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Sarah Kedron Mystery #2
In Search of Jane Austen: An Investigation of a Life
After Jane Austen's death at the tragically young age of forty-two, her brother Henry published a brief biography of her life which seemed to contradict the view of others who'd known her. Intrigued by the mystery of the conflicting stories, the Prince Regent's librarian asks Regency playwright and amateur detective Sarah Kedron to uncover the truth about Jane. Sarah takes up the challenge and interviews family members, publishers, friends, in fact, everyone who could throw some light on matter.
This fascinating account of Jane's life is based on a wide reading of works on Jane's life and career as a Regency novelist. As the mystery unravels, the reader gains insights into the character of a most unusual woman who persisted in writing the books she wanted to write in spite of family and financial difficulties.
This fascinating account of Jane's life is based on a wide reading of works on Jane's life and career as a Regency novelist. As the mystery unravels, the reader gains insights into the character of a most unusual woman who persisted in writing the books she wanted to write in spite of family and financial difficulties.
- GenresJane Austen
220 pages, Paperback
Published June 29, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 28, 2020
A few things to disagree with but moving snap shots of Anne Sharp, Harris Bigg-Wither, Francis Austen, and surprisingly Mary Austen. I'd not wild about regency life not connected to JA/JAFF but I'll try to read the first book in the series(not related to Jane Austen) and any future books.
February 18, 2020
I came to Ken Methold’s book “In Search of Jane Austen” as a dedicated, interested Jane Austen fan. I was hoping for a new look at Jane, her life and her works. I was sadly disappointed. Ken Methold is arguing that Jane Austen is not the author of all her works, This conclusion is drawn from rather flimsy evidence: the difference between her early novels and her later works; the number of books that she published in a short space of time; and the heresy of a distant acquaintance, that her cousin the Countess Eliza may have contributed to her work. There is very little evidence to back this up, however apart from some spurious gossip.
His main arguments are: that Countess Eliza helped Jane Austen (with plot suggestions dialogue and advice on character development); and that Jane Austen could not have had so many books published in a short space of time. However, as Eliza died on 1813 and Jane continued to write after this is perhaps this influence was not as significant as was insinuated in the book especially when comparing characters and dialogue form Jane Austen’s earlier books to her later books. If you consider Jane’s unpublished works, Lady Susan The Watsons and Sanditon, then these elements are even more pronounced. Ken Methold would have been aware of these works, but chose to ignore them as they did not fit in with his hypothesis. As to having her books published so quickly any reader and scholar would know that both Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice were rewrites of earlier works.
Jane Austen’s books from Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, her last published show a woman who closely observed her surroundings and people. She found much to amuse her and that is what comes through in her books. The change in: depth; tone; and wit in Jane ‘s novels show a maturity both as a writer and as a person. All of this is reflected in a more mature Jane and thus a more mature writer. Despite the differences between the novels there is a main theme that runs through all of her novels, the real situation of women in Regency England.
Ken Methold shows little knowledge of the conventions of Regency England in his book. His narrator is a young woman who has been an actress and is now a playwright and theatre manager. Given the low regard that actresses were held in it is unlikely that Sarah Kedron would have been so freely welcome in middle-class homes, most especially those with close connections to the Church of England. Ken has his narrator comment on how Fanny Austen did not extend her hand to Sarah when they first meet. This would have been strange as a polite curtesy would have been the accepted method of greeting between strangers and slight acquaintances. Hand shaking and embraces were reserved for close friends and family. The friendship that Ken portrays between Anne Sharp, (the governess of Jane’s niece Fanny) and Jane is unrealistic. As a clergyman’s daughter Jane would have been middle-class and was conservative in her opinions this friendship would have been unlikely.
My real disappointment with Ken Methold’s book was that he has done what so many men have done, that is to turn an intelligent woman, with a quick wit, strong opinions and a good business sense into a shrew. The disputes with her publishers about getting her books out and negotiating contracts more favourable to Jane than the publishers show a good sense of judgement and awareness of her growing popularity, not the signs of shrewish woman. In addition, he uses Jane’s personal appearance as described by her publisher to provide a very negative picture of Jane. As we really have no idea what Jane looked like this is mean spirited to say the least.
His main arguments are: that Countess Eliza helped Jane Austen (with plot suggestions dialogue and advice on character development); and that Jane Austen could not have had so many books published in a short space of time. However, as Eliza died on 1813 and Jane continued to write after this is perhaps this influence was not as significant as was insinuated in the book especially when comparing characters and dialogue form Jane Austen’s earlier books to her later books. If you consider Jane’s unpublished works, Lady Susan The Watsons and Sanditon, then these elements are even more pronounced. Ken Methold would have been aware of these works, but chose to ignore them as they did not fit in with his hypothesis. As to having her books published so quickly any reader and scholar would know that both Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice were rewrites of earlier works.
Jane Austen’s books from Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, her last published show a woman who closely observed her surroundings and people. She found much to amuse her and that is what comes through in her books. The change in: depth; tone; and wit in Jane ‘s novels show a maturity both as a writer and as a person. All of this is reflected in a more mature Jane and thus a more mature writer. Despite the differences between the novels there is a main theme that runs through all of her novels, the real situation of women in Regency England.
Ken Methold shows little knowledge of the conventions of Regency England in his book. His narrator is a young woman who has been an actress and is now a playwright and theatre manager. Given the low regard that actresses were held in it is unlikely that Sarah Kedron would have been so freely welcome in middle-class homes, most especially those with close connections to the Church of England. Ken has his narrator comment on how Fanny Austen did not extend her hand to Sarah when they first meet. This would have been strange as a polite curtesy would have been the accepted method of greeting between strangers and slight acquaintances. Hand shaking and embraces were reserved for close friends and family. The friendship that Ken portrays between Anne Sharp, (the governess of Jane’s niece Fanny) and Jane is unrealistic. As a clergyman’s daughter Jane would have been middle-class and was conservative in her opinions this friendship would have been unlikely.
My real disappointment with Ken Methold’s book was that he has done what so many men have done, that is to turn an intelligent woman, with a quick wit, strong opinions and a good business sense into a shrew. The disputes with her publishers about getting her books out and negotiating contracts more favourable to Jane than the publishers show a good sense of judgement and awareness of her growing popularity, not the signs of shrewish woman. In addition, he uses Jane’s personal appearance as described by her publisher to provide a very negative picture of Jane. As we really have no idea what Jane looked like this is mean spirited to say the least.
June 4, 2019
When actress/playwright Sarah Kedron is summoned to Carlton House, home of the Prince of Wales, eldest son and heir of the mentally ill King George III and Prince Regent, she goes out of a sense of royal obligation, not expecting much to come of the visit. When she’s asked to take on the task of verifying the authenticity of the works of recently-deceased author, Jane Austen, she’s intrigued. The supposedly reclusive Austen, just after her death the previous year, was the author of two of the most popular books in England.
With the assistance of her close friend and companion, Elizabeth, and the support of her father, owner of one of London’s most widely-read newssheets, she begins an investigation into Austen’s life, turning over stones that some members of her family would rather leave unturned.
In Search of Jane Austen: An Investigation of a Life by Ken Methold is a stellar example of the cozy mystery genre. Set in Regency England, it is replete with observations of the cultural, social, and political mores of the period, that are woven into this fictional version of Austen’s life in such a way that it almost reads like a well-written and thoroughly-researched biography. It is, however, fictional, though based on existing historical and biographical sources.
The author’s pacing is flawless, flowing in an almost languid motion that is appropriate to the period in which it’s set. The history is included in credible, and unobtrusive bites, naturally occurring in dialogue or actions rather than massive dumps of data, not once interrupting the flow of the story. This information is, in fact, essential to understanding events as they unfold.
I don’t usually like inconclusive endings, but in this case, given the enigma that was the life of Jane Austen, the ending is totally appropriate.
This one is a must-read for the summer, and I give it a resounding five stars.
With the assistance of her close friend and companion, Elizabeth, and the support of her father, owner of one of London’s most widely-read newssheets, she begins an investigation into Austen’s life, turning over stones that some members of her family would rather leave unturned.
In Search of Jane Austen: An Investigation of a Life by Ken Methold is a stellar example of the cozy mystery genre. Set in Regency England, it is replete with observations of the cultural, social, and political mores of the period, that are woven into this fictional version of Austen’s life in such a way that it almost reads like a well-written and thoroughly-researched biography. It is, however, fictional, though based on existing historical and biographical sources.
The author’s pacing is flawless, flowing in an almost languid motion that is appropriate to the period in which it’s set. The history is included in credible, and unobtrusive bites, naturally occurring in dialogue or actions rather than massive dumps of data, not once interrupting the flow of the story. This information is, in fact, essential to understanding events as they unfold.
I don’t usually like inconclusive endings, but in this case, given the enigma that was the life of Jane Austen, the ending is totally appropriate.
This one is a must-read for the summer, and I give it a resounding five stars.
June 4, 2019
If you want to know about Jane Austen's life, but don't want a dull or starchy biography, this is the perfect way to read about it. The facts are correct, but it's written as a mystery as Sarah Kedron investigates the contradictory information that surrounds the authoress in the years after her death. A great read for anyone into Regency stories.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews