You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
A light hearted Victoriana mystery. Bit slow at first but picks up the pace. Definitely structured to be the first in the series reather than a free standing novel but all good!
Positively delicious! Murder and secrets among the bon ton of London during the later years of Victoria's reign. The mystery is complex enough to be interesting (I figured the killer but not the true motive) but isn't taxing. The main character, Lady Julia Grey, is delightful, funny and lively and a great companion. Her detective accommplice is wonderfully mysterious. I devoured this in one sitting.
London, 1886: Lady Julia Grey meets private investigator Nicholas Brisbane over the twitching soon to be dead body of her husband Sir Edward. She is a woman of practicalities and directness but still restricted by the expected mores of society but Brisbane’s suggestion that her husband may have been murdered eventually piques her curiosity and she seeks him out insisting that they investigate. Somewhat reluctantly given the passage of time since Sir Edward’s death Brisbane agrees.
I enjoyed this first entry in a new mystery series, I liked the characters of Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane and the historical setting. I thought it was interesting that her family were unconventional and in particular her father’s progressive approach which was unexpected. This felt very much a getting to know them story really rather than concentrating on the mystery itself so although I liked the book I think that subsequent entries in the series may be more interesting and enjoyable than this one so I am intrigued enough to want to continue.
I enjoyed this first entry in a new mystery series, I liked the characters of Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane and the historical setting. I thought it was interesting that her family were unconventional and in particular her father’s progressive approach which was unexpected. This felt very much a getting to know them story really rather than concentrating on the mystery itself so although I liked the book I think that subsequent entries in the series may be more interesting and enjoyable than this one so I am intrigued enough to want to continue.
Overall this book is bogged down by descriptions and pages and pages of unnecessary detail. It could easily be a hundred or more pages shorter and I do not think it would impact the mystery. The mystery itself was slow as molasses and never intrigued me, the stops and starts in terms of it made it difficult to care. Mystery! Dull detail about being in mourning. Oh yes, bit of bland but potentially intriguing (but not) info! More exposition on something dull...*sigh*
I did enjoy aspects of the writing but the unnecessary detail just made it a chore to get through. The novel needed less dull detail, more witty dialogue and a less unappealing love (supposedly) interest. Why was I supposed to find him appealing? However, Lady Julia Grey's family was entertaining...though unfortunately they were not the focus and did not bring this dull novel to life.
I did enjoy aspects of the writing but the unnecessary detail just made it a chore to get through. The novel needed less dull detail, more witty dialogue and a less unappealing love (supposedly) interest. Why was I supposed to find him appealing? However, Lady Julia Grey's family was entertaining...though unfortunately they were not the focus and did not bring this dull novel to life.
I really enjoyed the audio version of this book as it brings a whole new side to the story. I highly recommend it.
This was going to get 3 stars, and I was going to review it as being a pretty good book with a terrible audiobook narrator... until the last hour or so. The reveal of much of the main crime does NOT age well in the era of #metoo and generally increased awareness of the power dynamics of sexual harassment. It left a bad enough taste in my mouth, that the whole thing lost a star.
Also, seriously, if you've got a book that takes place in the upper crust of British society, and involves characters from all over the UK, maybe get a narrator that can do a convincing British accent of ANY kind, but not here.
Also, seriously, if you've got a book that takes place in the upper crust of British society, and involves characters from all over the UK, maybe get a narrator that can do a convincing British accent of ANY kind, but not here.
yes, Brisbane is more than a little over the top, but Julia's family is great. I recommend this one too!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
I used to read a lot of old-fashioned/cozy type mysteries. I'm a big Agatha Christie fan, ditto Mary Stewart. I got bogged down in the intricacies and gore of a lot of other mystery writers, though, and save me from a court procedural--blah. A friend recommended Deanna Raybourn recently, and y'all--this book was a pure joy to read. I really liked the heroine, Julia Grey, and the way that her personal growth is developed through the novel. Whenever I found myself thinking, "What a privileged twit," she would invariably realize that she was indeed sticking her foot in her mouth. I also loved that Raybourn acknowledges and includes the LGBTQ community in her historical book. I can't wait to get the next one via ILL.