This is the first book by this author that I have read and the second in the series. It can be read as a standalone but would have been nice to read the first one. I enjoyed the characters in this book. She did a very good job of producing a character who is obviously on the spectrum. I loved the way his feelings and thoughts were portrayed. All the characters were wonderfully written and the mystery had me turning the page till the end and was pleased when I realized I had guessed the murderer. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

e- ARC from Netgalley, all opinions are my own

This sequel was just as enjoyable as the first book of the series! Juliet Tilney & Jonathan Darcy are charming and well written... not all Austen spinoffs contain the level of wit and style as the original novels but Claudia Gray does.

My only criticism would be the continued angst between Marianne and Col Brandon throughout this book, since they seemed so settled and sure of one another's love at the end of the previous story.

I enjoyed this pastiche of Jane Austen’s works – where the characters and their children are embroiled in murder mysteries after the events of her novels – even more than the first in the series, The Murder Of Mr. Wickham! I certainly squealed with even more volume and delight whenever our detecting duo thought of matters of the heart, particularly in regard to one another.

Let us speak of them first, these two characters invented by Claudia Gray almost entirely from whole cloth. Juliet Tilney is the seventeen year-old daughter of Catherine Tilney, nee Morland, of Northanger Abbey and her parson husband Henry. While Juliet knows that her parents care far more for her personal growth than for her potential as a bride, she’s also aware that the primary job of a young woman of her status is to marry well. That’s only one of the reasons she’s accepted an invitation to visit Colonel and Mrs Brandon (yes, of Sense And Sensibility) at their Devonshire estate, so she can expand her social circle beyond her own Gloucestershire home. More importantly to her, however, is the fast friendship she struck up with Marianne Brandon over the course of their fateful visit to Surrey just a short while earlier.

Another visitor to the area can’t stop thinking about what happened at Surrey either. Jonathan Darcy, son of Pride And Prejudice’s Darcy and Elizabeth, knows he’s always been a bit of an odd duck. He greatly enjoyed getting to the heart of what happened to Mr Wickham, and cherishes as well the friendship he struck up with his co-investigator, the young Miss Tilney. For now, however, he must put up with the odious faux friendship of the schoolmate who invited him to visit a newly inherited estate in Derbyshire. He wouldn’t have gone at all were it not for his parents’ fervent desire for him to cultivate his few links to his schooldays, never mind that Willoughby was always more tormentor to him than anything else.

Jonathan arrives in Derbyshire to discover that the small party Willoughby has assembled – consisting of themselves, two other schoolmates named Follet and Bamber, and Willoughby’s new wife Sophia – is already more prickly than even he, socially oblivious as he can be, finds comfortable, as this chat one evening proves:

QUOTE
Follett said, “Many do marry for fortune–it cannot be denied. I doubt whether they are always happy with the bargain they have struck.”

“I suspect they are not,” said Mrs. Willoughby. “Nor do they deserve to be. Those who marry for purely material considerations, with no thought of love, or even concern for the person they marry–I say there is no punishment too great for them.”

“No doubt their marriages are punishment enough.” Willoughby said it as though it were a joke. Why did Jonathan sense that it was not?
END QUOTE

Anyone who’s read Sense And Sensibility knows that Willoughby led poor Marianne on when they were younger and single, then abruptly threw her over when he had the chance to marry someone with money instead. That someone was Miss Sophia Grey, who is repenting at leisure her decision to believe her beloved instead of the country girl who was besotted with him. Jonathan has already been calculating the minimum number of days he can stay without arousing reproach from his hosts, his parents and society at large. His dismay at being forced into such a poisonous atmosphere is swiftly alleviated however when he learns that Juliet is in the area, too.

The two friends are ecstatic to reunite, leading the gossips to wonder and tease. But our duo finds they have even more pressing business to attend to when Sophia is fatally poisoned at the very first party held during their stay. Gossip, of course, immediately lays the blame on Marianne. Once more, Jonathan and Juliet must keep their investigations incognito as they race to discover the truth and stop their friend from being socially ruined at best, or condemned to the gallows at the very worst.

I often find modern day pastiches of great authors more laudable for the effort than the entertainment, but I absolutely adore this series, and love the intriguingly realistic way Ms Gray has posited murder mysteries out of the very rich universe Ms Austen originally created. I also love the way that Ms Gray, much like her predecessor, muses on important topics such as death, integrity and, of course, the complexities of love, as Colonel Brandon worries about the effect Willoughby’s residence in their neighborhood will have on his young wife:

QUOTE
<i>What I</i> believed <i>Willoughby to be,</i> you <i>truly are</i>, Marianne had said to him, professing her love for her husband in warmer, more heartfelt words than he had ever dreamed he might hear. Yet who could say how being with Willoughby again would influence her? Even if she had come to love Brandon–did it necessarily follow that she could not still love Willoughby as well? Brandon carried in his heart both his true affection for Marianne and the embers of feeling for his long-dead Eliza, so he knew better than most that the spirit can contain more than one passion and that those passions could contradict without ever overcoming each other.
END QUOTE

The Late Mrs Willoughby was wholly satisfying to me as an Austen fan, though as a mystery fan, I thought the motive could have been fleshed out just a wee bit more. I was very enraptured by the very plausible, and often hilarious, extrapolations Ms Gray made as to what might have happened next in the lives of Ms Austen’s characters though. The Ferrars family visit, in particular, was a wincingly funny contrast to the tragedy of Sophia’s death.

I am already so impatient for the next book in the series. It is allegedly set a week after the events in this one, and I wish it were only a week till I could get my hands on it, too!

I just love this series - the perfect palette cleanser when you need a break from creepy thrillers and steamy romances. This book seemed a bit drawn out to me - I think it could easily have been 50 pages less - but the ending picked up pace, and I loved how the mystery played out. I just wish Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney's relationship progressed further by the end... talk about a slow burn! Very excited for book 3 to see how that pans out.

The Late Mrs. Willoughby follows the story of Jonathan Darcy and Ms. Tingley as they meet once again at a house party and need to investigate murder. Meeting once again the characters from The Murder of Mr. Wickham, we find that another murder has been committed. Jonathan has been invited to a house party with some school "friends". These friends were more like frenemies as he was the butt of their jokes and meanness in school. Jonathan has some challenges which in the modern world translate as him being on the autism spectrum. It does not however, impede his ability to engage Ms. Tilney as they uncover the clues and discover the murderer. The book ends with a cliffhanger and so we can look forward to another installment. Fans of Jane Austen should like the interacting of characters from Austen's novels in these mysteries.

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney are back in a fun Austen-inspired Regency mystery, The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray. After a successful case in the first book in the series, The Murder of Mr. Wickham, the two are thrown together at a dinner party that goes terribly wrong. Willoughby is back in Barton with a new wife after his aunt’s passing. Still not liked very much, especially by his new bride, Willoughby makes life miserable for a number of characters. But it’s his wife that dies, not him. I guess a reader can’t always pick the victim. 😉 I have found this series delightful. I really like Austen knock-offs and the addition of a mystery makes it that much more fun. Numerous characters from Sense And Sensibility make an appearance — it is great to see how their lives could have progressed. Jonathan and Juliet are sweet characters. I especially like the quirkiness of Jonathan. He has many traits of autism, and I love his outlook on life, even if he struggles with the society of the day. There are plenty of twists in this book, and things aren’t always as they seem. The mystery is solved and the murderer is captured, but Jonathan and Juliet leave Barton with plenty of doubts about their relationship. Fortunately, Gray gives the reader some hints as to their future. Wonder who is next on Gray’s hit list?

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction mystery involving the Jane Austen characters we love, and love to hate. This is the second book in the series, but there was enough backstory provided throughout the book for me to understand the history of the characters' relationships and their actions. However, this is a standalone mystery, and can be read without having read the first book.

This book finds eligible young woman Juliet Tilney and socially inept, but wealthy, young bachelor Jonathan Darcy together again to solve another mystery. Juliet is visiting new friend Marianne in Devonshire. Julie's timing couldn't be better as Marianne is distress that her former suiter, the rakish Mr. Willoughby, intends to move into a nearby estate with his new wealthy wife. Coincidentally, Jonathan has been invited to stay with a former schoolmate in Devonshire who bullied him mercilessly. To please his parents, he accepts the invitation and dreads the stay, until he discovers Juliet is also staying nearby. They are both delighted to see each other again.

Soon after their arrival, everyone is attending a dinner party to celebrate Mr. Willoughby's residence at his estate, when Mrs. Willoughby dies a horrible death from drinking poisoned wine. With suspicions flying and Marianne under new scrutiny, Julie and Jonathan don their investigator hats once again and are determined to solve the mystery.

Let me just say, I loved Juliet and Jonathan! They are both so earnest, but in different ways. It's endearing rather than annoying. The author's writing style is similar to Jane Austen's, which is enjoyable to read, but she includes her own touches as well. I loved reading about all of the social norms and expectations, which thankfully, are a thing of the past. Juliet and Jonathan's friendship has moved passed some of these norms, much to their delight. There is a will-they-or-won't-they tension to this book that was fun, and frustrating, to read.

The mystery is very well done, with plenty of suspects and twists and turns. A number of red herrings are sprinkled throughout the book to frustrate the reader into questioning their previously held belief in who the killer is. I like being toyed with by an author, and always try to "outsmart" them by solving the mystery before it's revealed. Here, Gray proves a worthy "opponent" and kept me guessing. The book has a satisfying ending, and there is a tease of more books to come, which is exciting. I will definitely read any future books in the series.

If you like Jane Austen, and like mysteries, this series is not to be missed. The writing is engaging, well-paced, and the book is a fun read. I recommend you pick up this book, as well as the first book in the series, The Murder of Mr. Wickham, right away.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Austenprose PR and Vintage. All opinions are my own.

I was pleasantly introduced to Jane Austen's characters by reading The Murder or Mr. Wickham prior to reading this second book in Claudia Gray's series. As stated in my review of the first title, I definitely plan on taking the time to finally getting around to reading Austen's novels - definitely long overdue.

After successful solving the murder of the despicable Mr. Wickham at a house party, Miss Juliet Tilney and Mr. Jonathan Darcy had no idea if they would be able to continue their acquaintance and see one another again. No worries, because they are again in attendance together as guests at another party, and before long a guest, Mrs. Willoughby, is poisoned, and the young pair do their best to find the person responsible.

I love this pair of young people. It is Regency England and propriety must be honored, but they are rather ingenious at finding time to put their heads together to solve the mysteries they encounter.

This second book in Claudia Gray's series was a true delight. I love the misdirection when it came to trying to find out how and why Mrs. Willoughby was poisoned. It was great to see Juliet and Jonathan continue their friendship while also honing their investigative skills. I cannot wait to see what else this young pair will get into in the future.

Many thanks to Vintage, AustenProse PR and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This historical cozy mystery - a second installment to last year’s Murder Of Mr. Wickham - was absolutely fabulous for fans of Jane Austen but also Agatha Christie !
I enjoyed how the Claudia Gray brought some of the cast of Sense and Sensibility together a couple of years after the book concludes with them are children from other Austen couples - there are Juliet Tilney (Northanger Abbey) visiting Marianne Brandon and Johnathan Darcy (Pride And Prejudice) visiting Mr. Willoughby. The book is fantastic in it’s use of language and setting - it truly feels like an Austen mystery. The decorum and sense of propriety, it’s all there. Mrs. Willoughby is poisoned at a dinner party (imagine Agatha Christie’s Sparkling Cyanide for reference- with the same innuendo). Her sherry was left poured and ready for airing but potential access limits the suspect list to the people in attendance. It turns out quite a few had a motive not least the not very griefstricken widower but wouldn’t that be too easy ? You‘ll have to read and follow along Juliet Tilney and Johnathan Darcy‘s joint investigation … It is so much fun discovering the Easter eggs, reading something fresh but austenesque and being transported to the English countryside of a time long ago.
The idea of using these characters and their quirks as presented by Austen and expanding their fictional life by a couple of years and experiences to seamlessly weave them together while staying „in character“ was flawlessly executed. The historical fiction part was so very well done (the ladies‘ reaction to all the impropriety of dying of poisoning at a social function was fantastically worded) very in keeping with what could conceivably be done and what was simply not done. There’s humor, lots of motives and even some flirtation as the mystery of Mrs. Willoughby’s untimely demise unfolds. I will be waiting for the third installment as of now ! I loved it!

I am loving this series! Sense and Sensibility is my favorite Jane Austen book (and I loved the movie), so I knew I would enjoy this second book in the Mr Darcy & Miss Tilney series. The author does an impeccable job of writing these beloved Austen characters and I thoroughly enjoyed her adaptation. I was anticipating another wonderful story and well written mystery and I was not disappointed. I loved this still developing relationship between Jonathan and Juliet and how smart and capable they both are. But what about Mr Bamber? The story had me eagerly turning pages with a fantastic plot and great dialogue and excellent mystery.
Many thanks to the publisher for the paperback copy and Netgalley link. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Wow! This book is SO GOOD! Whenever I picked up "The Late Mrs. Willoughby", I was whisked back in time, put on my sleuthing hat, and could not put this cozy mystery down!

This is the second book in Claudia Gray's "A Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery" series, following "The Murder of Mr. Wickham". While I do think this second novel can be read as a stand-alone book, I do think reading the first book will deepen understanding of character relationships and development. Ms. Gray's writing style is vivid, visceral, detailed, and descriptive. She does a brilliant job of building the world of this novel, and, as the reader, I was intrigued from the first page to the last.

In this novel, Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney meet up again. Including many characters from Jane Austen's novels, particularly "Sense and Sensibility", as well as some new ones introduced by the author, Jonathan and Juliet work together to solve the murder of Mr. Willoughby's wife. I do not want to say too much about the plot due to spoilers, but, I will say, this book has so much in it: twists and turns, surprises, friendship, and so much more. Jonathan's and Juliet's relationship deepens throughout this book as well, and I hope their story continues in future books.

If you enjoy Historical Mysteries and / or anything related to Jane Austen, I highly recommend this book! I so look forward to reading, what I hope will be, many more books in this incredible series!

Thank you so much to Vintage Books, Austenprose PR, Claudia Gray, and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel, and to Vintage Books and Austenprose PR for the physical copy of the book and for having me as part of the book tour! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was another fun mystery in the A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery series. I love how the author weaves in as many Jane Austen characters as possible, while also introducing the reader to a whole new set of characters. You are kept guessing the whole time about who the culprit might be. If Jane Austen had written mysteries, this series would definitely be her style. I can’t wait to see what comes next for Johnathan and Juliet.

I was provided a copy of the book from the author/publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

The Late Mrs, Willoughby is the second book in this series but it isn't necessary to have read the first one in order to understand and comprehend this book!

I really enjoyed this book! It has family drama, jealousy, mystery, crime, investigation and romance.

I hadn't read any books y Claudia Gray before but I will double check her blacklist now!

Part historical mystery and part sequel, The Late Mrs. Willoughby will have vast appeal to mystery and Jane Austen fans alike. After the stupendous debut in the series set against the backdrop of Jane Austen’s world and featuring a younger generation of amateur sleuths, there was no doubt I was going to be coming along when Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney accept invitations to join friends in the Devon countryside.

As the second book in a series, The Late Mrs. Willoughby offers a standalone murder mystery, but the primary characters and some of the secondary ones are better understood if readers approach the series in order.

Claudia Gray has chosen to set her historical mystery series in Jane Austen’s world, but focusing on the next generation for her main characters who are sleuthing partners. Jonathan Darcy is the clever yet awkward and neuro-diverse son of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy of Pride & Prejudice fame while Juliet Tilney is the intrepid daughter of Henry and Catherine Tilney from Austen’s Northanger Abbey. They became friends over their first case that involved many of Austen’s primary couples and now they are brought together once again to solve yet another murder that the local constabulary and neighborhood is pinning on their friend, Mrs. Marianne Brandon.

The author gives careful attention to historical backdrop and setting. She endeavors to be faithful to Austen’s world and characters while still focusing on a murder mystery with plenty of suspects, motives, twists and turns. Those readers who prefer very little modern anachronisms peeping in and want to see crime solving done with what was known at the time and within the boundaries of social and legal rules will not be disappointed. And, while I had my suspicions about who was behind it all, I discovered some surprise twists that had me changing my mind a few times.

During the murder mystery, there is also the sequel aspect. The reader who is familiar with the events of Austen’s Sense & Sensibility will recognize the surrounding characters to Jonathan & Juliet as well as their ongoing storylines. But, this need not cause readers unfamiliar with that story to balk because there is enough filled in for anyone to grasp what led to where things are now.

I delighted to see Jonathan & Juliet back together and working the case while tentatively exploring their friendship that could be something more. Jonathan’s nature makes it hard for him- he doesn’t catch many social or emotional clues, he struggles being touched, having sensory overloads, and sees this as a deterrent to any deeper relationships. He was bullied and torments for his differences and by the very people he is staying with and one is even showing interest in Juliet so he is confused while she, too, must sort out if Jonathan only wants friendship and should she turn her attention to other eligible men.

All in all, this second entry in the series was as good, if not better to me, than the first and I can’t wait to see what comes with the third installment. Readers should get in on this series to appreciate these amateur Regency era sleuths for themselves.

This series has a special place in my heart and I'm so happy with this follow up.

Mr. John Darcy and Miss Tilney once again join forces to solve a murder, this time of Mrs. Willoughby who is poisoned at her own welcome party. In this book we get to meet more characters from Jane Austen's novels and I once again really liked seeing how the characters interacted and how the author decided to make connections between the different heroes of Austen's novels. The mystery itself was intriguing and I was satisfied with the reveal and outcome. I was particularly happy with the development of the romance between Darcy and Juliet Tilney, and I'm excited to see their relationship grow even more in the next book! I know its not proper, but could I get a petition started so they could make out in the next one?

I can't wait to see what characters and mystery book 3 will be about!

Great sequel with some of the same characters. Another death. Another mystery in the english countryside of the elite. What's not to love. The ending suggests there is more to come.

Claudia Gray has a true understanding of Austen’s characters. The personalities you’ve come to love come alive once more in seamless and real ways in this new mystery series.

Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy bring a fresh take to the regency era and I love how the author handles their unique personalities and struggles.

Claudia’s character development was such that you gain empathy for the murder victim and suspicions of everyone. Thus creating an interesting push and pull to the mystery.

She has witty turns of phrasing that eases up the tension. And a true grasp of leading the reader on with red herrings without leaving them completely in the dark.

Elinor and Edward have always been favorite characters of mine, and though I loved this glimpse into their lives, I felt like their arc slowed down the story line and interrupted the pacing.

It did not however take away from my utter enjoyment of the novel. This is a series that’s sucked me right in and I can’t wait for their next adventure!

Absolutely loved it!
I could read a new Miss Tilney and Mr
Darcy novel every year and die happy!

I will admit, I loved the first one, The Death of Mr. Wickham, so much that I was actually pretty concerned about The Late Mrs. Willoughby.
The first one was so good, so much fun, how could the second book follow up?

Turns out, very well!
One of the things that really helped is that while the first book brought together characters from all six novels, the second narrowed it down to only three books, which was a good choice. With the ties established in the first book, it was no stretch of the imagination.

Miss Tilney has been invited to visit her now dear friend Marianne Brandon in town. At the same time, Mr. Darcy has been invited by an old schoolmate, Mr. Willoughby to visit his home, along with a few other school friends.

Though Darcy and Willoughby never got along, he goes anyways, and is very pleased to find that Miss Tilney is in town and will make the visit more enjoyable.
However that enjoyment is brought to a quick halt when Mrs. Willoughby is poisoned at a house party thrown in her and Willoughby's honor.
Rumors begin flying and Marianne, with her past love of Willoughby, is under suspect.
Now is it up to Darcy and Juliet to once figure out who the real killer go...

I just finished The Late Mrs. Willoughby & already I feel bereft at the thought of waiting a year for a sequel. The concept & execution of Claudia Gray's "Austen Literary Universe" just shines. Whether you love Austen's characters because of her novels or you come to Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney's adventures because of the many film adaptations, there is something for all within these pages.

While not quite as confined as the previous house party that saw the demise of Wickham, here we have the intersection of two country visits reuniting Jonathan & Juliet. And while Gray touches on the Darcys, this is definitely a #SenseandSensibility reunion. Gray brings Marianne's travails full circle, & featuring everyone from the Dashwoods to Mrs. Jennings. There's even hilarious cameos from Edward Ferrars's odious relations including LUCY, surprising no one, unchanged.

While I loved that the previous novel featured appearances of beloved characters from all six of Austen's novels, here Gray has full rein to explore exactly why Willoughby is such a mess, with the emotional IQ of dirt. In contrast, Marianne shines: the emotional Dashwood has not just grown up, she's given the chance to thrive, both as an individual & as one half of  marriage all the stronger for the trials endured.

The crime itself & the subsequent investigation are liberally sprinkled with well-placed red herrings. Gray clearly has a facility for plotting fiendishly clever whodunits, very much in the vein of Christie or Sayers. This is a mystery that's as much about its social impact on the community as the execution of the crime itself.

Gray's 2nd Austen mystery is a triumph, sure to leave readers who've fallen in love with this fresh take on beloved characters hungry for more. It's entirely in keeping with Regency norms, but the slow burn between Jonathan & Juliet may do me in. I WANT MORE!! The plotting is impeccable, the dialogue sparkles, and the world - murder or no, this is a world I love losing myself in. Bravo!

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.