Jane and the Final Mystery

Being a Jane Austen Mysteries, Book 15

By: Stephanie Barron

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

The final volume of the critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Jane Austen as amateur sleuth

March 1817: As winter turns to spring, Jane Austen’s health is in slow decline, and threatens to cease progress on her latest manuscript. But when her nephew Edward brings chilling news of a death at his former school, Winchester College, not even her debilitating ailment can keep Jane from seeking out the truth.

Arthur Prendergast, a senior pupil at the prestigious all-boys’ boarding school, has been found dead in a culvert near the schoolgrounds—and in the pocket of his drenched waistcoat is an incriminating note penned by the young William Heathcote, the son of Jane’s dear friend Elizabeth. Prendergast had been widely reviled for his ruthless bullying. Has William exacted revenge on his tormentor, or is there a larger conspiracy looming?

Jane takes up lodging near the idyllic college in order to untangle the duplicitous testimonies surrounding the prefect’s death. But Winchester College is a world unto itself, with its own language and rites of passage, cruel hazing and dangerous pranks. Can she clear William’s name before her illness gets the better of her?

This audiobook edition includes an exclusive afterword narrated by the author.

©2023 Stephanie Barron (P)2023 Recorded Books

So very sad…

Knowing Jane was going to die was a sad way to begin this book but…listening to the author’s description of her own loss was devastating. I don’t always listen to the afterword but glad I did. I wish Ms. Barron peace and comfort. Lee Smith

Sad that it’s the last….

I have truly enjoyed this series of Jane Austen Mysteries. Stephanie Barron did an amazing job of bringing Jane to life and bringing exacting detail to the period of her life. I didn’t want it to end, as all of us who are Jane Austen fans wish her life had not ended so young.
I read most of the Jane Austen Mystery novels several years ago, and then discovered the audio versions narrated by Kate Reading. I listened to them all again (enjoying the stories in a new way) adding the newer books as they came available. This book, Jane and the Final Mystery, was an excellent close to the series. Thank you Stephanie Barron for giving us this incredible journey with Jane.

Will Miss these

I will miss these wonderful books by Stephanie Barron read by Kate Reading. Looking forward to a new series by both these ladies.

Thanks to Ms. Barron

It was difficult for me to even begin this book, knowing that it was going to be the last of the Jane Austen mysteries. I am almost embarrassed by how much I love this series. The mysteries are fascinating and linked with true and interesting historical events. The writing is fantastic. The Jane that Stephanie Barron creates on her pages is someone I dream of having as a best friend.

I was afraid that she was going to write Jane‘s death as part of the book. I knew that would be incredibly difficult to read, and I rely on the series more for entertainment than to stir up emotions. The way that she manages the ultimate death of her primary character is artfully done.

I will miss Jane. As if I didn’t already regret her short life, now I feel as though it is shortened a series that I enjoyed to a maximum degree.

Jane and the End

My only disappointment with this story is that it is short. I suppose that is to be expected as Jane is very ill. There will be no balls, plays, or dinner parties to add length. But, that's OK. The author leaves us with an afterword, and you can hear how tired and sad she is from the tone of her voice.

Thank you Stephanie, for sharing Jane's voice with us. I'd like to think of Jane and Lord Harold being together at last in the afterlife.

A wonderful end to the series

This series has been (and will continue to be) one of my favorites since I discovered it years ago. I've waited impatiently for each one, and have never been disappointed when they arrived. I'm sad that we've come to the last of Jane's adventures. With The Final Mystery, Stephanie Barron has given us a fitting end to Jane's story, but I know I'll be rereading this series for years to come.