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thenovelbook's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting combination of history and fiction.
Jane Austen was an inveterate letter-writer, and since many of them survive to this day, Stephanie Barron is able to weave a plausible story using Jane's own account of her days, while adding mystery and intrigue to fill in the gaps.
This story begins with the real-life invitation to Jane Austen to visit the Prince Regent's house and library in the company of the Royal Librarian, James Stanier Clarke. At the same time she was given "permission" (a thinly veiled command!) to dedicate her next book, Emma, to the Prince Regent. So much is true.
What is added in this story is Jane's discovery of a body in the library! A celebrated military gentleman whose last cryptic words are, "Waterloo map." Jane comes to suspect he was poisoned. She pursues her suspicion in the company of Raphael West, an American painter/British spy she met in the last book. She sort of has a thing for him, and he for her, though it never is acknowledged. She also briefly meets the Duke of Wellington and delves into the world of cyphers and watercolors.
The settings in this story are memorable, and the narrative very good. If there are anachronisms, they are hard to spot! The dialogue rings true; it succeeds where many Austen continuations or fanfiction fails dismally. I'm only wondering where things will go from here, as this book takes place within a couple years of Jane's death.
Jane Austen was an inveterate letter-writer, and since many of them survive to this day, Stephanie Barron is able to weave a plausible story using Jane's own account of her days, while adding mystery and intrigue to fill in the gaps.
This story begins with the real-life invitation to Jane Austen to visit the Prince Regent's house and library in the company of the Royal Librarian, James Stanier Clarke. At the same time she was given "permission" (a thinly veiled command!) to dedicate her next book, Emma, to the Prince Regent. So much is true.
What is added in this story is Jane's discovery of a body in the library! A celebrated military gentleman whose last cryptic words are, "Waterloo map." Jane comes to suspect he was poisoned. She pursues her suspicion in the company of Raphael West, an American painter/British spy she met in the last book. She sort of has a thing for him, and he for her, though it never is acknowledged. She also briefly meets the Duke of Wellington and delves into the world of cyphers and watercolors.
The settings in this story are memorable, and the narrative very good. If there are anachronisms, they are hard to spot! The dialogue rings true; it succeeds where many Austen continuations or fanfiction fails dismally. I'm only wondering where things will go from here, as this book takes place within a couple years of Jane's death.
kailey_luminouslibro's review
4.0
Jane is invited to the palace of the Prince Regent to visit his library. She is "delighted" that the Prince Regent has "granted her the honor" of dedicating her next book to him, even though she secretly despises the Prince Regent for his selfishly lavish lifestyle. While Jane is visiting the library, a military man stumbles in, foaming at the mouth and evidently poisoned. Before he dies, he manages to whisper two words to Jane, "Waterloo Map". Jane begins to investigate what the poor man could have meant, and why he would have been poisoned in the Prince Regent's own house.
I really liked this story and the history behind it. There is quite a lot of real history woven into the story with Jane's family and her acquaintances, but of course the murder mystery and Jane's involvement in the investigation are entirely fictional. I loved learning more about the military campaigns surrounding Waterloo.
I enjoyed seeing more of Jane's brother, Henry. He is always ready to dive in and assist Jane in a murder investigation. It's really interesting to imagine what their family might have been like, how they might have talked with one another, and how they would have interacted. I especially liked the scenes with Jane and her niece Fanny. Jane is supposed to be acting as a chaperone for her niece, but she's not doing a very good job because they keep getting distracted by clues.
The murder mystery is really good! I was completely fooled by the red herrings, and had no idea who the murderer could be right up until the big reveal at the end. I was totally surprised and shocked, but it all made sense.
I love the formal writing style that mimics the Regency era language. The dialogue is fairly close to what a real conversation might have been like in that time period. It really immerses you in the history.
aprint19's review against another edition
3.0
Was it just me or does it seem like people tell Jane everything? She didn't have to ferret too much out. In the end, the answer kind of just fell in her lap... meh.
I do have to say that there were some genuinely witty bits which I always appreciate
I do have to say that there were some genuinely witty bits which I always appreciate
bibliovolubile's review against another edition
5.0
Pour lire le billet que j'ai écrit sur lililesmerveilles.com, au sujet de ce livre, c'est par ici!
http://www.lililesmerveilles.com/2016/06/jane-and-waterloo-map.html
[To read my lililesmerveilles.com's blog post about this book, follow the above link - post is in french]
http://www.lililesmerveilles.com/2016/06/jane-and-waterloo-map.html
[To read my lililesmerveilles.com's blog post about this book, follow the above link - post is in french]
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
It is obvious that the author's writing has very much improved in the dozen-odd books since the first entry in the series. The characters are much more nuanced and engaging and the plotting has improved. Indeed, I have only one quibble with the mystery: I wish the murderers were occasionally apprehended and brought to justice instead of forever being killed in their flight or being politically untouchable. I aways feel cheated of a proper ending when this is the case.
1outside's review against another edition
4.0
Another smart, entertaining story! Set in post- Waterloo London (I do enjoy the bustle of a city story!), with a bit of murder, a bit of spying, and also quite a bit of art.
There also is a slight tinge of bitter-sweetness to one of the elements of the book, stemming from the fact that us readers know that by the conclusion of this novel, Jane only has about 19 months to live, 12 of them marred by illness.
I'm simultaneously looking forward to Barron's next book in the series, (I wonder when it's coming?), and absolutely dreading it.
There also is a slight tinge of bitter-sweetness to one of the elements of the book, stemming from the fact that us readers know that by the conclusion of this novel, Jane only has about 19 months to live, 12 of them marred by illness.
I'm simultaneously looking forward to Barron's next book in the series, (I wonder when it's coming?), and absolutely dreading it.
debralewi's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
grazanne's review against another edition
3.0
The rating may indicate I didn't like it but that couldn't be farther from the truth. This historical fiction takes liberties with Jane Austen as its truth seeking heroine. Set in England after Napoleon's exile post Waterloo loss. It takes you through Jane's finalization of Emma and time in London caring for one of her brothers. It is a light and easy read. Enjoyable!
smemmott's review against another edition
4.0
History and fiction, expertly woven together. A solid mystery, too. I will be sad when this delightful series comes to a close! In fact, I'm deliberately avoiding reading a biography of Jane Austen because I don't want to be thinking about how soon it will will likely end.
madisonreadsbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0