Reviews

Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn

seeinghowitgoes's review

3.0

Rather more like a gothic mystery than romance novel. It's been fun watching Julia grow these last three books and although things are wrapped up a little too neatly for my tastes it's a satisfying conclusion.

cammmiam's review

4.0

While I have extremely enjoyed the previous two books in the Lady Julia series, I do believe that Silent on the Moor has to be my favorite adventure written by Deanna Raybourn. The deaths and mortal sins against characters had already been committed before the book began, which meant that Julia was able to engage herself within the mysteries of Grimsgrave Hall from the very beginning. It is clear to her and the readers that something is amiss in that decrepit manor, and once a character has been poisoned (in an assassination attempt that does not come to fruition) I was able to correctly determine what had occurred between the members of the Allensby family. So in that regard, this was not the most thrilling of mystery stories, but upon further reflection I do not believe that it was intended to be. This is a book of growth for Julia and Nicholas Brisbane. Plenty is learned about his family and childhood to assist in the better understanding of his character. I loved every minute of it.

Fans of this series and the relationship between Julia and Brisbane will not be disappointed with this installment. There were so many moments between them that caused my breath to hitch and my heart to beat a little bit faster. I could attribute those reactions to my hopeless romantic nature, yet I believe it all is a credit to Raybourn’s superb skills as a writer. She has allowed her characters to grow according to their own timelines; I have never felt as if what has occurred between Julia and Brisbane is done for the sake of plot, which is refreshing. Theirs is a relationship that is so true and befitting of one another. It has taken time for them to journey to where they are, and the result has been all the better for it. I truly cannot wait to see where further books in the series will take them.

karlynrose's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

maferg01's review

5.0

I loved this series and can't wait until this fall when the next in the series is released. I was thoroughly engrossed all day finishing this book. Nothing like passing a cold day by a fire and reading a book from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down. I love how the story that began in the first novel has come full circle and the passion and love between the characters is thoroughly enjoyable.

elabeth's review

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

deballen21's review

4.0

I enjoyed this more than her first two, but would still like to see more of Brisbane on the page and a reduction in their bickering. Her writing is terrific. I'll read her latest.

sueodd's review

3.0

Disappointed with this installment in the Lady Julia Grey series. I had forgotten some of the things that bothered me in the previous two books when I picked this up. The first time a chapter ended with something like "If I had only known someone would die, I would never have come", it all came back to me. The story is still peppered with these annoying sentences foreshadowing doom. Brisbane's characteristics are even worse - he's secretive, manipulative, and hot and cold towards Julia. The actual mystery was painfully obvious to me from the beginning. I may enjoy the Veronica Speedwell series, but I'm done with Lady Julia Grey.

lauconn's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

novelesque_life's review

4.0

4 STARS

"This is a wickedly witty Lady Julia Grey mystery. 'There are things that walk abroad on the moor that should not. But the dead do not always lie quietly, do they, lady?' It is England, 1888. Grimsgrave Manor is an unhappy house, isolated on the Yorkshire moors, silent and secretive. But secrets cannot be long kept in the face of Lady Julia Grey's incurable curiosity. In the teeth of protests from her conventional, stuffy brother, Lady Julia decides to pay a visit to the enigmatic detective, Nicholas Brisbane to bring a woman's touch to his new estate. Grimsgrave is haunted by the ghosts of its past, and its owner seems to be falling into ruin along with the house. Confronted with gypsy warnings and Brisbane's elusive behaviour, Lady Julia scents a mystery. It's not long before her desire for answers leads her into danger unlike any other that she has experienced - and from which, this time, there may be no escape." (From Amazon)

A very gothic romantic suspense set in the highlands of Scotland. Not my favourite of the series as in regards to the suspense but we do get more information on Brisbane.

annestef1a's review

3.0

I love that the villain didn't explain every scheme they'd done this time.

And I kinda liked the Egyptian/mummies elements, as well as the mystery and reveal. However, the main characters continue to irritate me, and the audiobook narrator, Margo Westwood, accentuated that I'm very sorry to say. So, if you plan on listening to the audiobook, get the one with Ellen Archer.

Lastly, I really hope the author will set Brisbane to rights in the next book. She introduced the heroine as someone coming from a feminist family but then, she continues to pursue a guy who keeps hurting her and keeps secrets from her unnecessarily. It's quite otherworldly annoying!