Let's face it, there are some really peculiar books out there, isn't there? It's becoming increasingly apparent that these are the pieces I'm drawn to most! Having being 'forced' (on the contrary, I was most willing for it was quite delightful!) to read 'Pride and Prejudice', the famous work by Jane Austen, I've been sucked into a whole new world and completely devoured the characters.

I've been meaning on buying 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies', a parody of the book, but have yet to do so. However, a few days ago I stumbled upon 'Mrs Darcy versus the Aliens' on a recent, frequently reoccurring trip to Waterstone's. Now this was located in the 'Horror' section, and looking at the cover it would seem to fit; there's a rather creepy looking image of who we assume is Mrs Darcy, and her face...eugh, it's hideous! However, upon reading the book I've discovered that it's not quite a horror book. It seems rather to incorporate every other genre in existence: classic, comedy, parody, mild erotica, ghost, sci fi...

The narrator shows us the central characters of Pride and Prejudice in their life after Eliza Bennett has married Mr Darcy, hence she now being known as Elizabeth Darcy. However, there are many peculiar things going on! We learn straight away that Elizabeth's young sister, and Mr Wickham's wife, Lydia Bennett has vanished. Charlotte Collins is not exactly acting herself, and there's a mysterious man named Lord Byron who seems to be spending a fair amount of time at Rosings...

As Elizabeth and Mr Wickham go in search of answers, they find many strange things along the way. It seems that Mr Darcy is not exactly feeling himself, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh seems to be having a bit of a mad moment. Oh, yes and then there are the ghost prostitutes. They're most fun! What's with all the probing of people who cannot recall their own name, locked in a cell-like room? Who is doing this? Why are they doing this?! And the...the tentacles?! Oh how bizarre!

There are so many things in this book which can quite easily make one question the sanity of the author! Jonathan Pinnock has done wonders with the characters. He's kept their traits true to the characters but have given them a slightly more comic twist. There's also a 'special guest' character in it, but I shall leave you to discover who this is! When I read that Lord Byron was in it, I died. He comes in on page fifty two, and I did squeal a little. He's absolutely perfect in every way and to have him close to the centre of a parody of one of my favourite books...well, what more could I ask for?! The book itself is full (I mean FULL!) of innuendos and indirect references to sex, and it seems that Byron is very much at the heart of these (there's a joyous story of offering Darcy Coq, just to give you a slight indication of the level of innuendos there!).

Oh, how I laughed! This book is both compelling and utterly hysterical! I paid £8.99 for it in Waterstone's (it's around £7 on Amazon.co.uk) and read it in the day. I simply couldn't put it down! It's rare that I'll read an entire book i one day (however this is becoming more frequent as I read an entire Rebus book the next day!) and absolutely loved it! If you're a fan of Byron, of Austen or of anything that is a bloomin' great read, then this is one you CANNOT miss!

Amy 2011