Book Review / "The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr. Darcy" by Kelly Miller

The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr. Darcy by Kelly Miller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I devoured this book in a few sittings. Like other books by this author, “The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr. Darcy” has everything that Jane Austen fans crave to find in “Pride and Prejudice” variations. More of the romance between Lizzy and Mr. Darcy, the English high society, constrained by the strict rules of propriety but greedy for gossip, and unexpected twists involving secondary characters we always want to find out more about.

“The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr. Darcy” by Kelly Miller begins with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth being swept off their feet by the unexpected and irresistible feelings they develop for each other. They get married and, apart from Lizzy’s worries about joining London’s highest circles, life ahead promises happiness and bliss.

Alas, one day, Fitzwilliam Darcy disappears under the most mysterious and alarming circumstances, and Elizabeth is left to deal with the fear that the most terrible thing has happened to her beloved husband, nosy relatives, and the ruckus the extraordinary event has caused in newspapers.

I appreciate the gentle way the author tackles serious issues like the lack of respect for women back in the nineteenth century. Such an attitude stemmed from the laws that restricted women from inheriting property among other things we take for granted today.

The mystery of Mr. Darcy’s disappearance gets unravelled gradually, making some people from Mr. Darcy’s circle show their true faces. The behaviour of Lord Berkeley and formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, for example, demonstrate that high social standing and wealth don’t automatically turn anyone into a decent person.

Fast-paced and elegantly written, this book kept me turning the pages. A perfect read for lovers of beautiful prose and the Regency-era setting.



View all my reviews
The Mysterious Disappearance of Mr. Darcy