Lisa R. (alterlisa) -
Helpful Score: 6
Throughly enjoyable read. Reminds me a bit of the old Gothic Romances I was so fond of in the 70's and 80's. A romantic mystery that is well worth your time reading
Linda S. (Ladyslott) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 113 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is the second book in the Lady Julia Grey series. Lady Julia Grey has been in Italy for several months, recovering from the events that occurred in the first book. When her father summons Julia and her brother's home for Christmas, they return to the family estate; a former monastery for monks. Am0ng the invited house guests is Nicolas Brisbane, the private investigator who helped Julia with the inquiry following her husband's death and with whom Julia has fallen in love. To her surprise Brisbane is accompanied by his fiancée, the lovely Charlotte King. When over the course of a few days a curate is found murdered in the sanctuary, Julia's cousin Lucy is the main suspect and some very valuable pears belonging to Julia disappear, Brisbane and Julia decide to resume their investigative partnership to solve the mystery and robbery. Once again Raybourn delivers a thoroughly delightful story with Brisbane and Julia thrown together once more and a houseful of eccentric characters to sort through on the way to solving the cleverly plotted mystery. A totally enjoyable romantic suspense book set in Victorian times, I am looking forward to book three.
Felicia J. (FeliciaJ) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 136 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Silent in the Sanctuary, the second book in Deanna Raybourn's Victorian mystery series, built on the strengths of its predecessor. Raybourn created a vivid, intricate plot populated with well-rounded, believable characters. She allowed her readers to peek at the darkness festering beneath the veneer of Victorian propriety and allowed her appealing heroine, Lady Julia Grey, to develop fully as a headstrong, independent woman.
Raybourn once again managed a complicated plot with nary a misstep, drawing me completely into the story and into the larger tale of Julia becoming her own woman, beholden to no one and demanding Brisbane treat her as an equal. I also enjoyed the opportunity to get to know better some of the members of Julia's large, unconventional family.
Raybourn once again managed a complicated plot with nary a misstep, drawing me completely into the story and into the larger tale of Julia becoming her own woman, beholden to no one and demanding Brisbane treat her as an equal. I also enjoyed the opportunity to get to know better some of the members of Julia's large, unconventional family.
Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 1154 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Another delicious Victorian mystery (2nd in the series) complete with ghosts, gypsies, eccentric family members, false engagements, priceless jewels and murder.
Helpful Score: 2
I knew from the get/go that someone dies -- I tried to figure out who had to get killed. It was a suprise. There were times the book read "slow" and the hero did not treat the heorine with the best manners and sometimes intent. It has in its favor 484 pages.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved Silent in the Grave so much that this sequel just couldn't live up to it. Nonetheless, it still grabbed my attention with a new crime to solve and fascinating characters, both familiar and new. I'm hooked on Deanna Raybourn!
Christina B. (catyasdo) -
Helpful Score: 1
from my review @ http://babblingbookreviews.com
Julia and her brothers Lysander and Eglamour - Plum - are summoned home from Italy by their father, the Earl March. They arrive in time to spend Christmas at Bellmont Abbey, the family seat. However, before the festivities can begin, there is a murder. As with the previous volume, the book introduces other members of the eccentric March family, this time on home turf. And course Nicholas Brisbane is back, and he is engaged to be married.
Julia quickly realizes that Brisbane and her father are up to something. What, she doesn't know. But before she can learn anything, a guest is murdered - supposedly by one of the March cousins - and the earl informs Brisbane that Julia will assist in the investigation. Though the March family is used to being the subject of gossip and scandal, the earl wants the matter wrapped up - while they are snowed in - as quickly and as discretely as possible. Brisbane isn't happy with these arrangements, but he can't contradict a nobleman in his own home.
I don't want to give anything away, so I won't elaborate on the plot. Julia does learn something of Brisbane's past, however. I wish there had been more interaction between them. It seemed as if Brisbane was barely in the book. As for the March family, I really enjoy meeting them and hearing about their eccentricities. Above all, they are a very close and loving family.
I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to Silent on the Moor, due out in March 2009.
Favorite Quote:
Now I was more certain than ever of my decision. I could never love a man who did not love Jane Austen.
- Julia's thoughts
Julia and her brothers Lysander and Eglamour - Plum - are summoned home from Italy by their father, the Earl March. They arrive in time to spend Christmas at Bellmont Abbey, the family seat. However, before the festivities can begin, there is a murder. As with the previous volume, the book introduces other members of the eccentric March family, this time on home turf. And course Nicholas Brisbane is back, and he is engaged to be married.
Julia quickly realizes that Brisbane and her father are up to something. What, she doesn't know. But before she can learn anything, a guest is murdered - supposedly by one of the March cousins - and the earl informs Brisbane that Julia will assist in the investigation. Though the March family is used to being the subject of gossip and scandal, the earl wants the matter wrapped up - while they are snowed in - as quickly and as discretely as possible. Brisbane isn't happy with these arrangements, but he can't contradict a nobleman in his own home.
I don't want to give anything away, so I won't elaborate on the plot. Julia does learn something of Brisbane's past, however. I wish there had been more interaction between them. It seemed as if Brisbane was barely in the book. As for the March family, I really enjoy meeting them and hearing about their eccentricities. Above all, they are a very close and loving family.
I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to Silent on the Moor, due out in March 2009.
Favorite Quote:
Now I was more certain than ever of my decision. I could never love a man who did not love Jane Austen.
- Julia's thoughts
Helpful Score: 1
This is the second book in the Lady Julia Gray mysteries. After the events of the first book and a trip overseas, Lady Julia and her brothers are called back to the family home for Christmas. Julia's father, Lord March, has a few family and assorted guests over at the March home, Belmont Abbey. Amid the usual family drama, odd occurrences start to happen and (of course, this is a murder mystery series after all), things culminate in a murder.
Compared to the first book, Silent in the Sanctuary had more story threads and twists. Which is not entirely surprising because there are a lot more characters, and they're all staying in the same house, which makes things ripe for conflict and mystery.
Loved the first one and the second one is again a strong book - I think I liked the twists in the mystery in this one more than the first book, but I'm undecided on which book I liked more for the romance. I really need to read book 3, Silent on the Moor! This series is shaping up to be one of my favorites, and if you are even considering reading these books, I strongly urge you to try them.
My full review: http://janicu.livejournal.com/96105.html
Compared to the first book, Silent in the Sanctuary had more story threads and twists. Which is not entirely surprising because there are a lot more characters, and they're all staying in the same house, which makes things ripe for conflict and mystery.
Loved the first one and the second one is again a strong book - I think I liked the twists in the mystery in this one more than the first book, but I'm undecided on which book I liked more for the romance. I really need to read book 3, Silent on the Moor! This series is shaping up to be one of my favorites, and if you are even considering reading these books, I strongly urge you to try them.
My full review: http://janicu.livejournal.com/96105.html
Nina R. (britishladybooklover) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Historical romance & mystery combined. A good story. Looking forward to the next one.
Lynette C. (vanascarbookworm) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 4 more book reviews
Good but not as good as the first one. I thought it went round in circles before getting to the point. All in all it was enjoyable & will read the rest of the series.
Lady Julia Grey, once she was widowed, found out that her life had been a mere shadow. She had had an adventure with a mysterious "private enquiry agent", Nicholas Brisbane, in Silent in the Grave, but thought she'd never see him again. This is where Silent in the Sanctuary begins.
Lady Grey has a large, extended family, who are introduced in various degrees - some as sub-plots and others as "red herrings" to pop up again in other books.
The murder(s) themselves are less the story line than the thread to pull one further into the story. This particular rendition was confusing because of the myriad of subplots and odd encounters.
Ms. Raybourn understands English society and spins an interesting, if not convoluted, tale. However, the twists to the story detracts from the romantic interplay between Lady Julia and Brisbane.
Lady Grey has a large, extended family, who are introduced in various degrees - some as sub-plots and others as "red herrings" to pop up again in other books.
The murder(s) themselves are less the story line than the thread to pull one further into the story. This particular rendition was confusing because of the myriad of subplots and odd encounters.
Ms. Raybourn understands English society and spins an interesting, if not convoluted, tale. However, the twists to the story detracts from the romantic interplay between Lady Julia and Brisbane.
Regina (Gr8Smokies) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 98 more book reviews
I really liked this sequel to "Silent in the Grave". Lady Julia Gray, after the disastrous events of "Silent in the Grave" (no spoilers), packs herself off to Italy. She is hoping to recover from her losses and to get away from the memory of the enigmatic Nicholas Brisbane. It does not work.
Upon her return to England, she is joined by her family (quite a colorful cast of characters) and Brisbane at the family estate. Murder and intrigue soon follow.
This was a welcome follow-up to Raybourn's first book and a very enjoyable way to pass an evening.
Upon her return to England, she is joined by her family (quite a colorful cast of characters) and Brisbane at the family estate. Murder and intrigue soon follow.
This was a welcome follow-up to Raybourn's first book and a very enjoyable way to pass an evening.
Lynn W. (ladylynn) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 100 more book reviews
The March family is gathering at their country estate, Bellmont Abbey, for Christmas. While visiting, the village curate is murdered in the Abbey Chapel and Lucy, a young cousin confesses. I figured out the real culprit early-on, but then there's an attempted double murder and two other mysterious deaths to think about. Oh! There's a jewel thief and a ghost or two in the house, too. It's an entertaining book. I recommend it.
This was the second book in the Julia Grey series and I liked this one better than the first. Id like there to be a bit more between Julia and Brisbane though. Good story; good twists; good characters; cool plot.
Juliana (philippaj) -
~ DIDN'T LIVE UP TO BOOK 1; ENJOYABLE AND NECESSARY IF YOU'RE READING THE SERIES, BUT A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING (4 stars) ~
I unfortunately did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first one. It was something of a disappointment after Silent in the Grave, which I had so very much enjoyed, and a surprise, since the overall ratings for this book were higher than the first one. I wasn't as taken with our main characters, I didn't find the mystery as compelling, and whereas the first book had me literally laughing out loud so many times, this one only drew a few inner chuckles.
It obviously wasn't bad - I gave it 4 stars - but it did not live up to Book 1 for me. Julia rubbed me the wrong way at some points in this book, appearing to me to be very temperamental, flip-floppy, snobbish, and condescending. She'll decide she's not going to like someone one minute, then they say something and she says she does like them, then she decides later that they're vile, etc. I also thought she was much more stuck-up than in Book 1, which did not endear her to me.
Brisbane is as mysterious, maddening, and elusive as ever. Threw me for SUCH a curve-ball at the beginning that I could not recover for PAGES! I began to suspect there was more to it, but my reaction at first was complete disbelief. He did not feature as heavily as he did in Book 1, which was another con for me, and his interactions were relatively few and not nearly as enjoyable or funny/sharp.
I enjoyed seeing Julia's family again and her servants; the secondary characters continue to be a great addition to the series.
BOTTOM LINE:
I went to three different library branches four times in one day, all to track down a copy of this book so I could continue the series, however in the end I think I could have afforded to wait the few days it would have taken to come in. While I enjoyed this book, it did not at all measure up to the first one for me, so while I'm glad I read it - this is definitely a series that you should read beginning to end - I will not be buying my own copy.
LADY JULIA GREY MYSTERY SERIES:
Book 1 - Silent in the Grave (5+ stars)
Book 2 - Silent in the Sanctuary (4 stars)
Book 3 - Silent On The Moor (4 stars)
Book 4 - Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5 - The Dark Enquiry
I unfortunately did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first one. It was something of a disappointment after Silent in the Grave, which I had so very much enjoyed, and a surprise, since the overall ratings for this book were higher than the first one. I wasn't as taken with our main characters, I didn't find the mystery as compelling, and whereas the first book had me literally laughing out loud so many times, this one only drew a few inner chuckles.
It obviously wasn't bad - I gave it 4 stars - but it did not live up to Book 1 for me. Julia rubbed me the wrong way at some points in this book, appearing to me to be very temperamental, flip-floppy, snobbish, and condescending. She'll decide she's not going to like someone one minute, then they say something and she says she does like them, then she decides later that they're vile, etc. I also thought she was much more stuck-up than in Book 1, which did not endear her to me.
Brisbane is as mysterious, maddening, and elusive as ever. Threw me for SUCH a curve-ball at the beginning that I could not recover for PAGES! I began to suspect there was more to it, but my reaction at first was complete disbelief. He did not feature as heavily as he did in Book 1, which was another con for me, and his interactions were relatively few and not nearly as enjoyable or funny/sharp.
I enjoyed seeing Julia's family again and her servants; the secondary characters continue to be a great addition to the series.
BOTTOM LINE:
I went to three different library branches four times in one day, all to track down a copy of this book so I could continue the series, however in the end I think I could have afforded to wait the few days it would have taken to come in. While I enjoyed this book, it did not at all measure up to the first one for me, so while I'm glad I read it - this is definitely a series that you should read beginning to end - I will not be buying my own copy.
LADY JULIA GREY MYSTERY SERIES:
Book 1 - Silent in the Grave (5+ stars)
Book 2 - Silent in the Sanctuary (4 stars)
Book 3 - Silent On The Moor (4 stars)
Book 4 - Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5 - The Dark Enquiry
Lesia S. (ga-mysteryreader) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 3 more book reviews
A complex mystery novel set in historical England. Raybourne delivers a well-researched, intricately plotted story with a strong female protagonist. Highly recommend.
Brenda K. (grammiek) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 8 more book reviews
This book is the second of the series by Deanna Raybourn. I found it as captivating as the first, SILENT IN THE GRAVE. The development of the many characters added depth to the story making it more than a thriller but a romance as well. Very eentertaining read.
Rosemary F. (canadianeh) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 242 more book reviews
This is my first Lady Julia and I love it! Descriptions and personalities are well drawn and the writing style is exceedingly good. The murder doesn't happen until about a third the way through, but the characters and their interactions in this old monastic mansion are keeping me up at night reading the next and the next. Hope the others in this book are just as good!
They story line itself was great however this book makes much easier to read if you know about dukes ladies and earls. Didn't realize this was book number 2 in a series(was given to me by a friend) however now I will be searching for the others in this series because it was a new author for me and I enjoyed it very much.
Danielle F. (dani0659) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 10 more book reviews
The series gets better with each book - although I would have liked to see more of the hero, Nicholas.
Abby T. (abbykt) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 113 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book but not much as the first one. I did not feel that the danger was a great but the murders were still good and twisted. The killer even got away with it this time. I like the chemistry between Julia and Brisbane. Raybourn leaves it hanging and open!
Juliana (philippaj) -
~ DIDN'T LIVE UP TO BOOK 1; ENJOYABLE AND NECESSARY IF YOU'RE READING THE SERIES, BUT A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING (4 stars) ~
I unfortunately did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first one. It was something of a disappointment after Silent in the Grave, which I had so very much enjoyed, and a surprise, since the overall ratings for this book were higher than the first one. I wasn't as taken with our main characters, I didn't find the mystery as compelling, and whereas the first book had me literally laughing out loud so many times, this one only drew a few inner chuckles.
It obviously wasn't bad - I gave it 4 stars - but it did not live up to Book 1 for me. Julia rubbed me the wrong way at some points in this book, appearing to me to be very temperamental, flip-floppy, snobbish, and condescending. She'll decide she's not going to like someone one minute, then they say something and she says she does like them, then she decides later that they're vile, etc. I also thought she was much more stuck-up than in Book 1, which did not endear her to me.
Brisbane is as mysterious, maddening, and elusive as ever. Threw me for SUCH a curve-ball at the beginning that I could not recover for PAGES! I began to suspect there was more to it, but my reaction at first was complete disbelief. He did not feature as heavily as he did in Book 1, which was another con for me, and his interactions were relatively few and not nearly as enjoyable or funny/sharp.
I enjoyed seeing Julia's family again and her servants; the secondary characters continue to be a great addition to the series.
BOTTOM LINE:
I went to three different library branches four times in one day, all to track down a copy of this book so I could continue the series, however in the end I think I could have afforded to wait the few days it would have taken to come in. While I enjoyed this book, it did not at all measure up to the first one for me, so while I'm glad I read it - this is definitely a series that you should read beginning to end - I will not be buying my own copy.
LADY JULIA GREY MYSTERY SERIES:
Book 1 - Silent in the Grave (5+ stars)
Book 2 - Silent in the Sanctuary (4 stars)
Book 3 - Silent On The Moor (4 stars)
Book 4 - Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5 - The Dark Enquiry
I unfortunately did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first one. It was something of a disappointment after Silent in the Grave, which I had so very much enjoyed, and a surprise, since the overall ratings for this book were higher than the first one. I wasn't as taken with our main characters, I didn't find the mystery as compelling, and whereas the first book had me literally laughing out loud so many times, this one only drew a few inner chuckles.
It obviously wasn't bad - I gave it 4 stars - but it did not live up to Book 1 for me. Julia rubbed me the wrong way at some points in this book, appearing to me to be very temperamental, flip-floppy, snobbish, and condescending. She'll decide she's not going to like someone one minute, then they say something and she says she does like them, then she decides later that they're vile, etc. I also thought she was much more stuck-up than in Book 1, which did not endear her to me.
Brisbane is as mysterious, maddening, and elusive as ever. Threw me for SUCH a curve-ball at the beginning that I could not recover for PAGES! I began to suspect there was more to it, but my reaction at first was complete disbelief. He did not feature as heavily as he did in Book 1, which was another con for me, and his interactions were relatively few and not nearly as enjoyable or funny/sharp.
I enjoyed seeing Julia's family again and her servants; the secondary characters continue to be a great addition to the series.
BOTTOM LINE:
I went to three different library branches four times in one day, all to track down a copy of this book so I could continue the series, however in the end I think I could have afforded to wait the few days it would have taken to come in. While I enjoyed this book, it did not at all measure up to the first one for me, so while I'm glad I read it - this is definitely a series that you should read beginning to end - I will not be buying my own copy.
LADY JULIA GREY MYSTERY SERIES:
Book 1 - Silent in the Grave (5+ stars)
Book 2 - Silent in the Sanctuary (4 stars)
Book 3 - Silent On The Moor (4 stars)
Book 4 - Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5 - The Dark Enquiry
What a pure delight to read, one from page one on I just couldn't put it down! A GREAT gothic, mystery with a marvelous sense of humor! The characters are terrific and unique in their own way story was more than well written, plot great and can't wait to find the next of the anything Ms. Raybourn has written!!
Rebecca B. (bookmuncher) -
This is another entertaining historical mystery/thriller from Deanna Raybourn. Lady Julia Grey returns from a restorative 6 months traveling in Italy with two of her brothers, during which she's recovered emotionally and physically from the distressing events of Silent In The Grave but has not entirely put the attractive but elusive Nicholas Brisbane out of her mind. Returning to her ancestral home for Christmas with her brothers, new sister-in-law, and a young Italian friend and admirer, she finds an unexpectedly large and varied house party that includes Brisbane, his new fiancee, and assorted aunts, cousins, and siblings and is replete with unexplained undercurrents, Gypsy prophecies and possibly supernatural occurrences. As the party become housebound by a snowstorm, murder and other crimes ensue, and Lady Julia and Brisbane must once again team up to solve the mystery, revealing family secrets and stolen jewels along the way, while Julia balances her competing interests in both Brisbane and the young Count Alessandro.
Julia Grey remains an engaging narrator and her world is interesting and well drawn. I found the mystery and its resolution a little under-clued, which is why I would rank this as somewhere between mystery and thriller, but that may just be me; and for a heroine dealing with a classic enigmatic/withholding love interest, she does less wallowing than many I found myself occasionally wondering if she and her family didn't have slightly too modern opinions for their Victorian era, but the author deserves credit for dealing with that point, through repeated mentions of the family's reputation for eccentricity.
Julia Grey remains an engaging narrator and her world is interesting and well drawn. I found the mystery and its resolution a little under-clued, which is why I would rank this as somewhere between mystery and thriller, but that may just be me; and for a heroine dealing with a classic enigmatic/withholding love interest, she does less wallowing than many I found myself occasionally wondering if she and her family didn't have slightly too modern opinions for their Victorian era, but the author deserves credit for dealing with that point, through repeated mentions of the family's reputation for eccentricity.
Crystal J. (dorolerium) reviewed Silent In The Sanctuary (Lady Julia Grey, Bk 2) on + 212 more book reviews
I really want to live in the March house. First, it sounds fantasticbut then there are secret passages and all kinds of exciting things! So minus the no heating issue, I want to live there.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://dorolerium.com/?p=164
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://dorolerium.com/?p=164
