JANE AND THE PRISONER OF WOOL HOUSE

Being the Sixth Jane Austen Mystery, by Stephanie Barron. The Misses Austens and their mother are now removed to Southampton. Following a recuperation from whooping cough (in spite of their escape from Mr. Cooper’s ill children, Jane still managed to contract it), the ladies make their move to reside with Post Captain Frank Austen and his new (and expecting) bride, Mary. The five of them are living in rooms of an inn until their larger hired lodgings at Castle Square are ready. Their loyal servant, Jenny (with them since Lyme-see Jane and the Man of the Cloth), is with them and plays a not insignificant role in solving this book’s murder mystery.

As Frank is generally expected to be away at sea, it is only logical for his sisters and mother to find a home with him and Mary. The Misses and Mrs. Austens need a more fixed place to call home and Mary will need assistance once her confinement begins and the baby is born. All are looking forward to a more permanent home.

The character Jane Austen has been quite endearing throughout this series. She is unconventional, constantly breaking the bonds of womanhood in word and deed. Yet she still retains her femininity and revels in it. Of the six mysteries thus far, Jane and the Prisoner of Wool House opens with the best line: “Had I suffered the misfortune to be born a man…” In that one phrase, Jane reveals her pleasure in being a woman despite the encumbrances placed upon the females of our species. She may not fully agree with the social norms of her day, but she would never trade womanhood for manhood!

In Jane’s previous adventure at Derbyshire, we had a reprieve from talk of Napoleon’s war. This time around, being at Southampton and surrounded by those in, or connected to, the Royal Navy, we are just about embroiled in the war. Before the story even begins, a war crime accusation is made that affects the Austen household. Additionally, prisoners of war are being held in the Wool House (former dockside warehouse) where Jane ends up ministering to the sick French prisoners. She befriends one prisoner in particular, a man who says he is a ship’s surgeon and witnessed the alleged war crime of which Frank’s friend and peer Thomas Seagrave is accused. The Frenchman has a vital role in the unraveling of the truth. Seagrave is then later gaoled (jailed) for the murder of his accuser.

Jane has yet another close relation to convert to her way of doing things. Frank confides in Jane the particulars of the accusation and his concern for his friend. Regardless, he attempts to shield her from other details and not let her get involved. Naturally, this is in vain. Jane is hardly one to be left out (she does respect the protocol of the navy and does not press to attend Seagrave’s court-martial). Jane ends up giving counsel to Frank as he becomes Jane’s Lord Harold in solving the crimes. He goes where Jane cannot-this time it isn’t the upper classes of Lord Harold’s peers, but the seedier sections of town and the naval vessels and higher offices of the navy. Even though Frank is a member of the Royal Navy, Frank displays naiveté where none is expected from an experienced sailor. Frank is appalled at the supposition of treachery on the part of a high-ranking official. Jane compares Frank to her “cynical friend, Lord Harold Trowbridge…” calling Frank’s position as post captain, innocent. It must be a post captain is not as worldly as someone of Lord Harold’s rank and employment, or, Frank has not had much exposure to war-time conspiracies.

As for Lord Harold, he is not to be expected in Southampton. It was made clear in their parting at the end of the previous summer that their paths would not meet. Mrs. Austen and Cassandra are pleased with his absence. Jane barely mentions him at this point in her writing. Perhaps she is too occupied in securing Seagrave’s freedom and compassion for others involved to pine for him.

Being unfamiliar with the Royal Navy, I frequently found myself looking up naval terms and terms used for the different waterways around Southampton and nearby Portsmouth (some of the action takes place there as well). Ms. Barron’s physical descriptions of the land and ports and the activities occurring around them make it easy to imagine what life was like for the landlubbers and sailors (while in port) in the early 1800s. I could feel the chill of the cold February air biting through the layers Jane wrapped around her slight frame and smell the salty air. I’m not sure which I prefer better, Ms. Barron’s remarkable imagery or the stories themselves.

Referring back to the first sentence once more, Jane continues on saying, “…I should have torn myself early from the affections of my family and all the comforts of home, and thrown my fate upon the mercy of the seas.” Jane is a puzzle. She is not fond of being on the water, but embraces coastal living and braves a clandestine trip overwater. She wants the comforts and stability afforded a married woman of her station, but rather enjoys her independence that would be lacking if she were married (unless, of course, she was married to the right man ). Jane is a series of contrasts, born well before her time. In further reading of Jane’s own publications, it is amazing how well Ms. Barron is portraying Jane as a character. It is easy to imagine Jane saying and doing all that Ms. Barron has conceived.