Follow the Drum

De: Barry S. Richman

Narrado por: Samuel James

The British kingdom harbours a perilous secret. At its heart is Thomas Bennet.

Since dead men tell no tales, the patriarch of Longbourn must live in anonymity or face the unthinkable—being the cause of a foreign nation attacking his homeland. Skilled in deception and strategy, Bennet succeeded until his youngest daughter was born with a grievous affliction; the scrutiny she brings threatens to expose the very secrets he hides.

Mary Bennet, marked by her unusual appearance, becomes the centre of fear and gossip. As society and even her own family grow wary of her, Mary must confront her isolation with quiet resilience. Unaware of her father's burden, she is thrust into a world of suspicion, where she discovers her role is not as insignificant as it once seemed.

Elizabeth Bennet faces her own trials as the family fractures under the weight of secrecy. Forced from Longbourn, drawn to the enigmatic Mr Darcy, Elizabeth must reconcile her blossoming feelings for him with the unsettling truths she uncovers. As Darcy's past and his connection to her father come to light, Elizabeth is left questioning whom she can truly trust.

Follow the Drum is a gripping tale of sacrifice, loyalty, and impossible choices. When the fate of a kingdom rests on the secrets of one man, how far will he go to protect his family—and how high will the cost be?

©2025 Barry S. Richman (P)2025 Podium Audio

Brilliant writing. Great narration.

I’m left with my jaw hanging open, in awe, in love, in utmost admiration. There are so many ‘threads pulled’ out of canon and yet Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is still there in its lifeblood. As others have stated, and I will emphasize also, this is not for the faint of heart. You will recognize some characters that have inhabited Richman’s previous works, his own creation and familiar characters from canon that he has given more presence and influence, or created them quite differently than in the original.

The story begins with Thomas Bennet as a soldier spy sent to achieve espionage on foreign soil, and continues with a long planned vendetta against Sir Thomas Bennet . Bennet is given the Longbourn estate where he settles quietly, weds and has three daughters. Even with protectors working for him, the birth of his daughter Mary brings unwanted attention to his family and puts all of them in danger. Mary is born very different than her sisters, Born with Albinism, her eye color causes the ignorant of Merryton to speak out against them, even the Rector of their church. If the way she is treated outside her home isn't bad enough, her sister Jane comes to resent her and treat her cruelly. A tragedy strikes their family and Thomas Bennet decides he has to separate his family in order to protect them all. Jane is happy with this outcome. Elizabeth and Mary are devastated. How painful that was to watch happen.

Elizabeth and Darcy still meet, under different circumstances yet very familiar to those who enjoy not only the original P&P but most of the variations out there. However, Darcy gets paid back for that original slight, physically and painfully. Holy cow, Elizabeth! And then they fall pretty hard for each other. Elizabeth’s life takes a different turn after she and her father move north for a few years. But this is where she meets Darcy. While Elizabeth and her father move to Derbyshire her education continues in subjects more typically taught to men, not women, but her father keeps her safer if she is mentally challenged. And learns some new 'skills,' all on her own.

Mary was recruited out of a convent where she was sent to perfect her healing arts, to follow the drum, and be Colonel Fitzwilliam’s personal nurse. His character follows his original creation in Richman’s Doubt Not, Cousin. He cannot feel pain, which is both a blessing and a curse. In a war situation it is a curse. Mary is general nurse staff for their regiment (along with her sister nurses from the convent) and sees so much suffering and death. But the Colonel is first priority if he needs her. When his wounds finally send him home Mary accompanies him. All the way home to Matlock where she is welcomed by Lady Matlock with open arms. She’s a permanent visitor, lavished with Lady Matlock’s doting desire for a daughter. Mary comes to love this family but yearns for her sister. Mary and Elizabeth’s reunion is endearing and long overdue. She’s happy to be going back home. Her appearance, which brought tragedy to their family before, has matured and become beautiful changing much except her eyes, which she still protects with colored glasses

The courting, the marriage, and another proposal wraps up this incredible story. I have barely touched the tip of the iceberg in this story. There’s so much more. I can’t recommend it highly enough! But readers who are squeamish about murder, war, blood and brutality may consider another of his works like The Scarred Duchess.

I am so grateful that Mr Richman has brought his writing talents to the world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction. We are very lucky he decided to join this genre. I highly recommend this book.

Outstanding Vocal Performance

Samuel James gives an outstanding vocal performance in his narration of Barry Richman’s Follow the Drum. Readers who like Mr. Richman’s unique storytelling style will thoroughly enjoy this audio version. I know I’ll be listening to it again as a favorite. ❤️

Follow the Drum

Complex characters and intricate storylines are wrapped up in intelligent prose. This author never fails to deliver a reading experience that remains with you. I especially enjoy that having identified “his” P&P characters, they come back in successive novels with a tweak here or there. I am not a fan of the unadulterated Jane Bennet, so her story arc was pleasing to me. I also appreciate that the author realizes that not all hurts can be healed and sometimes we have to build on scar tissue.

Mr James is an extremely talented narrator. I am agog at his vocal range.

Secrets, Sacrifice, and a Really Mean Jane

Samuel James is an outstanding audio performer. He gives the narration a genuine live feel, as he truly acts out each role, giving each character their own personal portrayal. You can feel him exude every emotion the character experiences. I can’t praise him enough. Bravo. Absolutely recommend this audiobook. And the story told is so unique. So glad to have this on audio—it will definitely be a re-listen.

Book review:
Follow the Drum is the third novel by Barry S. Richman and once again features Captain Thomas Bennet, a central character in the author’s two previous books, but with a brand-new plot. Having completed a difficult and secret mission, he is quietly shielded and allowed to settle into life with his new wife, Franny—think government protection program. Together, they have three daughters—Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary. Over the course of twenty-five years, Bennet’s duty will come at a cost, straining his family while he wrestles with a past that won’t let go, creating mystery and unease.

Mary, born with albinism, is unjustly feared and distrusted by neighbours and shopkeepers, who whisper that she is cursed—or worse. Jane seems kind at first, but resentment festers, and her behaviour toward Mary turns shockingly cruel. Elizabeth, active, lively, and clever, is steadfast in her devotion to Mary, even as the growing hostility from others reaches a breaking point and results in a tragedy. When Bennet makes a drastic decision, it changes the course of all their lives.

Elizabeth, deeply wounded by Jane’s betrayal and devastated by her father’s choices, carries that resentment into her first meeting with Darcy after she and Bennet relocate to Derbyshire. Their romance is just a small, sweet, understated piece of the book, in my view—this isn’t primarily a Darcy and Elizabeth story.

While the plot is entirely new, readers of Richman will note the repeated roles of some long-standing Bennet protectors, as well as familiar faces from the Fitzwilliam and Darcy families. A mastiff named Hector, drawn to Mary, becomes another protector. Elizabeth’s devotion to Mary never wavers, even though they are miles apart for a time, while Jane’s complete lack of loyalty is striking. ‘Mean Jane’ trope lovers will give this portrayal a nod.

Bennet remains bound by duty and secrets he refuses to share throughout the book, causing a fracture between him and his daughters. Meanwhile, Jane’s absence is barely felt until shocking news suddenly propels her back to the reader’s attention.

I must say that I craved a little more insight into a stunning and heinous act committed by Jane and Miss Bingley, which occurs off-page. I wished for more information on what pushed them to go so far and how they did it. Similarly, Bennet’s silence gnawed at me. I kept wishing he would give Elizabeth and Mary more of him—some piece of why he stayed so closed off. Readers know, but they don’t. I liked him, and he wasn’t a bad man or father in my opinion, but he lost their respect, and that tugged at me. I do understand the ‘sacrifice for country’ part of the story, but still, I wanted a truly happy ending for him too—I’m sentimental like that. So… these gaps left me wanting just a little, but they didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. It’s another great read from a standout JAFF author.

For me, Richman’s writing always presents a suspenseful plot and sub-plots, twists that jolt me, and characters that draw me in so I feel their joys and pains. In Follow the Drum, he balances prejudice and isolation with strength and belonging—rejection and fear with connection and courage. I loved it and wholeheartedly recommend it.

As with Richman’s previous novels, due to scenes of a violent nature that may be disturbing to some readers, I have rated this a mature read.

Secret missions and the long-term consequences

I first read this in ebook form and this review was taken from that. I will say that it was wonderful to revisit this story via audiobook format and glad I bought it. Barry S Richman brought back "his characters" from his other book "Doubt Not, Cousin" and I enjoyed seeing how they supported the characters in this story. Samuel James did an excellent job of narrating.

If you’re looking for a sweet and clean Darcy & Elizabeth centered story this is NOT the one for you. This story is more focused on Mary (each of this author's books seems to focus on one of the Bennet girls - I have not been disappointed by any of his books). For those concerned about Darcy & Elizabeth: yes, they do come together, so no worry there, and they do have a few canon moments, but not all of them in this alternate universe that Barry S. Richman created. Instead, you dive into Mr. Bennet’s life long before he married and throw in military, espionage, sabotage, revenge, protectors, tragedy, and more. What comes out is a world where prejudices and pride show themselves in different ways. This story is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to endure along with our favorite characters and what journey they travel through life and how things change. We have a mix of canon, original (ones he uses in several of his books) and fanfic characters (i.e. Matlock) some who you will fall in love with and others you won’t. Do not expect all the personalities to be canon as some are altered as well. There is one animal, whose devotion is exceptional (everyone could use a Hector!). If you have read (or better yet, listen to the audiobook) Richman’s Doubt Not, Cousin and enjoyed it you will want to make sure to read or listen to this. This story is one that I will gladly read again (and have).