Mr. Darcy's Secret

by Jane Odiwe

Shortly after their marriage, Elizabeth begins to find evidence that Darcy may have something to hide-old love letters hidden in a book and a young man of questionable parentage, to start. Caroline Bingley and George Wickham begin to besmirch Darcy's good name and sow seeds of discontent, but while Darcy and Elizabeth are already at odds, revelations of past conduct emerge that threaten to destroy their happiness...

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Regency, Historical Romance, Historical, Chick Lit

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

Jane Odiwe is a British author with a special interest in writing novels inspired by Jane Austen's works. Her books continue the stories of beloved characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy in Mr Darcy's Secret, or tell Jane Austen's own story, as in the novels, Searching for Mr Tilney, Jane Austen Lives Again, Searching for Captain Wentworth, and Project Darcy. Other works include the novels Willoughby's Return, Lydia Bennet's Story and the novellas, Mr Darcy's Christmas Calendar, and Mrs Darcy's Diamonds. Jane's short story, Waiting, was published in the short story anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It.
Born in Sutton Coldfield, England, Jane gained an arts degree in Birmingham where she indulged her great loves of Fine Art, Literature, and History. After teaching in the Midlands and London for some years, writing novels took over her life. Jane lives in London with her husband, children and two cats, but escapes to "Fairyland", Bath, whenever she can!

Reviews

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted more and was left frustrated, it was good but not satisfying, should have been 2 books

I was not sure about reading this book. The reviews were mixed and I decided to give it a try. I enjoyed the writing style, the language and descriptions of the era. However, I had problems with the emotional ride with the two story lines. There were a lot of threads left hanging and I did not care for that. I think it should have been two books so the author could more completely flesh out the two story lines.

First, the novel starts at the point after the marriage of Darcy and Elizabeth. We see their lives as they adjust to being newlyweds. This could have really been interesting as Elizabeth adjusted to her new life in Darcy’s circle and as Derbyshire royalty. We only see glimpses and were left wanting more.

The second, Georgiana’s future: Darcy wanted an advantageous match for her that equaled her fortune and consequence. His struggle with her growing up and wanting her future to be safe and secure was very hard on him. HIS chosen partner for her would make her the richest woman in England [even though he loved another]. Elizabeth only wanted Georgiana to be happy in a love match. This was a cute story and should have had its own book so we could explore Georgiana’s growing up and her desire for her own love story. As it was, we only spent snippets of time with her on her quest for love. It felt short-sheeted.

Elizabeth has always been labeled the witty, intelligent daughter of Mr. Bennet of Longbourn. However, in this story she came across no better than Lydia half the time demanding her way and independence. She is not logical or smart in her thinking, she is up and down emotionally, confused and frustrated as she deals with her new life, newly revealed secrets within the Darcy family and the local gossips. Where was her fire and why did she not talk to her husband?

The difference in their stations and backgrounds alone should have put Elizabeth on her guard. She had to know going into the marriage that there would come a time when their backgrounds clashed. And, sure enough, they did. I was really surprised at how Elizabeth still wanted / demanded her independence even after becoming Mrs. Darcy. That word was thrown about an awful lot for the period. She came across like a petulant child wanting her way and demonstrated a total disregard to her new position.

When a woman marries into royalty…she has to know her life is going to change. Nothing will ever be the same for her again. Her former life and way are gone forever. Elizabeth Bennet should have realized that she had married [not only the richest man in England], but also into Derbyshire royalty. When they drove through Lambton on their way to Pemberley, she saw the deference, awe and respect the people demonstrated to them. And yet, she demands her independence… throws caution to the wind… and walks the five miles from Pemberley to Lambton without telling anyone where she was going.

Are you serious? That was the dumbest most dangerous thing Elizabeth could possibly have done. First, she is not walking the familiar grounds and environs at Longbourn. In walking the three miles to Netherfield, she knew the local populace and terrain. Derbyshire is not what she is accustomed to, people she has never met or seen before, doesn’t know friend from foe, nor does she know if there is danger lurking about the country side.

Not being familiar with the weather patterns yet, the weather could have changed at any time. She could have been accosted [no one would recognize her as she was dressed plainly]. And, if she was recognized, an enemy could have kidnapped her for ransom [she is a Darcy now]. She was dressed too casually and demonstrated a lack of dignity a Darcy should demonstrate at all times. That slowly dawned on her as she approached Lambton and suddenly hoped she wouldn’t see any of their neighbors. HOW ridiculous. That was not smart. Then she is so surprised that Darcy is upset…really?

The other problem I had with THIS Elizabeth…Oh My Gosh, Mr. Darcy had a life before he met her. Yet she is so upset that there might have been another woman in his life. What? Did she actually think there couldn’t have been another woman he had feelings for while he waited for her to come waltzing into his life? This was really too much. It was too ridiculous.

Darcy should get a metal or an award…first for going against family and society in order to marry the woman he loved instead of bending to a marriage of fortune and interest [ex. marrying Cousin Anne]. The second award is for sheer mettle in dealing with the blows Elizabeth’s family constantly inflicted on his person, his reputation in society, his fortune and his own sensibilities. Elizabeth is not exempt from that list as their backgrounds constantly clashed. It is clear she doesn’t fully understand her place in this new society or the expectations of her as his wife. The third award, sainthood, the man is a saint, if nothing else; when things became intolerable, he didn’t simply walk away and cut his losses. What he has endured since he fell in love with Elizabeth…no other man in England could have tolerated.

This should have been another book and then the author could have explored more in detail those differences in backgrounds and how each handled problems. Where was the synergy of Elizabeth and Darcy working together? This was always them working through problems independently. There is that word again. We were only given enough to wet our appetites but not a full meal.

This is not a book I will reread again. In fact, I’m glad it’s over. I love a book that engages me to the point that I can’t put it down and want to read it again and again. This did not satisfy me; the story I was hoping would blossom, died in the bud. It is like a motor trying to start and not quite making it. It just sits there and grinds away and never quite turns over.

I wanted MORE and was left frustrated. Too much time was spent on the angst and frustration between Elizabeth and what she thought was truth or in finding the truth. It left the rest of the book too choppy.

***No Spoiler*** When it came time to reveal the secret there was a double reveal. I am not going to say what it was, but man…it had to be a blow to Darcy none the less. What a shock for him.

Too many threads were left dangling. Resolutions came within a few paragraphs. That was frustrating. Caroline Bingley was in rare form. Nothing happened to her ever…what is wrong with that picture? There has to be Karma for her… she was never reined in by her brother. She was allowed to run a muck and cause damage that could have be irreparable. That was not right.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before I review this, I have to confess. I wrote my Master's Thesis on all of Jane Austen's novels. Every year since then, I have reread at least one in a cycle. So I'm not a an average reader.

Although I wrote the thesis before I defected to Linguistics, my emphasis was on Austen's language, its precision, irony, and wicked commentaries on the English social classes of the time.

Well, when I found myself laid low with a wretched virus, looking for something to read that wouldn't be too taxing to my fevered brain, I came across this, which proclaimed that Ms. Odiwe's forte was "All things Austen."

The idea of imagining life after Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage seemed fun, especially if it was written by someone who knew "All things Austen," so I downloaded it from the library site. Looking at Ms. Odiwe's other novels, it was immediately evident that "All things Austen," was confined to Pride and Prejudice. Darcy seemed to be the main attraction. Actually, that was no surprise. Ms. Odiwe is writing for a niche audience: people familiar with the plot and characters of Pride and Prejudice who wanted to know how Darcy and Jane got on.

Pride and Prejudice has been made into several movies dating back to 1938. It also has been made into a few TV miniseries, including Masterpiece Theater. Its story and characters are so well known that there is even a Bollywood version, Bride and Prejudice. Had Ms. Odiwe tried to make a cottage industry of Emma, Persuasion, or the other Austen novels, she wouldn't have had such a ready-made audience.

I have no quarrel with Ms. Odiwe's stories about the further lives of Austen's characters. I actually looked forward to finding out how Elizabeth and Darcy got on. Actually, at the time this novel was written, the class system in England was so rigid that the Elizabeth Bennets of that world were highly unlikely to be married to the landed gentry like Darcy. P&P was a Cinderella story, but one with bite. It skewered the gentry and openly criticized the marriage market as just another business venture.

I wonder how often or how closely Ms. Odiwe read the Austen novels. Certainly the treacly characters she serves up to us are not Austen's. Elizabeth, Jane, Darcy and company all have bite to them. They were far from saintly.

Ms. Odiwe frequently refers to Mr. Darcy as Fitzwilliam. In P & P, Darcy has a friend, Colonel Fitzwilliam. and also a cousin Fitzwilliam. I admit that when I flipped through my Chapman's edition of P & P, I could find Darcy referred to only as Darcy or Mr. Darcy. I may have missed a reference to Fitzwilliam Darcy, but, even if I did, what is more germane is that, in Jane Austen's day, wives called their husbands, "Mr. Bennett." First names weren't bandied about. People were addressed by Title+Last name. Darcy is referred to as Darcy throughout the novel. I may have missed an instance or two in which his Christian name was given, but that is a trivial matter. Whether or not his first name was Fitzwilliam makes no difference in how we evaluate his character nor does it explain anything about the society Jane Austen was skewering.

More jarring to me were the mistakes in diction Ms. Oidwe makes. She uses disinterested when she meant 'uninterested,' an error Jane Austen wouldn't have been likely to make. In 1813, the distinction between these two words was still maintained. Worse yet, Ms. Odiwe has people "enthusing" all over the place. To have said once that someone "enthused" would have been bad enough, but to repeat this error was jarring.

Ms. Odiwe is apparently unaware that enthusiasm was borrowed into English from Greek and it did not have a corresponding verb. Enthuse was backformed later in the 19th century in America, and is still listed in some dictionaries as an Americanism. Another irritation in Ms. Odiwe's prose is her resorting to cliches, some of them virtually slang. How can she bill herself as "all things Austen," when her language deviates so from Austen's? Jane Austen's diction was impeccable. Her sentences were noted even in 1813 as models of craftsmanship.

You may think this is nitpicking, and also that it is natural that modern usages do creep into the prose. I agree, but, if an author purports to be carrying on another author's ouevre, then it is incumbent on the author to at least try to recreate the tone and precision of the original. Ms. Oldiwe doesn't even come close. It is possible to write tautly and with precision in modern English. However, Ms. Oldiwe's doesn't. Her tone is completely off. I would recommend that she read the Chapman edition of Austen's writings. She should also inspect her own prose to rid it of hackneyed phrases, anachronisms, and Americanisms if she's writing Austen wannabe novels

[Les · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was pained by this book. P & P is a book of miscommunication and misunderstanding but not stupidity.

The author should be congratulated on shoehorning more characters into one setting than would seem possible.

Thus far my least favorite of the P & P library

[Georgiana 1792 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un sequel di Orgoglio e pregiudizio che tarda un po' a ingranare, ma quando poi ingrana diventa un autentico turn-page.
La storia è concentrata sul presunto segreto di Mr. Darcy, che comincia a farsi strada quando Elizabeth trova una lettera d'amore misteriosa nascosta tra le pagine de La dodicesima notte di Shakespeare e sul debutto in società di Georgiana, che sembra attratta da un giovane di una classe sociale inferiore, Thomas Butler, un affascinante architetto paesaggista che si sta facendo sempre più strada in società (e che all'inizio sembra avere tratti in comune con il terribile Wickham), ma è invece costretta a fidanzarsi con un ricco vicino di casa che non ha mai dimostrato alcun interesse in lei.
Con numerose citazioni a Orgoglio e pregiudizio e molti personaggi che approdano a Mr. Darcy's Secret dall'originale - in particolare la terribile Lady Catherine de Bourgh - e numerose nuove aggiunte interessantissime, Jane Odiwe ci fa tornare nelle atmosfere austeniane per vivere il possibile seguito della storia di Darcy ed Elizabeth.

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trust – it is commonly referred to as the key to all marriages, and without it most marriage don't have a chance of succeeding. Newlyweds Darcy and Elizabeth, while enjoying their first months of wedded matrimony, are experiencing some issues in the trust department. Elizabeth is starting to realize that there may be somethings about her husband's character, past life, and demeanor she doesn't know. After discovering hidden love letters, hearing some town gossip, and seeing a young man with familiar and handsome features, Lizzy beings to wonder, what is Mr. Darcy not telling her? And is it something she wants to hear?


To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...

[Anna]

Review originally posted on Diary of an Eccentric

When I turned the last page of Mr. Darcy’s Secret, my first thought was that Jane Odiwe has done her homework. She knows Jane Austen and the much beloved characters from Pride and Prejudice inside and out. I knew Odiwe was a master of the Austen sequel when I read Lydia Bennet’s Story, and Mr. Darcy’s Secret is even better.

In Mr. Darcy’s Secret, Elizabeth and Darcy are newly married, and Elizabeth must learn to navigate the massive estate that is Pemberley, meet the townspeople of Lambton, and impress the elite couples that have come out in droves to check out Darcy’s wife. Trust soon becomes a huge issue when Elizabeth hears about a scandal involving Darcy’s mother’s maid many years ago and stumbles upon love letters indicating that Darcy had a romantic life before Elizabeth. She is curious about the gossip, but she doesn’t feel comfortable asking her husband to share his secrets. However, her inability to confront the issue ultimately threatens the reputation of the Darcy family.

Meanwhile, Darcy’s shy sister, Georgiana, is ready to come out into society, and her brother is ready to make her a suitable match. Although Darcy married for love — with Elizabeth’s low social status angering his aunt, Lady Catherine — he refuses to consider Georgiana’s feelings about her potential husband. After preventing an elopement with the scoundrel George Wickham, Darcy is worried that fortune hunters will seek out his sister, and he is determined to get Georgiana married off to a man who will provider her with a comfortable life, both financially and socially. Although the mystery surrounding Darcy’s past is interesting, Georgiana’s story grabbed me right from the start. Georgiana learns what it means to be in love, and she questions the idea of women as property. She is torn between duty and love, and she must either call out her brother for being a hypocrite or submit to his wishes.

Odiwe stays true to Austen’s characters — Elizabeth is still witty and outspoken, Darcy is still proud and noble, Mrs. Bennet and Lydia are still obnoxious, and Lady Catherine is still haughty. However, she makes them her own, especially Georgiana, and even introduces new faces, including Tom Butler, a charming landscape gardener; his mother, an old friend of Elizabeth’s Aunt Gardiner; and Viola Wickham, a sister of the horrid George Wickham. Odiwe’s use of language brings readers back to Regency England, though with a more modern feel, and her lively dialogue make the story feel like something Austen would have written or at least enjoyed.

Mr. Darcy’s Secret was a pleasure to read because Odiwe breathes new life into Austen’s characters without altering their personalities too much. Elizabeth and Darcy, like all couples, encounter some bumps in the marital journey, and the way they deal with such strife seems true to who they are. Darcy was a changed man in Pride and Prejudice, and Odiwe makes his alteration feel authentic with some slip ups here and there. Mr. Darcy’s Secret is one of the most seamless Austen sequels I’ve ever read. Odiwe’s love for all-things-Austen shines through. A must-read if you love the Austen variations as much as I do.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth and Darcy are newlyweds. Everything seems perfect and Elizabeth is quite determined to be a worthy Mrs. Darcy, the new mistress of Pemberley. Things start to change when she finds some love letters hidden in the library and she believes they belong to her husband. Besides, Darcy behaves in a weird way, he does not like to talk about his past, lies to his wife and he seems to give special attention to a young man who lives in the village. Will Elizabeth be able to understand the truth and fight for her happiness?

Jane Odiwe is my favourite among Austen authors. Her writing is detailed, clear, accurate and when I read her stories I really feel part of them. It is as though I am a spectator flying over the scene who can witness every action and listen every conversation without being seen. It is just like a magic. That is why I love the way she describes the landscapes, the houses and everything her characters see. She makes readers see it as well. I must admit though, it was very demanding for me because English is not my mother language, nevertheless I found this "Pride and Prejudice" sequel very enjoyable.

In this book readers can actually read two stories. The first one is about Darcy and his mysterious past; the second concerns Georgiana’s life and choices. I loved the latter. It was certainly amazing and very engaging. Georgiana is growing and becoming an accomplished woman with the help of Elizabeth and she is more confident than before, even if she is always a very shy and secretive girl. She is aware of her duty towards her family and she does not want to disappoint her brother, that is way she makes a huge mistake to please Darcy that will lead her to make even worse decisions. Mrs. Odiwe is great at describing all the tension and fear Georgiana experiences through the whole plot until dear Mr. Darcy will solve the situation (as always!)

I was not impressed by what it was supposed to be the main plot. Mr. Darcy’s secret was a dreadful secret indeed but, since Elizabeth does not speak immediately with her husband, many misunderstandings develop through the story and I believe a woman like Elizabeth Bennet should have been more determined. She always spoke frankly to Darcy so it is strange to see her so confused and scared by some secret letters and various gossips without trying to understand the matter to be certain of the truth.

Surprisingly, the most amusing character was Caroline Bingley. Yes, just so. I do not like her in the original novel, she is so snobbish and sharp it is quite impossible to admire her. But this new version is adorable! She falls deeply in love with a dashing artist who apparently has only one fault: he loves to pursue each woman he sees! The only person who does not realize this is Caroline, poor girl. And so, she tries to win him over by doing anything she can, even by living in a dull cottage just because he loves country life and simple things! Very fun.

I enjoyed reading this book and I am certain fellow Janeites will love it as well. I highly recommend!

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing and unique continuation of Pride and Prejudice

Everyone has a secret or two in their past that they would rather forget. In Regency times, where a breach in propriety could ruin a reputation with a withering look, people had many secrets to hide. Are we surprised to learn that the residents of Pemberley, the palatial estate of the Darcy family in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, have a few of their own tucked away in the library or residing at a local cottage? Author Jane Odiwe wants us to explore that possibility in her new novel Mr. Darcy’s Secret. Will the happily ever after really happen for the newly married Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, or will a family secret ruin the fairy tale?

At the conclusion of the original novel Austen left riffs running and a few positive connections for the couple. As Elizabeth arrives in Derbyshire and settles into to her new duties as mistress of the great estate of Pemberley, she attempts to reconcile her husband with his aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh and build up fragile Georgiana Darcy after the emotional upheaval of the failed elopement with Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth resists the innuendo of local gossip Mrs. Eaton to a Darcy connection of a secret affair and illegitimate children until she discovers a cache of love letters hidden in the library. Her doubts about the man she married deepens further when Darcy insists that Georgiana marry quickly, and for title and fortune, and not for love.

"Elizabeth stared at Mr. Darcy in disbelief. Not for the first time in the last few days did she stare at the man she had married to consider how little she really knew him. She had been so sure of his character in Hertfordshire and now, for the moment, she could not reconcile any of her former beliefs. Looking at him, his countenance flushed from his passionate speech, his face solemn and sober, she realized it was useless to debate the matter. Without further ado, she excused herself…" page 114

No, life at Pemberley is not all sunshine and syllabub. Georgiana is torn between her family duty to marry the man of her brother’s choice or the man she truly loves, Thomas Butler, a young and aspiring landscape gardener designing a new garden on the estate. They have everything in common that true lovers should possess, which Elizabeth recognizes, and her husband does not. How could he be so calculating with his sisters happiness and not with his own? These inconsistencies in his character, the love letters and the familiar resemblance of a young boy in the village threaten Elizabeth’s trust in her new husband and Georgiana’s happiness.

With two plots churning, Jane Odiwe has crafted an intriguing and unique continuation of Austen’s classic that will charm and delight Janeites and historical romance readers. As we travel from Hertfordshire to Derbyshire to the Lake District of Cumberland, we enjoy the awe inspiring picturesque scenery and equally jaw dropping characterizations. Be prepared to see romantic icon Mr. Darcy knocked off his pedestal and conceitedly independent Elizabeth Bennet passively submit to her doubts. Is that a bad thing? Only, if you are determined that these characters should not change, grow and evolve beyond the last page of Pride and Prejudice.

I laughed at the creativity of giving Caroline Bingley a crush on a bohemian artist who she so wishes to impress that she embraces the peasant lifestyle and rents a rustic cottage near him while he is on holiday in the Lake District. He happens to be a wealthy and titled bohemian artist so we know she has not strayed too far from her aspirations of social grandeur. Georgiana plays out to be a bit of the rebel that we always knew she was by falling in love with one man while engaged to another, and thoughtless Lydia Wickham makes a cameo appearance to discover a secret that could ruin a Darcy’s happiness. Oh yes. Mr. Darcy is not the only one harboring secrets in this tale. Hiding or disclosing them is the mettle of true character. Who fesses up? Only those with the true Darcy spirit will tell.

Laurel Ann, Austenprose

[Lit Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

This P&P is actually a straight-up sequel (not variation or adaptation), so we need to keep in mind that everthing in standard P&P was as originally known...

Only, it does not go like that, because this alternate universe is so off-tone that the "prequel" would need a serious revision in order to make this one flow. This Mr. Darcy is cold, distant, very formal, proud and haughty... this newlywed Lizzy is subject to this version of her husband in a manner evocative of Rebecca at Manderlay, in which there are secrets she doesn't understand, her husband supoosedly loves her but we really don't see any of it until about halfway through the book, and were she is made to feel awkward because of her manners, relations or opinions.

The big secret is pretty plain early on, involves a supposed Darcy lovechild and some other young women, some who are far fetchedly related to Wickham... that large portion gave me some Death Comes to Pemberley vibes (which is no good, because I really did not like that one at all).

Also, there is a side Georgiana story, in which Darcy is the unfeeling villain, forcing his sister into a mercenary engagement directly disregarding Elizabeth's pleas... that shows he does not hear, value her opinion, or respect his wife, but it also strongly hints of him regreting his own marital choice, doesn't it??

There's a resolution on both sub-plots, neither of which I cared about. I did not enjoy this one nor would I recommend it in a world with so many wonderful & surprising Austenesque to pick from...!!

[Linda Banche · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bloom is off the rose in the Jane Austen sequel with mystery MR. DARCY'S SECRET by Jane Odiwe.

Mysterious passionate love letters from the past, supposedly written to Darcy, interrupt Elizabeth's newly wedded bliss. Even worse, there is a child who closely resembles Darcy. Is the boy Darcy's son?

Although Elizabeth can't change the past, the present is equally disturbing. Darcy reverts to type as he arranges Georgiana's loveless marriage to a "suitable" older gentleman. That Georgiana loves another, the landscape gardener, Tom, who also loves her, means nothing.

Full of the manners and mores so dear to Regency readers, MR. DARCY'S SECRET is another fine addition to the Jane Austen universe. The worthy, if penniless, Tom must fight for Georgiana against the prevailing sentiment of marriage as a merger of fortunes and influence. In her turn, Georgiana must overcome her dutiful submission to her brother's wrong-headed ideas about marriage, ones he himself ignored.

And then there is the mystery. Ms. Odiwe keeps you guessing right to the end as to what the sad and shocking MR. DARCY'S SECRET really is. The knowledge could either destroy Darcy's and Elizabeth's marriage or make it stronger.

Young love, old sins, characters we love, villains we love to hate, and a mystery threading through the whole--MR. DARCY'S SECRET has it all.

ARC provided by Sourcebooks

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think one thing I liked about this one was that it showed that it takes time to change. Darcy may have changed for her but he still had his ideas and wanted to set a great match for Georgiana. A good match is better than love. Oh you silly man. But yes it shows that you do not change like that, little by little, until we got a nice MR Darcy, who still standoffish at times.

The big thing here was the secret, does he have a bastard? A hidden mistress? What is going on? I wanted to know. Sure I wish she had just asked him but they are newlyweds and I get her concern.

But this book is not about these two alone, now Georgiana has got half the book in a way as she finds her own way and finds love, and is unsure. I can't tell you more about that, read and see what happens.

It was a good variation, and even if Mr.Darcy was an ass at times, I still liked it cos we all know he is an ass but we still love him.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading so many prequels, sequels and retellings based on Pride and Prejudice, I didn't expect much originality from "Mr. Darcy's Secret". After all the feasible roads a writer can travel are limited! Nevertheless this novel suprised me in more than a way. The plot is not so unexpected and at some points predictable, but there are some unforeseen twists about characters development that I really appreciate.

This time, unlike what happens in other sequels, Elizabeth is not so self-confident; she has doubts and fears, as any woman should have in her shoes. Georgiana is not so subdued and I like the way she overcome her awe of her brother. For a change, Mr. Darcy is not in a daze due to his love for Elizabeth, he makes his own decisions and he's quite faithful to the original character.

Moreover I really like Jane Odiwe style of writing; the way the story is told make me want to turn the page to see what's next, even if I know that in the end everyone would have been happy.

[Mary Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was clean, no bedroom scenes, which I liked but other then that is was rather dull. THe whole book is based on the premise that Mr. Darcy has a past that everyone who dislikes Darcy wants to share with Elizabeth. And she refuse to bring up any of her concerns/questions etc to Darcy because they are to newly married, already stressed with other problems etc. So it drags on and on until the very end of the book at which we learn very anti-climatically that the secret wasn't very secret, ELizabeth looks like a fool for believe the wrong people, and Georgiana gets her own happy ending. Honestly the book should have been named for Georgiana not Darcy since I felt it centered much more around her then Darcy - or at least that is the only part of the story i found I really cared about and even it was a very formulaic.

[Rebecca Huston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really unhappy with this followup to Pride and Prejudice. While the dialog felt right, it was the silly plot twists that ruined the novel for me. Only for the die-hard Austen fans, and even then, I'd still have some cautions. I tried to give it a fair chance, I really did, but this was a failure for me.

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Jane_O...

[Maria Grazia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride and Prejudice continues in the elegant style that is the distinguishing brand of Jane Odiwe's sequels. After Willoughby's Return , her skill at creating thrilling emotions, her thorough research and her passion for the Regency Era , are successfully dedicated to make the inhabitants of Pemberley re-live on the beautifully written pages of Mr Darcy's Secret. You'll meet the newly and happily married couple, Darcy and Lizzy, as well as their relatives , friends and antagonists.

A successful marriage haunted by the untold, a dark secret to be unveiled, a denied love story, are among the main elements in the plot , but you also find so many typical Austensian features like balls, family gatherings, trips and journeys, marriages of convenience and for love, propriety and good manners, friendship and sisterly love, elopments and engagements, that you really start thinking you are reading Austen.

A real page-turner you can't miss, if you love Austen sequels, romances and witty prose in historical fiction.


The story opens at Longbourn with Mr & Mrs Bennets enjoying the correspondence from their daughters' successful marriages, both Elizabeth and Jane are married now. Successfully married to very rich gentlemen! Well, Lydia is married too, to George Wickham and living in Newcastle. But she and her dashing officer husband won't be with them at the Christmas gathering at Pemberley. Mrs Bennet is very excited: Pemberley!

At Pemberley, Elizabeth is anxious but willing to undertake her new tasks as lady of the house. At their arrival, both her and her admired Mr Darcy, are welcome with enthusiasm and cheer by all the inhabitants of the village. But their bliss starts immediately being haunted:

"I know very little of my husband...I am certain that a man does not reach the age of twenty-nine without experiencing an affection or infatuation or maybe something more" (p. 114)

To induce suspects and torment in Elizabeth's thoughts, rumors and gossip, as well as love letters she finds hidden in a book kept on the shelves of Pemberley library. What is Darcy hiding from her? Why doesn't he trust her with the whole truth?

To increase her disappointment, Darcy's behaviour to Georgiana. He wants to choose a proper husband for her, chosen among the best families in the neighbourhood, a husband who can grant both a title and patrimony, in order to protect his little sister from fortune-hunters. Georgiana is ready to obey her brother: her sense of guilt for past mistakes, her awe and deep love for him, make her accept her brother's choice of a husband. She is going to marry Mr Calladine, though she is in love with Tom Butler.

Lizzy tries to persuade her not to go on with her resolution, since she could greatly regret it . Lizzy is also really furious with Darcy for his considering Mr Butler , a drawing master and an artist, an expert in landscape gardening, too low a catch for her sister. Furthermore, her disappointment is even greater when she hears Darcy repeat the same statements she had to bear hearing from him when he first proposed to her. He hasn't changed, then. And what he thinks of Mr Butler might obviously be what he still thinks of her!

Tom and Georgiana will experience the pains of denied love because of Darcy and Elizabeth will not be able to do much more than witness her young sister-in-law's unhappiness and support her with her affection.

Each time the two young lovers - because, of course, Tom Butler loves Georgiana too - meet each other by chance, the love tension and their longing is palpable:

"Georgiana felt tears spill over her hot cheeks before she was aware of Tom's cool fingers under her chin raising her head until her eyes were in line with his own. He held her face in his hands, his fingers caressing her soft skin as he brushed away her tears. His blue eyes stared into the pools of the grey eyes that looked up at him, the connection broken for a moment as he lowered his gaze to rest upon her lips. He was going to kiss her, she felt sure. More than anything, she wanted him to kiss her, to show him how much she loved him. Georgiana stared back at his mouth and closed her eyes in anticipation. Tom looked down at her skin, warm and glowing like a soft peach in the sunlight, her wet lashes curling against her cheek, her lips pink and inviting. He thought how beautiful Georgiana looked, but Tom knew he would be very wrong to take advantage of such willing submission. The temptation to kiss her was very strong and he had to fight every inclination to touch the lips that looked so bewitching. Georgiana opened her eyes to see a look of defeat in his eyes. How she longed to tell him that he could steal a kiss, that she wished he could take her in his arms, however wrong she knew that would be." (p. 213)

But it is an Austen sequel, isn't it? You must be patient and you will be rewarded in the end. You 'll get your very happy ending and rejoice in Tom and Georgiana's joy.


All through the novel, Elizabeth will have to cope with Lady Catherine and her despise, Caroline Bingley and her envy, shadows from her husband's past, unexpected and painful arguments with him on several occasions and several obstacles on their path to happiness. But you know her strength, vivacity, resourcefulness and courage.

Here's an example of Lady Catherine's bitterness to her new niece-in-law:

"Does your husband know that you are running around the countryside dressed asa gypsy riding in a donkey cart, Miss Bennet? ... What on earth can you mean by disgracing Mr Darcyin such a fashion? Have you no idea of decorum, are you insensible to the honours bestowed on you by him, that fool of a nephew of mine who has singled you out above all other women to bear his name?" (p. 175)

How do you think Lizzy will react? No fear, you're right. She will face her stern newly - acquired aunt as you can expect, as an impeccable Austen heroine would do.


What else can you expect from this new Pride and Prejudice sequel by Jane Odiwe? Well-built tension, surprises, tender emotions until the final gratifying unveiling of the "secret" and the protagonists' well-deserved happiness.

[Della Tingle · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all lovers of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, this is a great little sequel! I would like to read more of Jane Odiwe’s work.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce qui se cache derrière ce titre n'est autre qu'une nouvelle suite à notre roman chéri, Orgueil et Préjugés. Nous y retrouvons donc Lizzy et Darcy fraîchement mariés, et tout ce que cela implique en terme de nouvelles responsabilités et de nouvelles rencontres pour la jeune femme. Alors, lorsqu'elle se trouve face aux rumeurs et à la mesquinerie, Elizabeth ne sait plus très bien à qui elle peut faire confiance...

Et c'est là que réside le premier souci de cet ouvrage puisque la réponse aurait du être évidement : à son mari. Non seulement, je n'ai pas cru une seule seconde à ce fameux secret mais en plus, devoir envisager qu'au début de leur mariage, le jeune couple n'est pas capable de se parler ouvertement et de se faire confiance, ce n'est vraiment pas comme ça que j'imaginais les Darcy personnellement.

Malgré tout, j'étais prête à leur accorder le bénéficie du doute, l'auteur rappelant à quel point l'héroïne connaît peu son mari finalement. J'étais charmée par le cadre, ravie de retrouver les personnages et mon niveau d'anglais ne me permet pas de m'attarder sur le style, ce qui est sûrement à l'avantage de ce genre de romans. J'avais, de plus, déjà lu deux livres du même auteur, Willoughby's Return et Mr Darcy' Christmas, que je n'avais pas trouvés désagréables, je décidais donc de ne pas trop écouter la petite voix qui m'intimait que ce Darcy-là n'avait pas du tout évolué et que celui de Jane Austen ne se serait jamais conduit comme cela avec sa soeur, surtout après son mariage avec la pétillante Miss Bennet. Moyennant quoi, je dois dire que j'ai apprécié environ 70% de ma lecture.

Jusqu'à l'évènement fatal... Et alors, attention spoiler, Georgiana s'enfuit. Encore. Quelle déception ! Qu'elle ait pu l'envisager très jeune, sous une mauvaise influence, se comprend mais que sachant à quel point elle le regrette, elle soit capable de réitérer, plus âgée et plus sage de quelques années, après un comportement des plus absurdes tout au long du roman d'ailleurs, est tout bonnement invraisemblable. Ce n'était certes pas l'austenerie de l'année mais ce livre aurait pu rester dans ma mémoire comme une lecture agréable si les 50 dernières pages n'avaient pas été une accumulation d'absurdités et de ridicule consommé.


http://janeausten.hautetfort.com/arch...

[Janis · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started this book I loved it and thought it would end up on my ten best JAFFs ever written. Really, I couldn't put it down in the beginning. And then ... a second story line intruded. Like other reviewers, I was quite disappointed that the intriguing story of Darcy's past was interrupted by a story about Georgiana which should have been written and published separately. The intrusion delayed the resolution to the Darcy story by at least one hundred pages, tossing in all kinds of unrelated "stuff" that belonged with the Georgiana story. Some of it was admittedly in turns poignant or amusing, but it was clearly a separate story that had no business in this story. I loved Odiwe's writing, and otherwise the book was well edited -- but please publish these as the two discrete stories that they are! Call the other one "Georgiana falls in love" or something and separate out all the stuff unrelated to Darcy's Secret. I would give five stars to each of the TWO books, but as one book it just doesn't cut it.

[Ann Boytim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Bennet is now happily married to Fitzwilliam Darcy and is looking forward to living in his family home at Pemberley. As Mrs. Darcy Elizabeth will have a lot of responsibility but the young couple are very much in love and look forward to spending their life together. Elizabeth is welcomed by all and soon makes friends even though she misses her sisters. Elizabeth feels her hapiness is complete until the day she uncovers a stash of anonymous love letters that may or may not be Darcy's. Elizabeth keeps this secret but there are those spiteful people who enjoy talking about the past and telling lies.

[KathyNV · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Mr. Darcy’s Secret” is a wonderful blend of secrets, family, pride and prejudices. My favorite trouble makers Lady Catherine, Caroline Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Wickham, are at it again! I loved how Lizzy and Georgianna’s stories are woven together and remain true to Jane Austin’s original view of Regency England. Jane Odiwe has gifted us with a great, feel good P&P variation! I highly recommend this book! It was fun and satisfying read!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really need a Austen book to be really good to read it, since there just is so much out of it out there on the book shelves these days, and this one, definitely does the job. A lot of them I loose interest in the second chapter for feeling like I read it before. This one captured me. Really like this author's style.

[Sam H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think there is anything wrong with this story-line. Perhaps I just don't connect with this writers style. I skipped over lots of descriptive pages to get to dialog and even that I skimmed enough to keep up with the story.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Was written from the movie, not just the book.

[Glenna Maynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly. Ridiculous, uncharacteristic behavior in order to provide a plot.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, not great.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

This is a very interesting love story with twists and turns that make it a quite good story about Mr Darcy and the one he loves.

[writer... · Rating 3 out of 5]

For this Austenite, too many character and era diversions to be a comfortable read.

[Mary Berger-Hughes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too treacly for me. And too predictable... Darcy is indeed Darcy.

[Duncan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fairly weak pap. A quick read, but not worth it. Did not finish.