More vampires. Sourcebooks Landmark announced a major new release by the popular author of Mr. Darcy’s Diary, Amanda Grange entitled Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, available August 11th. It is a continuation of Pride and Prejudice after the wedding, and may explain some of Mr. Darcy’s cold and distant noble mien in the original novel. We recieved the scoop from Amanda Grange herself who kindly sent an excerpt to set the mood along with this image of the lovely new cover art. Mr. Darcy, Vampyre has the distinction of being the first vampire themed novel inspired by Jane Austen’s works to hit the market. I assure you that it will not be the last. At least five more are now in the queue. Here is an preview of the prologue that Amanda kindly shared with us.
December 1802
My dearest Jane,
My hand is trembling as I write this letter. My nerves are in tatters and I am so altered that I believe you would not recognise me. The past two months have been a nightmarish whirl of strange and disturbing circumstances, and the future…
Jane, I am afraid. If anything happens to me, remember that I love you and that my spirit will always be with you, though we may never see each other again. The world is a cold and frightening place where nothing is as it seems. It was all so different a few short months ago. When I awoke on my wedding morning, I thought myself the happiest woman alive…
Amanda clarifys by telling me that “the book goes back to the idyllic wedding day in October and we gradually find out what has reduced Elizabeth to such a nervous state.”
You can preorder the book for August 11th delivery and visit Amanda Grange’s blog – Mr. Darcy, Vampyre – to read all the latest news on this exciting new novel. Can’t wait!
Austenprose 
Shouldn’t he be the “happiest MAN alive”?
LikeLike
it is Elizabeth writing to her sister, so no, it shouldn’t
LikeLike
Thanks for the post–I’m terribly excited about this book! Mr. Darcy has earned his fangs, and I can’t wait to find out just what sort of vampire he will be. I haven’t read any Amanda Grange yet, but your post prompted me to grab a couple of her books from the library. I’m looking forward to reading!
LikeLike
Haha! Turning Mr. Darcy into a bad guy, or I should say Vampyre? Interesting. Twilight fans’ cup of tea. :)
LikeLike
I thought Stephenie Meyer based (the first part of) Twilight on P&P. ?
LikeLike
Oh, oh, so there is no happy ending? Will Lizzy turn into vampire too?
Steamy Darcy
LikeLike
Wow, I just don’t know. I think I’ll wait for a review. The writing may be great, but…….I just don’t know.
LikeLike
I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t like to see Darcy any other way than the human and kind, Darcy. ;p
LikeLike
I bet Twilighters would enjoy it, especially since Edward is supposed to be partially based on MR. Darcy. Although, I have to admit, this one does peak my interest, if for no other reason than to find out what the rest of that letter says. I’m more interested in this one than the one with zombies.
LikeLike
Hmm,this reminds me of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I’m a fan of Jane Austen’s work so I’m hoping they won’t murder her style by pondering to the twilight fans in an attempt to make more sales. Sadly,it seem’s like good vampire novels may be put on hold for a while ever since that nightmarish excuse for a book was published. Hopefully this will not be one of them! Thanks for posting that exert,it was really funny! I’m actually looking forward to this book!
LikeLike
Okay, I understand that the Vampire thing is really big right now and I admit that I have read the Twilight Saga, but is it really necessary to make Mr. Darcy one of the most beloved hero of all time and make him into a vampire?? I will probably read the book but I truly hope that it doesn’t tarnish the image of Mr. Darcy. (P.S. I too hope its not just to get sales from the “Twilight Fans” and it will please the Jane Austen fans)
LikeLike
I am reading this book now .. I am enjoying it very much . Amanda is very good at recreating Jane’s voice in the characters. I actually think Jane would have enjoyed the ironic humor in this latest twist to her story.
The story moves fast but the characters stay true .
So far it is very well done
LikeLike
I slightly frightened about reading this book. I haven’t been able to even hear the word “vampire” without shuddering since the publication of the Twilight series, while some of you may like the insanity of a human girl falling in love with a vampire, I do not. I pray to God that this novel keeps the essence of Jane Austen intact and doesn’t swerve into the unreal. I did, however, read the book Pride & Prejudice and Zombies, I thought it odd but good.
LikeLike
I have to say when I finished the book I was disappointed.
it was a bit of a cop out and a quick and easy happy ending.
I am a fan of interview with a vampire … the book ….not all the series that followed.
I am a fan of Jane Austen
I am not a fan of the twilight books.
The reason anne rice’s IWV worked is because it was complex and classic in it’s conflicts and inner development of the characters. the hero with the tragic flaw.
In the twilight books I cant believe a 100 year old vampire would fall in love with a vapid high school girl . it was over for me at that point
This book started out like it was going to have more depth like anne rice or more texture like jane austen, but it fell short and never developed into a real story . Once we finally established all the players , it was over
a good example of what i mean is the book “the historian”
a book that should be boring, about visiting libraries to solve a vampire mystery…but was great…complex,and fully developed
I think her editor should have made her go back to her computer and keep writing. It is the difference between a nice book and a great classic , hopefully best seller
LikeLike
Jane Austen is my absolute favorite author of all time, and going with that, Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book of all time. I’m actually reading the book right now and it’s quite good… Although I hope that all of these books based off Austen’s works are not going to ruin her original writing.
LikeLike
jane austen is love……. love it.
LikeLike
Mr. Darcy??? as a vampire??
yeah, it makes sense..
it explains many things.. such as his unusual behavior.. :)
LikeLike
Well as I read this so many times I can’t count I found it intense, intriguing just the adult version of Twilight to me it was soooooooo!!!! Good this book is on another level the strong love they have for each other puts me in mind of twilight, but not so descriptive in details. I enjoyed Jane Austin was an excellent writer, but I would love to know what happened after Mrs.Darcy gave Mr. Darcy back his humanity?????? I sure would love to know…
LikeLike