Sir Thomas Bertram spends much of the novel sorting out This in effect meant slaves were technically free on British soil,īut not in the empire. TheĮstate is possibly named after a famous judge who ruled in 1772 that ‘no masterĮver was allowed here (England) to take a slave by force to be soldĪbroad because he deserted from his service… therefore the man must beĭischarged’. Mostly Jane’s world is at peace, even if the country is at war.Ī similar pattern can be traced about slavery. The fortunes of the naval officers being decided by war and Waterloo.

The guns of war are most apparent in Persuasion, published posthumously, with Raid shelter at the end of the garden didn’t have to be explained to someoneĪlive in World War Two. Told that but Austen’s reader would have known, just as the presence of an air Necessary? Because Meryton was fearing invasion by Napoleonic forces. TheĮchoes are there, of course: the arrival of militia is a major plot device in Pride and Prejudice. Matchmaking and Lizzy overcame her prejudices against arrogant young men. Had been raging for over a decade on the continent while Emma plotted her It is true that at first sight it hard to imagine that war Seem to us to dominate the social politics of the time. Theme in Jane Austen studies was her seeming disengagement from issues that now I read at university (who said they never used their degree?). When writing my contemporary take on the young Jane AustenĪs a detective, I was struck by the relevance of many of the lectures and books Shall we start a list? Sex (in Bridgerton terms), slavery,Ĭolonisation, politics, elections, human rights, the French Revolution, There are shivery night-time investigations, an Indian girl with secret talents, a library fire, two prize horses in danger, and friends to save from false accusations.A guest post from Julia Golding, author of a new series of books featuring a young Jane Austen as a detective! Read on for a fascinating look at taboo subjects during Jane Austen’s time. While there, Jane vows to solve the mystery of the ghostly monk in the Abbey grounds - for she does not believe in such stories!īut this is not the only strange occurrence for the adventurous young Jane to investigate. When a carriage accident forces a change of plans, 13-year-old Jane is sent to be a companion to Lady Cromwell for a week as the household prepares to celebrate the eldest son's coming-of-age party.

It's 1789 and a young Jane Austen turns detective as she seeks to solve the mysterious happenings at Southmoor Abbey.

Jane Austen turns detective in this spooky historical adventure by award-winning author Julia Golding!

Miss austen investigates