Jane and the Year Without a Summer by Stephanie Barron

 

What is your favorite novel, movie, or TV show with an author as the main character?

 The Year is 1816.  In what will be the last full year of Jane Austen’s life, a volcanic eruption has caused global climate change that has brought about crop failure and global famine. This is the summer that Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein.  It is also the summer that Jane Austen spent a fortnight in Cheltenham Spa with her sister Cassandra to improve her health. 

 While in Cheltenham Spa, Jane and Cassandra meet an entire host of characters while staying at Mrs. Potter’s boarding house.  While one Mr. Garthwaite expostulates that the end of the world is neigh, Jane and Cassandra find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery after a masquerade ball.  Also visiting Cheltenham is Mr. Raphael West, an artist who Jane has previously solved a mystery with and has a spark with. Will Jane be able to solve this mystery?

 I loved this book.  I first started reading this series almost twenty years ago.  I feel that Stephanie Barron really has Jane Austen written as a relatable and wonderful character that matches the wit of her letters.  The research for the novels is wonderful.  I always enjoy the notes in the text to explain the history as well as the great author’s note at the end.  I feel like I get to enjoy learning about Austen’s life and world, while also having a great mystery involved.  I loved the boarding house setting and the new cast of characters.  As Jane learned more about the characters and peeled away the layers it added more mystery.  The ending was a surprise to me.  I also loved the flirtations between Jane and Mr. Raphael West.

 This novel will be released on February 8, 2022, and I highly recommend it.

 Overall, Jane and the Year Without  Summer is a riveting history mystery with my favorite author, Jane Austen, as the heroine.

 Book Source: Review Copy from Publisher Soho Crime. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.