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Lady Julia Grey #1
Silent in the Grave
Go back to where it all began with the original Lady Julia Grey historical mystery series from New York Times bestselling author of Killers of a Certain Age , Deanna Raybourn.
“Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.”
These ominous words are the last threat that Sir Edward Grey receives from his killer. Before he can show them to Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent he has retained for his protection, he collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of dinner guests.
Prepared to accept that Edward’s death was due to a long-standing physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane visits and suggests that her husband was murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers damning evidence for herself, and realizes the truth.
Determined to bring the murderer to justice, Julia engages the enigmatic Brisbane to help her investigate Edward’s demise. Dismissing his warnings that the investigation will be difficult, if not impossible, Julia presses forward, following a trail of clues that lead her to even more unpleasant truths, and ever closer to a killer who waits expectantly for her arrival.
Previously published.
Don’t miss the complete Lady Julia Grey mystery series by Deanna Raybourn!
Book # 1: Silent in the Grave
Book # 2: Silent in the Sanctuary
Book # 3: Silent on the Moor
Book # 3.5: Midsummer Night (novella)
Book # 4: Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book # 5: The Dark Enquiry
Book # 5.5: Silent Night (novella)
Book # 5.6: Twelfth Night (novella)
Book # 5.7: Bonfire Night (novella)
“Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.”
These ominous words are the last threat that Sir Edward Grey receives from his killer. Before he can show them to Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent he has retained for his protection, he collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of dinner guests.
Prepared to accept that Edward’s death was due to a long-standing physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane visits and suggests that her husband was murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers damning evidence for herself, and realizes the truth.
Determined to bring the murderer to justice, Julia engages the enigmatic Brisbane to help her investigate Edward’s demise. Dismissing his warnings that the investigation will be difficult, if not impossible, Julia presses forward, following a trail of clues that lead her to even more unpleasant truths, and ever closer to a killer who waits expectantly for her arrival.
Previously published.
Don’t miss the complete Lady Julia Grey mystery series by Deanna Raybourn!
Book # 1: Silent in the Grave
Book # 2: Silent in the Sanctuary
Book # 3: Silent on the Moor
Book # 3.5: Midsummer Night (novella)
Book # 4: Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book # 5: The Dark Enquiry
Book # 5.5: Silent Night (novella)
Book # 5.6: Twelfth Night (novella)
Book # 5.7: Bonfire Night (novella)
448 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2006
1184 people are currently reading
25319 people want to read
About the author
Deanna Raybourn
40 books9,385 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn is a 6th-generation native Texan. She graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of one, Raybourn makes her home in Virginia. Her novels have been nominated for numerous awards including two RT Reviewers’ Choice awards, the Agatha, two Dilys Winns, a Last Laugh, three du Mauriers, and most recently the 2019 Edgar Award for Best Novel. She launched a new Victorian mystery series with the 2015 release of A CURIOUS BEGINNING, featuring intrepid butterfly-hunter and amateur sleuth, Veronica Speedwell. Veronica has returned in several more adventures, most recently AN IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTOR, book seven, which released in early 2022. Deanna's first contemporary novel, KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, about four female assassins on the cusp of retirement publishes in September 2022. (Please note: Deanna is not active on GR.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,667 reviews
June 27, 2010
Obviously this book has far more admirers then detractors, (if the ratings are any indication), but I'm damned if I know why.
As far as I can analyse, you might like this book if you enjoy:
1. A surly and charmless hero masquerading as a grade C Sherlock Holmes clone.
2. Forced chemistry (or rather no chemistry) between said surly/charmless hero and an equally vapid "oh-I'm-so-stupid-but-I'm-so-adorable-because-the-writer-tells-you-so" heroine.
3. A 435 page mystery where the actual detection takes place around, ohhh, say page 367, and contains all the tension, intrigue, danger and drama of an evening spent watching a re-run of The Lawrence Welk Show. Wunnerful, Wunnerful.
4. A "historic" period timeframe where the only thing keeping the reader knowing that it's 1886/87 Victorian London is the fact that Raybourn kindly included the date at the top of the first chapter. Otherwise, the characters completely act with 21st century, politically correct sensibilities; conversing to each other quite candidly and openly about homosexuality, venereal diseases, contraception and marital failures. Jeeze, of COURSE all those things happened then, and have through the centuries, but it wasn't something to discuss in a hansom cab, or in a London park, or with your father, brother or love interest. Nothing takes me out of a book faster then this current fad of giving historical books and characters the faintest whitewash of their time period, while conducting a novel that could just as easily have taken place in NYC, circa 2010.
If any of the above appeal, then run, don't walk, to the nearest bookstore and get your copy of Silent in the Grave today.
In conclusion, this debut novel is dreck, just dreck. And the really, really, really crappy thing is that I had already promised my daughter I'd read #2 in the series. Gah, the things a mother will do for her child...as if the diapers weren't bad enough.
As far as I can analyse, you might like this book if you enjoy:
1. A surly and charmless hero masquerading as a grade C Sherlock Holmes clone.
2. Forced chemistry (or rather no chemistry) between said surly/charmless hero and an equally vapid "oh-I'm-so-stupid-but-I'm-so-adorable-because-the-writer-tells-you-so" heroine.
3. A 435 page mystery where the actual detection takes place around, ohhh, say page 367, and contains all the tension, intrigue, danger and drama of an evening spent watching a re-run of The Lawrence Welk Show. Wunnerful, Wunnerful.
4. A "historic" period timeframe where the only thing keeping the reader knowing that it's 1886/87 Victorian London is the fact that Raybourn kindly included the date at the top of the first chapter. Otherwise, the characters completely act with 21st century, politically correct sensibilities; conversing to each other quite candidly and openly about homosexuality, venereal diseases, contraception and marital failures. Jeeze, of COURSE all those things happened then, and have through the centuries, but it wasn't something to discuss in a hansom cab, or in a London park, or with your father, brother or love interest. Nothing takes me out of a book faster then this current fad of giving historical books and characters the faintest whitewash of their time period, while conducting a novel that could just as easily have taken place in NYC, circa 2010.
If any of the above appeal, then run, don't walk, to the nearest bookstore and get your copy of Silent in the Grave today.
In conclusion, this debut novel is dreck, just dreck. And the really, really, really crappy thing is that I had already promised my daughter I'd read #2 in the series. Gah, the things a mother will do for her child...as if the diapers weren't bad enough.
July 10, 2020
$1.99 Kindle sale, July 10, 2020. Victorian-era murder mystery: Lady Julia Grey is the young widow of Sir Edward, who collapses at a dinner party and soon dies, despite the best efforts of the doctor and Nicholas Brisbane, a dark and mysterious private investigator who had been hired by Edward because of some threats he'd received.
Lady Julia
Brisbane informs Julia that her husband was likely murdered rather than passing away of a lifelong heart condition, but Julia angrily dismisses him. Nearly a year later, however, Julia discovers evidence that suggests that Edward may have been murdered after all. So Julia tracks down Brisbane.
Nicholas Brisbane
The two of them belatedly begin an investigation, attempting to find out who may have murdered Edward and why. The trail of clues will lead them to some surprising and unpleasant revelations ...
This is a well-written book and I enjoyed the way it immersed me in Victorian society - mostly high society, but with a few notable visits to the seamier side of London life. I thought the realism of this novel was marred somewhat by main characters who display 21st century open-mindedness toward subjects that were extremely touchy at the time, such as prostitutes, taking lovers, racial backgrounds, and homosexuality. I realize Julia and her family, the Marches, are wildly eccentric in some ways (and with such a large fortune that they can get away with it), but still, it might be better if they were transplanted to the 21st century where they'd all clearly be more comfortable. Anyway, whether you can enjoy the modern attitudes in a Victorian setting (or at least handwave it) will make a difference in how much you enjoy this book.
Silent in the Grave probably won't appeal to everyone: it got rather slow in the middle, it's gritty enough to bother some readers but probably not gritty enough for those who like really hard-hitting mystery novels, and there's a love interest that will likely appeal to those who like a little romance in their novels but may make other readers roll their eyes. Also, I didn't think the mystery was all that mysterious: I guessed the murderer long before the main characters, though I didn't get the motive right.
Still, there's some enjoyable humor along with the tense moments in this book, and it really sucked me in.
Images from http://ladyjuliasrookery.com/the-port...
Lady Julia
Brisbane informs Julia that her husband was likely murdered rather than passing away of a lifelong heart condition, but Julia angrily dismisses him. Nearly a year later, however, Julia discovers evidence that suggests that Edward may have been murdered after all. So Julia tracks down Brisbane.
Nicholas Brisbane
The two of them belatedly begin an investigation, attempting to find out who may have murdered Edward and why. The trail of clues will lead them to some surprising and unpleasant revelations ...
This is a well-written book and I enjoyed the way it immersed me in Victorian society - mostly high society, but with a few notable visits to the seamier side of London life. I thought the realism of this novel was marred somewhat by main characters who display 21st century open-mindedness toward subjects that were extremely touchy at the time, such as prostitutes, taking lovers, racial backgrounds, and homosexuality. I realize Julia and her family, the Marches, are wildly eccentric in some ways (and with such a large fortune that they can get away with it), but still, it might be better if they were transplanted to the 21st century where they'd all clearly be more comfortable. Anyway, whether you can enjoy the modern attitudes in a Victorian setting (or at least handwave it) will make a difference in how much you enjoy this book.
Silent in the Grave probably won't appeal to everyone: it got rather slow in the middle, it's gritty enough to bother some readers but probably not gritty enough for those who like really hard-hitting mystery novels, and there's a love interest that will likely appeal to those who like a little romance in their novels but may make other readers roll their eyes. Also, I didn't think the mystery was all that mysterious: I guessed the murderer long before the main characters, though I didn't get the motive right.
Still, there's some enjoyable humor along with the tense moments in this book, and it really sucked me in.
Images from http://ladyjuliasrookery.com/the-port...
December 3, 2015
Apparently it's now necessary to pre-emptively address holier than thou trolls who conveniently leave out important words in quoting my own text back at me as they're scolding me for my apparent lack of judgment, or those who leave criticisms in their own reviews of this one.
I don't know whether it's a lack of comprehension skills or just willful misreading of words, but let me spell this out very clearly:
Feminism = GOOD.
Hammering points exhaustively into a narrative = BAD.
Or at least not to my taste, while it may obviously cause great celebrating in others.
Whether an author is writing about women's rights or saving kicked puppies or the need for universal healthcare, these things need to fit seamlessly into the narrative of a novel, not create a situation in which those who AGREE with the cause to be annoyed.
And if a woman is behaving outside the norms of the societal norms of historical period, her defiance needs to be written in a convincing way. See Sarah Waters, Anne Perry, and countless other authors who have written strongly feminist books in which the odds were very much against the women depicted in them, but also respect history enough not to entirely rewrite it. Lady Julia, in her pampered, earnest life, doesn't even come close in her circumstance, actions, or character to convince me that she's worthy of being representative of the real women in history who did the real work for women's equality that we all benefit from.
And yes, I probably could have been more tactful in the way I wrote the quickie reaction below, but I also have neither the time nor the inclination to interact with people who are only interested in being outraged/chiding strangers over what is, in this case, not even a difference in opinion.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Original review (edited only to delete the breeches observation corrected by Melissa below):
Dear me. This book puts me in a quite a predicament, because I'm not quite sure what to make of it.
First off, the good stuff:
I liked the Victorian world that the author created. Dress, customs, and attitudes are meticulously detailed in the beginning and the book is very well-written. I'm partial to books set in this time period, so it's always a pleasant surprise when the world-building feels authentic to me.
The not so good stuff:
* the mystery is a snooze. It's very easy to guess why Lady Julia's husband has been murdered, so it's rather tiresome that the characters aren't catching on sooner.
* sometimes the turn of a page means that a whole year has passed.
* there is far too much heavy-handed feminism presented in this book. It didn't bother me in the beginning, but after awhile, there was just too much of it, and most of it is inserted rather clumsily. I'm all for feminism, obviously, but not when it's inserted so ham-handedly.
* you'd think that with so much raging femininity going on, Lady Julia would play a more pivotal role in uncovering the mystery. She does eventually pursue clues (after a long period of being pretty clueless), but there is a certain lack of urgency and intellectual reasoning about the way she went about it.
* Julia herself is interesting...but not quite compelling just yet.
* our hero is a Nancy Drew! Nicholas Brisbane can do it all: he is a detective, a prizefighter, a violinist, a , a (for no apparent reason), and a delectable morsel of a man all in one. At one point our fair damsel actually thinks about dessert while she's looking at him.
The most important thing, however, is that there is just far too much going on in this book. There are murders, an excessive amount of siblings, interactions with prostitutes and mistresses, pretty boxes full of secret , feminist agendas, gypsies, fully out lesbians, and all cobbled together in a rather haphazard fashion. I also didn't realize when I purchased the 3-book bundle from Amazon that this is published by Mira, which is an imprint of Harlequin--which means that there is both more swooning than I expected, but also less of it, as the romantic angle really doesn't go anywhere. I suppose this will be developed in the later books, but the tone this first book strikes for Julia and Nicholas' relationship is very confusing.
Overall, I was fairly entertained, but the enjoyment is very nearly outweighed by puzzlement and disappointment. I'm going with 3 stars because the author did do a really great job with building Victorian London--but I do hope that all the other elements, particularly the mystery, will be better presented in future installments of the series.
I don't know whether it's a lack of comprehension skills or just willful misreading of words, but let me spell this out very clearly:
Feminism = GOOD.
Hammering points exhaustively into a narrative = BAD.
Or at least not to my taste, while it may obviously cause great celebrating in others.
Whether an author is writing about women's rights or saving kicked puppies or the need for universal healthcare, these things need to fit seamlessly into the narrative of a novel, not create a situation in which those who AGREE with the cause to be annoyed.
And if a woman is behaving outside the norms of the societal norms of historical period, her defiance needs to be written in a convincing way. See Sarah Waters, Anne Perry, and countless other authors who have written strongly feminist books in which the odds were very much against the women depicted in them, but also respect history enough not to entirely rewrite it. Lady Julia, in her pampered, earnest life, doesn't even come close in her circumstance, actions, or character to convince me that she's worthy of being representative of the real women in history who did the real work for women's equality that we all benefit from.
And yes, I probably could have been more tactful in the way I wrote the quickie reaction below, but I also have neither the time nor the inclination to interact with people who are only interested in being outraged/chiding strangers over what is, in this case, not even a difference in opinion.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Original review (edited only to delete the breeches observation corrected by Melissa below):
Dear me. This book puts me in a quite a predicament, because I'm not quite sure what to make of it.
First off, the good stuff:
I liked the Victorian world that the author created. Dress, customs, and attitudes are meticulously detailed in the beginning and the book is very well-written. I'm partial to books set in this time period, so it's always a pleasant surprise when the world-building feels authentic to me.
The not so good stuff:
* the mystery is a snooze. It's very easy to guess why Lady Julia's husband has been murdered, so it's rather tiresome that the characters aren't catching on sooner.
* sometimes the turn of a page means that a whole year has passed.
* there is far too much heavy-handed feminism presented in this book. It didn't bother me in the beginning, but after awhile, there was just too much of it, and most of it is inserted rather clumsily. I'm all for feminism, obviously, but not when it's inserted so ham-handedly.
* you'd think that with so much raging femininity going on, Lady Julia would play a more pivotal role in uncovering the mystery. She does eventually pursue clues (after a long period of being pretty clueless), but there is a certain lack of urgency and intellectual reasoning about the way she went about it.
* Julia herself is interesting...but not quite compelling just yet.
* our hero is a Nancy Drew! Nicholas Brisbane can do it all: he is a detective, a prizefighter, a violinist, a , a (for no apparent reason), and a delectable morsel of a man all in one. At one point our fair damsel actually thinks about dessert while she's looking at him.
The most important thing, however, is that there is just far too much going on in this book. There are murders, an excessive amount of siblings, interactions with prostitutes and mistresses, pretty boxes full of secret , feminist agendas, gypsies, fully out lesbians, and all cobbled together in a rather haphazard fashion. I also didn't realize when I purchased the 3-book bundle from Amazon that this is published by Mira, which is an imprint of Harlequin--which means that there is both more swooning than I expected, but also less of it, as the romantic angle really doesn't go anywhere. I suppose this will be developed in the later books, but the tone this first book strikes for Julia and Nicholas' relationship is very confusing.
Overall, I was fairly entertained, but the enjoyment is very nearly outweighed by puzzlement and disappointment. I'm going with 3 stars because the author did do a really great job with building Victorian London--but I do hope that all the other elements, particularly the mystery, will be better presented in future installments of the series.
March 31, 2019
Nope... Just, nope.
January 7, 2008
Everybody loves a good international man of mystery, but private enquiry agent Nicholas Brisbane is Just Too Much: he's a prizefighter! he's a violin virtuoso! he's a duke's grandnephew! he's a half-blood Rom AND a psychic (and a floor wax, and a dessert topping . . . .)! Lady Julia Grey -- although at times stupid and inconsistent -- is a more interesting character, because she's believably human. Born into a family of eccentrics, Julia has spent her entire life suppressing herself, until the death of her husband forces her into exploring her own powers. Unfortunately, the interactions of this odd couple always seem forced and artificial. The mystery itself is not much: Julia overlooks two obvious suspects, one of whom predictably turns out to be the murderer, although the motive was somewhat different than I imagined.
May 23, 2017
The Lady Julia Grey series is one of my favorites series ever. It's one of those that jumped out with the first line and grabbed me in: "To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband’s dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor." From that line onward, I was completely besotted with it. I was a bit nervous for this re-read in case it didn't match up. Thankfully, I loved it almost as much the second time around. Knowing the culprit took some of the tension out this time, but being able to revisit the characters more than made up for it.
I've read other books in the Historical Mystery genre since this, which was my "discovery book" for the genre, so I now have a more judgmental eye. I still think the mystery is decent, although the actual investigation is much less of a focus than Julia and her journey from a mouse of a widow into a woman finding out who she is. I am also less tolerant of romance these days, and this was a lot more romance than I remember it being! But as far as romances go, this is a good one, and one I enjoyed re-reading. Seriously, Brisbane is one of my favorite male leads ever.
I'm keeping my rating at 5 stars, in part because this was my first discovery of a genre that now (almost) rivals Fantasy in my affections. It brought me back my love of Victorian times after I had (mostly) exhausted the classics and become tired of re-reading my favorites. The added suspense, romance and wit made it irresistible to me. I've since found a huge cache of books earmarked for my future, all thanks to this one little library find. It goes on the shelf of life-changers in that respect.
I've found that the witty humor is unique to Deanna Raybourn in this genre. I actually chuckled out loud a couple of times before I caught myself. I have read other historical mysteries that feel dry and dark in comparison, even if they are more focused on the mystery than the adventurous spirit of the heroine.
The characters are where Raybourn really shines. I remember all of them as if they are friends, and fully realized people. Even the minor characters. This series has some of my favorites of all time - the mysterious and tempestuous Brisbane, full of barely restrained energy. The intelligent, unconventional, and sometimes idiotic and impulsive Julia. (Sometimes I want to shake her as much as Brisbane must!) Fleur, Portia, Julia's brothers, the gypsies, the raven, the former prostitute turned lady's maid. All add something fresh to the story.
The Victorian setting is lush and filled with atmosphere, and the mystery and suspense, and even the romance, just add more depth and purpose to the story. The small touch of paranormal also sets this apart from many other Victorian mysteries. It's a great combination. I fell for it completely. Twice.
Raybourn earned a place on my favorite authors list through this series the first time around. She maintained her spot as a favorite with the 1920s standalones that she wrote afterwards - she is capable of diversity! And now re-reading this just confirms it. I love her. I can't wait for her new series coming out in the Fall. I'm going to lap it up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Original Review 4/23/2012:
I've discovered a new favorite genre! I love the mix of historical fiction, mystery, and little bit of love story. The characters are full, intriguing, mysterious, and witty. The setting is fully realized, the atmosphere intoxicating. The mystery is twisting, convoluted, and absolutely satisfying. Fantastic!
I've read other books in the Historical Mystery genre since this, which was my "discovery book" for the genre, so I now have a more judgmental eye. I still think the mystery is decent, although the actual investigation is much less of a focus than Julia and her journey from a mouse of a widow into a woman finding out who she is. I am also less tolerant of romance these days, and this was a lot more romance than I remember it being! But as far as romances go, this is a good one, and one I enjoyed re-reading. Seriously, Brisbane is one of my favorite male leads ever.
I'm keeping my rating at 5 stars, in part because this was my first discovery of a genre that now (almost) rivals Fantasy in my affections. It brought me back my love of Victorian times after I had (mostly) exhausted the classics and become tired of re-reading my favorites. The added suspense, romance and wit made it irresistible to me. I've since found a huge cache of books earmarked for my future, all thanks to this one little library find. It goes on the shelf of life-changers in that respect.
I've found that the witty humor is unique to Deanna Raybourn in this genre. I actually chuckled out loud a couple of times before I caught myself. I have read other historical mysteries that feel dry and dark in comparison, even if they are more focused on the mystery than the adventurous spirit of the heroine.
The characters are where Raybourn really shines. I remember all of them as if they are friends, and fully realized people. Even the minor characters. This series has some of my favorites of all time - the mysterious and tempestuous Brisbane, full of barely restrained energy. The intelligent, unconventional, and sometimes idiotic and impulsive Julia. (Sometimes I want to shake her as much as Brisbane must!) Fleur, Portia, Julia's brothers, the gypsies, the raven, the former prostitute turned lady's maid. All add something fresh to the story.
The Victorian setting is lush and filled with atmosphere, and the mystery and suspense, and even the romance, just add more depth and purpose to the story. The small touch of paranormal also sets this apart from many other Victorian mysteries. It's a great combination. I fell for it completely. Twice.
Raybourn earned a place on my favorite authors list through this series the first time around. She maintained her spot as a favorite with the 1920s standalones that she wrote afterwards - she is capable of diversity! And now re-reading this just confirms it. I love her. I can't wait for her new series coming out in the Fall. I'm going to lap it up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Original Review 4/23/2012:
I've discovered a new favorite genre! I love the mix of historical fiction, mystery, and little bit of love story. The characters are full, intriguing, mysterious, and witty. The setting is fully realized, the atmosphere intoxicating. The mystery is twisting, convoluted, and absolutely satisfying. Fantastic!
January 26, 2015
Finding Silent in the Grave turned out to be one of those beautiful, stumbling across the perfect book to fit your mood moments. Here I am, staring down the barrel of this pregnancy, willing the last few days to pass faster, and this absolutely delightful Victorian mystery proves just the thing to take my mind off the all-too-slowly ticking clock. Even better, it's the first in a series with the second one already out and the third due to hit shelves in March.
Silent in the Grave starts out with one of the best opening lines I've read in ages.
Ha! Honestly, who wouldn't want to continue reading after that? Does she care? Does she not care? Is she as calm and composed as she sounds? And just who is this Nicholas Brisbane and why is he significant? You have to find out. Each question is answered, but slowly and carefully, spread across the rest of the novel. After her husband's untimely collapse, Lady Julia Grey finds herself a young and surprisingly wealthy widow. Having suffered from a heart condition his entire life, his sudden demise was not altogether unexpected. That's why, when confronted with an unusual and mysterious private investigator's claim that her late husband employed him to find out who was threatening to kill him, Julia dismisses the notion as preposterous and sends Mr. Nicholas Brisbane on his way. Nearly a year later she (naturally) comes across a clue leading her to believe dear Edward was, in fact, murdered. Managing to track down Brisbane, she apologizes and convinces him to reopen the case. Intrigue and mayhem ensue and it's all just perfectly delicious.
I so enjoyed Julia and her measured narration, her bizarrely large but loving family, and her cautiously fresh observations on the world and the people around her. It is as though her husband's death removes a film from her eyes, and she is unnerved to realize she hardly recognizes where she is and who she has become. One of my favorite lines is Julia reflecting on her oldest and most pompous brother who is scandalized to hear she intends to manage her inheritance herself.
As you can tell, I was completely taken with the characters and Deanna Raybourn's well-paced writing style, both of which made for an incredibly absorbing, enjoyable read. I'll be picking up the sequel ASAP. Recommended for fans of Laurie R. King's Mary Russell books.
Silent in the Grave starts out with one of the best opening lines I've read in ages.
To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.
Ha! Honestly, who wouldn't want to continue reading after that? Does she care? Does she not care? Is she as calm and composed as she sounds? And just who is this Nicholas Brisbane and why is he significant? You have to find out. Each question is answered, but slowly and carefully, spread across the rest of the novel. After her husband's untimely collapse, Lady Julia Grey finds herself a young and surprisingly wealthy widow. Having suffered from a heart condition his entire life, his sudden demise was not altogether unexpected. That's why, when confronted with an unusual and mysterious private investigator's claim that her late husband employed him to find out who was threatening to kill him, Julia dismisses the notion as preposterous and sends Mr. Nicholas Brisbane on his way. Nearly a year later she (naturally) comes across a clue leading her to believe dear Edward was, in fact, murdered. Managing to track down Brisbane, she apologizes and convinces him to reopen the case. Intrigue and mayhem ensue and it's all just perfectly delicious.
I so enjoyed Julia and her measured narration, her bizarrely large but loving family, and her cautiously fresh observations on the world and the people around her. It is as though her husband's death removes a film from her eyes, and she is unnerved to realize she hardly recognizes where she is and who she has become. One of my favorite lines is Julia reflecting on her oldest and most pompous brother who is scandalized to hear she intends to manage her inheritance herself.
He had nothing to call his own except dead men's shoes, and I think the highly Oedipal flavor of his existence sometimes proved too much for him.
As you can tell, I was completely taken with the characters and Deanna Raybourn's well-paced writing style, both of which made for an incredibly absorbing, enjoyable read. I'll be picking up the sequel ASAP. Recommended for fans of Laurie R. King's Mary Russell books.
July 22, 2011
The first half of this book is readable enough (a nice opening chapter, in particular) although Lady Julia is written as a modern woman stuffed into a corset and plopped down in Victorian London, where she bemoans racism and classism and is totally cool with her sister's lesbian relationship.
The writing is good for a first novel, if perhaps a bit awkward and repetitive in places. I did like the author's lighthearted style.
The longer I read, however, the more I began to dislike the story. The mystery is slight, which doesn't bother me too much, but the romance is a complete dud. I didn't feel any chemistry between Lady Julia and our mysterious tortured hero, who keeps making vague, annoying threats: "If I find that you have hidden anything else from me, hindered me in any way," he said softly, "I will not be responsible for my actions."
The plot gets gradually more ridiculous, and then at the 3/4 point the author tosses in a supernatural element, which this story did not need. There's a flood of sordid melodrama at the end () which Lady Julia absorbs with nary a swoon, hardly even a blink. It's as if she had lately been watching a lot of Law & Order reruns, and had halfway expected something like this.
The writing is good for a first novel, if perhaps a bit awkward and repetitive in places. I did like the author's lighthearted style.
The longer I read, however, the more I began to dislike the story. The mystery is slight, which doesn't bother me too much, but the romance is a complete dud. I didn't feel any chemistry between Lady Julia and our mysterious tortured hero, who keeps making vague, annoying threats: "If I find that you have hidden anything else from me, hindered me in any way," he said softly, "I will not be responsible for my actions."
The plot gets gradually more ridiculous, and then at the 3/4 point the author tosses in a supernatural element, which this story did not need. There's a flood of sordid melodrama at the end () which Lady Julia absorbs with nary a swoon, hardly even a blink. It's as if she had lately been watching a lot of Law & Order reruns, and had halfway expected something like this.
June 10, 2017
This is a reread. I read the first Veronica Speedwell book a while ago now and really enjoyed it. When I went to review it I realised I had already read and rated two of these books with Lady Julia Grey, but I didn't remember doing so at all! I was halfway through the reread before the story started to come back to me and that was quite telling in itself...this story is ok, but a bit slow. It picked up in the last third. I may continue this series if I get bored but for my money, the Veronica Speedwell series is much better.
April 24, 2019
I absolutely loved this book and thank you to my Goodreads friend Ruth for recommending it! I was a little worried when I first started it, because my expectations had grown so high after reading Ruth's reviews for this book and the following three ones. Thankfully, it completely lived up to - and actually surpassed - my expectations :-). I checked this book out from the library, but will definitely be buying my own copy.
It's told in first-person narration and I found our heroine, Julia, absolutely hysterical and very, very engaging. She at first struck me as a little weak and self-indulgent, but she really grows into her own throughout the story and while she is by no means perfect, this only makes her seem that more real and makes the book that much better. I also liked that she was a little unsure of herself at times and not supremely confident, which made her (to me) endearing and the occasions where she stands her ground and won't back down that much more noticeable and cheer-worthy.
Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent who plays her male counterpart throughout the series, is haunted (and haunting), mysterious, intelligent, and utterly seductive. I loved his irreverence and one quickly and easily sees why he would be popular with the ladies and why Julia feels so drawn to him. There is a lot about his past that we don't know and since the story is told from Julia's POV, we're sometimes blind to his motivations or feelings. Despite these two "obstacles," Raybour does an excellent job of still making the reader feel very connected to him.
The encounters between the two of them were so, so enjoyable that my only complaint was I wanted more ! Their dialog is so well-written, with the tension and chemistry between them leaping off of the pages - some sections or exchanges I would reread several times before being able to move on.
Julia's family (esp. Father and Portia) and servants (esp. Aquinas and Morag) are equally well-written and provide a great deal of added humor and depth to the story. I really cannot tell you how many times I literally laughed out loud while reading this book, despite the obvious horror it centers around - a murder. Julia, Brisbane, and the secondary cast of characters are so funny - most times unintentionally - that they really made the whole reading experience an absolutely fabulous one.
The mystery was very well-done, and while I had my suspicions relatively early on and they ended up being right, it was by no means obvious, the motive I had ascribed the murderer was completely and utterly wrong, and there were still several aspects of the mystery that were surprising and caught me off guard.
The ending was good if you're planning on reading the next book in the series - if not, or if I were stranded on a deserted island without the sequels, I might just tear my hair out! The mystery is completely resolved, but the relationship between Julia and Brisbane is not by any means. I am so looking forward to reading more about their adventures - and seeing how their romance plays out!!
Two of My (Many) Favorite Julia-Brisbane Interactions
Book 1 - Silent in the Grave (5+ stars)
Book 2 - Silent in the Sanctuary (4 stars)
Book 3 - Silent on the Moor (4 stars)
Book 4 - Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5 - The Dark Enquiry
It's told in first-person narration and I found our heroine, Julia, absolutely hysterical and very, very engaging. She at first struck me as a little weak and self-indulgent, but she really grows into her own throughout the story and while she is by no means perfect, this only makes her seem that more real and makes the book that much better. I also liked that she was a little unsure of herself at times and not supremely confident, which made her (to me) endearing and the occasions where she stands her ground and won't back down that much more noticeable and cheer-worthy.
Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent who plays her male counterpart throughout the series, is haunted (and haunting), mysterious, intelligent, and utterly seductive. I loved his irreverence and one quickly and easily sees why he would be popular with the ladies and why Julia feels so drawn to him. There is a lot about his past that we don't know and since the story is told from Julia's POV, we're sometimes blind to his motivations or feelings. Despite these two "obstacles," Raybour does an excellent job of still making the reader feel very connected to him.
The encounters between the two of them were so, so enjoyable that my only complaint was I wanted more ! Their dialog is so well-written, with the tension and chemistry between them leaping off of the pages - some sections or exchanges I would reread several times before being able to move on.
Julia's family (esp. Father and Portia) and servants (esp. Aquinas and Morag) are equally well-written and provide a great deal of added humor and depth to the story. I really cannot tell you how many times I literally laughed out loud while reading this book, despite the obvious horror it centers around - a murder. Julia, Brisbane, and the secondary cast of characters are so funny - most times unintentionally - that they really made the whole reading experience an absolutely fabulous one.
The mystery was very well-done, and while I had my suspicions relatively early on and they ended up being right, it was by no means obvious, the motive I had ascribed the murderer was completely and utterly wrong, and there were still several aspects of the mystery that were surprising and caught me off guard.
The ending was good if you're planning on reading the next book in the series - if not, or if I were stranded on a deserted island without the sequels, I might just tear my hair out! The mystery is completely resolved, but the relationship between Julia and Brisbane is not by any means. I am so looking forward to reading more about their adventures - and seeing how their romance plays out!!
Two of My (Many) Favorite Julia-Brisbane Interactions
"If you were a man, your ladyship, I would cordially horsewhip you for that remark. As you are not, I will simply bid you farewell and leave you to your fresh and obviously debilitating grief." He said this last with a contemptuous glance at the Italian books piled on my desk and strode from the room.Lady Julia Grey Mystery Series
(p66)
————————
"Did you mean what you said? You will pursue this?"
Brisbane sipped at his tea. "I suppose. I have a few other matters that I must bring to conclusion, but nothing that cannot wait. And I have no other clients questioning either my integrity or my courage at present."
(p107)
Book 1 - Silent in the Grave (5+ stars)
Book 2 - Silent in the Sanctuary (4 stars)
Book 3 - Silent on the Moor (4 stars)
Book 4 - Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5 - The Dark Enquiry
November 7, 2013
This is our pick for this month's Vaginal Fantasy Hangout. Read along and then watch on Feb 27th, 8pm PST! THATS MONDAY THE LAST MONDAY OF THE MONTH!
December 30, 2020
12/30/20 $1.99 for Kindle.
Highly recommend to fans of historical murder mysteries with a strong romantic aspect.
Highly recommend to fans of historical murder mysteries with a strong romantic aspect.
December 12, 2011
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn is the first book of one of the best series I have ever read. I’ve reviewed other books of the series and talked about the characters on the blog before, but I recently started at the beginning for a reread and couldn’t resist writing a review! So…now I take on the challenge of reviewing one of my favorite books of all time…
I owned Silent in the Grave for a long time before I finally got around to picking it up. I don’t remember why I finally did start reading it, but I still remember how I felt when I finished. I was so amazed that I’d had this book for so long without knowing how fantastic it was. I looked around at my shelves and thought “how many of these others could be another favorite that I just haven’t got around to reading yet?” Have you guys ever had that moment? (Maybe its just me because I’m such an intense book freak.)
Anyway. Where to start talking about all the pieces that make this book what it is? Check out the opening lines, which is easily my favorite beginning of all time (and which I’ve already talked about on the blog more than once):
To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband’s dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.
Can you beat that? No. You can’t.
So, we are introduced to Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane, who, after the death of Julia’s husband, must work together to discover whether or not his death was really health-related or if it could have been something more sinister. Speaking of sinister – of all the historical mystery series I read and love, this one is easily the darkest and most gothic. These themes add such richness and depth to the stories and the characters; it is remarkably easy to get lost within the pages of Silent in the Grave.
Lady Julia and Brisbane are easily two of my favorite characters in all the land. The sparks they ignite when they are together are so strong, I can almost get goosebumps just by thinking about it. Deanna Raybourn has created characters that I can easily believe are real – and I have never been able to get enough of them, no matter how many times I have read the books. I basically fell in love with Brisbane very early on when he said the following to Julia:
If you were a man, your ladyship, I would cordially horsewhip you for that remark.
Who could resist that, right?
And, not only are the plots dark and twisty-turny enough to please any mystery lover – but there are so many laugh-out-loud moments as well! Seriously, there is nothing that you could want that Deanna Raybourn and Silent in the Grave won’t provide you with. Most of the funny comes from the fact that Julia’s family, the Marches, are mostly insane (or barking mad, as she likes to put it).
If you have read this book, I’m betting you loved it. If you haven’t – hopefully I’ve convinced you to do so. It highlights all the reasons I love to read: amazing plot and overall tone, and characters I enjoy so much that I reread the books over and over again for a chance to revisit them. This is a world you need to get lost in, y’all!
I owned Silent in the Grave for a long time before I finally got around to picking it up. I don’t remember why I finally did start reading it, but I still remember how I felt when I finished. I was so amazed that I’d had this book for so long without knowing how fantastic it was. I looked around at my shelves and thought “how many of these others could be another favorite that I just haven’t got around to reading yet?” Have you guys ever had that moment? (Maybe its just me because I’m such an intense book freak.)
Anyway. Where to start talking about all the pieces that make this book what it is? Check out the opening lines, which is easily my favorite beginning of all time (and which I’ve already talked about on the blog more than once):
To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband’s dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.
Can you beat that? No. You can’t.
So, we are introduced to Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane, who, after the death of Julia’s husband, must work together to discover whether or not his death was really health-related or if it could have been something more sinister. Speaking of sinister – of all the historical mystery series I read and love, this one is easily the darkest and most gothic. These themes add such richness and depth to the stories and the characters; it is remarkably easy to get lost within the pages of Silent in the Grave.
Lady Julia and Brisbane are easily two of my favorite characters in all the land. The sparks they ignite when they are together are so strong, I can almost get goosebumps just by thinking about it. Deanna Raybourn has created characters that I can easily believe are real – and I have never been able to get enough of them, no matter how many times I have read the books. I basically fell in love with Brisbane very early on when he said the following to Julia:
If you were a man, your ladyship, I would cordially horsewhip you for that remark.
Who could resist that, right?
And, not only are the plots dark and twisty-turny enough to please any mystery lover – but there are so many laugh-out-loud moments as well! Seriously, there is nothing that you could want that Deanna Raybourn and Silent in the Grave won’t provide you with. Most of the funny comes from the fact that Julia’s family, the Marches, are mostly insane (or barking mad, as she likes to put it).
If you have read this book, I’m betting you loved it. If you haven’t – hopefully I’ve convinced you to do so. It highlights all the reasons I love to read: amazing plot and overall tone, and characters I enjoy so much that I reread the books over and over again for a chance to revisit them. This is a world you need to get lost in, y’all!
September 27, 2018
I adore this book, and just listened for the second time to Ellen Archer's excellent narration. Deanna Raybourn has become one of my favorite authors, and it all started here.
There is not a lot of romance in this book. The attraction between Julia and Brisbane is palpable, but no words are spoken. As I listened again, I was particularly struck by a passage toward the end. The murder of Julia's husband has been solved, and Julia has narrowly escaped death at the hands of the murderer. As she departs London for a sojourn with her brothers in Italy, a messenger hands her a package.
By giving her his treasured pendant, with that ardent inscription, Brisbane is indeed declaring his love. I swooned.
If you enjoy mysteries with a touch of romance, I enthusiastically recommend this book and the rest of the Lady Julia Grey series.
There is not a lot of romance in this book. The attraction between Julia and Brisbane is palpable, but no words are spoken. As I listened again, I was particularly struck by a passage toward the end. The murder of Julia's husband has been solved, and Julia has narrowly escaped death at the hands of the murderer. As she departs London for a sojourn with her brothers in Italy, a messenger hands her a package.
There was a box inside, but no message. Just a bit of soft cotton wool and a thin silver pendant, struck with the head of Medusa, strung on a black silk cord. I turned it over, running my finger over the new engraving, freshly incised onto the reverse of the gorgon head. It was a series of letters and numbers, a code, but perfectly decipherable to one who had been fed Shakespeare with mother’s milk. 2HVIIIIii362. No child of Hector March could mistake that attribution. It was from The Second Part of Henry VI, the third act, the second scene, line 362. 'For where thou art, there is the world itself.' I threaded the cord under my collar, tucking the coin into the hollow of my throat, where it had lain so often on him.
By giving her his treasured pendant, with that ardent inscription, Brisbane is indeed declaring his love. I swooned.
If you enjoy mysteries with a touch of romance, I enthusiastically recommend this book and the rest of the Lady Julia Grey series.
November 29, 2021
"Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave."
These ominous words are the last threat that Sir Edward Grey receives from his killer.
3.5 stars.
Silent in the Grave was a fun historical mystery read. It was a bit slow for the first 160 pages but after that I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the witty humor which reminded me slightly of Gail Carriger's books and had me laughing out loud a couple of times.
I really wish some of the aspects of Brisbane's character that were introduced would have been explained and explored more in detail. I was left feeling a little confused about him.
One other thing is that this book has the most non-descriptive kiss ever! I wasn't even sure what had happened for a while. That was a little disappointing considering how Brisbane was written throughout the book. The writing just kept me waiting for some sort of romantic scene to take place and when it finally did there was no detail at all.
Mostly this was good, but I did feel like the main character was too modern in her thinking for the time period.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
These ominous words are the last threat that Sir Edward Grey receives from his killer.
3.5 stars.
Silent in the Grave was a fun historical mystery read. It was a bit slow for the first 160 pages but after that I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the witty humor which reminded me slightly of Gail Carriger's books and had me laughing out loud a couple of times.
I really wish some of the aspects of Brisbane's character that were introduced would have been explained and explored more in detail. I was left feeling a little confused about him.
One other thing is that this book has the most non-descriptive kiss ever! I wasn't even sure what had happened for a while. That was a little disappointing considering how Brisbane was written throughout the book. The writing just kept me waiting for some sort of romantic scene to take place and when it finally did there was no detail at all.
Mostly this was good, but I did feel like the main character was too modern in her thinking for the time period.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
February 6, 2008
The book opens thusly: "To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor."
An excellent beginning! It is, unfortunately, all downhill from there. Lady Julia Grey, the narrator and heroine, is a sensible, good hearted gentlewoman far ahead of her time. She's a very readable character, although a bit too anachronistic. I would like to read a book in which she simply goes through life. Unfortunately, the author is determined to write mysterious romances. To solve her husband's murder, Julia engages the gentleman detective Nicholas Brisbane. He is swarthy and sarcastic and secretly excellent at fighting and music and can speak every language ever and etc--a horrible, hodgepodge collection of stereotypes that makes him well-nigh unreadable. The mystery is not any better: fifty pages from the end, the author remembers that this is a mystery novel and suddenly all sorts of clues start falling into place.
I was disappointed with this book. Raybourn obviously did some research into the Victorian era, and the March family (of which Julia is a member) is an interesting one. But the sloppiness of the mystery and the trite hero decreased my enjoyment considerably.
An excellent beginning! It is, unfortunately, all downhill from there. Lady Julia Grey, the narrator and heroine, is a sensible, good hearted gentlewoman far ahead of her time. She's a very readable character, although a bit too anachronistic. I would like to read a book in which she simply goes through life. Unfortunately, the author is determined to write mysterious romances. To solve her husband's murder, Julia engages the gentleman detective Nicholas Brisbane. He is swarthy and sarcastic and secretly excellent at fighting and music and can speak every language ever and etc--a horrible, hodgepodge collection of stereotypes that makes him well-nigh unreadable. The mystery is not any better: fifty pages from the end, the author remembers that this is a mystery novel and suddenly all sorts of clues start falling into place.
I was disappointed with this book. Raybourn obviously did some research into the Victorian era, and the March family (of which Julia is a member) is an interesting one. But the sloppiness of the mystery and the trite hero decreased my enjoyment considerably.
January 8, 2017
I'm really not sure what to make of this one but it held my attention which is saying a lot for me lately. It is very easy to read in the sense that the writing is excellent and flows well. I even liked the way it was laid out especially. Many short chapters with each introduced by a Shakespearean quote or something similar.
But oddly though I kept thinking as I read it that nothing really ever happens! Or very little. So action packed it is not until the very end. It felt as if the whole story covered only a period of days or a few weeks over hundreds of pages. However, the characters are colorful and I love the writing style. It is a moderately gentle murder mystery in terms of violence with a strong independent heroine. I loved that there is some humor in this too. Not over the top but every so often I had a good laugh. Julia reminds me a little of Amelia in Elizabeth Peters' books as does her relationship with Brisbane. I had no preconceived ideas about this before reading it though I remembered quite a few friends liking this series. I'd like to see this writer tackle something a little more meaty though - because I think she can do it. Looking at her own personal reads, I can see she is a huge Holt fan and I can see that in this story and her style.
I agree with some reviewers that some themes were not typical for Victorian era stories with regard to alternative lifestyles and feminism so that may irk some readers. By the end of the book it bothered me some as that aspect became more than a little over the top. Since this was one of her early books it would be interesting to see how she evolves in her later books. Maybe someone can comment on that?
Overall a strong 3.5 to 4 for this one.
But oddly though I kept thinking as I read it that nothing really ever happens! Or very little. So action packed it is not until the very end. It felt as if the whole story covered only a period of days or a few weeks over hundreds of pages. However, the characters are colorful and I love the writing style. It is a moderately gentle murder mystery in terms of violence with a strong independent heroine. I loved that there is some humor in this too. Not over the top but every so often I had a good laugh. Julia reminds me a little of Amelia in Elizabeth Peters' books as does her relationship with Brisbane. I had no preconceived ideas about this before reading it though I remembered quite a few friends liking this series. I'd like to see this writer tackle something a little more meaty though - because I think she can do it. Looking at her own personal reads, I can see she is a huge Holt fan and I can see that in this story and her style.
I agree with some reviewers that some themes were not typical for Victorian era stories with regard to alternative lifestyles and feminism so that may irk some readers. By the end of the book it bothered me some as that aspect became more than a little over the top. Since this was one of her early books it would be interesting to see how she evolves in her later books. Maybe someone can comment on that?
Overall a strong 3.5 to 4 for this one.
September 3, 2017
Le voy a dar 4. Ojo que no es una novela romántica.
Pero el ambiente victoriano está bastante bien reflejado y pese a que la trama en general me ha resultado en muchos puntos bastante predecible, es una novela que creo que está muy bien escrita.
Los personajes complejos y la trama evolucionada.
Es una serie de 5 entregas y tocará seguir leyéndola, pues pareja hay.... no sé si terminarán juntos o no, ya se verá
Pero el ambiente victoriano está bastante bien reflejado y pese a que la trama en general me ha resultado en muchos puntos bastante predecible, es una novela que creo que está muy bien escrita.
Los personajes complejos y la trama evolucionada.
Es una serie de 5 entregas y tocará seguir leyéndola, pues pareja hay.... no sé si terminarán juntos o no, ya se verá
September 26, 2022
It really doesn't get much better than this. I read Silent several years ago and listened to the audio recently for a change. Silent in the Grave gives Mary Stewart's novels and Rebecca a run for the money.
What does it have going for it?
Lady Julia, the charming, slightly scatty heroine with a sense of humor. She keeps the stupidity to a minimum.
Nicholas Brisbane, a dark and brooding hero that isn't a jerk, isn't cruel and doesn't run around with his pants unzipped. Oops, I should say unbuttoned..it is the Victorian era and no zippers. He has a mysterious backstory that is only slightly revealed.
Heroine comes from a family of nine siblings which actually act like a family in good ways and bad.
Portia, the h's equally charming older sister, who has turned her back on Victorian society to live with her female "companion" and doles out fashion advice and how to move on in widowhood.
A murder that results in well done suspense/whodunnit story.
Slow burn romance with romantic/sexual tension only. Yep, you read it here...NO SEX. No worries, there are four other books in the series.
Well done research and the characters stay true to the era without ridiculous anachronisms.
Okay, one small issue. Julia doesn't own a dog, but she does end up with one of the Tower of London's ravens and her father has a mastiff.
Excellent narration by Ellen Archer.
What does it have going for it?
Lady Julia, the charming, slightly scatty heroine with a sense of humor. She keeps the stupidity to a minimum.
Nicholas Brisbane, a dark and brooding hero that isn't a jerk, isn't cruel and doesn't run around with his pants unzipped. Oops, I should say unbuttoned..it is the Victorian era and no zippers. He has a mysterious backstory that is only slightly revealed.
Heroine comes from a family of nine siblings which actually act like a family in good ways and bad.
Portia, the h's equally charming older sister, who has turned her back on Victorian society to live with her female "companion" and doles out fashion advice and how to move on in widowhood.
A murder that results in well done suspense/whodunnit story.
Slow burn romance with romantic/sexual tension only. Yep, you read it here...NO SEX. No worries, there are four other books in the series.
Well done research and the characters stay true to the era without ridiculous anachronisms.
Okay, one small issue. Julia doesn't own a dog, but she does end up with one of the Tower of London's ravens and her father has a mastiff.
Excellent narration by Ellen Archer.
October 17, 2023
I quite enjoyed the writing of this, and the first half was very promising, so I do walk away from this having a positive impression. But there were a series of capital "c" Choices (TM) that I thought were not super successful that kept me from loving this. Not least of which is having 2 pounds of plot in a 20 pound bag. I don't think I'd read another full book, but I think some novellas that were mystery focused would be fun.
March 27, 2008
"To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor."
Thus begins the compulsively readable mystery by Deanna Raybourne. Lady Julia Grey is a respectable member of the Victorian Britain upper class. Her husband dies during a dinner party. Edward had a congenital heart condition that affected all the men in his family. it was understood that he was likely to die at an early age. A mysterious stranger believes he has been murdered but Julia is outraged at the thought and dismisses the man completely. Until much later when she finds a threatening note that seems to bear out what Nicholas Brisbane has said.
Julia hires Brisbane to investigate her husband's murder. But Julia also finds herself drawn into the investigation, questioning servants and finding out answers to questions she never knew she even had.
First of all, I love historical mysteries. I had just recently discovered Tasha Alexander and had enjoyed her two books A Poisoned Season and And Only to Deceive. I had been wishing to find something similar to those and was happy that i stumbled over Deanna Raybourne. Both Emily Ashton from Alexander's books and Julia Grey in this book are lured into the world of criminal detection after their husband's die under mysterious circumstances. I enjoy these drawing room, genteel ladies being thrust out of their comfortable, upper class sphere only to learn a little bit more of the world around them. And if they come into contact with a dark, handsome, mysterious man...then so much the better.
The mystery itself is nicely plotted. As with these sorts of cozy mysteries, you go down a lot of roads and you find out a lot of juicy stuff until the murderer is unmasked. One thing is immediately brought to mind is this idea of Victorian public virtue vs. private vice. Purposefully, I believe, Raybourne emphasizes this dichotomy in Victorian society in this book. She shows Julia as this person of virtue who was brought up and lives by a certain set of very visible rules (the whole rules of mourning by a widow are explained and explored). However, the course of Julia's investigation takes her into close contact with prostitutes, the poor working classes, anti-semitism and other racial prejudice, disease and homosexuality.
Nicholas Brisbane is something of an issue for me. On the one hand, I can't help but be fascinated by him. He is smart and worldy and by all accounts handsome and sexy. But on the other, he is a little too, too much. He is a virtuoso violinist, he knows languages, her well traveled, he knows herbal lore, he has the second sight and so on and so on. I think she kinda poured it on a little thickly with him. Added to that, he is so darned enigmatic that he sometimes tips over the scale to remoteness and coldness. But yet, I still find him utterly fascinating.
On the other hand, Julia's character is wonderful. She is nicely flawed, which I love. I can't stand a too perfect heroine. She is impulsive, a little childish, she does stupid things that you'd expect an amateur with a measure of naivete to do, but overall a pretty decent person and pretty true to her upbringing and station. And I ADORE her family. I totally enjoy books that include a large, sprawling, charismatic family. And the March family is that in spades. She has 9 brothers and sisters, many, many cousins and aunts and uncles (I especially love the aunt they call The Ghoul who loves to go to funerals) and a father who is just awesome. Raybourne does a great job injecting little bits about the family dynamic, including the long time servants. I want to read the next book just so I can see and learn more about her family.
Thus begins the compulsively readable mystery by Deanna Raybourne. Lady Julia Grey is a respectable member of the Victorian Britain upper class. Her husband dies during a dinner party. Edward had a congenital heart condition that affected all the men in his family. it was understood that he was likely to die at an early age. A mysterious stranger believes he has been murdered but Julia is outraged at the thought and dismisses the man completely. Until much later when she finds a threatening note that seems to bear out what Nicholas Brisbane has said.
Julia hires Brisbane to investigate her husband's murder. But Julia also finds herself drawn into the investigation, questioning servants and finding out answers to questions she never knew she even had.
First of all, I love historical mysteries. I had just recently discovered Tasha Alexander and had enjoyed her two books A Poisoned Season and And Only to Deceive. I had been wishing to find something similar to those and was happy that i stumbled over Deanna Raybourne. Both Emily Ashton from Alexander's books and Julia Grey in this book are lured into the world of criminal detection after their husband's die under mysterious circumstances. I enjoy these drawing room, genteel ladies being thrust out of their comfortable, upper class sphere only to learn a little bit more of the world around them. And if they come into contact with a dark, handsome, mysterious man...then so much the better.
The mystery itself is nicely plotted. As with these sorts of cozy mysteries, you go down a lot of roads and you find out a lot of juicy stuff until the murderer is unmasked. One thing is immediately brought to mind is this idea of Victorian public virtue vs. private vice. Purposefully, I believe, Raybourne emphasizes this dichotomy in Victorian society in this book. She shows Julia as this person of virtue who was brought up and lives by a certain set of very visible rules (the whole rules of mourning by a widow are explained and explored). However, the course of Julia's investigation takes her into close contact with prostitutes, the poor working classes, anti-semitism and other racial prejudice, disease and homosexuality.
Nicholas Brisbane is something of an issue for me. On the one hand, I can't help but be fascinated by him. He is smart and worldy and by all accounts handsome and sexy. But on the other, he is a little too, too much. He is a virtuoso violinist, he knows languages, her well traveled, he knows herbal lore, he has the second sight and so on and so on. I think she kinda poured it on a little thickly with him. Added to that, he is so darned enigmatic that he sometimes tips over the scale to remoteness and coldness. But yet, I still find him utterly fascinating.
On the other hand, Julia's character is wonderful. She is nicely flawed, which I love. I can't stand a too perfect heroine. She is impulsive, a little childish, she does stupid things that you'd expect an amateur with a measure of naivete to do, but overall a pretty decent person and pretty true to her upbringing and station. And I ADORE her family. I totally enjoy books that include a large, sprawling, charismatic family. And the March family is that in spades. She has 9 brothers and sisters, many, many cousins and aunts and uncles (I especially love the aunt they call The Ghoul who loves to go to funerals) and a father who is just awesome. Raybourne does a great job injecting little bits about the family dynamic, including the long time servants. I want to read the next book just so I can see and learn more about her family.
September 3, 2019
Rather enjoyed this! I often go into romance somewhat unwillingly because very few authors hit the right combination for me so that the cringe-factor will be held at a minimum. So far, those books by Georgette Heyer I've read have been enjoyable. I like spunky heroines who defy convention, and I guess that's pretty much the going thing nowadays. This first story in the series focuses almost exclusively on the mystery, which is finding out who could have been out to murder Lady Julia's husband, and in the process having to work with someone rather inconvenient. Blessedly, all bodices stayed intact. I'm actually looking forward to the next book and don't even feel weird about it. The quality of writing and story in Harlequin romances sure has improved since the 80s...
March 23, 2008
I got this book on the strenght of the first page, and even after a third still thought I wanted to read more and more. But despite it probably being one of the better written books I read these months, I'm currently so pissed off at it that I can't bear to read the last few chapters and want to excorcise my frustration.
Is it really just me who sees the "solution" at the very first clue placed? I know it's a matter of pride to claim to have known the killer, but that's not why I say it - I hate that it spoils so many stories, but in books like this or Perry or even 6th Sense most people don't yet there are well written books where I also can't be SURE so I do think it's the writers' fault. Raybourn never even tries to develop other options, suspects, clues, but panders to a certain readership, to expectations - which a decade or more of reality TV ought to have shifted - and if I don't conform to that mindset? I'm bored and resentful and see no mystery, just what she accuses the character Jane off: being secretly too close-minded while pretending to be free-spirited. More in SPOILERS below. It was the same with Anne Perry, where I had to chew through 500 pages of baffled protagonists and shocked sensibilities when to me it had been obvious on page 20 and the outrage was directed at the characters for being so mean and reactionary. Sadly, the same here, and despite having read only romances (a horror story in 50 chapters itself) in the last weeks, the rave reviews of intelligent readers make the weakness and narrowminded modern American viewpoint of heroine and author so unbearable for me.
Please bear in mind that I was going to give the book 3-4 stars initially. That I enjoyed Lady Julia when I thought she was just different, cool, quirky, whatever, in those first pages. And Nicholas Brisbane would be a really lovely character. *thinks* at the moment though, that's it, now to the details:
SPOILERS
He's nothing but a rip-off of Sherlock Holmes, with his own Watson who is named Thelonious Monk (wtf - first I laughed but I wonder if the author is just ignorant) and his violin playing and imbibing of opium and absynth and mood changes. Long after Julia repelled me with her modern American woman mindset (which, despite having an ultra-feminist father and nine awesome liberated siblings, surfaced when I still had been sure she would be different, but sadly that was meant to be her being "mousy" and a haircut and make-up made her a "new strong woman" *gag* who snorts a lot and enjoys hanging out her title), long after that Brisbane still seemed interesting - until she gave him the second sight.
*sob*
Yes, amidst the other popular props like description of glove-less hand touching (but no description of the kiss) and derision towards gay men (which is supposed to be unthinkable, despite being obvious at page 20 as btw is the killer *tears hair* becaue the author never offers a single other alternative - where are my herrings!!!) and whores (despite a great lack of local detail otherwise), she had to throw in the supernatural. That did it. Gahd, it made bile rise and still I read on, but after all that blabbing about syphilis there came yet another proverb -
oh those proverbs, lend me thyne ear to hear my sorrow -
what a waste of paper! I realise I'm getting angry enough to give this one point only in a minute *g* but the cheap copy was hard enough to read without the tiny too short chapters, meaninglessly interrupted with the pretentiousness of proverbs that make this not a "promising debut" and a smart delight as anticipated, but just another American woman who read history and - as Lady Julia herself out of the blue suddenly just once remarks - decides to write a book.
And since there is so much badness on the market, she succeeds. I wish they would feel the disappointment and how such intellectual, moral and emotional betrayals tarnish a collective soul. That last sentence I blame on the lopsided "historcal" voice of the book.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH.
ADDENDUM:
It's much less boring than those Jane Austen Detective novels. It's less sexist than genre romances. I'm not saying it's bad. But it is precisely because it needn't have been!
Is it really just me who sees the "solution" at the very first clue placed? I know it's a matter of pride to claim to have known the killer, but that's not why I say it - I hate that it spoils so many stories, but in books like this or Perry or even 6th Sense most people don't yet there are well written books where I also can't be SURE so I do think it's the writers' fault. Raybourn never even tries to develop other options, suspects, clues, but panders to a certain readership, to expectations - which a decade or more of reality TV ought to have shifted - and if I don't conform to that mindset? I'm bored and resentful and see no mystery, just what she accuses the character Jane off: being secretly too close-minded while pretending to be free-spirited. More in SPOILERS below. It was the same with Anne Perry, where I had to chew through 500 pages of baffled protagonists and shocked sensibilities when to me it had been obvious on page 20 and the outrage was directed at the characters for being so mean and reactionary. Sadly, the same here, and despite having read only romances (a horror story in 50 chapters itself) in the last weeks, the rave reviews of intelligent readers make the weakness and narrowminded modern American viewpoint of heroine and author so unbearable for me.
Please bear in mind that I was going to give the book 3-4 stars initially. That I enjoyed Lady Julia when I thought she was just different, cool, quirky, whatever, in those first pages. And Nicholas Brisbane would be a really lovely character. *thinks* at the moment though, that's it, now to the details:
SPOILERS
He's nothing but a rip-off of Sherlock Holmes, with his own Watson who is named Thelonious Monk (wtf - first I laughed but I wonder if the author is just ignorant) and his violin playing and imbibing of opium and absynth and mood changes. Long after Julia repelled me with her modern American woman mindset (which, despite having an ultra-feminist father and nine awesome liberated siblings, surfaced when I still had been sure she would be different, but sadly that was meant to be her being "mousy" and a haircut and make-up made her a "new strong woman" *gag* who snorts a lot and enjoys hanging out her title), long after that Brisbane still seemed interesting - until she gave him the second sight.
*sob*
Yes, amidst the other popular props like description of glove-less hand touching (but no description of the kiss) and derision towards gay men (which is supposed to be unthinkable, despite being obvious at page 20 as btw is the killer *tears hair* becaue the author never offers a single other alternative - where are my herrings!!!) and whores (despite a great lack of local detail otherwise), she had to throw in the supernatural. That did it. Gahd, it made bile rise and still I read on, but after all that blabbing about syphilis there came yet another proverb -
oh those proverbs, lend me thyne ear to hear my sorrow -
what a waste of paper! I realise I'm getting angry enough to give this one point only in a minute *g* but the cheap copy was hard enough to read without the tiny too short chapters, meaninglessly interrupted with the pretentiousness of proverbs that make this not a "promising debut" and a smart delight as anticipated, but just another American woman who read history and - as Lady Julia herself out of the blue suddenly just once remarks - decides to write a book.
And since there is so much badness on the market, she succeeds. I wish they would feel the disappointment and how such intellectual, moral and emotional betrayals tarnish a collective soul. That last sentence I blame on the lopsided "historcal" voice of the book.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH.
ADDENDUM:
It's much less boring than those Jane Austen Detective novels. It's less sexist than genre romances. I'm not saying it's bad. But it is precisely because it needn't have been!
July 10, 2020
I adore this book. Deanna Raybourn has become one of my favorite authors, and it all started here.
There is not a lot of romance in this book. The attraction between Julia and Brisbane is palpable, but no words are spoken. I was particularly struck by a passage toward the end. The murder of Julia's husband has been solved, and Julia has narrowly escaped death at the hands of the murderer. As she departs London for a sojourn with her brothers in Italy, a messenger hands her a package.
By giving her his treasured pendant, with that ardent inscription, Brisbane is indeed declaring his love. I swooned.
If you enjoy mysteries with a touch of romance, I enthusiastically recommend this book and the rest of the Lady Julia Grey series.
There is not a lot of romance in this book. The attraction between Julia and Brisbane is palpable, but no words are spoken. I was particularly struck by a passage toward the end. The murder of Julia's husband has been solved, and Julia has narrowly escaped death at the hands of the murderer. As she departs London for a sojourn with her brothers in Italy, a messenger hands her a package.
There was a box inside, but no message. Just a bit of soft cotton wool and a thin silver pendant, struck with the head of Medusa, strung on a black silk cord. I turned it over, running my finger over the new engraving, freshly incised onto the reverse of the gorgon head. It was a series of letters and numbers, a code, but perfectly decipherable to one who had been fed Shakespeare with mother’s milk. 2HVIIIIii362. No child of Hector March could mistake that attribution. It was from The Second Part of Henry VI, the third act, the second scene, line 362. 'For where thou art, there is the world itself.' I threaded the cord under my collar, tucking the coin into the hollow of my throat, where it had lain so often on him.
By giving her his treasured pendant, with that ardent inscription, Brisbane is indeed declaring his love. I swooned.
If you enjoy mysteries with a touch of romance, I enthusiastically recommend this book and the rest of the Lady Julia Grey series.
September 24, 2017
I'm a huge fan of slow-burning HR novels spiced up with mystery and crime solving. This series is very similar to the author's new book A Curious Beginning in a sense that the main characters are eccentric, peculiar and there is little or none romance involved. The writing is also the same - witty with the elements of dark humor that simply forces you to keep on reading.
Lady Julia Grey has spent her whole life caged like a bird - she is the calmest and most reasonable of all her family members. She is not prone to crazy and eccentric outbursts which has always made her feel like a black sheep; however, it is plain obvious that she loves her family and vice versa. She had married Edward, a childhood friend, and lived a content but rather boring life until he was murdered. They were friends but never lovers and Julia was unable to be who she really is. As a widow of almost 30, she decides to finally pursue her dreams after a year of mourning, until she stumbles upon a piece of evidence that proves that her late husband harbored some dark secrets.
Nicholas Brisbane is like a mix of Sherlock Holmes and Cam Rohan from Mine Till Midnight. As a private detective of 30 and something with Gypsy heritage, he remains a mysterious figure who, quite surprisingly, rarely enters the stage. Of course, it is obvious from the series title that the main focus is on Julia, but I found his frequent departures and disappearances quite annoying.
THE GOOD:
- The witty, rich and humorous writing is the best aspect of this novel. It engulfed me and made me go on and on.
- The character development (except Nicholas') is on point. I enjoyed all of the characters - Julia, her family members (her father with modern views, Portia the lesbian, Val the surgeon wannabe, crazy aunts), the pug, the viscous Gypsy maid etc.
- The mystery is really interesting and even though I predicted the murderer, I wasn't bored by the story at all. The author doesn't shy away from taboo and creepy themes such as male prostitution, venereal diseases, drug abuse etc.
THE BAD:
- Only one (Julia's) POV destroyed Nicholas' character development. He remains a shadowy figure throughout the whole novel and we are never able to guess what he thinks, feels or even does. This can be largely contributed to the fact that he is simply never there. Yes, the focus is on Julia; however, it is really annoying when Nicholas appears all almighty and arrogant with a new clue and then disappears for the next 20 pages. I also disliked that he never trusted Julia enough to tell her of his methods, plans or thoughts...even until the end. His omnipotence is very irritating and unrealistic.
He is still very interesting, dashing and so on, but he would be so better if only the author managed to develop him or give him his POV. Instead she turned him into a two-dimensional character that I wished was more engaged with the heroine.
- The book lacks in the romance department even though the chemistry between the main characters is great. I mean, they kiss only once. Hopefully that will be remediated in the sequel because it would be such a waste for these two to be depraved of good romance.
*SAFETY GANG note:
Lady Julia Grey has spent her whole life caged like a bird - she is the calmest and most reasonable of all her family members. She is not prone to crazy and eccentric outbursts which has always made her feel like a black sheep; however, it is plain obvious that she loves her family and vice versa. She had married Edward, a childhood friend, and lived a content but rather boring life until he was murdered. They were friends but never lovers and Julia was unable to be who she really is. As a widow of almost 30, she decides to finally pursue her dreams after a year of mourning, until she stumbles upon a piece of evidence that proves that her late husband harbored some dark secrets.
Nicholas Brisbane is like a mix of Sherlock Holmes and Cam Rohan from Mine Till Midnight. As a private detective of 30 and something with Gypsy heritage, he remains a mysterious figure who, quite surprisingly, rarely enters the stage. Of course, it is obvious from the series title that the main focus is on Julia, but I found his frequent departures and disappearances quite annoying.
THE GOOD:
- The witty, rich and humorous writing is the best aspect of this novel. It engulfed me and made me go on and on.
- The character development (except Nicholas') is on point. I enjoyed all of the characters - Julia, her family members (her father with modern views, Portia the lesbian, Val the surgeon wannabe, crazy aunts), the pug, the viscous Gypsy maid etc.
- The mystery is really interesting and even though I predicted the murderer, I wasn't bored by the story at all. The author doesn't shy away from taboo and creepy themes such as male prostitution, venereal diseases, drug abuse etc.
THE BAD:
- Only one (Julia's) POV destroyed Nicholas' character development. He remains a shadowy figure throughout the whole novel and we are never able to guess what he thinks, feels or even does. This can be largely contributed to the fact that he is simply never there. Yes, the focus is on Julia; however, it is really annoying when Nicholas appears all almighty and arrogant with a new clue and then disappears for the next 20 pages. I also disliked that he never trusted Julia enough to tell her of his methods, plans or thoughts...even until the end. His omnipotence is very irritating and unrealistic.
He is still very interesting, dashing and so on, but he would be so better if only the author managed to develop him or give him his POV. Instead she turned him into a two-dimensional character that I wished was more engaged with the heroine.
- The book lacks in the romance department even though the chemistry between the main characters is great. I mean, they kiss only once. Hopefully that will be remediated in the sequel because it would be such a waste for these two to be depraved of good romance.
*SAFETY GANG note:
December 1, 2015
Original Post: Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey 1) at FLYLēF (www.flylef.com)
The polarized reviews for Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey 1), by Deanna Raybourn, caught my interest and before long I found myself immersed, or rather drowning, in this British historical thriller.
“Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.”
Before Sir Edward Grey could show this threatening message to Nicholas Brisbane, the private investigator he hired for his protection, Sir Edward collapses and dies. His wife, Lady Julia Grey, believes the cause is due to a hereditary heart deformity. When Nicholas confronts Julia and suggests the possibility of murder, Julie is outraged and accuses him of being an opportunist (and we’ll get into this in just a moment). It is a reaction she regrets upon discovering that damning note. She seeks out Nicholas to bring Edward’s murderer to justice – an investigation that would put both their lives in danger.
There are many things I like about Silent in the Grave – the beautiful and poignant quotes to start each chapter; the extravagant and alluring upper class Victorian England setting; the eccentric March family, particular the unapologetic Portia and the kind-hearted Valerius, to name a few. Unfortunately, none of these really mattered because…
I don’t like Lady Julia Grey. There, I said it.
She is a simpleton with an unbecoming, righteous aura of social elitism. She is neither witty nor rational, but rather spoiled and complacent. For example, on the night that Edward (her husband!) collapses in a room full of dinner guests, Julie was “wondering what was going to happen to all the [leftover] food” and dreading the work required when she puts on “widow’s weed.” Really? I would be worried senseless…at least. Her investigative skills, if you can even call it skills, are impetuous and clumsy often foolishly putting herself and others in harms way. I generally enjoy character flaws because they add realism and charisma, and allow me to connect with the characters. In this case however, the gap was too great and I couldn’t connect with Julia. Her one saving grace is that she does have a softer, kinder side.
But where Julia falls short, Ms. Raybourn makes up for it in the enigmatic and mercurial Nicholas Brisbane whose astute investigative skills are reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes. He is an intriguing character with a backstory rich in mystery and complexity. He draws me into his story, and by mere association Julia’s story – a predictable, yet disturbing, murder mystery.
I’m uncertain if I will read the sequel, Silent in the Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey 2). If I do, it is to further answer the question: Who is Nicholas Brisbane?
September 3, 2015
Absolutely beautiful!
Great series with fantastic characters and wonderful writing style!
Great series with fantastic characters and wonderful writing style!
March 30, 2014
EDIT: OK, so I just went through and read a few more reviews for this title, and I am hijacking my own review because I have to clarify something.
Apparently, some people feel that this plot is "too feminist".
#1 -- I have read this book cover to cover, and I have no idea what you people are talking about, other than maybe the fact that a fictional Victorian lady has some self-respect, some sense of social justice, and a goddamned pair of eyes.
#2 -- Even if this book were a scifi novel about a bunch of lesbians who have done away with men entirely and now frolic in an endless Garden of Rainbows and Unicorns it still would not be too feminist because guess what Internet THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO FEMINIST. That is like saying something is "not racist enough" or "too respectful". I am SO FUCKING TIRED of modern people, ESPECIALLY women, arguing that there is something obnoxious or tiresome about repressed groups advocating for themselves and expressing their viewpoints.
Sorry for the rant, everybody. It just makes me really fucking sad and disappointed to see ladies contributing, however indirectly, to their own disenfranchisement.
==========
I think what I liked most about this book was how well it captured the Gothic voice, while being delightful as opposed to tiresome. The atmosphere was spot on.
That said -- I TOTALLY get what everyone is saying about Brisbane being too over the top. I feel like he was imagined at a thirteen year old girl's slumber party, as a laundry-list of desirable man-traits. Without getting too specific (spoilers), I really felt like Raybourn should have edited down the list to one or two of those traits. Maybe it's because I'm also in the middle of reading the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, but the only thing that makes that character loveable is that he's NOT perfect, he DOESN'T have everything figured out, and by and large, he KNOWS that.
It's not so much that there's nothing wrong with Brisbane -- he's kind of a hot mess, actually -- but that there's nothing FLAWED about him. None of his messiness is his own fault, and he's extraordinarily good at everything, and it's just all a little GAH.
You know who I was REALLY rooting for in this novel? Brisbane's adorable ethnic doctor. OH BABY.
I am totally going to keep reading these novels, though, they're hella fun even when they are crayzle ... oh who am I kidding, because they are crayzle.
Apparently, some people feel that this plot is "too feminist".
#1 -- I have read this book cover to cover, and I have no idea what you people are talking about, other than maybe the fact that a fictional Victorian lady has some self-respect, some sense of social justice, and a goddamned pair of eyes.
#2 -- Even if this book were a scifi novel about a bunch of lesbians who have done away with men entirely and now frolic in an endless Garden of Rainbows and Unicorns it still would not be too feminist because guess what Internet THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO FEMINIST. That is like saying something is "not racist enough" or "too respectful". I am SO FUCKING TIRED of modern people, ESPECIALLY women, arguing that there is something obnoxious or tiresome about repressed groups advocating for themselves and expressing their viewpoints.
Sorry for the rant, everybody. It just makes me really fucking sad and disappointed to see ladies contributing, however indirectly, to their own disenfranchisement.
==========
I think what I liked most about this book was how well it captured the Gothic voice, while being delightful as opposed to tiresome. The atmosphere was spot on.
That said -- I TOTALLY get what everyone is saying about Brisbane being too over the top. I feel like he was imagined at a thirteen year old girl's slumber party, as a laundry-list of desirable man-traits. Without getting too specific (spoilers), I really felt like Raybourn should have edited down the list to one or two of those traits. Maybe it's because I'm also in the middle of reading the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, but the only thing that makes that character loveable is that he's NOT perfect, he DOESN'T have everything figured out, and by and large, he KNOWS that.
It's not so much that there's nothing wrong with Brisbane -- he's kind of a hot mess, actually -- but that there's nothing FLAWED about him. None of his messiness is his own fault, and he's extraordinarily good at everything, and it's just all a little GAH.
You know who I was REALLY rooting for in this novel? Brisbane's adorable ethnic doctor. OH BABY.
I am totally going to keep reading these novels, though, they're hella fun even when they are crayzle ... oh who am I kidding, because they are crayzle.
February 19, 2010
I'm torn with my rating for this book, so much so I almost didn't bother with a review. If it wasn't for my commitment to do so, with every book I read this year, I probably wouldn't have.
Why? Because, this book confused me. And I would hate to be unjust in my review because of this.
From the first page, it gets you. I believe it may have the most original, and fantastic opening line, I have ever read. This level of intrigue continues for the first half of the book. This is where it started to drift for me. It was almost as though the author kept trying to make the book more than what it was, which is a mystery, with a very (and let me be clear, extremely...) mild romantic under tone.
There were even parts in the book, where I felt she was trying to convey something, like a kiss between the hero, and heroine, for instance, but failed to add any insight into the actual 'act', that you honestly aren't sure if they even did kiss.. that confusion stays for another 30 or so pages, until you discover.. Ahhh, Okay.. so they did kiss.. I wasn't quite sure.
Having said that, However. The ending was very good. It picked up for me again, after the "maybe, maybe not kiss" incident, and I found it quite hard to put down.
In conclusion, It did have all the necessary elements of a great book. An astounding beginning, a mesmerizing end, even if it was slightly bewildering in the middle. It has you asking questions, and piques your curiousity, as a great mystery should. Overall, it managed to make me want to read the second in the series, therefore accomplished what it set out to do, afterall.
I give this 5 stars for the start, 2.5 stars for the middle, and back up to 5 stars for the ending... Overal... 3.5, maybe 4.
Happy Reading.
Why? Because, this book confused me. And I would hate to be unjust in my review because of this.
From the first page, it gets you. I believe it may have the most original, and fantastic opening line, I have ever read. This level of intrigue continues for the first half of the book. This is where it started to drift for me. It was almost as though the author kept trying to make the book more than what it was, which is a mystery, with a very (and let me be clear, extremely...) mild romantic under tone.
There were even parts in the book, where I felt she was trying to convey something, like a kiss between the hero, and heroine, for instance, but failed to add any insight into the actual 'act', that you honestly aren't sure if they even did kiss.. that confusion stays for another 30 or so pages, until you discover.. Ahhh, Okay.. so they did kiss.. I wasn't quite sure.
Having said that, However. The ending was very good. It picked up for me again, after the "maybe, maybe not kiss" incident, and I found it quite hard to put down.
In conclusion, It did have all the necessary elements of a great book. An astounding beginning, a mesmerizing end, even if it was slightly bewildering in the middle. It has you asking questions, and piques your curiousity, as a great mystery should. Overall, it managed to make me want to read the second in the series, therefore accomplished what it set out to do, afterall.
I give this 5 stars for the start, 2.5 stars for the middle, and back up to 5 stars for the ending... Overal... 3.5, maybe 4.
Happy Reading.
April 9, 2019
Veronica Speedwell is like fireworks. Loud. Beautiful. Exciting. In your face. And Lady Julia Grey is like a garden. Cool. Beautiful. Peaceful. With something new popping up.
I am so thankful I read Veronica first as I wouldn’t be able to stand her after reading Lady Julia.
This is my new favorite read of 2019. I couldn’t put it down from page one. Lady Julia. Her family. The timing and pace. The Mystery. The clues. Nicholas. Fleur. The Raven.
This was everything good in a romance (the slowwwwww burn). And a mystery. And a historical. Plus the glory of watching a woman come into her own. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most in the next book. Lady Julia becoming the Lady Julia she should be.
I am soothed. And enamored. I’ll be starting the next one tomorrow.
I am so thankful I read Veronica first as I wouldn’t be able to stand her after reading Lady Julia.
This is my new favorite read of 2019. I couldn’t put it down from page one. Lady Julia. Her family. The timing and pace. The Mystery. The clues. Nicholas. Fleur. The Raven.
This was everything good in a romance (the slowwwwww burn). And a mystery. And a historical. Plus the glory of watching a woman come into her own. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most in the next book. Lady Julia becoming the Lady Julia she should be.
I am soothed. And enamored. I’ll be starting the next one tomorrow.
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