I am a huge Jane Austen fan. I started reading her books when I was 11, and I fell even more in love with her work when I studied it in college. I loved the idea of bringing her characters together in The Murder of Mr. Wickham. The second book in the series, The Late Mrs. Willoughby, just doesn’t live up to Austen’s work.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham is fun because it brings together the protogonists of all of Austen’s work. Mr. Wickham is a prominent “bad guy” from Pride and Prejudice, so it makes sense for his death to be the focus of a story featuring all of the Austen heroines. The Late Mrs. Willoughby loses some of that spark. Mr. Willoughby is a similar kind of “villain” to Wickham in Sense and Sensibility, so it feels a little too similar in concept to the first book. Additionally, it’s not even Willoughby himself who is the victim, but his wife.

The portrayals of Austen’s characters in some cases didn’t feel quite right. I think of Elinor Dashwood of Sense and Sensibility as a strong and smart woman. In The Murder of Mrs. Willoughby, she is portrayed as kind of helpless and sidelined by pregnancy. Of course, I understand that Regency society dicated certain restrictions for pregnant women, but this Elinor had no fire. Similarly, Willoughby in this story wants Marianne back, and I didn’t get the sense that the Willoughby from Sense and Sensibility cared about Marianne at all.

There are also too many storylines woven through the book. Of course, it makes sense to have an A and B plotline, but it is overwhelming in The Murder of Mrs. Willoughby. There is the plot about Edward’s conflict with the rest of the Ferrars family, the story about Beth Williams, and others on top of the primary murder plot. It ends up feeling a little convaluted.

The romantic tension between Juliet and Jonathan is sweet, but it never pays off. In both the first book in the series and The Murder of Mrs. Willoughby, it is clear that they like one another, but neither does anything about it. I was hoping for an Austen-style declaration of love, but alas…

I do love that Juliet Tilney is a detective in these books. Her mother, Catherine, sees herself as a detective in Northanger Abbey, so it makes sense to see Juliet eager to solve the murders in this series. The reader gets a lot more backstory on Jonathan Darcy than Juliet, which is a shame.

As an Austen fan and a murder mystery fan, I wanted to love this series. The idea has such potential, but it falls short.

I have discovered not so long ago Jane Austen’s variation, and digging into a world reimagining the author’s stories with different views or setting is so entrancing.
Yet while I have read Pride&Prejudice and Sense&Sensibility as a teenager, I have not read the other pieces of the author. Still, outside the Tinleys, the characters featured in this story are mostly from Sense and Sensibility.
But I believe this series will make more sense to someone who has knowledge of the Austen’s world.

Still, a whole series mingling everyone in the same setting is fascinating. All the protagonists are well
-known to the Austen readers for Jonathan, the Darcys’ son and Juliet, the Tilneys’ daughter.
I feared I would be lost as this book is the second in a series with recurring characters but the author does an awesome job at spreading hints of the previous tale to not loose the newbies.

What surprised me was that this is a tale of many voices as close to all the main protagonists are given even if it is one time a voice to express their thoughts.
And while it offers Mr Jonathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tinley a new opportunity to investigate together, it also brings out discontents, past betrayals, wrong behaviors and all the clouded judgements gossips so easily spread.
Loves are tested, as friendships and faith in the others.

Jonathan is his father’s son, so ill-at-ease among strangers, he is bordering the prism of neurodivergence while Fitzwilliam had his haughty view of himself to keep him upright, Jonathan has also his mother’s spirit, even if it is hidden by his awkwardness, he sees people for what is in their heart not their rank.
Juliet, I can not compare, but she is sweet, inquisitive and determined.
They are both trapped by the custom and usage of their time, yet they have bonded over a dramatic event, and a kind of friendship has come out of it. And while the reader will hope it will evolve to more, their uncertainties about their sentiments and their own expectations might hold them back.
Still they make a great team as they work the clues together to lead them on the right path, despite the obstacles they may encounter.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 none

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

A strong sophomore offering in this series, which is, in my opinion, one of the strongest in the ‘Jane’s Austen mystery’ genre. I’m very much looking forward to the next.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC for this review.

In the Late Mrs. Willoughby our heroes Johnathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney find themselves thrown together when both are visiting in Barton. Juliet is staying with her new friend Marianne Brandon and Johnathan is staying with his former schoolmate Willoughby. When Mrs. Willoughby dies dramatically during a party, Darcy and Tilney are once again on the case.

This series is definitely my favorite Austen "sequel". I love the characterization of existing characters such as Marianne and Willoughby as well as the new characters. The author has a very good understanding of Jane Austen and her times. I can only hope this series continues and that Darcy and Juliet meet again, perhaps in Bath or Rosings?

Mr. John Willoughby is another of Jane Austen's characters most of us would vote off the island if given the opportunity. But, alas, we don't get to rejoice as another villain bites the dust. This time his wife is the victim. Was the poison meant for her? Or did she get taken out by mistake and the killer missed their primary target? With lots of suspects and theories to work with we have the reteaming of Mr. Jonathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tilney to solve the case and they make a wonderful duo indeed. These young people are engaging and smart. I love the way that Miss Tilney brings out the best in Mr. Darcy and I am very hopeful that they end up together someday. But, I was very disappointed in this book. It had an abundance of narrative that was just plain boring and although I loved the characters it just wasn't enough.

The last time the Tilney's let their daughter attend a house party, she ended up in the middle of a murder and the lady, Marianne Brandon, who has invited Juliet this time ended up being the murderer, it was self-defense, however. But gossip is a nasty thing and Marianne needs a friend right now as Marianne's former suitor has returned to the neighborhood to take up residence after his aunt has died. He has brought with him his new bride and all her money. The handsome Mr. John Willoughby tossed Marrianne aside for his new wife and her fortune.

Invited to Willoughby's new home to help him celebrate his good fortune with his inheritance and his marriage are three of his chums from Oxford, Mr. Jonathan Darcy, Mr. Ralph Bamner and Mr. Laurence Follett. Mr. Darcy was loath to accept the invitation as he quite hated Willoughby at school, but with the Brandon's in the area, he would at least have friends he could escape to when needed.

Jonathan is delighted that Juliet is in residence with the Brandon's, and she is happy to see him again too. She had harbored hope that they might renew their acquaintance and maybe grow closer together leading to . . . However, at a dinner party meant to welcome the newcomers to the neighborhood, Mrs. Willoughby drops dead. Jonathan and Juliet at once suspect foul play and undertake to uncover the murderer. Of course, everyone hopes that it is the despicable Willoughby, and it just may be. But others have motive to do the deed and they have to consider that Mrs. Willoughby may not have been the target.

My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

Another hit from Claudia Gray!!!

I'm looking forward to each release in this series. I think I enjoyed book one a bit more that this one, but I still enjoy every minute I could steal away to read.

If you are an avid mystery reader, this one is a tad easy to figure out, but still a delightful read.

Pour a cup of tea, grab this book and get ready to be swept away!

The second book in this cozy mystery series starring characters from Jane Austen novels will delight. Readers should start with the first book in the series since this one has plot points dependent on it. New friends Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney are reunited and try to solve the murder of the unhappy wife of Darcy’s school tormentor, John Willoughby of "Sense and Sensibility." Suspicion falls on the duo’s loved ones, including Marianne Brandon, née Dashwood. The author keeps Austen’s style of gentle humor while updating the characters to appeal to a modern audience entertained by amateur sleuthing.

This was a DNF at 52%
I tried. I slogged through the first book so I could tackle this and was not really looking forward to it. It started out a bit more promising, but I just found it SO dry. It also was repetitive. Someone compared it to Jane Austen fanfic and I would agree but even some spice would have been appreciated. Just not for me!

Book Description:
The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray gives Jane Austen fans a chance to revel in Austenland a bit more. In this historical mystery, Miss Juliet Tilney, daughter of none other than Catherine and Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey, is visiting her dear friend, Marianne Brandon, in Devonshire. Time spent with close friends is always good, right? Unless said friend is also swirled in a bit of scandal of her own. Marianne was jilted by Mr. Willoughby, who's about to become her neighbor - with his new bride in tow. But it's all good because Marianne is in love with her husband, Col. Brandon. They're all going to make the best of this awkward situation by attending a party hosted in honor of The Willoughbys.  Everyone is at this party, including Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's son, Jonathan. Jonathan is thrilled by the opportunity to spend time with Miss Tilney again. Everyone, well, almost everyone, is happy to see each other. That is, until it all comes to a halt when Mrs. Willoughby dies horribly at the party, and suddenly, everyone becomes a suspect .

My Thoughts:
I love the idea of what happens next for some of Austen's most beloved (and the disliked) characters. The plot is intricate and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. I appreciated Gray's strong female characters and her inclusion of a neurodivergent main character.

Although The Late Mrs. Willoughby is the sequel to The Murder of Mr. Wickham, I didn't find it necessary to have read book one in order to understand and enjoy this story. While being a fan of Jane Austen certainly enhances the reader's experience, everyone who loves a good mystery will adore this well-crafted read.

Read this if you like:
• Jane Austen
• Strong female characters
• Neurodivergent main characters
• Historical mysteries

Unlike with The Murder of Mr. Wickham, which featured characters from all six of Jane Austen’s novels (from Sense and Sensibility through Persuasion; Lady Susan and unfinished works not included), The Late Mrs. Willoughby focuses on the characters from Sense and Sensibility. This novel features the Dashwoods and the Brandons, the Willoughbys and the Ferrars, as well as the Middletons, Mrs. Jennings, and Beth Williams. Other than Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney (the children from the starring couples in Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey, respectively), no other books are represented here. I expect we’ll see characters from those works in future installments of this series—at least, I hope so!

The Late Mrs. Willoughby opens with both Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy ending up as guests in Devonshire. Juliet is staying with Marianne and Colonel Brandon, after having befriended both that summer; Jonathan is staying with his childhood “friend” (bully), John Willoughby, along with Mrs. Willoughby and two other former classmates. All is going well enough until both parties are invited to a dinner party hosted by the Middletons. Jonathan and Juliet are excited to be reunited, but things end badly when Mrs. Willoughby is poisoned. Who murdered her? And why? Once again, Jonathan and Juliet are on the case. This time, Jonathan’s tentative childhood friend Ralph Bamber (the only one who didn’t bully him) joins in their investigation.

As with the previous book, I love how Jonathan’s (undiagnosed) autism is portrayed. Many around don’t understand him, and it has led to the aforementioned bullying he enduring in school. His parents also have tried to gently nudge him towards more “proper” behavior. As such, he’s gotten skilled at masking certain parts of himself. It’s interesting to see Jonathan logically attempt to interpret social cues and carefully consider his words before speaking. Even so, Jonathan’s neurodivergence can help in some matters, allowing him to see things from a different perspective and make sense of the clues in a new way. And as before, I love that Juliet accepts him for who he is.

While the previous book was a locked room mystery, The Late Mrs. Willoughby exists within the town of Barton, opening it up and giving rise to one of my favorite aspects here: the town gossip! Several times throughout the book, we readers get to enjoy the development and dramatic escalation of rumors pertaining to the murder mystery. Some of the things these people believe! Such outlandish claims that don’t make sense, and yet just because that’s what they heard through the grapevine, now they believe it must be so. It’s so funny how the rumors change with each new event throughout the book.

This murder gets a bit more twisty than in the first installment. Indeed, is it possible Mrs. Willoughby wasn’t even the intended victim? And what of the new attacks that keep happening? There’s more at play here, keeping the reader guessing. Though I will proudly say, I correctly guessed two different reveals well in advance. Perhaps I should become a detective, too?

During Jonathan, Juliet, and Ralph’s investigation of the murder, romantic feelings are also starting to arise (perhaps somewhat thanks to the matchmaking-minded Mrs. Jennings). Is Juliet developing a particular attachment to Jonathan? Does Jonathan even want a relationship, given his slight aversion to physical touch? And when Ralph starts expressing his desire to court Juliet, is that what she wants? It’s a bit of a love triangle, and I’m eager to see how the romance develops in the next book!

The Late Mrs. Willoughby features several side stories, in addition to the mystery and romance at hand. These largely focus on Elinor and Edward Ferrars, but also on Beth Williams. Some side stories dovetail with the mystery more than others, and some can feel a bit distracting, somewhat slowing the novel’s pace. It is nice to see the characters’ lives and relationships fleshed out some more here. And maybe they’re setting up for the next book in the series? Indeed, there is a hint of another mystery happening only a few weeks after this one. Already, I’m looking forward to book #3.

The Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery series has been a delight so far, and if you enjoyed The Murder of Mr. Wickham, you’ll love The Late Mrs. Willoughby. Any fan of Jane Austen and cozy mysteries should absolutely read both novels, as well as any other books that follow in this series. I can hardly wait to see what Jonathan and Juliet get up to next!

Well written and diverse, absolutely nothing wrong with the book just was not for me. I do like historical fiction but this was not my cup of tea.

I received this eArc from Netgalley for a honest review.

The Late Mrs. Willoughby is a fun retelling of Jane Austen characters. It also has Agatha Christie murder mystery vibes.

I was overwhelmed by the volume and pace of characters at the beginning of the book. Once I got my rhythm I found the book to be more enjoyable. I then started devouring each chapter trying to figure out who the murder actually was!

There is a slow burn romance between Juliet and Jonathan and I love that Jonathan is the oldest of the Darcy children! I also adore how supportive Juliet is with all of Jonathan’s quirks. He’s eccentric for their time period. However - I think that pulls in the Jane Austen jabs at their society and what is “perceived” as normal or desired.

I was a little disappointed that the book seemed to end with everyone going their own way - I assume there is another book coming out in the future.

I will certainly read a third book when it comes out!

I am really enjoying this series so far. Miss Juliet Tilney and Mr. Jonathan Darcy are back together again and have been pulled into another murder mystery. Mrs. Willoughby is poisoned at a party to welcome her and Mr. Willoughby to Devonshire, and our pair are determined to find the culprit.

I love seeing these two solve the mysteries together and build a friendship that will hopefully blossom into more. Their interactions are perfectly delightful, and the mysteries intriguing.
I can't wait to read more.

Thank you, Netgalley, and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am enjoying Claudia Gray’s Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery series so much. This second outing in the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mysteries feels heavier than the first. In The Murder of Mr. Wickham, the victim was one of Jane Austen’s least sympathetic characters. I certainly don’t advocate for murdering people, but Mr. Wickham’s violent demise did not cause distress. In The Late Mrs. Willoughby, we get no such comfort. Mrs. Willoughby may not be the nicest or most charming person, but she is not a villain. Her murder is distressing. On top of that, characters are still reckoning from the fallout both of Wickham’s death, and from Mr. Willoughby’s very bad behavior revealed in Sense and Sensibility. It feels odd to say I had fun reading a book dealing with trauma and murder, but I did.

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney are a delight. They are so pleased to see each other again and while horrified by the murder they witness, very happy to work together as detectives. They are also quite aware of the impropriety of their investigation. The way they know it’s improper and do it anyway feels appropriate for the time.

Now that Juliet and Jonathan’s characters have been established, I was able to enjoy their friendship and their sleuthing. Together and individually, they are my favorite part of the series. As a long time romance reader, it’s clear to me that they are destined for one another, but they’ve got at least one more book before they know that.

Murder mysteries would not have been a genre that Jane Austen would have written, first, because the genre didn’t exist until after death, and second because she was a woman in English Georgian society. But if she did, I can imagine that she would use the crime of murder to examine morality, gender roles, class, and appearances as she did in her novels. Claudia Grey isn’t necessarily writing the murder mystery that Austen might have written, but she is examining the same kinds of issues. We may not live in Georgian England, but men who are able to maintain a certain class standing are still able to wreak havoc in the lives of others almost unchecked.

CW: on page poisoning death, memories and references to bullying in boys boarding school, threat of social ostracism, autopsy, attempted murder, misogyny.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Vintage Anchor and Netgalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

In this sequel to the Death of Mr Wickham, Jane Austen's characters again come together. Juliet Tilney (daughter of Northanger Abbey characters) is visiting Marianne Brandon and Jonathan Darcy (son of Pride and Prejudice characters) is visiting his old college friend Willoughby nearby and the two are delighted to continue the friendship begun in the first novel. Austen fans will know that Willoughby was Marianne's first love until he abandoned her to marry an heiress and that heiress dies at a dinner party as Juliet and Jonathan watch, so the two find themselves once again investigating a murder and exploring their awakening interest in each other.

Many of the characters from Sense and Sensibility make an appearance in this novel and the mystery is of secondary importance. The pace is very slow and some of the red herrings are obvious. This is definitely a book for Jane Austen fans not avid mystery readers, but Austen fans will be delighted to spend time with their favorite and not so favorite characters.

Gray doesn’t disappoint in this newest release that features the beloved stories of Jane Austen’s classic characters. Gray does an impeccable job at keeping to the heart of Austen’s characters all the while expanding on them and creating new characters that are just as complex and likable (Miss Tilney and Mr Darcy are incredibly delightful.) Foremost, Gray’s mystery plot is well balanced with plenty of red herrings, clues and suspects to keep you guessing the whodunit ‘til the last page. Be sure to check the CWs. This is the second book in the Mr Darcy & Miss Tilney series and be warned the plot of book one, Murder of Mr Wickham, will be spoiled if you haven’t read it already. I can’t wait to see where this series is going next!


I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Vintage Anchor, Vintage in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

• Thank you to #Vintage and #NetGalley for providing this #ARC Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is May 16, 2023.

The Late Mrs. Willoughby is a suspenseful sequel to The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray. It sees Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney reunited, and with another mystery to solve: the dreadful poisoning of the scoundrel Willoughby’s new wife. The amateur sleuths get another murder to crack when they’re both guests at the Devonshire home of Sense and Sensibility’s John Willoughby, a former schoolmate of Darcy’s. Darcy, however, is not fond of his host who bullied him at school.

In this solid sequel to The Murder of Mr Wickham, Jonathon Darcy and Juliet Tilney are reunited while visiting at the neighbouring homes of Mr. Willoughby and the Dashwoods, But shortly after they arrive the new Mrs. Willoughby is poisoned, and they quickly decide to work together again to solve another murder. While I found the mystery in this book a bit less engaging than the first, I enjoyed learning more about Jonathon’s youth, as well as watching the relationship between the main characters evolve. I’m already looking forward to the next instalment!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Late Mrs. Willoughby is the second in Claudia Gray’s Jane Austen mystery series. I’d recommend reading the first book first, as it provides a lot of context for who the major players are, especially the original central characters, Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney, as well as the histories of what various Austen characters have gotten up to since the end of their respective books up to this point.
Generally, I enjoyed this book as much, with my experience being somewhat more enjoyable this time around thanks to Gray avoiding “period accurate” instances of bigotry, which were not universal to the time period and did not add much to the overall narrative. And I liked the balance of catching up with some of the major players of the last book, while also encountering some “new” people as well. And as before, she perfectly mixes the central murder mystery with myriad interpersonal dramas of its central characters.
Given the title, the Willoughbys play a major role. I really liked how Gray imagined their dynamic, with Sophia trying to leverage her position as his wife as she can, but also being miserable, and Willoughby being as callous as ever in his pursuit of his own pleasure, including trying to renew things with Marianne, both before and after his wife’s murder. A big part of the mystery concerns which of the Willoughbys was the true target of the murder, and even before I knew who did it and what their motives were, I truly wanted Willoughby to suffer. He, like Wickham (the “victim” of the last book) is a truly terrible human, but I like that Gray keeps the story fresh by not treading the same ground twice. Many people have motives to want to mess with either of the Willoughbys, and I was left constantly in thrall, wondering who it was.
Speaking of which, I really liked the character development for Marianne. She has gone through a lot since the end of the last book, and I truly felt for her being under suspicion both due to her connection to the Willoughbys and her actions in recent events. But her growth shows what a strong person she has become that she does not collapse under all that scrutiny, nor does she feel tempted by Willoughby at any point. And while her marriage to Colonel Brandon goes through its challenges, I love how they reaffirm their love for each other (including a beautiful meta “always” moment)!
And while Marianne only had her husband (and her new friendship with Juliet) to support her in the last book, I enjoyed seeing her interactions with her family this time around. Her relationship with Elinor remains as solid as ever, and I love that Marianne can now also provide moral support when Elinor needs it, as well as the other way around. And the other Ferrars relations, from the brief cameo from Fanny Dashwood to the vapidness of Lucy, are all so well written to capture their absurd snobbishness, they almost match Austen’s own depiction of them.
Beth, Colonel Brandon’s ward and mother to Willoughby’s child, plays a significant role here, and I loved seeing her come into her own, as she too shakes off the shackles of her past. It was beautiful to see her bond with Marianne over their shared past with Willoughby, as well as confronting Willoughby for his offenses against her. And her relationship with Brandon is beautiful, as there really is mutual familial; love between them despite the lack of blood connection.
As for amateur sleuths Juliet and Jonathan, I really liked getting to spend more time with them. There isn’t much in the way of progress in their “will-they-or-won’t-they” romance, but they are much more cognizant of their own feelings for the other, even if they are unaware of the other returning their feelings. But the ending makes it very clear that there will likely be at least one more adventure for them to perhaps share their feelings with one another.
This was another fun installment for the series, and I cannot wait for more. If you’re a Jane Austen fan who also loves Agatha Christie-esque mysteries, I recommend checking this series out!

I'm really glad I gave this Author a 2nd Chance! While I liked parts of The Murder of Mr. Wickham, there was one plot line that was totally unbelievable for Era portrayed, and it took me out of the story. BUT The Late Mr Willoughby has all the things I really enjoyed! Cossover of various Jane Austen characters was well done. This one is set in the world of Sense and Sensibility.

My favorite thing of the first book was Juliet, daughter of Catherine and Henry Tilney and Elizabeth and Darcy's son Jonathan solving mysteries. WONDERFUL to see them back at it here. Also appreciated the hint of 3rd book, which I can't wait to read!

And my favorite non-spoilery quote: "My name is Darcy."


*I received an advance review copy from Netgalley for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.