Scan barcode
nolegirl's review against another edition
5.0
The latest in the Lady Grey/Brisbane series from Deanna Raybourn did not disappoint. An exotic location, India. A murder, of course. Family and intrigue all added up to another fantastic mystery.
Now that Lady Julia and Brisbane have married they have to figure out how to live together. Being on an extended honeymoon has only kept them from dealing with how Julia wants to feel useful and be part of Brisbane's adventures and how Brisbane wants to protect her. Those undercurrents move this story along as they, sometimes together and sometimes separately, try to figure out who as killed Julia's distant cousin Freddie who just happened to marry Portia's Jane. There are plenty of suspects and several smaller intrigues that cause some confusion until the end when the killer is finally revealed.
Now to wait for the next installment of this series.
Now that Lady Julia and Brisbane have married they have to figure out how to live together. Being on an extended honeymoon has only kept them from dealing with how Julia wants to feel useful and be part of Brisbane's adventures and how Brisbane wants to protect her. Those undercurrents move this story along as they, sometimes together and sometimes separately, try to figure out who as killed Julia's distant cousin Freddie who just happened to marry Portia's Jane. There are plenty of suspects and several smaller intrigues that cause some confusion until the end when the killer is finally revealed.
Now to wait for the next installment of this series.
ponckumari's review against another edition
4.0
It was interesting to read about pre-independence India from the point of view of a British protagonist. The characters are well etched and though the main plot is a murder investigation, i wasn't really keen on knowing the killer as much as I was to know how an early 19th century 'feminist' would handle the stuff thrown at her. Lady Julia Grey does not disappoint.
mamap's review against another edition
4.0
fun victorian novel with lady julia grey and brisbane getting a little bored with married life and needing a little mystery to pick things up. seems they get it. some valid discussions on marriage and relationships. some fun surprises and a hint at a future novel.
reemeyer's review against another edition
4.0
Still enjoying Lady Julia and her now husband Brisbane, and this mystery had an outcome I didn’t even suspect. I am a little tired of the way Julia and Brisbane compete and keep things from each other, it feels like manufactured drama. I was also a little disappointed in the sudden, unexpected death of a secondary character at the very end of this story. Seemed like a plot contrivance to set things up for future books. Still an enjoyable read, but I sort of miss Veronica and Stoker, who work more as equals.
mjwerts's review against another edition
4.0
Dark Road to Darjeeling represents a new chapter in the life of Lady Julia Brisbane, née Grey. She has become the woman she wants to be, but now must figure out how to be that person in partnership with her new husband, Nicholas Brisbane. This novel finds the newlyweds in a remote valley of India, investigating the death of Freddie Cavendish, the unexpected husband of Jane, the longtime lover of Lady Julia's sister, Portia. As expected in this series, the mystery is twisty with plenty of suspects and surprises, while the characters are quite delicious. As the name implies, the book is a bit darker in tone than the previous "silent" trilogy, with Lady Julia and Brisbane a bit sharper and softer around the edges simultaneously, which is a delicate balancing act. It makes the characters both more relatable and more irksome, but their foibles also are what makes them immensely enjoyable.
seshat59's review against another edition
3.0
Dark Road to Darjeeling is yet another entertaining installment of the Lady Julia series. It’s impossible to review this without spoiling earlier books, so be warned.
As the honeymoon trip is winding to a close, Brisbane and Julia are beset upon by Julia’s sister and her brother, Plum. Portia is convinced that her ex-lover Jane’s husband has been murdered and only Brisbane and Julia can ferret out the truth. In India, no less.
The setting of a tea plantation is northern India during the colonial era was very engrossing. The mystery was slow moving and was secondary to characterization. Julia and Brisbane are struggling to adjust to married life: how to reconcile their wants and needs as independent people to being united as a couple, and in Julia’s hopes, detecting. This helps ratchet up a little tension within the romance.
As the honeymoon trip is winding to a close, Brisbane and Julia are beset upon by Julia’s sister and her brother, Plum. Portia is convinced that her ex-lover Jane’s husband has been murdered and only Brisbane and Julia can ferret out the truth. In India, no less.
The setting of a tea plantation is northern India during the colonial era was very engrossing. The mystery was slow moving and was secondary to characterization. Julia and Brisbane are struggling to adjust to married life: how to reconcile their wants and needs as independent people to being united as a couple, and in Julia’s hopes, detecting. This helps ratchet up a little tension within the romance.
geekbrocade's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars because I loved how Brisbane and Julia were adapting to married life. Otherwise, the plot was okay.
ashkitty93's review against another edition
3.0
There was murder, yes, but the mystery hung rather by a thread here IMO - the mystery felt rather straightforward for my tastes, similar to Silent in the Sanctuary. Raybourn gives so many details and you KNOW they're all important, as are the entertaining supporting cast members, but it nearly felt like there were too many supporting characters, tbh - including and then leaving that whole scenario feeling partially unresolved was a little... ehhh. I confess I'm rather optimistic about things, like Julia.
I should've started a body count back in book one. Perhaps on the (eventual) reread.
The White Rajah was nifty (I was vaguely put in mind of the Black Count) and the old crossroads granny entertaining for all her gabbling.
Still pissed off about the ending. What kind of shit is this?
Spoiler
the Phipps cousins from the previous bookI should've started a body count back in book one. Perhaps on the (eventual) reread.
The White Rajah was nifty (I was vaguely put in mind of the Black Count) and the old crossroads granny entertaining for all her gabbling.
Still pissed off about the ending. What kind of
Spoiler
Bury Your Gayststreet's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this book. I love how now we see Brisbane and Julia married and working together of cases. I love how loyal Julia is and how she loves Jane so much. I hate how they find out that Jane's husband was murdered for his estate and I hate how Jane feels that she is next. I hate how Brisbane and Julia put themselves in danger but I'm glad they get out of it alive. I was glad when they found all the secrets and found the murderer. This one was definitely better than the last. 5 stars.