The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr. Darcy

A Darcy & Elizabeth Pride & Prejudice Variation

By: Kelly Miller

Narrated by: Vicki-Jo Eva

What secrets lie in Mr. Darcy’s past?

During a summer sojourn in Ramsgate, Elizabeth Bennet meets Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy—an irresistible, eminent, and seemingly unobtainable model of an ideal gentleman. Following a whirlwind romance with Mr. Darcy and a blossoming friendship with Georgiana Darcy, her life is forever altered.

When Darcy disappears under mysterious circumstances, the new Mrs. Darcy’s world is thrown into chaos. A friend of Darcy’s provides much-needed support as Elizabeth is confronted with rumours insinuating lewd explanations for his absence. Could any of them be true?

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, a Regency mystery romance, Elizabeth cannot be certain what to believe or whom to trust. She is determined to find out what befell Darcy, but will the truth break her heart?

TRIGGER WARNING: THIS STORY MENTIONS A PAST ASSAULT ON A YOUNG WOMAN THAT IS THWARTED BY A MAIN CHARACTER.

©2024 Kelly Miller (P)2024 Kelly Miller

Romance and Mystery

This is romance with a mystery set in Jane Austin’s world. The romance was wonderful, the characters were well done and though modern still true to Jane’s style. The mystery was a little slower paced and Elizabeth depended more on others to learn the truth. Still, it was true to character and very enjoyable.

An Enchanting Step Back In Time

Rory enjoys playing along the beach in Ramsgate. When her Collie brings the ball to a young blonde woman, Elizabeth chats with her. Then, a dark-haired man accuses Elizabeth of using Rory to meet them. Elizabeth hopes to avoid meeting the rude stranger again during her seaside holiday. But how might her life change should her path intersect with the dark-haired Adonis? Let's put on our finery, pack our revolvers, leap into The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr Darcy, and find out!

Story
When Elizabeth Bennett meets the man and his sister again at Mrs Stapleton's house, Georgiana greets her happily. Her brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy, apologizes for mistaking Elizabeth's intentions. Elizabeth's admission that she initially thought him incapable of understanding the importance of kindness and respect leaves him humbled. So when Darcy notices Elizabeth has been reading An Essay Concerning Human Understanding by John Locke, he asks her opinion of Book IV. Elizabeth appreciates his receptiveness to her interpretations. Darcy likes how Elizabeth has thought through her opinions and can discuss the merits of their differing views without arguing.

In The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr Darcy, Elizabeth begins meeting Darcy on her morning walks. Despite her aunt's request that Elizabeth not meet with him privately, the wide-ranging conversations help them appreciate each other better. While Darcy and his sister enjoy the summer in Ramsgate, Mrs Rebecca Stapleton invited Modesty Gardiner and her niece to spend August with her. As Elizabeth's month in Ramsgate nears its end, neither she nor Darcy wishes to part from the other. So, after a short engagement, Elizabeth becomes Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Despite Georgiana’s approval of Elizabeth, not everyone in Darcy’s family believes he made the correct choice. Some, like Lady Matlock, insist Darcy should have married someone from a titled or wealthier family. Nor do all his relatives accept Elizabeth's ability to oversee his correspondence and finances. These factors become important considerations when he goes missing after a shooting in The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr Darcy.

Art
Firstly, Kelly Miller differentiates her novel by setting it in Ramsgate and London instead of more familiar locales like Longbourn and Pemberly. While Elizabeth braves the disdain of Darcy’s family, she also faces the dangers of England’s bustling capital. Darcy trained her to use a gun. Elizabeth believes the staff, overseen by their butler Slade, can protect her on their house and grounds. Still, someone shot the man who accompanied Darcy to the house in Camberwell. So when she leaves the house, Elizabeth takes a gun with her.

Given the influx of foreigners following the French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power, Mr Ellis from the Alien Office investigates Darcy's disappearance. Joshua Webb, who attended Cambridge with Darcy, stays in the house and helps Elizabeth question anyone claiming to have seen him. Still, none of Darcy's close friends know him. In The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr Darcy, Elizabeth finds herself a stranger in a strange land, intent on protecting Georgiana, discovering what happened to her beloved husband, and not knowing who she can rely on.

In addition to placing Elizabeth in different locations, Kelly Miller also isolates Elizabeth from her family. By meeting Elizabeth while she and her aunt stay at Mrs Stapleton's house, Darcy doesn't view her in terms of her family's societal stumbles. Nor does he feel obliged to protect Charles Bingley's interests or observe propriety around Bingley's sisters and brother-in-law when they lease Netherfield Park near the Bennetts' home.

Lastly, by shortening the period between their first meeting and marriage to six weeks, Kelly Miller gives the couple sufficient time for love to bloom but not for Elizabeth to know Darcy well. Nor did Darcy have a year to think through what life with Elizabeth would be like. Perhaps, as Lady Catherine de Bourgh suggests, her nephew had second thoughts about his union with Elizabeth and "disappeared" to get his life back on track.

Final Thoughts
Kelly Miller's prose captures the elegance and romance of England's Regency period. Her story allows Elizabeth, Darcy, and Georgiana to shine in this new variation of Jane Austen's immortal novel. Enhanced by Vicky-Jo Eva’s cultured voice, the audiobook spirits you back to Regency England, portraying Miller's narrative and Jane Austen's characters with captivating realism in The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr Darcy.

Another great variation!

I’ve read several of Kelly’s Pride and Prejudice variations and have loved every one of them! This I no exception! The intrigue around Mr. Darcy’s disappearance had me questioning everyone! The story is well written, engaging, and as always, extremely entertaining! Highly recommended!

A Ramsgate proposal and a P&P mystery.

While playing fetch with her Collie in Ramsgate, Elizabeth Bennet has a delightful encounter with Georgiana Darcy in this Pride and Prejudice variation mystery. Her brother, full of suspicion, quickly joins them, and his sharp and unfair insult puts the Darcy pride in the spotlight, creating tension from the start—not at a Meryton assembly!

The insult leads to an apology, which leads to a marriage. As the book description provides, there are some Darcy secrets unknown to Elizabeth that set the stage for this light mystery. Despite not being overly complex, Kelly Miller’s clever writing skills kept me guessing until the final pages.

While there is a hint of angst, the book’s short duration ensures a speedy and satisfying resolution. I really loved the fact that Elizabeth and Darcy are together almost from the very beginning of the book. The action is limited to Ramsgate and London. Other than the Gardiners, only Jane, Bingley and Mr. Bennet are briefly seen. Other family members only receive a mention.

I was thrilled with this new-to-me narrator, Vicky-Jo Eva. Her tone is very expressive and brings forth each character’s emotions really well. This talented performer brings the audiobook version to life with an exceptionally well-done and satisfying performance, and I hope she explores more JAFF variations in the future.

Although I have the book, I hadn’t had the opportunity to read it due to a busy schedule of late. The author kindly sent me a promo code for the newly released audiobook which allowed me to listen while I multi-tasked. It made my chores much more pleasurable!

Recommend.

Kisses only.

Kelly Miller never misses!

Another charming, gripping, home-run hit from the Pride and Prejudice variation queen!

In THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF MR. DARCY, after Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy court and marry, their lives are thrown into disarray when Mr. Darcy vanishes. A mystery ensues, with cleverly plotted twists and turns, as Elizabeth inspects every trace of Fitzwilliam’s disappearance.

As always, Miller’s book is expertly written, an ode to Jane Austen with an original, innovative charisma all her own. The audiobook is narrated exquisitely and realizes the story with gorgeous depth. Fans of historical romance will DEVOUR this book.

The emotional resonance with which Miller renders the characters is outstanding. The layers of Elizabeth’s personality—practical, committed, resolute, and independent—along with Fitzwilliam’s nature—polite, caring, loyal, and reverent—complement each other wonderfully. The supporting characters are equally intriguing, a tapestry of gentry personalities.

I highly recommend this novel, as well as all of Miller’s books!

* The author gifted me a free audiobook, and this is my honest, voluntary review.

For Pride and Prejudice Variation Fans (And fans of good period yarns)

I listened to this on Audible, which was a pleasant diversion as I was cooking. In this variation, Fitzwilliam (Mr. Darcy) and Elizabeth marry. Things are going swimmingly as Elizabeth is introduced to society as Mrs. Darcy under his and his aunt's wing. Then Mr. Darcy announces that he must leave for an unexpected appointment, but will be back later in the day. He also alerts Elizabeth that an old school chum is arriving for a visit and for her to entertain him in his absence. Mr. Darcy does not return as scheduled--he has disappeared.

Then the knives come out. Apparently, society's acceptance of Elizabeth was not as universal as she might have thought. Rumors abound about Darcy's past and whether or not Elizabeth is the spouse he wanted. And there are others only to willing to take advantage of his absence.

An engrossing tale that makes you remember the expectations, or lack thereof, of women in that time. Highly recommend.

A Charming P&P Variation

I’m new to the world of Austen variations, but Kelly Miller’s reimagining of this classic tale was just the medicine I needed! Charming and richly painted with accurate historical detail, Miller takes us beyond Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam’s courtship, into their marriage—a marriage with a healthy dose of intriguing secrets and subterfuge. This was just lovely. And the narrator’s performance was excellent!

Courtship, marriage and mystery

In this version Darcy and Elizabeth meet prior to canon. After a stumbling block they fall quickly in love and marry. Not long after returning from their honeymoon Darcy disappears. Rumors swirl about and Elizabeth has to figure out the truth. I was able to guess some of it but the end tied things up. Overall it is a quick read/listen and will listen to again. I’m sure that I will pick up on clues earlier.

Slow read P& P Variation

Normally I love all P&P Variations from drama, suspense, thriller, romance and other genres, but this book and narrator, personally I wish I had saved my money. As far as romance, not well written. As far as drama/ thriller- bland. Narrator was bland which is why I barely give this review out of over 1,000 other audible and book reviews a one star.

Ho Hum

Too many anachronisms in the speech. The narrator's voice was just not right for Elizabeth. The plot was just shaky and thready and not worthy