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Dishonorable Gentlemen

The Bennet Gang Duology, Book 1

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Dishonorable Gentlemen

By: Summer Hanford
Narrated by: Benjamin Fife, Carol Beth Anderson
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VOLUME ONE of The Bennet Gang Duology: Dishonorable Gentlemen

Elizabeth Bennet isn't made to stand idly by and watch people suffer. Especially not when the Bennet sisters' stepfather, a one-time British spy, has trained her, Jane, and Mary so well. But when Netherfield Park is let and the new residents move in, the lighthearted game of reimagined Robin Hood she and her sisters have been playing could turn deadly, both for the neighborhood’s newest gentlemen and for Elizabeth's heart.

Fitzwilliam Darcy has no desire to remain in a region where he was held up at gunpoint within moments of arrival, until he spies a mysterious, alluring figure he can't purge from his thoughts. Should he remain in Hertfordshire and pursue the mysterious woman he sighted in the mist, or depart before he is too deeply entangled in an increasingly dangerous web of deadly duels, secrets, and unwed misses?

Dishonorable Gentlemen, volume one of the Bennet Gang Duology, is a medium angst, Regency Era, love-at-first-sight (at least on one side!) Pride and Prejudice Variation. If you enjoy Summer Hanford's light-hearted, fanciful tales, give this adventure-filled, sweet romance a listen.

©2025 Summer Hanford (P)2025 Summer Hanford Historical Historical Fiction Regency Heartfelt Game Espionage

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I’m thrilled that this has made it to audio! This book is the first of a duology and has a lot of action and mystery. If you’ve been wanting to see a clever Elizabeth and a strong (that’s right, strong) Jane, try this. There are a couple of new characters that were well-developed and interesting takes on familiar ones. I really love Mary in this one and she doesn’t often get any attention!Since it is the first of two, get ready to read the second book because you will want to.

Exciting, Unusual Plot

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A swashbuckling adventure set in the world of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice grips the listener through highway robbery, drawing room intrigue, and clandestine duels. Summer Hanford penned a rousing good tale and two talented narrators tantalized the listener’s imagination.

Dishonorable Gentlemen is the first half the Bennet Gang Duology and introduces the situation, characters, and early progression of the plot ending at a happy for now location with promise of what’s to come.

The opening salvo is when two gentlemen are on their journey through Hertfordshire when their carriage is held up by highwaymen. Mr. Darcy is appalled at their gall and challenges the two when his friend, Bingley, readily hands over his purse and he eventually does the same. On entering Meryton, the local town where Bingley’s leased estate is located, they attempt to report the robbers to the local magistrate only to discover this bloated man is full of himself and his own importance and surrounds himself with opulence. It is patently obvious this Mr. Collins, a local estate owner near Bingley’s Netherfield will be useless so Darcy calls on his cousin’s military connections to have the Highwaymen who have been operating in the area dealt with so decent people are not accosted on the road.

Meanwhile, Enaj and Azile the disguised Robin Hood-like robbing gang enter the secret cave on their family’s property, stow their disguises, and emerge from the stables into the walled garden as Jane and Elizabeth Bennet. Along with their sister, Mary, the Bennet ladies were trained in espionage, swords, pistols, riding, and more by their deceased step-father who passed away fighting a duel in Jane’s honor.

And, why do the lovely ladies of Dovemark turn to highway robbery? Their evil, greedy and power-happy cousin Collins whose father inherited the Bennet family estate, Longbourn has a chokehold on the community along with his cronies. He leads the group in raising the taxes and fines on the locals who can’t oppose him since he’s the local magistrate and his friend is the mayor. Anyone who tries to thwart them meets trouble and then some. So, they follow Robin Hood’s example and take the money from the rich to help the burdened people of their community.

Elizabeth has no trouble taking these actions even against strangers like the two gentlemen in the coach because she is convinced all rich men are without honor and just like her cousin Collins. Jane is more scrupulous and regrets their actions though sees the necessity. Mary, the quiet and one with the most clandestine ability to gather intelligence through informers about the community and stealthily make her way about, is more pragmatic and operates with caution. They keep their secret from even their two young sisters, two half-brothers, and their widowed mother- a mother who has favorite child Kitty and next to her, beautiful Jane.

Elizabeth is consternated to learn that vaunted arrogant man in the carriage and his friend are staying in the neighborhood and too observant by half. The Bennets must keep their secret activities dormat for a time. She doesn’t want to believe at first, but slowly sees evidence that these two strangers might be just what the neighborhood needs to save them, but unfortunately Collins has worked that out too, and is determined to keep Jane from wedding Bingley and Bingley sticking around to alter the status quo.

Dishonorable Gentlemen spins out the ‘gothic’ style situation, the rise in action plot, secrets revealed, and the slow-burn enemies to friends to more. Villains are a-plenty and seem to carry all before them, but the good locals led by a fiery Lizzy, her sisters, and these new friends are not without strength, either. I was vested in the story and people from the beginning. Usually, I’m not fond of an overly-talented Elizabeth or Bennet sisters, but its obvious that she has a chip on her shoulder and prejudice that provides the balancing flaw and chance to learn and grow right alongside Darcy having to set aside his pride and assumptions, too.

Carol Beth Anderson was a new to me narrator, but I settled in easily enough to listen to her tell the ladies’ side of the story. She gets the emotional vibes and pacing and distinguishes her characters so I enjoyed her work. Benjamin Fife is a long-time favorite narrator and I approached this book with anticipation, as a result. His storytelling strength and ability to charm and draw in a listener so thoroughly were on display once again.

All in all, this first segment of the duology did the job well and has left me in high anticipation for the second half and conclusion to see what will come of my favorite characters as new villains and new romantic challenges arise. Slow-burn historical romance with a swashbuckling flavor is what’s on tap and I highly recommend it.

Secrets, Intrigue, and Swashbuckling Romance

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Exciting, tense, romantic and absolutely unique! This was dually narrated by Benjamin Fife and Carol Beth Anderson, who both did an exceptional job. I have never read anything like this variation before. Nor have I ever read the Bennets portrayed in such a manner. Mr Bennet died shortly after the birth of Lydia, whom Mrs Bennet blamed for not being a boy. She remarried a General and bore two sons. Kitty is her favorite daughter by virtue of enabling the General and her mother to meet. He is also dead as the result of a duel with Mr Collins Sr. And he took a very great secret of his heritage with him when he died.

Collins Jr has been terrorizing the environs around Meryton with his power as magistrate and his alliance with landowners, squeezing money and imposing taxes until most people don’t have the means to make ends meet. This includes imposing himself on Jane Bennet, which was the impetus for the duel his father fought with the General. The three eldest Bennet girls were trained in shooting and swordsmanship by their late stepfather and now protect the area in the guise of French bandits who take from the rich and give to the poor ala Robin Hood.

What happens when Darcy and Bingley arrive in the neighborhood only to be robbed by the Boney Bandits, Enaj and Azile, (Jane and Eliza)? An outraged Darcy arranges to have a company of militia members quartered in Meryton to capture the bandits. Will this prove to be a wise option?

This is book one of a duology and the second is not yet available on audio (though I have it on good authority it’s coming!). If you just can’t wait, book number two is available on Amazon.

Very Unique Variation

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The narrators do an excellent job of bringing this immensely fun and engaging mashup of Pride and Prejudice and Robin Hood to life.

The Mashup we didn't know we needed

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Loved all the twists and turns off this variant of my favorite Austin novel. The perfected performances were so enticing along with an addictive plot making it impossible to put down thus leaving this reader eager and wanting more.

Wonderful variation with Outstanding Performances

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