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Jane Austen Mysteries #12
Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas
Jane Austen turns sleuth in this delightful murder mystery set over the twelve days of a Regency-Era Christmas party.
Christmas Eve, 1814: Jane Austen has been invited to spend the holiday with family and friends at The Vyne, the gorgeous ancestral home of the wealthy and politically prominent Chute family. As the year fades and friends begin to gather beneath the mistletoe for the twelve days of Christmas festivities, Jane and her circle are in a celebratory mood: Mansfield Park is selling nicely; Napoleon has been banished to Elba; British forces have seized Washington, DC; and on Christmas Eve, John Quincy Adams signs the Treaty of Ghent, which will end a war nobody in England really wanted.
Jane, however, discovers holiday cheer is fleeting. One of the Yuletide revelers dies in a tragic accident, which Jane immediately views with suspicion. If the accident was in fact murder, the killer is one of Jane’s fellow snow-bound guests. With clues scattered amidst cleverly crafted charades, dark secrets coming to light during parlor games, and old friendships returning to haunt the Christmas parties, whom can Jane trust to help her discover the truth and stop the killer from striking again?
Christmas Eve, 1814: Jane Austen has been invited to spend the holiday with family and friends at The Vyne, the gorgeous ancestral home of the wealthy and politically prominent Chute family. As the year fades and friends begin to gather beneath the mistletoe for the twelve days of Christmas festivities, Jane and her circle are in a celebratory mood: Mansfield Park is selling nicely; Napoleon has been banished to Elba; British forces have seized Washington, DC; and on Christmas Eve, John Quincy Adams signs the Treaty of Ghent, which will end a war nobody in England really wanted.
Jane, however, discovers holiday cheer is fleeting. One of the Yuletide revelers dies in a tragic accident, which Jane immediately views with suspicion. If the accident was in fact murder, the killer is one of Jane’s fellow snow-bound guests. With clues scattered amidst cleverly crafted charades, dark secrets coming to light during parlor games, and old friendships returning to haunt the Christmas parties, whom can Jane trust to help her discover the truth and stop the killer from striking again?
329 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2014
506 people are currently reading
3829 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Barron
37 books884 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Stephanie Barron was born Francine Stephanie Barron in Binghamton, NY in 1963, the last of six girls. Her father was a retired general in the Air Force, her mother a beautiful woman who loved to dance. The family spent their summers on Cape Cod, where two of the Barron girls now live with their families; Francine's passion for Nantucket and the New England shoreline dates from her earliest memories. She grew up in Washington, D.C., and attended Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, a two hundred year-old Catholic school for girls that shares a wall with Georgetown University. Her father died of a heart attack during her freshman year.
In 1981, she started college at Princeton – one of the most formative experiences of her life. There she fenced for the club varsity team and learned to write news stories for The Daily Princetonian – a hobby that led to two part-time jobs as a journalist for The Miami Herald and The San Jose Mercury News. Francine majored in European History, studying Napoleonic France, and won an Arthur W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship in the Humanities in her senior year. But the course she remembers most vividly from her time at Princeton is "The Literature of Fact," taught by John McPhee, the Pulitzer Prize winning author and staff writer for The New Yorker. John influenced Francine's writing more than even she knows and certainly more than she is able to say. If there were an altar erected to the man in Colorado, she'd place offerings there daily. He's her personal god of craft.
Francine spent three years at Stanford pursuing a doctorate in history; she failed to write her dissertation (on the Brazilian Bar Association under authoritarianism; can you blame her?) and left with a Masters. She applied to the CIA, spent a year temping in Northern Virginia while the FBI asked inconvenient questions of everyone she had ever known, passed a polygraph test on her twenty-sixth birthday, and was immediately thrown into the Career Trainee program: Boot Camp for the Agency's Best and Brightest. Four years as an intelligence analyst at the CIA were profoundly fulfilling, the highlights being Francine's work on the Counterterrorism Center's investigation into the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, and sleeping on a horsehair mattress in a Spectre-era casino in the middle of Bratislava. Another peak moment was her chance to debrief ex-President George Bush in Houston in 1993. But what she remembers most about the place are the extraordinary intelligence and dedication of most of the staff – many of them women – many of whom cannot be named.
She wrote her first book in 1992 and left the Agency a year later. Fifteen books have followed, along with sundry children, dogs, and houses. When she's not writing, she likes to ski, garden, needlepoint, and buy art. Her phone number is definitely unlisted.
Stephanie Barron was born Francine Stephanie Barron in Binghamton, NY in 1963, the last of six girls. Her father was a retired general in the Air Force, her mother a beautiful woman who loved to dance. The family spent their summers on Cape Cod, where two of the Barron girls now live with their families; Francine's passion for Nantucket and the New England shoreline dates from her earliest memories. She grew up in Washington, D.C., and attended Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, a two hundred year-old Catholic school for girls that shares a wall with Georgetown University. Her father died of a heart attack during her freshman year.
In 1981, she started college at Princeton – one of the most formative experiences of her life. There she fenced for the club varsity team and learned to write news stories for The Daily Princetonian – a hobby that led to two part-time jobs as a journalist for The Miami Herald and The San Jose Mercury News. Francine majored in European History, studying Napoleonic France, and won an Arthur W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship in the Humanities in her senior year. But the course she remembers most vividly from her time at Princeton is "The Literature of Fact," taught by John McPhee, the Pulitzer Prize winning author and staff writer for The New Yorker. John influenced Francine's writing more than even she knows and certainly more than she is able to say. If there were an altar erected to the man in Colorado, she'd place offerings there daily. He's her personal god of craft.
Francine spent three years at Stanford pursuing a doctorate in history; she failed to write her dissertation (on the Brazilian Bar Association under authoritarianism; can you blame her?) and left with a Masters. She applied to the CIA, spent a year temping in Northern Virginia while the FBI asked inconvenient questions of everyone she had ever known, passed a polygraph test on her twenty-sixth birthday, and was immediately thrown into the Career Trainee program: Boot Camp for the Agency's Best and Brightest. Four years as an intelligence analyst at the CIA were profoundly fulfilling, the highlights being Francine's work on the Counterterrorism Center's investigation into the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, and sleeping on a horsehair mattress in a Spectre-era casino in the middle of Bratislava. Another peak moment was her chance to debrief ex-President George Bush in Houston in 1993. But what she remembers most about the place are the extraordinary intelligence and dedication of most of the staff – many of them women – many of whom cannot be named.
She wrote her first book in 1992 and left the Agency a year later. Fifteen books have followed, along with sundry children, dogs, and houses. When she's not writing, she likes to ski, garden, needlepoint, and buy art. Her phone number is definitely unlisted.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 746 reviews
December 19, 2021
I am sorry to say I found this addition to the excellent series depicting Jane Austen as a super sleuth, a tad slow going. The description of the Christmas festivities of the time period are fun, though. Stephanie Baron always does her research. It being Christmas time while I was reading made it seem special too. The cover in gold and red with a silhouette of Jane is also very beautiful and one of the best covers of the series.
January 8, 2025
A delightful immersion in the world of Jane Austen and an engaging historical mystery from start to finish.
I enjoyed so much reading this mystery set in Jane Austen's world!!
I had it on my shelf for a few years and I always put off reading it, perhaps for fear of disappointment, after all, as we know, it 's not easy to combine fiction with real-life historical characters, mixing them in an intelligent and intriguing way, especially when writing about figures much loved and known throughout the world.
Author Stephanie Barron did it very well and I think Jane Austen herself would enjoy reading this mystery series starring herself not only as an esteemed author but also as an amateur detective.
__ PLOT IN SHORT ___ Christmas Eve, England 1814.
Jane Austen has been invited to spend the holidays with family and friends at The Vyne, the splendid Tudor mansion, now belonging to the wealthy and politically important Chute family. As the year comes to an end and friends begin to gather under the mistletoe for the twelve days of Christmas festivities, Jane and her circle are in a celebratory mood: Jane's books are popular and she enjoys a good reputation; Napoleon is in exile on the island of Elba; British forces have captured Washington, D.C. and the Treaty of Ghent has been signed, ending a war that no one in England really wanted.
However, when a messenger arrives with a written copy of the treaty and also brings personal news for some guests, tragedy strikes: shortly after his departure he is found dead in the snow... the scene and some clues reveal that it is a crime ...political or for private matters?
The previous day's snowstorm also makes it clear that the killer is necessarily one of The Vyne's guests, some of whom hide dark secrets.
Except for her immediate family, Jane doesn't know who to trust...
_______________
To tell the truth, I wanted to start from book #1, but since we are in Christmastime , I started with this one straight away, (it's number #12 in the series ), but each book can be read as a standalone, even if obviously they have been written with a chronological order of Jane's life and historical facts.
Of course, if you are a reader who knows nothing about Jane Austen, you will probably have a clearer picture of the times in which she lived, the events that influenced her existence and emotions and therefore also her literature, and the family and friends she she felt deeply connected, reading all the books in the right order.
__ INTRIGUING MURDER MYSTERY __
If I have to analyze the part concerning the mystery of the murders and the investigation I must admit that I liked it because it was well blended with the whole story in a curious and intriguing way, but it may not fully satisfy those who instead focus mainly on the difficulty of solving the mystery and on the capture of the guilty.
Initially we had several suspects, but then following the clues and going through obvious exclusions (clearly Jane's family and all the real-life characters couldn't be the culprits), the suspects for me were reduced to 3 people.
While reading, some conjectures came to me spontaneously, but you will be happy to know that while I thought I had already understood everything, in reality I had only intuited a few small things and not the entirety of the facts which therefore managed to surprise me.
What disappointed me a little and what I usually don't forgive authors is the punishment reserved for the villains of the story. IF YOU DON'T MIND SPOILERS READ DOWN BELOW a better explication :
INTERESTING HISTORICAL NOTIONS about FACTS and CHARACTERS _
Most of the characters in this book actually existed:
-- Jane's family: the mother and the beloved sister Cassandra, the slightly bigoted brother the vicar James and the unbearable and complaining wife, the two nice and lively nephews. Jane does not fail to speak proudly of her two brothers in the navy Frank and Charles, her brother Henry and her brother Edward, she even mentions her childhood flirt, her sister's dead boyfriend and other dear friends
-- acquaintances and friends whose homes she frequented even in real life
-- the son of a famous painter who in this book will join Jane in the investigations
The author respects the true personality of those people and manages to insert them into an invented plot, placing them alongside other invented characters, in a fluid manner, making everything appear absolutely plausible and therefore credible.
No cracks and no discordance.
Stephanie Barron also gives us descriptions of places and buildings that can still be visited today.
I read Austen's books when I was young and I loved each of them.
I also read various articles about her life, but as I said it was a long time ago and I have never read a biography of her so this was an opportunity to get interested in her private life and I felt so involved that I felt like I was there, in Jane's world at her side.
While reading the book I also read a lot of letters between Jane and Cassandra and between Jane and the brothers and between the brothers themselves, to better understand the bond that united them.
Also on the web I visited the ancient Tudor mansion "The Vyne" ( where the mystery takes place ) and took a look at Steventon Parsonage and the town of Chawton. I loved it.
The author has done a masterful job in harmoniously blending fiction and real characters and just like Austen did in her books, she manages to outline the essence of each character through their dialogues.
VERY NICE REGENCY ATMOSPHERE and CHRISTMAS HABITS __
When I choose a Christmas book, it is important for me that the Christmas atmosphere is really felt and is not just a word mentioned in the title.
Even from this point of view I was fully satisfied.
In the Regency era, as many probably know, the customs and traditions for celebrating Christmas came from ancient Celtic traditions, very different therefore from the Germanic ones which were introduced later by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Then the author, through Jane's voice, told us about the 12 days of Christmas, about the Yule log, which burned in the fireplace for all those days, about the decorations made of holly, ivy and rosemary, about the masquerade ball at Twelfth Night in which various characters are represented and in which the world literally turns upside down: those who command and are high on the social ladder find themselves obeying, commanded by those who are usually among the humblest.
The part dedicated to Jane and Cassandra's gift for their granddaughter was also beautiful, a gift that was enriched every morning of the 12 days.
***** ___ *****
I loved this book and I recommend it not only to anyone who loves Jane Austen, but to any lover of a good cozy mystery and historical sets.
Thanks for reading my opinion, I hope it could be useful to you without revealing too much.
Please forgive any errors in my text, English is not my native language.
I enjoyed so much reading this mystery set in Jane Austen's world!!
I had it on my shelf for a few years and I always put off reading it, perhaps for fear of disappointment, after all, as we know, it 's not easy to combine fiction with real-life historical characters, mixing them in an intelligent and intriguing way, especially when writing about figures much loved and known throughout the world.
Author Stephanie Barron did it very well and I think Jane Austen herself would enjoy reading this mystery series starring herself not only as an esteemed author but also as an amateur detective.
__ PLOT IN SHORT ___ Christmas Eve, England 1814.
Jane Austen has been invited to spend the holidays with family and friends at The Vyne, the splendid Tudor mansion, now belonging to the wealthy and politically important Chute family. As the year comes to an end and friends begin to gather under the mistletoe for the twelve days of Christmas festivities, Jane and her circle are in a celebratory mood: Jane's books are popular and she enjoys a good reputation; Napoleon is in exile on the island of Elba; British forces have captured Washington, D.C. and the Treaty of Ghent has been signed, ending a war that no one in England really wanted.
However, when a messenger arrives with a written copy of the treaty and also brings personal news for some guests, tragedy strikes: shortly after his departure he is found dead in the snow... the scene and some clues reveal that it is a crime ...political or for private matters?
The previous day's snowstorm also makes it clear that the killer is necessarily one of The Vyne's guests, some of whom hide dark secrets.
Except for her immediate family, Jane doesn't know who to trust...
_______________
To tell the truth, I wanted to start from book #1, but since we are in Christmastime , I started with this one straight away, (it's number #12 in the series ), but each book can be read as a standalone, even if obviously they have been written with a chronological order of Jane's life and historical facts.
Of course, if you are a reader who knows nothing about Jane Austen, you will probably have a clearer picture of the times in which she lived, the events that influenced her existence and emotions and therefore also her literature, and the family and friends she she felt deeply connected, reading all the books in the right order.
__ INTRIGUING MURDER MYSTERY __
If I have to analyze the part concerning the mystery of the murders and the investigation I must admit that I liked it because it was well blended with the whole story in a curious and intriguing way, but it may not fully satisfy those who instead focus mainly on the difficulty of solving the mystery and on the capture of the guilty.
Initially we had several suspects, but then following the clues and going through obvious exclusions (clearly Jane's family and all the real-life characters couldn't be the culprits), the suspects for me were reduced to 3 people.
While reading, some conjectures came to me spontaneously, but you will be happy to know that while I thought I had already understood everything, in reality I had only intuited a few small things and not the entirety of the facts which therefore managed to surprise me.
What disappointed me a little and what I usually don't forgive authors is the punishment reserved for the villains of the story. IF YOU DON'T MIND SPOILERS READ DOWN BELOW a better explication :
INTERESTING HISTORICAL NOTIONS about FACTS and CHARACTERS _
Most of the characters in this book actually existed:
-- Jane's family: the mother and the beloved sister Cassandra, the slightly bigoted brother the vicar James and the unbearable and complaining wife, the two nice and lively nephews. Jane does not fail to speak proudly of her two brothers in the navy Frank and Charles, her brother Henry and her brother Edward, she even mentions her childhood flirt, her sister's dead boyfriend and other dear friends
-- acquaintances and friends whose homes she frequented even in real life
-- the son of a famous painter who in this book will join Jane in the investigations
The author respects the true personality of those people and manages to insert them into an invented plot, placing them alongside other invented characters, in a fluid manner, making everything appear absolutely plausible and therefore credible.
No cracks and no discordance.
Stephanie Barron also gives us descriptions of places and buildings that can still be visited today.
I read Austen's books when I was young and I loved each of them.
I also read various articles about her life, but as I said it was a long time ago and I have never read a biography of her so this was an opportunity to get interested in her private life and I felt so involved that I felt like I was there, in Jane's world at her side.
While reading the book I also read a lot of letters between Jane and Cassandra and between Jane and the brothers and between the brothers themselves, to better understand the bond that united them.
Also on the web I visited the ancient Tudor mansion "The Vyne" ( where the mystery takes place ) and took a look at Steventon Parsonage and the town of Chawton. I loved it.
The author has done a masterful job in harmoniously blending fiction and real characters and just like Austen did in her books, she manages to outline the essence of each character through their dialogues.
VERY NICE REGENCY ATMOSPHERE and CHRISTMAS HABITS __
When I choose a Christmas book, it is important for me that the Christmas atmosphere is really felt and is not just a word mentioned in the title.
Even from this point of view I was fully satisfied.
In the Regency era, as many probably know, the customs and traditions for celebrating Christmas came from ancient Celtic traditions, very different therefore from the Germanic ones which were introduced later by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Then the author, through Jane's voice, told us about the 12 days of Christmas, about the Yule log, which burned in the fireplace for all those days, about the decorations made of holly, ivy and rosemary, about the masquerade ball at Twelfth Night in which various characters are represented and in which the world literally turns upside down: those who command and are high on the social ladder find themselves obeying, commanded by those who are usually among the humblest.
The part dedicated to Jane and Cassandra's gift for their granddaughter was also beautiful, a gift that was enriched every morning of the 12 days.
***** ___ *****
I loved this book and I recommend it not only to anyone who loves Jane Austen, but to any lover of a good cozy mystery and historical sets.
Thanks for reading my opinion, I hope it could be useful to you without revealing too much.
Please forgive any errors in my text, English is not my native language.
November 20, 2014
Originally posted on the wonderful Austenprose.com
The holidays make me nostalgic for past times I’ve never actually experienced, so I leapt at the chance to spend the Yuletide season with Jane Austen. Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas is the twelfth installment in a series that features one of my favorite novelists as an amatuer sleuth, but so far I hadn’t managed to read one of them. It seemed high time to rectify that lapse, especially since author Stephanie Barrons studied European history in college and then worked as a CIA analyst, highly suitable credentials for writing a story of intrigue set in the past.
The book opens on a blizzardy, bitterly cold evening with Jane Austen, her mother, and her sister Cassandra traveling by coach to the home of Jane’s eldest brother James and his family. Unfortunately when they reach the end of the public line the women find that James has sent an unlighted open horse cart for the last few miles of their journey, even though it’s dark outside and blowing snow. Both Jane’s mother and sister have their heads bowed to prevent the snow from stinging their faces, so it’s only Jane who sees the rapidly approaching carriage heading straight for them. There’s a terrible crash and the ladies are thrown to the floor of the now ruined cart, but almost as shocking is the language of the gentleman in the carriage. Raphael West comes gallantly to their rescue and certainly acts with consideration and grace, but he proves he must be some kind of freethinker by swearing in front of them without reservation. Jane is intrigued.
It’s Christmas Eve of 1814 and this trip is a homecoming of sorts because James lives in Steventon Parsonage where Jane grew up, but with James in charge it’s not the lively, loving place it was when their father was alive. James is stingy about lighting fires in the chilly rooms, contemptuous of Jane’s writing career, and broadly dismissive of most holiday traditions believing they aren’t Christian enough. Except for enjoying the company of her niece and nephew it might have been a dismal visit for Jane, but fortunately they are all invited to join a large party celebrating Christmas at The Vyne, the beautiful ancestral home of the wealthy, generous, and politically connected Chute family. The Vyne is also the place Raphael West was heading when his carriage crashed into the Austens’ cart.
Their hosts at the Vyne are William Chute, an amiable older country gentleman who’s been prominent in Parliament for two decades, and Eliza Chute, William’s energetic much younger wife who’s a long time acquaintance of Jane’s. On being properly introduced Jane discovers that mysterious Mr. West is the son of a famous artist and is visiting The Vyne to sketch William Chute for his father. Or is he? Miss Gambier is another guest who interests Jane. She’s highly fashionable but being in her late 20’s is well on her way to spinsterhood and she has an almost forbidding reserve that suggests things hidden.
With Napoleon banished to Elba and the war with America going well there’s lots to celebrate, but festivities have only just begun when a nasty anonymous poem upsets Miss Gambier during a game of charades. Then a courier carrying an important political message for William Chute dies in what appears to be an accident, but Jane finds evidence to indicate it was murder. Since the storm has shut down the roads someone at The Vyne must be guilty, heightening the tension. As Jane quietly investigates she discovers that several among their party have secrets, including the enigmatic but appealing Raphael West.
Penned with evocative prose that allowed me to feel and see the story, I was shivering on my perfectly warm couch while Jane rode in an open cart through the blizzard. Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas has a rich and well realized historical setting with all the fun, food, and games of a pre-Victorian holiday celebration interrupted by murder. I love that the mystery includes several important issues of the day, and it gave me a thrill to hear characters discussing Jane’s recently published novels.
As in Austen’s books, Barron’s story is full of wit and wonderful company, but Jane is older than her heroines, romance is not a large part of the plot, and the story’s undertones are somewhat dark. Set less than three years before Austen’s death, Jane and her sister Cassandra are much how I imagine Lizzie and Jane Bennett would be if they had never married, and Jane’s sharp eye and well developed understanding of the human heart make her the perfect sleuth. Though I hadn’t read Barron’s earlier Jane Austen mysteries I had no trouble jumping into and thoroughly enjoying this one.
I read an advanced review copy of this book supplied at no cost to me by the publisher. Review opinions are mine.
The holidays make me nostalgic for past times I’ve never actually experienced, so I leapt at the chance to spend the Yuletide season with Jane Austen. Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas is the twelfth installment in a series that features one of my favorite novelists as an amatuer sleuth, but so far I hadn’t managed to read one of them. It seemed high time to rectify that lapse, especially since author Stephanie Barrons studied European history in college and then worked as a CIA analyst, highly suitable credentials for writing a story of intrigue set in the past.
The book opens on a blizzardy, bitterly cold evening with Jane Austen, her mother, and her sister Cassandra traveling by coach to the home of Jane’s eldest brother James and his family. Unfortunately when they reach the end of the public line the women find that James has sent an unlighted open horse cart for the last few miles of their journey, even though it’s dark outside and blowing snow. Both Jane’s mother and sister have their heads bowed to prevent the snow from stinging their faces, so it’s only Jane who sees the rapidly approaching carriage heading straight for them. There’s a terrible crash and the ladies are thrown to the floor of the now ruined cart, but almost as shocking is the language of the gentleman in the carriage. Raphael West comes gallantly to their rescue and certainly acts with consideration and grace, but he proves he must be some kind of freethinker by swearing in front of them without reservation. Jane is intrigued.
It’s Christmas Eve of 1814 and this trip is a homecoming of sorts because James lives in Steventon Parsonage where Jane grew up, but with James in charge it’s not the lively, loving place it was when their father was alive. James is stingy about lighting fires in the chilly rooms, contemptuous of Jane’s writing career, and broadly dismissive of most holiday traditions believing they aren’t Christian enough. Except for enjoying the company of her niece and nephew it might have been a dismal visit for Jane, but fortunately they are all invited to join a large party celebrating Christmas at The Vyne, the beautiful ancestral home of the wealthy, generous, and politically connected Chute family. The Vyne is also the place Raphael West was heading when his carriage crashed into the Austens’ cart.
Their hosts at the Vyne are William Chute, an amiable older country gentleman who’s been prominent in Parliament for two decades, and Eliza Chute, William’s energetic much younger wife who’s a long time acquaintance of Jane’s. On being properly introduced Jane discovers that mysterious Mr. West is the son of a famous artist and is visiting The Vyne to sketch William Chute for his father. Or is he? Miss Gambier is another guest who interests Jane. She’s highly fashionable but being in her late 20’s is well on her way to spinsterhood and she has an almost forbidding reserve that suggests things hidden.
With Napoleon banished to Elba and the war with America going well there’s lots to celebrate, but festivities have only just begun when a nasty anonymous poem upsets Miss Gambier during a game of charades. Then a courier carrying an important political message for William Chute dies in what appears to be an accident, but Jane finds evidence to indicate it was murder. Since the storm has shut down the roads someone at The Vyne must be guilty, heightening the tension. As Jane quietly investigates she discovers that several among their party have secrets, including the enigmatic but appealing Raphael West.
Penned with evocative prose that allowed me to feel and see the story, I was shivering on my perfectly warm couch while Jane rode in an open cart through the blizzard. Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas has a rich and well realized historical setting with all the fun, food, and games of a pre-Victorian holiday celebration interrupted by murder. I love that the mystery includes several important issues of the day, and it gave me a thrill to hear characters discussing Jane’s recently published novels.
As in Austen’s books, Barron’s story is full of wit and wonderful company, but Jane is older than her heroines, romance is not a large part of the plot, and the story’s undertones are somewhat dark. Set less than three years before Austen’s death, Jane and her sister Cassandra are much how I imagine Lizzie and Jane Bennett would be if they had never married, and Jane’s sharp eye and well developed understanding of the human heart make her the perfect sleuth. Though I hadn’t read Barron’s earlier Jane Austen mysteries I had no trouble jumping into and thoroughly enjoying this one.
I read an advanced review copy of this book supplied at no cost to me by the publisher. Review opinions are mine.
December 20, 2015
I am sure that plenty of people will enjoy this book but unfortunately, I wasn't one of them. The first strike for me was turning the author Jane Austen into a character, which I find distasteful; I was willing to be convinced otherwise but wasn't.
Second strike was the repeated references to her niece's doll & its outfits (clearly used as an excuse to put in stuff about Regency clothing) -- it would have gone down better for me if there had been at least some mention of gifts for the other children. I was also a bit irritated by the interruption of the narration to read notes; if I had been reading in print, I could have skimmed or skipped these as they were mostly information I already knew but in the audiobook (especially the Hoopla streaming audiobook format) it wasn't possible to skip these or to choose when to look at them. This problem is not Kate Reading's fault as I am sure that it was an editorial/publisher decision. However, the pace of Reading's narration was strike 3 as it was too slow-paced for me but the sound quality became tinny and sounded as if it was in an echo chamber when I tried to speed it up (even at 1.25x).
The final strike & most serious for me was the unsatisfactory ending --
I will say that I think Barron has done her research. Too bad I didn't care for how she presented it.
Second strike was the repeated references to her niece's doll & its outfits (clearly used as an excuse to put in stuff about Regency clothing) -- it would have gone down better for me if there had been at least some mention of gifts for the other children. I was also a bit irritated by the interruption of the narration to read notes; if I had been reading in print, I could have skimmed or skipped these as they were mostly information I already knew but in the audiobook (especially the Hoopla streaming audiobook format) it wasn't possible to skip these or to choose when to look at them. This problem is not Kate Reading's fault as I am sure that it was an editorial/publisher decision. However, the pace of Reading's narration was strike 3 as it was too slow-paced for me but the sound quality became tinny and sounded as if it was in an echo chamber when I tried to speed it up (even at 1.25x).
The final strike & most serious for me was the unsatisfactory ending --
I will say that I think Barron has done her research. Too bad I didn't care for how she presented it.
March 30, 2022
Review of audiobook narrated by Kate Reading
Oh, dear, I'm in trouble. I love Jane Austen. I love mysteries. I love everything that Kate Reading narrates. This book is my catnip. It was free from the Audible Plus catalog, but there are twelve others that are not free, and I want to hear them all.
Stephanie Barron's characters tend to sound like Austen's, although the text is more modern in style. The whole set-up behind the series is amazingly clever, and Barron adds to the enjoyment by including real people of the period as major characters. And real places. Reading about The Vyne sent me deep into Pinterest for photos and floor plans. The mystery itself was not especially baffling, but never mind. The whole package is worthy of five stars.
Oh, dear, I'm in trouble. I love Jane Austen. I love mysteries. I love everything that Kate Reading narrates. This book is my catnip. It was free from the Audible Plus catalog, but there are twelve others that are not free, and I want to hear them all.
Stephanie Barron's characters tend to sound like Austen's, although the text is more modern in style. The whole set-up behind the series is amazingly clever, and Barron adds to the enjoyment by including real people of the period as major characters. And real places. Reading about The Vyne sent me deep into Pinterest for photos and floor plans. The mystery itself was not especially baffling, but never mind. The whole package is worthy of five stars.
January 12, 2018
It took me a while to figure out what to say about this novel, because I did neither hate nor particularly enjoy it. In the end it was just an average story and after less than a week I’ve forgotten most of the plot already. I think it was a nice idea to turn Jane Austen into a fictional character for this series and I definitely enjoyed the festive spirit but don’t think that I’ll read any of the other books in the series in the near future.
November 17, 2014
This review was first posted on Babblings of a Bookworm
This is the latest in the series by Stephanie Barron featuring our beloved authoress, Jane Austen as an amateur sleuth, stumbling across and solving murders. I am a little late to the party on this series, considering this is the first one I’ve read, and it’s number 12 in the series! There are some references to the previous books, but this book is pretty much stand-alone. It is set in the year 1814, so Jane is already a published authoress, with 'Sense & Sensibility', 'Pride & Prejudice' and 'Mansfield Park' all in print, and she is working on 'Emma'.
In this story, Jane, her mother and sister Cassandra are due to stay with Jane’s brother, James Austen, and his family, from just before Christmas right through to Twelfth Night. James took over the living as the Rector of Steventon at his father’s retirement to Bath, so Jane would be staying for Christmas at her childhood home. But instead of opening to a cosy family scene we instead join the ladies en route to Steventon; cold, uncomfortable and tired from their journey and weighed down with the sad certainty that although it is cold and snowing James is too parsimonious to hire a covered carriage for them, and they’ll have to complete the journey in an open carriage with snow driving into their faces and spoiling their bonnets. Unfortunately, they meet a carriage coming the other way and end up colliding, in an accident which leaves the Austens’ conveyance undriveable. The occupant of the other carriage gets out to offer assistance, and though he is obviously in a hurry, being a gentleman he can’t just abandon the ladies, so he offers them the use of his carriage while he takes one of the horses and rides to his destination – The Vyne, whose occupants, the Chutes, have long been known to Jane.
When the ladies arrive at the Steventon Rectory we are treated to a wonderful scene with James’ wife, the deeply tiresome and self-absorbed Mary. I don’t know how closely Mary in this story reflects the real Mary Austen, but if this is a faithful representation then she must have been a strong contender for the model for Mary Musgrove from Persuasion (Anne’s egocentric hypochondriac sister):
“But you did not consider of me, I suppose, as you dawdled along the lanes. I am the very last creature alive, however, to complain of ill-usage at the hands of those I love.”
As you can imagine, the soaked and freezing Jane is highly sympathetic to ‘poor’ Mary:
‘But it was ever thus, in James’s household: the invited guests must immediately minister to the desperate heroine who commanded the scene, and no concerns but hers were broached. I might happily have strangled Mary many years since, so poor a patience do I possess for nerves; and therefore cannot trust myself to cross her doorstep unattended.’
Just when the Austen ladies are beginning to feel that they cannot face spending a full fortnight with the James Austens and need to make their excuses to leave some days early they are saved by a note from Eliza Chute from The Vyne, inviting them all to come and stay for a few days. The invitation is accepted, and the entire party of Austens travel to The Vyne the next day. There are others at the house party; aside from the hosts, the Chutes, and their household, there are Lady Gambier and her niece and nephew, and the gentleman who lent the Austen ladies his carriage, a Mr Raphael West. Mr West is at The Vyne to take some sketches of William Chute for a portrait. An unexpected visitor also arrives, Lieutenant Gage, who has come to confer with Chute in his government capacity.
The next day the Lieutenant leaves for London, but a short while later his horse returns, riderless. A search party sets out and finds the Lieutenant’s body, with a broken neck, presumably thrown from his horse. But Jane’s history of mystery leads her to try and verify this idea – she walks out to the scene where the body was discovered, and finds Mr West there, drawing a scene he is deducing from handprints and other marks in the snow:
‘Our eyes met soberly. “You are sketching a case for murder,” I said. “I thought it my duty,” he replied. “The evidence, you see, is melting.”
And so begins a mystery that will take the twelve days of Christmas to solve. There were some lovely touches in this book. It’s written from Jane Austen’s point of view and I felt the author did a good job of capturing her voice, and dry humour. I also really liked to see the family relationships between the Austens, such as the sweet touch of Jane and her sister delivering a new doll’s outfit to their niece on each of the twelve days, and the little humdrum details added like the former dresses used for the fabric of each doll outfit. The tone was also good, although there was the odd word here or there which I think were American English so seemed a little odd coming from Jane’s pen, but from the point of view of seeing Jane Austen as a character and following her around for twelve days I really enjoyed the book.
For me, the mystery side of the book was less successful, it was pretty slow to get going, and there were leaps and jumps in Jane’s deduction that I couldn’t always see the rationale for, unless it’s just that she understands the human mind better than the average person:
‘The novelist’s perception of motive and character is equally suited to the penetration of human deceit.’
I felt the pace of the novel was a little imbalanced too, as the beginning was slow, but then the ending seemed rushed in comparison. The ending was a little disappointing too, though I suppose it was realistic, but I felt it could have been more satisfying.
However, on the whole I really enjoyed this book. The humorous vein provided by Jane’s thoughts and comments was delightful, and I liked spending time with Jane and her family. There were lots of details weaved into the text in relation to everyday things such as the food served which helped bring the story to life. One of my favourite things about reading historical fiction is that it’s an engaging way to learn some history, and there were some interesting snippets in relation to life in the navy, and also references to things happening in the wider world, such as the situation with Bonaparte. I would certainly read other books in this series!
* My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book for my honest review.
This is the latest in the series by Stephanie Barron featuring our beloved authoress, Jane Austen as an amateur sleuth, stumbling across and solving murders. I am a little late to the party on this series, considering this is the first one I’ve read, and it’s number 12 in the series! There are some references to the previous books, but this book is pretty much stand-alone. It is set in the year 1814, so Jane is already a published authoress, with 'Sense & Sensibility', 'Pride & Prejudice' and 'Mansfield Park' all in print, and she is working on 'Emma'.
In this story, Jane, her mother and sister Cassandra are due to stay with Jane’s brother, James Austen, and his family, from just before Christmas right through to Twelfth Night. James took over the living as the Rector of Steventon at his father’s retirement to Bath, so Jane would be staying for Christmas at her childhood home. But instead of opening to a cosy family scene we instead join the ladies en route to Steventon; cold, uncomfortable and tired from their journey and weighed down with the sad certainty that although it is cold and snowing James is too parsimonious to hire a covered carriage for them, and they’ll have to complete the journey in an open carriage with snow driving into their faces and spoiling their bonnets. Unfortunately, they meet a carriage coming the other way and end up colliding, in an accident which leaves the Austens’ conveyance undriveable. The occupant of the other carriage gets out to offer assistance, and though he is obviously in a hurry, being a gentleman he can’t just abandon the ladies, so he offers them the use of his carriage while he takes one of the horses and rides to his destination – The Vyne, whose occupants, the Chutes, have long been known to Jane.
When the ladies arrive at the Steventon Rectory we are treated to a wonderful scene with James’ wife, the deeply tiresome and self-absorbed Mary. I don’t know how closely Mary in this story reflects the real Mary Austen, but if this is a faithful representation then she must have been a strong contender for the model for Mary Musgrove from Persuasion (Anne’s egocentric hypochondriac sister):
“But you did not consider of me, I suppose, as you dawdled along the lanes. I am the very last creature alive, however, to complain of ill-usage at the hands of those I love.”
As you can imagine, the soaked and freezing Jane is highly sympathetic to ‘poor’ Mary:
‘But it was ever thus, in James’s household: the invited guests must immediately minister to the desperate heroine who commanded the scene, and no concerns but hers were broached. I might happily have strangled Mary many years since, so poor a patience do I possess for nerves; and therefore cannot trust myself to cross her doorstep unattended.’
Just when the Austen ladies are beginning to feel that they cannot face spending a full fortnight with the James Austens and need to make their excuses to leave some days early they are saved by a note from Eliza Chute from The Vyne, inviting them all to come and stay for a few days. The invitation is accepted, and the entire party of Austens travel to The Vyne the next day. There are others at the house party; aside from the hosts, the Chutes, and their household, there are Lady Gambier and her niece and nephew, and the gentleman who lent the Austen ladies his carriage, a Mr Raphael West. Mr West is at The Vyne to take some sketches of William Chute for a portrait. An unexpected visitor also arrives, Lieutenant Gage, who has come to confer with Chute in his government capacity.
The next day the Lieutenant leaves for London, but a short while later his horse returns, riderless. A search party sets out and finds the Lieutenant’s body, with a broken neck, presumably thrown from his horse. But Jane’s history of mystery leads her to try and verify this idea – she walks out to the scene where the body was discovered, and finds Mr West there, drawing a scene he is deducing from handprints and other marks in the snow:
‘Our eyes met soberly. “You are sketching a case for murder,” I said. “I thought it my duty,” he replied. “The evidence, you see, is melting.”
And so begins a mystery that will take the twelve days of Christmas to solve. There were some lovely touches in this book. It’s written from Jane Austen’s point of view and I felt the author did a good job of capturing her voice, and dry humour. I also really liked to see the family relationships between the Austens, such as the sweet touch of Jane and her sister delivering a new doll’s outfit to their niece on each of the twelve days, and the little humdrum details added like the former dresses used for the fabric of each doll outfit. The tone was also good, although there was the odd word here or there which I think were American English so seemed a little odd coming from Jane’s pen, but from the point of view of seeing Jane Austen as a character and following her around for twelve days I really enjoyed the book.
For me, the mystery side of the book was less successful, it was pretty slow to get going, and there were leaps and jumps in Jane’s deduction that I couldn’t always see the rationale for, unless it’s just that she understands the human mind better than the average person:
‘The novelist’s perception of motive and character is equally suited to the penetration of human deceit.’
I felt the pace of the novel was a little imbalanced too, as the beginning was slow, but then the ending seemed rushed in comparison. The ending was a little disappointing too, though I suppose it was realistic, but I felt it could have been more satisfying.
However, on the whole I really enjoyed this book. The humorous vein provided by Jane’s thoughts and comments was delightful, and I liked spending time with Jane and her family. There were lots of details weaved into the text in relation to everyday things such as the food served which helped bring the story to life. One of my favourite things about reading historical fiction is that it’s an engaging way to learn some history, and there were some interesting snippets in relation to life in the navy, and also references to things happening in the wider world, such as the situation with Bonaparte. I would certainly read other books in this series!
* My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book for my honest review.
December 30, 2022
It's been ten years since I read any of the Jane Austen Mysteries by Stephanie Barron. And I have only read the first four, which means there are seven books between where I stopped and this one. But none of that mattered at ALL because I dove merrily and seamlessly into this book and enjoyed it thoroughly.
The only reason I quit reading this series in the first place is that my foolish local library system got rid of them. Hmph. I picked up a copy of this at the used book store and saved it to enjoy this month. And enjoy it, I did. The whole book is a galloping good time, and I am now determined to collect up the whole series and finish reading it.
The only reason I quit reading this series in the first place is that my foolish local library system got rid of them. Hmph. I picked up a copy of this at the used book store and saved it to enjoy this month. And enjoy it, I did. The whole book is a galloping good time, and I am now determined to collect up the whole series and finish reading it.
December 28, 2015
Stephanie Barron remains for me the reigning queen of Austenesque fiction. Not only does she have a deep knowledge of Regency manners and history and a true ear for Austen’s dialect as expressed in her letters, but she also has great plotting skills! All her talents were on display here: I enjoyed Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas as much as any of the previous novels in this series. (If you have not read the whole series, this one can be read as a standalone; you simply need to understand that the gimmick of the series is that a lot of Jane Austen’s personal journals have been discovered, which tell of her involvement in solving a number of murder mysteries.)
The tale opens on Christmas Eve, 1814, as Jane Austen; her sister, Cassandra; and her mother are traveling to spend the Christmas season with her brother James and his family. James is now the rector of Steventon, where Jane grew up, so this is also a journey of return to her childhood home and neighborhood. Many vivid characters are introduced quickly in an opening scene that carries the reader into the rigors and discomforts of early nineteenth-century living: you can feel the cold and the tedium to your bones. Soon the Austen family is transported to a nearby grand house, The Vyne, and a classic country-house mystery ensues, ripe with personal conflict, political skullduggery, and multiple suspects.
Virtually all of the characters in the story existed in real life, posing challenges of accuracy and respect for the author. The Austen characters manage to stay true to what is known of their characters while echoing traits of characters in the novels (I personally could have done with fewer echoes of the novels). One part of the mystery was evident from early on, but I read happily to the end to understand the whys and wherefores—only to find myself surprised by the other part of the mystery. Who can ask for more?
My one cavil would be the way the narrator takes the time to explain period info such as the traditions of the Twelve Days of Christmas, the political situation, or aspects of the manners of the age. If these were really Jane Austen’s personal journals, she would not feel the need to give this background; there might have been a few more scenes that made this information clear, or readers could have been left to suss it out on their own. One of the pleasures for me in reading English fiction is that I don’t always get everything about what’s going on!
This was an utterly satisfying read, lively with plot twists and emotionally wide-ranging, with moments of laugh-out-loud humor and others of sharp poignancy. One of the poignant elements for me is that the story ends in 1815, and Jane Austen died in 1817—so there can’t be too many more entries in this series. I shall miss Barron’s Jane when she is gone.
The tale opens on Christmas Eve, 1814, as Jane Austen; her sister, Cassandra; and her mother are traveling to spend the Christmas season with her brother James and his family. James is now the rector of Steventon, where Jane grew up, so this is also a journey of return to her childhood home and neighborhood. Many vivid characters are introduced quickly in an opening scene that carries the reader into the rigors and discomforts of early nineteenth-century living: you can feel the cold and the tedium to your bones. Soon the Austen family is transported to a nearby grand house, The Vyne, and a classic country-house mystery ensues, ripe with personal conflict, political skullduggery, and multiple suspects.
Virtually all of the characters in the story existed in real life, posing challenges of accuracy and respect for the author. The Austen characters manage to stay true to what is known of their characters while echoing traits of characters in the novels (I personally could have done with fewer echoes of the novels). One part of the mystery was evident from early on, but I read happily to the end to understand the whys and wherefores—only to find myself surprised by the other part of the mystery. Who can ask for more?
My one cavil would be the way the narrator takes the time to explain period info such as the traditions of the Twelve Days of Christmas, the political situation, or aspects of the manners of the age. If these were really Jane Austen’s personal journals, she would not feel the need to give this background; there might have been a few more scenes that made this information clear, or readers could have been left to suss it out on their own. One of the pleasures for me in reading English fiction is that I don’t always get everything about what’s going on!
This was an utterly satisfying read, lively with plot twists and emotionally wide-ranging, with moments of laugh-out-loud humor and others of sharp poignancy. One of the poignant elements for me is that the story ends in 1815, and Jane Austen died in 1817—so there can’t be too many more entries in this series. I shall miss Barron’s Jane when she is gone.
February 7, 2017
Delicious writing in an Austenesque style. Red herrings galore, so that you'll wonder who the real culprit is. Manor homes and balls and dinners . . . Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas is an altogether charming read.
If you're a Jane Austen fan, what's not to love about reading a story with your favorite author as a character -- and the main one at that! This story takes place in the English countryside, weaving in facts about Jane Austen into the plot. What a fun way to get to know more about this iconic author.
The mystery was well-written, and while I had my suspicions, the true culprit wasn't revealed until the very end.
Don't be misled by the title, though, because this would be a great book to read any time of the year.
If you're a Jane Austen fan, what's not to love about reading a story with your favorite author as a character -- and the main one at that! This story takes place in the English countryside, weaving in facts about Jane Austen into the plot. What a fun way to get to know more about this iconic author.
The mystery was well-written, and while I had my suspicions, the true culprit wasn't revealed until the very end.
Don't be misled by the title, though, because this would be a great book to read any time of the year.
November 26, 2023
Reading this book was a wonderful seasonal treat! I borrowed a copy from the library, but will be buying my own to add to my personal Christmas collection.
An aging Jane, her mother and sister Cassandra visit their son and brother James Austen and his family for Christmas in Steventon, where Jane's own father had previously served as Rector for many years. Displeased by the cold rectory and less-than-warm welcome they receive from Jane's parsimonious (and sanctimonious) brother and hyperchondriac sister-in-law, the ladies are delighted when the whole Austen family are invited to spend the Christmas season at local estate, The Vyne, of which Jane's friend Eliza Chute is mistress. Here they enjoy a sumptuous Regency-era Christmas and are stimulated by the company of the varied guests. However, on St. Stephen's Day (now more commonly known as Boxing Day, the 26th December), an unexpected guest - a courier from the Admiralty carrying an important document - is found dead, in circumstances which can only indicate one of the house party as a murderer...
Jane sets out, with the co-operation of her new acquaintance Raphael West, to solve the mystery.
Stephanie Barron clearly knows her subject matter well. I'm no history scholar, but the setting in Regency-era England felt well-executed and the prose certainly consistent with the tone and style of Austen's novels. There were many witty acerbic asides made by Jane relating to the pretensions and foibles of her relatives, friends and acquaintences. Barron cleverly incorporates many real-life places, personalities and events from what is known of Austen's later life.
Perhaps the mystery side of the plot fell a little flat for me, which is why I'm rating this a solid 4, rather than something higher.
An aging Jane, her mother and sister Cassandra visit their son and brother James Austen and his family for Christmas in Steventon, where Jane's own father had previously served as Rector for many years. Displeased by the cold rectory and less-than-warm welcome they receive from Jane's parsimonious (and sanctimonious) brother and hyperchondriac sister-in-law, the ladies are delighted when the whole Austen family are invited to spend the Christmas season at local estate, The Vyne, of which Jane's friend Eliza Chute is mistress. Here they enjoy a sumptuous Regency-era Christmas and are stimulated by the company of the varied guests. However, on St. Stephen's Day (now more commonly known as Boxing Day, the 26th December), an unexpected guest - a courier from the Admiralty carrying an important document - is found dead, in circumstances which can only indicate one of the house party as a murderer...
Jane sets out, with the co-operation of her new acquaintance Raphael West, to solve the mystery.
Stephanie Barron clearly knows her subject matter well. I'm no history scholar, but the setting in Regency-era England felt well-executed and the prose certainly consistent with the tone and style of Austen's novels. There were many witty acerbic asides made by Jane relating to the pretensions and foibles of her relatives, friends and acquaintences. Barron cleverly incorporates many real-life places, personalities and events from what is known of Austen's later life.
Perhaps the mystery side of the plot fell a little flat for me, which is why I'm rating this a solid 4, rather than something higher.
Read
December 30, 2019This was fun and read at exactly the right time of the year, for like Barron's imagined Jane Austen in this story I find myself between Christmas and New Year's. I know just enough about the Austens and their world to be impressed and amused by how much more Barron knows about them.
Although I read a lot of mysteries at one point in my life when I was trying to write one, I realize that I now seem to find them unsatisfying. The assembly of the puzzle always feels more fun to read about than the unraveling -- somehow character always must be sacrificed to plot. The highest art of the murder mystery writer lies in the misdirection of somehow preventing the reader from noticing that this is what has happened.
Although I read a lot of mysteries at one point in my life when I was trying to write one, I realize that I now seem to find them unsatisfying. The assembly of the puzzle always feels more fun to read about than the unraveling -- somehow character always must be sacrificed to plot. The highest art of the murder mystery writer lies in the misdirection of somehow preventing the reader from noticing that this is what has happened.
May 4, 2022
4.25 regency teacups out of 5! I read the 1st one in the series a long time ago. I enjoyed it but haven't read any of them since then. While I don't love mysteries, I enjoyed reading this. Perhaps more for "hanging" out with Jane and some of the members of her family during the holiday season, than the mystery itself. However, that kept me turning pages too. I wasn't thrilled in some elements of the ending. I look forward to reading more of this series. I understand that there will be at least one more coming out...great!
December 1, 2015
Stephanie Barron knows her Austen and is a masterful storyteller! Her latest, "Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas", though long anticipated, did not disappoint. Barron does her research well and tells her story in a most Austen-like style. She is The Incomparable when it comes to Austenesque mysteries. Or Austen fiction! I have long missed Lord Harold but our dear Miss Austen is introduced to another mystery man who adds much intrigue for this latest mystery. Well done.
March 19, 2024
Jane, Cassandra, and their mother, Mrs. Austen, are visiting their old country parsonage where Jane's brother, James, is now residing. They visit the Chute family at their estate for the Christmas festivities, but a military messenger is found dead, thrown from his horse. Jane thinks it must be murder, and one of the other guests, an artist, agrees with her.
The best part of this story is learning about the Regency Christmas traditions, games, food, parties, and other family habits at Christmastime!
I really liked this story and the history behind it. There is quite a lot of real history woven into the story with Jane's family and her acquaintances, but of course the murder mystery and Jane's involvement in the investigation are entirely fictional.
I enjoyed seeing more of Jane's brother, James, and their sibling relationship, as well as James' wife, Mary. Apparently, they did not have very pleasant personalities, but they make the effort to be together for Christmas. It's really interesting to imagine what their family might have been like, how they might have talked with one another, and how they would have interacted. I especially liked the scenes with Jane and her sister Cassandra.
The murder mystery itself is good. I kind of guessed part of the ending, so it wasn't as good as some of the other mysteries in this series.
I love the formal writing style that mimics the Regency era language. The dialogue is fairly close to what a real conversation might have been like in that time period. It really immerses you in the history.
The best part of this story is learning about the Regency Christmas traditions, games, food, parties, and other family habits at Christmastime!
I really liked this story and the history behind it. There is quite a lot of real history woven into the story with Jane's family and her acquaintances, but of course the murder mystery and Jane's involvement in the investigation are entirely fictional.
I enjoyed seeing more of Jane's brother, James, and their sibling relationship, as well as James' wife, Mary. Apparently, they did not have very pleasant personalities, but they make the effort to be together for Christmas. It's really interesting to imagine what their family might have been like, how they might have talked with one another, and how they would have interacted. I especially liked the scenes with Jane and her sister Cassandra.
The murder mystery itself is good. I kind of guessed part of the ending, so it wasn't as good as some of the other mysteries in this series.
I love the formal writing style that mimics the Regency era language. The dialogue is fairly close to what a real conversation might have been like in that time period. It really immerses you in the history.
November 20, 2014
Forgive me! I'm still enchanted by the setting of a Regency era Twelve Night of festivities, activities, espionage, forbidden love and murder. I have truly enjoyed this series for its blend of historic authenticity, biographic fiction, intrigue and just overall good writing. This last, ah... It felt like my very own Christmas gift from the author. The author purposefully gave her readers a bit of something extraordinary- the chance to vicariously experience the excitement of a Regency Christmas at all strata of class and society from the nobility down to the lowest vicarage servant all told through the eyes of the keen Miss Jane Austen. I suppose when one gets down to it, the mystery element wasn't as enigmatic as past books, but I didn't feel its loss particularly when it wasn't absent just diminished to accommodate the other.
This book is part of a series that follows the chronological timeline of Jane Austen's adult life through a series of stories presenting a new mystery for her to solve each time. Some are domestic murder mysteries and others involve great affairs of state. So this can be read as a standalone or out of order, but it is best appreciated when connected to all those that went before it.
The story opens when Jane, Cassandra and Mrs. Austen travel from Chawton Cottage to spend the holidays with the James Austen family. A little adventure occurs when James' parsimonious ways nearly get them all killed when their cart without the lanterns in a snowstorm is clipped by a larger private coach. They meet Rafael West, the son of famous artist, Benjamin West, and an artist in his own right who is in a dreadful hurry.
Later when they along with the stern James and his hypochondriac wife Mary get an invitation to join the Chute family at The Vyne for a hunt and festivities, they meet up again with Mr. West and a few others that make up a party. Jane is relieved to be part of the larger, more hospitable group, but soon notices that there is a mystery afoot. She is only mildly intrigued until a Navy messenger with ties to some of the guests is the victim of a clever murder and a very important document he was carrying goes missing. Jane's sleuthing partner becomes none other than Rafael West.
As the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany stretch out, Jane's time is divided between holiday festivities, family and the murder mystery. Danger lurks close as she and Rafael track the killer. Jane is also aware that she only has the length of her stay to figure things out because like her, the other guests will depart at the end of the holidays.
I confess that I find this series a breath of fresh air in many ways. Jane is the main protagonist and she is not at all what one generally gets in the way of a heroine. She is mild-aged, plain, sensible, and shabby genteel. She is no great mover and shaker and not at all a romantic figure. And yet, she slices right to the heart of matters and gets the job done. I have no trouble imagining that if the real Jane Austen had encountered these murders and puzzles that she would have behaved in just such a matter. She even inspires many a male to regard her with warmer feelings and great respect. The author gave her a few little romantic interludes throughout the series and hinted at one in this one though generally any full-blown romances occur amongst the secondary players.
I've enjoyed also that the author isn't afraid to write in real people as characters that cross Jane's path and that real events, places, and all sorts of details make their way into the book. Not being a historian, but appreciating history, I detected no jarring notes of dialogue or description. Just the colorfully painted settings and scenes regarding the holidays totally captivated me. I found it interesting that Christmas is the solemn day of church and reflection and Twelfth Night is the day of revelry. The Georgians really knew how to throw a party.
The secondary characters were a real treat too. I loved having more time with Cassandra and though Jane has spent a lot of time with her other brothers in the series this was my first real glimpse of her eldest brother, James and his family. Whew! Both James and Mary were a trial with even gentle, sweet Cass pushed to argument. I had some feelings for them after learning that James loved his first wife and only married Mary to help rear his little girl and that Mary was bitter and resentful knowing that she didn't have his true regard. Pity didn't push me into liking these two. The other surrounding characters from the house party and the neighborhood were all so deftly drawn that I found each and every one interesting.
Like I said, the mystery was secondary in this one. Normally, I have a bit of trouble working them out, but I didn't this time. It was still engaging and gave a few surprises. I enjoyed Jane and Rafael working on the case together probably the most when it came to this part of the plot.
To wrap it all up in a pretty Christmas bow, I loved it through and through. Fans of the series and Austenesque lovers will definitely appreciate this bit of lovely that Ms. Barron wrote us. I would recommend this series to those who enjoy historical era cozy mysteries, historical fiction fans and even historical romantic suspense fans who can appreciate a slow developing, descriptive plot.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book is part of a series that follows the chronological timeline of Jane Austen's adult life through a series of stories presenting a new mystery for her to solve each time. Some are domestic murder mysteries and others involve great affairs of state. So this can be read as a standalone or out of order, but it is best appreciated when connected to all those that went before it.
The story opens when Jane, Cassandra and Mrs. Austen travel from Chawton Cottage to spend the holidays with the James Austen family. A little adventure occurs when James' parsimonious ways nearly get them all killed when their cart without the lanterns in a snowstorm is clipped by a larger private coach. They meet Rafael West, the son of famous artist, Benjamin West, and an artist in his own right who is in a dreadful hurry.
Later when they along with the stern James and his hypochondriac wife Mary get an invitation to join the Chute family at The Vyne for a hunt and festivities, they meet up again with Mr. West and a few others that make up a party. Jane is relieved to be part of the larger, more hospitable group, but soon notices that there is a mystery afoot. She is only mildly intrigued until a Navy messenger with ties to some of the guests is the victim of a clever murder and a very important document he was carrying goes missing. Jane's sleuthing partner becomes none other than Rafael West.
As the twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany stretch out, Jane's time is divided between holiday festivities, family and the murder mystery. Danger lurks close as she and Rafael track the killer. Jane is also aware that she only has the length of her stay to figure things out because like her, the other guests will depart at the end of the holidays.
I confess that I find this series a breath of fresh air in many ways. Jane is the main protagonist and she is not at all what one generally gets in the way of a heroine. She is mild-aged, plain, sensible, and shabby genteel. She is no great mover and shaker and not at all a romantic figure. And yet, she slices right to the heart of matters and gets the job done. I have no trouble imagining that if the real Jane Austen had encountered these murders and puzzles that she would have behaved in just such a matter. She even inspires many a male to regard her with warmer feelings and great respect. The author gave her a few little romantic interludes throughout the series and hinted at one in this one though generally any full-blown romances occur amongst the secondary players.
I've enjoyed also that the author isn't afraid to write in real people as characters that cross Jane's path and that real events, places, and all sorts of details make their way into the book. Not being a historian, but appreciating history, I detected no jarring notes of dialogue or description. Just the colorfully painted settings and scenes regarding the holidays totally captivated me. I found it interesting that Christmas is the solemn day of church and reflection and Twelfth Night is the day of revelry. The Georgians really knew how to throw a party.
The secondary characters were a real treat too. I loved having more time with Cassandra and though Jane has spent a lot of time with her other brothers in the series this was my first real glimpse of her eldest brother, James and his family. Whew! Both James and Mary were a trial with even gentle, sweet Cass pushed to argument. I had some feelings for them after learning that James loved his first wife and only married Mary to help rear his little girl and that Mary was bitter and resentful knowing that she didn't have his true regard. Pity didn't push me into liking these two. The other surrounding characters from the house party and the neighborhood were all so deftly drawn that I found each and every one interesting.
Like I said, the mystery was secondary in this one. Normally, I have a bit of trouble working them out, but I didn't this time. It was still engaging and gave a few surprises. I enjoyed Jane and Rafael working on the case together probably the most when it came to this part of the plot.
To wrap it all up in a pretty Christmas bow, I loved it through and through. Fans of the series and Austenesque lovers will definitely appreciate this bit of lovely that Ms. Barron wrote us. I would recommend this series to those who enjoy historical era cozy mysteries, historical fiction fans and even historical romantic suspense fans who can appreciate a slow developing, descriptive plot.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 2, 2014
Jane Austen, her mother and sister are traveling the 17 miles from Chawton to Steventon to spend the holidays with her brother James and his family. They must travel by public stage all day and into the night to reach their old home. They're looking forward to seeing James-Edward, age 16 and Caroline, age 9. Jane and Cassandra have a special surprise for young Caroline to make her holiday special. Along the way, an accident forces them to make the acquaintance of a Mr. West who is staying with their old friends the Chutes at their home The Vyne. Soon an invitation arrives to join Mr. West and the other guests for some holiday cheer at The Vyne. Tired of James' parsimony and Mary's constant need for attention, the Austen women are eager for some gaiety. There's a lot to celebrate this season, with a new book, Napoleon in exile and an end to the unpopular American War (War of 1812). However, amidst all the gaiety come dark secrets and death. Jane suspects murder, as does Mr. West, an artist with a keen mind. Jane has not met such a mind in many a long year and she can't help but admire him, but can she trust him? If she can't, she could be the next to be killed.
If you love the idea of English Christmas then this book is for you. It's chock full of quaint customs and celebrations that seriously need to make a comeback! I loved reading about the celebrations throughout the 12 days of Christmas. There's a lot of background information on the Austens here as well.
The mystery starts almost halfway through the plot with a death. I loved how Jane jumps into sleuth mode because it shows what a sharp mind she has and how her talent is seeing people as they really are. This time she has assistance from Mr. West, a somewhat brooding man around her own age. He's a good counterpart for her. He appreciates her mind so of course I liked him. I wasn't sure who the murderer was. I thought I knew but there was so much going on, I couldn't connect the dots. I turned out to be correct about some things which were a little too obvious. I really liked the political context and learning the history of the War of 1812 from the British point of view.
The story contains plenty of humor to make it not so dark. Much of the humor comes from Mary Austen, who seems to be the model for Mary Musgrove. (If she were my sister-in-law, I'd slap her). There are other characters who are supposed to be inspiration for characters in Persuasion and Sanditon, which Jane has not yet written. The new characters are slightly more in depth than stereotypes of Regency stock characters. Only Jane Austen could make them come to life and be three-dimensional but I don't have any real complaints about the way the new characters are written here. They're mostly all secondary characters anyway.
This is another excellent entry into the Being a Jane Austen Mystery series. It's been far too long and Jane Austen's life was far too short so there's only a few years left in her life but perhaps Stephanie Barron can come up with more "missing manuscripts" that show Jane Austen as a sleuth.
If you love the idea of English Christmas then this book is for you. It's chock full of quaint customs and celebrations that seriously need to make a comeback! I loved reading about the celebrations throughout the 12 days of Christmas. There's a lot of background information on the Austens here as well.
The mystery starts almost halfway through the plot with a death. I loved how Jane jumps into sleuth mode because it shows what a sharp mind she has and how her talent is seeing people as they really are. This time she has assistance from Mr. West, a somewhat brooding man around her own age. He's a good counterpart for her. He appreciates her mind so of course I liked him. I wasn't sure who the murderer was. I thought I knew but there was so much going on, I couldn't connect the dots. I turned out to be correct about some things which were a little too obvious. I really liked the political context and learning the history of the War of 1812 from the British point of view.
The story contains plenty of humor to make it not so dark. Much of the humor comes from Mary Austen, who seems to be the model for Mary Musgrove. (If she were my sister-in-law, I'd slap her). There are other characters who are supposed to be inspiration for characters in Persuasion and Sanditon, which Jane has not yet written. The new characters are slightly more in depth than stereotypes of Regency stock characters. Only Jane Austen could make them come to life and be three-dimensional but I don't have any real complaints about the way the new characters are written here. They're mostly all secondary characters anyway.
This is another excellent entry into the Being a Jane Austen Mystery series. It's been far too long and Jane Austen's life was far too short so there's only a few years left in her life but perhaps Stephanie Barron can come up with more "missing manuscripts" that show Jane Austen as a sleuth.
January 6, 2015
As a 4 year running tradition, my friend Crystal and I listen to a Christmas Murder Mystery during the long car ride on the way to and from visiting our families for the holiday. Because they have to fit the qualifiers "Mystery" and "Christmas" they are usually of dubious quality. I was excited by this one because it also added the slightly ridiculous qualifier "Jane Austen historical fiction" to the list.
From the first 30 minutes of listening to this it nearly put the both of us to sleep. I don't know if this is partially a fault of the narrator, logically it was a middle aged British woman with a Received Pronunciation accent. Makes sense but it was very hard to follow this book as narrated. The book was written with a turn of the 19th century thesaurus. I am almost never one to complain about vocabulary, but the book was written with ridiculous words where more recognized words would be perfectly suitable and more understandable.
There are very frequent and long digressions from the plot of the book to describe costumes made for a child's doll. This happens 12 times (12 christmas gifts). There are also long conversations about Napoleon and American politics. This made more sense by the end of the book but by god was a chaffing for it to be over and the "mystery" portion of the book to begin. No one was murdered until halfway through the book. Instead half of the book was spent describing the manor that they visit and the clothing of the attendees and the lots of tedious conversations with tedious characters.
I liked it better by the time the true murder sleuthing was underway. And I liked it better again once I understood there was a point to all the talk of politics and military. And I liked to better thrice when I realized the work was more "historical" than I thought and almost all the characters were actual figures from history/Jane Austen's life. However, I still did not like it THAT much. I think this was just a different book than I was hoping for and I came into it with the wrong expectations. For lovers of the history of Jane Austen's time this will be much more exciting. For lovers of that peppy mystery pacing and plotting it will not.
From the first 30 minutes of listening to this it nearly put the both of us to sleep. I don't know if this is partially a fault of the narrator, logically it was a middle aged British woman with a Received Pronunciation accent. Makes sense but it was very hard to follow this book as narrated. The book was written with a turn of the 19th century thesaurus. I am almost never one to complain about vocabulary, but the book was written with ridiculous words where more recognized words would be perfectly suitable and more understandable.
There are very frequent and long digressions from the plot of the book to describe costumes made for a child's doll. This happens 12 times (12 christmas gifts). There are also long conversations about Napoleon and American politics. This made more sense by the end of the book but by god was a chaffing for it to be over and the "mystery" portion of the book to begin. No one was murdered until halfway through the book. Instead half of the book was spent describing the manor that they visit and the clothing of the attendees and the lots of tedious conversations with tedious characters.
I liked it better by the time the true murder sleuthing was underway. And I liked it better again once I understood there was a point to all the talk of politics and military. And I liked to better thrice when I realized the work was more "historical" than I thought and almost all the characters were actual figures from history/Jane Austen's life. However, I still did not like it THAT much. I think this was just a different book than I was hoping for and I came into it with the wrong expectations. For lovers of the history of Jane Austen's time this will be much more exciting. For lovers of that peppy mystery pacing and plotting it will not.
December 17, 2014
As with most of the books I've read the past couple of months, this took waaay too long for me to finish. When i have to "drag" a book out due to time constraints, I feel like maybe I lose some of its magic. So, I'm not sure if my feelings on this one may be in part due to the fact it took me a bit to finish. I liked this one, but after having read a book about Jane from another author recently, found this one lacking a little something.
I really enjoyed the Christmas setting and try my hardest to read only holiday themed books in December. It was a great offering for that. The holidays and traditions associated are frequently mentioned. The mystery part was good, in spite of the fact I had suspicions early on. Jane is always fun & interesting to read about. This is book 12 in the Jane Austen mystery series, though I don't think it necessary to have read all the previous ones like I have (except the one directly before this one). It had been awhile since I'd read the majority of the others and I had no trouble following the storyline and characters in this offering. One of Jane's brothers & his family are main characters here along with Jane, Cassandra, & their Mom. A murder takes place at a house party they are attending, and Jane feels uneasy and looks into it. Read this book to find out what happens on each day of the 12!!
I really enjoyed the Christmas setting and try my hardest to read only holiday themed books in December. It was a great offering for that. The holidays and traditions associated are frequently mentioned. The mystery part was good, in spite of the fact I had suspicions early on. Jane is always fun & interesting to read about. This is book 12 in the Jane Austen mystery series, though I don't think it necessary to have read all the previous ones like I have (except the one directly before this one). It had been awhile since I'd read the majority of the others and I had no trouble following the storyline and characters in this offering. One of Jane's brothers & his family are main characters here along with Jane, Cassandra, & their Mom. A murder takes place at a house party they are attending, and Jane feels uneasy and looks into it. Read this book to find out what happens on each day of the 12!!
Read
December 27, 2021I thought it might be fun to try out the Jane Austen mystery series by starting with a Christmas special, a book set over the twelve days of Christmas. I’m fond of Jane Austenish stories and I usually enjoy Kate Reading’s narration, so my wife and I sat down this evening ready to be entertained by a cosy Christmas mystery.
Sadly, we didn’t make it further than the first day of Christmas. We listened to a little over an hour of the book with a slowly fading hope of entertainment that died altogether during a long look-at-all-the-details-I’ve-researched description of The Vines, the country house in which I assume the murder would take place.
The text was heavy the dialogue was laboured and unconvincing and the action minimal. I think the book suffered because I couldn’t help comparing it to Jane Austen’s writing which delivers the narrative with a light touch, powered by sparkling dialogue and witty descriptions of people and their habits. It was the reading equivalent of walking into a well-proportioned Georgian room and finding it so stuffed with Victorian bric-a-brac that all its elegance has been lost.
This is book twelve in the series so these books must be working well for some readers but I’m afraid it’s not for me.
Sadly, we didn’t make it further than the first day of Christmas. We listened to a little over an hour of the book with a slowly fading hope of entertainment that died altogether during a long look-at-all-the-details-I’ve-researched description of The Vines, the country house in which I assume the murder would take place.
The text was heavy the dialogue was laboured and unconvincing and the action minimal. I think the book suffered because I couldn’t help comparing it to Jane Austen’s writing which delivers the narrative with a light touch, powered by sparkling dialogue and witty descriptions of people and their habits. It was the reading equivalent of walking into a well-proportioned Georgian room and finding it so stuffed with Victorian bric-a-brac that all its elegance has been lost.
This is book twelve in the series so these books must be working well for some readers but I’m afraid it’s not for me.
December 31, 2024
Extremely well written Austenesque, Stephanie Barron has a skilled knack
for writing dialogue and description accurate to the era.
A pleasure to be vicariously immersed in a Regency mansion for the week long Twelve Days of Christmas party replete with food, fireplaces and festivities.
The need for frocks to outlast the events is a concern for our sisters albeit an unexpected discovery of a dead guest quickly takes precedence. Mystery and method of sleuthing finds Jane's cunning useful when talk of Napoleon and American war concerns turn serious when a war document and its signature that affects their own British government comes to light and close at hand..
Despite Jane's brother's disagreement, being questioned at the murder inquest is essential for her contribution to it's solution . Family personality clashes were a surprise that provide new insights to the lesser known Austens.
I definitely recommend as exceptional reading for JA fans.
for writing dialogue and description accurate to the era.
A pleasure to be vicariously immersed in a Regency mansion for the week long Twelve Days of Christmas party replete with food, fireplaces and festivities.
The need for frocks to outlast the events is a concern for our sisters albeit an unexpected discovery of a dead guest quickly takes precedence. Mystery and method of sleuthing finds Jane's cunning useful when talk of Napoleon and American war concerns turn serious when a war document and its signature that affects their own British government comes to light and close at hand..
Despite Jane's brother's disagreement, being questioned at the murder inquest is essential for her contribution to it's solution . Family personality clashes were a surprise that provide new insights to the lesser known Austens.
I definitely recommend as exceptional reading for JA fans.
December 22, 2024
When my younger kid came across this novel, she insisted that I read it. As someone who really enjoys retellings of Austen’s works, I figured it would be a great idea to do so. And I’m glad I did.
I will say that this is the first of the series that I’m reading. I had no idea when I started this book that it was the twelfth novel. Oops. However, most everyone is explained so that I never felt that I had missed out on crucial information.
It’s clear that Barron has really done her homework with the research for this novel. I’m reading this book just before Christmas, and it’s clear that Britain celebrated the festive season very differently in the Regency era. I found it fascinating to learn of the traditions that I’m not familiar with, especially that in that time folks tended to celebrate Twelfth Night, ie, the night the Three Kings presented the baby Jesus with their gifts, more than Christmas itself.
I quite enjoyed Barron’s depiction of Jane herself; considering how pointed Austen’s own portrayal of her various characters can be, it’s no surprised that Jane herself might have struggled to be as polite and diplomatic as society would have preferred her to be. It’s clear that she was incredibly smart, so solving a murder or two does seem within the realm of possibility for her. Barron also captures the cadence of Austen’s writing quite well, and the archaic spellings and syntax used by the people of this era. It really did feel nearly like reading an Austen novel itself.
I will say that at times the plot seemed to drag along. The murder to be solved doesn’t even occur until a third of the way through the book. However, I didn’t mind as much as I ordinarily would because of my enjoyment of reading this novel.
I look forward to reading other books int his series, though I will probably read them in order henceforth.
I will say that this is the first of the series that I’m reading. I had no idea when I started this book that it was the twelfth novel. Oops. However, most everyone is explained so that I never felt that I had missed out on crucial information.
It’s clear that Barron has really done her homework with the research for this novel. I’m reading this book just before Christmas, and it’s clear that Britain celebrated the festive season very differently in the Regency era. I found it fascinating to learn of the traditions that I’m not familiar with, especially that in that time folks tended to celebrate Twelfth Night, ie, the night the Three Kings presented the baby Jesus with their gifts, more than Christmas itself.
I quite enjoyed Barron’s depiction of Jane herself; considering how pointed Austen’s own portrayal of her various characters can be, it’s no surprised that Jane herself might have struggled to be as polite and diplomatic as society would have preferred her to be. It’s clear that she was incredibly smart, so solving a murder or two does seem within the realm of possibility for her. Barron also captures the cadence of Austen’s writing quite well, and the archaic spellings and syntax used by the people of this era. It really did feel nearly like reading an Austen novel itself.
I will say that at times the plot seemed to drag along. The murder to be solved doesn’t even occur until a third of the way through the book. However, I didn’t mind as much as I ordinarily would because of my enjoyment of reading this novel.
I look forward to reading other books int his series, though I will probably read them in order henceforth.
December 8, 2021
Not bad! The writing was beautifully poetic, kinda imitating that classical Jane Austen writing style, which I enjoyed! The mystery was quite good and left me guessing all the way through. The only thing was that I wished the mystery aspect of it was introduced much sooner (despite there being "clues" or stuff before that). The murder only occurred at around 30% of the book, I believe... which felt like a long time! But that's just a more personal preference for straightforwardness. XD Overall, though, this was pretty awesome!
December 29, 2018
This was a fun read. I was prepared for the sugariness of a cozy read mystery, yet it lacked that entirely. It was full of period terminology, history lessons, and cool logic with the acerbic British humor I enjoy. As always when I read a fictional novel with Jane Austen as the protagonist, I'm hit with a sad whimsy wondering "What if..." What if she hadn't died so young, what if she had married her presumed love, what if.. what if.. what if. Our loss as readers for sure.
November 25, 2022
Read this for a mystery book club, and I found it more enjoyable than actual books by Jane Austen, so your mileage may vary if you are an Austen fan. This is my first book of what I now see is a long series, and it definitely worked as a standalone. The author included real people and locations in the story, so now I want to go to Britain and visit The Vyne, which is part of the National Trust.
I enjoyed the setting, got a little mixed up about what was happening somewhere in the middle - obviously I know less than I should about the history of the period - but caught up again towards the end. It also made me glad that I live now when traveling a few miles in winter is not such an ordeal! The way the main characters treated the servants as though they weren't even there was disturbing, but about par for the course for the time period depicted.
I enjoyed the setting, got a little mixed up about what was happening somewhere in the middle - obviously I know less than I should about the history of the period - but caught up again towards the end. It also made me glad that I live now when traveling a few miles in winter is not such an ordeal! The way the main characters treated the servants as though they weren't even there was disturbing, but about par for the course for the time period depicted.
December 1, 2021
This was good. Apparently it is part of a long series, which I did not realize. Just wanted available Christmas reading.
August 3, 2022
Oh once again I’m completely immersed in the fictionalized world of Jane Austin. Through these stories, constructed around the real history of her days, I seem to come to know Jane in a more intimate reality.
In this adventure, not one time did I get upset with our heroine and try to get her to see what she was obviously missing. In fact, Jane led the way through each clue and revelation.
The characters were so well brought to life. The Christmas traditions, the chill of the rooms, the warmth of the fires, sigh, loved it all. Brought back some deep memories.
I may have to reread some of the first stories again once I wrap up this series.
In this adventure, not one time did I get upset with our heroine and try to get her to see what she was obviously missing. In fact, Jane led the way through each clue and revelation.
The characters were so well brought to life. The Christmas traditions, the chill of the rooms, the warmth of the fires, sigh, loved it all. Brought back some deep memories.
I may have to reread some of the first stories again once I wrap up this series.
January 1, 2015
This book was a gift from my dear friend, Kim, who I love and with whom I am well pleased. I cannot wait to start reading it!
I am enjoying this book a great deal. I can already claim knowledge of the research done by the author. On page 43, the characters mention Benjamin West who painted "The death of General Wolfe". General James Wolfe is actually a relation of mine and died taking Quebec away from the French. Jane Austen would have known of him and may have seen this painting as well. Emily Dickinson captured this relation in her work "Wolfe demanded during dying...". So it seems I have brave blood running through my veins. That is a good thing since I need it most of my life.
Continuing to enjoy this book. I daresay, it is one of the finest books I have EVER read. I laugh out loud at Jane's sister-in-law, Mary, who reminds me very much of Mary Musgrove in Persuasion. Jane's thoughts and remarks directed toward her are priceless. I am totally engrossed at the historical events surrounding the novel as well. The Treaty of Ghent truly became the forefront of my thoughts which opened up door after door of questions and the search for knowledge. Very intriguing!
Ah, there it is again. Page 166 references "The Death of Wolfe" painting. This story/murder unfolds beautifully. More to write, but I will save that for later. Laugh at me if you will on my long reviews!
I am enjoying this book a great deal. I can already claim knowledge of the research done by the author. On page 43, the characters mention Benjamin West who painted "The death of General Wolfe". General James Wolfe is actually a relation of mine and died taking Quebec away from the French. Jane Austen would have known of him and may have seen this painting as well. Emily Dickinson captured this relation in her work "Wolfe demanded during dying...". So it seems I have brave blood running through my veins. That is a good thing since I need it most of my life.
Continuing to enjoy this book. I daresay, it is one of the finest books I have EVER read. I laugh out loud at Jane's sister-in-law, Mary, who reminds me very much of Mary Musgrove in Persuasion. Jane's thoughts and remarks directed toward her are priceless. I am totally engrossed at the historical events surrounding the novel as well. The Treaty of Ghent truly became the forefront of my thoughts which opened up door after door of questions and the search for knowledge. Very intriguing!
Ah, there it is again. Page 166 references "The Death of Wolfe" painting. This story/murder unfolds beautifully. More to write, but I will save that for later. Laugh at me if you will on my long reviews!
November 30, 2014
Somehow I've been completely unaware of this mystery series set in Georgian-era England with Jane Austen herself solving crimes, even though the author, Stephanie Barron, now has twelve books to her credit. Normally I am pretty obsessive about reading a mystery series in order but when I spotted this book on our library's New Book shelf, I was intrigued by the Austen-themed concept and the charming Christmas setting and decided to give it a try. The book was delightfully done in the manner of Austen's books and gave a look at what her life might have been like as a spinster and published author in an era when most women were not yet earning their own income. The story was a little slow to get going but that time was well spent in building the scene and characterizations. The murders were intriguing and the clues well spaced to keep the reader guessing. I thoroughyly enjoyed seeing how the Christmas season was celebrated by the landed gentry in Georgian England as well. The book has now inspired me to begin reading Jane Austen's books again as MANSFIELD PARK had just been published and was mentioned/critiqued by various characters in the story and Jane herself was busy penning EMMA.
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