Book Review: Spies and Prejudice

Spies and Prejudice

By: Talia Vance

Published By: EgmontUSA

Publication Date: June 11, 2013

Page Count: 304

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher

Audience: Young Adult - Contemporary, Pride and Prejudice Inspired

Spies and Prejudice is a contemporary mystery with a nod to Austen's Elizabeth and Darcy. The Pride and Prejudice (P&P) elements come across loud in clear in this fun, fast paced read. I enjoyed tracking the allusions as I pieced together the mystery surrounding Berry's mother.

Strawberry Fields, aka Berry, has always felt like her mother's death left a giant hole in her life. The police ruled her car accident to be a suicide, but Berry and her father can't believe that the woman they knew and loved would leave them. Berry spends her entire childhood wondering what really happened to her mother on that fateful day. She will stop at nothing to find the truth. The mystery of Mrs. Fields was by far my favorite thing about this novel.

I kept reading because I wanted to know what really was happening with Mr. Moss and Mrs. Fields. There was so much intrigue surrounding their professional relationship and the opening chapters set the tension in motion. Like Berry, I felt that Mrs. Fields' death was a little suspicious. I wanted answers - almost as much as Berry did.

However, even though I found the mystery to be compelling, I did have some issues with this novel. First, I was not a fan of Berry. She was abrasive and too stubborn for my tastes. I also found myself frustrated with her decisions and attitude throughout most of the novel. Second, while the romance does a nice job of honoring P&P in many ways, I felt it was lacking. I never understood the attraction and it seemed forced. Sadly, I don't think Berry and her love interest were as likable as Elizabeth and Darcy. I did appreciate that the romance is a side avenue and not the main thoroughfare of this story. The emphasis is truly on the mystery.

All in all, I found this to be a fun read, but I wish that I had connected with Berry a bit more. If you're a fan of spy novels or just want a modern dose of something Austen inspired, I'd pick this one up. It's a cute, fast read.

One Last Gripe: The ending felt a bit rushed after all the build up.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: The friendship between Berry, Mary Chris, and Jason

First Sentence: The only thing worse than a guy who cheats on his girlfriend?

Favorite Character: Mary Chris

Least Favorite Character: I didn't have one.

Summary:

Pride & Prejudice meets Veronica Mars in this slick romantic spy-thriller where nothing’s as it seems.

Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She's busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she's sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either.

So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her "nothing amazing," it's no loss for Berry. She'll forget him in no time. She's more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother's death.

But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can't Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes?

With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.