During the recent hurricane drama (read: Ike), I read Stephanie Barron's second installment in her Jane Austen mystery series entitled "Jane Austen and the Man of the Cloth."
This book is obviously well-researched. And while I am not a huge fan of Austen, I'm also not a detractor. In any case, Barron is quite clever at pairing historical facts and Austen's own family life and writing with a mystery storyline.
In this particular mystery, Jane and her family find themselves in Lyme while taking a holiday from their lives in Bath. Jane finds herself drawn to one Geoffrey Sidmouth. This is problematic, however, because he is rumored to be "The Reverend," a smuggler and person of ill-repute.
Jane takes it upon herself to solve two murders in which Sidmouth is implicated. With daring adventure and Austen's wry comments, this is a unique read.
Until next time, may your reading be both pleasurable and profitable.
