What If Mr. Darcy Was Forced to Hide From Society?
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
It is 1814 (many events from Pride and Prejudice never took place) and for several years Mr. Darcy has lived in seclusion, away from his family and home and desperately hoping no one recognizes him as Mr. Darcy of Pemberley…
In an effort to dispel his loneliness and at the same time help out a friend very much in need, Mr. Darcy agrees to travel to Hertfordshire and assist Mr. Bingley, who is leasing an estate for the very first time. Since the scandal was years ago and Meryton is a small village, Mr. Darcy feels it might be not so dangerous for him to rejoin society in this setting. Especially as he plans to be known as the insignificant Mr. John Darcy, Mr. Bingley’s impoverished friend. But it turns out people are still curious about Mr. Darcy, even without knowing he has an estate in Derbyshire and is worth ten thousand a year. His evasive replies and lack of details pertaining to his past, his family, and where he lives invite intrigue and speculation. And who is the most intrigued by the mysterious Mr. Darcy? Why the young lady he insulted, of course…Elizabeth Bennet!
With her older sister married to a barrister in London and her dear friend, Charlotte, married to her odious cousin, Elizabeth Bennet is beginning to long for a marriage and establishment of her very own. When Mr. Bingley starts to single Elizabeth out and pay her more attention than any other lady in the neighborhood, Elizabeth begins to question her romantic ideas of marriage. While Elizabeth is trying to make up her mind about how she feels about Mr. Bingley she makes some discoveries about the mysterious Mr. Darcy. Even though he seems rude and aloof, she likes his skill at cleverly turning the conversation and is touched by some of his surprisingly thoughtful and considerate actions. All she has learned (and not learned) about him has made her want to discover more… But will Mr. Darcy let her?
What a magnificently unique Pride and Prejudice variation! Mr. Darcy in hiding? Some scandal attached to his name? Is he forever banned from society? Why? What happened? Sounds deliciously intriguing doesn’t it? YES! It does! 🙂 Not only do I loved the mysterious nature of this variation, I loved how Ms. Fairview executed it all. While I did partially guess Mr. Darcy’s scandal, I greatly enjoyed how Ms. Fairview chose not to reveal it until around the last 20% of the tale. It is fun to be kept in the dark sometimes! In addition, I appreciated the other plausible changes Ms. Fairview implemented in this tale. The new timeline alters the series of events significantly – i.e. no militia regiment coming to town, Mr. Collins’s visit came and went, Jane is already married. And yet it is interesting to see how some things happened the same – such as Mr. Darcy still insulting Lizzy and Mr. Bingley still holding a ball.
I loved witnessing Darcy’s emotional journey and internal reflections in this tale. Ms. Fairview did a terrific job portraying his warring emotions, his feelings of helplessness, and his uncertainty for the future. I was diverted by Mr. Darcy’s thoughts about people treating him differently when he is not known as Mr. Darcy of Pemberley. And I loved Mr. Darcy’s scenes with Elizabeth, all their little meetings and exchanges. Their conversations are quite a bit different in this variation, and I adored them. However, while I thoroughly enjoyed the climatic action of this story and seeing how everything resolves, I wish it was drawn out more. I wanted to spend more time in the midst of the drama and basking in the romantic resolution. 🙂
As a longtime fan of Monica Fairview’s writing, I am thrilled to read another one of her creative, perceptive, and skillfully executed works! Mysterious Mr. Darcy is an entertaining tale and I applaud Ms. Fairview’s inventive yet plausible twists! I highly recommend!
Sounds wonderful! I can’t wait to read this! 🙂 I love Monica’s writing already.
Me too! It is such a joy to read another novel by her!
Thank you for your lovely review, Meredith. It’s always fun to discover your reaction. 🙂
Thank you for writing such a terrific story and sharing it with us, Monica! Please keep writing more!
I look forward to reading Monica newest!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Mr. Darcy in hiding? Jane not with Mr. Bingley? Oh my!
This sounds like an interesting and fun variation. Great review, Meredith!
Thank you, Lori! It is always fun to see some new twists with these characters!
Lovely review and agree that is was very unique. I loved it to!
Yay! So glad to hear that, Carole! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I’m a long-time reader of Monica’s books, too, and I’m really looking forward to reading this one. Also, I think the cover is beautiful!
I so agree! I love the warm colors and detail! 🙂
Another one to add to the TBR list! Sounds intriguing. I haven’t read any books by this author before, so this should be interesting.
You are in for a treat! My other favorite by her is The Other Mr. Darcy which is about Caroline Bingley!
Oooh, sounds juicy and quite entertaining! Cant wait to be able to buy it and read it! I’ve read other books by Monica too, and she’s a great writer. She really “gets” the characters of E and D!
I agree, Denise! I loved her characterizations in this one! Darcy and Elizabeth were very well done, but so were Mr. and Mrs Bennet, Caroline, and Lydia!
Monica Fairview is one of my favorite Austenesque authors. Thanks for the great review Meredith!
Thanks so much for checking it out, Laurel Ann! I appreciate it!
Lovely review Meredith, thank you. I’ve been intrigued by this one since reading the preview chapters on Austen Variations and Monica’s books are always good value. Definitely on my Wish List.
Wonderful! I hope you get the chance to read it soon!
I thought this one was a rather clever variation, too. Loved the mystery and how it altered the story and how having the pressure off the Bennets to have Jane already married would change things somewhat.
I just saw your review! You said it all so much better than I did! I’m so glad to see you liked it as well!
This is one I have on my Wish List. It does sound intriguing and your review just added to that estimation. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely! 🙂 I hope you get the chance to read it soon, Sheila!
This book looks amazing!! I’m saving my pennies to purchase a copy. Such a lovely review, Meredith!
Thank you so much, Monica, for writing yet another completely compelling book!! I love your work!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Thank you, Susanne! I’m sure you will love this one!
Sounds fascinating! I love monica’s Novels.
Me too! I hope she will have another one coming out soon!
Delight review Meredity… makes me want to read it.
Say hello to Mr. Bingley for me.
Aw, thank you! That is the best compliment!
I read the first few chapters of the story on Austen Variations and look forward to reading the whole book. I want to know the whole secret of the mysterious Mr. Darcy.
It is so tantalizing isn’t it? Monica and Mr. Darcy play it all very close to their chests!
Hmmm I like the theme and time setting! I think this would be a nice read by the beach
Absolutely! 🙂 I enjoyed reading it there, myself!