I am an extremely devoted Austen fan, and I love retellings too. The first book in this series last year was EXCEPTIONAL and I loved every second of it, but I think I loved this second one at least as much if not more! I need more of these amazing imagined characters, especially Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy.

The mystery in this one took a while to come to fruition too and I really wasn't too sure which direction it would go in, so I was happy to be along for the ride. HIGHLY recommend these books if you're an Austen fan or a cozy historical mystery series.

Claudia Gray’s The Murder of Mr. Wickham was one of my absolute favourite books of 2022 (review here). All of Jane Austen’s characters together at a house party and a murder has to be solved? Oh, I was in. All in! I wasn’t sure how the second book in Gray’s series would be like but I’m thrilled to report that I absolutely adored The Late Mrs. Willoughby.

Here’s the book’s description:
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.
Normally I get kind of annoyed by amateur sleuths. There may be problems with police all over the place but they’re the ones who should, technically be investigating crimes. That’s probably why I don’t read a whole lot of cozy mysteries anymore - those “detectives” just get in the way of the professionals and I’m always worried about the consequences of their meddling. For some reason, though, that didn’t bother me with this book. Perhaps because it’s historical and today’s rigorous rules and laws don’t apply. I wasn’t as worried that Jonathan and Juliet were going to completely screw up the case. In fact, I had more faith in them than the local constabulary!



At times it seems like Gray was trying too hard to sound like Jane Austen and it came across as if someone had time travelled and was attempting to speak like the characters they’ve watched in movies. But it was a very minimal annoyance. I only mention it because I did notice it and think others would appreciate the heads up that the historical language may not be up to their standards.

Speaking of Austen, there weren’t as many of her characters in this novel, which was probably wise. There was no logical way for Gray to get them all together again so I was happy with how she managed to bring some characters together again. Austenites will appreciate hanging out with the whole crew from Sense and Sensibility but non-Austen readers shouldn’t be put off by reading about characters they’ve never met before.

Back to the mystery - I really wasn’t sure who the murderer was going to be and I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped when they were revealed. Gray had a number of red herrings that I totally fell for and I kind of appreciate that. I’m often more annoyed than proud of myself when I can see how a murder investigation is going to be solved. I like being led down winding paths of confusion so I’m shocked at the end when all is revealed!

I loved The Late Mrs. Willoughby and I already cannot wait for the next book in this series from Claudia Gray. Her mysteries are clever and I love being able to spend time with Jane Austen’s characters as Gray imagines them. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Jonathan and Juliet end up at Pemberley together next!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Austen adaptations are not rare in the book world. Many authors feel inspired by Austen’s novels and the worlds that she created. However, not all of them are done well. That is not the case with Claudia Gray’s books, though. She brings us the next generation of the protagonists of her novels (their children), and builds mysteries around their lives. I think it is a terribly clever way to root your world in Austen without feeling like fanfiction. (Fanfiction is not inherently a bad thing, I must say, but it is a specific type of writing.)

Willoughby, like Wickham, is an interesting character to hang a story on. I think that they are two of literature’s most universally hated characters. However, Gray fleshes Willoughby out in more depth while still staying true to Austen’s character. (It certainly works when they are connected to a murder!)

I must say that I am thrilled that Julie and Jonathan are reunited to solve another crime. While their budding romance is certainly in the background, it is their detective work in tandem that steals the show for me. They act as wonderful guides to this world for us and push its boundaries further at the same time. I also think that using two new characters to anchor the book helps it maintain a separate identity from Austen’s works. We aren’t constantly asking “would Elizabeth do that” or “would Elinor say that”, and it helps to allow the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story.

While I would recommend reading The Murder of Mr. Wickham (the first book in the series) because it is also fantastic, this book can be read as a standalone. You might miss a reference or two, but it will not affect your enjoyment of this book.

If you are someone who loves a good Austen adaptation and have wondered what happened to your favourite (and least favourite characters), or just love a good mystery, The Late Mrs. Willoughby is a must-read! And given that the summer is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere, we have more daylight for reading- time to add this to your cart and request it from your library.

The second book in Claudia Gray's mystery series featuring favourite characters from Jane Austen's novels was just as delightful as the first. Jonathan Darcy, the son of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth, and Juliet Tilney, the daughter of Henry and Catherine Tilney once more find themselves solving a murder, this time, the unhappy Mrs. Willoughby.

Juliet has been invited to visit Marianne Brandon who she became great friends with at Emma and Mr. Knightly's house party several months previous. With Marianne still suffering from the events of that party and Jonathan has had no choice but to accept an invitation from an old school mate, John Willoughby to visit his new house, even though Willoughby was by no means his friend. Soon after, Willoughby's wife is murdered.

The cast of Jane Austen characters is much smaller in this book, where we mostly see the cast of Sense and Sensibility, but the author does a great job of giving us a lot of insight into their minds. She also fleshes out characters who were only mentioned in the original novel, like Beth Williams, Colonel Brandon's ward. I think The author also did a wonderful job keeping the original Austen characters true to their original personalities. I especially liked the characterization of Lucy Dashwood (nee Steele) and how she became much more like Fanny Dashwood in order to survive in that family (or maybe she was like that all alone and just hid it well?)

I had my suspicions about who the culprit was early on, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel, as watching the characters get there was lot of fun.

Sadly, this book was just not for me. I did not finish it. It is one of those books I will be reading and I know it's going to be enjoyed by many other people, but just not my vibe. I could not keep up with who was who as there was so many characters. It definitely did not help that I had not read the first book!

Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy must once again apply their investigative talents to a murder mystery, when the wife of John Willoughby is murdered.

Juliet is invited to spend time with Marianne and Colonel Brandon. Juliet's parents are not entirely pleased that Juliet will be spending time with Marianne, considering the scandal Marianne created at her last house party (see book one). Marianne is very stressed while waiting for the magistrate to arrive and assess her situation, but is somewhat comforted to have Juliet with her. Marianne is also a little annoyed that her old scandal with Willoughby has neighbours talking because Willoughby has moved to the same town with his wife.

Willoughby decides to invite some friends to stay with him; Jonathan Darcy is surprised by the invite but his parents want him to socialize more, so he arrives at the Willoughbys, not particularly happy, though this is improved when he realizes that Juliet is staying nearby at the Brandons. Two other school acquaintances are also staying at the Willoughbys, and one is actually the former beau of the now Mrs. Willoughby. Uncomfortable..... Also uncomfotable is Jonathan, as Willoughby is a bully, who also bullied him during school, and the other two visitors, Bamber and Follet, also participated in Jonathan's torment.

At a dinner party, which the Brandons and the Willoughbys and his house guests all attend, Mrs. Willoughby dies in a horrifying way, and Jonathan and Juliet almost immediately decide they must investigate. They are soon joined in their efforts by Bamber, whose chemistry knowledge comes in handy. All the clues repeatedly point to Willoughby, whose behaviour and lack of grief after his wife's death don't look good. Meanwhile, both Juliet and Jonathan begin to experience more than just collegial feelings about the other.....


This was fun, and I loved how Claudia Gray again brought several of Jane Austen's characters, as well as the wonderful Juliet and Jonathan, together again. This time, we spend more time with Sense and Sensibility characters, and deal with the long unresolved emotions and situation that tangled Marianne and Willoughby's lives together.

There were some obvious suspects, and the lack of procedure and certain technologies made the investigation in some ways more interesting, as Juliet and Jonathan have to probe people's words and intentions carefully while also ensuring they maintain propriety.

I really enjoyed this book. The story was absorbing, and I really liked how considerate and compassionate Juliet is of Junathan's neurodivergent needs and behavours, something few others are. The two make a terrific investigative pair, and hopefully romantic, too, and I dearly hope Claudia Gray writes more about these two detectives and friends.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for my review.

I really enjoy this series.

In this book, Ms Tilney travels to see Mrs. Brandon and discovers that young Mr. Darcy is nearby visiting a friend.

As you guess, Mrs. Willoughby is murdered and Ms. Tilney and young Mr. Darcy are once again on the hunt for a murderer.

I will say, the ending was very good but also, I was a bit frustrated. Only the thought of a third book is keeping me going.

Oh, I loved reading this book! After the end of the first one, I wasn't sure that there was going to be a sequel. But there was, and I was so glad, to see this duo investigate another mystery together! And a one off line in the ending has me thinking there's going to be a 3rd book! Yeah!

Coming off the events of the last book, Marianne is back home. But also coming back is Mr and Mrs. Willoughby, the guy who she thought she might marry, and the girl that he actually did. So that's bad enough. To make things worse, the missus ends up dead-and the town is looking closely at Marianne.

That John was a school bully of Jonathans, yeah, it sucks that that's why they were brought together. But I loved watching this pair investigate this latest crime. Just with the sensibilities of the time, and that they're young, it was all so entertaining to read! How it turned out was shocking and I loved it!

Oh, at the end there I just wanted to shake a character! They said something that shook confidence, and so Juliet and Jonathan don't feel confident in each other as romantic interests. But there was a line that talks about the future, so I'm really hoping that we get a 3rd book!

Loved reading this, and I really hope that we get more!

The Late Mrs. Willoughby is the second in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery Series by Claudia Gray.

This series imagines the characters in Jane Austen's novels all interconnected together in friendship or otherwise. These novels are such an interesting and fun way to bring Austen's work to further life. If you are an Austen fan you should enjoy these cozy mysteries.

I will confess, my knowledge of Austen is exclusively through having watched just about all of the movie adaptations. So, if you are an Austen purist, I cannot speak to the accuracy of these novels in terms if characters and timelines. The author does note some, if any, liberties taken at the beginning of the first novel, the Murder of Mr. Wickham.

While you could read The Late Mrs. Willoughby as a stand-alone. Readers would certainly benefit from the introduction to the characters in The Murder of Mr. Wickham. Plus, it also was a really good read.

One of our amateur sleuthers in these novels is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Jonathan Darcy. Jonathan teams up with a Miss Juliet Tinley to solve the mystery of who killed Mrs. Willoughby. Juliet and Darcy form a friendship, but there is a lot of question as to whether or not they'll begin a courtship. Their relationship is definitely a slow burn, filled with a lot of missed opportunity and misunderstanding. I am hoping to see it develop further in future novels.

This was a delightful and imaginative read. I loved the characters, the setting and the imagery of this story. This felt like a game of Clue where I knew where the murder took place and what the murder weapon was, but not who the murderer was. I had my suspicions, but ultimately wasn't able to figure it out until the very end.

If you like Jane Austen novels and cozy mysteries, I think you'd enjoy this book.

Thank you to @claudia_gray and @vintageanchorbooks and @NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book.

"Delightful. Claudia Gray is systematically taking out all the unpleasant character in Jane Austen's novels; and I am here for it" - Juneau Black (author of the Shady Hollow Mystery Series)

Couldn't have put it better myself! This series is a delight.

<i>ARC Provided by NetGalley<i>

An interesting sequel about the offsprings of Darcys and Tilneys. Love this interesting interpretation of the Austen novels. The mystery is interesting. The characters are fun and sassy. It is especially fun to see 'old' characters interpreted by a different writer.
Love the hint of romance here too. An enjoyable read.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.