Most Janeites know that Cassandra, Jane Austen's beloved sister destroyed or censored her letters and correspondence written by Jane to their family, relatives and friends that are deemed too inappropriate or impertinent for anyone to know how she feels about something or someone. In addition, no diaries and journals were known to survive until now. What would happened if less than two hundred years since her death, her personal journals were discovered and the contents are in the process of restoration? That is the premise of Stephanie Barron's mystery series, Being a Jane Austen Mystery, which revolves around our favourite authoress, with her keen sense of observation and sharp wit, try to solve some puzzling and mysterious deaths à la Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Nancy Drew, girl detective.
The first novel in this series occurred after Jane turned down the proposal of Harris Bigg-Wither and needed a temporary home to escape the scoldings of her mother and sister-in-law, Mary Lloyd Austen, the wife of Jane's eldest brother. Fortunately, her twenty-two-year-old friend Isobel Amelie Collins Payne invited her to stay at her new home, Scargrave Manor in the county of Hertfordshire. Isobel recently married the elderly Frederick William Payne, the seventh Earl of Scargrave and thus became the Countess of Scargrave. The earl decided to throw a ball in honour of his new wife and many guests were invited to grace this magnificent occasion. Among those who attended are the earl's heir and nephew, Fitzroy, Viscount Payne and his other two nephews by his deceased sister, George Hearst and Lieutenant Thomas 'Tom' Hearst, Isobel's maternal aunt, Madame Delahoussaye and her flirtatious daughter, Fanny Delahoussaye. Everyone enjoyed their time at the ball until an uninvited guest, Lord Harold Trowbridge showed up and his presence puts a strain on the new countess. Isobel explained to Jane that she had inherited a debt-ridden estate named Crosswinds from her deceased father. Crosswinds is located in Barbadoes, an island in the West Indies which Lord Harold is interested in acquiring using any means necessary. The atmosphere of the evening was further dampened when Lord Scargrave was suddenly taken ill after toasting to his countess' health. Soon after, the earl is dead.
Suspicion soon fell as to the circumstances of his death. A blackmail letter is delivered to Isobel and penned by her own lady's maid, Marguerite Dumas pointing to the countess and the new earl being responsible for his death. What could be her motive in exposing her mistress and Fitzroy? Jane is called on to investigate Marguerite's motive and she learns of her friend's forbidden love for Fitzroy. While deciphering the mysterious circumstances of the earl's death, she remembered overhearing a heated argument between the deceased and George Hearst on the night of the ball. Could the melancholy nephew or his younger brother, who was involved in a duel in which he killed his opponent, have anything to do with their uncle's death? Or could it be Lord Harold who is determined to remove Isobel's only protector to easily fulfill his ambition? Before the maid can be located to clarify her letter, she is discovered to be ghastly murdered at a paddock in the Scargrave estate. With overwhelming evidence belonging to Isobel and Fitzroy recovered from the scene of the crime, both are tried for the murders of Frederick Payne and Marguerite respectively in the House of Lords due to their status as peers of the realm. Can Jane managed to free them in time and figure out the real murderer before it is too late? How will it all end?
I must admit it has been a long time since I read any novel filled with mystery elements. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed reading about this believable tale that our dear Jane can be a sleuth to help solve murder cases. Seriously in our minds, what can Jane not do? She could be anything we wish her to be provided that it is within her means and bounded by the rules of Regency society except when she has to break them for a very good reason. How could she stand it if her friend is innocent and she did nothing to help clear her good name although it means visiting her in Newgate Prison? It would not do to condemn both of them to the gallows with her keen mind and excellent understanding of human nature and foibles. Thankfully, justice is served and the real murderer is caught but I will reveal nothing further than that for fear of ruining your enjoyment.
In my opinion, Ms Barron successfully wove together a fictitious plot, real events from Jane Austen's life and an accurate representation of the historical time period. Her use of language is reminiscent of Jane's time and footnotes are included at the bottom of some pages explaining certain phrases or words. This is a great help to readers who do not know the Regency customs, culture, objects and historical information that are described in context of the novel. Furthermore, the engaging plot will leave you clamouring for the final denouement and the revelation of truth.
In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who is in need of adventure and intriguing mystery to satisfy their appetite, be it Janeite or mystery lovers. I look forward to reading the other books in the delightful series and would love to thank Laurel Ann for organising the Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011. If not for her, I would not have pick up this excellent book in the first place.
This is my first novel selection for the Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011 hosted at Austenprose. In addition, this is my twentieth book review for The Book Buff's Jane Austen is My Homegirl Reading Challenge.
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