The thirteenth novel in Barron's tour de force mystery series in which Barron has created not only a delightful series of mysteries but has interwoven them seamlessly into the known fabric of Austen's life as well as the historic events of the period. Moreover she does so in elegant and witty prose that is nearly indistinguishable from Austen's own.
In 1815 Jane has traveled to London to care for her beloved brother Henry, made ill by the stress of his failing banking business during the financial crisis following the Battle of Waterloo. She has also come to find a publisher willing to give her better terms for her new novel, Emma. Much to Jane's surprise the pompous Reverend Mr. Clarke, histiographer to HRH the Prince Regent, invites her to visit Carlton House, the Prince's lavish London residence. There, to her chagrin, he announces that the Prince would be pleased to allow her to dedicate her next book in his honor. As Jane, like all her family, despises the dissolute Prince Regent, she is underwelmed by the favor of the Royal notice.
However, during her tour of Carlton House, Jane discovers Colonel Ewan MacFarland, a hero of Waterloo, suffering what appears to be an apoplectic fit, sprawled on the floor of the Regent's library. His last, cryptic words, spoken to Jane, are "Waterloo map." The next day she learns that the Colonel has died, and from evidence she found at the scene, Jane suspects his death was contrived.
She shares her suspicions with the Prince Regent's physician, Matthew Baillie, and Mr. Raphael West, sone of the celebrated painter Benjamin West, and an artist in his own right, as well as one of a select group of secret agents working for the British government. West and Jane have solved on mystery together (in Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas, the book immediately preceding this in Barron's series) and are quietly but powerfully attracted to each other. The two of them set out to discover who is responsible for Colonel MacFarland's death, and what is the import of the words "Waterloo map?"
A wonderful series for fans of Jan Austen, the Regency period, and historical mysteries.
Click HERE for the review from Publishers Weekly.
Click HERE for a review from mystery novelist Dana Stabenow.
Click HERE for a review from the Jane Austen fan blog austenprose. com.
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