Tag Archives: Hallmark
December 2, 2019 by Moreland
Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe
Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de La Cruz
So my friend gave this to me last year for Christmas, along with Praying with Jane…she knows me so well.
And I have been saving it until this December as it just didn't feel right posting after Christmas.
I was a bit wary when I saw that the book was to be turned into a Hallmark movie. It could be fantastic…or it could be a horrible cliché.
I figured I'll start off the month with this book, review the film on 13th, and then review Holiday Mix Tape on December 25th. At least that's the plan…we will see what happens.
My life motto right there…
So…having read this-sorry ya'll we are starting this holiday season off with a Scrooge review. I hated this book and thought it was horrible.
**Spoiler Warning**
I will be giving away the end so if you don't want the end ruined, better leave now.
So I know who Melissa de La Cruz is although I have never read her books before. I do know that she is Filipino-American and I wish she had used that in writing her story. I would have much rather read Pride and Prejudice with the influence of Filipino culture than this.
If this was just a holiday cozy Christmas tale-I probably wouldn't care-but when they added Jane Austen into the mix-I judge much harsher…
They failed!
So the first thing about this book is that it is gender swapped. Darcy is a 29-year old female and Elizabeth is Luke Bennet. Jane is a younger brother named Jim, and there is a Kit and Lyle instead of Kitty and Lydia. Charlotte Collins instead of William Collins and a Carl (Caroline Bingley?) Darcy also has four brothers (more on that later) and a best friend named Charles Bingley.
I thought you said they were all gender-swapped?
Yes, Charles. Charles is the only one that isn't gender swapped which makes no sense at all. If you are going to swap everyone else, why exclude him? It is so odd when everyone else is gender-swapped.
So Darcy Fitzwilliam is a beautiful big lipped beauty (not kidding about the lips, the description goes on and on) is 29 and single. She's afraid of commitment and never wants to be married but tired of hearing everyone saying she is alone and thinking she should be married. She is a:
At least until midway through the book.
Her mother had a heart attack so she heads back to Pemberley, Ohio-her hometown she left and swore never to return to after a horrible break from her family. When she refused to marry Carl (Caroline Bingley ?) her father disowned her.
So first of all problem one-Darcy never had a bad relationship with his father-he greatly admired him. And problem two-having his parents die and him having to be the father to his sister created his character. You ever notice how people who lost a parent/parents and had to take on that roll for younger siblings are always a little more bossy or parental? They tend to tell others what they should do, just as they would for their sibling. Now there is a way to do it without the parents being dead-but it should be a bigger deal with his/her roll in the family. Having Darcy separated doesn't work at all. Like how is Darcy supposed to take care of Georgiana-or George in this-if they have been separated from their family for EIGHT years-no phone calls, emails, social media, etc. (Except she talks to the mom every now and then.
Speaking of which there is extremely little social media in this book at all which I find completely strange as this was published in 2017.
No social media? She's 29!
So Darcy has to get a dress and her mom tells her to go to Bloomingdales-now this wouldn't have registered with me but someone who reviewed the book mentioned that there are no Bloomingdales in Ohio, and I checked online and yes, there are none. So wow-wonder where Darcy got her dress at?
Darcy is an annoying character as she has no personality. Example: she named her lion "Little Lion" and she sees nothing wrong with that as an adult. She can't even think of a name for her baby at first as she likes to name everything factual. REALLY!!!!! She can't even think of a name AND WANTS TO CALL HER LITTLE BABY until Luke makes her stop and choose a name.
So back to the story-every year her parents throw a big holiday party and Darcy goes to it and she is upset at everyone being married and talking about families because oh no, Darcy is not about any of that. Really? This was turned into a Hallmark movie-it says on the cover, so all that is a LIE.
I get they are trying to set her up for she fell in love and changed how she felt and everything…but she says that all the time, it is really annoying. And she is rude to all the people who are married and have kids and still live in Pemberley.
At the party she runs into Charles Bingley who she hasn't seen or spoken to in eight years. Yep, they become best friends again and Charles listen to the advice given to someone who he hasn't seen in eight years. What kind of logic is that? And they don't even act like normal people! If I ran into my best friend after EIGHT years we would be gabbing and talking about all we'd been doing and life and here they do none of that. They reminisce for a few minutes and are best pals. But that's it. No how's life, no sharing about work or jobs, or anything. Wow-great "best friend" here, she's too busy talking about how "hot" he is rather than about finding out about who he is.
You are a bad friend.
Bingley runs into Jim (Jane Bennet)-literally and the two are off together. Wow, Bingley has been to every Fitzwilliam Christmas party every year, but oh on this time he's hit by cupid's arrow. Why? What? Like why now? There is no explanation and feels contrived.
Darcy gets drunk and runs into Luke Bennet-her hated attractive archenemies. Yes, she goes on about how she hates him but goes on and on describing how hot he is. He is happy to see her and wants to catch up but she just yells about how everyone is jealous of her beauty and being self made and a woman. She goes on a long rant about how much better she is than anyone at the party. She keeps going yelling at Luke about how he is a loser for being a carpenter and staying at his hometown.
WWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!!!
I know…I have no clue what the writer's were thinking.
Did you EVEN read the book????!!! If not reading the book, DID YOU you even watch the movie???? This is so not Pride and Prejudice. This a train wreck!
Ugh! Really!
This is a horrible book!!! Horrible!!!!
I shouldn't have read this.
They turn out to be under the mistletoe and even though she's been a horrible person, Luke decides to kiss her anyway-why I don't know??! They should stay away from mistletoe though.
I know I spelled it wrong, I cannot spell mistletoe correctly to save my life. (I only caught it in my comment as my computer let me know).
They kiss again, but are interrupted by Carl who comes into the scene. She dumped him, was disowned by her father, and fled to New York-but hooks up with him every now and then.
Seriously, Mr. Darcy would never do that. He would never drag someone's hopes on when he isn't interested. Such a jerky thing to do!
I can't help but compare this book to the Christmas film 12 Men of Christmas. Like that film isn't an official Pride and Prejudice film, but did this soooo much better. It had interesting characters, it had a new angle, it was a cute Christmas film-and it did keep to the finer points of the STORY!! Sorry for that rant, but I totally recommend it.
So Darcy meets with Carl for coffee the next day but then even though she 100% does not want to get married, have children, etc-and 100% does not want to marry Carl-she tells him when offered an ultimatum-give me time to think about it. What!!!!!! Seriously!! UGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH What is this character. Soooooo annoying. I have had to read page after page about how she doesn't want marriage or family, or Carl-but instead of cutting him loose "I'll think about it?" NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Darcy talks about how great she us at her job and makes so much money and is so smart, but we never hear or see what she does. Guess she's not so important.
So Darcy gets invited to Christmas Caroling with Bingley who is in love with Jim. They are going with the Bennets and Darcy meets Kit and Lyle who are demon spawn. Seriously- they are horrible human beings. Like geez-did you read the book?
Did you even read the book!!!
They all go out caroling and we get a rant about how sexist, and against human rights, and against animal rights the 12 Days of Christmas…WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW
WHAT IS THIS BOOK???!!!!!!!
WHAT!!!??
They end up at the Fitzwilliam house where they all get drunk-Darcy gets really drunk, and she and Luke kiss again under the mistletoe.
She wakes up with Luke in her room. They had started to get together last night, but Darcy passed out. WOW such great writing and storytelling. Jane Austen would be so proud-(in case you don't know I'm being sarcastic!) This is horrid!!!!
Darcy and Luke argue and fight and she's all I'm better with my money blah, blah-but she gets a call and her deal fell through. But no big deal, it's like a blimp. Seriously what does she do? Oh that's not important-she's just rich and important, that is all we need to know. Bleh, bleh, bleh-this is awful, this is horrible, I hate it.
This book!!!!
Bingley goes on about how he is in love with Jim and prepared to move back to Pemberley and be with him forever…after 2 days. Yes, they have never spoken or spent time with each other before, but after 2 days he's sure he is the one. Darcy tells him to slow down and YEAH she's got a point. Dude you have spent 2 days with him, just TWO!!! Like in the original book they have spent more time together and Darcy's fears came from Jane not showing overt affection, not seeming to be as invested, and of course Jane's family. Here there is no wiggle room, Darcy is 100% in the right-it has been two days, but they make it seem as if she is being a jerk and selfish when she isn't. She's actually being a good friend…for once.
She actually can be a good friend.
She convinces Bingley to break a date with Jim and hang out with her and Bingley agrees, not a bad idea as they have been spending 24/7 together and need to have some space. But instead of Bingley telling him the truth he lies and says he is sick and goes off with Darcy on the town and get caught. So then Jim is mad, understandable, and they're over. But then Darcy convinces Bigley to pull a Lloyd Dobler and they get back together. Wow, that happened all in a day-such an emotional roller coaster.
At least for this post!
Meanwhile, Luke is engaged!!! He was kissing Darcy and would have slept with her if she hadn't been drunk and he's engaged!!!! Everyone in this book is awful!!!!!!!!!! He claims he was on a break-but unlike Ross-he wasn't!!!!! I'm sorry I really, just really…I CAN'T EVEN!!!
Like this is based on an amazing novel, and this whole things feels like a separate story that was just inputed with names from Jane Austen to capitalize on all us fans. Like this has nothing to do with the book!!!! NOTHING!!!! THIS is HORRIBLE!!! I HATE IT!!!!!!
Darcy is in love with Luke why I don't know as they have had, what three conversations in three days (most of the conversations being about how great and wonderful Darcy is and Luke sucks)-and shared two kisses. That's the sum of their relationship. But she's in love. And looks through her yearbook. Now this gets me. She's already been mooning over him, why not look up his facebook or instagram. They never spend any time on social media at all-I don't know any 29 year old who is so free from the siren call of social media.
Read in this case.
So Darcy looks over her yearbook and sees the picture of Luke and admits she's always been in love with him. WOOOOOOWWWW!!! Really? This is dumb. Because guess what guys even though she is sooooooooo in love with Luke ever since high school she gets engaged and reserves the plaza to a wedding to Carl. What the freak is this?!!! Yes, pages of how she doesn't love Carl or want to ever be with him an she gets engaged!!!!
Oh and her mother who was on death's door, is better in like four days.
Then Darcy has three brothers who they all hate her and treat her like crap. Which was not like in the bookokk!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so angry!
I have to take a break…
I'm done
Okay…so her little brother Will got into Harvard and she's like whatever no big deal. Now I am not from a wealthy family, if interested I wrote a little about it in Pride, Prejudice, and Personal Statements, so I don't assume I know what it is like. But I do know from watching Gossip Girl you can't have someone be a Blair and a Nate. This whole book Darcy has been Blair-I'm great, money, wealth, I have a plan for my life, cares about what people think, cares about where to go and what to do, etc. But then when her brother gets into Harvard-she suddenly becomes like Nate Archibald when he wants to join Carter in giving up everything and backpacking the neighborhood saying screw the inheritance, trust funds, big name schools, etc. You can't have a character be both.
And Darcy is a horrible older sibling and her younger brothers are all horrible too and the they nothing like Georgiana and Darcy!!! Where is this???!!!
Darcy is engaged to Carl (a mess of her own doing), doesn't break off the engagement, and goes to the engaged Luke to tell him that she loves him. Really?????????
He calls her names and Darcy heads to NYC. WOOOOOOOOOOOWW!!!!!!!!! So romantic. AWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFULAWFUL
It is so awful!
So Darcy goes back to work where we see is is a horrid boss and her employees dislike her which wasN'T IN THE BOOOOKKKK!!! Did they even read the book? Or see an adaption?? The employees and renters loved Mr. Darcy! That's one of the things that fully convinces Elizabeth she was in the wrong-how could anyone be a horrible awful human being but be good to their employees? It's like people yelling at the waitstaff. You can have someone who seems great-but inside are horrible and treat the waitstaff like crap-but you never have someone who is a horrible human being but treat their waitstaff great.
Darcy dumps Carl in a note and flies home to Pemberley to help out Kit and Lyle Bennet who are demon spawn. Like they should be sent to Juvie. Here is what they have done:
Set a trash can on fire
Set a classmate's shoe on fire
Set frogs free from the science lab (pass for that)
Had drugs
Spray painted obscenities
Stealing test answers
Giving a student a stick-and-poke tattoo
Physical fights with students and faculty
If they were in school with my kid, just because some rich girl paid off the principal I'd be furious. They are horrible.
And one their names are Kit and Lyle
Darcy does the good deed of helping them and keeping them in school instead of juvie, which is a horrible idea, and then she collapses.
She ends up in the hospital as she was dehydrated. And in like two pages (15 mins) all the issues between Dacry and her father solved. Oh he cut her off because he was afraid she would be hurt in New York and never come back. He's been mean to her because he doesn't know how to tell her he loves her. Oh wow. …..yeah this is dumb.
Darcy gets healed and she's invited to Charlotte and Luke's wedding rehearsal (why as they aren't friends) and she decides to go, no ones there and the two are together.
So back it up, it has been like five days-they have had four conversations
Darcy dunk at the party-talking about herself and insulting Luke
Christmas Carols where they hardly speak at all
The morning after Christmas caroling-Darcy insulting Luke and talking about herself
Darcy admitting she loves Luke and Luke insulting her
As you can see most of these are Darcy talking about how Luke sucks, and most of Luke's conversations are calling Darcy a snob and other names…but oh no they are in love.
Seriously!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry, I am not a writer-I know it's not my talent, and I really can't say I could do better but this sucks.
In the end Luke and Darcy get married and have a daughter, move to New York. It never says what Luke does but I assume Darcy keeps working at her job even though she lost the biggest deal, the biggest deal that turned out to not be a big deal. Whatever.
I know…I have no clue what the writer was thinking.
This is awful and I'm glad its over. I'm sooo done…
So will the movie be as bad? I watched the trailer and it looks like they actually spend some time together so there is hope…but we shall see…
Pass on it!
For more Pride and Prejudice, go to Drive Me Crazy: Austentatious (2015)
For more Pride and Prejudice book adaptations, go to Pride, Prejudice, and Personal Statements
Posted in Pride and Prejudice
Tagged Blair Waldorf, Caroline Bingley, Charles Bingley, Charlotte Collins, Christmas, Christmas Carolers, Christmas Movie, Darcy Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth Bennet, Filipino, Gender Swap, Gossip GIrl, Hallmark, Jane Bennet, Jim Bennet, Kit Bennet, Kitty Bennet, Lloyd Dobler, Luke Bennet, Lydia Bennet, Lyle Bennet, Melissa de La Cruz, Mistletoe, Mr. Collins, Mr. Darcy, Nargles, Nate Archibald, Pemberley, Pemberley Ohio, Praying With Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe, Pride Prejudice and Personal Statements, The 12 Men of Christmas
The Witch's Curse: Murder She Wrote (1992)
I love Murder She Wrote, I grew up watching the reruns on TV Land and Hallmark. The story was of widowed, retired school teacher, Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) who becomes an author-published under the name J.B. Fletcher.
As she goes about life she gets pulled into all these different murder mysteries. using her intellect and observational skills to solve the crimes.
So this episode is 12 of season 8. In this we are back in Jessica's hometown of Cabot Cove where her good friend Dr. Seth Hazlitt (William Windom) is casting people for the community play he is putting on-a historical tale about the beautiful Rachel Abbot who was falsely accused of being a witch.
In the middle of casting a storm quells up, wind and thunder and beautiful woman enters to try out for the lead.
Her name is Mariah Osborne and she is new in town, living in the old Walker home. She blows everyone out of the water-giving life to role as if she was Rachel Abbott. She gets the role while the judge is played by Judge Willard Clinton and the prosecutor by the local insurance rep, Nate Parsons.
Great choices
Sheriff Mort Metzger and Jessica aren't impressed with the story or on how her line of the bells ringing-bells did ring. He tries to tell them how shivers ran down everyone's spines, but the two just laugh at him.
Jessica goes to the archives to do some research when she runs into Mariah. They introduce each other as Mariah explains that she was checking out the actual court transcripts.
Mariah says that she thinks Cabot Cove has a history of ganging up on people. Hmm-wonder why she fells that way?
Mariah heads to the Winthrop mansion, to return Lydia Winthrop's shawl she borrowed the night before at rehearsals. There she meets Lydia's husband, Charlie Winthrop, who is recuperating in a wheelchair and suffering from muscle spasms. Again Mariah mentions standing up for wrongfully accused-hmm wonder what or who she is getting at?
Now we know Mariah is not a witch, but there is something so creepy about her-how she appears everywhere, Every word seems to be dripping with a deeper meaning.
Just so creepy
As she leaves the house she notices that Charles isn't really injured-he's faking it. He walks over to his safe and takes out something in it.
Oh?
That night someone breaks into the safe at the Winthrop house. When the police question them, Lydia points the finger at Mariah.
Nothing appears to be missing, just rose petals everywhere-weird. But then Lydia reminds them of Mariah's line "rose petals scattered in memory of blood spilled."
Things get complicated. Stories of Mariah having a black cat, a cauldron, and walking around at midnight in black. Sheriff Mort talks to Jessica, and she tries to bring them all back to reality but it is hard as the stories grow and Mariah's actions kind of feed into it.
Mariah goes to Nate to get fire insurance and question about the house-but they do not have records that far back as there was a really bad fire and the records were lost.. Lydia also is there to speak to Nate abut more insurance since their break in.
In the next scene we see Dr. Seth helping Mariah carry paint home. Jessica sees them and warns Mariah to beware of fires-the paint is highly flammable. Hmmm.
That night Nate's shed burns down and there was a pentagram on the door. They try to question what was in it, but that is all buried under witch questions.
Everyone starts talking about how Rebecca Abbott said she would return in storm and fire and death, which is what happened since Mariah Osbourne came to town.
Things don't get better at rehearsal. She has all her lines memorized, making people believe maybe their were no lines to memorize-maybe she knew already.
During the rehearsal Mariah adds in some lines at Lydia's character, calling her a bitter and barren woman. Lydia becomes furious-everyone protests-but Mariah assures them she pulled it from the actual trial records.
Seth calls a break, and Mariah and Judge Willard Clinton flirt. That night he finds a note from "Rachel" to meet him at the belltower for a secret rendezvous. When he gets there, rose petals are everywhere and he is pushed out the window to his death.
Sheriff Mort and JB discuss the case-Mort knowing that Mariah isn't a witch-but just doesn't know how to explain all the witchy stuff.
They go to question Mariah and she tries to defend herself and even gives them a writing sample. JB searches the room and finds a scrapbook on "Monica Walker" articles and one of Mariah by a boat.
JB tries to get more info-but all the records are gone from city hall and the newspaper. She turns to the only source left-Dr. Seth. Dr. Seth tells her that Monica used to work for Charles and Lydia but was accused of stealing a necklace, and served years in jail-on her release she sold her house and left, never coming back.
JB goes to question Lydia and Charles. Charles is recovering nicely from his fall on the stairs and Lydia put more insurance on he house since the break-in. JB questions what happened to her original necklace, but Lydia never received it back.
JB also sees Charles walking-sees that he is a liar. Jessica doesn't comment on it, but asks who oversaw the Monica Walker case, it was Willard Clinton.
JB investigates the crime scene and runs into Nate who is also investigating. Jessica finds dark hairs on a nail and takes them to the police.
Meanwhile, the sheriffs have been working hard. They discover that Mary Lynn Walker was the one who broke into the Winthrop house. They go to Mariah and found out the truth-her name is Mary Lynn and she returned to Cabot Cove because she wanted to clear her mother's name. She is searching for the necklace or other proof. She claims she did not kill Willard Clinton. She gets arrested anyway.
Jb questions Nate and is pretty sure she has it all figured our when the hairs come back as wig hair instead of real hair.
JB finally puts the screws to Lydia and she spills. Her husband was cheating on her with Monica Walker. So Lydia conspired with Nate to stage a fake robbery, and have Monica Walker framed for the murder, with Willard Clinton helping her. When he met Mariah/Mary Lynn he started to feel bad, and in order to keep her secret, she murdered him.
JB has solved another case and kept her head in the midst of it all.
To start Horrorfest VII from the beginning, go to It's the End of the World: The Birds (1963)
For the previous post, go to You Don't Know Which Way to Turn, There's No Place to Hide, Nowhere to run…: The Blue Gardenia (1953)
For more Jessica Fletcher, go to With a Little Luck of the Irish: 17 More Irish Heroes
For more Angela Lansbury, go to Because I Am Mad, I Hate You. Because I Am Mad, I Have Betrayed You: Gaslight (1944)
For more witches, go to It Feels So Good to See the Bad Guys Scared for a Change: Hangman's Curse (2003)
Posted in Horrorfest VII
Tagged Angela Lansbury, Belltower, Cabot Cove, Charlie Winthrop, Dr. Seth Hazlitt, Hallmark, J.B. Fletcher, Jessica B. Fletcher, Judge Willard Clinton, Lydia Winthrop, Mariah Osborne, Mary Lynn Walker, Monica Walker, Murder She Wrote, Nate Parsons, Pentagram, Rachel Abbot, Sheriff Mort Metzger, The Witch's Curse, TV LAND, William Windom, Witch, Witches
Someone is Killing By Copying Old Murders!: Real Murders
Day 11) K is for Killer: Choose a book with a murderer
Real Murders (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries #1) by Charlaine Harris
So you all know how much I love book sales.
Part of the fun is the mystery that you never know what you are going to find at a sale.
So one book sale I went to, it was the last day and they were trying to unload everything. It was a dollar a bag so I filled mine up with anything I found that sparked my interest.
I can't help it, it is an addiction.
This one struck my eye as it was a mystery, involved a serial killer, and copying "real murders".
This was during my "I want to be a behavioral psychologist" phase, before Criminal Minds came out, and I would read anything on the subject. So this idea of someone copying real murders seemed like a hit idea to me.
I enjoyed the book so much, that I reader it at least four times a year. The story is great, the characters fun, the mystery just perfect. It is a fantastic read and so engrossing! I just couldn't put it down.
I was shocked when I discovered that this was the same Harris that wrote the Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries. I never would have made that connection as this isn't as sex generated or full of supernatural characters.
And with Hallmark turning this book into a film, one that I can review for Horrorfest if I desire, what better time to choose to review this book?
Aurora "Roe" Teagarden is in her late twenties and lives a pretty quiet life in Lawrenceton, Georgia. She works as manager for her mother's condos and as a librarian.
Her best friend moved away recently, and she isn't seeing anyone romantically. The only other thing she is really involved in, is the club Real Murders.
A year ago there was a book signing of a true crime novel and several people from Lawrenceton traveled to the city to attend. When they realized they all shared an interest in true crime they created a group that meets once a month to discuss past crimes, try to figure out unsolved cases, and learn about police work or the criminal mind. Each time they meet a different person has a chance to create a program and share with the group.
Their group consists of Roe: Jane Engle, retired school librarian and substitute, specializing in Victorian murders, particularly Madeline Smith; LeMaster Cane, African-American and interested in the racial killings of the '60s and '70s, especially the Zebra murders and Jones-Piagentini shootings; John Queensland, Roe's mother's boyfriend, an expert on Lizzie Borden; Sally Allison, newspaper reporter; Perry Allison, Sally's son, is not quite all there and shows an unhealthy interest in the Hillside Stranglers and the Green River killer; Gifford Doakes and his friend (boyfriend?) Reynaldo, who likes massacres such as St. Valentine's Day or the Holocaust; Detective Arthur Smith, interested in studying old crimes and seeing how police worked the case; Bankston Waites and his girlfriend Melanie; Benjamin Greer, guy who has tried everything to "belong"; Gerald Wright and his jealous wife Mamie.
Tonight is Roe's night to share and she is covering the Wallace case from the 1930s, where William Herbert Wallace was convicted for killing his wife Julia. She is a little nervous and heads over slightly early. This month Mamie is the opener of the VFW hall they rent, followed by Sally who is in charge of refreshments. When Roe gets there she looks around for the others, but instead receives a phone call asking to speak to Julia Wallace.
Roe cant find Mamie, but runs into Sally. As more people arrive, Roe finds it even odder they haven't found Mamie in the building.
Surprisingly Elizabeth Ann "Lizanne" Buckley, the most beautiful and easily bored woman in town, comes to the meeting and brings Robin Crusoe, mystery writer.
Roe can't brush off Mamie's disappearance and starts searching the building for her. As she looks, she comes across her dead body.
Roe goes into shock over seeing her that way, but notices the similarities between this and the Wallace case. So eerily similar that someone must have copied it and arranged the body.
Everyone is subjected to long questioning, with Officer Arthur Smith making plans to meet with Roe the next day and get more information on the Wallace case.
The next day comes and Roe is finally able to give the talk she practiced.
Wallace Herbert Wallace was a Liverpool insurance salesman (like Gerald), and married with no children (just like the Wrights). Wallace had a regular schedule for collecting insurance payments from subscribers to his company and he bring the money home on Tuesdays. Wallace played chess and was entered in the tournament at his local club. There was a chart on the wall detailing when each person would play, one anybody could see.
Wallace didn't have a phone at home and received a message from another member who had taken a call from a "Qualtrough" to meet him at his house the next evening.
Now the call came when Wallace wasn't at the club so he could have left it himself at a phone booth down the way. H talks about the message with his friends at the club; is he puzzled or just trying to instill the message in other's minds?
The next night Wallace goes out to meet Qualtrough. Qualtrough left the address Menlove Gardens East, but no such place exists. Wallace asks many people for help, even a policeman. Is he set on getting the new client or is he just trying to create an alibi?
Wallace returns home but his key won't work. Julia has bolted the front door for some reason and won't answer any knocks on the door. A couple who lives next door hears him as he heads in the back to get into the house; Wallace and the couple enter the house and see things out of place.
The box where the insurance money is usually held has been rifled. Wallace checks the house and finds his wife in the parlor, a room rarely used. Julia is lying in front of the gas fire with a raincoat under her, and she has been beaten to death brutally, but not raped; just like Mamie.
There was no real case against Wallace, just a lot of circumstantial evidence and pressure to arrest the killer.
Roe is absolutely disgusted with this killer. They killed Mamie not because she was Mamie or they had an issue with her; something that would be partially understood psychologically, but only because she was an insurance salesman's wife and childless.
And who will be next and which criminal will they be following next? Jack the Ripper? Ed Gein? The Blackburn Baby Killer?
Later Roe heads to the store and right into Robin Crusoe. Robin is interested in the case, and wants to know more along with getting away from his disheveled house.
While he is there a package comes to Roe, but it is actually for her mother, Aida Teagarden, and sent by Roe's father. Roe lets her know and she comes right over. The package is Mrs. See's chocolate, her favorite!
But it is a bit odd that Roe's father, Aida's ex, would send her chocolate; and even stranger that it took six days to get from the city, an hour away.
Aida opens up the container and picks up a caramel filled one, when Roe notices that there is a puncture underneath.
She stops her mom and they look at all the cream filled ones. They all have punctures.
Arthur and his partner, Lynn Ligget, come to question the group about the event and later it is revealed that the chocolates were poisoned. This murder copies the Botkin Case, as it appears someone is trying to kill all those in the group, or their family, copying real murders.
Aurora calls a meeting of Real Murders to see if they can figure out who the killer might be, who dislikes any of them? But no one is helpful and the group disbands.
Unfortunately that does not stop the killing, as Benjamin Greer's boss, potential mayoral candidate is killed in the bathtub, the same way as Marat during the French Revolution.
Meanwhile, amidst the killings, Roe has struck the interest of Robin and Arthur. Both men she finds very attractive, and who will win out as the series progresses? (For me I like Robin. Arthur is too egotistical and just expects her to go along with him even though he doesn't really ask her like he should.)
But Roe has more on her mind than love, what murder will be copied next and which of her friends will be the next victim?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
I won't reveal any more as the ending is great. You will definitely have to check this book out for yourself. What a twist!
The other thing I like about this is that it isn't gruesome but very intellectual, with all the past true crime that was researched, it is just fascinating to boot.
To start the 30 Day Challenge from the beginning, go to It Was a Pleasure to Burn: Fahrenheit 451
For the previous post, go to Midnight in Austenland
For more on Charlaine Harris, go to Life's A Journey
For more mysteries, go to Your Cases Have Indeed Been of the Greatest Interest to Me: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
For more on serial killers, go to The Butcher of Burtonsville High: The Death of the Queen Bee, Bones (2010)
For more Alex Flinn quotes, go to I Don't Wanna Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem)
Today I thought we would go all Southern, as this this book takes place in the South. So we are going to have Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley.
This song was written in 1948 by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson, but didn't become a popular Christmas Carol until the King recorded it in 1957. What can I say? We love Elvis.
For more on Elvis, go to Fandom Love
For more Christmas Carols, go to I'm the Happiest Girl on Prince Edward Island: Anne of Green Gables
Posted in 25 Carols of Christmas, 30 Day Challenge, Book Lover
Tagged Addicted to Buying Books, Aida Teagarden, Alex Flinn, Aurora "Roe" Teagarden, Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, Bankston Waites, behavioral psychologist, Benjamin Greer, Billy Hayes, Book Hoarder, Book Sale, Can't Stop Reading, Carry a Book With Me, Charlaine Harris, Criminal Minds, Dead Body, Detective Arthur Smith, Detective Lynn Ligget, Elizabeth Ann "Lizanne" Buckley, Elvis, Elvis Presley, Gerald Wright, Gifford Doakes, Hallmark, I'll Have a Blue Christmas, Jane Engle, Jay W. Johnson, John Queensland, LeMaster Cane, Librarian, Mamie Wright, Murderer, Mystery, Perry Allison, Real Murders, Robin Crusoe, Sally Allison, Serial Killer, Victor Hugo
November 24, 2016 by Moreland
Is Love at the Thanksgiving Parade Really Just Pride & Prejudice?
So first of all, Happy Thanksgiving!
So I was watching this film as I like Hallmark and it is a Thanksgiving film, perfect for the day, but then it got me thinking…it reminded me of something…
And then it hit me over the head!
It reminded me of a certain Jane Austen story:
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet (1940)
But is this film really a modern take on Pride & Prejudice? Or is it just borrowing some elements of it? Let's take a look!
Emily Jones, (E for Elizabeth?), is the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade coordinator. She loves her job and vintage things; choosing to shop and thrift stores and live her life appreciating the past. She is currently engaged to a marine biologist, who is full of himself and doesn't appreciate Emily but wants to change her into something, "better."
That guy!
Emily has a best friend, Donna, who helps her with finding her vintage clothing and offers her advice. Emily's life is going great until she gets the ultimate slap in the face; the city has hired an efficiency consultant, Henry Williams (Will as in FitzWILLIAM Darcy?), to cut costs in the parade.
Immediately Emily doesn't like him. Not only is he trying to destroy her favorite thing in the world, but he is wealthy, arrogant, insensitive, impossible, and hates the past as he believes modernity is the way to go. Henry thinks Emily is stubborn, impractical, prejudiced, and doesn't understand her doggedness about holding onto the parade or her. But they are stuck together.
Henry Williams: We don't have to like each other, but we do have to work together.
As they start working together, Henry discovers that he misjudged Emily and starts to understand and appreciate her views; changing more and more with each encounter as he opens himself up to care about the heart of the matters, rather than the money.
Emily starts to fall for him, but her pride and prejudices still keep her from realizing that he is right for her, and her fiancé, Brian, is all wrong. But when Henry decides to change nothing at all, saving the parade for her; Emily realizes she completely misjudged him in every way, and goes after him and in the end they are together.
So the storyline has quite a few similarities; the bare bones are the same. But what about the characters?
Elizabeth/Emily
So we are going to start with Emily. Emily was born from a middle class family and has worked hard in her job to make it the best she can as she has a strong sentimental connection to it and the city. She isn't like other people often being "out of time", as she loves vintage and retro things of the past.
Elizabeth Bennet is born from a middle/upper class; not wealthy like Darcy or Anne Elliot or Emma Woodhouse, but her family does well. She, like Emily, isn't always connected to the people of the day as she has her own way of doing things. She prefers walks to riding in a carriage, books to games of whist, etc.
Emily's pride is hurt when she finds out that the city is going to not only going to try to remove something from her parade to make it cheaper, but also that they would pick an outsider to come in and make those changes. She immediately becomes prejudiced against Henry, no matter what others say about him.
Elizabeth's pride is hurt when Darcy insults her beauty, and after that becomes prejudiced against him. When George Wickham enters her life, she knows barely anything about him but is willing to believe his testimony against Darcy, rather than Bingley who she has begun to know, as she wants a reason to dislike him even more.
Emily is dating Brian who doesn't really care for her but who he wants her to be. Elizabeth is interested in George Wickham, who also doesn't care for her as much as using her as an avenue to spread slander against Darcy and hopefully introduce her to a wealthy woman.
Emily decides the best way to get Henry to save the parade is to show him every facet. As they spend time together; Henry opens up a lot and the two become friends and start falling for each other. However, Emily doesn't realize how Henry is the perfect one for him until she meets the foster care directors that took care of him when he was younger and when he decides to change nothing, but save the parade for her.
Elizabeth and Darcy don't share the same type of closeness as the social constraints of the day don't allow them the same kind of time together. But through the time they do spend and conversations they have, Darcy falls for Elizabeth. Elizabeth doesn't find herself falling for Darcy until she reads his letter of explanation, hears from his servants about how they feel about him, and when he saves her family and finds her sister.
Fitzwilliam Darcy/Henry Williams
Henry Williams grew up in foster care and worked hard his whole life to achieve wealth. Along the way he closed himself off to others, not interested in developing relationships, but chasing after the dollar and making decisions primarily on logical and cool reasoning, rather than emotions.
Fitzwilliam Darcy had a life of privilege, but his responsibilities of being the only son, inheriting and caring for the land, and becoming a guardian for his sister made him focus more on decisions that made sense, rather than emotional.
At first Henry cannot stand Emily as he doesn't understand her or like the things she likes and the way she dresses (it is strange to him that someone could love wearing used clothing). As they continue working together, he starts to like the way she acts, the things she does, and her.
Mr. Darcy at first isn't interested in Elizabeth and he really isn't interested in befriending anybody but being closed off. However, once they spend time together; he starts to like her conversation, her interests, and her.
In the end Henry lets down his facade and barriers allowing Emily in and trying to show her his real self He also decides that his love for Emily is more important and keeps the parade exactly the same. Not only does he save the parade she loves, but saves the actual parade by filling in for their missing Santa.
Darcy does everything he can to try and change Elizabeth's opinion of him after hearing her objections. He opens his home to her and her family, and tries to show her who he really is under the cold drawn facade. But the thing that really proves to her his care is that he goes to see the people he vowed to never see again, pays a man he never vowed to never give money to again, and saves Lydia and the Bennet family reputation; all for Elizabeth.
Conclusion?
Well this isn't a direct and true adaption of the novel, I do believe that with the large similarities and the core of the characters; while not perfect…it is a modern Pride & Prejudice. And did I like it?
Yes. Whether you watch it as a modern version of Pride & Prejudice, as a cute Thanksgiving film, or a feel good Hallmark film; I thought it was cute and fun.
So that's our post for today. I thought it would be the perfect Thanksgiving and Jane Austen fusion. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, however you spent it. And don't forget the pie!
For more Thanksgiving posts, go to You've Got to Accentuate the Positive
For more Pride & Prejudice film adaptations, go to A Murder Has Been Committed on Your Property: Death Comes to Pemberley, Episode One (2013)
For more Pride & Prejudice, go to Candy Girls
For more modern retellings of Jane Austen, go to The Dashwood Sisters Tell All: A Modern Day Novel of Jane Austen
For more Jane Austen Quotes, go to Lemon Scones
For more bible verses, go to I'd Lay Down My Life for You: Pocahontas (1995)
Posted in Holiday, Pride and Prejudice
Tagged Apple Pie, Based on Jane Austen, Bible Verse, Charles Bingley, Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Donna, Eat Pie, Elizabeth Bennet, Emily Jones, Foster Care, George Wickham, Goes on a Walk, Hallmark, Henry Williams, I Love Reading, Jane Austen, Jane Austen Quotes, Love at the Thanksgiving Parade, Misjudged, Modern Day, Modern Retellings, Mr. Darcy, Pride & Prejudice, Thank You, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Parade, Vintage