The Darcy Legacy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Joana Starnes

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Length: 15 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Pemberley’s ancient halls harbour many secrets. Which one will affect Fitzwilliam Darcy and the love of his life? How is Mr. Bennet to enjoy the comforts of a well-stocked library, when his wife’s premature demise had left him with the task of finding suitable matches for their daughters? And what of a misleading encounter on a muddy lane in Hertfordshire, that renders a country-town assembly rather more tolerable than some might have thought?

Shades of mystery, meddlesome relations - not least a drenched Adonis - raillery, old errors and a very recent union make for a challenging courtship when Fitzwilliam Darcy is not on his own ground. Yet when love is the reward, challenges make it more worth the earning.

“A fraught courtship? So, let it be fraught,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said with a nonchalant flourish of his hand. “A good challenge never hurt anyone.”

©2018 Joana Starnes (P)2023 Joana Starnes

Enjoyed this book

I did like the way the Bennett's life changed in this story. I did like Mrs. Bennett not being there and Mr Bennett was more of a parent. Although the Bennett sister situation in life changed I didn't like knowing that because of it Darcy was able to finally give into his feelings, not because he loved E but because who her father married....that doesn't make this story as fulfilling.

This Should Be a Movie

This was a book ,that is full of mystery and drama and humor. This ,is something
I had not ever thought of ,Mr.Bennet marrying Lady Catherine.The story is
full of surprises, Except Elizabeth &Darcy, will live happily ever after

Great Story! Spoilers Below

First off, the ghost are mainly in the beginning and end of the story and not the only storyline. The main plot is that in this variation Mrs. Bennet is dead and Mr. Bennet is left to take care of his girls. She has been dead for many years. Therefore, he is more of an attentive and caring father. He's also one of the funniest characters in the book. Mr. Darcy visits Hertfordshire and falls for Elizabeth right away. She also falls for him. Because of his duty and her connections he knows he can't marry her. So he convinces Bingley Jane doesn't care for him and they both leave Netherfield. It is very hard for Mr. Darcy to stay away from Elizabeth but he does. Until he finds out Mr. Bennett has married his Aunt Lady Catherine. Everyone ends up going to Rosings Park and living together. Most of the story takes place there. Darcy is very much in love at this point and wants to court Elizabeth. She on the other hand is mad he left her and resents him for not wanting to marry her before her social status went up. She pushings him away but he won't take no for an answer. No matter what she says she still cares and is very attracted to him. This leads to many stolen kisses and an awful proposal. Anne is featured quite a bit in this book because she is now Elizabeth's sister by marriage. Ive read many P&P variations and this is the only one where I like her character. She has a love interest that isn't Darcy which is pretty cute. She ends up getting poisoned causing her to become very sick. Everyone has to come together to figure out who did it. This leads Darcy and Elizabeth to become even closer. Some criticisms are I wish it had more Bingley and Jane. They get back together right as he reappears and we don't even get to hear his proposal. Also no one ever finds out Darcy was the one the separated them and its completely forgotten about. Overall I really enjoyed it. Narrator was Amazing!

Endless inner dialogue

Between every comment there is too often endless self reflection, examination, self doubt, angst, misunderstanding or explanation that continues throughout the book. Perhaps there was a word minimum due. It’s a good story, an unlikely one but a fun alternative to the original. Thankfully there is no screeching Mrs. Bennet. The ghosts allows some insights into events of the past. Ann’s illness and resulting drama goes on far too long and the culprit has a motive worthy of a soap opera. Perhaps an author should decide if they want to give weight to the mystery or the romance so as not to veer off on one for so long that one forgets the other. The story at times repeats the same inner doubts until you want to cry just get on with it!! Darcy is terse one minute and groveling the next. He is held to everyone’s expectations of him and no one seems able to accept him as he is. It seems no one truly cares about him except for how they can use him to suit their purposes. Possible exceptions Georgianna or the Colonel but even they are needy or teasing and everyone wants to change him. I have always felt sorry for him. Elizabeth is shrewish and unlikable for too long. The whole story could use a good edit. There’s much to like but more gloom than comedy. The narration is good but there is so much musing between action or dialogue that it is monotonous listening at times. Stevie Zimmerman does her best but it can be maddening and even her nice voice can grate after awhile.

Perfect romantic comedy!

Absolutely loved the fresh and very original story line. The absurd notion of Mr. Bennet's choice of a second wife aside, the story was perfect in every way. I love Joanna Starnes, she's one of my favorite authors. The characters act much as you would expect them to, and the romance perfect. It's just the right balance of a little steamy but clean with nothing inappropriate!

The narrator is superb. Stevie Zimmerman makes this story come to life. I purchased an audio book once of a story I loved, only to vow I would never listen to it again because the narrator ruined it for me.... NOT the case with this story. I've loved every book I've ever listened to narrated by Stevie.

A story written by Joanna and narrated by Stevie is the perfect combination!

Amazing!

This is an incredible story from beginning to end. Well-written and extremely well-read. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

Excellent book

Loved this book. Story had many twists and excitement. Beautifully written as usual. Narration was absolutely perfection.

Interesting twist with some surprises

First off, Stevie Zimmerman is a great narrator. I’m happy to listen to anything she’s read. I’ve listened to hundreds of audiobooks and I’d rather her among my favourite narrators.

The story is an interesting twist. Knowing there is a paranormal twist in it (ghosts), I wasn’t sure what to expect and I was, honestly, a little hesitant. But Joana Starnes wrote it and I have found her a very reliable author of Jane Austen inspired stories and this was no different. She tossed in one twist I have never seen before (in addition to the ghosts). There was a lot of the de Bourghs in this story. Lady Catherine was her usual self, but Anne turned out to very nice. One of the surprises relates to her chronic ill health. I was very happy to know that her story would ultimately be a happy one.

As for our dear couple - Elizabeth and Darcy - their relationship developed very nicely. There was a little twist to their early meeting which had some consequences and just enough misunderstanding and Darcy pride to keep the story interesting without adding too much angst. I enjoyed watching Darcy having to redeem himself and getting to know secondary characters better, such as Anne de Bourgh and Col. Fitzwilliam - and the ghosts. Overall, a very enjoyable story with great narration.

Great read

This was a different FAFF. So funny to read about the old mr Darcy and Lady Anne roaming the halls of Pemberley after their death. How they try to help. Funny actually. Laughed out loud many times. So many great differences in this book. I will keep them to myself and for you to find out yourself. Great read. Indeed.

Life After Death

If you believe in life after death, this story is for you. Full of humor and low angst, the narrator does an excellent job. However, it loses a star because the last part of the book develops some strange plot twists. For example, the attempted murder scenario, the tisane drinking, and the background of the apothecary's daughter seemed to be random unrealistic ideas that added a bit more angst without being necessary for the story.