JANE AND THE GENIUS OF THE PLACE

Being the Fourth Jane Austen Mystery, by Stephanie Barron. We find Jane in the last phase of mourning. 8 months have passed since Rev. Austen succumbed to illness. Jane and Cassandra are now in Kent, having a lovely visit with their brother and his family. Edward Austen-Knight welcomes his sisters to his home, Godmersham Park and his wife's childhood home, Goodnestone Farm. Their mother is staying in Hampshire. The three women could not agree on what to do with themselves, their circumstances having been drastically altered by the death of Rev. Austen. With his passing, the three will ultimately find themselves passing from relative to relative, with no real place to call home. A widow and two unmarried daughters will have very little means to care for themselves financially.

Genuis starts out with Jane proclaiming, "Accustomed from birth as she has been to the modest lot of a clergyman's daughter, Miss Austen may only witness the habits of her more materially-fortunate brethren...Unless...the more materially-fortunate brethren determine our Jane to be worthy of a little dissipation-on-loan." Once again, she is in the midst of wealth, enjoying the accoutrements and company. As much as she humbles herself and worries about her appearance amongst the fashionable, not one above her station seems to notice. In fact, throughout the series (so far), station in life has not mattered. Jane is welcomed everywhere she goes!

This time, Jane finds herself at the Canterbury Races during August Race Week. Excitement fills the air, not only for the race-meeting but for her brother Henry who owns the horse favored to win. We catch a glimpse of the victim-to-be very early on in our adventure. She is a French vixen, new to Kent, but well-known and not necessarily well-liked. Her behavior is garish, striking a man with a whip and later joining the end of the race, leaping the fence wearing a flashy red riding habit. Other men joined her, leaping the fence and racing along behind the main race (I have not found a source for spectators joining the action. Let me know if you do; I am curious about this piece of the story). The exhilirating conclusion to the race is soon replaced by the frenzy of a murder discovered. Immediately, Jane is thrust into the fray; her brother Edward is the magistrate. He knows all about Jane's previous acquaintanship with murder and eagerly welcomes her participation.

In addtion to the murder mystery, a matchmaking plot is being hatched. Not very well, either. Edward's bride, Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bridges Austen has a brother in need of a wife. Edward Bridges is an ordained clergyman. His lifestyle states otherwise. He is fond of gaming and lives a fast life. His mother and Lizzy hope to have him settled before he ruins himself and his family. Cassandra is the first to be subjected to his charms. She is spending most of the book at Goodnestone with Lizzy's mother and unmarried sisters. Jane is on hold in case Cassandra declines the marriage proposal. As Jane is expected at Goodnestone in short time, she must quickly seek out the guilty party.

Amidst the rumors of a Napoleonic invasion and the victim's scandalous behavior, the possiblity of war-time conspiracy is brought in to play. Her sudden appearance in Kent and her dealings with the men of the area are cause for suspicion. Jane has no qualms about seeking justice at all costs. She leaves no path untrod.

Ms. Barron exposes us to several well-developed characters. Through dialogue and Jane's descriptions, we really get to know the main characters in each of the mysteries. The real Jane spent so much of her life observing others; Ms. Barron carries that over into the "journals" quite well. This is a fun "peek" into Jane's life and travels.

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