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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
objectively speaking, i suspect that these books aren't really that great. competent, romantic-historical mysteries that aren't quite great by individual genre conventions (i.e. the typical country house mystery in this one was terribly predictable), but somehow by smushing them altogether, they work for me.
My favorite book of the series thus far (out of the first three). Good mix of mystery, romance, and history. Easily likable characters.
Once again, deliciously gothic and twisted. Delightful.
I read this one by accident - I had just finished Raybourn's first Veronica Speedwell book and meant to read the second, scrolled down through my books and saw the this book by her and the cover art looked about right, so I started reading it. I was a little confused why the characters from the Speedwell weren't anywhere until I'd read a few dozen pages and clued in to the fact that I was reading a book in a different series by the same author. I was impressed with how well I was able to pick up the story with so many characters without reading the first book
I really dug the Lady Julia character and the setting, but I haven't read many mysteries and didn't super dig the mystery part of the book.
I'll definitely go back and read at least the first book in the Lady Julia series, even though I wasn't super into this book, I enjoyed it and I'm betting one of the other books in this series will be more my jam.
I really dug the Lady Julia character and the setting, but I haven't read many mysteries and didn't super dig the mystery part of the book.
I'll definitely go back and read at least the first book in the Lady Julia series, even though I wasn't super into this book, I enjoyed it and I'm betting one of the other books in this series will be more my jam.
After the events of the previous book 'Silent in the Grave' where Lady Julia Gray helped uncover the murderer of her husband and almost lost her life in a fire, we find Julia recovering in Italy while visiting her brothers. Plum and Lysander, having been abroad for some time have rented a villa on lake Como.
Julia spends the time wallowing in the warm climate, eating the unfamiliar food, flirting with the young and extremely aristocratic count Alessandro Fornacci, and navigating through family drama between Plum, Lysander's and Ly's new wife, a temperamental Neopolitan woman named Violante.
Learning the Ly has wed without permission, their father, the wealthy Earl or March has summoned them home. Since Ly and Plum live on an allowance from their father, they can't afford to ignore the summons and so the March siblings travel back to England with a new bride and a friend;y young count in tow.
It is nearly Christmas and the siblings arrive at their ancestral home Belmont Abbey, surprised to find a holiday house party in full swing. In attendance: Their eldest sister the beautiful Portia, their destitute cousins Lucy and Emma, their crotchety old aunt Dorcas, their uncle Fly the town vicar, his flirtatious curate Lucian Snow, Lucy's fiance the jumped up wealthy commoner Sir Cedric Eastly, Cedric's secretary/cousin Henry Ludlow, Julia's friend the ex-courtesan Hortense, a lovely widow named Charlotte King, and, much to Julia's surprise...Nicholas Brisbane. Julia has not forgotten the enigmatic man who was her partner in finding her husband's murderer nor the passionate kiss they shared. But before Julia can get too happy, she quickly learns that Charlotte King is Nicholas' fiancee.
After a night of parlor games, one of the guests is murdered and the presumptive murderer is standing over the body with the weapon and blood on their hands. Julia finds herself once again working with Brisbane to uncover a murderer.
I loved the first book 'Silent in the Grave' and so naturally, I couldn't wait to continue reading of the adventures of the genteel Lady Gray and the enigmatic Nicholas Brisbane. This was a great installment that read like a cross between a cozy mystery and a gothic romance. Belmont Abbey, the home of the March family is a 700 year old former Cistercian monastery, complete with a bloody and colorful past, hundreds of rooms and hidden passages. A perfect setting for ghosts that wander the night and a murder. And so much happens in this installment...
First is the murder, a typical whodunnit with a finite set of suspects, all penned in together (with a convenient blizzard making an appearance so no one can come or go) with the strong possibility that the murderer isn't finished.
Second is the jewel thief. Not only is there a murderer amongst the group, there is also a jewel thief wanted by the Crown.
Third is a character study. All the members of the house party are different, colorful and is observed by Julia behaving with suspicion. Desperate Lucy? Jealous Emma? Crazy Dorcas? Mean-spirited Cedric? Sad-Sack Henry? Lascivious Lucien? Everyone character is a story for Julia and Brisbane to unfold with possible motives to examine.
Fourth is the romance. Julia is obviously smitten with Brisbane who is more enigmatic and withdrawn than he was in the last book. And what is the deal with his fiance?
And finally fifth is the March family drama. Started in the last book and continuing on here we learn more about the ten March siblings and their large extended family. Truthfully this is one of my favorite parts of these books. I love large sprawling family drama.
While the uncovering of the murderer and the jewel thief struck me as almost pedestrian, the aftermath almost made up for it. And while I don't need romance in my mystery books, since DR is flirting with the obvious attraction of Julia and Brisbane, the remote, cold and yes, enigmatic characterization of Brisbane is making if difficult to really want him for Julia.
Julia, otoh, remains a delightful, engaging character. I really enjoyed this book -- the prose, the story--- all of it. Well done.
Julia spends the time wallowing in the warm climate, eating the unfamiliar food, flirting with the young and extremely aristocratic count Alessandro Fornacci, and navigating through family drama between Plum, Lysander's and Ly's new wife, a temperamental Neopolitan woman named Violante.
Learning the Ly has wed without permission, their father, the wealthy Earl or March has summoned them home. Since Ly and Plum live on an allowance from their father, they can't afford to ignore the summons and so the March siblings travel back to England with a new bride and a friend;y young count in tow.
It is nearly Christmas and the siblings arrive at their ancestral home Belmont Abbey, surprised to find a holiday house party in full swing. In attendance: Their eldest sister the beautiful Portia, their destitute cousins Lucy and Emma, their crotchety old aunt Dorcas, their uncle Fly the town vicar, his flirtatious curate Lucian Snow, Lucy's fiance the jumped up wealthy commoner Sir Cedric Eastly, Cedric's secretary/cousin Henry Ludlow, Julia's friend the ex-courtesan Hortense, a lovely widow named Charlotte King, and, much to Julia's surprise...Nicholas Brisbane. Julia has not forgotten the enigmatic man who was her partner in finding her husband's murderer nor the passionate kiss they shared. But before Julia can get too happy, she quickly learns that Charlotte King is Nicholas' fiancee.
After a night of parlor games, one of the guests is murdered and the presumptive murderer is standing over the body with the weapon and blood on their hands. Julia finds herself once again working with Brisbane to uncover a murderer.
I loved the first book 'Silent in the Grave' and so naturally, I couldn't wait to continue reading of the adventures of the genteel Lady Gray and the enigmatic Nicholas Brisbane. This was a great installment that read like a cross between a cozy mystery and a gothic romance. Belmont Abbey, the home of the March family is a 700 year old former Cistercian monastery, complete with a bloody and colorful past, hundreds of rooms and hidden passages. A perfect setting for ghosts that wander the night and a murder. And so much happens in this installment...
First is the murder, a typical whodunnit with a finite set of suspects, all penned in together (with a convenient blizzard making an appearance so no one can come or go) with the strong possibility that the murderer isn't finished.
Second is the jewel thief. Not only is there a murderer amongst the group, there is also a jewel thief wanted by the Crown.
Third is a character study. All the members of the house party are different, colorful and is observed by Julia behaving with suspicion. Desperate Lucy? Jealous Emma? Crazy Dorcas? Mean-spirited Cedric? Sad-Sack Henry? Lascivious Lucien? Everyone character is a story for Julia and Brisbane to unfold with possible motives to examine.
Fourth is the romance. Julia is obviously smitten with Brisbane who is more enigmatic and withdrawn than he was in the last book. And what is the deal with his fiance?
And finally fifth is the March family drama. Started in the last book and continuing on here we learn more about the ten March siblings and their large extended family. Truthfully this is one of my favorite parts of these books. I love large sprawling family drama.
While the uncovering of the murderer and the jewel thief struck me as almost pedestrian, the aftermath almost made up for it. And while I don't need romance in my mystery books, since DR is flirting with the obvious attraction of Julia and Brisbane, the remote, cold and yes, enigmatic characterization of Brisbane is making if difficult to really want him for Julia.
Julia, otoh, remains a delightful, engaging character. I really enjoyed this book -- the prose, the story--- all of it. Well done.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
There are some books that stick with you and this series is one for me. I read the first three books back to back several years ago, and it mainly became one book to me. I remember a little more in this second novel of Lady Grey than the first book of the series, Silent in the Grave. My first time reading my brain latched onto the protagonist's name comparing it to a quest in an old game, Fable that has created such an impression upon my memory.
Upon my second reading I found I was more interested in the characters than the mysteries, but I was still caught unaware with some of the mysteries. All of the characters are so complex, even the side characters. I grew attached to them making me wonder how things will go, hooking me into reading the next book to find out. I also think this book began my love for Clue tales and the atmosphere made me think of Northanger Abbey written by Jane Austen.
I do enjoy when books remind me of other novels I have read. It is probably why I remember bits and pieces and have fond memories from my first time reading that will continue into my future re-reads. Lady Julia Grey will continue to stay with me.
Of course, I never excepted Brisbane and I would find a body there. But that is a tale for another time.
Upon my second reading I found I was more interested in the characters than the mysteries, but I was still caught unaware with some of the mysteries. All of the characters are so complex, even the side characters. I grew attached to them making me wonder how things will go, hooking me into reading the next book to find out. I also think this book began my love for Clue tales and the atmosphere made me think of Northanger Abbey written by Jane Austen.
I do enjoy when books remind me of other novels I have read. It is probably why I remember bits and pieces and have fond memories from my first time reading that will continue into my future re-reads. Lady Julia Grey will continue to stay with me.
Of course, I never excepted Brisbane and I would find a body there. But that is a tale for another time.
Not as tightly plotted as the first one, but still enjoyable! Looking forward to seeing more of Julia and Brisbane in the next book.
I enjoyed the Clue-esque quality of this book. Julia really comes out of her shell and starts being much more confident which was a nice change.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced