Being the 8th Jane Austen Mystery, by Stephanie Barron. We parted from Jane and family in early November 1808 and now find them once again moved and it is early June 1809. Edward Austen has given them a free-hold cottage in Chawton, Hampshire, part of his estate. In general, the people of Chawton are not altogether welcoming (one even lays claim to be the “true heir” to the Knight family in contest to Edward’s inheritance), but Jane, Cassandra and their mother pay no mind. The cottage formerly housed the town bailiff and his wife. Shortly after the passing of the bailiff, Edward “evicted” the man’s wife, instigating feelings of less than good will toward the Austen family. The coldness directed toward the Austens fails to dissuade the family from settling into their new country life.
Not all neighbours are unneighbourly. The Proutings and Middletons welcome the Austens warmly to Chawton. Mr. Prouting proves himself to be invaluable once the murder victim of this installment is discovered. As the magistrate of the village, it is he who works in conjunction with Jane to find the murderer. And although Lord Harold is no longer physically amongst the living, his presence strongly figures and is key to the motive.
It turns out the Gentleman Rogue was in the habit of preserving all of his correspondence and writings. It is apparent from the coldness Jane receives (or hears about) that his personal papers are of more value to many of his relations, close friends and especially enemies of said persons than any monetary holdings Lord Harold left behind. Knowing Jane’s writing abilities (and his high regard for her mental gymnastics), Jane is the one to whom his papers are bequeathed. Jane is now in possession of a prize many want for themselves for fear of what the prize may reveal or to perhaps reveal the contents themselves. It is a prize worth murder. It is so valuable, a search for it is undertaken before the Austens even move into their new home with murder as the end result!
Through her uncanny ability to unravel the tangled mess of a murder mystery, Jane saves her family from a life of isolation in the village of Chawton. A simple quiet life for Jane and family is in store.
In this installment, Ms. Barron employs a device previously used in JANE AND THE STILLROOM MAID. Excerpts from the "Stillroom Book" concluded most chapters. This time around, we are given glimpses into Lord Harold’s life as a younger man in the letters to his mother (as a school boy) and later in life in letters to his close associates (we even learn of a scandal of a personal nature). Through the letters, some holes are filled in. These letters give more depth to the character that is Lord Harold Trowbridge.
Ms. Barron has succeeded once again in keeping her audience enraptured.
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