Quotations Weblog

I bought Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron a LONG time ago. I had consumed all the Jane Austen novels and was desperate for some more. I bought the first three books in this series and never read them. The idea of Jane Austen solving murder mysteries was just too much for me to believe. After reading all the Jane Austen spin-offs over the years, however, my standards have gone WAY down.

Instead of a cheap knock-off, this book stands wonderfully on its own and lets me enjoy even more of Jane’s world, however imaginary it may be.

Jane finds herself willing to leave the comfort of her family home in Bath after the embarrassing refusal of marriage from Harris Bigg-Wither. She visits her dear friend, Isobel, who has lately married the Earl of Scargrave. While there, however, the Earl falls sick and dies. His death, though shocking and sudden, is deemed natural by all but Jane. Sadly, her instincts are proven to be true and her friend finds herself embroiled in scandal.

The book is written as if it were penned by Jane herself, so I found it quite quotable. Here are the gems I gleaned:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am excited to read the others! Here is the complete list of the novels in order:

1. Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor

2. Jane and the Man of the Cloth

3. Jane and the Wandering Eye

4. Jane and the Genius of the Place

5. Jane and the Stillroom Maid

6. Jane and the Prisoner of Wool House

7. Jane and the Ghosts of Netley

8. Jane and His Lordship’s Legacy

9. Jane and the Barque of Frailty