[.ca] Silent In The Grave (ISBN 0778324109)

Well-written page turner:
Deanna Raybourn has successfully created a strong heroine, who through the opportunity to tackle the mystery of her murdered husband, emerges from being a mousey wife to a formidable partner to the enigmatic, private investigator Nicholas Brisbane. Smart banter between Julia, the heroine, and Brisbane creates a delicious sub-story that leaves the reader expecting for more. Somewhat reminiscent of the partnerings of Mulder and Scully - lots of mystery with a touch of sexual tension. Great read!

Mesmerising Mystery:
In 1886, Lady Julia Grey's husband, Edward, dies suddently of a suspected heart problem. During her period of mourning, she is visited by private detective Nicholas Brisbane, who reveals that Edward had hired him to find the source of some threatening letters. This raises the possibility that her husband may have been murdered. Probing into the past, Julia discovers disturbing information about Edward, a side she never really knew or imagined..Intrigued; she joins Brisbane on a quest to solve the mystery. Narrated in the first person in Julia's words, this historical fiction is finely detailed, impressive and is a mesmerizing mystery. Julia Grey is a brilliant creation, a tough and intelligent woman way ahead of her time; on the other hand Brisbane is depicted as an intriguing and an intelligent investigator. The chemistry between them is well defined and titillating, I absolutely loved them. The story has many twist and turns, a real page turner. Some may consider this book a long Gothic Romance with sequels to tie loose ends. As a change I like reading this style and I am looking forward to the sequel "Silent in the Sanctuary".

Death, Mourning and a Victorian Mystery: Murder Shrieks Out:
Deanna Raybourne's SILENT IN THE GRAVE, is a hard to put down Victorian mystery, both suspenseful and humorous in its details, that unmasks the consequences of that society's moral, gender and class codes upon individuals within society. As the narrator records the twisting hunt for clues to the identity of the killer, she also discovers her own identity. Julia Grey's husband Sir Edward collapses, dying in front of her and a house full of guests. Victorian mourning customs come into play as new black clothing must be ordered along with black bordered stationery. The Ghoul, Aunt Hermia, comes to visit and partake in the latest society mourning rituals. When Nicholas Brisbane tells Julia of tales of threatening notes to her late husband and his fear of being murdered, Julia discounts his tale at first. When she finds a vicious threatening note herself while sorting through out her husband's things, Julia rethinks her position Now, Julia joins Nicholas in an investigation and search for clues to unmask the details behind her husband's death. Julia's search for justice brings her head to head against some of the unspoken rules of morality and a woman's place in Victorian society. As she follows the path of clues, Julia steps out of her familiar world, exploring gypsy customs, brothels and even looks into the practices of medicine in her day. The dark enigmatic Nicolas encourages and challenges Julia, becoming an inspiration and even catalyst for her to confront her own ideas and move beyond herself. As Julia uncovers more and more layers of the thickening mystery, she also lays bare some foundations of Victorian society and morality. Before she can unmask the killer, Julia must put aside those notions of what is proper for a woman in her position and look into and unmask the unspoken the class divisions, the repressed sexuality, and a women's role in society. Deanna Raybourne locates the home as the structural and emotional as the center of this historical mystery as indeed it was in Victorian society. As Julia steps across some some of the boundaries prescribed to her as a woman of a certain class and away from the home, her character evolves and becomes more herself through an inner journey that follows her hunt for clues. At the end of this exquisite mystery, the reader cries and laughs and hopes alongside Julia. SILENT IN THE GRAVE is a mystery rich in well-researched historical details but also a fast-paced read as each clue unmasks another mysterious layer. Infused with sadness, SILENT IN THE GRAVE provides humorous relief as the clues lead the reader into an ever increasing dark reality hidden by the masks of Victorian society. The unmasking of the villain leads to ever increasing shocking details. Murder will out, not only the deed but all the dark truths behind the deed. An exceptional emotional and riveting read!