3.73 AVERAGE

beckmank's review against another edition

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4.0

This was 3.5 Stars for me.

Ever wonder what happened to Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester after they were married? This book picks up after the novel [b:Jane Eyre|10210|Jane Eyre|Charlotte Brontë|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557343311l/10210._SY75_.jpg|2977639] leaves off. The characters felt true to the original source material. It took a while for the book to to get to the mystery, but once it did, I was hooked. Jane travels to London to check on Adele, Edward's young French ward. Adele has been in a boarding school, but her last letter to Mr. Rochester contains a hidden plea for help. When Jane arrives in London, she discovers that one of the girls in the school has died under mysterious circumstances. The school has no shortage of suspects, and (looking back) the author did a good job of dropping subtle hints throughout the novel to help the reader solve the mystery. (I thought I knew whodunit, but was ultimately surprised at the reveal.) This wasn't a five star for me because of the slow start, but I liked the characters and the mystery, and I look forward to reading more books in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

melinamason's review

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5.0





I absolutely loved this book. It kept my attention from the time I picked it up till I put it down. I loved reading about Jane Eyre. I haven't read Jane Eyre, but I till really loved this book. This series starts out after Jane and Edward Rochester marry. They have a son Ned. Edward's ward Adele is in a girls school in London and they receive some letters from her that startle them. Jane decides to go to London to find out what is going on. She first goes to stay with a family friend, Lucy Brayton. Jane goes to the school and there has been a death of one of the students. Jane ends up staying at the school to figure out the mystery. This mystery kept me guessing. I had know idea who had killed the schoolgirl. I really liked the historical accuracy of this story. Very well done Ms. Slan, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope that the series will continue.





I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

eyreguide's review

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5.0

I am so happy I was not disappointed by this book!! I loved the story and the fact that the author took great pains to capture Charlotte Brontë's writing style, making this book feel like a continuation of Jane's "autobiographies" as she continues to tell the story of her life. Having read a couple of books with the set-up of Jane writing a "what-happened-next" story, I believe Joanna Campbell Slan has done the best job in approximating Charlotte Brontë's flowery prose and capturing the sensible, intelligent voice of Jane.

I think it is important to comment especially on the characterization of Jane and Rochester and how well their married life is captured- Jane is recreated almost perfectly, with all of her confidence and compassion, and she deals with the events calmly with "resources never suspected". I liked how the author has matured Jane as well, since she is married and a mother, with more responsibilities. Mr. Rochester has matured too, accepting his disabilities and willing to follow doctor's orders carefully to restore his eyesight. Even if it means letting Jane travel to London without him. I think the tenor of their married life in this book is perfect, and as loving and romantic as the original novel.

The story was a great character-driven mystery, with a wide choice of possible suspects, and subtle clues that were very hard to pick up on. I was really kept in the dark until the very end, where even when the matter seemed resolved, there was another twist. Adele was turned into some great comic relief, and I loved how forthright she was, despite everyone disparaging her French nature. This novel also incorporates some history and social discussions pertinent to Jane and Rochester's status and the time period the novel is set in. It is a subtle shift in tone from the original novel where the focus is on Jane's development and her struggles, to this new story that creates a Jane, who, having found herself, can now help others. There are wider responsibilities that Jane and Rochester face as a part of society and also landowners and Jane also has to face the ugly rumors circulated by the Ingrams about Rochester and their relationship. (I can't wait until Rochester hears about it!) All this adds more dimension to the story - setting up more themes to be explored in later installments of the Jane Eyre Chronicles. (Next one is reportedly called Death of a Dowager... Dowager Lady Ingram??? <-- pure speculation on my part!)

There is plenty of explanation and back story for readers who haven't read the original novel, or who have not read it in awhile, so it is easy to sit back and enjoy this layered and well-executed historical mystery. And fans of the original novel will appreciate the intelligence and care the author has taken to maintain the spirit of Jane.

katreader's review

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4.0

Death of a Schoolgirl By Joanna Campbell Slan
The First of the Jane Eyre Chronicles

Way back when I first read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte I rooted for Jane to get her Mr. Rochester. Well, she got him and in Death of a Schoolgirl by Joanna Campbell Slan we see what happens after the original novel ends.

Jane and Edward Rochester have married and are living quietly in Yorkshire away from society. Edward is recovering from the injuries received in the fire and Jane has recently given birth to a son. A worrisome letter arrives from Adele, Rochester’s young ward, who is at boarding school. Has she really been threatened, or are these just the histrionics of a young girl looking for attention? Determined to find out Jane must leave her husband, whose injuries prevent travel at the moment, her 6 month old son, and set off for London alone.
After a trying journey, Jane reaches the school only to find authorities removing the body of a dead school girl. With help from friends new and old Jane goes undercover as the German teacher to protect the children and root out the killer.

Death of a Schoolgirl is a well thought out mystery with a despicable victim. The plot seamlessly adds social commentary to the mystery and deepens the characterization. The book also adds a touch of humor. In this respect I’m especially fond of Adele. I loved what she wrote about the victim in an assignment. I laughed out loud when I first read it and giggle still when I think about it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip back to 1820’s England. Author Joanna Campbell Slan manages to keep the integrity of these classic characters while bringing them new life and new adventures.

dja777's review

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2.0

I liked it enough to finish it, but not enough to pick up a sequel. I went back and listened to my favorite audiobook version of Jane Eyre instead.

cj_mo_2222's review

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4.0

Suspenseful, romantic historical mystery. Fans of the original Jane Eyre will enjoy, as well as fans of historical fiction such as Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mystery series.

melissasbookshelf's review

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4.0

Really enjoyed this mystery that takes place several years after Jane Eyre becomes Jane Rochester. Jane Eyre is one of my all time favorite novels and I enjoy reading books that take up the story where Charlotte Bronte left off. I thought the author did a wonderful job of getting into the characters heads and capturing their personalities. It was a fun quick mystery. My only criticism is that I wished Edward would have been more involved.

diannel_04's review

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5.0

I loved this book. Jane and Edward Rochester are happily married and new parents to a baby boy when a letter comes from Adele pleading for help. Jane immediately leaves for London to see what is going on. Once there she is welcomed by Lucy, the wife of Edward's best friend.

Upon going to the school Jane discovers that one of Adele's classmates has been murdered. She also meets her old friend, Nan Miller, who is now the school's headmistress. When the school superintendent mistakes her for the long delayed, new German teacher, Jane and Miss Miller decide on a subterfuge to bring Jane into the school to keep the girls safe and maybe uncover the killer, which she does.

I am a fan of Jane Eyre but even if you aren't this is a well written little mystery that I highly recommend.

dmchurch's review

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3.0

After her marriage to Rochester and the birth of her son, Jane finds herself again working as a school mistress to protect Adele and uncover a murder plot. The premise of the book is fun if a bit clich�. I did enjoy the basic story, but some plot elements seemed to be extraneous making the book longer than it really needed to be.

vesper1931's review

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mysterious
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Yorkshire 1920 In this sequel to Jane Eyre, Jane Rochester receives a letter from their ward Adele Varens, who is away at school, asking for help. Circumstances lead Jane to stay at the school as a teacher while she discovers who killed pupil Selina Biltmore and why.
An enjoyable cozy mystery.