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'Tis the season for an investigation! Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane return for a Christmas caper at Bellmont Abbey—.
After a year of marriage—and numerous adventures—Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together—until they find themselves at her father's ancestral estate, Bellmont Abbey, with her eccentric family and a menagerie of animals.
Nevertheless, Julia looks forward to a lively family gathering—but amongst the celebrations, a mystery stirs. There are missing jewels, new faces at the Abbey, and a prowling ghost that brings back unwelcome memories from a previous holiday—one that turned deadly. Is a new culprit recreating crimes of the past? And will Brisbane let Julia investigate—?
Don't miss a single tale in the Lady Julia series—read the book that started it all, Silent in the Grave, available now.
Raybourn's sprawling debut novel takes its title from a foreboding quote in the Bible's book of Psalms: "Let the wicked be ashamed and let them be silent in the grave." This is the final threat that London society hound Sir Edmund Grey receives before he unexpectedly falls dead in the middle of a dinner party. While his wife Julia initially believes Edmund's death to be the result of a preexisting heart condition, private agent Nicholas Brisbane informs her that he believes her husband's death to be of a more insidious nature. When Julia solicits Brisbane to find the killer, they are both drawn into a dangerous mystery and drawn to each other.
Silent in the Grave garnered much praise from Raybourn's fellow writers, the online community, and the literary press for its masterfully paced suspense and historical authenticity. Karen Harper, who wrote the bestselling thriller Hurricane, applauded, "This debut novel has one of the most clever endings I've seen." Dana Stabenow of PoisenedPen.com declared that Raybourn has a "strong voice akin to Amelia Peabody's, a superbly realized setting—you'll choke on the coal smoke of Raybourn's Victorian London." Meanwhile, Publishers Weekly called Silent in the Grave a "perfectly executed debut," while Kirkus insisted, "Bring on the sequel"! That demand was promptly met, as Raybourn continues to add to her Lady Julia Grey mystery series.
On her web site, Raybourn boasts, "I double-majored in history and English, which means I know how to find Jesus imagery in any book you care to give me, and then I can write a fifty-page paper about it with footnotes."
A few interesting outtakes from our interview with Raybourn:
"I taught English for three years, and my favorite lesson was my Trojan War lecture. It lasted three days. Aside from teaching, I was written up for insubordination at every job I ever had. The first book I remember writing was a diary of Marie Antoinette when I was in third grade."
"I read like a fiend. I knit badly, but I just learned to purl, so I'm hoping things will pick up. I am addicted to podcasts—I currently have 600 loaded onto my iPod that I have yet to listen to. I watch too much television, usually classic movies, the History Channel, or Will & Grace reruns. I adore astrology and am always downloading natal charts. I am a Gemini with Libra rising and a Pisces moon."
Ashley_UNC
Posted December 3, 2012
This was a fun Christmas novella involving the regular characters from Deanna’s Lady Julia mystery series. Newly married Julia and Nicholas Brisbane travel to Julia’s family seat for Christmas, taking with them a fantastic assortment of pets they have acquired from all their travels – my favorites are the raven Grim and the peacocks from Julia’s trip to India. Julia is looking forward to a lovely, traditional Christmas with her family, but she finds that her father is sulking in his study, hardly any Christmas decorations have been put out, half of the staff is down with a cold, and several pieces of jewelry have gone missing. Julia is anxious to get to the bottom of things so that she can show Brisbane a customary March family Christmas.
My only problem with this story was that it wasn’t long enough! I can’t fault Deanna for that – her publisher asked for novellas, and she delivered. So really the problem is that I have a hard time with the idea of a story that is less than 70 pages long. That’s hardly enough time for anything interesting to happen. I felt I was just settling in for Christmas at the Abbey when Deanna started winding things down. Oh well! A little Lady Julia is better than none at all.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 30, 2012
If you're new to the Lady Julia series, this a great primer on who is who and who did what to whom. If you're an enslaved, I mean, dedicated reader such as myself, Silent Night is a short but sweet visit with favorite characters.
The mystery, I have to admit, is not very compelling. But the characters sparkle and it feels like a reunion with old friends.
Also, I'm going to try the wassail recipe at the end!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 26, 2012
Hopes this feeling of being ignored dosnt last. Its obvious she has no one anymore. "Maybe ill become a loner" se thought
1 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 27, 2013
Ms. Raybourn is a gifted writer!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 27, 2013
Lady Julia Brisbane is looking forward to a traditional family Christmas with her family. She knows her husband, a private inspector, isn't viewing the time with the same enthusiasm. When things begin to go missing, Julia decides to investigate, with the guidance of her husband. The answers to the mysteries are not what she expected, though.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 26, 2013
I always enjoy Lady Julia, the story felt slightly rushed but not bad. A very quick, pleasant read.
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Posted March 9, 2013
Hey
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Posted March 9, 2013
Shut up
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Posted March 9, 2013
Y must u posers be such losers?
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Posted January 14, 2013
Just wasn'tvlongbenough. Can't for the new full length book.
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Posted January 3, 2013
Cant wait for more Julia Grey books or novellas
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.CaliforniaNookLover
Posted December 22, 2012
More like 70 pages than 400 but a cute story nonetheless and especially fun if you have read the other novels in this series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lily48
Posted December 14, 2012
The characters and plot is always entertaining that makes for a rich experience.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 16, 2013
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Posted February 24, 2013
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Posted November 1, 2012
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Posted January 6, 2013
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Posted December 21, 2012
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Posted November 1, 2012
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Posted January 26, 2013
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Overview
'Tis the season for an investigation! Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane return for a Christmas caper at Bellmont Abbey—.
After a year of marriage—and numerous adventures—Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together—until they find themselves at her father's ancestral estate, Bellmont Abbey, with her eccentric family and a menagerie of animals.
Nevertheless, Julia looks forward to a lively family gathering—but amongst ...