Jane And The Stillroom Maid (2000) - Plot & Excerpts
Hooray for a book I loved! The concept sounds a little funny... Jane Austen as a accidental detective, but it worked. She was obviously a witty and bright woman so the thought of her curiosities being peaked to the point of investigation didn't seem so far fetched to me.The author must be a Jane Austen historian because many of the characters/dates/locations are accurate accounts of Austen's life - what Stephanie Barron does is takes unaccounted time lapses of her life and fills them in with mysteries. There are even interesting author's notes about Jane's (I can call her that, right? ;)) real life along the way. She does a bit of "Finding Neverland" take on it as well - you find many a supposed inspiration for Pride and Prejudice. The mystery was enthralling - I was in suspense the whole time. There were hints all along, which I picked up on, but never enough to put all the pieces together. There were twists and turns, complicated plot lines, humor (appropriately Austen's sardonic style), and random things that I found even educational (ex. info on Free Masonry, stillroom maids, Whigs and Torreys, highwaymen). I love Jane Austen romances, but this was a fresh breath of air... written in her style but with mystery and intrigue? Sold.There are several in this series and now I intend to read them all!
This is turning out to be an enjoyable read. The first few pages were annoying (with the dorky cousin Rev. Cooper singing) and then they stumble upon the dead body and the plot moves right along.One in a series, I had previously read the 2nd title by Barron, Jane and the Wandering Eye, set in Bath. At the time, I had just been to Bath but had not read that much about it, so I did not enjoy the mystery novel that well.With this current title, Jane and the Stillroom Maid, I am connecting better with the setting and the times. I watched the recent film The Duchess last night and, since the Duchess of Devonshire and her circle play a large part in the novel, this was very timely and interesting.May reconsider reading some others in this series now...
What do You think about Jane And The Stillroom Maid (2000)?
Jane and the Stillroom Maid is a nice comeback from the disappointment of the fourth installment in this otherwise spritely series. Unlike Jane and the Genius of the Place, the reason for the servant's odd dress isn't obvious from the very first. Indeed, I found myself being constantly surprised. You won't guess "who done it" until you're told in the very last pages.As with all the Jane Austen mysteries, you'll find yourself enjoying the style and historical footnotes as much as the mystery itself. Stephanie Barron has mastered imitating the voice of Restoration "ladies" books and scrupulously researched the customs of the early 19th century. I felt a little thrill when she alluded to the customs of mourning and "half-mourning."Lovers of Jane Austen won't be disappointed, of course. But neither are mystery lovers who want something a little bit off the beaten path.
—Ivonne Rovira
This book finds Jane in the Derbyshire countryside, enjoying the views, when she stumbles across a dead body. I'm not as pleased with this one as with any of the others (though we do, at least, get a large dose of Lord Harold) - the plot seems both too contrived and too dramatic, yet without enough tension to sustain it. Certainly the crimes were hideous, but I'm still not sure why it was "obvious" that it was all someone else's idea really. But read it for the delightful characters, visits to English landmarks, and (of course) because it's part of a continuing series.
—Kristen
Jane Austen is visiting the countryside of Derbyshire when she discovers the body of a young man lying among the rocks. He has been murdered and mutilated. She meets up with her "Gentleman Rogue," Lord Harold Trowbridge as she begins to look into the murder. First the victim turns out to be a woman dressed in man's clothing and she was the stillroom maid for Sir Charles Danforth. Jane, in her own style and with unassuming grace, investigates the murder and soon uncovers the murderer before the others can do so. These books are charming and very well written. I enjoy the whole series very much.
—Ann
