Silent in the Grave
Ratings22
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings22
Average rating3.9
"Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave."These ominous words are the last threat that Sir Edward Grey receives from his killer. Before he can show them to Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent he has retained for his protection, he collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of guests.Prepared to accept that Edward's death was due to a long-standing physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane suggests that her husband was murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers damning evidence for herself, and realizes the truth.Determined to bring the murderer to justice, Julia engages the enigmatic Brisbane to help her investigate. Dismissing his warnings that the investigation will be difficult, if not impossible, Julia presses forward, following a trail of clues that lead her to even more unpleasant truths, and ever closer to a killer who waits for her arrival.
Featured Series
4 primary books6 released booksLady Julia Grey is a 6-book series with 4 primary works first released in 2006 with contributions by Deanna Raybourn.
Reviews with the most likes.
the Writing of this book really pulled me in and I found it overall to be a good long mystery that kept me slightly confused and full of vague guesses. It has been many years since I have read much mystery, and I did enjoy this one. As a basic Victorian English Mystery novel it was quite fun. The characters were likable and I do plan to read the future novels in the series.
This is not a series for everyone. It is very “worldly” and liberal with homosexuality and affairs. After all the murder weapon was for use on a phallus. This is definitely an adult novel. Part of me feels that they mystery could have gone a completely different way. It was not until late in four hundred pages that it even appeared to have the “lovers” and method of death. I am quite disappointed as to where it went, because those are definitely not my taste, and it is just plain blah. It was just annoying at first that her sister earlier displayed a leaning tendency toward her Jane, but it just went too far really. The writing is good, and such a better story could be told with the talent without being so sexual.
I read this for Vaginal Fantasy Hangout reading group/book club.
This book is not a cheesy romance but a witty, murder mystery. The characters where well developed. Julia jumped to conclusions rather quickly which Almost confused me at times. Like I missed something reading. Brisbane was hard to get a hold of which seems proper after the reader finds out about his past.
Some of his actions I think I'm still confused about.
You may guess who the murder is before the book ends but the motives did surprise me.
The best way to describe this book would probably be as a historical mystery romp. I found myself comparing it to early Anne Perry novels (before they got all same-y), but maybe a better comparison would be one of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody novels. Well researched in the historical details, but the characters have pretty modern sensibilities — I know that annoys a lot of people, but I love it.
The novel opens with the death of Lady Julia Grey's husband, presumably of natural causes, but quickly jumps to a year later when evidence comes to light that maybe it wasn't quite as natural as all that. With the help of Nicholas Brisbane, a “private inquiry agent”, she investigates the murder.
It's the first in a series and I'll definitely read more. There's a hint of paranormal-ish goings-on (not vampires or werewolves, more like Gypsy highjinks) in this one, so I'll be interested to see if she digs deeper into that aspect.
Quote that I read to everyone in close proximity: [First line] 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.
