Jane and the Prisoner of Wool House: Being the Sixth Jane Austen Mystery

Comprised of a series of journals, lately discovered in the cellar of an old American house, the Jane Austin mysteries have much to offer for history buffs and mystery-lovers alike. One is able to see first hand the author's views on the politics of her time and social responsibilities, as well as the inspirations for her beloved characters in Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, and the like. It is a sheer pleasure to peruse the thoughts of Jane's sharp mind and cunning wit as she puts other detectives to shame. These books are a most charming pleasure, both entertaining and "improving the mind through extensive reading." There are 8 titles in the Jane Austen Mystery Series.

Once I began the first book by Stephanie Baron in this series, I ask my brother, "Do you think she can write faster than I can read? because I cannot put this down." Both he and I read all the books available but now are left starving so to speak, having nothing left but the want for more. Someone call BBC and have them all made into beautiful films like A & E's Pride & Prejudice.

I continue to be impressed with how comfortable Stephanie Barron has made herself in Jane Austen's shoes and world. In her introductions to each of the books, Barron accounts that these tales are 'diaries' written by Austen that she is merely editing. The sixth book in her Jane Austen mysteries is as strong as the previous ones, interweaving facts of Jane's life with the fiction of Barron's mysterious imaginings. "Jane and the Prisoner of Wool House" finds our beloved heroine in Southampton, 1807, awaiting installation at her brother's new home. Her brother, Frank Austen, is an officer with the Royal Navy, resigned to living on land, but longing to return to sea. He quickly learns that his wish is to be granted, but only at the cost of a friendship. His longtime friend, Captain Tom Seagrave, is accused of murdering the captain of a French ship they overtook in battle. Frank knows his friend to be innocent, and enlists his sister's sleuthing skills to uncover the truth of the matter. Jane soon finds herself ministering to the French prisoners of war, where she meets a man who could clear the Captain's name. But before he can do so, another murder is committed and unexpected happenings confuse the real mystery at hand. As with her previous works, Barron has totally immersed herself in Jane Austen's world. For Austen fans it is almost as if these fictional mysteries were Austen's recovered diaries, for Barron pays her due justice. "Jane and the Prisoner of Wool House" is a worthy addition to the series, and I look forward to reading the next entries.

... but less and less like Jane Austen. So? Who cares? Well, the Austen purists do, but they probably quit reading the series long ago. Yep, Jane is behaving downright unnaturally for a true Regency spinster--isn't it fun? The endless reflection and ratiocination of the earlier books is replaced with more action in the recent books, and I for one consider the change an improvement. This is my favorite book so far; when I read Netley, that will undoubtedly become my new favorite. Read Jane Austen if you want to read Jane Austen; read this series if you enjoy good mysteries with interesting characters and well-researched local/historical color.

In 1807, novelist Jane Austen is in Southampton with her brother Frank as he attempts to secure himself a ship. When one of his friends and fellow officers in the British navy is accused of a particularly foul murder, Frank flounders, certain of his friend's innocence yet unable to determine a plan of action. Fortunately for Frank, and for Frank's friend, Jane is only too willing to take on the mystery. Before long there are suspects for a frame and dead bodies, all in the context of proper Jane Austen manners. Author Stephanie Barron does an excellent job describing England at war with Napoleon, on the verge of the industrial age, and in the transition to the modern world. Manners, position in society, and inherited wealth still play major roles, and marrying the right man is the ultimate goal for the proper woman. Barron is obviously sympathetic with her heroine, a novelist whose personal life is far from ideal, while not attempting to give Austen unduly modern attitudes. Mixed in with the pleasurable historical view and literary references, Barron manages to deliver an exciting mystery as well. With a prisoner of war camp, a dramatic rescue at sea, and plenty of evil and simply naughty red herrings on the scene, Austen has all she can do to keep her senses and sensibilities about her and help prevent a terrible injustice. JANE AND THE PRISONER OF WOOL HOUSE is a lot of fun.