Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

[meganbmoore]

This is hailed as a Victorian mystery thriller, but the mystery is very secondary. I’d label it as historical fiction before I’d label it as historical mystery. While there’s a mystery and even a couple of supporting mysteries, the book itself is not a mystery novel.

When Lady Julia Grey’s husband, Edward, drops dead at a party, and investigator named Nicholas Brisbane warns her that it could be murder. As her husband has been ill, Julia dismisses his suspicions, and it is determined that he died of natural causes. A year later, however, however, threatening letters appear that cause Julia to be suspicious. Though they had been friends since childhood, Julia and Edward’s marriage had been a cold one. Despite this, Julia is determined to learn the truth of Edward’s death, and enlists Brisbane’s help in doing so.

Julia’s voice (the book is in first person) is wonderful and strong and there are a number of hysterical lines and exchanges. Her family and staff both-as well as several other characters-are beautifully eccentric, and I especially like Julia’s horror when she realizes that one of her aunts thinks she should remain in mourning for years. There are a number of darker elements, too, including some historically accurate comments regarding race that are jarring today, and Julia having to deal with realizing that she isn’t as forward thinking and accepting as the thinks she is.

The format is also interesting. The each chapter ends on either a cliffhanger or a foreboding hint about the future, mimicking the release of books at the time. As a result, each chapter also has its own title page, resulting in my constantly going “But all the trees that died in service of the packaging!”

I have some problems with some later revelations, but really liked it overall. It reminded me of Tasha Alexander’s And Only to Deceive. I think Raybourn’s book is better written and more entertaining, but it doesn’t have as much growth and exploration for the heroine as the Alexander did.

Comments

[oxymoronassoc.livejournal.com]

I liked that book a lot. I need to get the next one.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

I want to read the next one, but it's also one of those things where I;m not sure a sequel would have the same effect.

[oxymoronassoc.livejournal.com]

I totally know what you mean, but I have hope. This book sort of reminded me of a less-fluffy version of that set of Victorian mystery-romances Amanda Quick did.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

Oh, Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle...the only author who can literally release the same book over and over with new characters and settings, and have me still buy them every time.