The Wickham Murders

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Melanie Schertz, A Lady

Narrated by: Benjamin Fife

George Wickham is pure evil. Arriving at Meryton, after learning his nemesis, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam learn of the newest crimes of the man they had known since their childhood. He had raped and murdered the youngest Bennet daughter and left her second eldest sister for dead after she struck her head on a rock during the fight with him. Elizabeth becomes catatonic, unable to speak with anyone. When there is no other way to see to his beloved daughter's medical needs, Mr Bennet sends his 2 eldest daughters with Darcy and Fitzwilliam to London for Elizabeth to receive medical care.

This leads to more heartache as the Bennet family makes their way through the aftermath, and the cousins search desperately to find Wickham, before he is able to cause any further harm.

Can they stop him before he is able to silence the one lady who can place a noose around his neck?

** WARNING, THIS STORY INCLUDES THE RAPE OF 2 CHARACTERS, THOUGH NOT OF OUR MAIN CHARACTERS. THERE ARE SEVERAL DEATHS. THERE IS NO DISCRIPTION OF THE RAPES, ONLY KNOWING THAT IT HAPPENED AND ONE OF THE VICTIMS WAS MURDERED**

©2025 Melanie Schertz (P)2025 Melanie Schertz

The Wickham Murders

Melanie Schertz has great ideas for books. However, there are contradictions within the story itself that have me speaking at her though she cannot hear me. Either something is or it isn’t. Also, for me, it seems that some of the story is missing. This observation is not due the shortness of the book; I feel the missing content. Again, However, she has some really great ideas.

Audiobook narrated by Benjamin Fife made even bett

I have enjoyed Melanie Schertz’s out of the box stories over the years. Could they benefit from some editing, yes, but so can other JAFF. I can usually overlook most editing issues as long as it doesn’t involve messing up the story. Could a few things been expanded or tightened, yes but again, I can still enjoy the read.

I was thrilled when I saw that this story was released as an audiobook with Benjamin Fife narrating it. Thank you Melanie for permitting him to bring your story to life! As a reader/listener who does better with audiobooks I will always take a human narration that lets emotions and the experience come through their voice. His narration brings up the rating and will encourage me to listen again.

For those who need a warning: this story involves a very bad Wickham who raped & murdered Lydia and harmed Elizabeth (no SA against her). This is not a spoiler as it happens at the beginning of the story. Several other characters die during the course of the story but we do get our favorite couple their happily ever after. A slight spoiler: no Bingleys mentioned in a story but Jane ends with a good man.

All that said, I was glad to listen to the audiobook.