The Rushworth Family Plot - Claudia Gray

 The Rushworth Family Plot - Claudia Gray

Pub. date: June  17, 2025

She read

This is the fourth in the Austenesque mystery series featuring Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney. Written in the style of Jane Austen, Jonathan is the son of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and his wife, the former Elizabeth Bennet. Juliet is the daughter of residents of Northanger Abbey. Challenging the mores of their era, they have worked together investigating and solving prior crimes.

Although attracted to each other, their parents do not approve of their beginning a relationship and separately have sent both of them off to London for “season” in the hopes of finding suitable partners. They are drawn together again by mutual friends and another murder to investigate. 

This is the third of the four installments that I have read.  This continues to be a delightful series. I enjoy the young characters….both of  them with their intelligence, unique charm, and Juliet’s willingness to accept Jonathan’s neurodivergent behaviors. The mystery is well plotted and kept me guessing.  Gray remains true to the Austen writing style and employs a good sense of humor. 

This can work well as a standalone. The stories are so charming, though, I would suggest reading all four at some point to thoroughly enjoy the characters. You do not have to be overly familiar (or remember) Austen’s writings to appreciate these books for their plots and reflection of the society at that time. My advice is to read them slowly to savor the language and nuances.

 I am looking forward to the next in this series. There is somewhat of a “situation” at the close of this installment and I can’t wait to see how it is resolved. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @AAKnopf for the DRC. 

*****