This was a delightful Austenesque mystery and fourth in series featuring the young Jonathan Darcy and his charming sleuthing companion, Miss Juliet Tilney. The London Season has commenced. Balls and visitations have the matchmakers pulling out all the stops. As Jonathan's parents are not able to join him, it has been requested of the Bertrams to lodge Jonathan at their home and facilitate his socializing. All was going fine until Mr. Betram's shamed and shunned sister descends upon the family home. Soon the bodies start accumulating and a gentle sleuthing touch is required as it involves the delicate reputation of members of the Ton. With the police being understaffed, Jonathan and Juliet are soon called upon to assist. They do, after all, have previous successful experience in such matters.

Ms. Gray has done a fabulous job of renewing and continuing our affection for these Austen characters. She writes exquisitely and in perfect form for the period represented. The character development is steady throughout and we slowly learn of each character's thoughts, concerns and motivations. The tension increases gradually throughout the story drawing to a peak and then relaxes to a satisfying conclusion. The friendship between Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney is sweet and chaste and inches further along. Perhaps someday, when all the stars align, it will be a little bit more than that. This reader is ever hopeful that yet another sequel is forthcoming where their relationship can be even further developed. If a Jane Austen style mystery is your jam then this may well be the perfect book for you.

I am grateful to author Claudia Gray and her publisher, Vintage Books, for having provided a complimentary uncorrected proof of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: Vintage
Publication date: June 17, 2025
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 978-0593686607

This continues the very clever series involving the next generation of Jane Austen novels. Elizabeth and Darcy’s oldest son, Jonathan, is somewhere on the spectrum, but he’s fallen for the daughter of Catherine Morland from Northanger Abbey, Juliet Tilney. It seems that they just keep encountering murders involving other characters from Austen novels. It’s all very intelligently plotted and written. Claudia Gray does a very good job imitating Austen’s style and dialogue.

I am really enjoying this series. I did have to go back and review the plot and characters from Mansfield Park since the murders involve some of those characters. It was well worth my time.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Another in Claudia Gray's Jane Austen-adjacent mysteries. Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy solve another mystery, while deepening their admiration for each other. Unfortunately, complications keep them yet again from the happy ending they long for.

I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and was so excited to get a digital advanced copy of this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage Publishing for the copy!

"The Rushworth Family Plot" focuses on the characters from Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, which is not a book I am overly familiar with. Edmund Bertram's sister's former husband Mr. Rushworth is found dead, prompting Mr. Jonathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tilney to team up once again to solve the murder. I would say that the mystery aspect of this novel was a bit easier to piece together and, since I was not attached to the characters connected to the murder plot, almost felt anticlimactic. While this is still a good addition to the series, it was not my favorite book in the series.

While there is definitely forward movement on the relationship between Jonathan and Juliet, I still feel like things need to progress in order for me to continue to be engaged in this series. Also, I may need to brush up on my Austen knowledge in order to connect more with the plot. If you are a fan of Mansfield Park, you may enjoy this one more than I did.

This book was so fun. I just love this series. In the 4th book of this collection Jonathan and Juliet are in London with the Mansfield Park crew, and are ready to make their relationship official (but of course in those days they couldn't actually say that.) Shopping and balls are of course interrupted by a murder that the dynamic duo must solve. I'm so glad we got another book this summer, and can't wait for the next.

I have loved every book in this series, so I was thrilled to be able to read this one early through NetGalley! Claudia Gray does an amazing job writing stories with Jane Austen's characters and somehow gets each one's personality and voice just right! If you're new to this series, you MUST start at the beginning and read them in order. Each book has a new mystery to solve, but the story of Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney starts in book 1, and you'll miss so much if you try to skip around. This latest installment focuses on characters from Mansfield Park, but as usual, some beloved (or NOT so beloved) characters from other Jane Austen stories will also make an appearance. I enjoyed the mystery, but at this point I think I am more invested in the continuing storyline between our two amateur sleuths and their character development. There was plenty of excitement from both parts of this book, but we are once again left hanging! My feelings on that are mixed because I'm glad the series is continuing, but I am also ready for a happy ending! I can't wait to see which Austen character will be in peril next time! I have my guesses, but I will keep them to myself.

I just love this mystery series stacked full of Jane Austen references! The story is engaging and the characters are true to who Jane wrote them to be! Like, a kind of judgmental Mr. Darcy (the older, not the younger!) and quiet, retiring Fanny Bertram and her flighty, lazy mother in law! I think that the author did an amazing job of taking Austen's characters and placing them in this new story, while being true to the personalities and doubles that Austen gave them!

AND the budding love story between Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy is enough to keep me reading this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

About The Rushworth Family Plot: A Mr Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery #4
In The Rushworth Family Plot, Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy are transported from the quiet countryside to the bustling streets of London. Jonathan is staying as a guest of the Bertrams after an accident forces his parents to return to Pemberley. Meanwhile, Juliet’s stern grandfather insists that she and her mother go to London for the social season and Juliet’s debut.

Jonathan knows he must work to mend the strained relationship between the Darcys and the Tilneys if he hopes to properly court Juliet, for whom he has developed tender feelings. Juliet is dreading her debut, as she has harbors strong affections for Mr. Darcy, believing they may be reciprocated.

Their time in London takes an unexpected turn when Edmund Bertram’s brother-in-law is savagely murdered, thrusting Juliet and Jonathan into another high-stakes investigation. This allows the pair even more opportunities to spend time together, solidifying their budding romantic relationship as they work to uncover the truth behind the shocking crime.


Tropes in The Rushworth Family Plot
🎩❤️ Jane Austen Regency Romance
🧣🔎 Cozy Mystery
⬅️❤️➡️ Opposites Attract
♿ Disability Rep

My Review
Plot & Pacing
The Rushworth Family Plot returns the reader to the bustling world of Jane Austen’s London in the fast-paced fourth installment of The Mr Darcy and Miss Tilney series. The action picks up at a brisk pace, heightening the excitement and drawing the reader immediately into the story.
Characters
Juliet Tilney
FMC
Daughter of Henry and Catherine Tilney
Juliet Tilney has led a sheltered life within the loving confines of her family’s estate at Northanger Abbey. Unprepared for the whirlwind of London society, Juliet finds herself overwhelmed by the dazzling jewels and lavish gowns that surround her during the social season. However, amidst the dizzying distractions, her gaze remains fixed solely on Jonathan Darcy.
Throughout the series, Juliet Tilney blossoms from a sheltered young miss into a sensitive and caring young woman. Her affection for Jonathan Darcy is both tender and all-encompassing, as she offers him the unconditional acceptance he has long sought.
Jonathan Darcy
MMC
Son of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy
Jonathan has long felt like an outsider, struggling to navigate the social expectations and nuances of his peers. He has often found himself unable to pick up on the unspoken cues that come so naturally to others. However, in Juliet, Jonathan has found a kindred spirit – a companion who truly understands and accepts him, flaws and all. Though they are still young, Jonathan is certain that Juliet is his perfect match.
The character arc of Mr. Darcy has been a true highlight throughout the series. Over the course of the novels, he has undergone a remarkable transformation, showcasing growth and increasing maturity. In a grand, romantic gesture that is sure to thrill fans, Mr. Darcy makes a choice that demonstrates the depth of his feelings for Juliet.

Final Thoughts
The author seamlessly transports readers from the country estates to the bustle of the city, weaving a compelling mystery that pushes Juliet and Jonathan’s connection to new depths. Fans of the series will delight in seeing the protagonists navigate both the investigation and the social complexities of Regency London, as they strive to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of their blossoming love.

The Rushworth Family Plot promises to be another captivating addition to The Mr Darcy and Miss Tilney series, blending the charm of Jane Austen’s beloved world with a gripping new mystery that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Juliet and Jonathan’s story.

"Even amid the deepest and most sincere grief, there is often a strong curiosity about the contents of a will. Avarice can strike like a viper, even within otherwise benevolent hearts... And where the contents of a will are surprising, even shocking, the news of those contents will spread with remarkable speed."

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney meet in London during The Season in The Rushworth Family Plot and have to solve yet another murder (or two), while also navigating social intricacies without set rules of etiquette, try to understand where they stand on moral issues, semi-plot to convince their parents they are a good match for each other, and more easily bask in each others' attentions.

Jonathan and Juliet continue to grow as detectives solving macabre murders, although quite a bit of the novel is centered on the moral issues Jane Austen's Mansfield Park addresses openly like infedility, and mentions offhand between the lines like slavery. Exploring means, motive and opportunity for the murders forces several characters to confront their morality, which was interesting to read, but seemed a bit unlikely considering the time period these novels are set in.

Though it is naturally difficult to completely capture the essences of someone else's characters, written a long time ago, Claudia Gray's not quite Austen-like writing brings across some of the characteristics we've come to know and expect. However, balancing this with the character arcs hinted at in Austen's novels and perhaps growth that might be expected in some of them given time, this series is starting to require a higher degree of suspension of disbelief of the various mentality vascillations seen in the continuing attempts to bring so many Austen characters together. The plot held for most of the novel, but some of the twists, especially at the end, to further the investigation as well as provide opportunity for more drama in the future seem far-fetched. On the whole, still a fun read, and I'm warily looking forward to the possible next book.

"Jonathan sighed. He knew the rules of etiquette as well as any (and better than most), but he could not see the sense of any rule that made it impolite to keep to one’s own house and read one’s own books. Still, such rules had to be obeyed even— especially, it seemed— when they made no sense at all."

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The quotes included here are from the unpublished draft but provide a good sample of the writing.

🌟🌟1/2🌟
[Half a star for the premise and the whole book; Half a star for the characters and their growth; 1/4 star for the plot and themes explored; Half a star for the world-building; 3/4 star for the writing - 2 1/2 stars in total, rounded up to 3 stars.]

Mid nineteenth century London and Juliet Tilley, daughter of Northanger Abbey characters and Jonathan D’Arcy, son of Pride and Prejudice characters are reunited to solve another murder (or 2). This is a fun series that uses the next generation of Austen characters for the plot. Jonathan is neurodivergent and Juliet accepts and admires him at a time when most others thought him peculiar at best. They are a crime solving duo and would be a perfect couple but their families do not agree. Sadly, while these two spend a great deal of time together during their investigations, their relationship moves VERY slowly…because of the controlled and stilted behavior of their times and because particularly Mr. D’Arcy doesn’t think that Juliet is good enough for his oldest son. Hopefully in future books in this series, there will be movement towards their happiness while also solving crimes. The continued separation of the two of them becomes less realistic and more frustrating.

“The Rushworth Family Plot” is Claudia Gray’s fourth installment in the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery series. If the last names are unfamiliar to you, Mr. Darcy is the son of Fitzwilliam Darcy of “Pride and Prejudice” and Miss Tilney is from the “Northanger Abbey” family. Jane Austen characters who never knew each other in her books meet in Claudia Gray’s stories.

Main characters Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney are highly intelligent and they think analytically. Both are valuable qualities when solving the murders that always seem to pop up in their presence.

Each thinks very highly of the other as well. Gray presents their relationship in such a charming way, and I enjoy seeing them grow closer in each book.

If you enjoy the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley, Claudia Gray’s series may be just your cup of tea. If you enjoy Jane Austen (what am I saying?!-- of course you enjoy Jane Austen), you’ll no doubt find Gray’s books a treat.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy. This is my honest review.

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney, the children of Jane Austen’s heroes and heroines, are back to solving another murder when Mr. Rushworth (from Mansfield Park) is found dead. Is his unfaithful ex-wife responsible? Or the man she left her husband for? Or someone else? In the meantime, Caroline Bingley, now Allerdyce, is trying to secure Jonathan for her own daughter while Jonathan clearly shows interest in his partner-in-investigating. I enjoyed this fourth book in the Darcy and Tilney series. While Mansfield Park is not a favorite, I liked its treatment in this book, and I appreciate the sensitivity the author has in portraying Jonathan’s neurodivergence in a nineteenth century setting.

sweet and well-written detective book. i didn't read book 1 or 2, although i did read 3, but i didn't feel like it was required for me to read 1 or 2, because just from this book it's well-contained. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

I have found an unexpected new favorite pairing over the past few years: 19th century girl detectives and their love interests! First Enola Holmes and Tewkesbury, and now Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy!

I've been a fan of this series from the beginning and I think it's getting better and better. The earlier books were of course a fun novelty with all the Austen characters popping up together, but I think these later books are getting stronger and more able to stand on their own merits.

I loved this book and, while the relationship of Juliet and Jonathan didn't progress as much as I would have liked, it did make some very significant progress and I look forward to their next encounter! Why is Mr Darcy such a pain?! Although I suppose it was ever thus. 😂

The writing in this book is excellent and does such a fine job of capturing the authentic voice of the period! I enjoy it immensely every time.

Carrying on with the Mr. Darcy and Ms. Tilney series, Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney this time find themselves brought together for the London season. Darcy is staying with the Bertram family, and so this book reckons with the slavery connections in Mansfield Park in an adept way. Gray also masterfully capture the voice of Austen's characters, especially Aunt Norris and Lady Bertram. This novel also had added intrigue that recalled a Bridgerton plot. An excellent installment in the series.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. I have really enjoyed this series as it teaches me more about the characters in the Austen novels than I would have known otherwise while also being a compelling murder mystery. The portrayal of Jonathan Darcy and his modern-day autistic diagnosis is well done especially with Fitzwilliam's rejection of it and thinking his son just needs to try harder. Juliet and Jonathan are so sweet together and they REALLY need to be allowed to court in the next book. This can only go on for so long and if there are going to be six books to match the six Austen wrote, I want the last to be a successful engagement and marriage. Gray can only hold out on us for so long right? If you like Austen, you will like these. 4.5 stars.

While I enjoy the main characters and love their relationship, the issues that keep them apart are becoming a little excessive.
We are introduced to more people from the original novels and get to see a future version of what might have been, which is always exciting! And the murder mystery part of the story is entertaining.

"The fourth book in New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray's Jane Austen sequel series, which finds amateur sleuths Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney caught up in the whirlwind of the London Season - and in a murderous scheme involving the family of Edmund and Fanny Bertram

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney understand each other perfectly; it's a pity their families do not. A series of misunderstandings, misplaced pride, and - indeed - prejudice, has led their parents to deem the pair unsuited to wed. Now, with the Season approaching, Juliet's grandfather, General Tilney, has sent her to London with a new wardrobe and orders to prove herself worthy of someone better than the snobby Darcys. Meanwhile, Jonathan has been forced to accept an invitation to stay in town with old friends Edmund and Fanny Bertram at the house of Edmund's brother, Sir Thomas. Oblivious to and undesiring of female attention outside of Juliet's, Jonathan is at risk of being ensnared by Caroline Bingley's previously rebuffed plans to make herself - or her daughter - mistress of Pemberley.

But when Mr. Rushworth, the former husband of Edmund's sister Maria, is discovered dead in his home, Jonathan and Juliet find themselves with problems far weightier than the marriage market. In one of the greatest scandals of its day, Maria abandoned her new husband in favor of the notorious rake Henry Crawford, and when he wouldn't marry her, was forced to flee to the continent in disgrace. Now Maria is back, accompanied by a daughter she claims Mr. Rushworth fathered after their divorce - and who he wrote into his will just before his death. To spare Edmund and Fanny further social shame, Jonathan and Juliet must unmask a killer before the drama surrounding the Rushworth family fortune claims another victim."

Damn, Mr. Rushworth dead!?! I've always felt sorry for him. I too want his killer caught.

Many thanks to NetGalley, PRHAudio and Vintage for the preview. All opinions are my own.

4+ stars

Going into this one, I was a little wary because MP is my least favorite Austen AND I kind of hated Fanny and Edmund in the first book. Thankfully, my utter DELIGHT with Jonathan and Juliet overrode my issues with the Bertrams.

Jonathan and Juliet had me kicking my heels in gleeeeee! I squealed when they were reunited, and every time they were on the page together or even thinking about each other, I was in raptures. So essentially, I'm going to need Lizzie to work on Fitzwilliam Darcy a lot more to get his prejudiced butt over his issues with Juliet. I loved that we got Catherine Tilney as the chaperone for Juliet this time, and I also loved her letters to Henry basically saying "wtf was your issue my man."

So as for the Bertrams. They were all just as insufferable as ever. Though Lady Bertram had me rolling in laughter with her head in the clouds at all times. Aunt Norris is still the worst villain in all of Austen's books. The Crawfords were similarly terrible, as was Caroline Bingley. It's a marvel that Gray is so easily able to step into Austen's characters and maintain their core. The culprit wasn't entirely surprising to me, and the end was really satisfying in that regard.

Ok so Fanny. I still found her unlikeable; overly religious characters really turn me off. HOWEVER, this book really serves as a Mansfield Park apologist, and it works. We dive into why Fanny is the way she is (thanks, Aunt Norris!), and how Fanny survived in that household and how it shaped her. I do have more sympathy for her now. We also have a satisfying fight about that plantation.
But no one will ever convince me that Edmund doesn't suck!

Highly recommended! I cannot wait for the next book. I'm getting impatient with these roadblocks to true love, ma'am!

Miss Juliet Tilney and Mr. Jonathan Darcy first met at a house party on the estate of Mr. Knightley and his wife Emma. Miss Tilney is the daughter of Catherine Tilney (Northanger Abbey) and Mr. Darcy’s parents own the fine estate of Pemberley. As the two people nearest in age at the party they got to know one another. When something horrific happened the two curious young minds puzzled out what happened and thus began a wonderful friendship.

The Rushworth Family Plot concerns the family from Mansfield Park, the Bertram’s, they are in London for the season. Tom the new baron is searching for a wife. The Darcy’s have come to town because they wish Jonathan to see other young ladies besides Miss Tilney. The Darcy’s are not sure they like the connection between the two. Investigating murders is not the done thing for a member of the ton. However, General Tilney has also sent his granddaughter to town for the season as well.

The Bertram’s past comes to town as well causing problems. The estranged sister Maria shows up stirring up scandal and nearly ruining Tom’s martrimonial plans. When Maria’s ex-husband is murdered and the police are too busy to investigate properly, Edmund asks Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney to find the culprit and see justice is done.

Away from the disapproving eyes of his father Jonathan takes care to formally court Miss Tilney and make his wishes to marry her known. Scheming mommas who want to snag such a prime catch will throw barriers in his way. Will the young couple ever find their happily ever after when they are so good catching murderers. We can only hope dear readers.