Miss Austen Investigates, by Jessica Bull

A fictionalised 20-year-old Jane Austen must use all her wits to solve a murder.

It's 1796, Hampshire, England. Jane Austen is just about to turn twenty. While attending a ball at Deane House, with some thirty families in attendance, a woman is found dead in a closet. She's been violently bashed over the head. It is Jane who recognises the woman – Madame Renault, a French milliner who had recently set up shop at a local market. Jane had bought some items from her.

The investigation of the murdered woman officially falls to the magistrate for the country, Richard Craven, who is also Jane's uncle. When the dead woman's necklace is found in the possession of Jane's brother, Georgy, he is accused of grand larceny. It is thought he at best stole the necklace, for which he is charged, but at worst could be guilty of murder. Grand larceny carries the death sentence. Georgy is mute, unable to speak due to some type of learning difficulty. He communicates via a rudimentary sign language. Jane and her family know in their heart of hearts that Georgy is incapable of murder or theft, but magistrate Craven is a by the book man. He refuses to listen to Jane's pleas.

It quickly becomes clear that it is up to Jane to clear her brother's name, but a woman's place in 18th century England is to be seen and not heard. Nonetheless, Jane begins a haphazard yet impassioned investigation, often making mistakes and accusing the wrong people. Hers is a small community where everyone knows everyone, and Jane's persistent inquiries rub many up the wrong way. With a two week deadline before Georgy's case goes to court, can Jane unravel the mystery and find the killer in time?

Of all novelists, Jane Austen is the most astute judge of character. So it makes sense to imagine her as a crime sleuth. To some it might seem like a cheesy premise. Yes, there is a bit of the clearly ridiculous here (the novel's timeline predates the beginning of crime fiction by about 50 years). But for readers who are happy to go along with Miss Austen Investigates as a pleasant bit of entertainment, there is much to enjoy. Jessica Bull does a terrific job of creating a believable 18th century England – its people, fashions, customs and laws. In this way, the novel works as a nuanced explainer of the Regency Era. This is done in a way which works seamlessly with the plot, anchoring the book in time and place. Even the descriptions of furniture and kitchenware give some nice little surprise touches. The whodunnit aspect works well, with the story well paced over four hundred pages and the final reveal a genuine surprise. The murderer's motivation is neatly explained in terms of social and economic expectations, making the book both instructive and entertaining. 

If you're an Austen fan looking for a frolic, then this is the perfect outing.

Miss Austen Investigates, by Jessica Bull. Published by Michael Joseph. $34.99

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