Rating: 
Summary: fun novel in the author's series of Jane Austen as sleuth
Review: I've read the first three books in this series and believe this, the second, is the weakest of the three, though Barron is a fine writer and the setting is interesting. 1804 Lyme, where Jane and her family have come to spend their holiday by the sea, is a hotbed of activity for smugglers as Britain battles intermittently with Napoleonic France, and two murders incite Jane to action. While Austen's wit is not here, Barron does capture the style and elegance of Regency England and we do get to see more of Jane's charming sister-in-law Eliza. What I think weakened this particular story is Jane's level of activity. She is sneaking out at night, following criminals to hidden caves, hitting scoundrels on the head -- it really is a bit preposterous -- more like a Nancy Drew novel. Still, Barron deftly incorporates biographical information as well as historical fact into her narrative, making the read even more enjoyable.If you enjoy Jane Austen or Regency England, there is a good chance you will appreciate these books, though this is not the best of the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh, those rogues . . .
Review: It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen had a special fondness for scoundrels and scallawags. How else explain her fully-realized portraits of Wickham (in Pride and Prejudice) or Willoughby (in Sense and Sensibility) or Frank Churchill (in Emma)? These rascals are, in many ways, the most interesting characters in her books. Now comes the sleuth alter-ego of Jane in her second adventure, and in her journals, she makes no secret of her attraction for the man who is also, apparently, the head of the local smuggling band and known as The Reverend, rather than Captain Fielding, the upright Revenue spy. En route to their holiday stay in Lyme Regis from their home in Bath, the Reverend Henry Austen and his wife, plus their two daughters, Cassandra and Jane, are considerably shaken up when their hired carriage overturns within a few miles of their destination. Cassandra suffers the most serious injury, and needs immediate attention. In the driving rain, Jane and the postboy set out on foot for the nearest habitat -- High Down the home of Geoffrey Sidmouth. After an initial not-at-all-welcoming greeting, Sidmouth makes himself, his staff and his home available. It is some three days later that the Austens are able to journey on to Winds, their hired cottage in Lyme. Jane's writer's curiosity stands her in good stead as she sorts through the various miscellaneous characters rampant in Lyme, ranging from visiting second-rate nobility to smugglers, from retired Naval captains to French emigrees. Ms. Barron's masterful technique in editing the pseudo-Jane's early diaries and journals is witty, pungent, and to the point. Any reader of either mysteries or Regencies, or even 'literature' will delight in this new look at our most famous woman author. Any reader of Jane Austen's books will easily recognize events and characters she later put to good use in those volumes bearing her own name. I particularly like the listing of resource materials used by the 'editor' - they frequently send me haring off in enjoyable new directions.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, those rogues . . .
Review: It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen had a special fondness for scoundrels and scallawags. How else explain her fully-realized portraits of Wickham (in Pride and Prejudice) or Willoughby (in Sense and Sensibility) or Frank Churchill (in Emma)? These rascals are, in many ways, the most interesting characters in her books. Now comes the sleuth alter-ego of Jane in her second adventure, and in her journals, she makes no secret of her attraction for the man who is also, apparently, the head of the local smuggling band and known as The Reverend, rather than Captain Fielding, the upright Revenue spy. En route to their holiday stay in Lyme Regis from their home in Bath, the Reverend Henry Austen and his wife, plus their two daughters, Cassandra and Jane, are considerably shaken up when their hired carriage overturns within a few miles of their destination. Cassandra suffers the most serious injury, and needs immediate attention. In the driving rain, Jane and the postboy set out on foot for the nearest habitat -- High Down the home of Geoffrey Sidmouth. After an initial not-at-all-welcoming greeting, Sidmouth makes himself, his staff and his home available. It is some three days later that the Austens are able to journey on to Winds, their hired cottage in Lyme. Jane's writer's curiosity stands her in good stead as she sorts through the various miscellaneous characters rampant in Lyme, ranging from visiting second-rate nobility to smugglers, from retired Naval captains to French emigrees. Ms. Barron's masterful technique in editing the pseudo-Jane's early diaries and journals is witty, pungent, and to the point. Any reader of either mysteries or Regencies, or even 'literature' will delight in this new look at our most famous woman author. Any reader of Jane Austen's books will easily recognize events and characters she later put to good use in those volumes bearing her own name. I particularly like the listing of resource materials used by the 'editor' - they frequently send me haring off in enjoyable new directions.
Rating:
Summary: Quite clever
Review: Ithink Stephanie Barron is onto a clever idea here--filling in the gaps in Jane Austin's diaries and letters with Jane's real life mystery advertures. This is a fast moving myster that kept my interest as a story and did give me some historical and biographical information about Austin and her time. I think that sometimes Jane's exploits strain credulity a bit, but this is meant ot be light, entertaining fiction. This Jane is quite indecently attracted to a handsome rogue in a way that echoes the irony of her society that hides all manner of devious motives and behavior under a facade of politeness and self-control. I look forward to reading more of Stephanie Barron's Jane Austin novels.
Rating:
Summary: Quite clever
Review: Ithink Stephanie Barron is onto a clever idea here--filling in the gaps in Jane Austin's diaries and letters with Jane's real life mystery advertures. This is a fast moving myster that kept my interest as a story and did give me some historical and biographical information about Austin and her time. I think that sometimes Jane's exploits strain credulity a bit, but this is meant ot be light, entertaining fiction. This Jane is quite indecently attracted to a handsome rogue in a way that echoes the irony of her society that hides all manner of devious motives and behavior under a facade of politeness and self-control. I look forward to reading more of Stephanie Barron's Jane Austin novels.
Rating:
Summary: A decent mystery, and an enjoyable read
Review: Jane and the Man of the Cloth is the second in the series of Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Barron. In this tale Jane and her family visit Lyme for a restful time by the sea. Before they reach the town, however, the Austens are beset by storms and forced to take refuge in the house of the secretive but arresting Mr. Sidmouth. After reaching Lyme, Jane is soon woken to the sight of a gibbet erected on Lyme's Cobb (think of the French Lieutenant's Woman!). Rest Jane does not get, but there are hints of romance, smuggling, and the aftermath of the French Revolution to keep the reader entertained. I personally found the mystery slightly more engaging than that in Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor, which I found completely predictable. This plot did not surprise, but it did go down some surprising blind alleys on the way to its conclusion. I would recommend this book to anyone travelling to England on a plane, to someone vacationing by the sea for good recreational reading, and to people fond of Jane Austen. (I just wish the author would stop footnoting her novels! )
Rating: 
Summary: Somehow, this seems mighty familiar . . .
Review: Nice try, but a re-hash of the Darcy/Wickham story in a mystery setting is rather boring. In addition, Mrs. Austen is obviously modeled on Mrs. Bennet. Also, the author works a little too hard at trying to sound like Jane Austen. The style tends to take the spotlight rather than the story line. (This is understandable, as the story line is mighty thin). Unless you're desperate for the mention of Jane Austen's name, I wouldn't bother with it.
Rating:
Summary: Rather Ponderous
Review: The author is still struggling with the right touch of lightness Ms Austen stroked over her characters. The mystery is too slowly revealed as well.
Rating:
Summary: Rather Ponderous
Review: The author is still struggling with the right touch of lightness Ms Austen stroked over her characters. The mystery is too slowly revealed as well.
Rating:
Summary: I won't be going for thirds
Review: The first time ("Jane and the Unpleasantness of Scargrave Manor") it was fairly interesting with its novelty; this second effort is fairly dull, once the novelty has worn off. While the book is well-written, it's just not that interesting anymore. I had more problems with it, however; I found it hard to believe that Jane Austen, who mocked the romantic/sentimental tradition, would fall for a Byronic 'hero' like Sidmouth, who belongs more to a Charlotte Bronte book than to an Austen one. Second problem; the book was too much Pride and Prejudice in its outline, on purpose, I suspect. It does, however, completely erase most of the 'mystery' of the first part, because it's quite CLEAR who is Darcy and who is Wickham... Or maybe it's just that I'm not a mystery fan. At any rate, I won't be going for a third helping.
| 
