Reviewer: Marlene Breakfield
Title: Mr. Darcy's Great Escape - 4th in The Darcys & the Bingleys series
Author: Marsha Altman
Publisher: Sourcebooks
ISBN-13: 978-1-4022-2430-0
Release Date: February 2010
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: Regency England, Europe and parts of Asia
Overall Rating: 4.0
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Moderate
Marsha's Website: marshaaltman.com
Elizabeth Darcy is surprised to receive a letter from Lady Catherine De Bourgh, after all other overtures from her had gone unanswered. Meanwhile, Darcy is worried about his half-brother, Gregoire, who is a monk on the war-torn European continent. Once the Darcys arrive at Rosings, they learn that Lady Catherine has an unimaginable plan for Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam, her daughter's husband. After, Lady Catherine collapses, both couples decide to tread lightly on any subject capable of upsetting her. Later, Darcy decides to search for Gregoire by traveling with Dr. Maddox, who is journeying to Europe to see his brother and his brother's new wife. Unexpected adventures occur as a result of these decisions.
Although there is a plot point which caused this reader some bewilderment, on the whole, Mr. Darcy's Great Escape is a very enjoyable read. This point is a change in the inheritance of Rosings, from what seemed to be indicated in Pride and Prejudice. While Mr. Darcy's Great Escape gives ownership to Rosings to Colonel Fitzwilliam's brother and Darcy on Colonel Fitzwiliam's brother's death, Pride and Prejudice seems to indicate Anne will inherit Rosings. Other than the instances where this is mentioned, which kind of took me aback, I was very involved in this story and the characters' many struggles. This book doesn't just focus on the Darcys and the Bingleys, for the Maddoxs have their own part to play in this story. Dr. Maddox and his wife, the former Caroline Bingley, and Brian Maddox and his Austrian princess wife, contribute greatly to the developing story. This reader was caught completely by surprise by many of the plot twists contained within this action-packed novel. However, please don't go into this book expecting the light, sedate Jane Austen, because this book is darker and filled with adventures.
All in all, Mr. Darcy's Great Escape is an entertaining read, but it may not work for sticklers about Jane Austen's work.
Marlene
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