Lady Catherine is Ready to Outsmart and Apprehend Her Would-Be Murderer!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Blog Tour

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Sequel Mystery

SERIES: Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery #3

(NOTE: While it is a stand alone novel, I’d recommend reading the first and second book in this series – The Murder of Mr. Wickham and The Late Mrs. Willoughby – before reading this book for a more enhanced experience – also to avoid spoiling the mysteries of the first two books.

THE PREMISE: Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy have been summoned to Rosings. Someone has had the insolent impertinence to attempt to harm the great Lady Catherine! Perish the thought! Lady Catherine is determined to discover the blackguard responsible for these attacks and seek her retribution. Not because she fears for and values her life…but because such disrespect, ingratitude, and audacity must be severely punished!

WHAT I LOVED:

• Juliet and Jonathan Again: These two offsprings of the Tilneys and Darcys are definitely on my list of most favorite original Austenesque characters. Julia is so grounded – full of sense, quick understanding, and perception. And at the same time she is in possession of a romantic heart and interested in some curious studies… It was a shame we didn’t get to see her put any of her newfound knowledge to use in this story. And Jonathan completely charms me – he has some neurodivergent tendencies that relate to his understanding and comfort in social situations. But his mind is ever so sharp, and like his father he is deeply rooted in a strong moral sense of right and honor.

• Individually and Together: I continue to love Julia and Jonathan for their own individual  characters, but I also love them together. I love them working together and admiring each other’s acuity and logic. And I love them falling for each other – how Juliet tries to temper any expectations her heart whispers and how Jonathan cares about Juliet’s feelings and strives to improve some of his behaviors for her.

• Papa Darcy vs. Papa Tilney: Seeing crossovers with Jane Austen’s characters is so much fun – especially when we see which characters would become great friends – like Mr. Knightley and Mr. Darcy or Elizabeth and Marianne Brandon. But what about Austen characters that would not get on well? That seems to the case with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Tilney! Mr. Darcy is quick to be a little suspicious and prejudiced against the Tilneys, and Mr. Tilney – who is not at all impressed by any elite members of society – is quick to provoke and jest. Not a good footing to begin on…

• Troubles in Paradise: While at Rosings we have a closer look at some married couples that are well-known to us – Mr. and Mrs. Collins, and Colonel and Anne Fitzwilliam. After two decades of marriage for each of these couples – and their very close proximity to and dependence on Lady Catherine – they are experiencing some trials. I don’t want to divulge any more, but I will say that I enjoyed the real hardships these couples faced and the inclusion of their relationships as secondary subplots.

• Lady Catherine: Even facing danger and possible death, Lady Catherine is very much what she ever was. She is defiant, she is imperious, and she is a fearsome thing to behold. She was an entertaining “victim” for murder and I was most eager for her to succeed in catching her would-be murderer. I enjoyed the closer look at Lady Catherine and her relationships with those around her. Especially the ones that included some surprises.

• There’s Gotta Be More…right?!: For some reason I was under the impression this was the concluding book of the series! But with some elements unresolved and hints of meeting again the future, I’m happy to be wrong! I’m excited for more and am already trying to predict the locale!

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

• Pacing: I think overall progress felt slow. With both the mystery and the relationships. Maybe a little imbalance between narrative and action. Hopefully Juliet and Jonathan can kick it into a higher gear soon!

• Small Quibbles: Just a small grumble about Charlotte (SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT!). Something feels a little off about her. I’d like to think she could manage Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine capably and cleverly and not let them overrule her household, but she is very powerless and discontent. Also, I feel like her erroneous presumptions about the Darcys’ marriage and lack of openness with Elizabeth Darcy was surprising – did I miss a falling out? And another grumble about Mr. Darcy – did he learn nothing from his mistaken pride and prejudiced assumptions?! How can he be so exceedingly happy with his unconventional choice of wife and question another for contemplating doing the same!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

😮  Come to Rosings where the household is full of daring, drama, and danger!

🔍  Jonathan and Juliet have astute observational skills when it comes to murderers and suspects, but how do those skills assist them when they attempt to decipher the inclinations of each others’ hearts.

🙌🏼  Yes to more Jonathan and Juliet, yes to more Austen character crossovers, yes to more murders….erm I mean mysteries to solve!

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My sincere gratitude to Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose PR for putting this lovely blog tour together and inviting me to take part!