Silent on the Moor (A Lady Julia Grey Mystery, 3)

I don't know what the folks at MIRA were thinking putting together the new cover art for Deanna Raybourn's new book Silent On The Moor?! I thought the cover was awful and if I hadn't read the first two books in this series I NEVER would have picked them up after seeing the cover of the third book. The pose is all wrong, the clothes are all wrong, and the man's hand is completely wrong. That dress is about a hundred years wrong, this story is set in 1888, that dress looks like it was made in 1988. I get that the publishers might be trying to attract a larger audience by making this book appear to be a Harlequin Romance type of novel but I think it's an insult to the readers who are already fans of Deanna Raybourn's. Please, MIRA, go back to the beautiful covers that the first two had. I would never be embarrassed to be seen in public with either of those books in my hand. As for the story, I loved it, it's the kind of book that I wish I could savor but I never can, it's so enjoyable to read that I don't want to put it down, I didn't and sadly I was done in three days. I love these characters and their complicated relationship. I love Julia's zest for life, her indomitable spirit and her unconventional values. Lady Julie and Nicholas Brisbane remind me of Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester and their relationship. I enjoyed the tension and frustration between them as well as the tenderness and vulnerability. I thought the mystery was interesting and disturbing, the characters were as charming as ever and the wit was enjoyable. If Ms Raybourn can make them all this good I will be happy to buy every last book she writes.

It's difficult for me to describe exactly how excited I was for this book to come out. SILENT ON THE MOOR was easily at the top of my most anxiously awaited books of 2009. I discovered Deanna Raybourn last year and, after blowing through the first two Julia Grey novels, have spent the last six months in that special agony reserved for the lovers of sequels. Fortunately a copy popped up at a local (ish) bookstore and I was saved from suffering through the last two weeks til its March 1st publication date. The third installment opens with Julia's big brother Bellmont trying to talk her out of haring off to Yorkshire after Brisbane when he has made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that he does not want her anywhere near the place. Julia, of course, doesn't care a fig for Monty's scandalized pride and makes her way with all haste (and several good intentions) to the moors. Unfortunately, Brisbane's new home, Grimsgrave, is even creepier and more decrepit than he led Portia to believe in his letter. The whole place reeks of Miss Havisham's manor and, after meeting the current occupants, Julia soon realizes something is seriously amiss in this house where madness and murder walk hand in hand. Not only does she face the task of convincing Brisbane of a few increasingly important things, but Julia also finds herself uncovering hidden corpses, accepting charms from Gypsy witches, and thwarting a particularly vicious murder attempt. Reading SILENT ON THE MOOR was an exercise in conflicting emotions. I wanted to blow right through it to the end in one sitting and I simultaneously wanted each page to last longer than it possibly could so that I could savor being back with these two characters I have come to love. I had some pretty high hopes for this one. The third book in a series such as this comes with a rather hefty share of promise resting squarely on its shoulders and can really make or a break the series as a whole, in my opinion. This one truly made it. Every hope I had was fulfilled and I found myself turning back to reread favorite passages before I was even a third of the way through the book. This practice was repeated at regular intervals for the duration--truly the mark of an excellent read around these parts. If you like literary mysteries and haven't come across this series before, for the love of all that is holy, go get them now. I am immoderately fond of them.

Perusing the shelves at my local bookstore, I had to pinch myself when I stumbled upon Ms. Raybourn's third offering in the Lady Julia Grey series almost a month before the official release! No complaints here! Ms. Raybourn's writing is witty as ever, and the stories just get better and better. In this tale, Lady Julia Grey travels through the Yorkshire moors to Grimsgrave, an estate newly purchased by private inquiry agent Nicholas Brisbane. After a chilling welcome by the host and residents of the manor, Lady Julia begins to unravel the dark secrets of an ancient family, while Brisbane's gypsy roots appear to be tangled in the mix. But when the Grimswater bell tolls and Brisbane's life is threatened, what other secrets will Lady Julia discover? This third installment in the Lady Julia Grey series packs a powerful punch, with suspense and intrigue, insight into Brisbane's mysterious past, more antics from Grim, the sugared-plum loving raven, and an ending sure to please fans of the series! Ms. Raybourn's attention to Victorian detail appears flawless and I truly felt whisked away to another world, in another time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it as I eagerly await the fourth installment that Ms. Raybourn assures is in the works! A side note: This is not at all a bodice-ripping romance, but truly an excellent Victorian mystery. Personally, I prefer the original book covers for Silent in the Grave and Silent in the Sanctuary because they were more... what's the word? ... mysterious.

Except for the cover (who comes up with these things? no scene like this, no dress like this, no connection whatsoever to the book), I love every page of this, the third in the Lady Julia Gray series. The writing is impeccable...you disappear into the book. I especially love her handling of the relationship between Julia and Brisbane. Their connection advances without either of them forfeiting an iota of their strong characters. Julia is still volatile, determined and impetuous. Brisbane still sardonic, volcanic and honorable. The last chapter - an epilogue as far as the mystery goes - is my favorite. Raybourn manages to create a sense of intimacy and passion without any of the voyeuristic techniques common in other historical romances. Brava! I look forward to the next one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and felt that it was every bit as good as the first two in the series. I love Raybourn's writing style. Her grasp of Victorian historical details and Victorian language make this book seem very authentically Victorian. The book is full of intertextuality and references to the writings of the Brontes, which is fun for any Victorian scholar or fan of Victorian literature. The Shakespearean epigraphs throughout were cleverly chosen and work well to unite the book thematically. I actually felt that this book is much more literary than the first two. The elements of mystery and romance are as strong as in the first two books as well, and it is good to see a resolution of the romantic tension finally. Raybourn's blog indicates that this is not the final installment of Julia Grey, and I look forward to reading the next one!