An Accident at Pemberley

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Linda C. Thompson

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Set before Mr. Bingley takes up residence at Netherfield Park, Elizabeth travels into Derbyshire with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. On a day when her relations are visiting with some of Mrs. Gardiner's childhood friends, Elizabeth decides to explore the small village instead. Without realizing it, she strays further and further from the village, unconsciously walking in the direction of Pemberley, the estate they visited two days prior.

Lost in her thoughts and the beauty of the Derbyshire countryside, Elizabeth wanders further than she realizes and fails to notice the storm clouds building above her. With the first flash of lightning and peel of thunder, she seeks somewhere to shelter from the storm. Rushing for a dense tree line where she might stay dry from the impending rain, Elizabeth Bennet meets with a dreadful accident.

Returning from business in London, Fitzwilliam Darcy races across the grounds of Pemberley trying to outrun the storm. Coming across a beautiful young woman who is injured, he takes her home so his staff can care for her. Darcy hopes her presence will help lift his mother's melancholy.

When Elizabeth regains consciousness, she has no memory of her name or her past. During the many weeks of her recovery, Elizabeth grows close to Mr. Darcy and his mother, Lady Anne. When Elizabeth recovers enough to leave the estate, the Darcys decided she needs an identity that will protect her from gossip. And so, Miss Elizabeth Chamberlayne, a long-lost Darcy cousin is born. After receiving two requests, Darcy accepts an invitation to stay with his friend, Mr. Bingley, at Netherfield Park and the ladies will join him.

What will happen when Elizabeth comes face to face with her family? Will she remember them, or will her memory still be a blank? All of the original characters of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice make an appearance. How will Elizabeth's lack of memory affect her interactions with them?

©2025 Linda C. Thompson (P)2025 Stevie Zimmerman

Wonderful listen

I’ve read and listened to many P&P variations. For some reason, this is among my favorites. And so I’ve listened more than once. It may be how the story started with so much sadness but ended on such a positive note. It’s not to say that there were no villains to fight — there were. And these villains had much animosity aimed at the Darcys. But in the end Darcy and Elizabeth prevailed - against indifferent and hateful parents, Miss Bingley, and a truly evil Wickham.

Good memory loss trope.

Stevie Zimmerman’s performance is excellent as always. She can make a good story even better by bringing it life. I enjoyed the memory loss/amnesia trope. I would listen again, especially if I’m in the mood for a long story.

Outstanding and unique story well read

I very much enjoyed the lost memory twist, and the way familiar characters were tweaked to vastly change relationships.
It is a low stress novel with enough going on to keep it moving without undue angst. A welcome HEA epilogue presented growth in some, and not in others. The narrator disappears into the characters, as the best do.
The only negative was the relationship of Elizabeth and her parents. it is really incomprehensible, so much so it feels like it tilts the novel out of the realm of belief at times.
DEFINITELY A GOOD LISTEN.

Awesome

I enjoyed this premise and the inclusion of Lady Anne. The Bennets are an absolute trial with the parents both being insufferably useless. Darcy was never a jerk at first, but a caring, responsible, and passionate man throughout. I'd recommend it!

Must read!

Must read! This is one of the best P&P variations! Best narrator Stevie Zimmerman narrates this wonderful story.