Jane and the Waterloo Map
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
Jane Austen turns sleuth in this delightful Regency-era mystery
November, 1815. The Battle of Waterloo has come and gone, leaving the British economy in shreds; Henry Austen, high-flying banker, is about to declare bankruptcy—dragging several of his brothers down with him. The crisis destroys Henry’s health, and Jane flies to his London bedside, believing him to be dying. While she’s there, the chaplain to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent invites Jane to tour Carlton House, the Prince’s fabulous London home. But her visit takes a startling turn when Jane stumbles upon a body—sprawled on the carpet in the Regent’s library. The dying man utters a single failing phrase: “Waterloo map,” sending Jane on the hunt for a treasure of incalculable value and a killer of considerable cunning.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A well-crafted narrative with multiple subplots drives Barron's splendid 13th Jane Austen mystery (following 2014's Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas). In November 1815, Jane comes to London to attend to her favorite brother, Henry, who has fallen ill and is on the verge of bankruptcy. While she awaits the proofs of Emma, she receives an invitation to Carlton House, the Prince Regent's London mansion, where she finds Col. Ewan McFarland, a hero of Waterloo, horribly sick on the floor of the library. Just before he expires, the colonel utters, "Waterloo map." From evidence at the scene, Jane determines that he was poisoned. Jane joins forces with Raphael West, a painter who's also a government spy, in pursuit of a ruthless killer and the meaning of the colonel's cryptic last words. Series fans will be happy to see more of Jane's extended family and friends, and Austenites will enjoy the imaginative power with which Barron spins another riveting mystery around a writer generally assumed to have led a quiet and uneventful life.
Customer Reviews
Sweet Jane
Author
American. As Francine Barron Mathews, she writes contemporary mystery and spy fiction. As Stephanie Barron, she pens historical mysteries, most featuring Jane Austen as an amateur detective. I read the first couple back in the 1990s and enjoyed them. After reading a recent historical mystery featuring the Bronte sisters, I decided to revisit Ms Barron.
Premise
Jane Austen is an established novelist, albeit not what you’d call famous—that came later, after she died— and she’s learned to compromise. “Now nearly forty, I have other pleasures to recompense for the loss of a love-match and children." One is writing, which is historically accurate. The other is solving mysteries, which isn’t.
Plot
It’s November 1815, five months after the Battle of Waterloo. Britain’s broke, as in financially. Our gal’s in London, trying to get Emma published and looking after her ailing brother Henry, when she gets invited to a knees-up at the Prince Regent’s place by HRH’s chaplain, who’s a big fan of hers. A cavalry hero and mate of Wellington’s carks it at the shindig, poisoned it appears. Jane hears his dying words, “Waterloo map,” and sets off on a treasure hunt. Stuff happens. Twists and turns aplenty until resolution, as distinct from revolution, is achieved.
Characters
Ms Barron’s portrayal of Jane, which has evolved since the early books, is nuanced and extremely convincing, although I’m probably biased in my assessment because I’m a Jane Austen tragic (see below). The supporting cast is well drawn, especially the city of London at the time.
Prose
Superb, bearing in mind the disclaimer above. How’s this for an opening sentence:
“There can be few things more lowering to the female sensibility than to be caught in a shower of rain at the exact moment one most desires to appear to advantage.”
Or this, on the very next page:
“My brother’s French housekeeper had deplored this visit from the outset. She had no opinion of the Royal House, and appeared certain that all I should achieve by accepting the Prince’s invitation was ravishment at his hands.”
Bottom line
My fondness for the work of Ms Austen has seen aspersions cast at my manhood a number of times over the years, particularly when I attended an all boys school, although it’s fair to say that wasn’t the only reason. I don’t care. I love her. The Bronte sisters mystery The Vanished Bride by Bella Ellis (not her real name) was good. This is better, but I would say that, wouldn’t I?