The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery #3 By Claudia Gray
Narrator by Billie Fulford-Brown
This is the third book in the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery series, but this book can easily be read as a standalone series. This is set approximately 20 years following Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey.
In this mystery, Lady Catherine de Bourgh finds herself the target of murder attempts (imagine that the lady has enemies) and calls on her grand-nephew, Jonathan Darcy, son of Lizzie and Fitzwilliam Darcy. And to Jonathan's delight, Lady Catherine invites his partner in crime-solving Miss Juliet Tilney, daughter of Catherine (Morland) and Henry Tilney, to assist in the case.
This is the first case these two young sleuths have pursued while the victim still lives. They just have to keep Lady Catherine alive long enough to determine potential suspects and possible motives. No pressure there!
Add in Lady Catherine and her less-than-charming personality, and there is an overabundance of reasons to do in the Lady. Most unsatisfactory, indeed. While Juliet and Henry work the case, they try to determine where they stand with one another; a year has passed without communication between them. Are they sleuths-in-arms, friends, or something more? If their fathers have their way, the case is the only thing keeping them together, and it will be swiftly resolved. Not happening or we would be left with a most unsatisfying story.
This was an enjoyable story that will appeal to those who love historical mysteries and works that expand the world that Jane Austen shared. I must admit it was fun entering the next generations' lives. I loved how the various stories that Austen introduced us to were intertwined for this series.
I also decided to enjoy this book as an audiobook, which was well presented. The narrator did an excellent job portraying the various characters. The audiobook, as presented, is just under 11 hours, but I played it 1.2x, which matched my reading speed and reduced the playback time by a little more than an hour.
If you are looking for something new to read, try Claudia Gray's newest historical mystery, The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
I was provided a complimentary copy (of the print book) with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
About the Book:The third book in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery series, which finds the amateur sleuths facing their most daunting challenge yet: preventing the murder of the imperious Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
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 ideal: 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 confessions: one from the attempted murderer before it is too late—and one, perhaps, of love.
About the Author:Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the author of the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mysteries, which began with The Murder of Mr. Wickham. She is also 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 is one of the story architects of the High Republic series. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs.
