Jane and the Year Without a Summer

Being a Jane Austen Mysteries, Book 14

By: Stephanie Barron

Narrated by: Kate Reading

May 1816: Jane Austen is feeling unwell, with an uneasy stomach, constant fatigue, rashes, fevers and aches. She attributes her poor condition to the stress of family burdens, which even the drafting of her latest manuscript—about a baronet’s daughter nursing a broken heart for a daring naval captain—cannot alleviate. Her apothecary recommends a trial of the curative waters at Cheltenham Spa, in Gloucestershire. Jane decides to use some of the profits earned from her last novel, Emma, and treat herself to a period of rest and reflection at the spa, in the company of her sister Cassandra.

Cheltenham Spa hardly turns out to be the relaxing sojourn Jane and Cassandra envisaged, however. It is immediately obvious that other boarders at the guest house where the Misses Austen are staying have come to Cheltenham with stresses of their own—some of them deadly. But perhaps with Jane’s interference a terrible crime might be prevented.

Set during the Year Without a Summer, when the eruption of Mount Tambora in the South Pacific caused a volcanic winter that shrouded the entire planet for sixteen months, this fourteenth installment in Stephanie Barron’s critically acclaimed series brings a forgotten moment of Regency history to life.

©2022 Stephanie Barron (P)2022 Recorded Books

A Lovely End

This is a lovely end of the Jane Austen mysteries series. The mystery to be solved was excellent, as always. I don't want to dig too deep into it as I will give away the ending, but I will say that as opposed to "Barque of Frailty" where the victim is murdered in almost the first chapter and we never actually get to meet her, I was beginning to think that there wasn't going to actually be a murder in this book, just a mystery. The actual murder doesn't happen until around 3/4 of the way in.
This book sees the return of Raphael West and brings some romance to what would otherwise be a sad ending to this series of books.
However, the book also includes the Cassandra. I believe that is it is the first time that Cassandra has an extended presence in these books. Usually she is disapproving of Jane being involved in a murder, or has been shipped off to a relation to take care of children, or is recovering from an unfortunate carriage accident. But, we get to see Jane and her sister actually spend some quality time in this book.
I was in a bit of suspense as I knew that this book was near the end of Jane's life, but there seemed like there was enough time before her death to squeeze in one more mystery, but Barron makes it clear that this is the last and pens a touching end to the series.
I have said this before, but I am not a big fan of the Jane Austen novels, but I am a big fan of these Jane Austen mysteries. We get to learn something about Jane's life, the time that she lives in, and the Napoleonic wars to boot. Perhaps I'll listen to Jane's actual novels next and will appreciate them more.

Great Series

I have read every single book in this series and I have loved all of them. This one is particularly good and also bittersweet as we see Jane’s health decline.

Excellent but Sad.

As usual excellent and entertaining, but as expected by the date the story takes place; sad.

Will be sorry to see this series end

The entire series is worth every penny and hour you’ll spend listening.
Would love to hear a reading of ‘Jane A’s letters ‘ narrated by Kate Reading.

Awesomeness

I love the story and reader. I love the history added into the book. Wonderful!