Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Jane Austen Investigates: The Abbey Mystery by Julia Golding

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm featuring a really fun middle grade mystery, Jane Austen Investigates: The Abbey Mystery by Julia Golding.

About the Book

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

It’s 1789 and a young Jane Austen turns detective as she seeks to solve the mysterious happenings at Southmoor Abbey. 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. While there, Jane vows to solve the mystery of the ghostly monk in the Abbey grounds – for she does not believe in such stories!

But this is not the only strange occurrence for the adventurous young Jane to investigate. 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.

With notebook in hand and her faithful dog Grandison by her side, will Jane overcome the continuous obstacles and find out the truth?

Book Beginnings

1789

It had to be acknowledged that the life of a clergyman's daughter in deepest rural Hampshire was disappointingly full of duties.

Friday 56

Jane gulped. She knew she was innocent but she also realized she was the last one to have been in the library that evening, aside from the person who started the machine, of course. How long would it take for Sir Charles to find that out? And when he did, would he blame her?

What have you been reading lately?