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.
MY REVIEWThis is
the second book featuring Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy. These are fantastic
characters partly because they are well-written and partly because of the
license allowed when adding offspring to Jane Austen characters, It gives the
reader a new lens with which to view the entire world.
Heavily
featured in this story is the town of Barton, complete with the residents of
Barton Cottege, Allenham, Delaford, and of course Barton Park. Included are new
characters purported to be friends to Mr. Willoughby.
The
story and mystery are delightful. It is slow to lay out the clues, but the
important thing is for our two investigators to learn and interact as they go.
Their previous adventure with Mr. Wickham is mentioned multiple times and the
time period between both books is not long.
It is
delightful to see these characters inner thoughts. With Jonathan there is an
impression that he struggles with what we might call Asperger's due to his
well-written quirks. He struggles in his interactions with others because he is
not confident in his ability to understand a situation, but he is also very
observant.
One
theme I noticed was that of the danger of gossip. The entire town had decided
the murderer of Mrs. Willoughby without a thought to truth. In fact the story,
as layered as it is, bounces between suspects until ultimately all is revealed.
Afterall, It wouldn't be a whodunit without uncovering the truth.
This is
a delightful world that has been created with existing characters and new. It
was a well thought out story and was fun to read. There is definitely a need
for a third adventure with these two. The miscommunications caused by the very
nature of Regency society leave so much room for more.
I
received an early copy through NetGalley and this is my honest review.
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. WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS