Death of a clergyman by Riana Everly

Hello All, I know I haven’t been here much lately. I am going through an express course of German for university entry, so I am focusing on that, right now, but never fear, I have several reviews coming up in December and the coming year. 

But now I will present Riana Everly, and her newest book, namely, “The Death of a Clergyman.” 

Blurb

Mary Bennet has always been the quiet sister, the studious and contemplative middle child in a busy family of five. She is not interested in balls and parties and is only slightly bothered by the arrival of the distant cousin who will one day inherit her father’s estate. But then Mr Collins is found dead, and Mary’s beloved sister Elizabeth is accused of his murder. Mary knows she must learn whatever she can to prove Elizabeth innocent of this most horrible crime or her sister might be hanged as a murderess!

Alexander Lyons has made a pleasant life for himself in London, far from his home village in Scotland. He investigates missing documents and unfaithful wives and earns an honest living. Then one day Mr Darcy walks into his office, begging him to investigate the murder of Mr Collins and to prove Elizabeth innocent of the crime. It seems like a straightforward enough case, but Alexander did not count on meeting a rather annoying young woman who seems to be in his way at every turn: Mary Bennet.

As the case grows more and more complicated, Mary and Alexander cannot stop arguing and discover that each brings new insight into the case. But as they get close to some answers, will they survive the plans of an evildoer in the middle of quiet Meryton?

OMG OMG MR. Darcy speaks out, and Riana is there, just listening to him!!!

Mr. Darcy Speaks

Forgive me if I am distracted. I have, just this very morning, received the most unsettling news. I am quite in a bother. It cannot be true, and yet… whatever am I to do about it?

Ah, I have committed a great lapse. I neglected to introduce myself. I believe I ought to sit and gather my thoughts and explain myself. Perhaps in the speaking I might settle upon my next actions.

My name, if you do not already know it, is Fitzwilliam Darcy, of the Pemberley Darcys. You may have heard of us, as much as I strive to keep the family name pristine and free from scandal. But scandal, despite my best efforts, seems determined to find us.

You see, I was, until this very morning, visiting my friend Bingley at his estate in Hertfordshire. He has let the place to see if land management suits him. Whilst there, I necessarily was introduced to what passes for local society. A savage lot, most of them, but not without exception. There were one or two men in the vicinity who offered a spot of intelligent conversation, and some of the young ladies were not unappealing. Some were really quite pretty. I can think of one with particularly fine eyes.

But she, alas, is the cause of the scandal that haunts me. For she, only this afternoon, has been accused of murdering a man. That very lady whose wit inspired my own retorts, whom – I scarcely dare admit this to myself – I had begun to admire, is assumed guilty of this most vile of sins.

But it cannot be! I cannot claim to know her well, but I know her well enough to know she is not capable of such a crime. Not Elizabeth… Miss Bennet! She would not hesitate to fillet a man with her words, but she has not the first mark of physical violence in her. And if it is known that I am associated in any way with her, even as distantly as this, well, the scandal! You must understand.

Perhaps the family name could withstand such an imposed blemish, if not for the sad event with my sister this very last summer. That, too, we have been able to keep from the society pages, but if not for that investigator, Alexander Lyons, the incident would have had a very different ending.

I wonder what Lyons would make of this present spectre of scandal, what he would make of Miss Bennet and this awful murder.

By gum! That’s it exactly! Thank you, you have been most very helpful. I must visit Lyons at once. He is a man of great intelligence and perception. If anybody can acquit Miss Bennet of this dread accusation, it is he!

I am off at once to his office. I have not a moment to lose. Pray, excuse me for my rudeness.

Oh, and please help yourself to some biscuits.

Biography

Riana Everly was born in South Africa, but has called Canada home since she was eight years old. She has a Master’s degree in Medieval Studies and is trained as a classical musician, specialising in Baroque and early Classical music. She first encountered Jane Austen when her father handed her a copy of Emma at age 11, and has never looked back.

Riana now lives in Toronto with her family. When she is not writing, she can often be found playing string quartets with friends, biking around the beautiful province of Ontario with her husband, trying to improve her photography, thinking about what to make for dinner, and, of course, reading!

Contact Links

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RianaEverly

 Website: www.rianaeverly.com

 Email: riana.everly@gmail.com

 Amazon: www.amazon.com/Riana-Everly/e/B076C6HY27

Buy Links

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/deathofaclergyman

 Amazon Link: http://mybook.to/deathofaclergyman

Giveaway

Now guys, here is the giveaway, Riana is givning away one Ebook of her new and upcoming book, “Death of a clergyman” to one lucky visitor today!

To enter, just leave a comment on the post and I will randomly select a winner five days after this blog is posted. I will contact the winner and email the book directly, so there are no concerns about not being able to receive Amazon gift copies, which sometimes happens.

So that’s it for this time around, and don’t worry, if you think you missed my review, you haven’t, since I haven’t posted my review yet, but I will once I pass my German Course in early December. But until then, I will just say Tschüss