Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free One-Day Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
12 used & new from £0.87

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor (A Jane Austen mystery)
 
See larger image
 

Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor (A Jane Austen mystery) (Paperback)

by Stephanie Barron (Author)
3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
Price: £5.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Usually dispatched within 5 to 9 days.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

6 new from £3.95 6 used from £0.87
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Hardcover 6 used & new from £24.16
Paperback (Reprint) 9 used & new from £4.33
Mass Market Paperback (Reissue) 29 used & new from £0.01
Hardcover (Large Print) 2 used & new from £20.95

Frequently Bought Together

Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor (A Jane Austen mystery) + Jane and the Man of the Cloth (A Jane Austen Mystery) + Jane and the Stillroom Maid: Being the Fifth Jane Austen Mystery (Jane Austen Mysteries)
Price For All Three: £29.97

Some of these items ship sooner than the others. Show details


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Jane and the Man of the Cloth (A Jane Austen Mystery)

Jane and the Man of the Cloth (A Jane Austen Mystery)

by Stephanie Barron
4.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £16.99
Jane and the Stillroom Maid: Being the Fifth Jane Austen Mystery (Jane Austen Mysteries)

Jane and the Stillroom Maid: Being the Fifth Jane Austen Mystery (Jane Austen Mysteries)

by Stephanie Barron
4.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £6.99
Jane and His Lordship's Legacy (Jane Austen Mysteries)

Jane and His Lordship's Legacy (Jane Austen Mysteries)

by Stephanie Barron
£4.26
Jane and the Ghosts of Netley

Jane and the Ghosts of Netley

by Stephanie Barron
4.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £6.99
Jane and the Prisoner of Wool House (Jane Austin Mystery)

Jane and the Prisoner of Wool House (Jane Austin Mystery)

by Stephanie Barron
5.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £6.50
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Headline Book Publishing; New edition edition (3 April 1997)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0747253757
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747253754
  • Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 951,766 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Product Description

Product Description
To Jane Austen's surprise, her visit to the Hertfordshire estate of Isobel Payne, Countess of Scargrave is far from dull. She has scarcely arrived when the Earl dies of a mystery ailment. With the bereaved widow accused of murder, Jane finds herself embroiled in a dangerous investigation.

Tag this product

 (What's this?)
Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.
Your tags: Add your first tag
 

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?


 

Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
5 star:    (0)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Jane Austen fans will either love this or hate it, 24 Jul 2004
By Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)      
Into the growing sub-genre of mysteries involving real people as fictional detectives Stephanie Barron adds Jane Austen. "Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor," being the first in this series, finds the yet to be famous authoress away from home after having accepted and then rejected the marriage proposal of Harris Bigg-Wither. Jane is visiting the Hertfordshire estate of her friend Isobel Payne, Countess of Scargrave. However, after Jane's arrival the elderly Earl suddenly suffers a most horrible death due to a mysterious illness, leaving Isobel a widow after only three months of marriage. When a letter arrives accusing Isobel and the Earl's nephew of adultery and murder, Jane becomes involved in the investigation. The suspects are the late Earl's guests, a collection of characters who could easily have been lifted from one of Austen's novels--but then that is exactly the point here.

Barron is not only trying to write in the style of Jane Austen, a daunting enough task to be sure, she is also interested in shedding light on the writer's life and work. After all, the idea that Austen's heroines always found the love in life that was denied their creator is rather depressing. Barron has fun suggesting that the characters in this novel might have served as the model for those in Austen's novels: e.g., that Lord Pitzroy Payne, who catches Jane's eye, is the model for Mr. Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice." Obviously Barron is interested in trying to create the great secret love of Austen's life, although our fascination with such an idea is tempered by the fact that Jane would die a spinster.

The irony here is that the more you know about the life and writings of Jane Austen, the more likely you are to either enjoy Barron's creative speculations or to be somewhat appalled at her presumption. Barron is obviously a devout fan of Austen and her writing so your enjoyment of this book is going to be predicated entirely upon your ability and/or willingness to go along for the ride. I found the writing style to lack the refined restraint and measured wit of the real Austen, who has a much better sense of picking the moment for her barbs and insights. Of course, Barron is handicapped by the requirements of the mystery genre, which necessarily requires extended questioning and heated exchanges.

Actually, the best imitation of Austen's style I have read to date is found, rather surprisingly, in the opening chapters of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Mauritan novel "Desolation Island," which finds the boys trying to live the high life on shore. Then again, they did not have a mysterious murder to solve. Barron certainly makes a good faith effort that pays attention to the life and times of Jane Austen and seeks to bring her to life in a way her books and letters can only suggest.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars For unpleasantness read double murder, 12 Oct 2001
By A Customer
Stephanie Barron has created a very enjoyable and readable murder mystery. The novel is narrated by the author, Jane Austen. Anyone who enjoys Austen's (the real one) style and characterisation will love this book. Likewise readers of crime fiction. Barron has put the two genres together admirably. Jane is spending a few days over Christmas with her friend Isobel, the Countess of Scargrave when her husband dies in circumstances that look like murder. We are led a merry dance with Jane trying to detect the murderer. Isobel seems to belong to a family of possible suspects. I read nineteenth century classics as well as thrillers so enjoyed this no end.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


   
Related forums


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Feedback


The Body Shop

The Body Shop - Vitamin C Skin Boost
Protect and boost your glow with The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost.

Shop The Body Shop

 

Let Olay Amaze You

Olay Total Effects Day Moisturiser SPF15 50ml
Amazon.co.uk sells all your favourite ranges from Olay, including Regenerist and Total Effects.

Discover Olay at Amazon.co.uk

 

Up to 50% off Dental Care

Braun Oral-B Professional Care 6000 Rechargeable Toothbrush - Pack of 2
Put a sparkle in your smile with up to 50% off selected Oral-B and Philips rechargeable toothbrushes.

Up to 50% off power toothbrushes

 

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

Learn more about Gift Certificates

 
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.

Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates