To say 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...For Lady Julia Grey, her husband's sudden death at a dinner party is extremely inconvenient. However, things take a turn for the worse when inscrutable private investigator Nicholas Brisbane reveals that the death was not due to natural causes.Drawn away from her comfortable, conventional life, Julia is exposed to threatening notes, secret societies and gypsy curses, not to mention Nicholas' charismatic unpredictability.This sparkling, witty tale is the first in a captivating new series featuring Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane.
Silent in the Grave (A Lady Julia Grey Novel - Book 1)
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Deanna Raybourn's debut novel is a wickedly clever send-up of the Victorian mystery genre, from the parlors and boudoirs of Julia's aristocratic world to the exotic society of the Gypsies. Grave robbing, prostitution, gambling, absinthe --- even a pet raven --- all contribute to the novel's sensational appeal. Raybourn tempers these dark topics, though, by mixing in plenty of humor. Absurd situations abound (including a truly bizarre murder weapon), and quirky characters verge on caricature. --Bookreporter
'With a strong and unique voice, Deanna Raybourn creates unforgettable characters in a richly detailed world. This is storytelling at its most compelling' --Nora Roberts
'Deceptively civilized and proper, Silent in the Grave has undercurrents of nefarious deeds, secrets and, my favourite, poisons. An excellent debut novel.' --Maria V. Snyder, author of Poison Study
'With a strong and unique voice, Deanna Raybourn creates unforgettable characters in a richly detailed world. This is storytelling at its most compelling' --Nora Roberts
'Deceptively civilized and proper, Silent in the Grave has undercurrents of nefarious deeds, secrets and, my favourite, poisons. An excellent debut novel.' --Maria V. Snyder, author of Poison Study
About the Author
With degrees in English and History and a particular love of Regency and Victorian times, Deanna Raybourn is a committed anglophile, who, at her husband's insistence, gave up teaching to devote her energies to writing. Clearly her husband knew what he was doing. Silent in the Grave is Deanna's debut novel and is the first in the Silent series featuring the effervescent Lady Julia Grey and the enigmatic private investigator Nicholas Brisbane. Deanna is currently hard at work on the sequel from her current home in Virginia. Silent in the Sanctuary will be available in January 2009 from MIRA Books.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Caroline_LS
Format:Paperback
A historical setting, with a delicate attention to detail, Deanna Raybourn has captured a time, a place and a voice that combines into a thoroughly convincing piece of writing. There is wit, mystery and an engaging charm that makes this a most memorable read.
Silent in the Grave is refreshing, featuring a strong convincing leading lady, spirited and outspoken, oozing class and sophistication.
This novel undoubtedly has one of the most engaging opening lines, ever;
"To say 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."
setting the tinged unique tone that is consistent throughout the novel.
After this opening line and the death of her husband, Lady Grey's period of mourning is broken by the arrival of Mr Nicholas Brisbane, the dark stranger mentioned within the opening line. As the story unfolds, Brisbane informs Lady Julia that her husband did not die of a heart condition, rather that he suspects murder. This marks the beginning of the duo's quest to solve the crime, taking Lady Julia outside of her snug environment and into darker worlds. The friction, the chemistry, the exchanges between these two characters is wholly convincing. The story, the visuals and the voice all jump from the pages.
Raybourn has created a thoroughly likeable strong female character, oozing intelligence, sharpness of tongue and yet balanced with vulnerability . The characterisation is refreshing, unique and I am finding it difficult to compare her to another writer. Her originality is worthy of comment. The plot has twists and turns that delight the darkest of minds.
This is a thoroughly delightful read, one that I recommend to you without reservation. Dark, sinister, tinged with a familiarity that I can't quite put my finger on.
I am left thoroughly satisfied, anticipating the next in the series and in awe of Deanna's craft. I truly enjoyed this book.
Silent in the Grave is refreshing, featuring a strong convincing leading lady, spirited and outspoken, oozing class and sophistication.
This novel undoubtedly has one of the most engaging opening lines, ever;
"To say 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."
setting the tinged unique tone that is consistent throughout the novel.
After this opening line and the death of her husband, Lady Grey's period of mourning is broken by the arrival of Mr Nicholas Brisbane, the dark stranger mentioned within the opening line. As the story unfolds, Brisbane informs Lady Julia that her husband did not die of a heart condition, rather that he suspects murder. This marks the beginning of the duo's quest to solve the crime, taking Lady Julia outside of her snug environment and into darker worlds. The friction, the chemistry, the exchanges between these two characters is wholly convincing. The story, the visuals and the voice all jump from the pages.
Raybourn has created a thoroughly likeable strong female character, oozing intelligence, sharpness of tongue and yet balanced with vulnerability . The characterisation is refreshing, unique and I am finding it difficult to compare her to another writer. Her originality is worthy of comment. The plot has twists and turns that delight the darkest of minds.
This is a thoroughly delightful read, one that I recommend to you without reservation. Dark, sinister, tinged with a familiarity that I can't quite put my finger on.
I am left thoroughly satisfied, anticipating the next in the series and in awe of Deanna's craft. I truly enjoyed this book.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Lady Julia Grey is the kind of woman that was almost unheard of in the late nineteenth century. Clever, outspoken, elegant and feisty. When her husband, who has long suffered a heart condition, suddenly dies during a dinner engagement, Lady Julia is left to contemplate a year of mourning, the descent of her Aunt Ursula, a relative who only comes to stay when there has been a death in the family, and a childless, empty household to manage. However, the conventional mourning period is disturbed by the arrival of Mr Nicholas Brisbane - dark, tempestuous, and convinced that her husband had been murdered.
Lady Julia and Brisbane form an unlikely duo as they work to solve the mystery, but if you think that Lady Julia is going to settle down demurely whilst the gentleman takes the lead in the investigation, you are sorely mistaken. Backed by her less than orthodox family, Julia defies danger in order to finally solve the crime.
Raybourne has created a character who is simply delightful. Written in the first person, Julia's witty observations, honesty and dogged determination to find an answer to the mystery makes it impossible to put this book down. The period was captured beautifully and the characters are all drawn with exquisite detail. And Raybourn clearly left things 'hanging' so that we know this is not the end of Lady Julia and Brisbane. I can't wait to read the next book.
Lady Julia and Brisbane form an unlikely duo as they work to solve the mystery, but if you think that Lady Julia is going to settle down demurely whilst the gentleman takes the lead in the investigation, you are sorely mistaken. Backed by her less than orthodox family, Julia defies danger in order to finally solve the crime.
Raybourne has created a character who is simply delightful. Written in the first person, Julia's witty observations, honesty and dogged determination to find an answer to the mystery makes it impossible to put this book down. The period was captured beautifully and the characters are all drawn with exquisite detail. And Raybourn clearly left things 'hanging' so that we know this is not the end of Lady Julia and Brisbane. I can't wait to read the next book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Marcopuffin
Format:Paperback
This book found me in the midst of a reading desert, when nothing was satisfying me. When I opened this book, I was initially frustrated by the glaring spelling and cultural errors outlined by another reviewer here - the author and her protaganist spoke with an American voice and the book is set in Victorian England. If someone is writing a novel set in your country, it seems a bit disrespectful not to get basic things right - no-one would EVER refer to Curzon St as "Curzon" and we (especially in Victorian times!) would never say "normalcy" - argh. Also this book is being sold as the UK edition with US spellings. Aren't we a big enough market to treat properly?? But despite this, I got really drawn in and the pace and plot made for a great read. It got me out of my reading desert and was a delight despite the numerous grating inaccuracies.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great start to a series
Excellent opening chapter!! Great start to a new series, you can feel the sparks fly between Julia and Brisbane. Loved her dysfunctional family too. Read more
Published 8 months ago by snowqueen01
3.0 out of 5 stars
Readable
So my town library has thirteen copies of this book, it manages to lurk about in the upper reaches of my Amazon recommendations for months and comparisons to my beloved Laurie R... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Michael Finn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Trans-Atlantic intrusions mar a witty tale
I came to this book from the frozen streets of Oslo where Harry Hole was tackling a professional killer. The change of pace was welcome. This is a witty, amusing story. Read more
Published on 10 April 2011 by Noel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!
This was a really good read. Great lines, really witty and engaging. Excellent well thought out plot. Unlikely villain that wasn't obvious. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2010 by StarPlayer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cosy Christie
This is the first of a three part series featuring Lady Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane - a sort of fluffy Agatha Christie meets Sherlock Holmes and I am quite partial to the odd... Read more
Published on 27 July 2010 by Lovely Treez
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really Great Read
The opening of this book is with the death of Julia Greys husband. He literally drops to the ground dying. Read more
Published on 6 May 2010 by Cassie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well written, with nice little glimpses at "back story" on them. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2010 by Tracey Stewart
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable fluff
Murder, mystery, secrets, an inventive weapon and a touch of romance with a character you can't fail to fall in love with yourself. What more can you ask? Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2009 by Poodlehorse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding beginning to a truly wonderful series
Lady Julia Grey and her husband Edward are giving a dinner party when he is suddenly struck with convulsions. Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2009 by M. K. Burton
4.0 out of 5 stars
Murder, mystery and mayhem.....
I've never read anything by this author before, and I have to say, I was more than pleasantly surprised. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2009 by J. Ward
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