It was an honest effort to make amends, but what disastrous results! It is spring in 1821 and the Rochester family have just decamped to London while repairs are being made to their country home in Yorkshire. They are welcomed guests at the large house of socialite Lucy Brayton, Jane's best friend, who is thrilled to have them with her for a while as her husband is away overseas. While Jane normally prefers the quiet of the country, they all enjoy the change and Lucy is anxious to show them around.

As Edward loves the opera, Lucy is happy to have them as her guests and they are having a delightful time. But, as luck would have it, Jane and Lucy are snubbed by Lady Ingram, also from Yorkshire, and who had been very miffed when Edward had not married her daughter and even worse, had married out of his class to Jane who had been his ward Adele's governess.

Normally, Jane and Lucy would have laughed this off, but with the imminent arrival of Lucy's husband's young child who Lucy is planning on raising as her own and introducing him to the ton, she cannot afford to have the ton turn against her. They need to make amends to lady Ingram. First Edward is to apologize and they would visit, but now these harmless gestures have turned them into prime suspects when Lady Ingram unexpectedly dies! How is that possible?

Then, if that isn't enough, the King's gaudy mistress and others are using any means they can to get a letter that Jane has in her possession. It is just a short time to the expected coronation of King George IV and news of this letter would certainly create jeopardy for the King. Will Jane and Lucy be able to salvage their reputations and protect their family names from the treacherous tactics of those wanting to harm them? With Edward's eyesight increasingly failing, can Jane care for him while also using her detective skills to ferret out who is the real killer before others are hurt?

DEATH OF A DOWAGER is next book in The Jane Eyre Chronicles and follows Death of a Schoolgirl. Written in a style similar to Charlotte Brontë, Joanna Campbell Slan authentically captures both the spirit of Jane Eyre as well as the authentic sights, sounds and smells of the London in 1821. Slan is a very experienced writer and with her strong research skills she has added in many intriguing details that is sure to make this a hit with fans who love this genre!

DEATH OF A DOWAGER reads very well on its own, but readers many want to read the previous novel first and then follow the series. I really enjoyed the counterbalance between Jane and Lucy as they are both highly intelligent women but this is Lucy's world and she has all the sophisticated understandings of the ton where the more straightforward could easy fall prey to its traps. Enjoy this captivating and fresh Jane Eyre!

Book Summary

In her classic tale, Charlotte Brontë introduced readers to the strong-willed and intelligent Jane Eyre. The Jane Eyre Chronicles pick up where Brontë left off, with Jane married to her beloved Edward Rochester and mother to a young son. But Jane soons finds herself having to protect those she loves…
 
While extensive repairs are being made to Ferndean, their rural home, Jane and Edward accept an invitation from their friend Lucy Brayton to stay with her in London. Jane is reluctant to abandon their peaceful life in the countryside, but Edward’s damaged vision has grown worse. She hopes that time in the capital will buoy his spirits and give him the chance to receive treatment from an ocular specialist.
 
Once in London, the Rochesters accompany Lucy to the Italian Opera House. But there is more drama in the audience than on stage—Jane not only unexpectedly finds herself in the presence of King George and his mistress, Lady Conygham, she also encounters an old nemesis in the form of Lady Ingram (whose daughter, Blanche, once hoped to wed Edward herself). The aging dowager deals both Jane and Lucy a very public snub; hoping to mitigate the social damage caused by this, Lucy insists on visiting the Ingrams the next day. The visit goes poorly from the start—and ends with Lady Ingram dropping dead in the midst of taking tea. It soon becomes clear that the dowager’s death was an unnatural one, and Jane must set her considerable intelligence to the problem of solving it—and why the throne appears to have an interest...