Searching for Mr Tilney

by Jane Odiwe

What secrets lie at the heart of Jane Austen’s teenage journal? When Caroline Heath is taken to Bath in 1975, she little expects to find the gothic adventure she craves, let alone discover Jane Austen’s secret teenage journal, or how it’s possible to live in someone else’s body. Yet, she’s soon caught up in a whirlwind of fantastic events - travels through time, a love story or three, and even the odd sinister murder - or so she thinks. As the past and present entwine, Jane’s journal reveals a coming of age tale, set against the scandalous backdrop of Knole Park in Kent, and the story behind an enigmatic portrait. In Bath, a Georgian townhouse acts as a portal in time, and Caroline finds herself becoming Cassandra Austen, a young woman making her debut in society, torn between family duty and the love of her life. As the riddles unfold, and the lines blur between illusion and reality, will Caroline find the happiness she seeks or will she indulge her wild imagination, threatening her future and a fairytale ending?

Genres: Time Travel, Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance

318 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 2017

About the author

Jane Odiwe is a British author with a special interest in writing novels inspired by Jane Austen's works. Her books continue the stories of beloved characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy in Mr Darcy's Secret, or tell Jane Austen's own story, as in the novels, Searching for Mr Tilney, Jane Austen Lives Again, Searching for Captain Wentworth, and Project Darcy. Other works include the novels Willoughby's Return, Lydia Bennet's Story and the novellas, Mr Darcy's Christmas Calendar, and Mrs Darcy's Diamonds. Jane's short story, Waiting, was published in the short story anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It.
Born in Sutton Coldfield, England, Jane gained an arts degree in Birmingham where she indulged her great loves of Fine Art, Literature, and History. After teaching in the Midlands and London for some years, writing novels took over her life. Jane lives in London with her husband, children and two cats, but escapes to "Fairyland", Bath, whenever she can!

Reviews

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantic Adventures in Bath!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

If you haven’t already heard, Jane Odiwe has written three sensational time-slip novels about Jane Austen, the people in her life, and her writing:

In Searching for Captain Wentworth, readers travel back to 1802 to learn more about Jane Austen’s “silent” Bath years and perhaps fall in love with one of her brothers!

In Project Darcy, Ms. Odiwe takes readers to Steventon in 1796, where readers encounter Tom Lefroy and observe a beautifully plausible romance!

And in her latest time-slip tale, Searching for Mr. Tilney, Ms. Odiwe transports readers back to 1788-1789, where we witness both Cassandra and Jane Austen experience their first tastes of love!

NOTE: Each novel is standalone, and does not need to be read in any particular order.

Our main heroine in this tale, Caroline Heath, is a fashion student with an affinity for Jane Austen. And her story begins in the winter of 1975, when she travels to Bath with family friends and finds an old journal that she concludes must have belonged to Jane Austen! The journal dates from 1788 and tells the important events and exchanges between Jane and Cassandra and their cousins while traveling to Kent and Bath. But in addition to reading this illuminating journal, Caroline experiences moments where she feels herself transported to Jane Austen’s world and in the body of Cassandra Austen! How is this possible?!?

Combined with visits to Jane Austen’s world and reading entries from her journal, Caroline makes two other exciting discoveries while in Bath. One is that she may have found her very own Mr. Tilney in the form of Harry Tate (a charming and teasing theology student studying in Bath). And the second has to do with the history behind the Rice Portrait of Jane Austen. There are plenty of adventures befalling our young heroine in this tale!!

Travels, time-slip phenomena, discoveries about Jane Austen’s life – there is so much to love about Searching for Mr. Tilney! As always, I love how Jane Odiwe thoughtfully blends history and fiction, her clever nods to Jane Austen novels (particularly Northanger Abbey), and how her narration is infused with such descriptive and expressive language. Ms. Odiwe’s artistic eye comes into play often as many scenes, characters, rooms, etc. are described with such tangible and vibrant detail. I just love all the visuals that continuously pop in my head while reading! One of the aspects I loved most about this story was the unique focus on Cassandra Austen and an earlier time period of Jane Austen’s life. It was fun to explore Cassandra’s love life and see Jane’s first feelings on love and marriage!

Another element I adored were the multiple, distinctive story-lines that effortless entwined with one another. Instead of one heroine, it felt as if there were three. I found Cassandra’s story to be the most riveting and would look forward to when chapters would switch to her! But I also greatly enjoyed sweet Caroline – she is such a kind and gentle soul (very Jane Bennet!), and I loved her developing romance with Harry (and all his intense and impassioned looks! *sigh*). Though part of me wishes we heard a little more from the heroes at the end. Some of their actions were a little distant and changeable. And since we don’t spend any time in their heads, some things didn’t feel as satisfyingly resolved. But with three lovely heroines to follow and emotionally develop, perhaps there wasn’t enough page time to explore more with the heroes.

Searching for Mr. Tilney is a thoroughly diverting journey to Bath filled with fantasy, romance, and intriguing discoveries about Jane Austen! I’m so thankful Jane Odiwe has penned another whimsical and imaginative adventure for us to enjoy! A perfect choice for Janeites!!

Austenesque Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is loosely based on Northanger Abbey. It also contains lines peppered throughout from the other novels. The time element is more time slip than actual travel.
I was torn between three and four stars for this novel. I did enjoy the time slips when Caroline inhabits the body of Cassandra Austen and I usually don't like this trope. We get a glimpse of what Jane Austen's young life might have been like and she was a likable person. There was a bit in the middle about Jane visiting Knole and I didn't see the point of it.
However, I didn't like the modern part of the story very much. Caroline (Catherine Morland) and Harry (Henry Tilney) met in the pump room on the day she arrived in Bath. Harry started chatting while serving them but it kinda didn't ring true for me. I read back over it because I found it awkward. I didn't take to Caroline at all. I know she was suppose to be this insecure girl, like Catherine, but I thought she carried it too far at times. In practically five minutes she would go from 'he really likes me' to 'oh did I say something and now he's gone off me'. It was all a bit much.
This carried over slightly when she was inhabiting Cassandra's body. I have to say also that I hope Tom Fowle was a different person to the one described here. He came across as unkind and fickle during most of the story.
Austen fans will enjoy it however and it makes the reader look at some of the characters we know and love, in a different light.

[Cassandra Grafton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not difficult to detect Jane Odiwe’s enthusiasm and talent for art and history when you read this book. She spreads the interwoven sub-plots across the page like an artist painting on fine canvas, each storyline taking on its own distinct hue.

The words flow across the pages with the light touch of a watercolour for our senses, one moment wrapping us in the nostalgia of 1970s Britain, the next sweeping us effortlessly into the past.

Filled with echoes of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey (how could it not be, with such a title?), the story centres around Caroline Heath, a college design student who has been unwell and forced to rest. Out of boredom, she begins to keep a diary and, as the story begins, some kindly neighbours offer to take her to Bath with them for six weeks in order to aid her recuperation.

She begins recording her experiences there but then by chance she comes across a hidden journal by an unknown hand from long ago. It is not long before she realises she is reading Jane Austen’s teenage thoughts and experiences, and as she continues to absorb these, she is swept into the past and becomes part of this story too.

Entwined within this is a growing romance for Caroline, again with nods to Northanger Abbey, as she searches for her own Mr Tilney in the present day, along with a trail of clues connecting the past and the present around a mysterious portrait.

Beautifully rendered, this is not just a romance for the soul, but also a delicious slice of nostalgia, history and mystery. Well done, Ms Odiwe! You never disappoint!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While visiting Bath in 1975 Caroline Heath discovers teenager Jane Austen's diary. She soon becomes involved in her own love story, and travels through time seeing the past through the eyes of Jane and Cassandra Austen.
An enjoyable story.

[Deb Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Northanger Abby modern day-variation

Jane Odiwe always delivers with her diverting, fun and moving characterizations of the people Jane Austen wrote about. I have loved all of her books. With a bit of time travel, this book was that much more fun with. Caroline, Harry and many more entertaining characters!

[Carole (in Canada) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another wonderful time slip story by the ever talented Jane Odiwe. She paints a palette of images, emotions and atmosphere with her words.

"It felt wrong to be disturbing the past, stirring up the souls of those who'd once lived there, or resurrecting the dreams and visions that still held me, captivated and caught in the layers of time." (quote from the book)

Caroline Heath, a young fashion student in 1975, has been ill and recovering at home with her mother, has been invited to Bath by friends of the family. Being a fan of Jane Austen and her novels, especially 'Northanger Abbey', she is thrilled to have the opportunity to explore Bath and maybe even find her own Mr. Tilney in Bath. Little does she know she will find find a journal that belonged to a young Jane Austen.

I think for me, Caroline's 'time slips' to the past were the most exciting and intriguing. So many 'facts' are incorporated into these portions. We get to see Jane on the cusp of adulthood and feel Cassandra's burgeoning love for a young curate. Ms. Odiwe's skill shines bright here. When not slipping into the past, Caroline is on her own journey that loosely follows Catherine Morland's. There is a similar innocence, as well as imagination, between them.

I did feel the book ended just a bit too soon, as I would have liked it to come full circle with the Prologue which was 2017. Still, that is only a small quibble on my part. I do highly recommend this delightful story.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I enjoy about Jane Odiwe's novels is that she pulls you into the story and keeps you captivated with the characters, their struggles and revelations. You get a sense for the time and place, that the characters are in. No loose ends and a glimpse into Jane's life as it may have been.

Searching for Mr. Tilney is a lovely story of young love, discovery and flashes into the past. As Northanger Abbey is the foundation for this story line, I can't help but think of Pride and Prejudice as well, my favorite of Jane Austen's.

For anyone who loves Jane Austen and Jane Odiwe's novels, do not miss this wonderful tale. I highly recommend it!

[Gabi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn't call Searching for Mr Tilney a straight retelling, but it's loosely based on Northanger Abbey, and the plot follows the same basic beats. However, there's the element of two additional timelines: one of Jane Austen's secret diary from her teenage years, and another one of the events leading up to Cassandra Austen's engagement to Tom Fowle. The latter is referenced as "time travel", but in my view, it's more like dreams or hallucinations, since the main character has no will of her own on this timeline, she merely experiences whatever happens to Cassandra and reacts to them as if she were Cassandra herself.

Although the premise was intriguing, I found the book rather underwhelming and ultimately boring.

On the Caroline timeline, my main problem was that, even though there were some conflicts, they were all solved magically from the outside. Whenever something unpleasant occured, Caroline tended to shut people out, lick her wounds and feel utterly sorry for herself, and this continued until somebody else set something in motion to help her out. I found it difficult to root for her, or care about her story, for that matter. And it was quite ridiculous that after what happened in the castle, Harry should come and ask for her forgiveness. Come on.

The Cassandra timeline was similar in that she was, just like Caroline, a passive participant in her story, letting other people decide what her fate should be.

The Jane Austen diary was a breath of fresh air, showing a young lady who is ready to make her own decisions and take some risks. These chapters were my favourites, and I just couldn't believe that Caroline would put away the diary for months instead of reading it all in one sitting.

Unfortunately, the diary chapters weren't enough to save the book for me. Also, I couldn't see the point in the Austen timelines, it wasn't like Caroline was learning anything from them.

Sadly, another Jane-adjacent novel that leaves me disappointed.

[Keria Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely escape

I find myself engrossed in this book during a time of particularly high emotions, just having survived a literal storm.. I think of this piece as almost a modern retelling of Northanger Abbey in spots coupled with a young woman's own unique journey through self discovery.. my impression of Caroline was hampered by her own extremely low self-esteem.. it was hard in some passages to grasp the intensity of the attraction others felt for her when she projected herself as less than ordinary.. not a difficult flaw to overcome.. prepare to feel all the bittersweet trappings as love stories are brought vividly to life from the youth of the young Austen sisters.. knowing as many of us fans do the tragic endings we've uncovered in our never ending quest to know the woman who contributed so much to our love of life, love and literature.

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this is not only a time slip but also a kind of retelling of Northanger Abbey (although not including the "making friends with the wrong girl at first" part). It was great fun to follow Caroline, a less naïve Catherine, as her life started to ressemble the plot of Jane Austen's novel while giving her opportunities to learn more about both Jane and her sister Cassandra. Journal entries, time slip and "retelling" - I found it all really well done.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time travel, Mr Tilney, and Austen--a perfect way to spend curled up with a book. Odiwe's focus on Mr Tilney and "Northanger Abbey" themes will appeal to many Austen fans. The author has great command of Austen-like style and her understanding of the times. I'm glad I found time to read this latest and can easily recommend.

[Vee Stojcevski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical Journey

A fascinating and beautifully written story. So intricate with details, transporting me to the many scenes throughout the novel. I found my imagination drifting to Bath and the time I spent there also. A wonderful retelling of Northanger Abbey. I loved every page. A highly recommended read.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. I liked how it mirrored Northanger Abbey. I found the notes about the Jane Austen - Rice portrait interesting. I've seen the image on countless books but didn't realize that it maybe Jane Austen herself.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the better Jane Austen fan books. I liked the fact that the 'present' timeline was set in the 1970s.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that SEARCHING FOR MR. TILNEY by Jane Odiwe is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!