JANE AND THE MAN OF THE CLOTH

Being the Second Jane Austen Mystery. It did not take too long to become familiar with the Georgian Era mode of speech. I breezed through this mystery, much as Jane enjoyed a few brisk sea-breezes, but hardly breezed through the twisting and turning path upon which Stephanie Barron leads us.

Our heroine, the august Miss Jane Austen, finds herself embroiled in another bit of murder and intrigue. Embarking upon what was to be a respite by the seashore, Jane and her family start their vacation out on rather shaky legs. An accident delays their arrival into the village of Lyme Regis and introduces them to an enigmatic host and his household at High Down Grange. We soon learn more about the dark master of the estate, through his own doings as well as from other suspect characters Jane comes to know.

Barron brings back to Jane's acquaintanceship a shady character. His presence is not unwelcome, to Jane and (perhaps) the reader. Is he to Jane as Captain Hastings is to Poirot? Or is the opposite true? Jane is hardly slow to see things as they are or could be, but the Era still dictates that a woman is the weaker sex. Jane scarcely submits to the male domination of her time. However, to be true, there must be a male character to call in the calvary and make the arrest. Much the same as Poirot summarily extends credit to Inspector Japp and other legitimate law enforcement officers in many cases.

One other item of note. When I am introduced to a new author, I prefer to read all works in order of publication. Sometimes the books are meant to be read in order, sometimes not. I have found that reading them in order of publication allows me to observe the evolution and growth of the writer. This particular series of books, being a series, I will definitely read in order. The series is "based" on Jane's journals and letters. Therefore, we see not just the growth of Stephanie Barron as "editor", but the maturation of Jane Austen, et alli, as characters.