Doubt Not, Cousin

A Pride & Prejudice Variation

By: Barry S. Richman

Narrated by: Samuel James

Darkness, in many forms, must be conquered to emerge into the light and embrace one’s happily ever after.

Fitzwilliam Darcy. Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.

Two cousins, closer than brothers.

One finds love despite his inner demons; the other resists love because of them.

Elizabeth Bennet. Kitty Bennet.

Two sisters, strengthened by adversity.

One willingly yields to love; the other pridefully misinterprets it.

An epic saga steeped in intrigue and gift-wrapped in romance, Doubt Not, Cousin chronicles the trials and tribulations of three extraordinary families during England’s Regency era.…

But who is the girl with the violet eyes?

**This book contains some violence and self-harm, none of which involves much-loved characters.**

©2023 Barry S. Richman (P)2024 Barry S. Richman

No Doubts!

I’ve read the book twice and listened to this audio version for the second time, and still find it an engaging story. Our narrator, Samuel James, does a remarkable job, especially with Richard Fitzwilliam’s unique voice. This story is not your usual run-of-the-mill variation as the histories of most characters are changed, however, Darcy is still humbled from his haughty deportment and Elizabeth is quick to misunderstand. Loved Hurst’s character!

quite a surprise!

I found this tricky to get into it first because of all the back history. however, it became very intriguing. congratulations to the author and his new Pursuit. hope we get another one from him while I'm still hooked on these.

Stunning P&P Variation read by Excellent Narrator

Waited some time before using a credit on this story as I was unsure I would care for it. I am Very Glad I decided to try it. Not the usual type of variation. There is A Great Deal of ‘back story’ before we ever get to Darcy meeting Elizabeth, but I very much liked the history of the Bennet, Darcy and Fitzwilliam families as well as some others. I loved the boyhood friendship of Darcy and his cousin, Richard leading to closeness through years. The narrator is wonderful. Warning: this is Not a fluff read. The listener needs to pay attention, but is well rewarded.

Unusual

Very different from other JFF that I have listened to. Interesting approach. It was dark in places, but I enjoyed the dark parts. All the familiar characters were quite different from cannon. Some of the "stars" were not even in the book, such as Caroline, Lydia, etc. The plot centered on Richard and Darcy, Richard more than Darcy. I enjoyed this Richard. He was unusual from birth. The only criticism I have is that I was sometimes confused about what what was happening, but it was not enough to really bother me. The plot was complex, as were the characters. Elizabeth and Darcy were not the stars as they usually are. In fact, almost all the characters were stars. As to the bad characters being punished, BOY were they ever punished.
The author was talented and imaginative. I highly recommend this book.

The book was expertly narrated by Samuel James. His voice is forceful but smooth. He could make me shiver from the tone he used for certain parts. I thought he was perfect for the role as narrator.

Truly good book

This is a well-written, entertaining, and enjoyable book. The narrator was very good, and the author is quite talented.

I hope this author writes another Pride and Prejudice variation soon.

Incredible story line!!! Terrific narrator!

I have to say that this author is definitely one of the very best when it comes to P&P variations ! Incredible imagination and full of the unexpected! It’s a rare one that I just couldn’t stop listening. The narrator was fantastic! Every voice distinctly different no matter how many characters were in the dialogue. This author and this narrator will definitely be at the top of my list. Can’t wait until his other books make on Audible!

A Dark and Lovely Variation

The first thing I have to do is congratulate Barry S. Richman on writing a variation almost entirely from the male characters' perspective that is both truly unique and utterly engrossing. I could not put it down. Having read every variation I could get my hands on over the last 5 years, this one is a standout and original enough to sit firmly on top of the pile.

This story begins much farther back than the start of the original novel, focusing for quite some time on the generation of our main characters' parents. We meet younger versions of George Darcy, the Fitzwilliam siblings, and the Bennets. The inciting incident is dark and sets the tone for a story that canvases depravity, greed, betrayal, and family secrets.

The center of this novel is the bond between Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, following both of them from birth into the timeline of Austen's original story. This is a very different origin story for Darcy and a very different Colonel Fitzwilliam altogether, but it works. It is a beautiful picture of lifelong loyalty and a strong fraternal bond.

Some of the other reviews expressed dismay at the violence we see in Colonel Fitzwilliam through this novel. As a regular visitor to this genre, I can understand that view, but I found those scenes very appropriate to the story being told and I never felt it was gratuitous or excessive.

I find it difficult to say more without straying into spoiler territory, but I really have to encourage you to try this one. Richman has done something special here. Like all variations, he has changed key points of the story to facilitate a different telling, but Richman has changed many small things rather than one large thing, and it was all executed so well that I fell into it completely.

I would be remiss if I did not also praise Samuel James' narration. He is new to me, and he did a masterful job differentiating the voices without me even noticing. His voice is lovely and just melts away into the background. You truly can just get lost in the story.

I truly loved "Doubt Not, Cousin," and it will live on as one of my favorites in this little genre for a very long time.

A marvelous book!

I read this when first released and loved every word. Then I came across the audio version and purchased immediately! Fantastic narrative of an excellent story/variation by the most talented Samuel James. Pick this one up! You won't be disappointed. Completely unique variation and so wonderfully written.

A story of murder, deception, betrayals.

I was hesitant to give it a listen at first. However, the back storys of the Bennet's, Fitzwilliam's, Darcy's and Mr Hurst! A duel begins the story, with a dastardly villain killing the father and mother of someone we all know and love so well, from the P&P story. The Bennet's are a very different and diminished family that we know. I found the quiet but witty Col Fitzwilliam's character arc intriguing. He was at times brutal, but it was always to protect those he loved or right a wrong. The answers to the mystery are slowly revealed. All the villains get their just desserts, some (unfortunately) much later than others. ODC get their HEA, despite themselves. George Darcy's inheritance to Wickham (after learning of his true character) is brilliant! It's long and at times very dark, bu

Complex and challenging but so worth the effort

This book is not the usual sweet variation. It is an often painful and challenging read, yet there are lovely, tender romances - very different yet quite beautiful. I actually listened to the last few chapters twice to revel in the joy once i had finished the book.

The story is complex and fascinating. It reminded me of Charlotte Bronte, because it requires work from the listener to get through the tough moments in order to move forward, All the dark parts of Jane Eyre and all the pain - it was worth the work to end with love. Doubt Not Cousin is equal to that ending.

The character development is bonkers good. Several generations of nefarious behavior concentrated in a titled family. It was a puzzle with pieces fitting into the story, but never all at once. There were many ah-ha moments when I suddenly had an answer to another secret. The back story of Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and Fitzwilliam Darcy are so well developed - they are bonded cousins, devoted to one another.

This is Barry S. Richman's first novel. Remarkable. And Samuel James was a stunning narrator. Several times he sang as a female character. He did so many different voices which helped in identifying the various characters. The writing and the narration were some of the best I have ever enjoyed. I will add this book to my annual re-listen list.