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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
British historical thriller. Felt a bit like a Georgette Heyer book.
Found the writing a bit odd at times but I'm a sucker for both historical fiction and mysteries, and its a pretty good book in both capacities. Enjoyable summer reading for a mystery-loving history buff.
After finding out that there was a chance the Lady Julia Grey series will turn into a TV show, I could not resist starting this series despite the fact that I usually prefer stand-alone books. I've read Deanna Raybourn's other series, Veronica Speedwell first and I have to say that it's a vast improvement to Silent in The Grave which I believe to be her first published book. It did get better at the end and found myself wanting more. I had already figured out the murderer from chapter one but the motive was an altogether different one from what I thought it would be and for that, I applaud.
So I guess I was expecting something spectacular from all the reviews I read. The book was entertaining, but the mystery was not all that gripping. I felt the story of a year in the lady's life was written and then a mystery was quickly woven in at the last minute. Oh, and I figured out who the murderer was about half-way through the book.
The strong character of Nicholas Brisbane is what kept the plot from completely collapsing. Raybourn has created a very, very intriguing character with him. I couldn't have cared less about the actual mystery; I just wanted to learn more about him.
I expect the next installment to be better. With a series like this, the first installment is never the best.
The strong character of Nicholas Brisbane is what kept the plot from completely collapsing. Raybourn has created a very, very intriguing character with him. I couldn't have cared less about the actual mystery; I just wanted to learn more about him.
I expect the next installment to be better. With a series like this, the first installment is never the best.
I very much enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down at some points. The mystery aspect was okay, definitely not the best I've read. I actually figured out who did it before Julia, and I'm generally pretty clueless about that kind of stuff. I definitely plan on reading the sequel as soon as I can get my hands on it!
Overall good, but the flashback narrative frame pieces drew me out of the story.
2.5?
Weird foreshadowing
Stereotypical love interest who isn’t engaged
Heroine says weird things about social class
Very surprising murder with little way to reach that conclusion
But fun story
I like the march family
Will read following books
https://readerby.wordpress.com/2020/03/16/silent-in-the-grave-deanna-raybourn/
Weird foreshadowing
Stereotypical love interest who isn’t engaged
Heroine says weird things about social class
Very surprising murder with little way to reach that conclusion
But fun story
I like the march family
Will read following books
https://readerby.wordpress.com/2020/03/16/silent-in-the-grave-deanna-raybourn/
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I read this book for the Vaginal Fantasy bookclub. It wasn't particularly offensive in any way besides its overall weaksauce blandness. Ms. Raybourn is a good writer, but none of the elements which might cause someone to pick up the book were particularly well-realized. As a historical novel it's nothing special, the "mystery" was very simplistic and easily solved early in the book, and the romance was paper-dry and chaste.
I would give this about a 3.5. Definitely a promising start to the series, even if I suspect that I might eventually consider this one of the weaker installments.