The Convict's Canal by Julia Golding - Book Review

Jane Austen Investigates: The Convict's Canal by Julia Golding

Series: Jane Austen Investigates #3 (Standalone)

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Delightful entertainer (but needs a different blurb) 

Jane and her older sister Cassandra, get an invitation to visit their brother Henry at Oxford. The duo takes the trip with their father, intent on having a great time. Jane is excited but also sad that girls aren’t allowed to study at universities. 

They find out that the Oxford canal terminus is being constructed, employing convicts as laborers. Jane comes across a rude convict, Gardiner, and has pretty strong opinions about many things (nothing new for our darling Jane). However, the convict escapes, and Jane comes across certain information. She might have to step into the much-needed investigation and get to the bottom of the truth. Is the thirteen-year-old Jane up for the task? 

The story comes in the third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I’ve been looking forward to the third book in this series for a while now. When I saw it on NetGalley, I grabbed it right away. It is pure fun reading and imagining Jane Austen as a cheeky, witty, and naughty young teen, planning & writing stories for her family, being the unruly child with strong feminist opinions and a nose that’s too curious for her own good. 

This book can be read as a standalone, though it will help to have an idea about the ‘Austen family’ here. They are such an interesting lot! 

However, this book differs from the previous ones in terms of the mystery aspect. The central event doesn’t occur until the second half. The entire mystery and investigation occur in the last 35% of the book. 

The first half is all about setting up the stage at Oxford. There are enough laughs and antics to keep us entertained but no mystery. If you go into the book looking for a case right away, you might be disappointed. (The blurb needs to be reworked to focus on Jane’s exploration of Oxford rather than the mystery). 

I’m not too bothered this time because I already know the characters and like them with or without mystery. Cassandra is growing up to be a level-headed sixteen-year-old who knows when to let Jane convince with her schemes and when to take control. 

The banter between the Austen family members is a treat to read. Jane’s letters are just as fun (and the drawings are funnier). Mr. Austen (a reverend) has a major role in this book (given the context), and he proves himself to be a wonderful parent (in many ways). 

Of course, feminist themes weave in and out of the plot- from girls not having the opportunity to go to university (and even stay here overnight) to how the men (& women) expect young girls to be stupid and incapable of thinking about anything except suitors. Since this is MG fiction, the topics are handled with a light and humorous touch. 

The ending is a little easy compared to reality. Not complaining, though. It suits the genre, and there’s enough heaviness to indicate that things don’t always have a happy ending. 

To summarize, The Convict’s Canal is a solid continuation of the series and is highly enjoyable. I wish the book was a little longer and gave more space to the mystery. If you want to read about young Jane Austen playing Agatha Christie, this series is for you. 

Thank you, NetGalley, SPCK Children's, and Lion Hudson, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #JaneAustenInvestigates 

*****

P.S: This is a small and fast-paced book you can complete in a couple of hours.