Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray Series: Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney #4
on June 17, 2025
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney understand each other perfectly; it's a pity their families do not. A series of misunderstandings, misplaced pride, and—indeed—prejudice, has led their parents to deem the pair unsuited to wed. Now, with the Season approaching, Juliet has been sent to London with a new wardrobe and orders to prove herself worthy of someone better than the snobby Darcys.
Meanwhile, Jonathan has been forced to accept an invitation to stay with old friends Edmund and Fanny Bertram at the house of Edmund's brother, Sir Thomas. Oblivious to and undesiring of female attention other than Juliet's, Jonathan is in danger of being ensnared by Caroline Bingley's plans to make herself—or her daughter—mistress of Pemberley.
But when the former husband of Edmund's sister Maria, Mr. Rushworth, is discovered dead, Jonathan and Juliet find themselves with problems far weightier than the marriage market.
In one of the greatest scandals of its day, Maria abandoned her husband for the notorious rake Henry Crawford and, when he wouldn't marry her, was forced to flee to the continent in disgrace. Now Maria is back, with a daughter she claims Mr. Rushworth fathered after their divorce—and who he wrote into his will just before his death.
After being separated by their fathers and spending months at home in the country, Jonathan and Juliet find themselves not only in London for the Season, but on the spot at the same time for a new murder case to solve, again amongst friends they made at the Knightley’s house party. Claudia Gray has done a superb job of marrying Jane Austen’s historical settings and characters from her novels with clever Regency era murder mysteries.
Young Jonathan and Juliet could be seen as a pair of thwarted star-crossed lovers with neither of their father’s inclined to see the worth in the young people’s chosen partners, but this pair, a neuro-divergent contemplative hero and a bright and clever heroine are determined to partner in life and murder.
This time, the murder occurs among the extended Bertram family and acquaintances showing what came of that group after the events of Austen’s Mansfield Park. I appreciated how the author used organic elements from that earlier piece, slavery, class, seduction, and scandal to continue to drive The Rushworth Family Plot. Of course, series readers have already encountered Edmund and Fanny Bertram, but now they are staying in London with the new Sir Tom Bertram, widowed Lady Bertram, married Yates and Julia, divorced Maria, bitter Mrs. Norris, and what could be more fun than to have the Crawford siblings around to stir them all up.
Poor Mr. Rushworth looked on the verge of big changes and decisions when someone finished him off and Jonathan and Julia have to figure out who before scandal and a dangerous killer strike again.
All in all, this was another entertaining and engaging entry in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney series. I loved seeing progress in the connection between Jonathan and Julia, the sequel events for the Mansfield Park characters, and the clever finish to a murder mystery in a well-drawn Regency setting.
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 interesting.
I love this pair of young detectives together. 🙂
I read her YA vampire series about a million years ago. I couldn’t tell you what happens, lol, but I do remember enjoying them. This sounds like a great Austen inspired mystery series!
LOL, and I vaguely remember she wrote some popular YA series a while back.
Yes, this latest mystery series is very different, but the young amateur detecting team are great fun.
This is the second really good review I’ve seen for this one. I will definitely have to try it!
I second that, Katherine. LOL
It started slow for me as everything was introduced in book one, but ever since, love it.
I’ve just nicked across and bought the first book in the series – I LOVE a good Austen retelling:). Thank you for bringing this one to my attention:)).
Glad I could tempt you! 🙂
I’ve read some of the author’s YA titles. Glad you’re continuing to enjoy this series. Great review!
I think I read the first one in one of her YA series, but that was pre-GoodReads tracking for me so I can’t remember. 😉
Yes, loving these. Thanks, Lisa!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Adding book 1 to my TBR.
Definitely! Glad I could hook you in. 🙂