The Late Mrs. Willoughby
by Claudia Gray
read by Billie Fulford-Brown
Books on Tape, 2023. 12 hours, 20 minutes.
Review written July 9, 2026, from a library eaudiobook.
Starred Review
I was delighted recently to see that the library has ordered another mystery from Claudia Gray featuring characters from Jane Austen books, following up the delightful The Murder of Mr. Wickham. Well, when I looked up the author to put the book on hold – I discovered that somehow I’d already missed three volumes in the series! But my dismay was quickly turned to delight, as this means I get to binge on the three I missed – before the new one comes out.
The Late Mrs. Willoughby is definitely a sequel to The Murder of Mr. Wickham, and you’ll want to read it second – because they refer to the events in the first book, including who did the killing. Once again, though, our sleuths are Jonathan Darcy, the firstborn son of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, and Juliet Tilney, the daughter of Catherine and Henry Tilney.
Once again, many characters from different Austen novels come together. Juliet is visiting Marianne Brandon and her husband, but Marianne’s one-time love, John Willoughby, has recently inherited a large estate nearby. Meanwhile, Jonathan Darcy was invited to the home of school “friend” John Willoughby, and despite his inclinations, he was urged by his parents to go – as they want him to have actual friends. But it soon becomes clear that Willoughby invited him only to mock him, continuing as he did at school.
But Mr. Darcy and Juliet are happy to be thrown together again – especially when there is a new death to investigate. This time it’s Mr. Willoughby’s new wife, and she dies in an unpleasant way at a dinner party where many are present, after drinking a toast to their new home.
The Willoughbys were clearly not a happy couple. And there seem to be many who hate Mr. Willoughby in the group, but why would they kill his wife? Did Willoughby decide he needed better access to her money without having to deal with her? Or perhaps the young man whom she passed over in favor of Willoughby was feeling vengeful? In polite society, it’s tricky to ask the questions to get to the bottom of the case, but Juliet and Jonathan have done it before, after all.
Something I love about this book is Jonathan Darcy’s social awkwardness. Pretty much the definition of adorkable. He’s portrayed as pretty far on the autism spectrum before such a diagnosis existed. But his earnestness, trying to get things right, and blunt honesty are all endearing to the reader – and perhaps to Juliet Tilney as well. And yes, that fits. He probably inherited some of that from his father….
Another fun mystery for Jane Austen fans.
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Fiction/late_mrs_willoughby.html
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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