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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
The story begins now long after the end of the previous book, Silent in the Grave. Lady Julia has been recovering from her ordeal in Italy with two of her brothers. There she has a love interest, a young Italian count. After receiving a summons from their father for Christmas, the siblings pack it up, along with Alessandro (the Italian count) and head home to England. At first, it was a nice gathering of family and friends. Brisbane was even there but he was not alone... he brought his fiance. Lady Julia was set back by this, but soon realizes there is more to meets the eye. With this motley crew all assembled, there is of course a crime to solve and a snowstorm that will ensure no one will escape. This situation causes Lady Julia and Brisbane to work together once more, and the sparks fly.
Admittedly, the book did have a slow start. However, once events went into motion I could not put the book down. Raybourn crafts such a great assortment of characters with a great mystery. I especially love trying to reason out who the culprits could be along with Lady Julia. Lady Julia's character has grown more sure of herself in this book and is really becoming a force to be reckoned with. I also enjoy the sparks that fly between Lady Julia and Brisbane. I am desperate for the next installment of this series, Silent on the Moor. A must read for both historical fiction and mystery fans.
Admittedly, the book did have a slow start. However, once events went into motion I could not put the book down. Raybourn crafts such a great assortment of characters with a great mystery. I especially love trying to reason out who the culprits could be along with Lady Julia. Lady Julia's character has grown more sure of herself in this book and is really becoming a force to be reckoned with. I also enjoy the sparks that fly between Lady Julia and Brisbane. I am desperate for the next installment of this series, Silent on the Moor. A must read for both historical fiction and mystery fans.
I really enjoy Deanna Raybourn’s writing and this second book in the Lady Julia series is even better than the first. I’ve seen some criticisms and I will say, yes, Brisbane is a bit cliché and infuriating and Lady Julia, as far as I’m concerned, apologizes to Brisbane at least once every book for something that’s not her fault. However, these books are fun, witty, and in a time when I have such a hard time staying interested in most of the books I pick up, I had to force myself to stop reading them so I could get some sleep. Highly recommended.
I liked this better than book 1, although I still think the romance has some issues. Julia definitely stood up for herself in no uncertain terms in this one, though, and I appreciated that. (Still, even her doing that is one of the modernisms thrown into this series left and right.)
The mystery did surprise me, although I knew it would be someone unexpected and therefore suspected all the least suspicious people. Julia's investigation methods are going to get her killed if she doesn't watch it - although, I suppose not, since there are 5+ books in the series.
On to book 3.
The mystery did surprise me, although I knew it would be someone unexpected and therefore suspected all the least suspicious people. Julia's investigation methods are going to get her killed if she doesn't watch it - although, I suppose not, since there are 5+ books in the series.
On to book 3.
What fun this book was! I’m a big fan of Raybourn from reading the Veronica Speedwell series but Lady Julia Grey has just outstripped Veronica.
In this second novel, Julia and her two brothers Plum and Lysander have travelled to Italy where they have stayed several months. Julia is recently widowed and trying to piece her life together after learning that her husband was poisoned and she nearly killed herself in finding the killer.
Also during this time Lysander has married a fiery and beautiful Italian girl.
SPOILER:
this marriage does not sit well with Plum.
They are all ordered to return home after their father learns of Ly’s marriage. Julia encounters Brisbane again - who is engaged! - but Julia quickly sees it for what it is (a sham) and soon she and Brisbane are once again hard at finding a killer among them.
We’re introduced to new members of Julia’s extensive family. I’m very fond of her sister, Portia, her various brothers and her father. Morag is hilarious. And I, too, want a pet raven named Grim since I can’t have an owl.
I’m a fan of Shakespeare and very much like the sprinkling of various quotes from the Bard and Raybourn naming members of Julia’s family after important characters from Shakespeare’s stories.
In this second novel, Julia and her two brothers Plum and Lysander have travelled to Italy where they have stayed several months. Julia is recently widowed and trying to piece her life together after learning that her husband was poisoned and she nearly killed herself in finding the killer.
Also during this time Lysander has married a fiery and beautiful Italian girl.
SPOILER:
this marriage does not sit well with Plum.
They are all ordered to return home after their father learns of Ly’s marriage. Julia encounters Brisbane again - who is engaged! - but Julia quickly sees it for what it is (a sham) and soon she and Brisbane are once again hard at finding a killer among them.
We’re introduced to new members of Julia’s extensive family. I’m very fond of her sister, Portia, her various brothers and her father. Morag is hilarious. And I, too, want a pet raven named Grim since I can’t have an owl.
I’m a fan of Shakespeare and very much like the sprinkling of various quotes from the Bard and Raybourn naming members of Julia’s family after important characters from Shakespeare’s stories.
I liked this book in general. The mystery in this book was a little more prominent than in the first book in the series, but why did it have to take until 200+ pages into the book before the mystery part of the story even began. Some parts of this book could have been cut and it wouldn't have detracted from the plot at all.
Love it. Even better than the first. Any book that has supporting characters I actually enjoy is a win for me.
Second in the series, not wuite as complex as the first, but the mystery kept me guessing and the characters in Lady Julia's family are fascinating.
What was only slightly irritating in the first book became a huge let-down in this one.
Nicholas Brisbane hasn't changed at all, he is still the same mysterious figure who doesn't want to let anyone get a glimpse of his real self, especially Julia. He acts like an asshole to her and conceals anything he knows about the case. But what enrages me the most is that the author hasn't developed his character until now at all, he is still portrayed as an omnipotent man who knows everything but we never see him at work. He just pops out suddenly from somewhere and pronounces "I already know that." And since he hasn't got a POV of his own, we have no idea what he thinks about or feels.
Julia has become a childish moron who only whines about Nicholas not noticing her and getting engaged but that does not stop her from throwing herself at him all the time. I was also disappointed by her character development - the author has reduced her from a smart, witty and complex woman to a whiny, stupid, and selfish idiot. I've come to the conclusion that Nicholas deserves her and vice versa. He is selfish for never trusting anyone but taking trust; while she does not mind using others (e.g. that Italian guy) in order to make Nicholas jealous.
The murder case might have saved the book a bit, but it was actually very boring and dull.
Additionally, the book ends in the same way as the first one, with a freakin' cliffhanger! The relationship between Nicholas and Julia hasn't improved; on the contrary, it's even worse. This reminds me of A Series of Unfortunate Events and of how each book in that series ends THE SAME - without any improvement or plot development. I hate that!
However, I'm still gonna give this series a second chance. I'm interested in the next one that takes place on the moors. The [b:Wuthering Heights|6185|Wuthering Heights|Emily Brontë|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388212715s/6185.jpg|1565818] setting has always appealed to me.
*SAFETY GANG note: OW/M drama.
Nicholas Brisbane hasn't changed at all, he is still the same mysterious figure who doesn't want to let anyone get a glimpse of his real self, especially Julia. He acts like an asshole to her and conceals anything he knows about the case. But what enrages me the most is that the author hasn't developed his character until now at all, he is still portrayed as an omnipotent man who knows everything but we never see him at work. He just pops out suddenly from somewhere and pronounces "I already know that." And since he hasn't got a POV of his own, we have no idea what he thinks about or feels.
Julia has become a childish moron who only whines about Nicholas not noticing her and getting engaged but that does not stop her from throwing herself at him all the time. I was also disappointed by her character development - the author has reduced her from a smart, witty and complex woman to a whiny, stupid, and selfish idiot. I've come to the conclusion that Nicholas deserves her and vice versa. He is selfish for never trusting anyone but taking trust; while she does not mind using others (e.g. that Italian guy) in order to make Nicholas jealous.
The murder case might have saved the book a bit, but it was actually very boring and dull.
Additionally, the book ends in the same way as the first one, with a freakin' cliffhanger! The relationship between Nicholas and Julia hasn't improved; on the contrary, it's even worse. This reminds me of A Series of Unfortunate Events and of how each book in that series ends THE SAME - without any improvement or plot development. I hate that!
However, I'm still gonna give this series a second chance. I'm interested in the next one that takes place on the moors. The [b:Wuthering Heights|6185|Wuthering Heights|Emily Brontë|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388212715s/6185.jpg|1565818] setting has always appealed to me.
*SAFETY GANG note: OW/M drama.
The second in the Silent in (the Grave & the Moor) series, which find heroine Lady Julia Grey in the most unusual of circumstances. Enjoyed Sanctuary even more than Grave , as Julia seemed to come into her own more, and was able to try to take control over her own life and choices, rather than just being tossed hither and yon by chance and fate. I'm looking forward to Moor, which has just come out this month. So far, both books have been intriguing, had mysterious plots that you couldn't automatically know the ending to, and have contained a compelling cast of characters.
ReRead: 3-21-12
ReRead: 3-21-12