Readers of the Darcy-Tilney mystery series will get exactly what they’re expecting in this installment, which sets the investigators among the characters of Mansfield Park. I was initially not excited to revisit the most dour of Austen’s novels, but the author does a good job of keeping the story lively while staying true to the characters. (Caroline Bingley also makes an appearance, in an unexpected but brilliantly accurate and pivotal role.) The mystery itself is not particularly suspenseful, but by this point in the series much of the drama stems from Darcy and Tilney’s attempts at courtship and how they are both driven and frustrated by their deductive collaborations.

Is this Austenian romantic mystery series right for every reader? Probably not. But I can’t imagine any way to improve on it.

4.5/5 stars

I'm so loving this historical mystery series based on characters from Jane Austen's novels...in this case our mains (and amateur sleuths) are Jonathan Darcy (eldest son of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy from Pride and Prejudice) and Juliet Tilney (daughter of Henry and Catherine Tilney from Northanger Abbey). Various other book characters are featured throughout the series as the ensemble cast. This particular outing takes place in London as both Jonathan's and Juliet's families are hoping their children become more inured with societal interactions/expectations.

I felt this book advances the burgeoning "more than friends" relationship between Jonathan and Juliet. A dead body does not even show up until about a quarter of the way into the story...and I didn't even miss it. It's wonderful to watch BOTH mains listen to and respect each other. Juliet sees Jonathan as a brilliant and interesting person even if some of society labels him as a bit odd. Jonathan sees Juliet as a brilliant and interesting person even if society dictates that ladies should be seen and not heard. I feel that their individual uniqueness is what drew them together originally, and I'm excited to see where these aspects of themselves will lead to in their possible coupledom.

While the "whodunit" is always well-plotted and absorbing in each of the books in the series (this one is no exception), this one struck a special chord for me in terms of delving deeper into the feelings of the characters themselves.

Very well done.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor / Vintage for providing the free early arc of The Rushworth Family Plot for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Always a fan of this universe. 💜

Excited to see the characters from Mansfield Park and how they are faring and absolutely loved all the moments that Jonathan and Juliet shared. The mystery itself was exciting but I wished we had gotten more of a focus on it (and Jonathan and Juliet) rather than on the other characters. I’m personally not a fan of Fanny and there was entirely too much of her in this book lol.

Loved seeing Caroline Bingleys return and hoping for more antics from her in the best book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review

I’ve been loving Claudia Gray‘s Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery series, so I could hardly wait for the fourth installment, The Rushworth Family Plot. Now that Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney have a reputation for solving murders, it’s no wonder the London police immediately give them free rein to investigate the latest crime: Mr. Rushworth has been found dead in his home. While these two work on following the clues, they’re also there to enjoy the London season… and becoming more sure that they want to be together despite their respective fathers’ disapproval. Can they solve murder and take their relationship to the next level?

What I Liked:
- Humorous, insightful, incisive writing. As always, and perhaps even more than ever, Claudia Gray’s writing is a joy to read in and of itself. Throughout this novel, her witty and tongue-in-cheek prose is on full display. The omniscient narrator keeps with the style of the time (February 1823), calling out societal norms of the era with plenty of room for laughs along the way. Murder notwithstanding, this is hilarious and smart.
- Jonathan and Juliet’s romantic relationship continuing to blossom! Throughout the first three books, I enjoyed seeing Jonathan and Juliet get to know each other. Now that they know their romantic feelings are mutual, Jonathan has decided he wants to court Juliet in earnest. But their fathers stand in the way, as do the machinations of a certain other character I hadn’t expected to see. I love their cute relationship and seeing them overcome so many hurdles!
- Seeing the many Jane Austen characters brought to life here. In The Rushworth Family Plot, we get to spend a lot of time with the Bertrams and Rushworths from Mansfield Park and Catherine Tilney from Northanger Abbey. Caroline Allerdyce (née Bingley) and the Darcys are also present. Across characters, their mannerisms, speech, and actions are consistently accurate to their original books, making it a rewarding read for those familiar with Jane Austen’s work.
- What family looks like. A secondary plot throughout this book is Fanny’s desire to become a mother. Will she ever be able to bear children of her own? Are there other ways she and Edmund can grow their family? This aspect of the story was done with tenderness that brought tears to my eyes.
- Jonathan’s neurodivergence. As with previous books, I appreciated getting to see Jonathan in all his uniqueness. Characters of the time wouldn’t have known what to call it, but he’s portrayed to be autistic, and it’s done so well.
- Combating crime! The first murder doesn’t occur until about 25% into the book, but once it does happen, there’s a lot for Jonathan and Juliet to uncover. Their investigation feels less circuitous here, to its merit, allowing the story to remain more engaging and progress in other ways. So much happens and I enjoyed every bit of it!

Final Thoughts
The Rushworth Family Plot may be my favorite Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery so far! I had so much fun reading it and already can’t wait to see where our characters go next. This whole series is a must-read for Jane Austen fans and anyone who enjoys historical mysteries with a side of romance.

The 4th installment of the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery series is her best yet. Her previous three novels are recommended reading but not required. However, they are referenced (none of the endings are spoiled) and the series' overarching plot is really starting to bloom in this particular volume.
These mysteries are fantastic for fans of Jane Austen &/or historical mysteries.
I find this entry particularly memorable because of the series plotline having notable action and development as referenced by the cover itself.
The mystery itself is good, plausible, and capable of being solved by the reader (as they should be). There is a distinct narrative voice and fairly accurate historical portrayal of the time period (obviously a woman would not be permitted to investigate a crime, but a gentleman could).

Thank you NetGalley for an early ebook. The audiobook is great for those who prefer that medium.

I would give 'The Rushworth Family Plot' ten stars if I could! Claudia Gray is genius in her portrayal of the Austen next generation. The characters of the A Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery series are complicated and delightful. The ability of the Jonathan and Priscilla to solve complex murder mysteries with a gentle communion between them is sweet and powerful. I have just one issue, I can't wait for the next offering! It cannot be too soon for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

*I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Vintage for this ARC!*

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. 🥰

This fourth installment of the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney mystery series was fun, in that it took place in the city. Each of the previous books took place in the countryside, generally at a large estate. This book taking place in London during the Season made for some fun obstacles for our amateur sleuths to overcome.

I enjoyed that this book centered around the characters from Mansfield Park, one of Austen’s lesser loved novels. I feel that Claudia Gray does a fantastic job of characterizing each person from Mansfield Park just as I would imagine them in the aftermath of their story from the original source material. It was fun to see the villains, The Crawfords, Maria (Bertram) Rushworth, and Mrs. Norris back in their full glory. I also liked that we got to see more of Susan Price in this novel. She is a fun character, and I hope we get to see more of her in future installments.

Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney continue to be precious and couple goals. I liked getting to see Jonathan become more serious about Juliet, to the point of considering going against his parents’ wishes, which is great character growth for him. I also really liked getting to see more of Catherine (Morland) Tilney in this novel. She is such an under-appreciated Austen heroine, and I enjoyed seeing her in the role of mother this go around.

The murder mystery was fun, and proved to keep me guessing until the very end. I had my mind made up on who I thought the murderer was, and they pulled the rug out from under me. I always appreciate when a mystery can truly surprise me.

If you are a fan of Austen, and enjoy a good retelling, make sure you pick up this series! Start from the beginning, and you will be glad you did!

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I gave The Rushworth Family Plot 4 STARS.

Claudia Gray once again has absolutely nailed it. This book had me guessing the culprit (or perhaps culprits...) until the very end! The suspense (romantic and criminal) had me literally gasping. I devoured this book in one day, and can't wait to recommend it to my readers.

After being separated by their fathers and spending months at home in the country, Jonathan and Juliet find themselves not only in London for the Season, but on the spot at the same time for a new murder case to solve, again amongst friends they made at the Knightley’s house party. Claudia Gray has done a superb job of marrying Jane Austen’s historical settings and characters from her novels with clever Regency era murder mysteries.

Young Jonathan and Juliet could be seen as a pair of thwarted star-crossed lovers with neither of their father’s inclined to see the worth in the young people’s chosen partners, but this pair, a neuro-divergent contemplative hero and a bright and clever heroine are determined to partner in life and murder.

This time, the murder occurs among the extended Bertram family and acquaintances showing what came of that group after the events of Austen’s Mansfield Park. I appreciated how the author used organic elements from that earlier piece, slavery, class, seduction, and scandal to continue to drive The Rushworth Family Plot. Of course, series readers have already encountered Edmund and Fanny Bertram, but now they are staying in London with the new Sir Tom Bertram, widowed Lady Bertram, married Yates and Julia, divorced Maria, bitter Mrs. Norris, and what could be more fun than to have the Crawford siblings around to stir them all up.

Poor Mr. Rushworth looked on the verge of big changes and decisions when someone finished him off and Jonathan and Julia have to figure out who before scandal and a dangerous killer strike again.

All in all, this was another entertaining and engaging entry in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney series. I loved seeing progress in the connection between Jonathan and Julia, the sequel events for the Mansfield Park characters, and the clever finish to a murder mystery in a well-drawn Regency setting.

Atmospheric and sharply drawn, The Rushworth Family Plot delivers a richly woven mystery steeped in scandal, inheritance, and long-held regret. Though I haven’t read the first three books in the series, I found this installment entirely compelling on its own—twisting with gothic intrigue and anchored by intelligent, emotionally complex characters. Juliet and Jonathan’s romance simmers beneath the surface with quiet intensity, and while their connection is satisfying here, I’ve since learned that reading the earlier books will deepen the emotional threads woven through their relationship and the surrounding cast. I’ll absolutely be going back—Claudia Gray has created something smart, layered, and true to the spirit of Austen, yet entirely her own.

Poor Mr. Rushworth. That guy never got a break. If there's one bright spot of his untimely death, it's that we get Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney on the case, once again investigating murder in the midst of the Austen-verse.

Does it make a ton of sense that two youngsters (23 and 18) would be investigating murders, at the behest of both family members and--in this case--London police? No. Do I love it nonetheless? Absolutely. They are so delightful, together and as individuals. I also so very much enjoy seeing these new versions of Austen's characters: Edmund and Fanny, Tom (now Sir Thomas), Lady Bertram, Maria and Lady Norris. And don't forget about Catherine and Henry Tilney, and Caroline Allerdyce (nee Bingley). It's rewarding to imagine the full lives they have been leading beyond the pages of the books in which we first meet them--even when those lives involve heartache. (You don't need to have read Austen to enjoy these, but I can't imagine it's nearly as pleasurable to read these without that foundation.)

I do appreciate that the stakes for Mr. Darcy (the younger) and Miss Tilney were much higher this time, and that we left them seemingly further apart than ever. (And ugh, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, pull your head out of your ass!) I have every confidence that some other bloodthirsty Austen or Austen-adjacent character will turn murderous just in time to reunite our amateur detectives, on their way to their happy ending.

First things first, thank you to net galley and the publishers of this book for the arc!

i’ve always been an austen fan, so this series has been at the forefront of my mind this year. this installment sent me through a range of emotions. i went from jumping up and down, beaming at the continuous blossoming of johnathan darcy and juliet tilney’s relationship, to hanging onto the edge of my seat at the drama and mystery that unfolded.

compared to the previous books in the series, this one is in my top 3 for sure, it was much more fast paced than “the perils of lady catherine debourgh” and “the late mrs. willoughby”. gray’s writing style also changes with the addition of contextual fourth wall breaking, similar to that of a lady whistle down character; which i found entertaining and helpful in some instances.

overall i’m now dying to know how the rest of juliet and johnathan’s story unfolds and need the next book in my hands now. please. (i also really liked the pug)

This is one of my favourite series. I love the world that the author has created out of Jane Austen’s novels, brining together the different families and characters . Mr Darcy ( the younger) and Miss Tilney are both great characters and following their love story along with their sleuthing is fun and entertaining . ⁣
⁣
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I just have to say that I love this series based on Jane Austen’s characters so I was excited to read this book! This round Jonathan and Juliet have their work cut out for them by having to solve two murders among the same family. The storyline is full of family drama, ball attendances, a duel, a scandalous painting, and twists and turns to keep things interesting. It is a slow-burn read but worth reading to the end. Jonathan and Juliet hit a bump in the road with their relationship again!? Will they ever be able to get together? I guess I’ll have to read the next book to find out!

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Okay so I have to confess I am OBSESSED with this series and the episode does not disappoint. Jonathan Darcy is left with the Bertrams in London after the rest of the Darcy clan need to head home unexpectedly. Juliet Tilney and her mother are in London to find Juliet a match that is not Mr. Jonathan Darcy. And the disgraced daughter of the Bertram clan is in London to do what exactly???
There is murder, of course, the return of some additional characters we met earlier in the series, lies to untangle, a lady's honor besmirched and even a duel...
SO many delicious pieces to this great story. I could not put it down.

I absolutely love this series. I think the premise is so fun and Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilley are so lovable as characters. This might be my favorite book in the series so far, because the romantic elements had me giggling and kicking my feet. This series is a must read for any Jane Austen fans who enjoy a murder mystery.

In this Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney book, the hero and heroine contend with suspicious parents and a new murder to solve. For those of us who are Austen fans, we're already familiar with the characters that inhabit her books. By extension, those of us who appreciate a modern creative endeavor that extends those stories by mimicking the Austen style love to see how our Ms. Gray channels her efforts into a combined Romance/Mystery.

Young Jonathan Darcy, of the Pride and Prejudice Darcys, joins forces with Miss Juliet Tilney, of the Northanger Abbey Tilneys, to navigate the intricacies of Regency-era society, not only as young people who are expected to make fortuitous matches, but also young people who find themselves involved in detective work. By book 4, they have developed a tendre and have gained some notoriety: when Mr. Rushworth is murdered in his London townhouse, Darcy is one of the first to know as he's been staying with the Bertrams, and Juliet, who is also in town for the season, put their heads together to get to the bottom of the affair before the families involved suffer any negative side effects. It doesn't help that the young people's parents and relatives are critical of their relationship.

Mansfield Park is one of my least favorite Austen novels, so it was a little more difficult for me to enter into the spirit of the hunt. Mr. Crawford, for example, is a truly despicable character, and I am happy to leave him in the pages of Austen without encountering him again. Ms. Gray, however, creates a riveting plot, and I was able to work past my own prejudices to get to the meat of this one. I enjoy encountering the characters I know alongside the new ones, and Ms. Gray continues to produce writing that is admirably Austenesque. I really do appreciate the efforts she takes to preserve the social norms even as we have to make a mental jump to recognize how unlikely it would be that Lady Catherine de Bourgh would ever condescend to allow any of her relations to dabble in detective work. No matter -- It's fun.

As I've mentioned in past reviews of Gray's Darcy & Tilney novels, it's critical to familiarize yourselves with Austen novels. Make it an Austen summer!

My grateful thanks to Vintage and NetGalley for access to the ARC. I don't receive compensation for my reviews.

Thank you Vintage for my #gifted advance electronic copy via NetGalley. My thoughts are my own.

I'm already a huge fan of this series, and this latest did not disappoint. It's chock full of the usual pithy social commentary worthy of Austen herself. Cray also continues to be faithful to the characters Austen herself created, breathing life in them again after the original stories ended, and imagining a lovely "what if." Well, not so lovely in the case of some ;). The plot is imaginative and tight and entertaining throughout. For me it had been a while since I'd read Mansfield Park so a few pages into Rushworth I paused and read a recap of the original, just to remind myself of some of the finer plot points. Having read Austen's original is not necessary, but it's such a fuller story if you have (and also if you've read the previous books in the series). My one complaint is that Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney deserve a break--why do we always have to have a cliffhanger with obstacles to their progress?!?! I promise that I’ll read the next one even if this petty device is not employed!!!

Trigger warnings: bullying, murder, miscarriage

I was so thrilled to get the chance to read another Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery ARC! These stories are fantastic, engaging and so clever! This is a great addition to this series. I loved it!

My favorite parts of these stories are the connections between different Jane Austen characters. I love how Claudia connects all our favorite Austen characters from Elizabeth and Mr Darcy to General Tilney, Fanny and Edmund Bertram to Emma and Mr, Knightley. These connections are so clever and seamless. It feels natural that these characters would connect at house parties and as part of the London season. In this story, we delve into the most shocking of family secrets -- Maria Rushworth's decision to leave her husband for another man. Their resulting divorce is a full blown Regency scandal. In this story, Maria returns from exile years later claiming to have had Mr Rushworth's child before their divorce. And then Mr Rushworth is killed. The connections between the Bertrams, Darcys and Tilneys take center stage as Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney are again on the case.

I was so excited for another murder mystery with my favorite Regency sleuthing duo! Jonathan and Juliet just fit together. They bring out the best in each other and I love seeing them together again (especially after how the last novel ended). I love their banter, their meticulous research, and the journey they go on to discover the killer. I love how they get each other and allow each other to be themselves. It's so fun to get inside both their heads and see how they think about the different aspects of this particular case. They see the world very differently but that only contributes to their natural strengths as a detective team. From the first moment they see each other across a London ballroom, Jonathan and Juliet are clearly meant to be back together solving this crime. And I was cheering for them both as murder mystery detectives and to find a way to be together always.

These murder mysteries are fast paced, clever, and always full of surprises. Claudia has a talent for creating engaging stories that suck you into the drama. Even if you haven't read any Jane Austen novels, you will be pulled into this classic who-done-it novel. I don't read a lot of mysteries so I have little to compare these with. But I am always surprised in the end. I think I have the mystery figured out. I think I know who the killer is. And then I am totally surprised! I don't want to share more details because you should experience this one for yourself. But I will say this is another fantastic mystery with compelling twists and turns and a truly surprising ending!

This is a great series for fans of Jane Austen, mystery fans, and especially those who love both!

This is the fourth installment in the cozy mystery series featuring characters from Jane Austen’s novels. Jonathan Darcy, son of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and Juliet Tilney, daughter of Catherine and Henry Tilney from Northanger Abbey, have solved three murders in the previous three books. However, both families vehemently opposed their courtship, causing dismay to both parties.

In this book, Jonathan arrives in London for the season and is staying with the Bertram family from Mansfield Park. Coincidentally, Juliet has been sent by her grandfather to participate in the season, known as the Marriage Market, and is thrilled to find Jonathan there. Tragically, Mr. Rushworth, ex-husband of Maria Bertram, is murdered, and all the characters from Mansfield Park become potential suspects.

Given their success in previous murder investigations, Jonathan and Juliet are once again called upon to solve this new case. While I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in the series, I found this one a bit challenging to read. The author’s extensive backstory from Mansfield Park seemed to overcomplicate the more intriguing aspects of the story, particularly the mystery and the romantic relationship between the protagonists.

I hope this is merely a sophomore slump, as I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series. This installment is an acceptable addition to the series, but I genuinely hope the next book will be more captivating. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.