SILENT IN THE GRAVE

Author: Deanna Raybourn ISBN: 0778324109 1/2007 HISTORICAL/SUSPENSE Publisher: MIRA
Time Period: Victorian 1886

"Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave." These ominous words, slashed from the pages of a book of Psalms, are the last threat that the darling of London society, 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, Sir Edward collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of dinner guests. Prepared to accept that Edward's death was due to a long-standing physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane visits and suggests that Sir Edward has been murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers the damning paper for herself, and realizes the truth. Determined to bring her husband's murderer to justice, Julia engages the enigmatic Brisbane to help her investigate Edward's demise. 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 expectantly for her arrival.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Let me introduce you to a fantastic new author, Deanna Raybourn.

Ms. Raybourn's historical fiction, SILENT IN THE GRAVE, is utterly divine! From remarkably appealing characters to a richly woven mystery, this lushly executed debut novel—the first in the Lady Julia Grey series—is incredibly refreshing and beautifully constructed.

In truth, I have never cared much for first person narrative because, more often than not, those stories told in the "I" format seem stilted with shadowy secondary characters.

However, Ms. Raybourn puts me in mind of the brilliant Caleb Carr. SILENT IN THE GRAVE is peopled with vibrant, full-bodied, intriguing characters.

Told through the eyes of Lady Julia Grey, herself a fascinating, intuitive character, SILENT IN THE GRAVE is a vivid, robust testament to Ms. Raybourn's talent.

I completely forgot the first person narrative as I was swept into the exceptional story within SILENT IN THE GRAVE.

Be warned. The first part of this novel drags a bit, befitting the somber atmosphere of mourning. But as Lady Julia blossoms and emerges from her shell without the stiff strictures of her dead husband, the novel reflects a faster, more light-hearted mood.

Amid murder, mayhem and a lot of humor, Julia gradually becomes a woman of interest. Enough of an intrigue to attract the attention of the mysterious, dynamic, astonishing Nicholas Brisbane.

One character in the novel described Brisbane as "an extraordinary person, in an ordinary world." He is absolutely right...

Some of the best moments in SILENT IN THE GRAVE occur when Julia and Brisbane are together piecing together the puzzle of a murder...among other mysteries. The glimmer of awareness between these two charismatic characters has a good foundation in SILENT IN THE GRAVE. Future novels in the Lady Julia series should be promising indeed.

SILENT IN THE GRAVE is highly recommended. Mystery series fans should be enthralled.

Debbie Jett