4.5 stars

As a lover of mysteries and Jane Austen, this series is exactly the kind of book that appeals to me! I really enjoyed the first book, The Murder of Mr. Wickham, so I had high hopes for The Late Mrs. Willoughby, and I'm glad to say that I loved this book as well. I find Juliet and Jonathan so endearing and love their dynamic. I loved that this book focused more on characters from Sense and Sensibility, and thought that Gray did a wonderful job of expanding upon the dynamics between the characters. I thought the investigation was really well done, and I absolutely loved the plot twist at the end.

If you enjoy a good historical mystery, I highly recommend this series!

I thought this book looked and sounded like something that I might enjoy, so I was pleased to be approved for a review.

I liked the writing style, and warmed to the characters and setting. I found the tone of the book light and pleasant, and it seemed like something that would be easy to read in one sitting - a good choice if you want a book that will help you to relax.

I didn't realise that this was actually the sequel to another book - The Murder of Mr. Wickham. It may have made more sense for me to read that one first, but I still liked this, and I would probably be interested in reading more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy are happily reunited with each other and the Brandons until, once again, a murder shocks their group. I adored the first novel in the series and very much enjoyed this sequel. It was fun to encounter the Ferrars and some of the secondary characters from Sense and Sensibility. Gray keeps the reader guessing and provides just the right amount of red herrings to keep you and the young detectives on the hunt. Gray does a great job with capturing the language and prose of the Austen novels. I do think that the plot meandered a bit more in this one, compared to the first, however. Most importantly, I am relieved that the ending suggests that there will be a third novel in the series because I very much need the Tilney-Darcy relationship to continue!!

Overall, this is a sequel that will delight fans of the first novel and those looking for new stories inspired by Jane Austen.

In the sequel to "The Murder of Mr. Wickham" , Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy are thrown together again, when they both wind up invited to stay in Devonshire - Juliet having been invited to stay with Marianne Brandon, and Jonathan was invited by a former schoolmate, John Willoughby. Willoughby was not a friend, but rather a tormentor, but Jonathan's parents don't know that, and are anxious for him to make social connections, so he goes to please them. He anticipates it being a miserable few weeks, but was delighted to discover that Juliet was staying nearby and they would have the opportunity to socialize often. Willoughby had recently married, not for love, but for fortune. His marriage was a miserable one, and his heart was still with Marriane Brandon, who had washed her hands of him completely and found that having to constanlly rebuff his advances was tiresome. When everyone in the area was invited to a dinner party, and Mrs. Willoughby winds up dead before the end of it, Juliet and Jonathan do what they do best - team up to solve a murder.

I loved "The Murder of Mr Wickham" so I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this sequel. Although I enjoyed the first book slightly more, this book was still excellent, and I have hopes that there may even be another book in Juliet and Jonathan's future. They have to wind up together, after all! This is a fun mystery that will keep you guessing, with a mish-mash of Jane Austen characters all thrown together to make one delightful storyline. I highly recommend this one!

This is such a phenomenal historical mystery book! This series has really been a joy to read. I was excited to dive back into this world. It felt like being greeted by an old friend. I'm putting this on my book club list!

This series is a delightful reimagining of the lives lived after the end of Jane Austen's novels. I enjoyed the first book in the series and this sequel was delighful even with the murder mystery plto to be solved. If you haven't read the first book: stop here and turn around. You will still get the gist of the the plot and story but it is much more enjoyable with that background of the new generations of Austen's characters and what their lives are like now.
I find I enjoy the idea that Austen's characters knew each other and found their way into each other stories and are not left alone with their happily ever afters. Getting to meet their children and watch them interact is a trip into very well written fan fiction. This series is perfect for any fans of Austen's work, becuse you will definitely need a working knowledge of the main characters to find the humors and solve the plots.

The interweaving of all the verious characters somwtimes boggles the mind but once I remember how I know their names I am fully invested in the story and seeing our new Darcy and Tilney ineract was fun and a joy to read!

Synopsis:
The suspenseful sequel to The Murder of Mr. Wickham, which sees Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney reunited, and with another mystery to solve: the dreadful poisoning of the scoundrel Willoughby's new wife.
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.

i didn’t realize this was the second part of a series so that’s on me. this was all right but i didn’t really feel the chemistry between the two main characters, so it ended up being more of a so-so read for me. i think those who enjoyed the first part will really love it, though.

Lots of fun although maybe not quite as much as the first in the series. With fewer suspects the murder investigation felt like it was going in circles. But it was fun to revisit many favorite Austen characters and imagine their lives beyond the original stories. Can’t wait for the next one!

This series has quickly become a favorite. I love the characters of Austen's novels continuing to grow. I also love that some of the villain's of previous books get their comeuppance. The first book was a great introduction to the new characters of Jonathan and Juliet. Both characters have grown since the time they first met, and of course find themselves involved in a new mystery when they reconnect.

i enjoyed the murder of mr wickham a lot, it really had everything i wanted. the late mrs willoughby has less that i recognize and love and the murderer was a bit too easily guessed, but still readable and breezy and fun. curious as to where it's going next

What’s a Jane Austen spin-off with a massive dose of arsenic? It’s a good read. Fresh from figuring out who caused The Murder of Mr. Wickham, amateur detectives Jonathan and Juliet, know they’re well suited to solve another murder. When John Willoughby’s wife dies dramatically from her poisoned drink, Jonathan and Juliet begin their navigation of the widespread dislike of Willoughby and the complex social decorum of their time.
This isn’t a standalone. If you haven’t read the first book, it’s worth it for the character-driven house party of familiar characters from across Jane Austen’s works. If you have read it, you’ll be happy to know that you need only keep track of the Sense and Sensibility characters in this one and that the reveal follows the clues dropped during the read. Both novels are true to their world, where one thing upsets the rules of good manners and social standing. That one thing is murder.
It’s a good world to get lost in, for the space of a novel. There’s room here for another book to follow. If so, I will definitely read it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance read. Let’s toast this new novel! Actually, might want to be careful about that.

This charming Austen “fan-fic” murder mystery series continues to deliver the goods in another cozy, smart installment. Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy are fun together; I like their rapport and camaraderie, though I was frustrated by the miscommunication trope a’la regency era AKA it’s not polite to blurt out your romantic feelings for each other. So, down one little star for that annoyance (also because it’s equal to its predecessor, which I also gave four stars); but otherwise, I continue to recommend these books if you’re looking for intelligent Austen-lite stories.

Second mystery book inspired by Jane Austen's characters. I liked the original characters that Claudia Gray create and eagerly await the potential romance. I just hope the author does not stretch out the will they or won't they for too many more books.

I thought the mystery was intriguing. It helped if you read the first book, but enough information is given if the reader had not read it.

I LOVE this series….not just because the books intertwine many Jane Austen stories, taking them 10 or 20 years past the events of her books, but because they include a character who is clearly neurodiverse. I never considered what life would be like for a neurodiverse person in the mid-nineteenth century and the depiction in these books is sensitive yet unsparing.
Jonathan Darcy, aged 21, is the oldest child of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice and Juliet Tilley, aged 17, is the oldest daughter on Rev. and Mrs Tilley from Northanger Abbey. Together, they have become friends and solved one murder in the first book in this series. Now they fortuitously come together again to solve the murder of Mrs. Willoughby, the richly dowered wife of the cad in Sense and Sensibility … the woman who he married for her money and broke Marianne Dashwood’s heart. Jonathan is the neurodiverse character and, while greatly loved by his family and the staff of Pemberley, his young life has been a struggle, full of bullying and confusion.. While Jonathan has learned to hide much of his behavior seen by others as peculiar, he finds it difficult to look other in the eye, the texture of clothing and the touch of others is uncomfortable, he misses social cues and is perplexed by the actions of others. One person who seems to “get” him is Juliet and, while sleuthing, they engage in a will they/won’t they kind of romantic dance.
Who killed the cold and disappointed Mrs. Willoughby….the husband, Marianne Dashwood Brandon, the mother of Willoughby’s illegitimate son, one of the many others who hate Mr. Willoughby? A great whodunnit.

What an enjoyable story. More importantly, what enjoyable characters!

I would recommend this book to readers who are a fan of the source material, but I would just as easily recommend this book to anyone.

Every character in this story really pops, especially Jonathan. There is so much about Jonathan that reminds me of Darcy Sr. and I loved following him. Juliet was also fun.

I've already put a hold on the other book in the series, as I hadn't read it before this one (which I don't think you need to in order to enjoy this one). I can't wait to get my hands on it!

"The prospect of investigating another murder cheered Jonathan far more than was genteel" - The Late Mrs Willoughby by Claudia Gray

The Murder of Mr Wickham was the first book in Claudia Gray's historical murder mystery series which features characters from the novels of Jane Austen and introduced two new characters. Jonathan Darcy, son of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice and
Juliet Tilney daughter of the main characters from Northanger Abbey. That first book they became friends AND solved a murder.

The Late Mrs Willoughby is set three months after the first book. Jonathan and Juliet reconnect when Juliet goes to stay with Marianne and Colonel Brandon from Sense and sensibility and Jonathan, having graduated from Oxford University  is invited to a month long house party by one of his former classmates, John Willoughby who has just inherited his aunt's estate nearby. While Juliet enjoys the Brandon's company Jonathan had been bullied all through school by Willoughby and the other two house guests so it's a bit of an uncomfortable visit  for him even before Willoughby's wife is poisoned at a dinner party.

Jonathan and Juliet of course soon have a list of suspects and conduct a sneaky investigation.

While the first book in the series featured characters from all six of Austen's novels and at times seemed a little overburdened with characters and motives this second book is set in the world of Sense and sensibility and has fewer characters to keep track of.

There are several points of view in the story but the main ones are Jonathan and Juliet.
Jonathan Darcy seems to be written as Autistic and demi sexual and he is clearly very smart having graduated Oxford University early and you know... successfully solves crimes as a hobby.  He's just not so great at the social stuff.

Juliet is practical and compassionate and sees the positives in some of Jonathan's quirkier characteristics.

I'm really hoping we get a third book in this series, the ending seems to suggest there will be.

I think knowing Austen's original stories is a define bonus to enjoying this series and definitely think The Murder of Mr Wickham should be read before this book.

Just like Claudia Gray's previous novel set in Jane Austen world, this is a charming story about the characters from Sense & Sensibility in the time after the original ended. Like before, the murder mystery is a bit silly; the strength of the story is still Jane Austen's characters. The author hints at continuing the story in a third installment, where the young mr. Darcy and the spirited miss Tilney finally gets a chance to court each other.

I tried. I truly tried to like this book. But the characters have no chemistry, they feel so disjointed.
One star.
And even that is a stretch

While you don't need to be a hardcore Jane Austen fan to enjoy this sequel and the first one, The Murder of Mr Wickham, it does help to have a little basic knowledge of her original characters and their eccentricities.

The author does a brilliant job in bringing together many of the different characters from Jane's books and re-imagining how they might all interact in a given situation.

Very clever and a lot of fun.

This was another delightful installment in this little series. I just adore Juliet and Jonathan. And I loved that the setting was with the Sense & Sensibility crew this time. I pictured and heard in my head the whole cast from the 1995 movie as I read the book. Once again, I didn't figure out the murderer until very late in the book. And while Fanny and Edmund reduced my enjoyment of the first book, I didn't have that issue with anyone in this book. Obviously Willoughby is the careless and mean rogue we know him to be already.
And I was about to throw my book at the very end but the author gave us hope and a promise of another book and kept my little Juliet and Jonathan ship afloat.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a requested copy for review. All opinions are my own.