Silent in the Grave – Deanna Raybourn
Summary:
The glorious introduction of a sassy, intelligent Victorian heroine who finds herself investigating the mysterious death of her husband alongside the dark, handsome Nicholas Brisbane. Entertaining, funny and cleverly plotted.
Pace: Fast and amusing, and always keeping you guessing
Main Character: Lady Julia Grey
This book is like…what Elizabeth Bennett would have been if she hadn’t been created by Jane Austen
Bookshop shelf: Crime Fiction
Pages: 544 pages
Rating: 10
The Book Tiger’s Review
“To say that 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…”
And thus opens a simply marvellous murder mystery set in late nineteenth century London, and the introduction of Lady Julia Grey, a feisty, witty and intelligent woman with a sometimes dangerous curiosity and an unconventional family.
Lady Julia is the kind of woman which was rare during the period. Brought up in a liberal, open-minded but aristocratic family, Julia had spent much of her life trying to fight the unorthodox reputation of the family, and simply be ‘normal’. However, the death of her husband, Edward, and the arrival of Nicholas Brisbane into her life soon shatters any hope she may have of being normal, and as the story develops, her March family heritage begins to come out. And for that, you can’t help but love her.
When Brisbane suggests that Edward’s death was not of natural causes, Lady Julia is soon swept up in solving the mystery. She defies danger (generally acknowledging, in hindsight, her own stupidity), but doggedly pursues the truth, whilst clearly falling strangely for the dark, brooding Brisbane. Written in the first person, Julia’s witty observations, lucid thought processes and sharp intelligence drives her forward in her investigations until she finally figures out ‘whodunnit’ and finds herself in mortal danger.
The characterisation of this book is magnificent. Whether it be the portrait of her sister, Portia who has succumbed to Sapphic pleasures, her brother Valerius who finds himself in possession of a vocal Tower raven thanks to a lucky hand at cards or Julia’s liberal, forward thinking father who is quite happy to suggest that Julia take Brisbane as a lover, each character has been crafted with detail and care. The storyline is believable and the author has taken a great deal of care with the period, resulting in a fantastic story and a new favourite heroine.
Silent in the Grave is definitely worth the read. Although, frustratingly (albeit cleverly), Raybourn leaves the end hanging, so you know that you haven’t heard the last from the feisty Lady Julia Grey and the mysterious Nicholas Brisbane. I can’t wait for the next one.
ISBN: 978-1-741-16518-0
Publisher: Mira Books
Year: 2007
Date Finished: 13 December 2007
Buy via Amazon.co.uk: Silent in the Grave – Deanna Raybourn
Buy via Amazon.com: Silent in the Grave – Deanna Raybourn
If you don’t believe me, try another opinion:
- http://www.eurocrime.co.uk/reviews/Silent_in_the_Grave.html
- http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/2009/04/silent-in-grave-deanna-raybourn.html
- http://www.kittlingbooks.com/2010/02/silent-in-grave-by-deanna-raybourn.html
