laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
The Dark Enquiry
4 Stars
Marriage to a private enquiry agent has become a frustrating enterprise for Lady Julia as her husband still strives to protect her from his professional life just as she longs to become a full partner in his endeavors. Julia gets her wish after following Brisbane to a clandestine meeting and witnessing what appears to be the murder of a psychic medium. As Julia and Brisbane investigate the strange death, they must learn to work together or lose everything, for the foe they face is willing to sacrifice anyone and anything for their ultimate goal.
While not quite my favorite installment in the series (that is reserved for Silent on the Moor), The Dark Enquiry is certainly one of the more intense and exciting additions and I am sad that it is also the final full length novel.
The highlight of the story is the development of Brisbane and Julia’s relationship as they finally begin working together both in and outside of the marriage bed. Brisbane comes to accept that he cannot protect Julia from every danger and that the best he can do is provide her with the necessary tools and information for her to deal with the darker and seedier side of his work. Likewise, Julia comes to realize not only the very real risks involved in being Brisbane’s partner, but also the extent of his love for her and the lengths he will got to in order to keep her safe.
They mystery is interesting with several compelling twists and turns and one particularly enigmatic character who could Raybourn could do well to give his own series if she were so inclined. The villain came as a surprise although, in hindsight, there are plenty of clues to the ultimate explanation.
The secondary characters are well written and add depth and nuance to the story. Julia is introduced to additional members of Brisbane’s gypsy family and there are also developments in the lives of her own siblings. Portia is settling into motherhood; Bellmont finds himself in a sticky situation, and Plum may finally have met his match.
All in all, a solid addition to the series although there are one or two developments that were disappointing such as The next few installments are novellas, which I don’t usually read but I might give a try if only to catch up on the Brisbanes and the Marches.
4 Stars
Marriage to a private enquiry agent has become a frustrating enterprise for Lady Julia as her husband still strives to protect her from his professional life just as she longs to become a full partner in his endeavors. Julia gets her wish after following Brisbane to a clandestine meeting and witnessing what appears to be the murder of a psychic medium. As Julia and Brisbane investigate the strange death, they must learn to work together or lose everything, for the foe they face is willing to sacrifice anyone and anything for their ultimate goal.
While not quite my favorite installment in the series (that is reserved for Silent on the Moor), The Dark Enquiry is certainly one of the more intense and exciting additions and I am sad that it is also the final full length novel.
The highlight of the story is the development of Brisbane and Julia’s relationship as they finally begin working together both in and outside of the marriage bed. Brisbane comes to accept that he cannot protect Julia from every danger and that the best he can do is provide her with the necessary tools and information for her to deal with the darker and seedier side of his work. Likewise, Julia comes to realize not only the very real risks involved in being Brisbane’s partner, but also the extent of his love for her and the lengths he will got to in order to keep her safe.
They mystery is interesting with several compelling twists and turns and one particularly enigmatic character who could Raybourn could do well to give his own series if she were so inclined. The villain came as a surprise although, in hindsight, there are plenty of clues to the ultimate explanation.
The secondary characters are well written and add depth and nuance to the story. Julia is introduced to additional members of Brisbane’s gypsy family and there are also developments in the lives of her own siblings. Portia is settling into motherhood; Bellmont finds himself in a sticky situation, and Plum may finally have met his match.
All in all, a solid addition to the series although there are one or two developments that were disappointing such as
Spoiler
Julia’s miscarriage and inability to conceive another child as well as Plum’s devastating love life.nakedsushi's review against another edition
3.0
The mystery in this took a while to get started and when it did get started, there were so many twists and turns and political mumble jumble that I sort of got lost. But short of that, more of the same. Julia fumbling into what could have been a solution, Brisbane being tall, dark, and charming. And some gypsy stuff.
eb2114's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
foxon's review against another edition
2.0
For the love of Pete, did we learn no lessons from the last one? Brisbane, if you are worried about her safety, teach her how to fight. Julia, if you want to be apart of the team, learn some useful skills and stop being so impulsive.
Also, I love how Brisbane threatens to hit her and then gets mad at her father from not protecting her from the first husband, who threatened to hit her. He is just the worst.
I cant believe Im done. Yes, yes, there are like 3 more ebooks or something but I refuse!
Seriously, Raybourn! Veronica Speedwell is such a good series with good writing. Never go back to this. You are better then that. And so with my last breath I will say goodbye forever Julia Grey, you never get any better and Im glad to see the back of you.
Also, I love how Brisbane threatens to hit her and then gets mad at her father from not protecting her from the first husband, who threatened to hit her. He is just the worst.
I cant believe Im done. Yes, yes, there are like 3 more ebooks or something but I refuse!
Seriously, Raybourn! Veronica Speedwell is such a good series with good writing. Never go back to this. You are better then that. And so with my last breath I will say goodbye forever Julia Grey, you never get any better and Im glad to see the back of you.
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
Brisbane and Julia are one of my all time favorite couples, and in this fifth installment Deanna Raybourn has surrounded them with interesting characters ranging from old time favorites Morag, Julia's unrepentently unloyal maid, to new characters like Morgan fielding, a noble using his charm to hide his network of spies.
For any lover of this series, The Dark Enquiry will be a satisfying read. Once again Deanna stirs up intrigue and passions starting with the death of a medium after a seance and including spies in England and Germany.
Julia and Brisbane's relationship also continues to be stirred up, with Julia continuing to take risks, Brisbane continuing to save her and everyone trying to protect everyone else.
We get some deep revelations from Brisbane as Julia tries to face him head on about denying his visions, as well as finally seeing how much stress she causes when risking herself during investigations.
And yet...here in the fifth book I am finally getting a little bit tired of Julia's unthinking dashing about. After a long conversation with Brisbane about how he fears for her safety, she decides to go out alone again and gets herself in trouble. Okay, I guess I wanted Julia to be a bit more mature about how she handles herself. I mean, even after Brisbane went to the trouble of getting her two very powerful footmen to protect her, Julia goes out alone.
I was disappointed in her.
And while the romantic in me loves all the declarations of love Brisbane has to give following his mad tirades at Julia's foolishness...I've had enough of the tirades. I wanted him to be clever at stopping Julia as well.
Anyway, the book does not disappoint, but I am hoping Deanna Raybourn can find conflicts for Julia and Brisbane that don't rehash old arguments as much in the next book.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: The bottom of the bag of gourmet fudge chocolate cookies when you realize that although you loved and enjoyed eating every cookie, you're ready for something else.
For any lover of this series, The Dark Enquiry will be a satisfying read. Once again Deanna stirs up intrigue and passions starting with the death of a medium after a seance and including spies in England and Germany.
Julia and Brisbane's relationship also continues to be stirred up, with Julia continuing to take risks, Brisbane continuing to save her and everyone trying to protect everyone else.
We get some deep revelations from Brisbane as Julia tries to face him head on about denying his visions, as well as finally seeing how much stress she causes when risking herself during investigations.
And yet...here in the fifth book I am finally getting a little bit tired of Julia's unthinking dashing about. After a long conversation with Brisbane about how he fears for her safety, she decides to go out alone again and gets herself in trouble. Okay, I guess I wanted Julia to be a bit more mature about how she handles herself. I mean, even after Brisbane went to the trouble of getting her two very powerful footmen to protect her, Julia goes out alone.
I was disappointed in her.
And while the romantic in me loves all the declarations of love Brisbane has to give following his mad tirades at Julia's foolishness...I've had enough of the tirades. I wanted him to be clever at stopping Julia as well.
Anyway, the book does not disappoint, but I am hoping Deanna Raybourn can find conflicts for Julia and Brisbane that don't rehash old arguments as much in the next book.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: The bottom of the bag of gourmet fudge chocolate cookies when you realize that although you loved and enjoyed eating every cookie, you're ready for something else.
jajorgen's review against another edition
4.0
For some reason Raybourn's last book, Dark Road to Darjeeling, stayed in my TBR pile for a long time and it was only recently that I read it. Now I'm happy that I waited that long because the events that take place in that book have an impact in this latest and it was nice to have it all fresh in my mind.
Lady Julia and her husband Nicholas Brisbane have returned from their honeymoon and are settling into married life. Well, perhaps settling isn't the right word because when it comes to this partnership nothing will ever be truly settled. An uneasy truce might be the better description - especially as it pertains to Brisbane's work and Julia's attempts to become a part of that work. Because of his concern for her safety, Brisbane has decreed that Julia has to learn the tools of the detecting trade. To that end she is learning about guns and gunpowder (with the occasional inadvertent explosion) and has taken up photography so that she can be of help. When Brisbane attempts to lure Julia out of town with the promise of an investigation of her own, she becomes suspicious. Instead of following his plans for her, Julia follows Brisbane and discovers that he is working on a case involving Julia's brother, Lord Bellmont. Since Bellmont and Brisbane cordially dislike each other, Julia is concerned. What could possibly bring Bellmont to Brisbane for help? Julia's efforts to uncover the problem place her right in the middle of murder and espionage and at loggerheads with Brisbane.
As usual the ongoing development of Julia and Nicholas's relationship is well done. Though they have supposedly achieved their happy-ever-after by falling in love and getting married, Raybourn proves that there is story yet to tell for these two (and probably will be for many books to come, fingers crossed). The mystery is well-constructed and lays out possibilities for future story threads. Well done.
If you're wondering about the 4/5 star rating, I think it came down a bit in my estimation because of the permanent result of the penultimate scene. Trying to avoid spoilers, but I felt like that development was somewhat forced.
Lady Julia and her husband Nicholas Brisbane have returned from their honeymoon and are settling into married life. Well, perhaps settling isn't the right word because when it comes to this partnership nothing will ever be truly settled. An uneasy truce might be the better description - especially as it pertains to Brisbane's work and Julia's attempts to become a part of that work. Because of his concern for her safety, Brisbane has decreed that Julia has to learn the tools of the detecting trade. To that end she is learning about guns and gunpowder (with the occasional inadvertent explosion) and has taken up photography so that she can be of help. When Brisbane attempts to lure Julia out of town with the promise of an investigation of her own, she becomes suspicious. Instead of following his plans for her, Julia follows Brisbane and discovers that he is working on a case involving Julia's brother, Lord Bellmont. Since Bellmont and Brisbane cordially dislike each other, Julia is concerned. What could possibly bring Bellmont to Brisbane for help? Julia's efforts to uncover the problem place her right in the middle of murder and espionage and at loggerheads with Brisbane.
As usual the ongoing development of Julia and Nicholas's relationship is well done. Though they have supposedly achieved their happy-ever-after by falling in love and getting married, Raybourn proves that there is story yet to tell for these two (and probably will be for many books to come, fingers crossed). The mystery is well-constructed and lays out possibilities for future story threads. Well done.
If you're wondering about the 4/5 star rating, I think it came down a bit in my estimation because of the permanent result of the penultimate scene. Trying to avoid spoilers, but I felt like that development was somewhat forced.
vireogirl's review against another edition
4.0
A significant step up in character development but unfortunately it appears she abandoned the series.