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Fitzwilliam Darcy, Fugitive
When Fitzwilliam Darcy learns he has been framed for a murder, his only chance to clear his name and save himself from hanging is to disappear to somewhere he is unknown. Fortunately for him, Darcy learns of a position at the estate of Thomas Bennet. As the young gentleman attempts to find a way to be free of the charges, he must also hide his developing feelings he has for his employer's second daughter. Will he be able to prove his innocence and return to his life, and could he leave his heart behind if he was to regain his position in society?
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2017
23 people are currently reading
40 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 19, 2018
In this Pride & Prejudice variation, Wickham frames Darcy for a crime. In order to allow for there to be an actual investigation of the event, Darcy "runs" away and manages to find employment as a steward at Longbourn. The story follows the investigation of Darcy's innocence and his growing attachment to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Our angst is provided by Collins, Wickham and a very forceful Lady Catherine. Mr. George Darcy, the Earl of Matlock, Richard Fitzwilliam, and Bingley all work together to solve the mystery with the help of some private investigators.
Sometimes stressful events bring people together before they realize it - and they come to their happily ever after.
Our angst is provided by Collins, Wickham and a very forceful Lady Catherine. Mr. George Darcy, the Earl of Matlock, Richard Fitzwilliam, and Bingley all work together to solve the mystery with the help of some private investigators.
Sometimes stressful events bring people together before they realize it - and they come to their happily ever after.
June 24, 2017
I read this story as a WIP on Melanie's blog. The author's story description tell us that Fitzwilliam Darcy has been framed for murder...the murder of a pregnant servant girl. I am sure you, the reader, do not have to be told who it is that is really guilty of imposing on and slaying the victim. BUT you will learn that the person closest to Darcy, his own father, is gullible for believing the lies of his godson and, thus, ODB has to flee to gain time to attempt to prove his own innocence.
He does find a position as the steward for Longbourn and in corresponding with his relatives who do believe him, who have witnessed Gerald Darcy's bias for his godson, receives help to do what must be done. And the solution is one which puts into use a new method in forensic science. (Sounds a bit like a Sherlock Holmes mystery story, doesn't it.)
Lady Catherine and her sycophantic parson do have part in this story...and you just might be surprised at the end result there...not completely but for part.
Bingley's move to Netherfield brings a surprise for him but one that can only help in the efforts to solve this murder mystery.
He does find a position as the steward for Longbourn and in corresponding with his relatives who do believe him, who have witnessed Gerald Darcy's bias for his godson, receives help to do what must be done. And the solution is one which puts into use a new method in forensic science. (Sounds a bit like a Sherlock Holmes mystery story, doesn't it.)
Lady Catherine and her sycophantic parson do have part in this story...and you just might be surprised at the end result there...not completely but for part.
Bingley's move to Netherfield brings a surprise for him but one that can only help in the efforts to solve this murder mystery.
May 5, 2019
Lower body count than usual with less crazies. I still liked it for the unique storyline but miss the drama.
Reread: Oh, I love it even with less bodies. A Schertz story all the way.
Reread: For some reason, the print version is no longer available at Amazon. I noticed it on my bookshelf so had to read it again. Fabulous!
Reread: Oh, I love it even with less bodies. A Schertz story all the way.
Reread: For some reason, the print version is no longer available at Amazon. I noticed it on my bookshelf so had to read it again. Fabulous!
June 18, 2017
I liked the premise of this book. Darcy proved that he was able to humble himself when he took a role of a steward. The Bennet family's portrait was great, warm and sympathetic. Mr. Bennet was more involved in his family life, and Mrs. Bennet less nonsensical.
Darcy and Elizabeth felt the attraction from the beginning and i liked their developing relationship. I just wish there were more scenes between them. I loved colonel Fitzwilliam and Bingley in their unwavering support of Darcy.
Wickham was pure evil and delusional. Lady Catherine as imperious as ever. Mr. Collins took his stupidity and pompousness to a new level, but paid a price for it.
The addition to an investigator using fingerprints evidence was fascinating. Good read.
Darcy and Elizabeth felt the attraction from the beginning and i liked their developing relationship. I just wish there were more scenes between them. I loved colonel Fitzwilliam and Bingley in their unwavering support of Darcy.
Wickham was pure evil and delusional. Lady Catherine as imperious as ever. Mr. Collins took his stupidity and pompousness to a new level, but paid a price for it.
The addition to an investigator using fingerprints evidence was fascinating. Good read.
July 11, 2018
You really may wish to consider murder
This story has Elizabeth and Darcy meeting in circumstances that allow them to get to know each other without any insulting or misunderstanding getting in the way, but there are several characters you may wish to throttle. Very entertaining.
This story has Elizabeth and Darcy meeting in circumstances that allow them to get to know each other without any insulting or misunderstanding getting in the way, but there are several characters you may wish to throttle. Very entertaining.
July 9, 2017
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Fugitive
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Wrongly accused of murdering a maid at Pemberley by Wickham, and unfortunately believed by his father, Fitzwilliam Darcy is accused of murder needs to escape from Pemberley. Darcy lands in Meryton and overhears that Longbourn is seeking a steward. He applies for the position telling Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth that he was steward to an estate in Ireland. His honest face and his concurrence of many of Elizabeth's strategies to increase Longbourn's yearly production, convinces them to hire him without references. Meanwhile, his friend Bingley has taken lease of Netherfield and since Colonel Fitzwilliam now knows that Darcy is in the vicinity of Meryton joins him. Before leaving London, the colonel hires an investigator to prove Darcy's innocence. He has to tell Bingley what has happened in case they meet Darcy. Lord Matlock has been at Pemberley with Gerald Darcy trying to convince him of his son's innocence. I wanted to throttle Gerald Darcy for not believing his son, because it took a letter from his nephew, tales from life at Cambridge from his brother-in-law, testimonies from his steward, butler, and Mrs. Reynolds to convince him of Wickham's perfidy. When Wickham is forbidden entry into Darcy House, he runs into Denny and together they join the militia stationed in Meryton. Confronted by Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bennet Wickham's treachery is thwarted in Meryton. His freedom is greatly hampered by Colonel Forrester and no credit is extended by the merchants. Thrown into this mess is a visit from William Collins. The first evening that he there and not knowing that Fitzwilliam Darcy is across from him at the dinner table, he spouts out all of the ridiculous blithering about Darcy's fall from grace, being a wanted murderer, and his aunt's refusal for the so call marriage between her daughter and him. After telling him several times to stop, Mr. Bennet throws him from Longbourn. In town he meets Wickham. These two are the dumb and dumber of this Pride and Prejudice Variation. Both wanting revenge for the perceived wrong treatment, they devise a plan to retaliate. With one demented mind and one with little mind, their plan utterly fails. The outcome of the plan does call for the immediate marriage between ODC. Staying in the stewart's cottage that Darcy inhabited, Elizabeth and Darcy stay until Mrs. Bennet gives birth to her sixth child. When Elizabeth finally sees Pemberley, the future heir to Pemberley is on his, or her, way. One of the best parts of this story is that witchy, bitchy Caroline was not with Bingley at Netherfield .
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Wrongly accused of murdering a maid at Pemberley by Wickham, and unfortunately believed by his father, Fitzwilliam Darcy is accused of murder needs to escape from Pemberley. Darcy lands in Meryton and overhears that Longbourn is seeking a steward. He applies for the position telling Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth that he was steward to an estate in Ireland. His honest face and his concurrence of many of Elizabeth's strategies to increase Longbourn's yearly production, convinces them to hire him without references. Meanwhile, his friend Bingley has taken lease of Netherfield and since Colonel Fitzwilliam now knows that Darcy is in the vicinity of Meryton joins him. Before leaving London, the colonel hires an investigator to prove Darcy's innocence. He has to tell Bingley what has happened in case they meet Darcy. Lord Matlock has been at Pemberley with Gerald Darcy trying to convince him of his son's innocence. I wanted to throttle Gerald Darcy for not believing his son, because it took a letter from his nephew, tales from life at Cambridge from his brother-in-law, testimonies from his steward, butler, and Mrs. Reynolds to convince him of Wickham's perfidy. When Wickham is forbidden entry into Darcy House, he runs into Denny and together they join the militia stationed in Meryton. Confronted by Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bennet Wickham's treachery is thwarted in Meryton. His freedom is greatly hampered by Colonel Forrester and no credit is extended by the merchants. Thrown into this mess is a visit from William Collins. The first evening that he there and not knowing that Fitzwilliam Darcy is across from him at the dinner table, he spouts out all of the ridiculous blithering about Darcy's fall from grace, being a wanted murderer, and his aunt's refusal for the so call marriage between her daughter and him. After telling him several times to stop, Mr. Bennet throws him from Longbourn. In town he meets Wickham. These two are the dumb and dumber of this Pride and Prejudice Variation. Both wanting revenge for the perceived wrong treatment, they devise a plan to retaliate. With one demented mind and one with little mind, their plan utterly fails. The outcome of the plan does call for the immediate marriage between ODC. Staying in the stewart's cottage that Darcy inhabited, Elizabeth and Darcy stay until Mrs. Bennet gives birth to her sixth child. When Elizabeth finally sees Pemberley, the future heir to Pemberley is on his, or her, way. One of the best parts of this story is that witchy, bitchy Caroline was not with Bingley at Netherfield .
May 13, 2017
Darcy framed for murder by Wickham!
Wickham believes he is the illegitimate elder son of Mr Darcy, and commits an almost perfect murder to destroy Fitzwilliam both in the eyes of the law and his father. But fortunately, the Fitzwilliams know the truth of his character. Darcy escapes, and turns up under an assumed name where he becomes the Bennet's steward.
This story had a well developed plot and characters, with a couple of surprises along the way. Mrs Bennet is still flighty, but truly protective of her daughters when needed. Wickham and Collins both have their worst traits exaggerated but it works with the plot. Lady Catherine is at her best at being the worst without becoming truly evil. But the best part is how Elizabeth and Darcy come together in his relative anonymity.
And in true murder mystery fashion, forensics of the time play a major role. At least, it seems plausible, not sure if it is historically accurate, but it worked for me.
Wickham believes he is the illegitimate elder son of Mr Darcy, and commits an almost perfect murder to destroy Fitzwilliam both in the eyes of the law and his father. But fortunately, the Fitzwilliams know the truth of his character. Darcy escapes, and turns up under an assumed name where he becomes the Bennet's steward.
This story had a well developed plot and characters, with a couple of surprises along the way. Mrs Bennet is still flighty, but truly protective of her daughters when needed. Wickham and Collins both have their worst traits exaggerated but it works with the plot. Lady Catherine is at her best at being the worst without becoming truly evil. But the best part is how Elizabeth and Darcy come together in his relative anonymity.
And in true murder mystery fashion, forensics of the time play a major role. At least, it seems plausible, not sure if it is historically accurate, but it worked for me.
July 5, 2017
Really good
I already think more highly of the author's writing than some, based on reviews of her other books, but I think she is a wonderful writer who creates unique stories that are comfortable reads.
This was a great opportunity to see just how crazy both Wickham and Lady Catherine are. I felt all of their behavior was in tune with my already established opinions of them. I was also pleased to see a more humble Darcy from the beginning. He is such a good man, that it is hard sometimes to not be annoyed with the more pompous portrayals of him. (I understand his is supposed to be prideful and annoying but I subscribe to the idea that Matthew MacFayden has that more than snobby, Darcy is just ridiculously shy and awkward and misunderstood.)
I already think more highly of the author's writing than some, based on reviews of her other books, but I think she is a wonderful writer who creates unique stories that are comfortable reads.
This was a great opportunity to see just how crazy both Wickham and Lady Catherine are. I felt all of their behavior was in tune with my already established opinions of them. I was also pleased to see a more humble Darcy from the beginning. He is such a good man, that it is hard sometimes to not be annoyed with the more pompous portrayals of him. (I understand his is supposed to be prideful and annoying but I subscribe to the idea that Matthew MacFayden has that more than snobby, Darcy is just ridiculously shy and awkward and misunderstood.)
February 16, 2018
I normally only give a rating of the books and don't write a review because every person has a different taste but in this case I would recommend this book if you want some light reading. I read this book on my way home and it kept me on my toes XD I just wanted to know what else was going to happen. Although the end was a little bit meh for me I did like how all the entail was solve.
May 24, 2017
Fun!
Less Lizzy and Darcy tension, but a good story and our happy ending! Bigger role for the Colonel, and an even more wicked Wickham.
Less Lizzy and Darcy tension, but a good story and our happy ending! Bigger role for the Colonel, and an even more wicked Wickham.
March 23, 2020
Interesting, involved
Wickham plays a game of life and death with Fitzwilliam Darcy. Fortunately, Darcy knows his father is a list cause, but his other family helps him out. Elizabeth meets Darcy under a different name, but falls in love with him. Darcy s family helps him out of predicament. Great storyline, well written, and highly recommended to read.
Wickham plays a game of life and death with Fitzwilliam Darcy. Fortunately, Darcy knows his father is a list cause, but his other family helps him out. Elizabeth meets Darcy under a different name, but falls in love with him. Darcy s family helps him out of predicament. Great storyline, well written, and highly recommended to read.
March 23, 2023
Great book
Love it when Darcy and lizzy have a quick connection. Loved that Wickham got his just desserts, Collins and lady c too.
Love it when Darcy and lizzy have a quick connection. Loved that Wickham got his just desserts, Collins and lady c too.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews