The Book Whisperer
Apr 24, 20212 min
Being a big fan of Jane Austen's work this book had me in love from it's opening line. In fact the whole book has a feel of her style which makes it instantly familiar and enjoyable, winding in the mystery & feisty lead female make it a page-turner you won't want to end. Thank heavens it's the first of a new series!
Set in the late 1700's the story makes Jane Austen herself our teenage sleuth, incorporating her real family as supporting characters, so straight away as an Austen fan you feel that you are getting a glimpse into her family life and her struggles as an articulate and intelligent young woman in Edwardian England, where making a good marriage is the prime occupation for ladies.
An unfortunate carriage accident see Jane sent in her sister's place to be a companion to Lady Cromwell during a busy week of celebration for the family as her son comes of age. Just before she departs, her brother Henry - knowing of her distain and disbelief of the supernatural challenges her to find the secret of the Abbey's Ghost, with a half a crown reward if she manages to solve the mystery! Jane - eager to use the prize to purchase writing supplies accepts the challenge, and the adventure begins!
Together with her friends she starts to unravel the layers of mystery, With floating lanterns, missing gifts and apparent arson there's a lot to discover, and through it all a perfect portrayal of life at that time, where women and anyone of colour are very definitely in the second-class citizen category. Whilst her elders are treating the servants and especially Indian born Arjun and Deepti with uncomfortable contempt, a more enlightened Jane befriends them - something that would have been quite a rarity in her time. Personally I love these glimpses into how people behaved in historically based novels as it encourages young readers to question and understand the actions of our ancestors and appreciate both how far we've now come, but also the work still to be done for true parity for people everywhere.
Award wining author Julia Golding has created the perfect adventure series for fans of historial fiction that will prove to be the perfect stepping stone into Jane Austen's own stories. You do not have to be an Austen fan to enjoy this book - it stands as a brilliant mystery genre book on it's own merits. If you love the idea of a girl unafraid of showing her wit and intelligence in a time where this was clearly very frowned upon in polite society, along with a page turning mystery adventure - then immediately introduce your young readers to the Jane Austen Investigates series!
Many thanks to Fern Lindsey-Tolley and Lion Hudson for my gifted proof copy in exchange for an honest opinion. 5 out of 5 stars.