The new installment of the Pemberley Chronicles follows the story of Cassandra Gardiner, daughter of Pride & Prejudice
's Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. When Cassandra's brother, Julian, is faced with personal tragedy, he abdicates his role as Pemberley's heir to his young son, Anthony, retreating into his work and leaving it up to Cassandra to raise Anthony for the station. Meanwhile, Cassandra has a family of her own, including her daughter Lizzie, enamored of a newly arrived American. Add a mysterious death in the village, and it's a sure bet that things at Pemberley will be lively. Collins is clearly well practiced at this series and has a superb grasp of character (particularly the ones she's contributed to Austen's world). This time, however, she's bitten off slightly more than a reader can chew: three generations of several interconnected families will challenge even adept historical readers. Those expecting Austen-caliber prose will be disappointed, but this should please as a Victorian family story with familiar characters. Longtime readers will find more of the same; new ones would be better off with the original. (Nov.)
