There are many historical fiction books that I love, but not so many historical fiction authors that I love so much that I actively seek out their books. Claudia Gray is one of those authors. She wrote one of my stand-out books of 2022, The Murder of Mr. Wickham. Gray’s historical, Austen-inspired mysteries are incredibly fun, highly entertaining, and builds on the Austen characters we know and love. I was excited to see that the sequel would be out this spring, and even more excited to take part in this tour! Welcome to my stop on the The Late Mrs. Willoughby blog tour.
Thank you to the author and Austenprose PR for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Late Mrs. Willoughby, Claudia Gray
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.
Why You Should Read This…
Austen adaptations are not rare in the book world. Many authors feel inspired by Austen’s novels and the worlds that she created. However, not all of them are done well. That is not the case with Claudia Gray’s books, though. She brings us the next generation of the protagonists of her novels (their children), and builds mysteries around their lives. I think it is a terribly clever way to root your world in Austen without feeling like fanfiction. (Fanfiction is not inherently a bad thing, I must say, but it is a specific type of writing.)
Willoughby, like Wickham, is an interesting character to hang a story on. I think that they are two of literature’s most universally hated characters. However, Gray fleshes Willoughby out in more depth while still staying true to Austen’s character. (It certainly works when they are connected to a murder!)
I must say that I am thrilled that Julie and Jonathan are reunited to solve another crime. While their budding romance is certainly in the background, it is their detective work in tandem that steals the show for me. They act as wonderful guides to this world for us and push its boundaries further at the same time. I also think that using two new characters to anchor the book helps it maintain a separate identity from Austen’s works. We aren’t constantly asking “would Elizabeth do that” or “would Elinor say that”, and it helps to allow the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story.
While I would recommend reading The Murder of Mr. Wickham (the first book in the series) because it is also fantastic, this book can be read as a standalone. You might miss a reference or two, but it will not affect your enjoyment of this book.
If you are someone who loves a good Austen adaptation and have wondered what happened to your favourite (and least favourite characters), or just love a good mystery, The Late Mrs. Willoughby is a must-read! And given that the summer is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere, we have more daylight for reading- time to add this to your cart and request it from your library.
Is The Late Mrs. Willoughby on your summer to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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