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Rebuilding Pemberley
Is a fire at his family estate of Pemberley, which happened when Fitzwilliam Darcy is a boy, connected to a fire which happened at Netherfield Park, years late? Pemberley was destroyed by a fire, claiming the life of Darcy’s mother, Lady Anne Darcy. Years later, Darcy meets Elizabeth Bennet, who is living in London with her aunt and uncle. Elizabeth had survived the deadly blaze at the home of her childhood friend, a fire whiched claimed the lives of the owner of Netherfield and his family. When she becomes the target of someone trying to kill her, pieces of the puzzle come together. Will it be enough to protect Elizabeth?
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2017
50 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Schertz
47 books59 followersI am a retired crime lab/crime scene technician, having worked for a local police department for 15 years. Since then, I have become disabled. Forgot to get the extended warranty on the body. In my spare time, I make jewelry, am a photographer, and a full time mom and grandma.
My daughter by birth is Catie, and she is the dearest part of my life. Through her, I have 2 daughters by heart, Heather and Kristina. Through Heather and her awesome man, Stan, I have 4 amazing grandchildren, Purgi, Penne, Myles, and Persephene.
Besides my human family, I have a canine son, who is my service dog, Darcy. I also have 4 feline daughters (Salem, Lizzy, Dagonet, and Freya ). I now have 5 grandpuppies, 2 grandkitties.
Two days after I received my first ever royalty check, I adopted Darcy and Lizzy. Fitting names, I thought. And they resemble the characters. Lizzy is mischievous, yet loving, climbing up high as if she were in a tree. Darcy is extremely protective and loving. He has his shy side, which is clear when around some people, until he comes to know he can trust them.
My daughter by birth is Catie, and she is the dearest part of my life. Through her, I have 2 daughters by heart, Heather and Kristina. Through Heather and her awesome man, Stan, I have 4 amazing grandchildren, Purgi, Penne, Myles, and Persephene.
Besides my human family, I have a canine son, who is my service dog, Darcy. I also have 4 feline daughters (Salem, Lizzy, Dagonet, and Freya ). I now have 5 grandpuppies, 2 grandkitties.
Two days after I received my first ever royalty check, I adopted Darcy and Lizzy. Fitting names, I thought. And they resemble the characters. Lizzy is mischievous, yet loving, climbing up high as if she were in a tree. Darcy is extremely protective and loving. He has his shy side, which is clear when around some people, until he comes to know he can trust them.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 4, 2019
“Only in the shattering can the rebuilding occur.” –Barbara Marciniak, Family of Light
“When we rebuild a house, we are rebuilding a home. When we recover from disaster, we are rebuilding lives and livelihoods.” –Sri Mulyani Indrawati
Rating: clean but somewhat gory. Reading a Schertz book is an acquired taste. Some just enjoy the ridiculous, outrageous, over-the-top schemes, while others laugh at the creative ways Schertz can kill off half of the characters in her story. The body count in this adventure was somewhat staggering.
We open with a flashback as Pemberley burns and the devastating trauma that follows in its wake. Everyone assumes it was a lightning strike but we learn later that it was something more sinister. This author appears to like themes. So, if one house burns then there will be others. It’s like ‘Your house burns. Your house burns. Your.…’ And so on. Then we have injuries to survive and overcome, sinister plots and madness. You can always be assured that someone will die in a Schertz book and it will be gruesome and relatively unemotional.
“When the storm rips you to pieces, you have to decide how to put yourself back together again.” –Bryant McGill
Our heroes had to rebuild their lives around their tragedies. Darcy, within a ten-year turnaround, would, of course, be brilliant and manage to do the impossible. Pemberley, not as large as the original, would still be better than ever and the estate would be profitable to the point of nearly reaching his previous ten-thousand a year wealth.
Lizzy would rebuild her life after her survival of a tragic event. Specific family dynamics would force her to live in London for medical and personal reasons. It is there that she meets our Darcy. Unfortunately, our Lizzy would soon find herself in the cross-hairs of our villain.
Villains: there be villains: “Pride, envy, avarice – these are the sparks [that] have set on fire the hearts of all men.” –Dante Alighieri
How do I explain the heart of this villain? Schertz has a way with devising a genuinely heinous villain for her stories. So, too in this one. Man, this guy was the height of arrogance and self-importance. If he wanted something… he got it… no matter what it took. He considered himself high enough in society that he was untouchable and accountable to no one. You could measure his arrogance by his innate feelings of entitlement and self-worth. He surrounded himself with henchmen ready to do his bidding. Included in that group was none other than Austen’s famous SCRB [scum-bag-rat-bastard]. The cruel use of fear and intimidation always managed to get our villain whatever he wanted. His fall and theirs would be great.
Some say the narration and dialogue were wooden and soap opera like. I hadn’t thought of it quite that way, although there was a cold clinical feel to her narration. As a retired crime scene/lab technician, Schertz would be accustomed to dry, unemotional, analysis, ‘just the facts ma’am, just the facts’ type of reporting. That may be fine for a Police/Coroner’s Report, but that does not translate well in a Regency Romance. And especially not in a Pride & Prejudice story with characters as passionate as Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. There is nothing cold and clinical about them and their love.
The errors regularly pulled me from the narrative. It makes me wonder if Schertz has an editor or even a beta reader who could catch at least some or most of the inaccuracies, redundancies and editing problems? Some authors refuse to read reviews so perhaps she doesn’t know those errors exist. That would explain why she continues to make them in each of her books. This was a $0.99 discount from Amazon.
“When we rebuild a house, we are rebuilding a home. When we recover from disaster, we are rebuilding lives and livelihoods.” –Sri Mulyani Indrawati
Rating: clean but somewhat gory. Reading a Schertz book is an acquired taste. Some just enjoy the ridiculous, outrageous, over-the-top schemes, while others laugh at the creative ways Schertz can kill off half of the characters in her story. The body count in this adventure was somewhat staggering.
We open with a flashback as Pemberley burns and the devastating trauma that follows in its wake. Everyone assumes it was a lightning strike but we learn later that it was something more sinister. This author appears to like themes. So, if one house burns then there will be others. It’s like ‘Your house burns. Your house burns. Your.…’ And so on. Then we have injuries to survive and overcome, sinister plots and madness. You can always be assured that someone will die in a Schertz book and it will be gruesome and relatively unemotional.
“When the storm rips you to pieces, you have to decide how to put yourself back together again.” –Bryant McGill
Our heroes had to rebuild their lives around their tragedies. Darcy, within a ten-year turnaround, would, of course, be brilliant and manage to do the impossible. Pemberley, not as large as the original, would still be better than ever and the estate would be profitable to the point of nearly reaching his previous ten-thousand a year wealth.
Lizzy would rebuild her life after her survival of a tragic event. Specific family dynamics would force her to live in London for medical and personal reasons. It is there that she meets our Darcy. Unfortunately, our Lizzy would soon find herself in the cross-hairs of our villain.
Villains: there be villains: “Pride, envy, avarice – these are the sparks [that] have set on fire the hearts of all men.” –Dante Alighieri
How do I explain the heart of this villain? Schertz has a way with devising a genuinely heinous villain for her stories. So, too in this one. Man, this guy was the height of arrogance and self-importance. If he wanted something… he got it… no matter what it took. He considered himself high enough in society that he was untouchable and accountable to no one. You could measure his arrogance by his innate feelings of entitlement and self-worth. He surrounded himself with henchmen ready to do his bidding. Included in that group was none other than Austen’s famous SCRB [scum-bag-rat-bastard]. The cruel use of fear and intimidation always managed to get our villain whatever he wanted. His fall and theirs would be great.
Some say the narration and dialogue were wooden and soap opera like. I hadn’t thought of it quite that way, although there was a cold clinical feel to her narration. As a retired crime scene/lab technician, Schertz would be accustomed to dry, unemotional, analysis, ‘just the facts ma’am, just the facts’ type of reporting. That may be fine for a Police/Coroner’s Report, but that does not translate well in a Regency Romance. And especially not in a Pride & Prejudice story with characters as passionate as Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. There is nothing cold and clinical about them and their love.
The errors regularly pulled me from the narrative. It makes me wonder if Schertz has an editor or even a beta reader who could catch at least some or most of the inaccuracies, redundancies and editing problems? Some authors refuse to read reviews so perhaps she doesn’t know those errors exist. That would explain why she continues to make them in each of her books. This was a $0.99 discount from Amazon.
July 2, 2017
Crazy and fun. Just what I wanted. Love her books.
September 7, 2021
Good read
Liked this book, would have liked an epilogue. Glad the villains got their just rewards. Always enjoy M Schertz books.
Liked this book, would have liked an epilogue. Glad the villains got their just rewards. Always enjoy M Schertz books.
February 6, 2018
This Pride and Prejudice variation is somewhat of a murder mystery and less about angst between Elizabeth and Darcy. They must both overcome their past and confront evil to find their happily ever after.
August 15, 2017
Rebuilding Pemberley
Money and greed is the root of all evil. This story is loaded with the want of both. Wickham always wanting more and his employer willing to pay him to get his wishes. Land, acquiring in any way possible including arson, Lord Ashby, has killed many people including his father and brother. Greed keeps Ashby going, fear from Ashby keeps Wickham going. Facing his employer yet again, George Wickham tries once last ditch effort to eliminate Elizabeth Bennet Darcy, who just happens to be a witness to the fire that took Netherfield and its residents. When he's tied to the fire at Pemberley that took the life of Lady Anne, the Fitzwilliam and Darcy families know how to act. Fitting ending to the story, but too bad it wasn't death by fire.
Money and greed is the root of all evil. This story is loaded with the want of both. Wickham always wanting more and his employer willing to pay him to get his wishes. Land, acquiring in any way possible including arson, Lord Ashby, has killed many people including his father and brother. Greed keeps Ashby going, fear from Ashby keeps Wickham going. Facing his employer yet again, George Wickham tries once last ditch effort to eliminate Elizabeth Bennet Darcy, who just happens to be a witness to the fire that took Netherfield and its residents. When he's tied to the fire at Pemberley that took the life of Lady Anne, the Fitzwilliam and Darcy families know how to act. Fitting ending to the story, but too bad it wasn't death by fire.
January 29, 2018
Almost unreadable
Need a good proofreader. Words missing, wrong word or tense used throughout. Reads like the author is not a native english speaker. A basic grammer check would pick up most of these errors. An editor would pick up the character names being interchanged i resent paying for something that isn't up to the standard acceptable on fan fiction sites.
Need a good proofreader. Words missing, wrong word or tense used throughout. Reads like the author is not a native english speaker. A basic grammer check would pick up most of these errors. An editor would pick up the character names being interchanged i resent paying for something that isn't up to the standard acceptable on fan fiction sites.
September 30, 2018
Can not recommend
While there author has some interesting ideas, the execution is lacking. There are many grammatical and other errors that editing should have corrected. The writing style also comes across as juvenile and the death of every antagonist is much too convenient and unbelievable.
While there author has some interesting ideas, the execution is lacking. There are many grammatical and other errors that editing should have corrected. The writing style also comes across as juvenile and the death of every antagonist is much too convenient and unbelievable.
March 28, 2023
Someone is trying to kill Elizabeth
An good tale, but not as good as some of the author other works.
- Darcy and Elizabeth come to an early understanding.
- Very little Caroline, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
- No Lady Catherine or Collins.
- Wickham is evil.
- A couple of 'oops' deaths.
An good tale, but not as good as some of the author other works.
- Darcy and Elizabeth come to an early understanding.
- Very little Caroline, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
- No Lady Catherine or Collins.
- Wickham is evil.
- A couple of 'oops' deaths.
July 25, 2017
Loved it!!
I love the way Melanie Schertz spins a tale. It's well thought out and the characters are well developed. I know I won't be disappointed with her stories.
It's a great read and very much worth your time!
I love the way Melanie Schertz spins a tale. It's well thought out and the characters are well developed. I know I won't be disappointed with her stories.
It's a great read and very much worth your time!
July 13, 2018
The premise of the book was an interesting idea but then there were to many loose ends and some things were solved so conveniently. It was fortunate that it was such a small book or else I would have probably stop reading it.
April 9, 2019
A harrowing story
Entertaining and intriguing. A sweet love surrounded by evil plots. Loved the interaction between the characters and the situations they can get out of. Thoroughly recommended!
Entertaining and intriguing. A sweet love surrounded by evil plots. Loved the interaction between the characters and the situations they can get out of. Thoroughly recommended!
April 13, 2023
Eh. Not particularly well written, far too much telling instead of showing, characterization is lacking.
Just not my kind of thing.
Just not my kind of thing.
December 10, 2019
Different Darcy and Elizabeth
Elizabeth is much stronger in this book because of an accident in which she was involved in. Darcy was just as lonely, but more aggressive as in going for what he wants. Wickham is still there, but worse perpetrator now. Love endures everything and bring them closer together
Elizabeth is much stronger in this book because of an accident in which she was involved in. Darcy was just as lonely, but more aggressive as in going for what he wants. Wickham is still there, but worse perpetrator now. Love endures everything and bring them closer together
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews