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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Silent in the Grave is a perfectly sufficient historical mystery of the amateur widowed aristocrat variety. I wanted to enjoy Silent in the Grave a lot more than I did, which is not to say that it was not an enjoyable read. The leads, Julia and Nicholas, are relatively interesting, but the real nuances fell to the secondary characters such as Julia's brother and sister, the awesome Fleur, and Nicholas' absolutely adorable doctor. I would call Silent in the Grave historical chick lit. It's about one woman's journey to redefine herself while solving the mystery of who murdered her husband, if he was murdered at all. It has the slightest dash of romance and an even smaller dash of supernatural (there Gypsies, after all) and a well done sense of the setting. Also, the Tower raven is spectacular. Good story, intriguing enough for me to pick up the next in the series and see where this quirky parade is going.
I feel like I enjoyed this more for the potential than this actual book. The mystery was good enough, the person who was obviously being set up as the love interest left me cold though.
read for Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: a book featuring an amateur detective
This was a page-turner with interesting characters and a solid mystery. ONTO THE NEXT.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There is an argument in my household about the book. My sister claims that, having gone into raptures over it for about half an hour straight, it is entirely MY fault that it took me four months to get around to reading it. I claim that, as she did not remind me that she'd recommended the book or, more importantly, actually HANDED me her copy, it's her fault I didn't get around to reading them until my mother-in-law took pity on me and bought me the series. (I love my mother-in-law, she's a wonderful woman and I don't just say that because my books are signed).
Anyway, this book was worth the wait. Raybourn is a delightful writer with an ear for character and a talent for walking the fine line between Victorian setting and modern sensibilities. Her characters are appealing to a contemporary audience, but fit in within the historical world she portrays as well.
Her grasp of the era is spot-on and her research shows through without ever feeling as though she's showing off.
And, of course, the plot is well handled, the familiar tropes feel fresh in her hands, her actual style is a cut above the rest for both mystery and romance writers. She's a talented storyteller; one of the best compliments I can give a writer.
And, of course, the couple at the center of the book(s) are wonderful and I look forward to reading more about them.
Well done, Ms. Raybourn.
Anyway, this book was worth the wait. Raybourn is a delightful writer with an ear for character and a talent for walking the fine line between Victorian setting and modern sensibilities. Her characters are appealing to a contemporary audience, but fit in within the historical world she portrays as well.
Her grasp of the era is spot-on and her research shows through without ever feeling as though she's showing off.
And, of course, the plot is well handled, the familiar tropes feel fresh in her hands, her actual style is a cut above the rest for both mystery and romance writers. She's a talented storyteller; one of the best compliments I can give a writer.
And, of course, the couple at the center of the book(s) are wonderful and I look forward to reading more about them.
Well done, Ms. Raybourn.
It was an entertaining and engrossing story, although at times it was rather predictable and formulaic. I'm curious to see how the next book is, and where Deanna Raybourn takes these characters.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced