Jane Austen Investigates - The Abbey Mystery - Julia Golding

It's 1789 and 13 year old Jane Austen ends up being a companion for Lady Cromwell for a week at Southmoor Abbey after her sister breaks her arm in a carriage accident.  Once there, she is determined to get to the bottom of the mysterious tales of a ghostly monk in the grounds of the Abbey.  Jane is far too sensible to believe in such nonsense but, along the way, manages to stumble on quite the adventure, including a fire in the library, two prize horses in danger and people being falsely accused.  Jane, along with her faithful dog, Grandison, is determined to get to the bottom of things.

When the opportunity to read a proof copy of this book came up, I jumped at the chance.  I've read and loved Julia's books in the past and also love Jane Austen so the idea of the book really intrigued me.

Jane is exactly the way I imagined she would be: independent, earnest, happy to speak her mind (within the constraints of the time) and with a sense of adventure.  Yet she lives in her sister's shadow (who she feels is far prettier) and under the scrutiny of her mother who is determined that people will not see the family in any sort of negative light. This chance time away is just what Jane needed to be able to really find herself.  Along with her notebook and the help of some newly found friends, those around her discover that she is not to be underestimated.

The language and writing style pays homage to Jane's own writing but in a way that MG readers will find easy to follow - it's simply delicious and made me want to don a dress in they style of Jane and wander about next to her, preferably in the library at Southmoor Abbey!  It's the perfect way to introduce MG readers to Jane Austen.

This is the start of a brilliant new series that will introduce Jane to a whole new generation and is perfect for fans of Robins Stevens and Katherine Woodfine.  In fact, it's already going down a storm at school, with my proof copy being passed from child to child (there's a waiting list!).  Here are some of the comments I've already had about the book:

"The Abbey Mystery is an amazing book!"

"I enjoyed this book because it is set in 1789, when women were meant to be pretty and NOT adventurous, so it makes it exciting when Jane must find ways round the rules to solve the mystery."

"Overall, The Abbey Mystery is a great book that I would recommend to everyone!"

I know how much we've loved this book and news of the cover reveal of the second book in the series, The Burglar's Ball, has sent huge amounts of excitement around my book worms at school (not to mention my own excitement!) Due for release in October, it's definitely on my wish list!

Why not check-out some of the other blogs on the tour?