Jane Austen Mystery: Book 8
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Liked It “I have so enjoyed this series. That being said, I feel like this one is not quite as good as the ones before it. Maybe it is just because (spoiler alert) Lord Trowbridge is gone. Maybe I will enjoy the others more as I grow used to this fact.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I have so enjoyed this series. That being said, I feel like this one is not quite as good as the ones before it. Maybe it is just because (spoiler alert) Lord Trowbridge is gone. Maybe I will enjoy the others more as I grow used to this fact.”
Lisa B wrote this review Friday, July 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The Stephanie Barron series of mysteries casting Jane Austen herself as the crime-solving heroine continues in this the seventh installment.
Kristen R wrote this review Tuesday, January 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Here, Jane is mourning (secretly) the death of Lord Harold, with whom she has has a friendship and unrequited love over the earlier books. At the same time, she, her mother and sister Cassandra have moved to a small town where one of Jane's brothers has a house the women can live in, since their income is dependent on the kindness of their male relatives.
Because Jane's relationship with Lord Harold was seen in a negative light by members of both their families, Jane is stunned to discover (literally moments after arriving in the new cottage in Chawton) that Lord Harold has bequeathed to Jane ALL his personal papers and letters. The solicitor who delivers the papers (contained in a huge and heavy trunk) further advises that it was Lord Harold's wish that Jane continue to write despite his death, and that she use his papers to write his memoirs. Although Lord Harold's family, and many other people with whom he had dealings in his shadowy past are incensed about the prospect of a poor and unknown person having access to the many secrets believed to be contained in the chest, Jane accepts it.
At the same time, the people of the town aren't very welcoming, as a local man has put it about that HE, and not Jane's brother, is the rightful heir to the position held by Jane's brother. Plus, in order to make room in their house for Jane et al, a local widow who had lived in the house for years was displaced, generating even MORE hostility to the perceived usurpers.
So, it shouldn't surprise anyone to learn that when Jane and a neighbour man take the trunk into the cellar to store, they discover the dead body of a local man. Further investigation confirms the cause of death to be drowning! What a puzzle!
And if that isn't sufficient, hard on the heels of the murder, Lord Harold's chest is stolen from the cottage leaving Jane, in typical form, more angered than heart-broken, and determined to get it back!
Much sleuthing and investigating follows in this rollicking story, which shows a Jane who is intelligent, feisty and determined to live her life on her own terms despite the strictures and rules her society would like to impose on her.
I'm only sorry that there is just one more book left in the series, and hope that Barron has plans to write some more adventures for our beloved Jane!
”
“This is the eighth novel in Ms. Barron's series featuring Jane Austen as the heroine and sleuth. I have enjoyed each book immensely. Barron artfully weaves together facts and occurrences from Austen's life with her fictional, thriller scenarios. The crime in this installment, though, was a bit lackluster; the finale was wonderful, fast, and VERY satisfying, just like the others in the series. I was saddened by Jane's grief for her dead Lord Harold Trowbridge and the hope of Jane's future happiness that he carried to the grave with him. Knowing from her life that she never married, I had been rooting for her to at least find romantic fulfillment in a novel, but no luck here...”
Alethea wrote this review Wednesday, October 1 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This too was an easy read and very fun. I do recommend reading them in order. Easpecially these last two. ”
Nancy wrote this review Saturday, September 6 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is another great Jane Austen series that deals with secrecy, murder, revenge, and great drama. I love this series. It's a great read.”
Kristen H wrote this review Saturday, May 31 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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