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readersincealways's review
5.0
Julia, Brisbane, Plum and Portia. A formula for enjoyment surely. Witty, intriguing plot that meanders alongside to a most satisfying conclusion.
scorpstar77's review
4.0
Probably my favorite of the 4 novellas about Julia and Brisbane. They travel to a country house that Brisbane supposedly has inherited from someone he has never heard of, with the caveat that he must occupy the house from Halloween to Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night or else the inheritance is forfeit. Understandably skeptical, he, Julia, Portia and Plum (and their kids and maids and nannies, etc.) go to the house to see if they can figure out what is going on. The townsfolk seem committed to trying to make them think the place is haunted, and it's so obviously people play-acting the haunting, Julia & crew can't figure out why they're bothering to do it. It's a weird but interesting and funny little mystery that ends with a few more strings tied up from preceding stories.
srivalli's review
3.0
This is the last book in the series and is very small. A novella with few pages of fun. There's isn't much mystery and no murder. It's like a longer epilogue to the entire series.
Overall I enjoyed reading these books even if I wanted to knock some sense into the leads.
My favorite characters are Portia, Morag, and Aquinas.
Overall I enjoyed reading these books even if I wanted to knock some sense into the leads.
My favorite characters are Portia, Morag, and Aquinas.
verityw's review
3.0
*******Copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review*****
Deanna Raybourn is one of those authors that people keep recommending because I like people like Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Lauren Willig etc, but that I've never got around to. So when I saw this pop up on Netgalley I jumped at the chance to get a taster. And I enjoyed it. Yes it's a novella that is part of a series that I've never read (and presumably have now given myself some fairly hefty spoilers for!) but I enjoyed the Halloween themed story (makes a change from Christmas ones!) and liked the characters. I'll be keeping an eye out for more from Ms Raybourn.
If there were half stars this would get 3 and a half - I didn't like it enough (quite) to give it four, but it's a bit better than a three!
Deanna Raybourn is one of those authors that people keep recommending because I like people like Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Lauren Willig etc, but that I've never got around to. So when I saw this pop up on Netgalley I jumped at the chance to get a taster. And I enjoyed it. Yes it's a novella that is part of a series that I've never read (and presumably have now given myself some fairly hefty spoilers for!) but I enjoyed the Halloween themed story (makes a change from Christmas ones!) and liked the characters. I'll be keeping an eye out for more from Ms Raybourn.
If there were half stars this would get 3 and a half - I didn't like it enough (quite) to give it four, but it's a bit better than a three!
reviewdiaries's review
5.0
This review was written for 'The Review Diaries'.
Click here for the full review: http://reviewdiaries.blogspot.fr/2014/11/review-bonfire-night-lady-julia-grey.html
I adore the Lady Julia mysteries in a way that defies attempting to explain it like a rational human being. Let’s just leave it at this: they are wonderful books and if you haven’t read them yet then you need to, because Raybourn is one of the best writers I have had the pleasure of reading. This series of books found me quite by chance when I had finished reading Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate Series and wanted something similar. Amazon, in its infinite wisdom suggested I read these, and I have never looked back.
They are brilliantly constructed mysteries with a wonderful heroine at their heart, a broodingly acerbic hero and a cast of excellent characters that make these such a pleasure to come back to. With all that in mind, when the news came out that Deanna Raybourn was parting from her publishers and the chances of another Lady Julia novel had just dropped to virtually non-existant, I was devastated. I love these books and I had hoped to get just one more book to tie up some more ends that had been left. Instead we got the novellas, and whilst I was initially hesitant, Raybourn has done a truly spectacular job of not only telling more of Julia’s story through the four novellas, but also weaving in elements of it into her three novels set in the twenties. Between them we’ve been given a very good idea of where Julia was heading and what happened to her after the events of ‘The Dark Enquiry’.
Click here for the full review: http://reviewdiaries.blogspot.fr/2014/11/review-bonfire-night-lady-julia-grey.html
I adore the Lady Julia mysteries in a way that defies attempting to explain it like a rational human being. Let’s just leave it at this: they are wonderful books and if you haven’t read them yet then you need to, because Raybourn is one of the best writers I have had the pleasure of reading. This series of books found me quite by chance when I had finished reading Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate Series and wanted something similar. Amazon, in its infinite wisdom suggested I read these, and I have never looked back.
They are brilliantly constructed mysteries with a wonderful heroine at their heart, a broodingly acerbic hero and a cast of excellent characters that make these such a pleasure to come back to. With all that in mind, when the news came out that Deanna Raybourn was parting from her publishers and the chances of another Lady Julia novel had just dropped to virtually non-existant, I was devastated. I love these books and I had hoped to get just one more book to tie up some more ends that had been left. Instead we got the novellas, and whilst I was initially hesitant, Raybourn has done a truly spectacular job of not only telling more of Julia’s story through the four novellas, but also weaving in elements of it into her three novels set in the twenties. Between them we’ve been given a very good idea of where Julia was heading and what happened to her after the events of ‘The Dark Enquiry’.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Oh, really enjoyed reading this story! A bit sad, since we're not going to get anything more, but such a great story!
hollie313's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
katherineep's review
4.0
With interesting characters and beautiful settings this is a must read series for mystery lovers. This would be a perfect Halloween/Fall read for those who like creepy atmosphere but don't like scary books.
I loved absolutely everything about this novella until I got to the ending. It felt a little rushed and if you weren't familiar with the series I think it would've felt a bit like it came out of left field.
Full review: http://iwishilivedinalibrary.blogspot.com/2014/12/bonfire-night-plus-christmas-bouquet.html
I loved absolutely everything about this novella until I got to the ending. It felt a little rushed and if you weren't familiar with the series I think it would've felt a bit like it came out of left field.
Full review: http://iwishilivedinalibrary.blogspot.com/2014/12/bonfire-night-plus-christmas-bouquet.html
amym84's review
5.0
Bonfire Night is another Lady Julia novella. It takes place (surprise) around Bonfire Night which, if I have all my facts correct, is on November 5th and along with lighting bonfires and fireworks it celebrates the failure of Guy Fawkes' actions.
Brisbane learns that he has mysteriously inherited a country house, supposedly from a very grateful client upon their deathbed. He and Julia have to be in residence by Bonfire Night or the property will go to no one and be torn down. Of course, ever curious, the Brisbanes, along with Plum and Portia, set upon getting things together for their trip right away even though the trip is laced with suspicion.
Upon arrival suspicions are further fueled by all the talk of how haunted the house is especially around Bonfire Night. This fact is further supported by moans in the night and chain rattling. Obviously, whoever is behind this charade doesn't know the Brisbanes very well if they think a little ghostly activity will put them off, or maybe they do?
I absolutely love the Lady Julia series, but it isn't until I'm reading another adventure that I realize this. I love the direction that Deanna Raybourn went when she started giving us the novella's as opposed to full-length novels.
For me, I liked Bonfire Night quite a bit more than [b:Twelfth Night|21840173|Twelfth Night (Lady Julia Grey, #5.6)|Deanna Raybourn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398007154s/21840173.jpg|41107333] released earlier this year. They are both good mysteries to solve, but the whole haunted house mystery pulled me in even more.
The humor of the whole situation was wonderful, but not too much that it was overabundant or too in-your-face. Of course one can only assume the least amount of seriousness when dealing with even part of the March family. I liked seeing Brisbane and Julia in the, somewhat, part of parents. If anything that is an aspect of the story I wish we could have seen more of.
I don't know where Deanna Raybourn plans to go next with this series (if anywhere), but I hope she continues to write adventures for Lady Julia. I would read them as long as Ms. Raybourn would decide to write them. Nicholas and Julia Brisbane are one of my favorite pair.
Brisbane learns that he has mysteriously inherited a country house, supposedly from a very grateful client upon their deathbed. He and Julia have to be in residence by Bonfire Night or the property will go to no one and be torn down. Of course, ever curious, the Brisbanes, along with Plum and Portia, set upon getting things together for their trip right away even though the trip is laced with suspicion.
Upon arrival suspicions are further fueled by all the talk of how haunted the house is especially around Bonfire Night. This fact is further supported by moans in the night and chain rattling. Obviously, whoever is behind this charade doesn't know the Brisbanes very well if they think a little ghostly activity will put them off, or maybe they do?
I absolutely love the Lady Julia series, but it isn't until I'm reading another adventure that I realize this. I love the direction that Deanna Raybourn went when she started giving us the novella's as opposed to full-length novels.
For me, I liked Bonfire Night quite a bit more than [b:Twelfth Night|21840173|Twelfth Night (Lady Julia Grey, #5.6)|Deanna Raybourn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398007154s/21840173.jpg|41107333] released earlier this year. They are both good mysteries to solve, but the whole haunted house mystery pulled me in even more.
The humor of the whole situation was wonderful, but not too much that it was overabundant or too in-your-face. Of course one can only assume the least amount of seriousness when dealing with even part of the March family. I liked seeing Brisbane and Julia in the, somewhat, part of parents. If anything that is an aspect of the story I wish we could have seen more of.
I don't know where Deanna Raybourn plans to go next with this series (if anywhere), but I hope she continues to write adventures for Lady Julia. I would read them as long as Ms. Raybourn would decide to write them. Nicholas and Julia Brisbane are one of my favorite pair.