The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

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Jonathan Darcy, the son of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy, has been invited to stay with a former classmate, Mr. Willoughby.  Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby have just inherited Allenham Hall and are celebrating by inviting three former classmates of Mr. Willoughby.  Jonathan quickly realizes that he was invited for Mr. Willoughby to poke fun at him as he did in school.  His dismay turns to delight when he finds that his friend, Miss Juliet Tilney (daughter of Henry and Catherine Tilney) is in the neighborhood visiting Colonel and Mrs. Marianne Brandon.  Unfortunately, they find themselves investigating a new mystery when Mrs. Willoughby suddenly dies at a party after drinking a special cup of port meant to welcome her and Mr. Willoughby to the neighborhood.  Who killed Mrs. Willoughby and why?

I was just as delighted with The Late Mrs. Willoughby as I was with the first novel.  Claudia Gray perfectly captures the original Jane Austen characters, while creating fascinating new characters.  Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy are delightful.  I especially like that Jonathan appears to be on the spectrum and has to work out how behave properly in society.  Would I believe that a character like him would be picked on by Mr. Willoughby at school?  Yes.   Jonathan and Juliet have a hint of romance that I hope develops further as the series goes on.

I liked the mystery.  I went along with a couple of red herrings and did not figure out who the murderer was in this one until the end of the novel.

The Late Mrs. Willoughby is the second book in the “a Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery” series after last years The Death of Mr. Wickham.   You could probably read it as a standalone novel, but it would be a lot more enjoyable to read them in order.  There are events and characters from the first book referenced in the second book.  It would also work best to be familiar with Jane Austen’s works and characters.

The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray is perfect for lovers of Agatha Christie and Jane Austen.

Favorite Quotes:

“Surely it would be easier to be a fox at a hunt than to be an unmarried girl too near Mrs. Jennings!”

“Such is the evil of money, Elinor.  Greed can sully the finest human feelings, even the love that should exist between mother and child.”

“The supposed worth of a thing sometimes increases with its impossibility.”

Book Source: Review Copy from Vintage Books.   Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

QUICK FACTS

• Title: The Late Mrs. Willoughby
• Series: A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery (Book 2)
• Author: Claudia Gray
• Genre: Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Austenesque
• Publisher: Vintage Books (May 16, 2023)
• Length: (400) pages
• Format: Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook
• ISBN: ‎978-0593313831
• Tour Dates: May 15 – 29, 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The suspenseful sequel to The Murder of Mr. Wickham, which sees Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney reunited, and with another mystery to solve: the dreadful poisoning of the scoundrel Willoughby's new wife.

Catherine and Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey are not entirely pleased to be sending their eligible young daughter Juliet out into the world again: the last house party she attended, at the home of the Knightleys, involved a murder—which Juliet helped solve. Particularly concerning is that she intends to visit her new friend Marianne Brandon, who's returned home to Devonshire shrouded in fresh scandal—made more potent by the news that her former suitor, the rakish Mr. Willoughby, intends to take up residence at his local estate with his new bride.

Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley are thrilled that their eldest son, Jonathan—who, like his father, has not always been the most socially adept—has been invited to stay with his former schoolmate, John Willoughby. Jonathan himself is decidedly less taken with the notion of having to spend extended time under the roof of his old bully, but that all changes when he finds himself reunited with his fellow amateur sleuth, the radiant Miss Tilney. And when shortly thereafter, Willoughby's new wife—whom he married for her fortune—dies horribly at the party meant to welcome her to town.

With rumors flying and Marianne—known to be both unstable and previously jilted by the dead woman's newly made widower—under increased suspicion, Jonathan and Juliet must team up once more to uncover the murderer. But as they collect clues and close in on suspects, eerie incidents suggest that the killer may strike again, and that the pair are in far graver danger than they or their families could imagine.

 

PRAISE FOR THE LATE MRS. WILLOUGHBY

·       “An absolute page-turner full of well-plotted mystery and hints of simmering romance.... More of the Jane Austen characters we love (as well as those we love to hate).” —Mia P. Manansala, author of Arsenic and Adobo

·       ”Gray makes her endearing leads’ sleuthing both plausible and entertaining while evoking the wit and feel of Austen’s classic novels. Admirers of P.D. James’s Death Comes to Pemberley will be delighted.” —Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

·       ”Absolutely delightful! Fans of Jane Austen and historical mysteries will fall in love with this series. Gray remains true to Austen’s style and intent for her beloved characters while still adding her own spin on them and their progeny—one that is both refreshing and absorbing. I’m already looking forward to the next installment.” —Anna Lee Huber, USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Darby series

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

 

AUTHOR BIO

Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy. In addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline, and Jane Austen-inspired series, A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mysteries. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs. 

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