Nameless

A Pride & Prejudice Variation

By: Julie Cooper

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

“This was not a man who would explode in a rage, or who would give way to shame or temper...which meant my choices were simple: Either he had killed her in cold blood, or he had not killed her at all.”

Orphaned and alone in the world, Elizabeth Bennet has found reasonable contentment as a companion to the dowager countess of Matlock, the affairs of 1811 and Fitzwilliam Darcy long forgotten. But the past intrudes upon her again, and Mr. Darcy returns to her, handsome, wealthy, and widowed, and hiding many secrets beneath his solemn exterior.

But if time had altered their circumstances, one thing remains: Mr. Darcy still wishes to marry her, and this time, Elizabeth consents. At nearly 29, it is inarguably a good prospect for her and indeed, not until they arrive at his vast estate does she realize how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their growing love. But the new Mrs. Darcy’s courage will continue to rise despite the many attempts to intimidate her; and she vows to use whatever power she holds over the master of Pemberley to keep him.

Nameless is a tale of the triumph of good over evil, of passion over prejudice, of loyalty over lies...and most of all, of enduring, unfailing love.

©2021 Julie Cooper (P)2021 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Outstanding Book!

August 12-13, 2021
Audiobook Review
As always, Stevie Zimmerman gives an outstanding performance in her narration of this brilliant book.

Amazon Book Review 5⭐️+++++
My oh my, I hardly know where to begin with this book. Bottom line—my review title says it all. I don’t believe this measly review can ever do it justice. I wish I could give it more stars. I can’t wait for the audiobook, and I wish it could be made into a movie. It’s a book that screamed dramatization at me. Even the book blurb is perfect. This is most definitely not your typical Pride and Prejudice variation. Julie Cooper has artfully recreated some of the classic’s characters and wound them craftily around an intriguing and engaging plot, and ohhh what a plot it is!

The story is brilliantly executed from the point of view of a 28-year old spinster Elizabeth, in service to a dowager Lady Matlock who resides at Rosings, and who is cantankerous and demanding, treating Elizabeth as a drudge. There is no Lady Catherine. Elizabeth is there in this capacity because the Bennet parents and her Uncle Gardiner have died. She is full of grief and bitterness from the events that overtook her life.

Darcy is newly widowed and has come to visit Lady Matlock. He seems as brooding and aloof as the Darcy of old that Elizabeth remembers. He seeks out Elizabeth on a walk and proposes. She doesn’t need to marry, but she wants to have her own home, her own life. Then he kisses her—

“He wanted me. It was in the seeking pressure, the restrained hunger, the intensity of purpose, the coaxing pleasure. Within it, I was taken by yet another surprise: I wanted him, as well. I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck, be held close, to return his seeking with my own. I wanted to know what he thought, and I wanted his thoughts to be of me. I was young again, pretty and proud and powerful.”—quote from book

Elizabeth is my hero in this book. Rather than the overly stubborn and unyielding shrew she is depicted as in many redrawn sketches of her, here she earnestly endeavours to exercise the patience she has learned to apply while in service, and remains resolute in not allowing villains to thwart her cause in being a good wife and Mistress of Pemberley. She is still full of wit, and exercises kindness towards others. In this book, she is the best Elizabeth I’ve read in a long time.

“Especially do I understand the anger that comes with loss, the temptation to shake a fist at God, the contempt for well-meaning platitudes and envy of others whose miracles I was never granted. Oh, yes, I do understand those sentiments. But when one encounters stinging nettles, one does not roll naked amongst them. Relief is seldom found by drowning in bitterness.”—quote from book

Darcy too is filled with grief and bitterness, but for different reasons. His marriage was not a happy one. There are rumours Anne Darcy’s death was suspicious and possibly at Darcy’s own hand. The outstandingly intriguing plot that fills the remainder of the story will have you eagerly feasting on the words that describe the miserable and troubled life Darcy has endured for eight years married to a diabolical woman whose equally diabolical mother lives with them. I have to say these are two of the best-written villains I’ve read in a P&P variation. Elizabeth, however, is not about to give in to an insane mother or a dead wife.

“Even when we believe ourselves to be utterly alone, there is help waiting in the wings. A situation is never hopeless, unless we give up hope.”—quote from book

Within this exceptional plot, Julie Cooper never loses sight of Elizabeth and Darcy’s beautiful love story. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It’s now my favourite Julie Cooper book, and without a single shred of doubt, goes into my 2021 Favourites list. This book also immediately goes into my re-read stack and I will purchase the published version for my Kindle library once it is released. You simply must read it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Note: While I have become aware this book is a mashup of Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca (by Daphne duMaurier), I have never read the latter; thus, my review reflects no awareness of the apparent similarities.

A page turner

Very entertaining audible book. It is well written, in my opinion, and as the story unfolds ( I should say stories) I began to wonder why the author put so much in one book. I believe it could have filled three books. And you get Stevie Zimmerman for the narrator. Do not pass up this book.

Very good variation of P & P with Excellent Narration

I enjoyed this Unusual Variation of the Mr Darcy - Elizabeth Bennet story very much. Don’t want to Spoil story for new listeners, but well worth time and credit. As usual, narrator is excellent.

“Rebecca” meets “Pride & Prejudice”. With Stand Alone Brilliance!

I’ve read or listened to hundreds of audible books over the years I’ve read the original Pride & Prejudice, watched the movies, the BBC adaptation, and listened to dozens of P&P variations. Ive read and listened to Rebecca.

This book is stand alone brilliant.

And I’m not even sure if the author meant a comparison to Rebecca. But oh my goodness! This adaptation is the best of all of that.

This book is a love story. It’s a tragedy. It’s a ghost story. It’s a murder mystery. It is an edge of your seat page turner that you avoid doing anything else to find out what happens.

I don’t want to give too much away by writing details. But let me assure you. While the love of Darcy and Elizabeth are as strong as Austen’s original, that is the beginning and end of the similarities. In the best of ways.

Most characters are true to their canon personalities, and their vulnerabilities. But they must take new journeys after tragedy strikes Mr and Mrs Bennett.

There are so many reasons to love this book and add to a list of favorites. The author masterfully brings storylines of both key and minor characters to life, such that the reader knows these characters and cares what happens to them.

My heart aches for Lydia, Georgianna, Jane, Mr. Bingley, Caroline, Aunt Gardener. Darcy. Elizabeth. What a journey it was to watch as the storylines unfolded with hope and redemption along the way.

I enjoyed watching the love story of Darcy and Elizabeth unfold despite the most trying of circumstances, It’s a good thing this book was an “Audible” book for me, because I had my eyes closed half the time in fear of what would happen next, as the evil mother of the former Mrs Darcy lurked behind the curtains, as in “Rebecca.” (And just when you thought it was safe to breathe a sigh of relief, guess again.).

Thank you, for an excellent book.

Bravo. Just. Absolutely bravo.

PS. Thank you, author, for the epilogue.

PPS. Stevie Zimmerman was her brilliant self as well. I don’t know how she does it. One of the best narrators ever.

Alternate Reality / Bizarro World Variation

This book threw me for a loop.
So much was different where I didn't LOVE, but it was entertaining.
It won't go down as one of my favorites.

Lady Matlock is at Rosing
Ann DeBourgh is not his cousin and her mother is just Mrs. DeBourgh, not lady Catherine.
Pemberley is a mansion on a cliff.
Lambton is 20 miles away and a different town is close by.
There is no Colonel Fitzwilliam as the Matlocks only have one son, the Earl.
There is a Richard William who is the Steward and an introvert.

I loved the Elizabeth in this and how she was strong and continued to support and love Darcy.
Darcy seemed unfeeling, but I guess was hiding his feelings since he loved her since Netherfield.
It is just weird for me that Darcy let himself be a cuckold for years and didn't send his wife away and just wasted away in loneliness and despair for so long.

I started to wonder if this would turn out to be a dream or an alternate reality thing.
It was good overall, just not one of my favorites.

absolutely wonderful

thanks so much for this amazing what if story. I dearly hope that you have more stories to share like this one

Quite the mystery "who dunit"

Quite an intriguing murder mystery our Mr. D was embroiled in! So many questions and accusations! Well read!

P & P + Rebecca

A well crafted mash-up of two beloved books. If you are familiar with Rebecca the angst will be expected though adjusted for time and circumstances. The characters fit nicely to both texts while thankfully retaining more of their Pride and Prejudice roots. Elizabeth, though older, is still feisty which adds a new read on the role of the second Mrs. De Winter (here Darcy) Lovely narration. Highly recommend.

Great story!!

Couldn’t put it down. Wonderful variation, very unpredictable but stays true to the Darcy-Elizabeth love story.

Pride and Prejudice meets Rebecca

I previewed this title and liked it immediately. I did not however immediately realize it was a nod to Rebecca and became instantly enamored! The reference to characters from many other beloved Austen works was surprising and delightful. If you’ve never read or seen Rebecca this title will surely inspire a new love but even the handsome and grave and incredibly rich Maxim DeWinter can’t hold a candle to Mr. Darcy if Pemberly. Stevie Zimmerman is brilliant as always her voice gives life and depth to Elizabeth like few others can. I will listen to this one again and again.