The Rushworth Family Plot

Jane Austen fans rejoice! Our next Girls of Summer novel is by Claudia Gray: The Rushworth Family Plot—her new book in the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney series. While the novel also features the handsome young Jonathan Darcy, we’re celebrating his partner in crime, Juliet Tilney, who finds herself embroiled in a horrific scandal that could forever ruin her chances of ever making a good marriage—or showing her face in polite society! Oh, and they’ve got a murder or two to solve.

Juliet and Jonathan have an understanding. Oh, not the official understanding of an engagement…yet. They simply understand each other perfectly. Unfortunately, their parents, particularly their fathers—the proud Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley and clergyman Henry Tilney—have completely misread the situation and deem any alliance between their children unsuitable.

Now, it’s the beginning of London’s social season, and while Juliet is excited about exploring the city’s galleries and glamorous parties, she’s not interested in being showcased in the marriage market. Her heart just isn’t in it. Unfortunately, her stern and domineering grandfather, General Tilney, is sending her to London with orders to find a match worthy of showing the Darcys of Pemberley her family’s true worth.

Meanwhile, Jonathan, a sensitive and socially awkward young man who prefers books over socializing, is forced to accept an invitation to stay in town with old friends Edmund and Fanny Bertram. Jonathan finds himself in the crosshairs of Caroline Bingley, a woman who failed to ensnare his father and become mistress of Pemberley, a position she now covets for her daughter.

The first ball of the season unexpectedly brings Juliet and Jonathan together, and the two immediately fall back in step.

Edmund, aware of their previous successful investigations,

turns to Jonathan and Juliet to uncover the truth

before the Bertram family name is further tarnished.

Tragedy strikes when Mr. Rushworth, the former husband of Edmund’s sister Maria, is murdered in his London townhome. Edmund, aware of their previous successful investigations, turns to Jonathan and Juliet to uncover the truth before the Bertram family name is further tarnished.

The family is still recovering from the scandal of Maria’s leaving her new husband for the notorious scoundrel Henry Crawford. Although she was forced to flee to the area in disgrace, Maria has now returned with a daughter she claims is Mr. Rushworth’s legitimate heir.

When a malicious maneuver in the high-stakes marriage market reveals a cruel trick played on Juliet that can bring her censure from all of London society, Jonathan must defend the young woman he loves.

Amid danger and disgrace, Juliet and Jonathan must expose a killer before the drama surrounding the Rushworth family’s fortune ends in another death and scandal ruins them all.

This charming series fulfills the long-held wish of Jane Austen fans that characters across her series would know each other and interact. It works so well because author Claudia Gray has kept true to Austen’s vision of her characters’ personalities and mannerisms. In addition to the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mysteries, the prolific Claudia Gray has released six more series and three standalone novels.

Find out more about the author at www.Claudiagray.com / on Instagram: @claudia_gray / and at

www.Vintagebooks.com