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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
It's been awhile since I read the first book in this series, [b:Silent in the Grave|267869|Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey, #1)|Deanna Raybourn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1483424891s/267869.jpg|259684], so I kind of forgot everything that happened once I started book two. Raybourn does re-cap quite a bit, so I managed to still get into this story. I was mostly drawn in by the setting: the eccentric and extensive March family meeting together for a house party at their estate which is a medieval abbey turned family home. It brought to mind an abbey that I visited in Scotland, and I could easily picture this unique location. However, the first half of the book introduced so many characters and explained their backgrounds and relation to one another so extensively that my interest started to wane a bit, and at times Lady Julia was my least favorite part of the story, which also made it difficult to become invested.
Overall, I am much more interested in the March siblings (except for Plum, he's insufferable) than in the lead. Julia at times can be a strong character, and she did change quite a bit since book one, but I just find her to be too full of herself and self-righteous. Brisbane, meanwhile, never communicates with her which can also be infuriating, although I do enjoy their scenes together for the most part. So I don't know; everyone seems to agree that the series gets better as it goes on, but I'm not sure I can deal with Julia humble bragging (or constantly using the word "savages"?!?!?) for another three or so books. Oh, and the mystery; I almost forgot! Honestly it just took so long for the mystery to get started and once it did I figured out what happened pretty quickly, and the way everything ended was maddening! Her extended family is a hot mess and that's all I'll say about that to avoid spoilers. Anyway, this is an okay historical mystery read and while I think Raybourn's writing is good, I also think that she also writes some problematic characters that it's difficult to sympathize with at times.
Overall, I am much more interested in the March siblings (except for Plum, he's insufferable) than in the lead. Julia at times can be a strong character, and she did change quite a bit since book one, but I just find her to be too full of herself and self-righteous. Brisbane, meanwhile, never communicates with her which can also be infuriating, although I do enjoy their scenes together for the most part. So I don't know; everyone seems to agree that the series gets better as it goes on, but I'm not sure I can deal with Julia humble bragging (or constantly using the word "savages"?!?!?) for another three or so books. Oh, and the mystery; I almost forgot! Honestly it just took so long for the mystery to get started and once it did I figured out what happened pretty quickly, and the way everything ended was maddening! Her extended family is a hot mess and that's all I'll say about that to avoid spoilers. Anyway, this is an okay historical mystery read and while I think Raybourn's writing is good, I also think that she also writes some problematic characters that it's difficult to sympathize with at times.
This series continues to have good writing and well presented atmosphere. The characters are fun as well. I didn't figure all of the mystery out ahead of time in this one, so I guess that's improvement from the first book. The romance stagnated a bit, but I'm thoroughly hooked.
This is an excellent series with a great cast of characters, adventures and intrigue galore. Those who enjoy a strong female lead with a well written plot will appreciate Ms. Raybourn.
So cute! A must read for fans of Victorian mysteries. Just the right amount of intrigue and romance, and our protagonist is entirely likable and admirable - a modern woman in her own time. I'm very much looking forward to enjoying Raybourn's third enstallment of the Lady Julia Grey series.
As a general rule, I don't really read 'romance' novels but if all romance novels were like this one, I would read far more. If you think too much about it you will find flaws, so just don't think. Enjoy it. I did. I love Lady Julia and all the crazy Marches. I think Brisbane is a fantastic 'tall, dark and handsome' interest.
So in need of a light mystery with a dash of romance, then read this fun series. Off to get the next one...
So in need of a light mystery with a dash of romance, then read this fun series. Off to get the next one...
Loved this mystery. Raybourne did an excellent job continuing to develop her cast of characters, and the mystery was delightfully twisty.
Took me a bit longer to get into than Silent in the Grave but I did finally get into it. I think part of the problem wiht this book is she brought in way too many new characters right away, then had to give them all a backstory so we would like them,or at least feel comiserate with them. The actual murder doesn't take place until almost the halfway mark. Having said that, I will say that I love her characters, the new as well as the old stand bys, and am glad that alot of the same people are in this book as in the first. The story is good and moves at a relatively fast clip, once it gets moving. When Jane and Nicholas are together the chemistry between them is still there and keeps the interest going. I am not one for purely romance novels but this is more of a mystery series with romance thrown in. Apparently there is another one coming, we will see if the story quality stands up to the test.
OK -- I LOVED the first one -- Silent in the Grave -- and this one is good, but somehow, it didn't captivate me the first novel did. This one also features Lady Julia Gray and her PI cohort Brisbane -- who have sort of a Victorian Maddie Hayes/David Addison relationship...meaning they are civil to each other at time, argue at times, claim they can't stand the other and really just want to sleep together. This time, Julia, Brisbane, members of her family and some friends are snowbound in a castle retreat...and then one of the houseguests turns up murdered. Julia and Brisbane once again provide the right amount of sexual tension...without being too un-Victorian about it. The murder itself is more of a back story here -- the real tale is finding out whether Julia and Brisbane will finally get together. The first book was more about the murder and the investigation. This time, the investigation is back story.
I liked book #2 in some ways more than the first, and in other ways, less than the first.
I thought that the mystery in this book was weaker. The plot of it wasn't as good. But, I really liked the characters in this book more; I enjoyed their interplay more. I especially liked that Julia Grey was much more honest about her feelings for Brisbane. She wasn't denying anything to herself. I found it refreshing to hear her honesty to herself about the situations.
I thought that the mystery in this book was weaker. The plot of it wasn't as good. But, I really liked the characters in this book more; I enjoyed their interplay more. I especially liked that Julia Grey was much more honest about her feelings for Brisbane. She wasn't denying anything to herself. I found it refreshing to hear her honesty to herself about the situations.