Charlotte Bronte’s Classic Strong-Willed Heroine Lives On Winner of the DAPHNE DU MAURIER AWARD FOR LITERARY She answered a child’s cry for help. She never expected to uncover a murder and unlock secrets a king wants to keep… Yorkshire, 1820. Happily married to a country squire and the mother of a young son, Jane Eyre Rochester enjoys an enviable life, one that as an orphan, she could have never … one that as an orphan, she could have never dreamed would come true. But when a cryptic letter from her former student arrives — the writer begs for help — Jane will risk everything to save the life of an innocent child.
A frantic trip to London is fraught with danger, as Jane is robbed at knife-point. But Jane Eyre is nothing if not courageous. She arrives at the pricy girls’ school in time to see a dead body removed from the premises. Now Jane must race against the clock to prevent another child from dying. When her identity is mistaken for that of an errant German teacher, Jane decides to go undercover in this house of horrors. Once inside the school, Jane’s worst suspicions are confirmed. A killer roams the halls and targets young girls. Each hour that passes puts another child’s life on the line and Jane can only keep her identity secret for a little longer…
Can Jane track down the killer and convince the local authorities to lock up this cunning murderer? Or will Jane forfeit her reputation, the family diamonds, her health, and maybe even her life on what might be a fool’s errand?
Death of a Schoolgirl is the critically acclaimed winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Literary Excellence. It is the first novel in the Jane Eyre Chronicles, a historical romantic mystery series. If you like classic stories, spunky heroines, thought-provoking social issues, little-known historical facts, and books that leave you feeling glad you read them, you’ll adore Joanna Campbell Slan’s captivating tale.
Buy Death of a Schoolgirl and get swept away today!
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I will admit to being a bit apprehensive about a “sequel” to Jane Erye since she is one of my favorite characters in literature, but since Ms. Slan rarely, if ever, disappoints me, I decided to take a chance. I’m so glad I did. This book is so well-written and natural-sounding one would almost think Miss Bronte wrote the story herself. Ms. Slan definitely stays true to the nature of the original characters and I love the relationship between Jane and Edward. Then she decided to play up the inquisitive side of Jane’s personality by providing her another mystery to be involved in, and it’s an all-round winner. I spent several delightful hours back in the world of Jane Eyre. Thank you, Ms. Slan.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
she is living the life so when a letter comes asking for help, she goes to try to help. a body is removed and she is thought to be the German teacher so she goes undercover at the school. What will she out what is going on? Will anyone believe her? See what will happen
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was excited to read about an “old friend” and I have to admit I was also intrigued about how it was going to follow such a classic. I thoroughly enjoyed This book and hope that there are many others in this series! I received an advanced copy of this book, but the review is my own.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved this book. Think the setting and story line was well presented. Really enjoyed the characters and looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Death of a Schoolgirl is the first book in the Jane Eyre Chronicles, a historical romantic mystery series. It is a fascinating look at the fictional life of Jane Eyre in Yorkshire in the year 1820. The author has given us a terrific mystery with interesting historical facts throughout the story. There is drama, humour, intrigue, and enough twists that you cannot guess the murderer. I cannot wait for the next book in this fabulous series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am not usually a fan of historical fiction or books that continue a story started by a different author but this one was really good. I only chose to read it because I had read Jane Erye in high school so thought it might be interesting to see what this author did with it. It was nice catching up with Jane and following her as she becomes involved in investigating a mystery. It was worth the time and I look forward to reading more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this mystery and it kept me guessing, trying to figure out the culprit! I enjoyed the characters – I mean who would not? Awesome characters and a great story. It does not get any better!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Well written historical mystery that kept me guessing until the end. I really enjoyed the characters and look forward to the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It’s an easy read. It kept my attention. I felt like I was there. My main reason for reading fiction is to escape! This book fulfilled that requirement.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Death of a Schoolgirl picks up with Jane Eyre and Rochester married and celebrating the birth of their first child while Rochester is still recuperating from the manor fire where he seems to be losing his sight. Joanna Slan continues the development of the Bronte characters. When Adele, Rochester’s ward at boarding school sends a cryptic letter to Rochester and Jane, where she seems to be in fear of her life and cryptically begs for help, it is up to Jane to go to London to see what the trouble is since Rochester is still under doctor’s care. Her trip is not an easy one since she is beaten and robbed and when she gets to the school is mistaken for a new teacher as she sees a young girl being taken out of the school dead. When Jane decides to go undercover as the new teacher to solve the mystery and protect Adele, we are fed with a plethora of red-herrings, twists and turns and we don’t find out the murderer until the very end. I enjoyed this book and the new and stronger Jane as she becomes a sleuth to protect their ward. I received and ARC from the author, but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
I really enjoyed reading this mystery. The characters were engaging and the story intense. Lots of twists and turns kept me guessing to the end. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Slan’s work in the future! Note to those who have not read, or like me read so long ago they don’t remember the story of Jane Eyre – not to worry, enough back story is supplied so you don’t need to remember more than the name.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I felt that I was reading Jane’s continued journey. This is an excellent book. It really took me with Jane on her travels. Her mind worked like clockwork and I loved the new character introductions. You must be sure to read this book.
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Great start to a new series!
This is a whole new Jane Eyre than the one I am used to. A new mother, a sleuth, a protector, and a loving wife and helpmate to Edward, whose failing eyesight requires her willing devotion. The author skillfully weaves the storyline into the history of that period while creating a riveting crime mystery. The myriad suspects kept me guessing until the very end of the book. I was caught up in the story from the first page. Anyone who likes mysteries will enjoy this book.
I’m not usually a fan of historical fiction, but I couldn’t put down this book. It was an excellent read! I was kept guessing until the end. This mystery is extremely well written with a tight, multi-layered plot and engaging characters. There were multiple story lines, which were all tied up in the end. I’m looking forward to future books in this series. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
Can’t wait to read every single book in this series. What a delightful period piece. I was quite impressed with the author’s ability to take me back in time so realistically. And to be reintroduced to the characters from “Jane Eyre”, oh what a treat. Loved this book!
I’m not a Bronte fan and I don’t remember the story of Jane Eyre; yet I was intrigued by the idea of a modern author attempting to write about this classic character and to have her play detective. I am so glad I gave it a try. Not remembering Jane Eyre wasn’t an issue at all. The characters, dialogue and plot all remained true to the time period. Historical facts were worked into the story seamlessly and captured my interest. The murder mystery had lots of twist and turns. I did not guess the murderer. The characters, including the children, were so believable. With a school full of children and a murder there was plenty of drama but also comical moments. Some secondary plots added interest and everything was tied up at the end of the book. The entire book was extremely well written, thought provoking and impossible to put down. Loved it!
Ever wonder what happened to Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester after they were married? This book picks up after the novel “Jane Eyre” leaves off. The characters felt true to the original source material. It took a while for the book to to get to the mystery, but once it did, I was hooked. Jane travels to London to check on Adele, Edward’s young French ward. Adele has been in a boarding school, but her last letter to Mr. Rochester contains a hidden plea for help. When Jane arrives in London, she discovers that one of the girls in the school has died under mysterious circumstances. The school has no shortage of suspects, and (looking back) the author did a good job of dropping subtle hints throughout the novel to help the reader solve the mystery. (I thought I knew whodunit, but was ultimately surprised at the reveal.) This wasn’t a five star for me because of the slow start, but I liked the characters and the mystery, and I look forward to reading more books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I do not read regency books…. made an exception because of the mystery element, am glad I did!! I plan to read the rest of the series. I have not read the classic “Jane Eyre” book by Charlotte Brontë (gasp!, I know); no judging, I have read the “Three Penny Opera” [“Die Dreigroschenoper”] in German, some day need to read the English version. I digress. I like a good mystery with a smart heroine. No spoilers, you may be able to figure out ‘who did it’ if you pay attention! Now that I know that the author provides clues to solving the mystery, I am even more excited to read the rest of the series. If you like a clean story (i.e. no language or smut), this book is for you. If you like mysteries, this book is for you. If you like mysteries with clues to solve it, this book is for you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As one can surmise, “Death of a Schoolgirl” is a continuation of the Charlotte Brontë classic “Jane Eyre.” The year is 1820, and Jane and her husband, Edward Rochester, have just welcomed their first child, a son, Ned, into their lives. Jane is flourishing in her new role as a mother after a tough birth, and Edward is still, slowly but surely, recovering from the grievous injuries he sustained during the fire that killed his first wife and destroyed Thornfield, his ancestral home. They are living on the estate in an old hunting lodge built by one of Edward’s forbearers with a minimal number of staff which includes an aunt from his mother’s side, Mrs. Fairfax, who is standing in as housekeeper.
Adèle Varens, Edward’s ward, and the reason that brought Jane to Thornfield in the first place (originally she was Adèle’s governess), is still in boarding school in London. Various reasons (Edward’s injuries, harsh winter storms, Jane’s confinement, the difficult birth and prolonged recuperation after) have kept Edward and Jane from visiting her at the school for quite a long while, and both sides have depended on a regular exchange of letters to maintain contact until circumstances allow them to be reunited.
Lately though, Adèle’s letters have been “off.” Not only are they quite unlike her usual vibrant missives, they are completely impersonal and appear to be the same communique copied time after time. Concern turns to alarm when the latest letter contains a secret message crying out for help and a scrap of paper which appears to be a threat against Adèle.
Jane and Edward decide that they must go to Adèle immediately to determine if she is really in danger or if it is some drama concocted by an obviously lonely child. Because the injuries to Edward’s remaining eye prevent him from traveling right away, Jane sets off for London alone. She is headed to the home of Edward’s best friend, Captain Augustus Brayton who currently serving in India. Jane is effusively welcomed by his wife, Lucy, who almost overwhelms her with affection and a desire to accept her as her new “sister.”
When in town, Lucy had been a regular visitor at the Alderton House School for Girls, checking in on Adèle for the Rochesters when they had been unable. However, in the past couple of months, a change of superintendent at the school had occurred and Lucy had been denied access to the girl for a variety of shady yet plausible reasons.
Jane sets out for the school herself the morning after her arrival only to be met with chaos at the school: one of the students had been found dead that morning! Jane is surprised to be greeted by the headmistress, an old friend, Miss Nan Miller, a former teacher and later colleague from her days at Lowood. Jane learns that Adèle discovered the dead girl, became hysterical, has been sedated with laudanum, and will most likely sleep until the drug wears off the next day.
Before she can make a decision on how to proceed, she is confronted by the new school superintendent, Mrs. Thurston, who mistakes Jane for the newly arrived German instructor (who has been delayed on the road.) Without being given the chance to set the woman straight, Jane is “dismissed” and rushed out of the school. Later that afternoon, however, Miss Miller turn up on the doorstep where Jane is staying to plead with her to come back to the school as “Miss Eyre” to serve as the temporary German and art teacher until the expected lady arrives. It seems the Bow Street Runners are investigating the death of the student as a homicide, and Jane is needed to help protect some of the young ladies until the murderer is revealed.
I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved the idea of a continuation of Jane and Rochester’s life together and look forward to many more. Jane, as a sleuth and protector, made perfect sense. The look and feel of the original story by Bronte is retained and enlivened by a good story with a lot of action, twists and turns. I highly recommend this book to cozy mystery readers and those that want a glimpse into what might have been had “Jane Eyre” kicked off a series.