The Abbey Mystery: Jane Austen Investigates - Julia Golding

‘It had to be acknowledged that the life of a clergyman’s daughter in deepest rural Hampshire was disappointingly full of duties. There were few things for an adventurous girl to do. That was why Jane always considered it fortunate to be in the carriage accident. Without that disaster, she would never have met the Abbey ghost.’

It’s 1789, and 13-year-old Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra are involved in an accident which results in Jane being sent in her sister’s place as companion to the wealthy Lady Cromwell while the household at Southmoor Abbey prepares for the elder son’s coming of age party.  She’s sent with a challenge from her brother Henry – to prove that the rumoured ghost which is said to haunt the ruins on the estate doesn't exist. But what initially seems to be an easily dismissed nonsense soon turns into a dangerous investigation with a lot more at stake than winning her brother's half a crown wager.  

 

There’s a lot of fun to be had in this novel, which – aside from the carriage accident in the first few pages – starts a little slowly but ramps up the pace and action briskly as the story progresses.  Jane is well aware that she is seen as the ‘lesser Austen sister’, but she is sharp, intelligent, and quick to pick up on things.  This lands her in trouble more than once but she is not easily dissuaded from the tasks she sets herself to, and along with her friends Luke the stable boy and Indian girl Deepti she sets out to find out the truth about more than one mystery, and save the life of an innocent man.  

 

I finished reading this at 1.30 am, which is a big ‘thumbs up’ to what a great read it is.  I couldn’t put it down!  Jane is an interestingly written and complex character and her relationship with her sister through Jane’s letters is lovely to read.  Her little comments such as her ‘(un)invitation’ to the coming of age ball make for some amusing interjections here and there.  Luke the stable boy and Deepti and her father are characters with their own passions and pains, and Grandison the dog is wonderful! 

 

A highly enjoyable story with an excellent plot, wonderful cast of well-described characters, plenty of action, a good dose of mystery and some satisfying plot twists.  I'm glad to see we won’t have to wait too long for young Jane’s next mystery.

9781782643340, Lion Fiction, Ages 9+, UK publication April 21

Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.