laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Silent in the Grave
4 Stars
Lady Julia Grey is not surprised when her ailing husband dies until private inquiry agent, Nicholas Brisbane, approaches her with the claim that her husband was murdered. Disbelieving at first, Julia soon comes to realize that there is more to Edward Grey’s death than meets the eye and something sinister is afoot right under her very nose.
A well written historical mystery with an intriguing if rather unoriginal plot, compelling characters and detailed historical background focusing on the social mores and customs of Victorian England.
The whodunit develops slowly, but there are sufficient red-herrings to keep you guessing, and the villain and motivation are quite interesting especially considering the time period.
Like the mystery, Julia and Brisbane's romance is slow to build. Their love/hate relationship has definite potential and their chemistry simmers just beneath the surface, but nothing actually comes of it and this is disappointing.
Julia and Nicolas fare better as individuals. She is sensible and pragmatic albeit a little snooty at times, and he very enigmatic with his dark and brooding mien and secretive nature. A comparison with Sherlock Holmes is inevitable (expert violinist, absinth addiction, chemical experiments and mood swings), but this is not a drawback for me. The one thing that does grate is
Julia’s quirky family is not consistent with the Victorian setting although they are very endearing and add an entertaining comic relief to the story.
Ellen Archer’s narration is good with the appropriate accents and inflection. If there were one thing I would change it would be the first person perspective, which is limiting for a mystery and prevents the reader from accessing Brisbane’s POV.
Overall, an enjoyable story and I'm looking forward to the next installment.
4 Stars
Lady Julia Grey is not surprised when her ailing husband dies until private inquiry agent, Nicholas Brisbane, approaches her with the claim that her husband was murdered. Disbelieving at first, Julia soon comes to realize that there is more to Edward Grey’s death than meets the eye and something sinister is afoot right under her very nose.
A well written historical mystery with an intriguing if rather unoriginal plot, compelling characters and detailed historical background focusing on the social mores and customs of Victorian England.
The whodunit develops slowly, but there are sufficient red-herrings to keep you guessing, and the villain and motivation are quite interesting especially considering the time period.
Like the mystery, Julia and Brisbane's romance is slow to build. Their love/hate relationship has definite potential and their chemistry simmers just beneath the surface, but nothing actually comes of it and this is disappointing.
Julia and Nicolas fare better as individuals. She is sensible and pragmatic albeit a little snooty at times, and he very enigmatic with his dark and brooding mien and secretive nature. A comparison with Sherlock Holmes is inevitable (expert violinist, absinth addiction, chemical experiments and mood swings), but this is not a drawback for me. The one thing that does grate is
Spoiler
the inclusion of his psychic ability, which adds nothing to his characterization.Julia’s quirky family is not consistent with the Victorian setting although they are very endearing and add an entertaining comic relief to the story.
Ellen Archer’s narration is good with the appropriate accents and inflection. If there were one thing I would change it would be the first person perspective, which is limiting for a mystery and prevents the reader from accessing Brisbane’s POV.
Overall, an enjoyable story and I'm looking forward to the next installment.
stardrifter's review against another edition
4.0
I started reading this for the Vaginal Fantasy book club I belong to. This type of book is generally in my genre that I usually read - however I usually read things with a little more sizzle! However the restraint in this book was absolutely fabulous.
I really enjoyed this book, the dialogue was smart and witty - it had me laughing outloud with it. Lady Julia Grey is one sassy lady.
I really enjoyed this book, the dialogue was smart and witty - it had me laughing outloud with it. Lady Julia Grey is one sassy lady.
bucksandbooks's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
It was just very slow and I guessed the outcome early on.
orinoco450's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
melodymarrshmallow's review against another edition
3.0
It’s sometimes hard to draw the line between historical terms and terms that maybe you just shouldn’t say? Is your character ignorant or is that word racist?
nakedsushi's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
A slow start, but the mystery really picks up towards the last quarter of the book. What started off as a generic who-dunnit really gets spicy at the end. I liked the chaste, Victorian era contrasted with the not-so-innocent solution of the who-dunnit.
A very likable main character, decent supporting characters, and an almost unbelievable man-of-many talents love interest makes for a fast read. Even though I filed this into the romance shelf, there was very little heaving bosoms and naughty bits. I'd give it a rated PG if it were a movie.
I recommend this for a quick weekend read.
A slow start, but the mystery really picks up towards the last quarter of the book. What started off as a generic who-dunnit really gets spicy at the end. I liked the chaste, Victorian era contrasted with the not-so-innocent solution of the who-dunnit.
A very likable main character, decent supporting characters, and an almost unbelievable man-of-many talents love interest makes for a fast read. Even though I filed this into the romance shelf, there was very little heaving bosoms and naughty bits. I'd give it a rated PG if it were a movie.
I recommend this for a quick weekend read.
vanitas's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
foxon's review against another edition
2.0
I really liked the mystery but really hated the characters. I started this series because of how much I like the Veronica Speedwell series but this one doesnt even seem to be written by the same person, they are so throughly different in every way. Im giving it one more book to see if it gets better.
katewutz's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Good things: bisexual representation, period details (rooms, clothes), servants treated as people, interesting mystery, fascinating courtesan character, absolutely off the rails in a fun way
Bad things: kill your gays, how does everyone just randomly accept that the Sight exists, anyone with hair that short would have been seen as ill or insane, and….
…has Raybourn written ONE ROMANTIC LEAD who is not mildly dangerous and threatening to women? Or one woman in particular? Stoker and Brisbane are both dark, brooding, piratical, and constantly threatening Veronica and Julia, respectively (e.g. “if you do that again I won’t be responsible for my actions”). I realize this is an archetype—Radcliffe Emerson, for example, is in this realm. It is, admittedly, a little sexy, and that’s probably the whole point. BUT.
It makes an odd kind of sense that these men would be unfailingly courteous to women in general and actively threatening the one woman they’re actively attracted to. And at least Stoker and Emerson apologize once in a while and Veronica and Amelia aren’t bothered by their bluster.
Julia, on the other hand, IS frightened by Brisbane, he never apologizes, and he’s actively and intentionally hurt her—a woman who actually has experienced domestic violence before. Julia should run screaming.
Bad things: kill your gays, how does everyone just randomly accept that the Sight exists, anyone with hair that short would have been seen as ill or insane, and….
…has Raybourn written ONE ROMANTIC LEAD who is not mildly dangerous and threatening to women? Or one woman in particular? Stoker and Brisbane are both dark, brooding, piratical, and constantly threatening Veronica and Julia, respectively (e.g. “if you do that again I won’t be responsible for my actions”). I realize this is an archetype—Radcliffe Emerson, for example, is in this realm. It is, admittedly, a little sexy, and that’s probably the whole point. BUT.
It makes an odd kind of sense that these men would be unfailingly courteous to women in general and actively threatening the one woman they’re actively attracted to. And at least Stoker and Emerson apologize once in a while and Veronica and Amelia aren’t bothered by their bluster.
Julia, on the other hand, IS frightened by Brisbane, he never apologizes, and he’s actively and intentionally hurt her—a woman who actually has experienced domestic violence before. Julia should run screaming.