Rating: 
Summary: Fun Writing; Tedious Editing
Review: A fun read, written in a good faith attempt to imitate Jane Austen. But beware: those of you easily put off by copious footnotes which assume readers are complete idiots should probably pass.
Rating: 
Summary: Falls into the errors of many a historical novel
Review: Although the mystery turned out to be more complex than I thought, this book fell into several of the errors that irritate me in some historical novels, especially those purporting to be sequels to Austen novels. First, the writing style had none of the delicacy that is so much a characteristic of Austen's style, and since the book was supposed to be letters and journal entries written by Austen (rather than a third-person narration), I think it is important that the author be able to faithfully present that style. Second, and even more irritating, the behavior of the characters is not even remotely what one would expect from that class, society, and time. Never, for example, would the Lieutenant treat Austen as he does throughout the book, especially in falling upon her. Too often do I read "18th century" novels that have 20th century characters (or worse, characters that do not behave properly for any time and place) and such is the case in this book.
Rating:
Summary: disappointing - characters unreal, style artificial
Review: An unsuccessful attempt to imitate Jane Austen's style, the book is filled with unlikely people behaving in the most extraordinary and clumsily-contrived ways. Examples which jarred particularly were the use of "serviette" and the way the hero, a peer, seemed not to know that he could "frank" letters and thus save the recipient the cost of postage.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Entertaining - especially for Janeites!
Review: As a huge Jane Austin fan I greatly enjoyed the appearances of Jane's family members (Eliza being one of the most intriguing from biographies regarding Jane) and references to her life. The plot was very enjoyable and not at all predictable as many mysteries are. I very much look forward to reading the other books in Ms. Barron's series!
Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining - especially for Janeites!
Review: As a huge Jane Austin fan I greatly enjoyed the appearances of Jane's family members (Eliza being one of the most intriguing from biographies regarding Jane) and references to her life. The plot was very enjoyable and not at all predictable as many mysteries are. I very much look forward to reading the other books in Ms. Barron's series!
Rating:
Summary: Fun and Fluffy Reading
Review: Barron does a good job imitating Austen's narratorial voice, better than many of the Austen imitators currently cashing in on the author's renewed popularity, and she is quite skilled at representing social conventions and manners from the early nineteenth century. Certainly Barron is not out to write "serious" literature with this series, but the novels are fun for Janeites, mystery lovers, or anglophiles who want something fun but different for their leisure reading. Those who are intimately familiar with Austen's works may chuckle and then groan at some of Barron's "borrowings" of both phrase and character, but the Scargrave Manor mystery is greatly enhanced by the presence of Lord Harold Trowbridge. I also particularly like the way Barron handles Jane's personal relationships with her friends and family, and I enjoy the way Jane's detective work is often hampered by the social and sexual codes of her age. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who want light reading that is still intelligently written!
Rating: 
Summary: Well done indeed!
Review: Enjoyed this story very much and am currently reading the others in the series.Very crafty writing with real flair for the period and its complex demands on social interaction both verbal and non-verbal. I think Miss Austen would be rather pleased with the result. Good fun.
Rating:
Summary: Authentic Austen--With a Twist!
Review: For true Austen fans, of course, nothing but the original will do, and it will always be possible to spot flaws in imitations or paeans (this book falls into the latter category). But that said, Barron does a really splendid job at recreating Austen's world--even providing footnotes to explain certain practices or terms that might escape any but an historian of the era. (The footnotes are quite fun, in fact). It's thrilling to see Jane come alive in these books, and while some of Austen's pickier and more prudish readers might take issue with Jane's aggressive and resourceful forays into mystery-solving, fans with a sense of humor and an appreciation for Barron's wonderful imagination will, I think, be able to wink at such anachronisms and genuinely enjoy the books as they deserve to be enjoyed. (Besides, we know comparatively little about the real Jane Austen, and I for one am quite unwilling to assert that Jane wouldn't have applied her capable intellect to criminal quandaries had the opportunity presented itself). Besides, Barron's mysteries are themselves a cut above the average, and not at all predictable, mundane, or mediocre. For those who like Austen, Barron's books are all well-worth one's attention. Bravo--excellent job, Ms. Barron.
Rating:
Summary: Authentic Austen--With a Twist!
Review: For true Austen fans, of course, nothing but the original will do, and it will always be possible to spot flaws in imitations or paeans (this book falls into the latter category). But that said, Barron does a really splendid job at recreating Austen's world--even providing footnotes to explain certain practices or terms that might escape any but an historian of the era. (The footnotes are quite fun, in fact). It's thrilling to see Jane come alive in these books, and while some of Austen's pickier and more prudish readers might take issue with Jane's aggressive and resourceful forays into mystery-solving, fans with a sense of humor and an appreciation for Barron's wonderful imagination will, I think, be able to wink at such anachronisms and genuinely enjoy the books as they deserve to be enjoyed. (Besides, we know comparatively little about the real Jane Austen, and I for one am quite unwilling to assert that Jane wouldn't have applied her capable intellect to criminal quandaries had the opportunity presented itself). Besides, Barron's mysteries are themselves a cut above the average, and not at all predictable, mundane, or mediocre. For those who like Austen, Barron's books are all well-worth one's attention. Bravo--excellent job, Ms. Barron.
Rating:
Summary: Especially great for Austen fans!
Review: Hungry for more Jane Austen novels? Unfortunately 6 is all we are left with, but Barron does a fabulous job of not only capturing the spirit of Jane Austen's times, but also bringing the people she loved to life and telling a fun and suspenseful story at the same time. I have read several books by other authors either writing sequels or modernizations, etc. of Jane's books and I have to say that so far Barron is my favorite author of this group. Despite several Jane Austen biographies, her family's justifiable desire to protect her privacy has kept Jane herself somewhat of a mystery to her fans. This series helps feed our desire to know more of Janes's ambitions, the time in which she lived, and her dearest family and friends. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to read the rest of the series!
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