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Lady Julia Grey #3

Silent on the Moor

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In Grimsgrave Hall, enigmatic Nicholas Brisbane has inherited a ruined estate, replete with uncanny tenants and one unwanted houseguest: Lady Julia Grey. Despite his admonitions to stay away, Lady Julia arrives in Yorkshire to find Brisbane as remote and maddeningly attractive as ever. Cloistered together, they share the moldering house with the proud but impoverished remnants of an ancient family: the sort that keeps their bloodline pure and their secrets close. Lady Allenby and her daughters, dependent upon Brisbane and devastated by their fall in society, seem adrift on the moor winds, powerless to change their fortunes. But poison does not discriminate between classes.... A mystery unfolds from the rotten heart of Grimsgrave, one Lady Julia may have to solve alone, as Brisbane appears inextricably tangled in its heinous twists and turns. But blood will out, and before spring touches the craggy northern landscape, Lady Julia will have uncovered a Gypsy witch, a dark rider, and a long-buried legacy of malevolence and evil. Deanna Raybourn spins a gripping tale of loyalty and lust, set against the wild beauty of the Yorkshire moors.

465 pages, Paperback

First published February 24, 2009

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About the author

Deanna Raybourn

39 books9,213 followers
New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn is a 6th-generation native Texan. She graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of one, Raybourn makes her home in Virginia. Her novels have been nominated for numerous awards including two RT Reviewers’ Choice awards, the Agatha, two Dilys Winns, a Last Laugh, three du Mauriers, and most recently the 2019 Edgar Award for Best Novel. She launched a new Victorian mystery series with the 2015 release of A CURIOUS BEGINNING, featuring intrepid butterfly-hunter and amateur sleuth, Veronica Speedwell. Veronica has returned in several more adventures, most recently AN IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTOR, book seven, which released in early 2022. Deanna's first contemporary novel, KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, about four female assassins on the cusp of retirement publishes in September 2022. (Please note: Deanna is not active on GR.)

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,130 reviews
Profile Image for Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽.
1,880 reviews23.3k followers
May 7, 2021
3.5 stars. Silent on the Moor is the third book in this LADY JULIA GREY series, and Julia and Nicholas Brisbane are still trying to figure out what their relationship is (and if they even have a relationship). But luckily there are mysteries to solve and murderous people to distract them (and us) from their relationship woes.

Julia, disregarding all the normal rules of British Victoian society, decides that Brisbane needs her and, moreover, needs to admit he loves her. So she travels, uninvited, with her brother Valerius and sister Portia to stay at Brisbane's new manor in the lonely moors of Yorkshire, called Grimsgrave Hall. (There's a name guaranteed to sell real estate!)

Astoundingly, something is amiss, and it's not just that Brisbane alternately kisses Julia senseless and tells her to go back to London and forget all about him. The aristocratic but indigent family that Brisbane purchased the property from is still in residence, and there's some very weird history that nobody (including Brisbane) wants to tell Julia anything about. Naturally, that doesn't stop her from poking her nose into every corner.

The mystery was creepy but enjoyable, with a fascinating Egyptian twist to it, but man, did I ever get tired of the relationship schizophrenia and Brisbane blowing hot and cold--sometimes at the same time! It was like watching a TV show where the producers are trying to sustain sexual tension by keeping the main couple apart as long as possible, even when it's really contrived.

**Spoilerish comments follow**

I thought that the romance plotline hit its sell-by date a couple of hundred pages before the author finally resolved it. And then:

description

Boom! All the problems with their relationship are suddenly solved by some deus ex machinations . . . not that these were problems in anyone's mind but Brisbane's, but whatever. The characters called it , or something like that. I call it:

description

You tell 'em, Church Lady.
Profile Image for Christel.
22 reviews7 followers
February 14, 2009
What is with the new cover? This series is so much more than "romance." In fact, what drew me to this series was the independent spirit of the heroine, Lady Julia...think Austen meets Mary Russell (the Laurie King books). I will keep reading because I'm already hooked, but I must wonder whether I would have picked up this series with this current design...I know we shouldn't judge books by their cover, but this one makes me think it is a traditional bodice-ripper which I completely detest. I am looking forward to reading this latest installment, but I may have to remove the cover when it arrives from Amazon.
Profile Image for Pepa.
1,034 reviews281 followers
September 25, 2017
Me he llevado una decepción.
Sabía que el romance no tenía peso y estaba avisada de su final, pero el suspense y el tema de investigación tiene también muy poco peso... lo cierto es que la mayor parte de la novela es una sesión de conversaciones entre sus miembros, que al final tampoco ayudan a mucho ya que desde el principio he sabido el meollo de la cuestión... quizás porque con un rincón con tan pocos personajes las opciones son realmente muy pocas
Por ahora me planto con la serie.
Esta novela ni me ha enganchado.
Profile Image for Samantha.
18 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2016
This is the end of the line for me and the Lady Julia Grey series. While the first two had some problems but were entertaining enough to be on the whole enjoyable, this one just frustrated the hell out of me.

First, the things that were about the same. The mystery is somewhat different than the others because it is more an unearthing of past crimes that have bearing on the present rather than focusing on a more recent crime as in the first two. That being said, I thought the mystery was fine, about as strong as the others (like the first book where I wished a more thorough and deeper exploration of society vis a vis the themes of the crime such as homosexuality, prostitution, disease, etc., here I also thought there should have been more examination of the broader aspects and themes of what happened). There are also familiar characters here with Valerius and Portia accompanying Julia on her journey, and familiar aspects such as the presence of the Roma that tie this book to the previous ones.

However, there are some differences here that I didn't care for: the tone is more somber overall and the crimes more gruesome, Julia is unhappy and despondent, Portia is depressed, and so on. But I could have gotten through all that and probably would have continued on with the series if it weren't for stupid Brisbane. He is a complete jackass in this book. In the first two books he would annoy me periodically, most notably by withholding information from Julia, expecting her to tell him everything, but then making it all okay because he would say things like was highly intelligent and the most equal woman he'd ever met (NB: not the same as saying she is his equal). Here that nonsense is ratcheted up levels I could not stand.

The rest of this is going to be my spoiler-y rant on the Brisbane problem:
Profile Image for Lindsay.
225 reviews37 followers
May 24, 2017
What the heck? (I want to say something else, but I'm trying to contain myself.)

This installment was my least favorite so far, and really for one main reason. Brisbane. He pushed Julia away for the most ridiculously stupid reason throughout the entire book. It just got exhausting, and it made me forget all of the redeemable qualities he'd had in the first two books. I was really disappointed in the way his and Julia's relationship was handled here. He was so secretive and manipulative and standoffish. And then at the end... Honestly, I kind of wanted Julia to leave and forget him about halfway through the book for the way he was acting. Constantly hot and cold- just stupid.

The mystery was once again pretty good, albeit with a heavily gothic tone this time. I was able to predict the main twist in the story, which I was not able to do in the first two books. I really just could not get past the stupidity of how Brisbane and Julia's relationship was handled, so everything else seemed secondary to me. I felt like this book was a bit contrived, with Brisbane returning to this place so wrapped up in his past and Julia going to him despite being told not to- it felt less than realistic to me. I guess I should be happy now that everything is settled, but I'm not. I tore through this as quickly as I possibly could, and I still love Julia, but I'm mad for her. I will continue the series, but I'll have a hard time forgetting Brisbane's constant running off and keeping things from Julia and constantly fighting his feelings for her. I feel like she deserved better.
Profile Image for Lady Wesley.
965 reviews364 followers
April 26, 2020
Upon a second listening, I have bumped this up to five stars. What an intriguing, complicated mystery. Moreover, what a beautiful romance.

Brisbane and Julia are a wonderful couple, but if he doesn’t marry her soon, I shall box his ears. And then he said this:
I will be closing up the house. I am leaving England for a while."
"For how long?" I asked him, determined to keep my composure.
"Until I am quite recovered from you," he said evenly.
"When will you return?"
"Never.”


And I knew that all would be well.
Profile Image for Hannah.
669 reviews58 followers
did-not-finish
February 19, 2016
Since I barely got beyond two chapters, I don't think it'd be fair to rate it and thus I won't.

But can I stomach more of Julia essentially throwing herself at Brisbane when he has made it quite clear (repeatedly) that he doesn't want to see her, doesn't want her around and she is most definitely unwelcome at his house? No. If it was Brisbane stalking Julia's every step and refusing to accept "no" for an answer, I suspect we'd find the behavior far more off-putting.

Even with that issue aside, I find it difficult to continue supporting an heroine who was willing to cast aside all her self-esteem and propriety to chase a man who didn't want her. And not only did Brisbane not want to marry her, he was being a complete jackass to her! I quite agreed with her brother and father's lecture to Julia - I only wish she had listened and behaved like the 30-year-old widow she is rather than acting like a willful teenager. Brisbane's I-don't-want-you denial schtick is tiresome and if Julia had an iota of sense, she would've realized that a man who was still insisting on behaving like a douche and cutting contact TWICE after getting hot and heavy with her is not worth throwing away her self-respect for. Besides, this is supposedly Victorian England and her father's an earl; why Brisbane hasn't yet been compelled to make her an offer of marriage after the way they've been carrying on is beyond me.

After that kind of opening to the book, I am quite pleased that I even managed to suppress the urge to lob the heavy tome across the room.
Profile Image for Cheesecake.
2,800 reviews505 followers
January 28, 2021
.
This book was a belly flop for me.
This is the book where Brisbane and Julia finally get together. But not only did the romance fall flat, the mystery wasn't very mysterious.
It was Gothic, for sure. And after reading this, I'd love to see the Moors someday myself. But I guessed much of the intrigue long before I should have.

Anyways, word is that Brisbane has been gifted an estate on the wild Moors of Northern England. It's a falling down ruin, and the original owners are still in residence. A few odd women who are the last in a long line of inbred blond twits.
Julia arrives with Portia and Valerian to lend a hand, but really to force Brisbane to address the elephant in the room, aka, their feelings for each other. But there's another elephant in the room.

As usual, the story would have had much less mystery if Brisbane had just shared his thoughts with Julia. But of course, he is incapable of giving anyone that kind of trust.
I did like some of the side characters and how they interconnect.
But I still think Brisbane is an asshole.

Safety is fine

OK now I am going to rant a bit about Brisbane and what a disappointing romantic lead he is.

I am interested to see if their dynamic will improve in the next book now that they are man and wife.
Profile Image for Snooty1.
443 reviews8 followers
April 4, 2017
HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!

This one is my favorite in the series so far...for SO many reasons.
1. Although I have never been to the Moors, I FEEL as though I have, thanks to the Bronte sisters, so everything surrounding this locale is always magically enhanced to me. (and usually depressing).
2. Julia grabs the bull by the horns and goes after the Brisbane. That's what I'm talking about!!!
3. Portia is in it...end of.

The story wasn't very novel or surprising. I felt annoyed that the main characters didn't seem to consider the most obvious thing staring them in the face...but its the character interactions that makes these novels for me. Everyone is coming around to Julia's new strong willed nature which I find so delightful.
My next complaint... makes me feel like a sex crazed person...but the romance is all "fade to black"! I mean COME ON!!! This series is obviously geared to adults with all the subject matter...its VERY adult...but constant FADING TO BLACK...even the kissing isn't described!!! Why have we been flirting for 3 books????

will continue with the series, because I am emotionally invested at this point.
Profile Image for Holly in Bookland.
1,328 reviews618 followers
June 20, 2015
The third book in the Lady Julia series was a little more gothic than her previous two stories. I thought it worked well, though. I felt creeped out the entire time I was reading this book! Deanna Raybourn is such a wonderful storyteller. I'm amazed with every book I read by her. I've been to so many different and unique places just by stepping into her stories and imagination. This time I was in the desolate, wild moors of England. She's so vivid with all the surroundings and even with the characters.....I just absolutely love reading DR's tales! Alas, the mystery was decent and I'm happy to see some conclusion in Brisbane & Julia's relationship. I simply cannot wait to read the rest of the series, although, because I know there's only a couple left, plus novellas, I'm pacing myself.
Profile Image for Felicia.
Author 45 books127k followers
April 30, 2009
I picked this edition because the cover on the other one looks like a reprehensible prom dress. Love this book, wraps things up very well, quite interesting torment. Although I could see the ending coming, the characters are so good that the trip was worth it. Less of a mystery than the last two installments, very evocative of Wuthering Heights or Rebecca. Still Loved it, hope the series continues!
Profile Image for Heidi.
1,354 reviews254 followers
September 4, 2024
While the ending will be satisfying for those following this fairly new Victorian mystery series, I was disappointed in the "mystery" surrounding this third Lady Jane Grey mystery. Well written but not nearly as suspenseful as the past two novels. My favorite book remains the second one- fell in love with Brisbane then!

(Reviewed 4/12/09)
Profile Image for Angie.
647 reviews1,116 followers
January 26, 2015
It's difficult for me to describe exactly how excited I was for this book to come out. Silent on the Moor was easily at the top of my most anxiously awaited books of 2009. I discovered Deanna Raybourn last year and, after blowing through the first two Julia Grey novels, have spent the last six months in that special agony reserved for the lovers of sequels. Fortunately a copy popped up at a local (ish) bookstore and I was saved from suffering through the last two weeks til its March 1st publication date.

The third installment opens with Julia's big brother Bellmont trying to talk her out of haring off to Yorkshire after Brisbane when he has made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that he does not want her anywhere near the place. Julia, of course, doesn't care a fig for Monty's scandalized pride and makes her way with all haste (and several good intentions) to the moors. Unfortunately, Brisbane's new home, Grimsgrave, is even creepier and more decrepit than he led Portia to believe in his letter. The whole place reeks of Miss Havisham's manor and, after meeting the current occupants, Julia soon realizes something is seriously amiss in this house where madness and murder walk hand in hand. Not only does she face the task of convincing Brisbane of a few increasingly important things, but Julia also finds herself uncovering hidden corpses, accepting charms from Gypsy witches, and thwarting a particularly vicious murder attempt.

Reading Silent on the Moor was an exercise in conflicting emotions. I wanted to blow right through it to the end in one sitting and I simultaneously wanted each page to last longer than it possibly could so that I could savor being back with these two characters I have come to love. I had some pretty high hopes for this one. The third book in a series such as this comes with a rather hefty share of promise resting squarely on its shoulders and can really make or a break the series as a whole, in my opinion. This one truly made it. Every hope I had was fulfilled and I found myself turning back to reread favorite passages before I was even a third of the way through the book. This practice was repeated at regular intervals for the duration--truly the mark of an excellent read around these parts. If you like literary mysteries and haven't come across this series before, for the love of all that is holy, go get them now. I am immoderately fond of them.
Profile Image for Mandy.
449 reviews9 followers
August 10, 2015
The mystery in this one is really pathetic. I guessed it all correctly from the get go. I was hoping that it would change into something far less obvious, but it didn’t. So sad. This book definitely felt like a placeholder. Or, relationship filler.

Once again, I have issues with how Julia is portrayed. Here, she’s just so desperate. I don’t know how else to view her stalking of Brisbane. Seriously. It’s stalking. So, a dude tells you he doesn’t want anything to do with you. He ignores you for months. Showing up at his house with a packed bag is not ok. There’s only one way that ends. Fine. There might be two ways that ends: restraining order or a bunny boiling on the stovetop.

I did enjoy the setting and the bleakness of the entire story. It was nice to have a darker story. I really hope that Brisbane doesn’t completely change and become a cuddly bear for the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Wanda Pedersen.
2,255 reviews347 followers
August 4, 2019
I had to order this book through interlibrary loan, but I am glad that I did. I read all 465 pages in one day--I really didn’t want to set the book down. Raybourn writes a really good Gothic murder mystery/romance.

Lady Julia Grey is part of that movement that I sense in fiction right now to feminize the story of Victorian times. The role of women was definitely undergoing change during this time period, what with Margaret Sanger’s championing of women’s rights and birth control, plus the Rational Dress and the women’s suffrage movements. Upper class women’s desires to be able to move, to not be subject to restrictive social mores, and to control their own bodies. What must it have been like to have all your choices subject to parents or brothers?

Julia is a very sympathetic character to the modern female reader. We identify with her desire to pursue what she wants (Brisbane) without having to answer to her stuffy eldest brother. She is fortunate to have a father who is willing to aid and abet. I was also glad to see that Raybourn spreads the restrictions around, writing Julia’s brother Valerius as a frustrated medical doctor. Gentlemen aren’t allowed to “practice trade,” preventing Valerius from becoming what he is meant to be and showing that even men were hemmed in by the social contract of the time.

I’m disappointed that I will once again have to specially request the next volume of this series through interlibrary loan. Plus, I am unsure where Raybourn will be able to take it after the conclusion of this installment, but I am willing to give it a try.
Profile Image for Samantha.
37 reviews
February 23, 2009
I was really disappointed in this book. I had enjoyed Raybourn's first novel, Silent in the Grave, but I feel that the overall skill, literary style, and simply classiness of the first novel had sadly deteriorated by this one. First, I think it is clear that her publishers are taking Raybourn's literary pretensions less seriously, judging from this cover as compared to the earlier ones, as well as from the fact that this book unlike previous ones was published only in paperback. It's as if Raybourn was demoted from borderline literary to borderline Harlequin over the course of her career.

Raybourn's previous strengths lay, I thought, in her ability to create a pure gothic romance in the best style of the nineteenth century, yet to maintain a sense of humor so that the worse excesses of the genre felt fresh and fun. Unfortunately this book marks a transition from a tongue in cheek dip into gothic romance to a true wallowing in the most melodramatic and overused cliches. She played a lot with Wuthering Heights's tropes and themes in this book, but again without either Bronte's passion or Raybourn's earlier humor, such moments become merely wooden and unnatural.

Lastly, on an affective reading level, the romance between Brisbane and Julia became so unbelievable as to be almost boring in this book. Why exactly are we meant to believe that Brisbane has become almost emotionally schizophrenic in this book? Either he loves or he doesn't; his scruples are wearying company the nineteenth time around. His unwillingness to marry Julia without money of his own seems contrived and just plain stupid, considering her own wealth. If Julia had any sense at all, she'd realize that anyone that perverse and contrary wasn't worth the effort. And really, is she willing to go through three books again to get him to commit to anything (ie: children, career decisions, even a dinner menu)? To paraphrase Beyonce, put a ring on it (preferably a book ago) or STFU!

PS: Raybourn also demonstrates the most callous attitude to incest and child murder possible.
Profile Image for Allison.
715 reviews421 followers
April 18, 2021
The murder, in this one, was the easiest to guess ahead of time. But there were SO MANY subplots that I think you had to have some idea of the bigger crime when you reached the final bend in the story or you would have been completely overwhelmed by everything else that happened.

What I love most about this series, anyway, is that it isn't about the mystery plot as much as it is the characters. Once the murders had been solved, there was still 50 pages left in the book to resolve the personal issues that have been brewing since the first page of Silent in the Grave.

I wouldn't recommend this series to everyone, because sometimes the story is slow-the mysteries always take awhile to get going. That fact THRILLS me because I am so desperately in love with all the characters, but perhaps it isn't a format that would please everyone.

I can't wait for the next one! (um...there WILL be a next one, right?)

Oh...and one last thing: I hate the covers. It makes the series seem like trashy romance, but believe me it is NOT. The chemistry between Brisbane and Jane is electrifying, make no mistake-but it comes from their strong personalities and wit, not the bedroom.
Profile Image for Jeannine.
1,003 reviews75 followers
September 6, 2021
I loved this third installment of the Lady Julia series when I read it the first time and it was even better upon reread. Despite the setting being remote and the cast being limited, this is a roller coaster. Heads up: you will have a sad, book hangover when it’s over.

I love how Raybourn resolves her mysteries a good 50 pages from the end, then addresses the relationship loose ends (if you aren’t gutted by the “never” scene on the moor, you might be dead), and then the final 2-3 chapters almost become bonus material. The most epic of epilogues.

There are two more books in the series and several novellas, but this one marks the end of one phase of the story, which is why I left me a little sad, despite a happy ending.
Profile Image for Kaethe.
6,545 reviews531 followers
August 14, 2019
I'm indifferent to bored by the supernatural element, but I love all the gothicky goodness. Raybourn knows her stuff.

Library copy
Profile Image for Usha.
138 reviews4 followers
January 25, 2020
Should be titled Boring on the Moor. Brisbane is a stubborn ass. The mystery is dull and dismal.
Profile Image for Alba Turunen.
822 reviews265 followers
September 8, 2017
4'5 Estrellas. Me ha gustado mucho, pero no más que los anteriores, y eso que aquí se consolida algo que llevo esperando todos los libros. Si le he bajado estrellita es porque ésta historia me resultó algo más farragosa que las otras historias. Hasta la mitad del libro no consigues ver la trama, no sabes por donde irá, pero por suerte la autora ha recuperado su esencia al final.

Ésta vez el libro nos traslada al Yorkshire rural. Nicholas Brisbane adquirió una casa ruinosa que quiere reformar para hacerla más cómoda, y le pidió a Portia, la hermana de Julia, ayuda para ésa tarea, con la condición de que no trajera a Julia, pero nuestra protagonista hace oídos sordos, y acude junto con su hermana a la casa de Brisbane para dejarle claro qué hay entre ellos.

Lo que Julia no esperaba es que la casa ya estuviera habitada por mujeres de la anterior familia, una madre y dos hijas, de un ilustre linaje, pero sin dinero. Lo raro en la historia tendrá que ver con ésta familia y su casa en general. Lo bueno es que Deanna Raybourn nos presenta una historia bastante truculenta, pero que si miras bien, te puede resultar hasta cierto punto lógica.

En este libro se desentrañarán más secretos, sobre todo referentes al pasado de Brisbane, y a su primera familia. Aunque estoy satisfecha con el final, pues es lo que llevaba esperando mucho tiempo, admito que no me he dado cuenta del cómo se ha producido, o del cambio de parecer de Brisbane. Admiro a Julia, es una joven viuda respetable, de una noble y excéntrica familia, que no tiene nada que perder, y a quien no le importa perseguir por media Inglaterra a su amado con tal de poner fin o iniciar lo que hay entre ella y Brisbane.

Sí, me ha dejado muy satisfecha, y con ganas de saber qué ocurrirá en los siguientes libros, y más ahora con ambos juntos.
Profile Image for Jewlsbookblog.
2,203 reviews74 followers
October 8, 2019
I liked a lot about this book. There were so many characters with great personalities ranging from colorful, simple, deceptive, and funny. Then there’s the twisted family history of Nicholas’s new home, Julia’s sibling drama, and, of course, Nicholas and Julia’s non-relationship! It still ran from hot to arctic cold, keeping me quite frustrated at times! There was also a too-convenient wrap up at the end, but that’s another matter....

Dark family secrets, haunting moors, and new revelations kept me engaged in Lady Julia’s adventures until the end. While I had a few peevish moments, the overall story was an intriguing read.
Profile Image for Ruth.
595 reviews40 followers
January 8, 2010
How is it possible that Deanna Raybourn’s third Julia Grey novel is even better and more thoroughly enjoyable than the first two in the series? The mind boggles at the possibility, but it’s true – in my book Raybourn has achieved the rare feat of crafting characters and stories so engaging that each installment is more enthralling and satisfying than the last. Where the second book in the series, Silent in the Sanctuary, gave readers a more self-assured Lady Julia, now more than ever she wants and isn’t afraid to flout every convention society holds dear in order to live life on her own terms. Having reached the tipping point in her maddening on again, off again romance with Nicholas Brisbane, Julia decides to take matters into her own hands and force a resolution or walk away from him forever. Accompanied by siblings Portia and Valerius, she descends on Brisbane’s newly-acquired estate, appalled to find Grimsgrave in disrepair, the house occupied by the mysterious Allenby ladies with ties to Brisbane’s past, and Brisbane himself shockingly cold towards her. Never one to take no for an answer, Julia settles in for the duration, determined to break through the barriers Brisbane’s installed around his heart. What she doesn’t bargain on is the revelation of Nicholas's painful past, coupled with the discovery of horrifying secrets Grimsgrave manor has sheltered for years.

The biggest draw of this series isn’t the mysteries themselves (though I do think those have improved with each successive book), but Raybourn’s unique and engaging characters. It’s been so much fun to watch Julia embrace her unorthodox March family heritage, and grow into an independent, unconventional, wickedly funny and sarcastic heroine. That would perhaps be enough, but Julia’s wonderfully realized family of eccentrics and rebels tips the scales in the character development department from excellent to brilliant. Julia’s relationships with the various members of the March clan play a big role in what makes visiting her world so much fun, and such a sheer joy to read about. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this third Julia Grey novel is that finally, at long last, Raybourn gives us some answers regarding the frustrating yet ever-appealing Nicholas Brisbane’s past. Brisbane's past has always been closely guarded, shrouded in secrecy, but with Julia more determined than ever to break down his defenses we finally get to learn the man's secrets. It's a mark of just how much I love these characters that learning their secrets doesn't make them any less interesting - rather, all the revelations about Nicholas's character make me love him and his relationship with Julia all the more.

The atmosphere of the moor is the perfect setting for a story where long buried family secrets come to light and isolation fosters insane schemes for revenge. The setting seems to owe much inspiration to stories like The Hound of the Baskervilles and most especially, Wuthering Heights (some villagers are even named Earnshaw – loved that!). The mood and the long-festering revenge schemes all put one in mind of Ms. Bronte, only with Raybourn’s own unique and colorful spin. Her books have proven to be highly addictive; the only downside to this is that one tends to read them far too quickly. I find myself wanting to savor my time with Julia and Nicholas and the friends that people their world – but I fly through the pages of Raybourn’s novels at lightspeed (there’s worse problems, right? *wink*). Nicholas and Julia's story has been one of the best romances I've read in recent memory, each scene positively crackling with romantic tension. I only hope this isn't the end of Nicholas and Julia's adventures, as they're one of the most fascinating - and fun - pair of detectives you'd ever hope to come across. Ms. Raybourn's next book release can't come soon enough to suit me!
Profile Image for Maggie.
437 reviews434 followers
September 6, 2016
My notes for this book just say, "Goddamn it, I love you, Nicholas Brisbane!!"
Profile Image for Angela.
323 reviews63 followers
March 8, 2017
The main mystery was a bit too simplistic for me as I figured it out early on. I do enjoy reading about the March family and that probably helps to keep my interest in the series.
Profile Image for TheMadHatter.
1,526 reviews35 followers
February 7, 2019
First Read: 30 Jan 2016

Second Read: 7 Feb 2019: How misleading is that cover? This is not a bodice ripper at all - this is a historical murder mystery with a side romance....hmmm...anyway, another re-read and I loved it (and Julia and Brisbane) as much the second time around as I did the first time around. More of Julia constantly running after Brisbane that actually got me a bit frustrated in this one which is why I am keeping the rating at 4 stars as a few times I thought "Enough Julia. Show some self-worth/respect and stop running after him and go back to London".

Original review

The third book in the Lady Julia Grey series. If you like the first book, then you will like the second and you will like the third. If you disliked the first book, then stop reading as they don't change.

This book is more of the same. Another mystery to solve. Another location (Complete with gothic manor and dysfunctional Wuthering heightseque family). Late 1800s time period. A new cast of characters intermixing with the old regulars of Julia, Brisbane and Portia (and their troop of animals).

Raybourn does something very atypical in her mystery writing. That is, the murder/mystery happens quite a way into the book as opposed to the opening chapters. This book was more about scene setting and character development until about half way in where it turns into a family mystery involving mummified baby twins. This mystery is the easiest to solve of all the books, but the author ties up all the loose ends very neatly.

Raybourn also does something very atypical in her romance writing. That is, she does everything in her power to keep the two main characters apart. Julia arrives at Brisbane's estate and you think "Yes. Now we are going to get this thing resolved between them" and the next minute he takes off on business for a few weeks leaving Julia on her own. Romance writers go out of their way to get the two characters to interact. Raybourn is just a big tease. And it works! It is just the right amount of romance to not overshadow the mystery aspects of the books.

Really like this series. Really like the time period. Really like that Julia and Brisbane finally got an ending....of sorts. On to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Michelle.
616 reviews150 followers
June 16, 2009
Lady Julia Grey has had enough. Despite Brisbane's best efforts to keep her safely out of his path, she has decided to follow her sister Portia to his remote Yorkshire estate, Grimsgrave, on the pretext of helping him to outfit the place. Despite his strong feelings for her (and she for him) Brisbane decidedly does not want Julia to come to his new home but Julia convinces her reluctant family to let her go and force Brisbane to decide once and for all what is to become of their relationship. Upon arriving at the mysterious Grimsgrave, Julia finds things are not as calm as they appeared and she slowly unravel mystery after mystery surrounding the the previous owners of Grimsgrave and their connection to Brisbane. All my favorite elements from previous books are once again out in force - gypsies, the quirky Grim, servants who will happily spill gossip for a chance to chat with the lovely Lady Julia, and of course, bodies that keep popping up. Not to mention Julia's frequent interactions with her hilarious family - Julia and Portia's exchanges frequently had me in stitches.

This third installment of Raybourn's fantastic series is a real standout. I felt the mystery itself was much more unexpected yet entirely believable and for that reason all the more horrifying. Julia really comes into her own as well. Always outspoken, she finds herself for the first time on equal footing with Brisbane and adeptly holds her own. I loved it.

Lady Julia Grey is my hero. Not only is she smart and an extremely good dresser but she just so happens to expertly solve the most puzzling mysteries that normal people would run screaming away from. Her curiosity is one of her most intriguing characteristics - she is logical, methodical and can give one cutting remark. I love her. I want to be her. And I also want Brisbane. And Ms. Raybourne, just so you know, I sleep much better at night just thinking that a Brisbane could possibly be wandering around this earth. Thank you.
Profile Image for Amarilli 73 .
2,682 reviews87 followers
January 5, 2018
Secondo l'opinione comune, l'omicidio è un difetto tipico della borghesia. Gli aristocratici si ritiene siano superiori a tali sgradevole bassezze.
Concordo su chi ha detto che è forse tra i migliori della serie, sempre in crescendo sino a questo gioiellino.
Ammetto che già il richiamo a certe atmosfere di Cime Tempestose (e la Raybourn ci gioca alla grande, scherzando spesso sul confronto Brisbane-Heathcliff) me lo ha fatto amare sin dalle prime pagine, ma ho trovato stupenda l'ambientazione in questo maniero in rovina e sperduto tra le brughiere, con vento, lago maledetto, campane sepolte sul fondo che rintoccano annunciando la morte in arrivo...
Non bastasse l'elemento gotico, c'è pure l'aggiunta delle note dell'antico Egitto, le tradizioni della mummificazione, e le immancabili incursioni dei comprimari zingari.
E poi c'è la famiglia del luogo, con i propri esemplari algidi e bellissimi.
Brisbane giganteggia nel suo pudore per la forza del sentimento che lo sospinge verso Julia. Il suo passato viene disvelato ancora un poco, mentre le sorelle March sono sottoposte ad altre prove.
Un giallo perfetto e ben congegnato.
E lady Julia è lady Julia.
Profile Image for Noelia.
295 reviews11 followers
June 6, 2017
De Londres a la casa familiar con asesinato, y de ahí a los sombríos páramos. Con un toque a lo "Cumbres borrascosas" por la ambientación, es el libro en el que más conocemos a Brisbane y su pasado. También es el libro más romántico, todo lo que lo pueda ser esta serie, pero es algo que siempre es secundario en la serie, no esperéis escenas de pasión porque no las hay en ninguno de los libros, al menos "frente a las cámaras". Más secretos, más mentiras y más crímenes por resolver en un ambiente tan solitario como opresivo.
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