A reasonably well written book though I’m still not sure how I feel about this offering. I liked the younger of the characters in the story though I would have found their expanded story more enjoyable . I didn’t really feel this was the best offering from Ms Gray as Lady Catherine in not exactly the most likeable character from Austen. the mystery did soften the blow. A reasonable read but not as good as previous offerings in this series. In my opinion.

Who would dare to touch the so-called Lady Catherine de Bourgh? Apparently no one dares until a series of misfortune attempts to take the Lady’s life away 😱 … But worry not, folks! Miss Tilney and her partner-in-crime, Mr Darcy, are ready to save the day!

❝The motive of the individual we seek must be a personal one.❝

A Good Mystery + Cute Chemistry = Perfect Match to Lightened up Your Mood 🥰✨🌸☁️

The third book in the series can be read as a standalone, as I did—though, I do think that it’d be a better experience if you start from the first book so you could see the development of each character. Regardless, reading this series in random order is still okay for me 👌

The mystery is fine for me—it really fits the cozy mystery theme: light on the tension, quite obvious on how the mystery reveals, and perfect as your afternoon tea companion. However I think I might want to go to details on how I really feel on the case after I read the first two books in the series (so that I could compared them fairly, hence the rating 👌)

Now let’s talk about the characters—I like the depiction on how stubbornly amazing Miss Tilney is in showing her worth, not only because she is a woman but as a brilliant investigator she is 🌸 Love her character a lot, plus her chemistry with her parent is so sarcastically funny! Not to mention her cute chemistry with Mr Darcy, I am overly swooned over how bubbly the are 🙈✨

I have to recommend this book to all of the mystery lovers out there if you want to uplift your mood, especially after finishing a heavy tension mystery book… in other words, don’t miss it! 🫡⭐️🤍

🔖— #bacadigital2024 #tabletbacarobusta #netgalley #theperilsofladycatherinedebourgh #claudiagrey #arcreview

This series is my example of how Austen adaptations can be done well. Gray’s creation of a “second generation” perfectly expands the universe and builds on what we know without interfering with what we know of the “first generation”. We are getting new stories that fit into the existing novels and characters, and I think that that is something that sets this series apart.

While I think that few of us harbour positive feelings for Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she was the perfect choice to be at the heart of this new mystery. We got to dig a bit more into her character and consider her in a way that we normally wouldn’t. And interestingly, Charlotte Lucas is one of the first generation characters that we get to spend a lot more time with. Charlotte is always written off as the one who settled for Mr. Collins and receives little further thought, but I loved getting to see what her life could look like.

Jonathan and Juliet are quite a lovely pairing together, as they always are. Although there is a romance slowly brewing, it in no way takes over the mystery. Both have parents present for this story, so I loved getting to see them interact not only with each other but also with their parents. (Families play an important role in Austen’s works, and I think that it only further helps to cement these stories within the wider universe.)

I will say, it really helps to have read the first two books in the series (The Murder of Mr. Wickham and The Late Mrs. Willoughby) but they are also brilliant!

This is the 3rd book in a completely delightful series reimagining Jane Austen's characters from various novels in a new way and including a new generation. Our two main new characters from the previous books are at the forefront here again (Juliet Tilney, daughter of the Tilneys from Northanger Abbey and Jonathan Darcy of Pemberley 😍). Since this book takes place at Rosings Park, there are a lot of Pride and Prejudice characters in it and I loved that!! (the Collinses, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and of course, Lady Catherine de Bourgh in all her glory 😂). I enjoyed this story a lot even though the mystery aspect didn't feel quite as intense as the first two books. The way Claudia Gray has moulded these beloved characters into something a bit new is just BEYOND fun if you're a light hearted Austen fan who can't get enough of them. I do think anyone would enjoy these books, but those familiar with her books will enjoy them most as Elizabeth Darcy chides her husband for prejudging a character or two and
Mr. Collins waxes on and on about his esteemed Lady Catherine. I enjoyed my time spent with this book and since I love this series on audio I alternated between the two formats.

This book left openings for the next one too and those of us rooting for a certain romance to blossom are sure to stay tuned 😉 fingers crossed

I’m not sure how I feel about this book, I love the series and the original characters but this entry didn’t draw me in as much as the previous ones; maybe because Lady Catherine and the Collinses are not interesting characters to me.

It’s also that I have a limited amount of patience for ‘will they/won’t they’ tropes and that side of the story was getting weak for me. I need to see progress to stay interested! The investigation also felt weak, as the Rosings Park setting doesn’t allow for much variety in potential suspects and our investigators, honestly, seemed particularly obtuse in this one.

I did still adore Jonathan and Juliet as characters and there were some excellent moments within the book. I’m hoping the next in the series is a better fit for me!

The absolutely awful Lady Catherine de Bourgh contacts Jonathan Darcy, telling him to come post haste to Rosings Park. Lady Catherine, much as she objects to Jonathan, and to his investigations, needs someone to reveal whoever has been repeatedly threatening her life, with each incident escalating in violence.

Lady Catherine also says she is inviting Juliet Tilney, as word has spread within the family of the success both Juliet and Jonathan have had in their inquiries.

Darcy is concerned that Juliet is a fortune hunter so he is reluctant for Jonathan to get any closer to Juliet Tilney. Also, the things she has seen and done during their murder investigations could cast her in a terrible light, and harm Jonathan’s reputation and prospects, by association, something Darcy does not want for his already socially awkward and clearly neurodivergent son. (The inequality of the ridiculous higher standards that women are held to by Society!)

After a poor start, thanks to Jonathan’s inept phrasing of his concern for Juliet’s reputation before they begin their inquiries, the two begin questioning not just servants, but anyone who had been at Rosings from the start of the threats.

They soon discover that Mr. Fitzwilliam, who married Anne de Bourgh years earlier, and the odious Mr. Collins, are both concealing things for unknown reasons.

Jonathan persists in his warm feelings for Juliet, but decides, mistakenly, that she does not reciprocate. Juliet knows and likes Jonathan, and understands him better than most in their circle do, save his perceptive mother Elizabeth, and would like to take their friendship deeper, but all this is set to the side while they investigate, narrowing down the list of suspects, even while Lady Catherine badgers them to find the perpetrator yesterday.

There are more attempts on the irascible bully Lady Catherine, more secrets revealed, and a final, terrible incident before the detecting pair figure out who is responsible. The elimination of suspects is enjoyable and done with much politeness and care to never damage either of the pair’s reputations. Also, author Claudia Gray’s speculation on family make-up and dynamics, years after the end of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”, is well conceived.

Gray’s dialogue and characterization of classic characters is believable: Lady Catherine is quick to order everyone around and dismissive of those she considers below her, Charlotte continues to be sensible and practical, Mr. Collins remains a gigantic toadie, while Mr. Fitzwilliam is still easygoing, though his marriage and fatherhood have given him a seriousness and gravity, allowing him to appreciate Anne and determine what he wants for their lives together.

The new characters are equally interesting, with the Collins’ kids, though respectful of Lady Catherine, not interested in forever kowtowing to her.

Gray also complicates the whole Rosings situation with illness, jealousy, financial concerns, and the frustrations of marriage child rearing under Lady Catherine’s gimlet eye.

Amusingly, while the investigators, are working harmoniously together, their fathers rub each other the wrong way, with Darcy in full snobbish mode, and Henry Tilney finding much around him amusing, sometimes possibly deliberately.

Though we don’t get any resolution on the romantic part of the story, Juliet and Jonathan Have yet another success to their names, and I am eager to see which other Austen characters will need the services of the duo; I am totally loving this series, and hope Gray can write more cozies in this world.

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

I really enjoy this series. Claudia Gray does a wonderful job of really putting you into the world of Austen and the mystery kept me guessing. I really hope she writes more of this series!

<i>ARC Provided by NetGalley<i>

**Review of "The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh" by Claudia Gray**

The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh is meant to be a twist on a beloved Austen character, reimagining Lady Catherine in a new light. The plot follows the formidable Lady Catherine as she uncovers a web of intrigue and danger threatening her estate and her family’s honor.

After discovering a series of mysterious occurrences at Rosings Park, Lady Catherine takes it upon herself to investigate, revealing her sharp mind and fierce determination. Her journey uncovers hidden secrets and tests her mettle, leading to unexpected alliances and perilous confrontations.

The book also pulls in familiar Austen characters like Darcy and Tilney making this one that can be a must-read for Austen fans and lovers of historical mysteries. Not sure I'd be keen to read similar books as Austen retellings are hard to pull off.

The adventures of Jonathan Darcy (eldest son of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley) and Juliet Tilney (eldest daughter of Catherine and Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey) as amateur detectives have reached Rosings Park. The tenacious Lady Catherine De Bourgh has been the victim of a few attempts on her life and demands that Jonathan and Juliet investigate the matter and put a stop to it in the briefest time possible. Both accompanied by their fathers, who fear a possible attachment between the two of them, Juliet and Jonathan set out to investigate. The suspects are all inside of Rosings: there is Colonel Fiztwilliam, now married to Lady Catherine’s daughter, Anne: where does he disappear every day for hours? There is Anne who resents her mother for sending her young son to boarding school. And then, there is the loyal Mr. Collins and his family who certainly keep their fair share of secrets. Juliet and Jonathan must discover the truth quickly, as the attempts on Lady Catherine’s life escalate.

As a huge fan of Jane Austen, I enjoy reading adaptations of her novels and the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney series is very-well made. Featuring the protagonists from Pride & Prejudice and Northanger Abbey, it often sees the appearances of other characters from Austen’s other novels. The Perils of Lady Catherine De Bourgh is the third novel in the series and, so far, my favourite. Jonathan and Juliet are wonderful characters and, in this third book, they finally acknowledge the feelings they have for each other, at least to themselves. Following the past investigations, Juliet Tilney has taken an interest in criminology, making experiments in the Northanger Abbey kitchen, even though it’s not proper for a young lady in society. She is fun, smart, and witty and, like Elizabeth Bennett before her, not afraid to speak out in front of Lady Catherine. Jonathan Darcy is my favourite character. Very intelligent and sweet, but also socially awkward, he is considered strange by society. The only person who seems to accept him for who he is (besides his mother) is Juliet. Those two characters are charming and adorable and I can’t wait for more of their adventures!

Well-written, engaging, and immersive, this is the perfect series for all Jane Austen lovers out there!

I have been absolutely loving Claudia Gray’s Mr. Darcy and Miss. Tilney series since I read The Murder of Mr. Wickham in 2022 (review here). The offspring of Jane Austen’s characters solving mysteries? Oh, I was in. While book two, The Late Mrs. Willoughby, didn’t quite live up to the first but it was still immensely enjoyable. The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the latest in the series and has Jonathan and Juliet trying to stop a murder before it actually happens. It was fun and I was entertained but it still didn’t have the magic I was hoping for.

Here’s the book’s description:

Someone is trying to kill Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Esteemed aunt of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, generous patroness of Mr. William Collins, a woman of rank who rules over the estate of Rosings Park with an unimpeachable sense of propriety—who would dare ? Lady Catherine summons her grand-nephew, Mr. Jonathan Darcy, and his investigative companion, Miss Juliet Tilney, to find out.

After a year apart, Jonathan and Juliet are thrilled to be reunited, even if the circumstances—finding whoever has thus far sabotaged Lady Catherine's carriage, shot at her, and nearly pushed her down the stairs—are less than ideal. Also less than their respective fathers, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr. Henry Tilney, have accompanied the young detectives to Rosings, and the two men do not interact with the same felicity enjoyed by their children.

With attempts against Lady Catherine escalating, and no one among the list of prime suspects seemingly capable of committing all of the attacks, the pressure on Jonathan and Juliet mounts—even as more gentle feelings between the two of them begin to bloom. The race is now on to provoke two one from the attempted murderer before it is too late—and one, perhaps, of love.

Even the most casual Jane Austen fans will likely recognize many of the characters in this mystery novel as many of them are from Austen’s most well-known novel, Pride and Prejudice. But I do think you need to be familiar with Austen’s work to really get the most out of this novel. I was delighted with the familiar characters and phrases (“obstinate” was thrown out at one point though I did really hope Gray would have Mr. Collins fawning over the most excellent boiled potatoes) that I knew from P&P but if I hadn’t had that familiarity? I’m not sure it would have hit the same way. And maybe that’s ok. Maybe this series is really just for Austenites everywhere who also like a bit of murder in their reading material.

The fact that there wasn’t actually a murder for young Mr. Darcy and Miss. Tilney to solve made the mystery element more novel so I applaud Gray for avoiding repetitiveness and not featuring the same kind of murders as in the past books. That said…the mystery itself wasn’t what I enjoyed the most about this book. I had a feeling I knew who the wannabe murderer was - though I was by no means convinced - so when all was revealed I was feeling a tad let down (not pleased that I was clever enough to solve it).

I also felt this book was far longer than it needed to be. There wasn’t anything specifically that stuck out but all the attempts on Lady Catherine’s life got a bit tiresome and I was just waiting, waiting, waiting to find out exactly what some of the characters had been hiding. And I know courtship during this era was not very straightforward but neither Jonathan nor Juliet shared their true feelings with each other so neither of them knew that the other was open to, well, marriage, honestly. Because that’s how things went in those days. Both character’s fathers were also at Rosings Park with their children and neither held the other in high esteem. Nor did they think their child was good enough for the other’s. It was incredibly frustrating and, well, frankly, stupid.

The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh kept me entertained enough throughout but I can’t help but feel a little disappointed in Claudia Gray’s third offering in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney mystery series. I’m hopeful the next book will be better!

*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.*

Book three in the Jonathan Darcy/Juliet Tinley series and I’m so glad things are progressing for this couple…it is going to become increasingly hard to just HAPPEN to get them together, so hopefully this will all work out for these two charming young people.

Someone wants Lady Catherine de Bourgh dead, and, frankly, it could be anyone who meets her. But someone has gone the actual additional step of attempting to kill her, only to fail, several times. She is Fitzwilliam Darcy’s aunt and lives and reigns at Rosings Park. She wants to get to the bottom of who is trying to do away with her (fair) and has heard about the successes of her grandnephew Jonathan and his partner in investigation Juliet Tinley, so she summons them to her home. They appear. With their fathers.

As always these books are nice because they allow for the historical take while bringing in the modern with Jonathan’s place on the autism spectrum and Juliet’s desire to be more than just chattel bound for an eventual dull marriage. Quite good.

I only read a few pages of this book but unfortunately it wasn't for me. I felt like I was reading a mild version of shakespeare and I don't enjoy that style or era.

this is a lovely cozy mystery of a read for anyone feeling nostalgic for the familiar comfort of the Austenian world!

synopsis: johnathan darcy and juliet tilney team up as they are summoned to solve the case of catching lady catherine de bourg’s would be murderer!

i loved claudia gray’s writing style for this series as it feels like such a gorgeous nod to austen’s own writing! filled with wit and rebellion against propriety, the intentionality within the writing did a fantastic job upholding the characters’ original traits while delivering a unique twist to this new chapter to their story.

i did struggle with the pacing at times and felt that certain “big” moments were revealed a bit anticlimactically so the shock factor was a bit diminished in light of this. i also wanted a bit more development between the two lead characters’ sub-romance plot as their interactions felt very stagnant in this installment.

would definitely love to continue with this series!

read if you like:
• whodunnit mystery (murder on the orient express!)
• jane austen literature

thanks so much to the author and penguin random house canada for an advanced digital copy to review in exchange for my honest thoughts

A fun and mysterious frolic through the world of Jane Austen. I do enjoy these characters, though I felt like in this one there wasn't enough of Mr. Darcy and Ms. Tinley. I do hope their relationship kicks it up a notch in the next book.

This third book in the series might be my favourite. My mother was wondering what I was laughing at when I started the book 🤣 I loved where the story ( and the perils ) took Lady C , her daughter Anne and Col. Fitzwilliam’s stories . The mystery was quite well done and our hero and heroine will hopefully soon ( maybe next book?) make a love match as well . This narrator is absolutely amazing and I love listening to her . I will have to see what other books she has available to add to my never ending #tbr

4.5 ⭐️

The second book in this Pride and Prejudice alternate world is great!! This funny mystery has all of our beloved characters trying to figure out the the heck is going on!! I loved the the flesh book and now this one. Can’t wait to see which book comes out next by Claudia Grey!!

A COZY AUSTEN-MYSTERY

While not an action-packed mystery, the cozy setting of this series will definitely appeal to Austen-fans such as myself.

What I liked

👍 Juliet and Jonathan: I have fallen head over heals in love with these two - the quiet, awkward son of Darcy and Elizabeth and the vivacious, upbeat daughter of Catherine and Mr. Tilney.

👍 Austen: Revisiting Austen is always a hit with me, I felt that Gray stayed true to the characters while still taking some liberties to make them her own. I especially felt that the relationship between Charlotte and Elizabeth (though a bit sad) felt realistic and plausible.

What I didn't like

👎 Clues: I am not usually a mystery fan, but wrap it up in some Austen and I will certainly be there. However, I did feel like this was a little drawn out because of the lack of clues. The solving of this mystery relied, I think, mainly in talking to suspects and witnesses. I would have liked more physical clues and deduction from these.

I loved the first two books in this series and I was thrilled to get to read the ARC of this one.

The previous two had a way of foretelling the culprit that this one did not. I was not able to figure out whodunnit this time before it was revealed.

The storyline easily kept me engaged the whole time. In all of these books, I am impressed at and thoroughly enjoy Gray's ability to emulate Jane Austen's writing style. I love how Gray has imagined the futures of Austen's characters. Given where things leave off between Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney, there is the potential for a 4th book. I so hope it will include the characters from Austen's "Persuasion".

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

‘The Perils of Lady Catherine Dr Bourgh’ by Claudia Gray is the third book in the ‘Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mysteries’ series, where Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy (senior)’s son Jonathan and Miss Juliet Tilney team up to solve perilous problems. They are both summoned to the grand Rosings Park estate to investigate a puzzling myriad of attempts on the life of the one and only Lady Catherine De Bourgh!

I really loved all of the familiar characters in this book and the thoughtful continuation of their stories. Their personalities were incredibly faithful to the source material… so many lines made me smile and I could not stop laughing at the names of Mr. Collins’s children when they were introduced.

The mystery itself was intriguing and unpredictable and I thought the novel was nicely paced. Also, the lighthearted romance between the two leads was heartwarming. I hadn’t read the two earlier books in the series which meant I missed some of the references to our sleuthing pair’s previous cases. I will definitely try to read the others now though as this one was very enjoyable!

Giving this 4 stars and I recommend the series to Austen fans who enjoy a cosy mystery.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Random House Canada via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking for the ARC of this book. I have been fortunate enough to receive the latest two books in this series as ARCs because I really enjoy them. I will say I liked this more than the previous ones because of my familiarity with Pride & Prejudice over other Austen novels. The characters of Jonathan and Juliet organically evolve and you can see how wonderful they are for each other but how society and misunderstandings and such are keeping them apart. The mystery at the center of the book was well-executed and I did not know who was causing all of the mayhem until the reveal. I am waiting on pins and needles for the next in the series, hoping to know what tale will be next and if this will be the one when Juliet and Jonathan can come to a full understanding and eventually get married. 4.5 stars.