Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray Series: Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney #3
on June 18, 2024
Genres: Historical Mystery
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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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.
Jane Austen meets Tommy and Tuppence in this third historical cozy mystery set in the world of Jane Austen’s novels after all those earlier happily ever afters. Claudia Gray has established a brilliant and sparkling Regency world from the dialogue to the dress and no less dazzling clever murder mystery for her young sleuths to tackle.
The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the third installment in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney series. Though each mystery is standalone, there is a progression of Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney’s detecting and personal relationship.
The first book was set in the world of Emma and the second visited Sense & Sensibility. Each deliver something of a sequel ‘where they are now’ mixed with a fresh murder mystery. Now, the series shifts to the world of Pride & Prejudice. Jonathan and Juliet are autocratically summoned to Rosings to tackle the difficult task of keeping cantankerous and bossy Lady Catherine de Bourgh from getting killed. Everyone who has ever known the woman might be forgiven for wanting to take a potshot at her, but who among them all surpasses annoyance and irritation to hate her enough to kill her?
As the attempts grow gradually nearer to success and with the pressure of everyone’s secrets coming out whether part of the current case or not, Rosings Park and the local parsonage are a pot getting ready to boil over with Jonathan and Juliet in the middle.
I’ve always loved that Claudia Gray wrote Jonathan as being on the spectrum, though there wasn’t a hint of seeing his behavior as anything more than weird or disturbing to the people back then. Juliet sometimes reads him wrong, but from nearly the beginning, she has liked and respected his differences and sees them as strengths. Together, they are an oddity as upper class gentlemen and especially ladies didn’t enter into detecting murder.
In this latest, the pair are at cross purposes in their personal lives both thinking the other isn’t interested and meanwhile, their fathers only see class and personality differences so give them no encouragement, but as the case progresses, the pair begin to slowly work through their wrong assumptions. I love them together and was impatient to see an understanding come, but I can also appreciate that, under the circumstances of mystery work, societal rules, and family expectations that resolution can’t be swift.
Meanwhile, the mystery was one that had me and the amateur detection team stumped and pointing fingers at nearly everyone because between the Collineses at the parsonage, the Fitzwilliams at the main house, and some of the servants, there were a lot of secrets and suspicious behavior going on. But, through interviews and investigating evidence with meetings to share their observations and questions, they finally catch a break and the truth is there.
The pace is gentle and the tone is definitely on the cozy side, but I was thoroughly captivated and can’t wait for the next installment. Historical cozy mystery fans who like great attention to authentic dialogue, behavior, and setting should really give this series a go.
About Claudia Gray
Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy. In addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline, and Jane Austen-inspired series, A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mysteries. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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This sounds fun… so are the main characters a new creation, but then they “visit” different book worlds and characters in each story?
Yes, exactly so, Jen! Jonathan and Juliet are new creations and they visit the worlds of each Austen novel to solve their mystery.
I’ve read and enjoyed Gray in the past. It sounds like she really took and original path with the re-telling/re-imagining of these classics. I’d like to read the series!
I read one of her older YA books, but yes, this is so very different and a fun take on a mystery set in the Jane Austen classics.
That sounds like a good historical cozy. I’m glad you liked it.
Yes, these are a fun pair of sleuths, Mary. 🙂
You’ve got me curious about this series. It sounds fun to have a new mystery in eahc book and the continuing romance. And I like the sound of Jonathan being written as autistic and how Juliet likes and values his differences.
I’m so glad. I hope you can pick up the series someday, Lola. 🙂
Is it wrong I’m shocked that there hasn’t been an attempt on Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s life? LOLLLL she, I’m sure, has some enemies 😉
Haha! You said it, Carole!
I just added The Murder of Mr. Wickham to my TBR. This sounds so fun!
Oh yeah, you’ll have a good time with these, Katherine. 🙂
I love how they are kind of retellings or at least the storylines from those classics! How much fun!
Yes, the mysteries set against the Jane Austen places and characters are a blast, Lisa!