Dark Road to Darjeeling, is the fourth book in Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series. In my opinion it is the best to date. I simply adore Raybourn's style.

The setting is a tea plantation in northern India, Lady Julia and her groom Nicolas are on there honeymoon, when Julia's beloved sister Portia and brother Plum find then in Egypt. Portia has just received distressing news that her ex-lovers husband has died under mysterious circumstances, and Jane fears for herself and the life of her unborn child. Portia begs Brisbane and Julia to come help her save Jane and the baby.

Raybourn writes beautifully of the tea plantation nestled in the foot hills of the Himalayas, there are twists and turns and some truly shocking appearances of people from past books. As usual there are many suspects, a man eating tiger, and a warrior peacock, as well as quirky well drawn characters and smart dialogue. It makes me excited for the next book due in June 2011.

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A delicious Victorian mystery set in India. This is the 4th book in the series, and I do recommend beginning at the beginning. Lady Julia and her husband Nicholas, an investigator, finish their honeymoon tour with a stop in India at the request of a family friend. Her husband may have been murdered, and suspects and secrets are uncovered at every turn in the isolated valley where they reside. Julia and Nicholas continue to negotiate her desire to assist in his investigations and his desire to keep her safe.

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As usual, Deanna Raybourn does not disappoint. The only thing missing is the anticipation of the relationship between Julia and Brisbane, as they are already married. But there is still the tussle between the two of them - she wants to help and he won't let her - so she does it anyway. I love it.

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I was disappointed in this latest edition to Deanna Raybourn's series. Normally in the first year of marriage couples focus on getting to know one another. However, I felt that Raybourn dwells too much on their differences and the resulting conflicts. Nevertheless, this is a good read and the murder solves itself with interference from Lady Julia and in spite of the investigations by her and her husband, Brisbane. Portia and Prim, Lady Julia's sister and brother, have some big changes in their lives, too. The book has a surprising ending and I did enjoy the read.

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Oh my, what a story! I was expecting this one to be great, and I think my expectations were exceeded by a long shot.

We pick up with Julia and Brisbane en route to India, along with two of Julias siblings, Portia and Plum Portia being the only one who really wants to make the journey. This, of course, sets the stage for much tension and arguing between Julia and her new husband, because these books would be nothing without the banter between the two of them.

To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=3016

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I did not care for this book. It should have been edited down by a third and it had a strange ending.

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