of her depths, she channeled one of her sisters and tried to act as they would – whether it was Jane’s kindness, Lizzy’s witty retorts, Kitty’s flirtatiousness, or Lydia’s boldness.
While the mysteries surrounding the murder and suspicious activities around Worthing were interesting and exciting, I think they sometimes fell secondary in importance and interest to Mary’s growth and evolution. In addition, there were some parts of the story where the pacing felt a bit too slow, and others where it felt too abrupt. And there were a couple of characters I would have liked to learn more about or see more developed – perhaps this will happen in the next book?
The Secret Life of Mary Bennet series promises to be and exhilarating and compelling series full of adventure, politics, and action! This first installment is an excellent choice for readers who are already #TeamMary, who have a fondness for unlikely heroines and transformative evolutions, and who long to become entangled in mysteries with murders, intriguing castles, and dangerous risks. I am looking forward to Book Two – True Confessions of a London Spy (expected release: March 2022).
Austenesque Reviews
June 5, 2022
Enjoyable audiobook. A twist on Jane Austen’s classic characters.
February 26, 2021
Several reasons why I love this story:
1. The Bennet sisters and their mother are portrayed true to form in the personalities set forth in Pride and Prejudice.
2. I love the focus on Mary. Other characters do not distract my attention from her.
3. Mary has a depth of character that is continuing to be revealed. Even by the end of the book, there is much more to be discovered about her abilities, talents, and character.
4. Mary is an imperfect person. At times, I am embarrassed for her brash mannerisms. Nevertheless, she is a person who is unpretentious. She is honest and direct. She does not allow emotions to overtake logic. To me, Mary is a breath of fresh air.
5. The mystery in The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet is a surprise twist. Mary who seems uncomfortable in her own skin. Mary who seems to have low self-confidence. She shows an understated part of her character that is innovative for serious tasks and to help solve a mystery.
6. At the end of the story, I didn’t want it to end. I thought, “wait a minute, I want to know more-more about Mary Bennet’s continuing story.” I am so glad for books two and three in the future!
Themes:
Family honor, sacrifice, loyalty, honesty, courage, death, grieving, compassion, self-worth, perseverance, and education.
Source: I received a complimentary paperback copy from the author. I am not required to write a positive review.
1. The Bennet sisters and their mother are portrayed true to form in the personalities set forth in Pride and Prejudice.
2. I love the focus on Mary. Other characters do not distract my attention from her.
3. Mary has a depth of character that is continuing to be revealed. Even by the end of the book, there is much more to be discovered about her abilities, talents, and character.
4. Mary is an imperfect person. At times, I am embarrassed for her brash mannerisms. Nevertheless, she is a person who is unpretentious. She is honest and direct. She does not allow emotions to overtake logic. To me, Mary is a breath of fresh air.
5. The mystery in The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet is a surprise twist. Mary who seems uncomfortable in her own skin. Mary who seems to have low self-confidence. She shows an understated part of her character that is innovative for serious tasks and to help solve a mystery.
6. At the end of the story, I didn’t want it to end. I thought, “wait a minute, I want to know more-more about Mary Bennet’s continuing story.” I am so glad for books two and three in the future!
Themes:
Family honor, sacrifice, loyalty, honesty, courage, death, grieving, compassion, self-worth, perseverance, and education.
Source: I received a complimentary paperback copy from the author. I am not required to write a positive review.
April 25, 2024
Poor Mary Bennet! Her father has died and relative is offered to let Mary come live with her and learn some skills that may help her become a governess. In her stay, Mary finds a body and believes her host son may be involved with criminal activity, including treason. In fact, she starts to believe that everyone around her is involved in either smuggling or spying…and she’s right!
Not able to trust anyone, Mary works alone to solve the murder and uncover the spy network.
Mary is presented as neurodivergent and I couldn’t help but root for her as she navigates the social situations in which she’s dropped while also grieving her father, trying to learn new skills, and carry out multiple investigations.
I’ll definitely be continuing with this series!
Not able to trust anyone, Mary works alone to solve the murder and uncover the spy network.
Mary is presented as neurodivergent and I couldn’t help but root for her as she navigates the social situations in which she’s dropped while also grieving her father, trying to learn new skills, and carry out multiple investigations.
I’ll definitely be continuing with this series!
November 12, 2022
My Rating: 3*
"Miss Mary Bennet could do nothing to stop her life from shattering to pieces, so she played the pianoforte." (quote from the book)
As I have said many times before, I love when authors develop secondary characters from Pride & Prejudice. I also love historical mysteries. So this book garnered my attention and I looked forward to reading it.
"She liked that she could keep her father's hair next to her finger, she could keep her longing and sorrow close, yet hidden from the world." (quote from the book)
Mr. Bennet has died and the Bennet family is in mourning. Mary's life is upended and she must rely on her relatives to support her. As the book description states, a mysterious late night visitor soon changes everything for Mary.
"Mary always felt that thoughts were like feet: a lady should keep them at a steady, controlled pace. But now Mary's thoughts were running in all directions, and she could do nothing to stop them." (quote from the book)
It is here where I must admit that I did not connect with this Mary Bennet. Don't get me wrong, the story is well written and the historical aspect is interesting, however this Mary grated on my nerves. I wanted to shake her. I refused to give up on the story but, in the end, I could not suspend my belief enough to accept some of her actions.
So please, read other reviews as there are many who loved this novel.
April 26, 2021
In this Pride and Prejudice sequel Mr Bennet has died, and during her nighttime vigil Mary receives a visit from unknown relations, introduced as Lady Trafford and her nephew Henry Withrow. Lady Trafford invites Mary for a visit to their home of Castle Durrington in Sussex to be educated in various subjects. But mysteries surround her. Can they be resolved.
This is Mary of canon, struggling with herself, the interactions with other people, and the circumstances of her current life.
A delightful and entertaining well-written historical mystery. A wonderful start to the series.
This is Mary of canon, struggling with herself, the interactions with other people, and the circumstances of her current life.
A delightful and entertaining well-written historical mystery. A wonderful start to the series.
September 1, 2022
2.5 stars
I'm so disappointed! :/
First, the good: I thought the writing itself was well-done, and I enjoyed the historical details. I also really appreciate we have some nonwhite characters, since, you know, they existed!
I also feel like Mary is coded as possibly neurodivergent - I can't speak to that myself, and the author doesn't confirm anything in her author's note, but that's a feeling I got throughout the book.
But oh my goodness I was SO BORED! I have rarely read a mystery where I was so bored. Everything just took SO LONG to happen. It's not that I didn't care about Mary's lessons or her investigation: it was that every part of it felt so unbearably drawn out. I wish this book had been a prequel novella, since where we end the story and set up the rest of the series makes for a much more interesting premise. I understand why we had this backstory, but surely there was a more engaging way to do it? Maybe the novel could have been split up into the set-up and a first (short) mystery, or something.
Besides the boredom, I also feel like some of the characterization choices made for a difficult book to get engaged in. Fanny and Miss Shaefer (SP?) were the only consistently likeable characters for much of the book, and they were barely in it.
This book has great reviews though, so it might be worth trying if it interests you! I was planning to DNF the series but the later books really do sound more interesting so now I'm not sure 😅
CW: Grief, bullying, references to racism
I'm so disappointed! :/
First, the good: I thought the writing itself was well-done, and I enjoyed the historical details. I also really appreciate we have some nonwhite characters, since, you know, they existed!
I also feel like Mary is coded as possibly neurodivergent - I can't speak to that myself, and the author doesn't confirm anything in her author's note, but that's a feeling I got throughout the book.
But oh my goodness I was SO BORED! I have rarely read a mystery where I was so bored. Everything just took SO LONG to happen. It's not that I didn't care about Mary's lessons or her investigation: it was that every part of it felt so unbearably drawn out. I wish this book had been a prequel novella, since where we end the story and set up the rest of the series makes for a much more interesting premise. I understand why we had this backstory, but surely there was a more engaging way to do it? Maybe the novel could have been split up into the set-up and a first (short) mystery, or something.
Besides the boredom, I also feel like some of the characterization choices made for a difficult book to get engaged in. Fanny and Miss Shaefer (SP?) were the only consistently likeable characters for much of the book, and they were barely in it.
This book has great reviews though, so it might be worth trying if it interests you! I was planning to DNF the series but the later books really do sound more interesting so now I'm not sure 😅
CW: Grief, bullying, references to racism
October 5, 2022
2022 MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD NOMINEE
I greatly enjoyed this Austen-inspired mystery. This is a unique story that focuses on the most forgettable of all of the Bennet sisters, Mary. After the death of her father, Mary is forced into greater independence and it is fascinating to see her growth. The author does a fantastic job of portraying Austen's original characters and especially expanding on Mary's inner life. Mary is socially awkward and occasionally quite rude, but becomes a very sympathetic character once we can see inside her head. The first part of the story felt a little slow as we meet many new characters whose motivations Mary isn't sure of. However, the pace picks up as Mary begins taking more risks in pursuit of the truth. Although she makes mistakes along the way, she is able to learn from them. As the mystery is resolved, Mary finds confidence, purpose, and friendship. The ending was very satisfying and I cannot wait to continue reading Mary's adventures! Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, mysteries, or just likes rooting for the underdog. This book was well-researched and it was fun to learn some new historical details about the Regency period.
I greatly enjoyed this Austen-inspired mystery. This is a unique story that focuses on the most forgettable of all of the Bennet sisters, Mary. After the death of her father, Mary is forced into greater independence and it is fascinating to see her growth. The author does a fantastic job of portraying Austen's original characters and especially expanding on Mary's inner life. Mary is socially awkward and occasionally quite rude, but becomes a very sympathetic character once we can see inside her head. The first part of the story felt a little slow as we meet many new characters whose motivations Mary isn't sure of. However, the pace picks up as Mary begins taking more risks in pursuit of the truth. Although she makes mistakes along the way, she is able to learn from them. As the mystery is resolved, Mary finds confidence, purpose, and friendship. The ending was very satisfying and I cannot wait to continue reading Mary's adventures! Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, mysteries, or just likes rooting for the underdog. This book was well-researched and it was fun to learn some new historical details about the Regency period.
August 22, 2021
Too much talking. Not enough murder. I feel like Mary could be interpreted as aroace but this is the first in a series and I don’t want to get my hopes up.
December 20, 2023
Fun!! This is about the middle Bennet sister going off and doing spy things, and it's kind of funny when they mention like Mr Darcy in the book because I'm just like 😱😱😱 Mr Darcy!?!?!? Elizabeth Bennet!?!?!? The celebrity?!?? From Pride and Prejudice?!?!? But like in universe they're not famous or anything, just A Guy.
July 9, 2021
Poor Mary Bennet. Plain, akward, stuck with her complaining and currently bereaved mother and preparing to deal with reduced living standards, it seems like this is it for her until......she aprehends a thief (or is he a thief?) and discovers a new relative who invites her to stay at her palatial home in order to recieve drawing and French lessons. But is this new benefactress indeed related? Why would she lie? When Mary finds a dead body, someone she has seen before, someone clearly murdered, she doesn't know who to trust.
The plot is intriguing, but even better, the tone stays very true to Austen's style and yet Mary has become something more. She is limited in her understanding of people (maybe even on the spectrum). Sometimes her stubborn determination to have the conversation she wants to have, do the things she wants to do, wear the depressing clothes she wants to wear is funny, sometimes it's hard to witness, but always this makes her such an alive and interesting person.
I listened to this in audio by Alison Larken, while actually looking for another book narrated by her because I like her so much. The combination is a great one.
The plot is intriguing, but even better, the tone stays very true to Austen's style and yet Mary has become something more. She is limited in her understanding of people (maybe even on the spectrum). Sometimes her stubborn determination to have the conversation she wants to have, do the things she wants to do, wear the depressing clothes she wants to wear is funny, sometimes it's hard to witness, but always this makes her such an alive and interesting person.
I listened to this in audio by Alison Larken, while actually looking for another book narrated by her because I like her so much. The combination is a great one.
Shelved as 'dnf-dnr-wnr'
August 1, 2021DNF about halfway, I couldn't even be bothered to notice. Deadly dull and overly mannered; "Oh, look, here is a clue. I shall investigate this clue."
November 27, 2022
3.5 stars. This is the first in a series, and is basically a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, with Mary Bennet as the main character. The story is written from her point of view.
It's a year or so after the marriage of the two oldest Bennet sisters, Jane and Elizabeth, to Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bennet has just died. Mary has grown closer to her father since Elizabeth's marriage and move to Pemberley, so Mary feels the loss of Mr. Bennet acutely, and plays the pianoforte to comfort herself as her home life seems to fall apart around her.
Mr. Collins has arrived and taken over Longbourn, and he's selling off some of its furnishings, Lady Catherine having advised him to immediately refurbish the house as his own. He has offered to let Mrs. Bennet stay, but Mrs. Bennet is determined to remove herself and her two middle daughters to her sister Mrs. Philips's home as soon as the funeral is over.
One day while Mary is playing her music and her sisters are sorting out who will receive mourning rings, a workman she doesn't recognize as one of those hired by Collins enters the room, looks around, and carries away a chair. But then the mourning rings turn up missing, and Mary rushes out to the cart that workmen have loaded with furniture and demands to examine the chair she saw removed. Hidden between its cushions she finds the case containing the mourning rings. But the man she saw has vanished. Mr. Collins says he never intended to get rid of that particular chair. They all find the attempted theft peculiar.
Mary sits vigil by her father's body each night before the funeral, and one night when the rest of the Longbourn residents are sleeping, she is visited by two strangers, a Lady Trafford and her nephew, Mr. Withrow. Lady Trafford introduces herself as a distance relation. She offers, the following day, to have Mary come live with her for a time and to hire tutors for Mary so she can eventually work as a governess. Mary agrees, feeling the need for some independence, and an escape from her mother and her insistence that Mary find a husband.
Lady Trafford and her house turn out to contain many curiosities and even mysteries, and Mary is thrown into the midst of a murder investigation soon after she arrives, finding herself suspecting her hostess and her nephew. She begins to spy on them as well as others in the nearby town, and she has quite a few close calls by the time the story's mysteries are all resolved.
I wanted to like this story. It's well-written, and it held my attention, and seemed well researched in its historical aspects. I like the racial diversity, which doesn't seem at all strained or unusual for the historical period.
But there was always something holding me back from loving this story, from getting completely wrapped up in it. I think that's mostly due to Mary's personality. She has admittedly never been a character I could like, even in Jane Austen's original story. But in that story she played a small role.
Mary doesn't feel sympathetic to me as a protagonist. I could understand her point of view, to a point, beyond which I grew frustrated by her intransigence and her rigid morals, especially when she broke with propriety in pursuit of some supposedly higher ideal when it suited her, and yet had it all wrong. She's supposed to be clever and notice things, but I didn't feel she was very good at piecing together the puzzles of the story. The human puzzles especially continued to elude her. It took her too long, I thought, to realize where to place her trust, and even when confronted with more solid answers and explanations, she continued to be stubborn. She has a character arc, but it seems to take too long and then have a sudden reversal, and then that reverses for a while. I don't understand that. Some of her actions seem truly bizarre, bordering on comedy, and yet it's not at all a humorous story. Anyway, she just doesn't sit right with me. Of course, in a series, there's a longer term character arc, sometimes. Maybe that will happen with this series.
I would say it's personal preference, but I don't seem to be alone in this. Judging by other reviews, it's a story people either dislike or love. Yet it's a generally popular story, so I would suggest giving this first in the series a try if the premise interests you. You might very well like it.
It's a year or so after the marriage of the two oldest Bennet sisters, Jane and Elizabeth, to Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bennet has just died. Mary has grown closer to her father since Elizabeth's marriage and move to Pemberley, so Mary feels the loss of Mr. Bennet acutely, and plays the pianoforte to comfort herself as her home life seems to fall apart around her.
Mr. Collins has arrived and taken over Longbourn, and he's selling off some of its furnishings, Lady Catherine having advised him to immediately refurbish the house as his own. He has offered to let Mrs. Bennet stay, but Mrs. Bennet is determined to remove herself and her two middle daughters to her sister Mrs. Philips's home as soon as the funeral is over.
One day while Mary is playing her music and her sisters are sorting out who will receive mourning rings, a workman she doesn't recognize as one of those hired by Collins enters the room, looks around, and carries away a chair. But then the mourning rings turn up missing, and Mary rushes out to the cart that workmen have loaded with furniture and demands to examine the chair she saw removed. Hidden between its cushions she finds the case containing the mourning rings. But the man she saw has vanished. Mr. Collins says he never intended to get rid of that particular chair. They all find the attempted theft peculiar.
Mary sits vigil by her father's body each night before the funeral, and one night when the rest of the Longbourn residents are sleeping, she is visited by two strangers, a Lady Trafford and her nephew, Mr. Withrow. Lady Trafford introduces herself as a distance relation. She offers, the following day, to have Mary come live with her for a time and to hire tutors for Mary so she can eventually work as a governess. Mary agrees, feeling the need for some independence, and an escape from her mother and her insistence that Mary find a husband.
Lady Trafford and her house turn out to contain many curiosities and even mysteries, and Mary is thrown into the midst of a murder investigation soon after she arrives, finding herself suspecting her hostess and her nephew. She begins to spy on them as well as others in the nearby town, and she has quite a few close calls by the time the story's mysteries are all resolved.
I wanted to like this story. It's well-written, and it held my attention, and seemed well researched in its historical aspects. I like the racial diversity, which doesn't seem at all strained or unusual for the historical period.
But there was always something holding me back from loving this story, from getting completely wrapped up in it. I think that's mostly due to Mary's personality. She has admittedly never been a character I could like, even in Jane Austen's original story. But in that story she played a small role.
Mary doesn't feel sympathetic to me as a protagonist. I could understand her point of view, to a point, beyond which I grew frustrated by her intransigence and her rigid morals, especially when she broke with propriety in pursuit of some supposedly higher ideal when it suited her, and yet had it all wrong. She's supposed to be clever and notice things, but I didn't feel she was very good at piecing together the puzzles of the story. The human puzzles especially continued to elude her. It took her too long, I thought, to realize where to place her trust, and even when confronted with more solid answers and explanations, she continued to be stubborn. She has a character arc, but it seems to take too long and then have a sudden reversal, and then that reverses for a while. I don't understand that. Some of her actions seem truly bizarre, bordering on comedy, and yet it's not at all a humorous story. Anyway, she just doesn't sit right with me. Of course, in a series, there's a longer term character arc, sometimes. Maybe that will happen with this series.
I would say it's personal preference, but I don't seem to be alone in this. Judging by other reviews, it's a story people either dislike or love. Yet it's a generally popular story, so I would suggest giving this first in the series a try if the premise interests you. You might very well like it.
January 22, 2024
This book does a good job of taking another author's character and fleshing her out without abandoning the source material. Mary Bennet is definitely the most underexplored character in Pride and Prejudice, and I was intrigued when I saw that someone was attempting to take the character in new directions. I think the author succeeds. Mary remains aggravating in many ways, but with a sense that when she is at her most aggravating is when she is trying her hardest to fit in.
May 26, 2023
4.5/5 A very fun mystery continuation of P&P.
October 13, 2022
I’ve enjoyed Jane Austen ever since I first saw the BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice when I was a teen. I immediately fell in love with the Bennet family, even as annoying as most of them are (thank god, my mom was nothing like Mrs Bennet).
I really want to love these adaptations or extensions of the original story, especially since Jane Austen herself wasn’t able to write many novels before she died at the age of 41. The problem is, they rarely hold up. I’m not a reader that would demand a modern author to write in exactly the style Jane Austen did because that’s just a little too difficult; we don’t talk or think in the same ways as people in the Regency era. But while it is true that one could argue that not a lot happens in Jane Austen novels, there is quite a lot of character development which keeps the reader interested. This novel had none of that. There was nothing that really happened, except one murder that took such a long time to be solved, and then there was very little character development. It feels as though the author is trying to suggest that Mary is neurodivergent, but she’s doing so in a way that feels a bit stereotyped, like a neurotypical’s idea of what a neurodivergent person would act.
I spent two or three days reading this book, and to be honest, I can’t really remember what happened. All I can recall is that something at the end with everyone being spies for Britain against Napoleon.
I really want to love these adaptations or extensions of the original story, especially since Jane Austen herself wasn’t able to write many novels before she died at the age of 41. The problem is, they rarely hold up. I’m not a reader that would demand a modern author to write in exactly the style Jane Austen did because that’s just a little too difficult; we don’t talk or think in the same ways as people in the Regency era. But while it is true that one could argue that not a lot happens in Jane Austen novels, there is quite a lot of character development which keeps the reader interested. This novel had none of that. There was nothing that really happened, except one murder that took such a long time to be solved, and then there was very little character development. It feels as though the author is trying to suggest that Mary is neurodivergent, but she’s doing so in a way that feels a bit stereotyped, like a neurotypical’s idea of what a neurodivergent person would act.
I spent two or three days reading this book, and to be honest, I can’t really remember what happened. All I can recall is that something at the end with everyone being spies for Britain against Napoleon.
February 7, 2022
Sadly, Mr. Bennet has died and his estate is passing to a cousin. This means Mary will have to live with her mother and depend on the kindness of relatives. Thus begins The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet, the first book of a mystery series in which Mary will star.
Mary is a bit of a bookworm, who is often self-involved and lacks social graces. The reader may squirm at some of her behaviors. Lady Trafford a distant relative has offered Mary, drawing and French lessons at her estate, Castle Durrington. The housekeepers offer for a full guided tour however Mary declines :
"But Mary was not here to learn about architecture. If she wanted to learn about it, she would read a book."
I am not much of an Austen reader. I read Pride and Prejudiceover 50 years ago, but I really got a kick out of Mary as presented by Katherine Cowley and want to continue reading the series.
Mary is a bit of a bookworm, who is often self-involved and lacks social graces. The reader may squirm at some of her behaviors. Lady Trafford a distant relative has offered Mary, drawing and French lessons at her estate, Castle Durrington. The housekeepers offer for a full guided tour however Mary declines :
"But Mary was not here to learn about architecture. If she wanted to learn about it, she would read a book."
I am not much of an Austen reader. I read Pride and Prejudiceover 50 years ago, but I really got a kick out of Mary as presented by Katherine Cowley and want to continue reading the series.
July 25, 2022
This was an audible impulse buy and I'm glad I gave it a try. It's the start of a series featuring Mary, the second youngest Bennet sister (Pride and Prejudice.) Always overlooked, socially awkward Mary has difficulty reading people and making friends. She's the least likely Bennet sister to achieve marriage (according to her fanatically marriage-obsessed mother) so when she's given a surprising opportunity to better herself by a mysterious unknown distant relation everyone is surprised...especially Mary.
And then the fun begins....Mysteries abound at the country estate and Mary proves to be quite adept at puzzling them out -- only she's clueless as to who she can trust. And I really can't say more than that without giving too much away. It's clever and funny and I loved the seeing world from Mary's very unique perspective. I'll definitely be continuing with the series.
And then the fun begins....Mysteries abound at the country estate and Mary proves to be quite adept at puzzling them out -- only she's clueless as to who she can trust. And I really can't say more than that without giving too much away. It's clever and funny and I loved the seeing world from Mary's very unique perspective. I'll definitely be continuing with the series.
June 20, 2021
I am not too familiar with this genre but found that I did not need to be.
The mystery begins near enough straight away. It was introduced almost without my noticing, deftly becoming part of the story. I constantly found myself thinking about what would happen next.
I sympathised with Mary. She is not a typical heroine by any means. She is an extremely well formed, somewhat quirky character who often made me laugh, but also a brave woman determined to face up to the challenges of her predicament and of the times she lives in.
Good to know there are going to be more Mary Bennet mysteries.
The mystery begins near enough straight away. It was introduced almost without my noticing, deftly becoming part of the story. I constantly found myself thinking about what would happen next.
I sympathised with Mary. She is not a typical heroine by any means. She is an extremely well formed, somewhat quirky character who often made me laugh, but also a brave woman determined to face up to the challenges of her predicament and of the times she lives in.
Good to know there are going to be more Mary Bennet mysteries.
January 21, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this! I listened to the audio version and was completely blown away. The depth that this story added to Austin’s England cannot be overstated. The rich, diverse characters were refreshing in a whitewashed version of British history we always are fed in most novels and adaptations of Austin’s work. Mary Bennet was always a background character but seeing her take center stage made me realize how much more there was to the Bennet family. I cannot wait to read the next installment. Bravo!
January 21, 2023
2023 bk 20. Jane Austen's character from Pride and Prejudice is revived in this trilogy. The premise is that Mary Bennett is taken in by a woman who is supposed to be distantly related. A man, who Mary had previously caught stealing mourning rings for her father, is murdered in the village near the castle near where she lives. Mary has her suspicions and helps out the local magistrate while at the same time trying to figure out her hostess. This book is a little more gothic than I enjoy - and while there are many who would enjoy it, I found it rough going.
May 11, 2021
A delightful and suspenseful imagining of Miss Mary Bennet, the withdrawn and awkward forgotten sister from Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The author depicted her beautifully and the other characters were well drawn and the plot quite intriguing. I'm so glad there will be two more books in this series! Great job, Miss Cowley!
December 25, 2021
I'm a huge Pride & Prejudice fan, and have read all kinds of knock-offs, spin-offs, parodies, and no matter how bad they are, I still tend to like them. With that preamble ... this isn't exactly what I expected, but I still loved it. I thought it was going to be Mary's perspective during Pride & Prejudice's goings on, but it actually picks up just after Pride & Prejudice ends, and I feel like it captured Mary's personality, staying true to her character as seen in Pride & Prejudice. It was humorous, but also thoughtful and even suspenseful. The author did a masterful job of capturing the snapshot of Mary from Pride & Prejudice and running with it and adding a new set of interesting characters. I think it was meant to be a bit of dramatic irony, that I knew what was going on, even when Mary didn't, and that's one thing that made it all the sweeter.
April 2, 2024
Miss Mary Bennet lives life according to the strict rules she has implemented to cope with the beau monde world. Much of that is torn asunder when her father dies and she finds herself living in a castle away from her family, trying to improve talents that were not encouraged at home. Her gratitude is tempered by a growing concern that she is enjoying the largesse of a family who are working to undermine Britain by supporting Napolean's cause. Are Mary's concerns valid? And how can one impoverished gentlewoman fight back?
Perhaps because Pride and Prejudice has never enamoured me, I was in a good place to appreciate this story. I'm vaguely aware of the original work, but the characters are not canon to me. Thus, Mary's journey in this new book was inspirational. Were one to read the story in its entirety, Mary's growth becomes apparent. I was not a huge Mary fan at the novel's beginning, but I certainly was at its end.
The story is lengthy (somewhat like this review!), but worth each and every scene. The mysteries (there are many) were carefully woven together and the treat was at the unknotting. While I did guess how everything would play out, the jaunt was entertaining and fully held my attention.
For Austin purists and those who like a speedy resolution, this probably isn't the book for you. For those of us cosyists who enjoy a long and involved read - this is for us!
Perhaps because Pride and Prejudice has never enamoured me, I was in a good place to appreciate this story. I'm vaguely aware of the original work, but the characters are not canon to me. Thus, Mary's journey in this new book was inspirational. Were one to read the story in its entirety, Mary's growth becomes apparent. I was not a huge Mary fan at the novel's beginning, but I certainly was at its end.
The story is lengthy (somewhat like this review!), but worth each and every scene. The mysteries (there are many) were carefully woven together and the treat was at the unknotting. While I did guess how everything would play out, the jaunt was entertaining and fully held my attention.
For Austin purists and those who like a speedy resolution, this probably isn't the book for you. For those of us cosyists who enjoy a long and involved read - this is for us!
April 30, 2024
This story has an interesting premise. I do think however that it’s kind of a cross between fan fiction and a mystery. I don’t mean that in a snide sort of way it’s just that this picks up after the classic and then takes Mary on an adventure. This not being one of the classics that I’ve read I found it harder to get into the story. The mystery is interesting and the setting well done. However not my favorite. My two cents your mileage may vary.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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