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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
A very interesting book that kept me engaged throughout, despite the .
We are introduced to Lady Julia Grey, during the scene of her husband's death, that wasn't wholly unexpected, since he had been ailing for years. When Nicholas Brisbane, private investigator and one of his acquaintances who was present at the time of his death, suggests to Julia that his death might not have been due to natural causes, however, she refuses to even entertain the notion.
She spends her year of grieving trying to find herself again, since, as we discover,, and has made plans for her future and a trip to Italy, when she discovers proof that what Nicholas told her might not have been so far-fetched after all.
Determined to get to the truth, she engages his services and starts looking into the case herself, discovering a number of surprising things. It turns out that
Julia, who had cared for Simon, was beyond taken aback when she realized that he was the one who poisoned her husband after all, wanting to take his revenge on him for continuing his affair with one of the servants after he'd promised he'd stop.
There are a few things that I saw coming, and more than a few that I didn't, and I was engrossed enough in the mystery that I wasn't too bothered by the almost non-existent progress of the romance between Julia and Nicholas.
By the end of the book, Julia.
I am looking forward to reading more of their stories, starting with Silent in the Sanctuary, where hopefully the romance will be a bit more prominent.
Spoiler
lack of sparks and romance for most of itWe are introduced to Lady Julia Grey, during the scene of her husband's death, that wasn't wholly unexpected, since he had been ailing for years. When Nicholas Brisbane, private investigator and one of his acquaintances who was present at the time of his death, suggests to Julia that his death might not have been due to natural causes, however, she refuses to even entertain the notion.
She spends her year of grieving trying to find herself again, since, as we discover,
Spoiler
her husband was a controlling bastard who kept her in so tight a leash that she barely knew herself anymoreDetermined to get to the truth, she engages his services and starts looking into the case herself, discovering a number of surprising things. It turns out that
Spoiler
her husband had been avoiding her bed for the past years because he discovered that he had syphilis and didn't want to give it to her as well, but had no trouble shtupping his male servants and his closest cousin, Simon, who was also slowly dying in Julia's house.Julia, who had cared for Simon, was beyond taken aback when she realized that he was the one who poisoned her husband after all, wanting to take his revenge on him for continuing his affair with one of the servants after he'd promised he'd stop
There are a few things that I saw coming, and more than a few that I didn't, and I was engrossed enough in the mystery that I wasn't too bothered by the almost non-existent progress of the romance between Julia and Nicholas.
By the end of the book, Julia
Spoiler
who is understandably upset after what she discovered, is about to embark on the trip she wanted, while Nicholas remains behind, leaving things unresolved between them, despite gifting her his beloved pendantI am looking forward to reading more of their stories, starting with Silent in the Sanctuary, where hopefully the romance will be a bit more prominent.
Nothing like a spontaneous reread to make you remember how stunningly good Deanna Raybourn is. This first Lady Julia book could be read as a standalone…one you’ll devour in a day if you have the time. It’s amazing that a 500+ page book is a quick read, but that’s how well this story is laid out. You just can’t put it down.
As a reread, I think what I love best is the little details that wind up in later books by this author. I almost see her male leads like the layers of drawings used by animators. At the base, we have Brisbane from this series. Add a layer and we have Ryder from Spear of Summer Grass. Throw in a little Sebastian from Night of a Thousand Stars and Gabriel from City of Jasmine and we eventually find Stoker from the Speedwell series. Each is a unique character, but the connections are clear. Raybourn has a type and she writes it well. I’m here for it.
So, despite a long TBR, I stayed up until 1:30 AM rereading this one and have already opened the next book.
As a reread, I think what I love best is the little details that wind up in later books by this author. I almost see her male leads like the layers of drawings used by animators. At the base, we have Brisbane from this series. Add a layer and we have Ryder from Spear of Summer Grass. Throw in a little Sebastian from Night of a Thousand Stars and Gabriel from City of Jasmine and we eventually find Stoker from the Speedwell series. Each is a unique character, but the connections are clear. Raybourn has a type and she writes it well. I’m here for it.
So, despite a long TBR, I stayed up until 1:30 AM rereading this one and have already opened the next book.
Originally posted at The Wandering Fangirl.
I enjoyed Silent in the Grave, but I'm still not sure why. There were many things that should have stopped me from reading very early on: the writing was decent, but not very strong; the plot didn't really seem to matter because our protagonist kept doing other things; there was the most random acceptance of feminism and homosexuality for the time period; the lead male and possible romantic aspect was waaaay too Interesting and Different and Perfect. But I still read on. I STILL READ ON. Maybe it was Lady Julia herself, maybe it was the fact that she didn't just blunder into clues and when she did do something stupid, she got called out on it. I don't know. I just know that I still read and was interested in every single chapter despite my problems with it.
I enjoyed Silent in the Grave, but I'm still not sure why. There were many things that should have stopped me from reading very early on: the writing was decent, but not very strong; the plot didn't really seem to matter because our protagonist kept doing other things; there was the most random acceptance of feminism and homosexuality for the time period; the lead male and possible romantic aspect was waaaay too Interesting and Different and Perfect. But I still read on. I STILL READ ON. Maybe it was Lady Julia herself, maybe it was the fact that she didn't just blunder into clues and when she did do something stupid, she got called out on it. I don't know. I just know that I still read and was interested in every single chapter despite my problems with it.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I don't generally read mysteries, but this one drew me in with its gothic Victorian setting, and I ended up really enjoying it. I liked the characters, I didn't guess the ending, and I'll definitely be adding the next book to my wishlist!
Ultimately, the anachronistic attitude of everyone in the book grated, but I did find that the storyline was interesting to a point, and then deviated into more anachronisms.
Not a bad read, and definitely was a good book to read at the ballpark (although there was a page or two I hoped no one was reading over my shoulder), but not good enough to interest me in continuing the series.
Not a bad read, and definitely was a good book to read at the ballpark (although there was a page or two I hoped no one was reading over my shoulder), but not good enough to interest me in continuing the series.