Great sequel with some of the same characters. Another death. Another mystery in the english countryside of the elite. What's not to love. The ending suggests there is more to come.

Claudia Gray has a true understanding of Austen’s characters. The personalities you’ve come to love come alive once more in seamless and real ways in this new mystery series.

Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy bring a fresh take to the regency era and I love how the author handles their unique personalities and struggles.

Claudia’s character development was such that you gain empathy for the murder victim and suspicions of everyone. Thus creating an interesting push and pull to the mystery.

She has witty turns of phrasing that eases up the tension. And a true grasp of leading the reader on with red herrings without leaving them completely in the dark.

Elinor and Edward have always been favorite characters of mine, and though I loved this glimpse into their lives, I felt like their arc slowed down the story line and interrupted the pacing.

It did not however take away from my utter enjoyment of the novel. This is a series that’s sucked me right in and I can’t wait for their next adventure!

Absolutely loved it!
I could read a new Miss Tilney and Mr
Darcy novel every year and die happy!

I will admit, I loved the first one, The Death of Mr. Wickham, so much that I was actually pretty concerned about The Late Mrs. Willoughby.
The first one was so good, so much fun, how could the second book follow up?

Turns out, very well!
One of the things that really helped is that while the first book brought together characters from all six novels, the second narrowed it down to only three books, which was a good choice. With the ties established in the first book, it was no stretch of the imagination.

Miss Tilney has been invited to visit her now dear friend Marianne Brandon in town. At the same time, Mr. Darcy has been invited by an old schoolmate, Mr. Willoughby to visit his home, along with a few other school friends.

Though Darcy and Willoughby never got along, he goes anyways, and is very pleased to find that Miss Tilney is in town and will make the visit more enjoyable.
However that enjoyment is brought to a quick halt when Mrs. Willoughby is poisoned at a house party thrown in her and Willoughby's honor.
Rumors begin flying and Marianne, with her past love of Willoughby, is under suspect.
Now is it up to Darcy and Juliet to once figure out who the real killer go...

I just finished The Late Mrs. Willoughby & already I feel bereft at the thought of waiting a year for a sequel. The concept & execution of Claudia Gray's "Austen Literary Universe" just shines. Whether you love Austen's characters because of her novels or you come to Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney's adventures because of the many film adaptations, there is something for all within these pages.

While not quite as confined as the previous house party that saw the demise of Wickham, here we have the intersection of two country visits reuniting Jonathan & Juliet. And while Gray touches on the Darcys, this is definitely a #SenseandSensibility reunion. Gray brings Marianne's travails full circle, & featuring everyone from the Dashwoods to Mrs. Jennings. There's even hilarious cameos from Edward Ferrars's odious relations including LUCY, surprising no one, unchanged.

While I loved that the previous novel featured appearances of beloved characters from all six of Austen's novels, here Gray has full rein to explore exactly why Willoughby is such a mess, with the emotional IQ of dirt. In contrast, Marianne shines: the emotional Dashwood has not just grown up, she's given the chance to thrive, both as an individual & as one half of  marriage all the stronger for the trials endured.

The crime itself & the subsequent investigation are liberally sprinkled with well-placed red herrings. Gray clearly has a facility for plotting fiendishly clever whodunits, very much in the vein of Christie or Sayers. This is a mystery that's as much about its social impact on the community as the execution of the crime itself.

Gray's 2nd Austen mystery is a triumph, sure to leave readers who've fallen in love with this fresh take on beloved characters hungry for more. It's entirely in keeping with Regency norms, but the slow burn between Jonathan & Juliet may do me in. I WANT MORE!! The plotting is impeccable, the dialogue sparkles, and the world - murder or no, this is a world I love losing myself in. Bravo!

Jonathan Darcy, the son of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy, has been invited to stay with a former classmate, Mr. Willoughby. Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby have just inherited Allenham Hall and are celebrating by inviting three former classmates of Mr. Willoughby. Jonathan quickly realizes that he was invited for Mr. Willoughby to poke fun at him as he did in school. His dismay turns to delight when he finds that his friend, Miss Juliet Tilney (daughter of Henry and Catherine Tilney) is in the neighborhood visiting Colonel and Mrs. Marianne Brandon. Unfortunately, they find themselves investigating a new mystery when Mrs. Willoughby suddenly dies at a party after drinking a special cup of port meant to welcome her and Mr. Willoughby to the neighborhood. Who killed Mrs. Willoughby and why?

I was just as delighted with The Late Mrs. Willoughby as I was with the first novel. Claudia Gray perfectly captures the original Jane Austen characters, while creating fascinating new characters. Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy are delightful. I especially like that Jonathan appears to be on the spectrum and has to work out how behave properly in society. Would I believe that a character like him would be picked on by Mr. Willoughby at school? Yes. Jonathan and Juliet have a hint of romance that I hope develops further as the series goes on.

I liked the mystery. I went along with a couple of red herrings and did not figure out who the murderer was in this one until the end of the novel.

The Late Mrs. Willoughby is the second book in the “a Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery” series after last years The Death of Mr. Wickham. You could probably read it as a standalone novel, but it would be a lot more enjoyable to read them in order. There are events and characters from the first book referenced in the second book. It would also work best to be familiar with Jane Austen’s works and characters.

The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray is perfect for lovers of Agatha Christie and Jane Austen.

Favorite Quotes:
“Surely it would be easier to be a fox at a hunt than to be an unmarried girl too near Mrs. Jennings!”

“Such is the evil of money, Elinor. Greed can sully the finest human feelings, even the love that should exist between mother and child.”

“The supposed worth of a thing sometimes increases with its impossibility.”

Book Source: Review Copy from Vintage Books. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Miss Juliet Tilney and Mr. Jonathan Darcy once again find themselves investigating a ghastly murder. Readers will enjoy the mystery as Juliet and Jonathan must work around polite society to find the individual responsible for the murder of Mrs. Willoughby. Claudia Gray does it again! This is a highly enjoyable return to the world of Jane Austen with a splash of murder mystery and romance. I hope to see more of Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney.

This sequel to The Murder of Mr Wickham finds young Juliet Tilney (of Northanger Abbey) and Jonathan Darcy (son of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy of Pemberton) visiting neighbouring properties in Devonshire. Juliet to the home of her new friends Marianne and Colonel Brandon and Jonathan by his old schoolmate (and bully) John Willoughby. Both households come together at a dinner party where they witness the shocking, sudden death of the newly wed Mrs Willoughby.

Fans of Jane Austen’s books will recognise John Willoughby (from Sense & Sensibility) as the rakish scoundrel who not only courted and then jilted Marianne to instead marry a woman with her own fortune, but also seduced Colonel Brandon’s ward, Eliza Williams, leaving her pregnant. With both Marianne and Eliza top of the list of suspects for Mrs Willoughby’s murder, Juliet and Jonathan must once again join forces to uncover the real killer.

I enjoyed this novel more than I did the first in the series, as more of the story is seen through Juliet’s and Jonathan’s eyes keeping it fresh and interesting. There is a good dash of humour and wit in their interactions, although their almost romance is hampered by Jonathan’s poor understanding of human courtship and by a rival would be suitor. The mystery kept me guessing and although I suspected the identity of the murderer, but not his motive earlier, than our amateur sleuths. While it’s not essential to have read all of Austen’s books to enjoy this, fans of the novels will enjoy meeting up with her characters again.

Another creative mystery in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney series! In this mystery, the villain focused on is John Willoughby, the rake who broke Marianne Dashwood’s heart in Sense and Sensibility. Instead of him winding up the murder victim, it’s his wife. This crafty, slow burn whodunit combines the wit of Jane Austen with the clever deductions of Agatha Christie as the second generation of Austen’s characters works to expose a murderer.

Mr. Johnathan Darcy’s been invited to the estate of his former nemesis and classmate, John Willoughby for a house party. He goes more so to please his parents than himself. It just so happens, Miss Juliet Tilney whom he became friends with in the previous book, is in the neighborhood visiting Marianne and Colonel Brandon.

Willoughby is not only a rake, but a bully. He and his friends treat Jonathan abominably by reminding him of all the pranks they played on him in school, and their cruel nickname for him, “Thumps.” The indifferent way Willoughby treats his wife isn’t much better. When Mrs. Willoughby dies by poison in a horrific way, Willoughby is the main suspect. But, when Willoughby himself becomes a target, blame is cast on Marianne and a host of other suspects. Juliet and Jonathan must work together once again to find the culprit.

I love Jonathan. He’s such a sympathetic character. He tries so hard to understand others’ motivations. He’s just incapable of reading others’ cues. His friendship with Juliet has the potential for more if only he understood her feelings better. They work well together and I can’t wait to see if their relationship blossoms into something more.

The mystery had plenty of twists and suspects. While I guessed the murderer, there were still so many things I didn’t predict. It kept me guessing until the end. I loved seeing all the characters from Sense and Sensibility again, especially Eleanor happy and expecting a baby. Marianne and Colonel Brandon’s relationship is put to the test now Willoughby is free, but Marianne has grown a lot since her marriage and it’s clear where her feelings and loyalties lie.

Highly recommend to fans of Jane Austen and historical mysteries. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Though it’s the second book, it could be read as a standalone, however to understand the characters and motivations, it’s better if you’ve read the first book. Thanks to the author and AustenProse for the arc! All opinions are my own & voluntarily given.

I am always ready to jump back into the world of Jane Austen. Claudia Gray has combined two of my absolute bookish favorites- Jane Austen and murder mystery! The Late Mrs. Willoughby is the second installment in the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mystery series. I am happy to report that I loved this one even more than the first book!

Gray picks up just a few months after the conclusion of the first book and we are once again witnessing a social gathering that spirals into murder. The setting for this book is the world of Sense and Sensibility. Not only do we get to check back in with those beloved characters, but we are also introduced to some new personages of interest and intrigue.

This is a delightfully clever continuation of Austen’s world with a unique mystery twist. I highly recommend you add this one to your TBR and if you haven’t yet read The Murder of Mr. Wickham, move it to the top of your TBR.

Thank you to Vintage Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Late Mrs. Willoughby is another clever mystery set in the world of Jane Austen. The children of characters from two of Jane’s most popular novels, Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney, unite once again to solve a mystery. Who killed Mrs. Willoughby?

I loved everything about this book. The descriptions of the homes, customs, and way of life immediately transported me to a Jane Austen-inspired world. Seeing her characters revived, and with children now, is so interesting and touching. The mystery was intriguing and had plenty of unexpected twists and turns. The book is expertly written, and it always stays true to the period. Endearing touches of humor were included that made it even more special. The complexity of the relationships between characters is really well done.

From start to finish, this is a captivating mystery and a great tribute to Jane Austen.

I received a free copy of this book from Vintage Anchor via Netgalley. I also received a copy via Austenprose book tours. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

I had such a hard time getting into this book. I really think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first book in the series. everything about it was slow.

I found this really hard to rate. As a mystery it was fine and I must admit to not guessing the answer. However although not a real Austen devote I have enjoyed other mystery's based on her books but this is the strangest one ever. It is based on Darcy and Elizabeth's son who seems have some type of autism that makes him not like being touched but likes rituals and routines and led to him being bullied at school. Jonathan and Juliet which seems to have stalled a romance and they are both rather young at 17 and 21. The pace seemed very slow and it took me way longer than normal to be able to finish this. It wasn't very exciting either despite a murder so it dragged quite a lot. The beginning was very confusing well as I hadn't read the first book and all the references to Mr Wickham's murder was lost on me. So I cannot say it can be read as a standalone but must be read in order.

This author balances romance and mystery and i am so happy for it, the romance has me from the first moment, and also the mystery.

It is truly such a compelling story that the less you know it work s better for it.

This is the second book featuring Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy. These are fantastic characters partly because they are well-written and partly because of the license allowed when adding offspring to Jane Austen characters, It gives the reader a new lens with which to view the entire world.

Heavily featured in this story is the town of Barton, complete with the residents of Barton Cottege, Allenham, Delaford, and of course Barton Park. Included are new characters purported to be friends to Mr. Willoughby.

The story and mystery are delightful. It is slow to lay out the clues, but the important thing is for our two investigators to learn and interact as they go. Their previous adventure with Mr. Wickham is mentioned multiple times and the time period between both books is not long.

It is delightful to see these characters inner thoughts. With Jonathan there is an impression that he struggles with what we might call Asperger's due to his well-written quirks. He struggles in his interactions with others because he is not confident in his ability to understand a situation, but he is also very observant.

One theme I noticed was that of the danger of gossip. The entire town had decided the murderer of Mrs. Willoughby without a thought to truth. In fact the story, as layered as it is, bounces between suspects until ultimately all is revealed. Afterall, It wouldn't be a whodunit without uncovering the truth.

This is a delightful world that has been created with existing characters and new. It was a well thought out story and was fun to read. There is definitely a need for a third adventure with these two. The miscommunications caused by the very nature of Regency society leave so much room for more.

I received an early copy through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Overall, I enjoyed the second in this series. However, I often find that I need to take a break before coming back and continuing my read. But, when I’m away, my thoughts wonder back to the story. So pro, the story is written in the way of Austen and the plot is enticing. Con, everything seems to go on just a bit longer than I think it needs to.

This second book in the series is as entertaining as the first. The author does a good job of evoking the time period and ambience of Jane Austen’s time and classic books. Jonathon Darcy and Juliet Tileny are thrown together again only to get involved in another murder investigation, and of course get to know each other better.

I did not realize this was the second book in the series. It is the sequel to the Murder of Mr. Wickham. With that being said I felt I was a little lost. But it kept me reading to find out what happens. Now I will have to go back to read the first book.

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to receive and review this book.

Once again, The Late Mrs. Willoughby takes us into the delightful world of Jane Austen....with a few twists and turns along the way. As someone who adores Austen, I think she will be very proud of how Claudia Gray pays homage to familiar characters and new family members.

In this book, I really appreciated Jonathan Darcy. In not so many words, Darcy is on the neurodivergent spectrum. And I love how it is depicted with an authenticity and vulnerability. Also, it is a way to show that "different" types of people can do big things and solve big crimes.

Juliet Tilney is an absolute delight. I will keep reading this series because of her. Her commitment to convention but also her spunkiness and challenging convention too.

I really enjoyed this follow-up to The Murder of Mr. Wickham, and the return of amateur sleuths Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy. Juliet is once again charming as a young woman who wants to question, explore, and use her wits in a time when women are not encouraged to do so. If Jonathan was around today, he would probably be considered neurodivergent, and I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to feel so different in a time that does not celebrate difference. I think Gray has treated his character with care and love.

While the setting of the first book was in Emma's world, this one is set in Marianne and Elinor's world. Is it too much to hope that we will get a book in this series set in each of Austen's books's setting? Did that sentence make sense? Whatever. I loved the intrigue that came with Marianne, her husband Colonel Brandon, Willoughby, his new wife, AND the young woman Willoughby fathered a child with all living in the same area. The drama!

As the title suggests, a murder occurs, and I want to tell you that I guessed the murderer early...but while I did, I also suspected many others in quick succession so it still came as *somewhat* of a surprise when revealed. The investigation is a bit all over the place, but I was satisfied with how the mystery wrapped up.

Complaints? This story felt a bit slow-going in some areas, the beginning especially. While probably historically accurate, it definitely felt like it was just a lot of walking between houses for a while. Also...as a sucker for romance, I absolutely wanted more romance between Juliet and Jonathan. I really just wanted more interaction between Juliet and Jonathan. There was individual pining, but we got so many sweet, exciting moments between the two of them in book one, and I had hoped that would progress in this book? While in a way, each one's understanding of her/his own feelings towards the other (eventualllyyyy) becomes clearer, I just wanted more.

Overall, if you are a fan of Jane Austen, historical mysteries, etc, I would recommend! Do read The Murder of Mr. Wickham first, though.

The Late Mrs. Willoughby is the second installment in the loosely connected Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney series and can be read as a stand-alone.

Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy are reunited at the estate of John Willoughby, Jonathan’s boarding school nemesis. Although Jonathan isn’t thrilled about attending Willoughby’s house party, he is keen to see Miss Tilney again after they paired up as amateur sleuths (in the previous book) to solve a recent murder. The occasion is a party to welcome John Willoughby’s new bride. Unfortunately, she dies at the party, the victim of an apparent poisoning. Juliet and Jonathan combine their investigative skills to solve the murder which has twists and turns and puts their lives in danger.

Juliet and Jonathan are two smart and compassionate young adults with strong investigative abilities. Jonathan is neurodivergent and was bullied at boarding school by Willoughby and his group. Juliet understands Jonathan’s neurodivergence and appreciates him.

If you enjoy gently written historical fiction in an Austenesque style, you might enjoy this cozy mystery. Although difficult content is addressed, most of it happens off the page. The death of Mrs. Willoughby is described and a bit of bullying occurs in the present. There is no profanity and no open-door romance.

Juliet and Jonathan solidify their friendship and work well together as amateur investigators. As they become better acquainted, a hint of sweet romance is in the air. A definite cliffhanger for the next installment.

For readers who appreciate the Austenesque style of cozy histfic mystery, I enthusiastically recommend The Late Mrs. Willoughby. If you are looking for a gently-written series, you might enjoy this one!

Thanks #NetGalley @VintageAnchorBooks #AustenProsePR @AustenProse for a complimentary e ARC of #TheLateMrsWilloughby upon my request. All opinions are my own.