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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this because of the Vaginal Fantasy Hangout book club. I am very glad I did. Lady Julia is an interesting heroine whose progressiveness in Victorian society is refreshing and heartening. Nicholas Brisbane, the swarthy, tempestuous romantic interest is seriously flush-inducing. I really wanted to find out who committed the murder and why, so this book succeeded in both its mystery and romance tasks. On to the second in the series!
Although I didn’t enjoy this as much as the Veronica Speedwell books this was still a fun read. Perhaps a bit too slow, and i did guess the culprit (quite near the beginning although i didn’t get the reason right). Lady Julia isn’t as feisty as Veronica which is a shame, but i like Brisbane and i’m intrigued enough to pick up the second one and hope Julia develops a bit more sass.
I returned to my want to read list on Goodreads, and started working through the unread books in chronological order until I came to one that was available here on the shelf, and this title was the winner. I don't remember what made me put it on the list originally, but I took out a couple days ago and really enjoyed it. Reminded me of Anne Perry in a way but not quite as formal. Unfortunately, the library has later books in the series but not #2 so I'll have to wait awhile for it to arrive from MNLINK.
The book started off with a bang, enticing readers within the first few paragraphs. After that, it has dips and peaks, which too, will keep you reading, although with not as much fervor as when you began. That said, for me it was still enjoyable as I am entranced by the time period and I enjoyed Ms. Raybourn's writing style. I will be reading the others in this series.
After the death of her husband, Lady Julia Grey is approached by Nicholas Brisbane, who shares with her information that someone was tormenting her husband and quite possibly, had murdered him. Not one to sit on the side lines, Lady Grey retains the services of Brisbane to find out if her husband died of the heart ailment that plagued him or if he was indeed murdered. Lady Grey insists on being a part of the investigation, which leads her to clues about her husband that are very unpleasant and dangerously close to the killer.
After the death of her husband, Lady Julia Grey is approached by Nicholas Brisbane, who shares with her information that someone was tormenting her husband and quite possibly, had murdered him. Not one to sit on the side lines, Lady Grey retains the services of Brisbane to find out if her husband died of the heart ailment that plagued him or if he was indeed murdered. Lady Grey insists on being a part of the investigation, which leads her to clues about her husband that are very unpleasant and dangerously close to the killer.
I was in a month long reading-slump when I read this, and was just looking for something quick, easy and fun, and let me just say this book delivered. It was fluffy and more than a bit ridiculous, but exactly what I needed. There was a nice amount of intrigue, a slow burning and slightly angsty romance, and some fun characters. Lady Julia Grey was fun, stubborn and strong-willed without being (in my opinion) too annoying, and she was by no means a shrinking violet.
It’s by no means great literature, but if you’re in the mood for it (as I was) it’s really very enjoyable (and also a pretty quick read).
I read the first three books of the series in quick succession, and I still think this one had the best reveal to the mystery of the three.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It’s by no means great literature, but if you’re in the mood for it (as I was) it’s really very enjoyable (and also a pretty quick read).
I read the first three books of the series in quick succession, and I still think this one had the best reveal to the mystery of the three.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn is the first book of one of the best series I have ever read. I’ve reviewed other books of the series and talked about the characters on the blog before, but I recently started at the beginning for a reread and couldn’t resist writing a review! So…now I take on the challenge of reviewing one of my favorite books of all time…
I owned Silent in the Grave for a long time before I finally got around to picking it up. I don’t remember why I finally did start reading it, but I still remember how I felt when I finished. I was so amazed that I’d had this book for so long without knowing how fantastic it was. I looked around at my shelves and thought “how many of these others could be another favorite that I just haven’t got around to reading yet?” Have you guys ever had that moment? (Maybe its just me because I’m such an intense book freak.)
Anyway. Where to start talking about all the pieces that make this book what it is? Check out the opening lines, which is easily my favorite beginning of all time (and which I’ve already talked about on the blog more than once):
To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband’s dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.
Can you beat that? No. You can’t.
So, we are introduced to Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane, who, after the death of Julia’s husband, must work together to discover whether or not his death was really health-related or if it could have been something more sinister. Speaking of sinister – of all the historical mystery series I read and love, this one is easily the darkest and most gothic. These themes add such richness and depth to the stories and the characters; it is remarkably easy to get lost within the pages of Silent in the Grave.
Lady Julia and Brisbane are easily two of my favorite characters in all the land. The sparks they ignite when they are together are so strong, I can almost get goosebumps just by thinking about it. Deanna Raybourn has created characters that I can easily believe are real – and I have never been able to get enough of them, no matter how many times I have read the books. I basically fell in love with Brisbane very early on when he said the following to Julia:
If you were a man, your ladyship, I would cordially horsewhip you for that remark.
Who could resist that, right?
And, not only are the plots dark and twisty-turny enough to please any mystery lover – but there are so many laugh-out-loud moments as well! Seriously, there is nothing that you could want that Deanna Raybourn and Silent in the Grave won’t provide you with. Most of the funny comes from the fact that Julia’s family, the Marches, are mostly insane (or barking mad, as she likes to put it).
If you have read this book, I’m betting you loved it. If you haven’t – hopefully I’ve convinced you to do so. It highlights all the reasons I love to read: amazing plot and overall tone, and characters I enjoy so much that I reread the books over and over again for a chance to revisit them. This is a world you need to get lost in, y’all!
I owned Silent in the Grave for a long time before I finally got around to picking it up. I don’t remember why I finally did start reading it, but I still remember how I felt when I finished. I was so amazed that I’d had this book for so long without knowing how fantastic it was. I looked around at my shelves and thought “how many of these others could be another favorite that I just haven’t got around to reading yet?” Have you guys ever had that moment? (Maybe its just me because I’m such an intense book freak.)
Anyway. Where to start talking about all the pieces that make this book what it is? Check out the opening lines, which is easily my favorite beginning of all time (and which I’ve already talked about on the blog more than once):
To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband’s dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.
Can you beat that? No. You can’t.
So, we are introduced to Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane, who, after the death of Julia’s husband, must work together to discover whether or not his death was really health-related or if it could have been something more sinister. Speaking of sinister – of all the historical mystery series I read and love, this one is easily the darkest and most gothic. These themes add such richness and depth to the stories and the characters; it is remarkably easy to get lost within the pages of Silent in the Grave.
Lady Julia and Brisbane are easily two of my favorite characters in all the land. The sparks they ignite when they are together are so strong, I can almost get goosebumps just by thinking about it. Deanna Raybourn has created characters that I can easily believe are real – and I have never been able to get enough of them, no matter how many times I have read the books. I basically fell in love with Brisbane very early on when he said the following to Julia:
If you were a man, your ladyship, I would cordially horsewhip you for that remark.
Who could resist that, right?
And, not only are the plots dark and twisty-turny enough to please any mystery lover – but there are so many laugh-out-loud moments as well! Seriously, there is nothing that you could want that Deanna Raybourn and Silent in the Grave won’t provide you with. Most of the funny comes from the fact that Julia’s family, the Marches, are mostly insane (or barking mad, as she likes to put it).
If you have read this book, I’m betting you loved it. If you haven’t – hopefully I’ve convinced you to do so. It highlights all the reasons I love to read: amazing plot and overall tone, and characters I enjoy so much that I reread the books over and over again for a chance to revisit them. This is a world you need to get lost in, y’all!
I really like this opening story in the series and plan to read the rest. The heroine grows. The hero is delightfully tormented. The supporting characters act intrigue.
I thought it was alright, but Jesus, too much going on, too little mystery. I did like the light tone of the writing, though.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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:
Yes
This is actually my second read. I started the series a few years ago and then never got back around to it, even though I thoroughly enjoyed it! I love this author and her prose, her wit, and her characters. She writes very inventively about her chosen time period and her books are a delight to read! The very first sentence of this series is particularly brilliant.
I do recall that, like most mysteries, I guessed the villain fairly early on the first time, although I was very off with the motive. And there was a lot going on that I did not guess correctly--for instance, I spent the majority of the book believing Brisbane to be a werewolf! There seems to be so much foreshadowing of it--a mysterious illness that requires him to be hidden away from society on what seems like a regular basis, among other things. I was surprised by it, too, because I hadn't seen any indication beforehand that there was a supernatural element to the book. I just find that funny, so while you're reading, see if you can see what I mean. To my further surprise, there actually is something supernatural going on in one corner of the plot, but it isn't a werewolf. It is unexpected, though, and well-concealed.
The romance is of the slow burn variety, and I loved it. The relationship between the characters in this book is a great setup for the rest of the series, and the ending expertly leaves you wanting more.
My only critique is that the pace is a bit too slow at times--I almost forget there's a mystery to be solved. I feel like some extra words could probably have been cut. But the writing is such a delight to read that this mattered little.
I do recall that, like most mysteries, I guessed the villain fairly early on the first time, although I was very off with the motive. And there was a lot going on that I did not guess correctly--for instance, I spent the majority of the book believing Brisbane to be a werewolf! There seems to be so much foreshadowing of it--a mysterious illness that requires him to be hidden away from society on what seems like a regular basis, among other things. I was surprised by it, too, because I hadn't seen any indication beforehand that there was a supernatural element to the book. I just find that funny, so while you're reading, see if you can see what I mean. To my further surprise, there actually is something supernatural going on in one corner of the plot, but it isn't a werewolf. It is unexpected, though, and well-concealed.
The romance is of the slow burn variety, and I loved it. The relationship between the characters in this book is a great setup for the rest of the series, and the ending expertly leaves you wanting more.
My only critique is that the pace is a bit too slow at times--I almost forget there's a mystery to be solved. I feel like some extra words could probably have been cut. But the writing is such a delight to read that this mattered little.