Book Review: Jane and the Final Mystery by Stephanie Barron

The final volume of the critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Jane Austen as amateur sleuth

March 1817: As winter turns to spring, Jane Austen’s health is in slow decline, and threatens to cease progress on her latest manuscript. But when her nephew Edward brings chilling news of a death at his former school, Winchester College, not even her debilitating ailment can keep Jane from seeking out the truth. Arthur Prendergast, a senior pupil at the prestigious all-boys’ boarding school, has been found dead in a culvert near the schoolgrounds—and in the pocket of his drenched waistcoat is an incriminating note penned by the young William Heathcote, the son of Jane’s dear friend Elizabeth. Winchester College is a world unto itself, with its own language and rites of passage, cruel hazing and dangerous pranks. Can Jane clear William’s name before her illness gets the better of her?

Over the course of fourteen previous novels in the critically acclaimed Being a Jane Austen Mystery series, Stephanie Barron has won the hearts of thousands of fans—crime fiction aficionados and Janeites alike—with her tricky plotting and breathtaking evocation of Austen’s voice. Now, she brings Jane’s final season—and final murder investigation—to brilliant, poignant life in this unforgettable conclusion.

PRAISE FOR JANE AND THE FINAL MYSTERY

• “Poignant . . . Elicits deep emotion out of Jane’s struggles against her own mortality. This is a fitting send-off for a beautifully realized series.”— Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
  
  
• “Barron developed Jane’s narrative voice by reading Austen’s collected and published letters, and it is neither spoiler nor surprise to say that series readers will be sorry to say goodbye to Jane Austen, amateur sleuth.”— Booklist
  
  
• "[Barron] has brilliantly combined authentic historical and biographical details with skillful plotting and a credible evocation of Austen’s wry, distinctive voice. She brings the English author’s final investigation to a poignant, unforgettable close. Fans of this historical series will not be disappointed.”— First Clue

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In 1995 author Stephanie Barron began her renowned Jane Austen Mysteries. Now totaling fifteen titles, the series traces the fictional escapades of the beloved English novelist as amateur sleuth. The first volume, Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor, joins Austen shortly after her rejection of Harris Bigg-Wither in December 1802 when she is in her late twenties.  With each subsequent novel of Barron’s, the timeline of Jane’s life continues. As history records, she died in July of 1817. At the conclusion of the fourteenth novel Jane and the Year Without a Summer, the titular heroine was beginning to show signs of her ailment in 1816. In Jane and the Final Mystery, she is heavily beset with fatigue, pain and other symptoms of her sickness. Nonetheless, within her social and familial circles a crime is discovered and she is on the case to assist in its resolution, bringing justice to the wronged and vindication to the falsely accused. Readers are given an intimate view into the complex environment of an elite boys' boarding school, which Jane deftly navigates in order to discover the truth about the offense committed.

Stephanie Barron has a talent for capturing the voice of Austen in a way that places her in an elite field. This reader has consumed a significant amount of Austenesque fiction, as well as novels that are set in 19th century England. While I have enjoyed most of the titles, very few have reached the excellence of writing that Barron offers. Her history is well-researched, the language is accurate to the period (to my limited knowledge) and the style is accessible enough for modern readers. That said, I enjoyed the discovery of new words to add to my vocabulary. Although an entertaining endeavor, reading Jane and the Final Mystery was also an educational experience.

When I opened the first pages of the Final Mystery, it was with a tinge of sadness. I was hesitant to begin, as it would bring me that much closer to the conclusion of this delightful series. However, I have the unlikely “blessing” of being a latecomer to Barron’s writing, as I only discovered her work in 2016. I have read five of her full-length mystery novels as of this date. This means I have the opportunity to enjoy ten other titles previously published. Barron touches on a few moments from those past titles near the conclusion of Final Mystery, and while I was not familiar with all of the elements to which she referred, it was not alienating. Those remembrances merely spurred my desire to return to the rest of the series in short order. 

Several years ago Stephanie Barron took a hiatus from writing this series. Six years passed between the publication of the thirteenth title Jane and the Waterloo Map and the next, Jane and the Year Without a Summer. I was positively delighted when the mysteries continued in 2022. Thank you, Stephanie Barron, for returning to our dear Jane in order to conclude her final years as amateur sleuth. As has been the case with the other titles enjoyed by this reader, Jane and the Final Mystery is a Janeite’s delight and a mystery reader’s pleasure. Your vision of this treasure of Regency England is thoroughly believable and provides clever reading which would most assuredly be enjoyed by Jane herself. Congratulations to you, and thank you again for this gift to your readers.

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About the Author

Stephanie Barron is a graduate of Princeton and Stanford, where she received her Masters in History as an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellow in the Humanities. Her novel, THAT CHURCHILL WOMAN (Ballantine, January 22, 2019) traces the turbulent career of Jennie Jerome, Winston Churchill's captivating American mother. Barron is perhaps best known for the critically acclaimed Jane Austen Mystery Series, in which the intrepid and witty author of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE details her secret detective career in Regency England. A former intelligence analyst for the CIA, Stephanie—who also writes under the name Francine Mathews—drew on her experience in the field of espionage for such novels as JACK 1939, which The New Yorker described as "the most deliciously high-concept thriller imaginable." She lives and works in Denver, CO.

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Book Review & Tour Giveaway: Children of the Shadows by Erica Vetsch

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Children of the Shadows by Erica Vetsch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Children of the Shadows
Series: Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries #3
Author: Erica Vetsch
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: October 23, 2023
Genre: Christian Regency Mystery

Detective Daniel Swann and debutante Juliette Thorndike once again team up to solve a dangerous mystery--while trying to keep their growing romance secret. 

Someone is preying upon the street children of Regency London. They seem to think no one will notice when urchins go missing--and even if they are noticed, who will care? 

Daniel needs to do something about the missing children. But with recent revelations about his past and an unexpected, somewhat unwelcome inheritance to deal with, this is a terrible time to dive back into the seedy underbelly of the crime world. Nevertheless, he's still a Bow Street runner, and his partner Lady Juliette is sensitive to the plight of these wayward youngsters. They're on the case, searching shadowed alleys and coal-drenched streets to find the missing. 

But the tangle of expectation and the dynamics of power cannot be easily ignored, even if there are children in danger. When Daniel's past threatens to overwhelm his future, he will need a miracle and the help of his friends to both apprehend the villain and unravel his tangled family web. And it may be that his new responsibilities demand that he leave the children of the shadows to their terrible fate--or lose everything. 

Erica Vetsch's popular Regency mystery series concludes with a bang, sure to satisfy readers who have hung on every page since book one.

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My Thoughts

The Thorndike and Swann series by Erica Vetsch has been an enjoyable branch from her Serendipity and Secrets collection. The latest edition, Children of the Shadows now makes six novels that bring adventure, romance, and discussions of faith to readers, all within the context of Regency England. While “happily ever afters” can be expected, the manner in which the story arrives at that conclusion is the main source of enjoyment within the story. Bow Street runner Daniel Swann is indeed in love with the debutante Juliette Thorndike, but the main focus of Children of the Shadows lies firmly in his work as an inspector. Through detective work, assistance from associates, and a strong dedication to the truth, Swann rights multiple wrongs in his community. Juliette also contributes, and their efforts bring justice and deliverance to street children and adult citizens alike. 

Although sleuthing is the main theme of this mystery novel, it does contain an impressive number of subplots. Of course, there is the growing (and secret) romance of Daniel and Juliette. However, author Erica Vetsch also manages to address issues such as familial reconciliation, the noblesse oblige of certain privileged characters, espionage, class warfare, childhood victimization, and the nature of Christian prayer. While all of these topics are individually significant, Vetsch is able to address each in a fair and equitable manner, all the while maintaining a compelling narrative. This brought a vibrant energy to each chapter, as multiple factors would be at play at any given moment. For example, Daniel may be investigating a crime in one scene, while at the same time tangling with a family member over inheritance concerns. It was no wonder that he often went without food or sleep! There were many problems to address in his complicated world. 

Because Children of the Shadows is categorized as Christian fiction, the content does suit that type of audience. Most discussions of faith revolve around praying for God’s will and helping those in need. The novel is not heavily theological, but these elements are presented as natural outgrowths of several characters’ lives. The criminal and immoral elements of the environment are presented realistically, but in a very “G-rated” manner which would be appropriate for all audiences. The romance is very sweet and genuine, but not titillating in its descriptions. Thorndike and Swann are young and clearly in love, but they put the other’s needs first in a very wholesome way.

Although I found the explosive conclusion of the previous novel Millstone of Doubt to be a bit more riveting, Children of the Shadows proved to be a delightful read and a fine addition to the collection of Vetsch novels. In it readers will find a compelling mystery, likable characters, dastardly villains, and themes of love and reconciliation. Children of the Shadows reminds us all that when we are given many blessings, it is incumbent upon us to share with others as God leads us to do. And as we follow His will for our lives, those around us will also be blessed.

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PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

 

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About the Author

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota.

Connect with Erica by visiting ericavetsch.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a complete paperback set of the Thorndike and Swann series, and a $10 Amazon gift card

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 23, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 30, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Reviewer Notice: I voluntarily critiqued a complimentary digital review copy of this book, which I received from the author and JustRead Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Book Preview and Excerpt: Mr. Knightley in His Own Words by Shannon Winslow

Mr. George Knightley. According to Emma Woodhouse, you won’t see one in a hundred who is so clearly the gentleman. Respected by all, he’s kind, unpretentious, and scrupulously honest, with an air so remarkably good that it’s unfair to compare other men to him. We also know he’s been his “own master” from a young age. But Jane Austen tells us little more. 

What were his early years like, and how did he lose his parents? A man in his mid-thirties, he must have had at least one romance along the way. Did it end badly? Is that why he’s never married? When and how did his relationship with Emma shift from friendship to love? And what can explain his incredible forbearance towards the eccentric Mr. Woodhouse? Now, Mr. Knightley reveals these answers and more in His Own Words.

This is not a variation from but a supplement to the original story of Emma, chronicled in the hero’s point of view. Two-thirds completely new material, it features key events in Mr. Knightley’s past – events that still haunt him and yet have shaped who he’s become, the superior man Emma can’t help falling in love with.

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Austenesque author Shannon Winslow continues her "In His Own Words" series with the testimony of Mr. Knightley, the love interest of Jane Austen's Emma Woodhouse. Although Mr. Knightley in His Own Words is currently on my TBR list, it won't remain there for long. I'll be posting my review of Winslow's latest in December. In the meantime, she has offered an excerpt from Chapter 1 for us to get a taste of what is to come. Read below and enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

I have come away to think.

Ostensibly, I am come into London to visit John and Isabella, but I am a very poor guest, for I neglect my relations to a shocking degree. No doubt the whole family is quite put out with me, especially the children, who are used to claiming their Uncle George as their personal property, to climb upon and make the center of their sport. Their parents are more perceptive, I believe. They merely shake their heads over me and look worried.

I have no heart for socializing, and perhaps I have made a mistake in coming here at all. But I had to do something. The situation at home had become intolerable. The unfortunate case is this; I have recently had to admit to myself that I am in love… in love with Emma Woodhouse.

Such a revolutionary circumstance must change everything! And yet it can be allowed to change nothing at all. Such a brilliant revelation should be shouted from the rooftops, and yet I cannot speak of it to a single creature. Such a glorious cataclysm of the heart and mind demands to be celebrated, and yet I cannot. Alas, it brings only misery. 

Oh, that Frank Churchill had never come to Highbury! I abused the blasted young man for not coming sooner, but now I could wish it all undone. Except on his father’s behalf, I could wish him to the other side of the moon for all the mischief he has made! Had he never come, we might then have all gone on comfortably as we were before. No revolutions or revelations. No inconvenient cataclysms of any kind.

But now! Now the situation is irrevocably altered, at least for me. For the genie, once out of the bottle, cannot be put back again.

I thought the risk of falling in love was well behind me. I was not immune in my younger years, I admit, twice succumbing to that temptation then, but never since. No, truly only once. I do not count dear Isabella. Not anymore, for to admit to remembering my brother’s wife with any passion would be inexcusable. To imagine it, offensive. Besides, despite how sincerely fond I was of her – and still am – I am now quite convinced that there never was any serious attraction between us. Not on her side, presumably, considering her later actions. As for myself, I can only judge by comparison, and what I felt then for Isabella does not begin to equal what I cannot help feeling now for her sister, God help me.

Everybody expected me to be the one to marry Isabella, of course, especially after… 

However, I am run ahead of myself.

As I said, I came away to think. I had the idea that, by putting a little distance between myself and my ‘problem,’ I might recover my perspective. By allowing my head to clear, I might talk myself into being sensible again – in short, to talk myself out of being in love with Emma Woodhouse.

Oh, but so sweet was our manner of parting that it has made the task even more difficult. Perhaps it would have been wiser to leave without seeing her, but how could I? How could I let the last words between us on the old footing be ones of acrimony? Next time I meet her, everything may have changed. She may no longer be my free and easy friend but Mr. Churchill’s future bride: a disaster on so many levels.

And so I waited with her father, and then also Harriet Smith, at Hartfield until Emma returned from calling on Mrs. and Miss Bates.

I rose immediately when Emma entered. My, but how well she looked! – although perhaps a little embarrassed at seeing me. No doubt she was remembering, as I was, the unfortunate manner of our leave-taking the day before at Box Hill. Her eyes begged my approval and that we should be friends again. All I could think was that I had best get away at once. As appealing as she looked at that moment, I did not trust myself to do and say what was wise, what I knew I must. Indeed, were it not for the safeguard of others present, who can say what might have happened? For I longed to take her into my arms and tell her all was forgiven. I longed to tell her the truth about everything. But instead, I was obliged to hold myself in check, to appear calm and indifferent when I felt anything but.

“I would not go away without seeing you, Emma,” I told her in as neutral a tone as I could affect, “but I have no time to spare, and therefore must now be gone directly. I am off to London, to spend a few days with John and Isabella. Have you anything to send or say, besides the ‘love,’ which nobody can carry?”

She looked confused, perhaps even a little distressed. “No, nothing at all. But wait, is not this a sudden scheme?”

“It is… rather,” I said. “Although I have been thinking of it for some little time.”

I told myself to go without further delay, to stop staring at Emma and leave at once. Somehow, though, my feet refused to move, and then Mr. Woodhouse was talking, praising his daughter’s kindness to the Bateses, which served to heighten Emma’s color even more. By the way she looked at me then, with a wan smile and slight shake of her head, she clearly told me she knew this praise was unjust – unjust and undeserved. 

If only I could have stayed angry with her, as I had been the day before! How much easier it would then have been to go. But remaining angry with Emma Woodhouse is something I have never been able to do, not from when she was a small, mischievous child until this day. No, I was in fact very proud of her at that moment – for apparently acknowledging her mistake, repenting of it, and humbling herself in order to attempt some reparation to Miss Bates. What an excellent creature she is – flawed but excellent nonetheless!

I am afraid the grave look I had been determined to maintain melted away. No further words were spoken between us, but, just as I had understood her silent communication moments before, I am certain she could not have failed to read the warm glow of regard I felt burning in my heart for her then.

I cannot exactly say what happened next. Did I reach for her hand or did she offer it? It seemed the work of simultaneous thought. In any case, however it came about, I took her hand, pressed it, and held it for a moment, even going so far as to lift those lovely white fingers partway to my lips before stopping myself. I had kissed Emma's hand, casually, many times before. This would have been different, however. This time would not have been a casual, meaningless gesture. There existed far more consciousness now, at least on my side, and far more significance than I had any business communicating to her.

I released her hand instead, leaving the room and the house at once.

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Much like Winslow's enjoyable Colonel Brandon in His Own Words, this seems to offer quite a unique perspective on a classic Austenian tale. I look forward to diving in soon! If you'd like to continue on as well, Shannon is offering even more of Chapter 1 on her website. You can find it HERE. The complete novel is also available for purchase as of October 5, 2023. Congratulations to Shannon Winslow on her latest publication, and I eagerly anticipate returning to her vision of Emma in short order!

About the Author

Shannon Winslow claims she was minding her own business when an ordinary trip to Costco a dozen years ago changed her life. That was the day a copy of the ’95 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice fairly leapt off the shelf and into her oversized shopping cart. She has been hopelessly hooked on all things Jane Austen ever since, her obsession ultimately inspiring her to begin writing her own stories a la Austen.

Winslow's 2011 debut novel, The Darcys of Pemberley, quickly become a best seller, praised for its authentic Austen style and faithfulness to the original characters. Eight more novels and a Jane Austen Devotional have since followed, with no end to her creative output in sight! 

Her two sons now grown, Shannon lives with her husband in the log home they built in the countryside south of Seattle, where she writes and paints in her studio facing Mr. Rainier. Visit Shannon at her website/blog:  Shannon Winslow’s “Jane Austen Says..." and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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