Dark Road to Darjeeling (A Lady Julia Grey Mystery)

This series is always good about keeping the plot threads going through series as a whole. The cousins from 2 have returned here for a bit of resolution. Foundations are laid and we find others here as well. No plot spoilers for previous books but enough to make them series not stand alone more than by virtue of the characters. Very sad ending to this mystery but it fits in with the facts well.

This is the fourth book in Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series and I liked the book, but it wasn't my favorite of the series. First, you just have way too many people dying - 4 to be exact and that doesn't include the person who was murdered before they came to investigate. Second, Julia and Brisbane fight way too much -- I'm a non-violent person, but I think I'd pop Julia in the mouth myself if I had to live with her. Third, [you have a child who commits murder knowingly and is then himself murdered by his own father. (hide spoiler)]

Julia and Brisbane have spent nine months touring the Mediterranean for their honeymoon. During a romantic dinner they look up to find Julia's sister (Portia) and brother (Plum) coming to their table. It turns out that Portia's former lover (Jane) is now a widow and she's fearful that her husband was murdered. They want Julia and Brisbane to go to India with them to investigate.

Here's one part that will cause you to have to suspend your beliefs -- two different sets of distant cousins of Julia's live in this valley. One set has been there for generations and the other (who is unknown to the first set) has only been there a short while.

We meet Brisbane's father in this book. Talk about a total jerk! Black Jack Brisbane also lives in this distant, remote little valley in India -- too much of a coincidence to suit me!

There are some really strange people in this book -- it is like the author had a semi-bad/strange dream one night and decided to put all of those weird characters in this book. There is a 'free thinking' American (wife) who was raised in what sounds like a description of a new age nudist colony. She has a pet snake that she wears in her hair. Her husband is a preacher who doesn't preach, but raises tea and orchids and both of them totally ignore their children.

Anyway -- it is a fairly good read -- if you can suspend your belief in reality.

Like many mid-series books, I had both giddy, unrestrained expectations and somewhat hesitant reservations for Dark Road to Darjeeling. If the Lady Julia Gray series had been a trilogy, it was perfect in my eyes, especially the conclusion of Silent on the Moor. Really, I couldn't have asked for more. That said I was still very ecstatic about the prospect of another book with the darkly intriguing Brisbane and charmingly obstinate Julia, but it was hard not to think for just a second that the streak for near perfection would be tainted somehow. This reservation was compounded by the fact that this was a transitional book for these two. I was a tad afraid that their relationship wouldn't have that same spark that made the first three books so special.

Again, as many of the most beloved books do, I'm left speechless, and Dark Road to Darjeeling is just one of those stumpers. Where the mystery twists and turns may have become routine or Julia and Brisbane's relationship could've lost its distinctive tug-of-war, it didn't. The suspects were myriad and the motives complex. The change in location to totally unfamiliar territory - India - evidently proved inspiring rather than stifling. Along with Julia, I was alternately enchanted and frightened by the lush location and fooled as to the true identities and motives of those around her. Brisbane is as dashing, mysterious, and at times as frustrating as ever. The real stand out is their amazingly organic professional and personal relationship. They push and pull at one another and yet complement each other very well. I love watching them argue and care. It's a given that I've already reread my favorite passages, many of which include only Julia and Brisbane. I also continue to be touched and entertained by the March family, especially Portia. It was a treat, too, to have light shed on their brother Plum. As you can guess, Julia isn't always quick-witted enough to divert disaster or self-sabotage. She is the everyman's detective and you can't help but love her in her fallible, amateur ways. After all we'd all like to think of ourselves as having dormant, secret abilities. If you are a fan at all of Victorian era historical fiction, mystery, and a little romance please pick up this series already, you won't be disappointed. Dark Road to Darjeeling is one of the best written Lady Julia books yet.

Lady Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane (Brisbane) have been on their honeymoon for 8 months before they are interrupted by Julia's sister Portia and brother Plum. This little interruption results in the party travelling to India to investigate a murder. Jane Cavendish, Portia's ex-partner, is newly widowed. The circumstances of Jane's husband Freddie Cavendish's death cause questions to be asked, the big one being was Freddie murdered? Which leads on to why was he murdered? Jane is pregnant and if a boy is born could be set to inherit the family estate, including tea plantation. Is Jane one of the suspects? If Jane is not responsible could her life now be in danger and the life of her unborn child as well?

Brisbane is a detective and Julia an aspiring detective, always trying to find a way to involve herself in Brisbane's work, fancying herself to be quite a good partner. Although Brisbane would probably prefer Julia keep her nose out of his investigations they do make a good team and together they work to uncover the truth.

In the beautiful foothills of the Himalayas it seems almost everyone in town is considered a suspect, all in some way seeming to profit from the death of Freddie. In Dark Road to Darjeeling we meet a myriad of interesting characters, delve into their secret lives, discover scandals and become well acquainted with the eccentric, malicious and colourful inhabitants.

Further, we witness the love, lust and camaraderie of Julia and Brisbane's relationship. Never without a dull moment, these two seem perfect for each other, even though some may argue the opposite. Danger seems to knock at their door and sometimes they face it together, sometimes alone, but always with concern for the other. I really enjoyed reading the passages Julia and Brisbane were the stars of, definitely a relationship I would love to read more about. They seem to have this magic between them and even though they have the odd rough patch here and there you just know what they feel for each other will see them through.

Dark Road to Darjeeling is set in 1889, mixing together the English and Indian, adding murder and secrecy, making for the perfect historical mystery. All the way through I was trying to guess, first of all, if there was a murder and secondly, who on earth was the murderer. I must admit right to the end I was suspecting another twist to come out of left field.

This fourth Lady Julia Grey novel is the first I've read in this series and don't worry if you haven't read the previous three; I don't think it takes anything away from this book. You don't need to have read the previous books but that doesn't mean to say me personally won't in the future. I would certainly like to read more about Lady Julia Grey.

Having said all of that, Dark Road to Darjeeling was an engaging read, even though I may not have ultimately liked the ending. The main characters shone throughout but the secondary characters had a huge impact on my overall reading enjoyment. There will be more Lady Julia Grey on my shelves in the future.

Many thanks to Erin McNichols from Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc for providing me with a copy of Dark Road to Darjeeling and introducing me to Lady Julia Grey. Thank you, Erin!

The story starts out well enough with Julia and Brisbane on their honeymoon. But it soon lost a bit of steam for me and I found myself disinterestedly putting it down quite a few times only to pick it up again quite a few times. I did pick up the book again this week it did finally click with me.

The mystery Julia is trying to solve is who killed Freddie Cavendish. Freddie happens to be the husband of Portia's former lover Jane. The man Jane left Portia for because she wanted to marry and have a family. Now, Jane is pregnant and possibly in danger. Portia has conscripted Julia, Brisbane and Plum to travel to India to protect Jane until she delivers and can travel back to England. Portia fears that the motive for Freddie's death has to do with his inheritance and Jane and her unborn child may be the next victims.

So Julia proceeds with her investigation with this in mind. Along the way she meets various people in the smallish community where Jane now lives and unearths all kinds of secrets and some surprising revelations that hit very close to home. The mystery actually morphs into several little mysteries. As I finally sunk into the story (thank goodness!) it flowed well and I didn't want to put it down. I found the trajectory of the mystery much better as the narrative went on. The ending was gratifying, surprising and a little melancholy.

While the stories are always told from Julia's point of view, I find Brisbane to be the real center of the series. He's a strong and fascinating character. The romance reader in me enjoys the love life of the two central protagonists. This installment includes a nice realistic glimpse into the ways that Julia and Brisbane are adjusting to married life.

I think ultimately what made this book a lesser installment for me was the lack of involvement of the rest of the Marsh family. Yes, Plum and Portia were there, but I have found that a lot of my enjoyment of this series stems from Julia's (and Brisbane's) interaction with her whole family.

Still I am glad I soldiered through and finished this one

(4.5 stars) Lady Julia Grey -- nay, Brisbane! -- returns for a fourth murder mystery, and this time she is on her honeymoon trip. We catch up with her; her sometimes brooding private enquiry agent (detective) husband, Nicholas Brisbane; and two of her siblings, Portia and Plum. Actually, Brisbane isn't with them yet -- he parted from them in Calcutta and will catch them up. The rest of the group laboriously make their way out of Darjeeling with porters and a caravan of donkeys. They're headed for a remote tea estate called "the Peacocks" where Portia's love in the earlier books, Jane, has summoned them to look into the suspicious death of her husband. Jane is not only a widow but also pregnant, and if the child is a boy, he will be heir to the estate. That could endanger both the baby and Jane. Portia naturally wants to protect them, and who better to help than Julia and Brisbane.

At and near the Peacocks, Julia becomes acquainted with a new set of suspects. There is the family of Portia's dead husband, Freddie Cavendish. There are the nearby reverend, his naturalist son, and his Bohemian wife and daughter. There is lost soul Dr. Llewellyn. There is the mysterious White Rajah who abides in an abandoned monastery. There are the two half-castes, one of whom prefers Indian ways and the other English. There is the leprous old woman at the local crossroads.

Also in the area are Julia's two cousins who first appeared in Silent in the Sanctuary: A Lady Julia Grey Mystery, Emma and Lucy Phipps. Since these sisters left England under a cloud, the question is whether their story will satisfactorily resolved here. Or will there continue to be doubt about their motives and actions?

As a married couple, Julia and Brisbane's main point of contention has to do with whether she should be active in his investigations. Both chafe, thinking the other is trying to make them dance to a tune they would rather not even hear. They argue strenuously about the matter, and more than once Brisbane puts Julia under lock and key to keep her safe. Of course, the irrepressible Julia won't be deterred -- and does find herself in mortal danger. But she also begins to realize that Brisbane is trained in his profession (he reminds one of Sherlock Holmes sometimes) and perhaps she needs to make fewer demands to be his full detecting partner.

Dark Road to Darjeeling is a fine addition to the Lady Julia series. It is smartly written and plotted, with a number of genuinely surprising jolts. It also contains a few developments that are extremely sad. Frankly, I could have done without two of them. However, Deanna Raybourn deserves credit for refusing to compromise in her depiction of human complexity and of the ambiguities and regrets which we all accumulate. She tackles some exceedingly dark possibilities of life.
Recommended.

Ensconced in marital bliss, Lady Julia Grey and her husband, Nicholas Brisbane, are enjoying their honeymoon tour immensely. Unfortunately, as they explore the Mediterranean, their idyll is interrupted by the arrival of Julia's sister, Portia, and brother Plum. Never one to turn her back on family, however inconvenient, Julia cannot ignore Portia's plea for help. A dear friend's husband has died, and there is a suspicion of murder.

The group immediately sets off for India where they will stay at the Peacocks with the eccentric Cavendish family as they set about discovering the truth of Freddie Cavendish's passing. An inveterate playboy and gambler, Freddie's death from an infected snake bite seems highly suspicious, and his pregnant widow, Jane, whom they have known for years, and her unborn child may be in grave danger.

The Peacocks is a flourishing tea plantation now run by Freddie's cousin, Harry Cavendish. Harry loves the plantation, situated at the foot of the imposing Himalayas, and runs it well. Unfortunately, if Jane gives birth to a boy, Harry will see all to which he has devoted his life slip through his fingers. Itching to solve another mystery and prove to her detective husband that she, indeed, knows what she's doing, Julia dives into the case headfirst. But where to start? The list of suspects grows daily, and no one is above suspicion.

While Harry makes a perfect suspect, his maiden aunt, the stiff and proper Miss Cavendish, also has no desire to see her life change. The Peacocks is the center of her universe, and she runs the household meticulously. To see it fall into Jane's hands is simply unacceptable. Add to the cast of characters the Reverend Featherstone and his extraordinary wife, Cassandra; a beautiful half-caste governess, Miss Thorne; her equally gorgeous sister, Lalita; a mysterious man known as the White Rajah, who lives in an old monastery; Julia's distant cousins, Emma and Lucy, who have been suspected of murder before; and the drunken widower Dr. Llewellyn, and there are plenty of people with motive for Julia to investigate.

In this magical, mystical land, murder takes on an even more sinister twist. A murderer is not the only thing the group needs to beware of, though. An unusual black tiger is hungry for blood as well and lurks in the undergrowth of the small town. It's enough to make even the most composed investigator's hair stand on end.

DARK ROAD TO DARJEELING is the fourth book in the Lady Julia Grey series. We get to know Julia and Nicholas even better as they touchily settle into married life, reacquaint with Plum and Portia, and watch them all grow as characters. The secondary players are nothing short of fascinating, and the India setting adds atmosphere galore. When I picked up Deanna Raybourn's first novel, SILENT IN THE GRAVE, I knew after reading a few pages that I was a fan --- and that hasn't changed. Like fine wine, her books just get better over time. There is a depth to the stories and the characters that enchants and entertains like no other. These titles transport me to another time and place, a place I will visit time and time again.

--- Reviewed by Amie Taylor

I have been looking forward to reading the Dark Road to Darjeeling since it came out. I had to wait until Christmas though because it knew I would be getting it as a present. Needless to say it was the first book I picked up from my rather large pile of book gifts. I really adore the Julia Grey Mystery series, in my opinion it ranks right up there with my favorite mystery series of all time, the Amelia Peabody Mysteries by Elizabeth Peters. There are many similarities between the books, but the Julia Grey Mysteries are really original and the mysteries themselves are excellent. The Dark Road to Darjeeling is no exception. Everytime I finish one of them I begun to wonder if it is possible for Deanna Raybourn to top it and she always rises to my expectations. They almost get better as they go along.

The novel opens with Julia and Brisbane in the midst of their honeymoon. They have been traveling for some time together and despite the fact that they have enjoyed the quality time both are longing for a bit of mystery and danger, even though they will not admit it to each other. When Portia (Julia's sister) and Plum (Julia's brother) arrive and request the newlyweds help in traveling to India to help out an old friend, Jane, whose husband, Freddie Cavendish recently died leaving her and their unborn child alone on a tea plantation with no friends. Julia and Brisbane both suspect some sinister has happened to Freddie Cavendish and it leads them into a mystery that is full of family secrets, village gossip and sinister plots.

I think one of the strongest points in this novel is the continual tension between Brisbane and Julia despite their newly marriage status. The first three books in this series are full of this tension so it is interesting that even though they are married, Deanna Raybourn is able to keep evolving their relationship. That is one of the most important similarities between Amelia Peabody mysteries and Julia Grey mysteries. The relationship between Amelia and Emerson sets the stage for the rest of the book and that is why I never tire of these books because there is always tension present. I think it will be important for Deanna Raybourn to keep this tension present throughout all of the rest of the books she chooses to write in the series.

Another strong factor in this book is the wonderful detail descriptions of Darjeeling and India. Deanna Raybourn has never seen these places herself but she manages to make readers feel like they are there and seeing it with her. It is really commendable that she is able to write about somewhere she has never been so well. The details of the time period, and place really enhance the novel. I always look forward with anticipation for the next Julia Grey Mystery.

"Dark Road to Darjeeling" is Deanna Raybourn's fourth "Lady Julia Gray novel," and a lot has happened to Julia since I last visited her. "Silent in the Grave," the first book in the series, is the only other Julia Gray novel I have read, so I was a little surprised to see that in 1889, as the novel opens, Julia and Nicholas Brisbane have married. The two are, in fact, on the eighth month of their extended honeymoon travels around the Mediterranean.

Seated in a Cairo restaurant, and about to discuss what their lives will be like when they return to England, Julia and Brisbane are surprised by the sudden arrival of Portia and Plum, Julia's sister and brother. Portia delivers the upsetting news that her former lover, Jane Cavendish, believes her husband has been murdered on the Himalayan tea plantation on which Jane very soon expects to give birth to their child. Julia, solid amateur detective that she considers herself to be, agrees to accompany Portia and Plum to the plantation to see what they can learn there about the supposed murder. Brisbane, professional detective that he is, reluctantly agrees to go with them because he knows the dangerous mischief Julia is likely to get into on her own.

At the plantation, Julia and Brisbane find it easier to identify the numerous people who would benefit from Freddie Cavendish's death than it is to determine whether he was even murdered. His aunt and cousin share an obvious motive: financial control of the tea plantation. Others, including some of the plantation's expatriate neighbors and one or two of the Indians employed in service, have equally compelling, but less obvious, reasons for wanting to see Freddie dead. A more immediate concern for Julia and Brisbane is whether Jane and her baby are in danger from the same hand that might have ended Freddie's life.

"Dark Road to Darjeeling" is a very good Victorian mystery, but that is not the best thing about this book. What most makes this series memorable is the relationship between Lady Gray and Brisbane, two characters who were meant for each other and for no one else. Julia is an independent, stubborn, confident and competitive young woman with a remarkable sense of humor. She loves her husband completely but cannot help herself when it comes to competing with him to be the first to solve a mystery. Brisbane is her perfect match, a man who admires her skills, finds it difficult to say no to her, and knows how to protect her from her most dangerous impulses.

It is great fun to watch the two of them at work amidst the vivid 1880s atmosphere in which Deanna Raybourn places them. Raybourn populates this remote Indian outpost (neither Julia, nor Brisbane are quite sure where they are anymore) with exactly the type of eccentric characters one would expect to find in such an isolated part of the world. One or two of the mystery's evolving coincidences do require the reader to make a conscious effort to suspend disbelief for a moment, but that is part of the fun. Lady Gray novels are, above all else, great escapism.

Julia and Brisbane are back. This time they're not in the cozy and familiar settings of England and its surrounding areas. Now their adventures take them into the very heart of India.

Lady Julia and her new husband Nicholas Brisbane have been on honeymoon abroad for quite some time. It's towards the end of their honeymoon in exotic lands that they're contact by Julia's sister, Portia. Portia's ex lover, Jane, has since married to Freddie Cavendish and expects their first child at any time. The problem is Freddie is dead and Jane suspects fowl play. Portia responds to her beloved's call for help at once and instantly seeks out Julia and Nicholas to help. Sullen brother Plum is along for the ride as well as directed by Lord March, Julia and Portia's father. Answering the call for help leads Julia and Brisbane into some of the darkest and most exotic places in India, to a tea plantation that is run by the late Freddie Cavendish's family. The fact that the Cavendishes are distant relations to Lady Julia, Plum and Portia only adds to the complexities of what could be a very difficult murder investigation: man eating tigers, reclusive hermits, a murder that may not even be a murder, the future of the Cavendish plantation, inheritance rights and an impending birth make for some pretty interesting hurdles to overcome in Julia and Brisbane's latest adventure.

The setting is exotic and a nice change of pace from the previous three novels and as always, Raybourn's latest features a full cast of interesting and flawed characters that are fun to read and more importantly, all suspects.

I think the only thing I didn't really enjoy about this book is that sometimes Julia can be a little grating on the nerves. She's kind, smart and has a good heart but like many 'well born' characters, the prejudices against lower 'class' people can get a little annoying. But it IS in character for her, so it's not a deal breaker. That and the constant bickering between she and Brisbane insofar as her amateur sleuthing can get a little tiresome as well. Fortunately the mystery is well written and entertaining, featuring many twists and turns with a great sense of setting and dialogue. Looking forward to the next installment!

When I picked up Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn, not only had I not read the previous three books in the Lady Julia Grey series but I had not read anything by Deanna Raybourn. I found this book a pleasant and engrossing read.

It did start a bit slow for me, which I accounted to acquainting myself with characters that had been delighting other readers through three earlier adventures. Once I felt settled with the characters I was quickly drawn in to the vibrant and rich tale of the Himalayas.

Ms. Raybourn creates an intriguing mix of romance, historical fiction, travel and mystery in Dark Road to Darjeeling. The characters are rich, with the lush scenery deserving of its own place in the cast. I was thoroughly enchanted with the opulent imagery that came alive on the pages. I could quite easily see The Peacocks in my mind (the tea plantation as well as the colorful birds) and smell the Darjeeling tea as well as the colorful flora mentioned throughout.

Perhaps the strongest aspect of the story was Lady Julia, a strong, obstinate and determined female, who was most certainly not a woman of her times. I loved the fact that while Julia was willful and strong natured she wasn't careless or stupid. You won't find her putting herself in a ridiculous position simply to move the plot forward. I found her a very realistic heroine, most particularly based on her relationships with her siblings (complete with some heckling) and her husband (frought with frustrations, worries and flat out annoyance at times). She loves her family but her relationships aren't perfect by any means.

The mystery was appealing, leaving me fairly well in the dark until all was revealed. All pieces of the puzzle fit together very nicely, leaving me to find the "big reveal" gratifying and very content with the resolution. At no point in the book did I feel shortchanged or confused by storyline, or did I feel the persons were acting out of character.

I would not hesitate to recomment Dark Road to Darjeeling to bibliophiles who are passionate about romance, history and foreign lands. I plan on reading Ms. Raybourn's earlier books in the series, and look forward to future efforts by her.

Title Dark Road to Darjeeling (Lady Julia Grey)
Author Deanna Raybourn
Rating ****
Tags mystery, historical mystery, lady julia grey, nicholas brisbane, india

Lady Julia Grey is one of the ten children of the Earl of March, most of whom tend toward eccentricity. Julia's eccentricity lies mainly in her penchant for solving mysteries and her love for Nicholas Brisbane, a half-Gypsy inquiry agent. It is 1889, and Julia and Nicholas have been married a year and been traveling the world on a protracted honeymoon. They are thinking of going home, but Julia's sister Portia asks them to go with her and brother Plum to Darjeeling, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas. Portia's former lover, Jane, left Portia in hopes of a normal family life. Now she is widowed, pregnant, and suspicious that her husband's death was murder.

The dead husband's family owns a tea plantation near Darjeeling. If Jane's baby is a boy, he will inherit. If not, the late husband's brother will inherit, and has been the manager. Could he have killed Freddy, and is Jane and her baby in danger?

There are a small number of neighbors, including a kindly old man living in a former Buddhist monastery, and the local vicar. The vicar's family is unusual. His wife is a free spirit raised in a commune, his daughter is resentful, and his son mad for natural science. Their governess is a beautiful and poised Indian woman. So was it murder, and who had motive?

This is the fourth in the Lady Julia Grey series. Recommended for a well drawn plot and interesting characters.

Publication Mira (2010), Edition: Original, Paperback, 400 pages

Publication date
2010
ISBN 0778328201 / 9780778328209

When it comes to a pair of Victorian detectives, next to Holmes and Watson, you can't find a better match than Lady Julia Grey (now Brisbane) and her mysterious and dark husband, Nicholas Brisbane. "Dark Road to Darjeeling" places the newly married pair on a tea plantation in India. As with every Raybourne story, it's full of interesting characters who never turn out to be who you think they are, which makes you supicious of everyone and adds to the tension of the story. Throw in some peacocks, a tiger and a leper, mix well and out comes this fantastic story!

With each new offering, you get to dive a bit deeper into the ever evolving characters that bring Raybourne's stories to life. "Dark Road to Darjeeling" offered some real jaw-droppers and I am hesitant to go into too much detail and ruin the fun for future readers. What I will say, was even after the mystery was solved the ending held a real shocker for me and you'll just have to read it to find out what it was. I will say that if you haven't read Raybourne's other Lady Julia Grey novels, then it may not have quite the same emotional impact. There's a certain way Raybourne crafts her characters that makes it hard not to get attached to them. She also has a real talent for wisking you off to far away places, without going over-board on the description. She gives you just enough detail to allow you to form your own vision.

If you're already a fan, this book won't let you down. If you're not, do yourself a favor and start off with her first
book "Silent in the Grave" and enjoy entering the dark world of Victorian mysteries!

When a young Englishman dies after receiving a snake bite in rural India, few people bat an eye. After all, his death, while slightly unusual, isn't extraordinary. However, his widow is convinced that her husband was murdered and that the killer is still out there.

So begins "Dark Road to Darjeeling", the latest installment of Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey mystery series.

This one picks up a few months after the conclusion of "Silent on the Moor". At the prompting of Julia's sister, Portia, Julia and her husband, Nicholas Brisbane, abandon their honeymoon to head to India to assist Portia's ex-lover, Jane, who is newly widowed. She is expecting her first child, and is afraid that whoever killed her husband will go after her or the child as well.

Unfortunately for Julia and Brisbane, the valley at the foot of the Himalayas is full of suspects. There are plenty of people who would have either wanted Jane's husband dead or benefitted from his death. But before they can begin to eliminate suspects, the two must establish that a murder was, in fact, committed.

With plenty of twists, turns, and surprises, "Dark Road to Darjeeling" is a well-written mystery. But I felt that, despite its exotic locale, it didn't quite live up to the first two books in the series ("Silent on the Moor" has never been a favorite of mine). Perhaps it was the change in location, but I missed the easy rhythm of the earlier books. That being said, I am looking forward to the next one.

This was my first Lady Julia Grey novel and perhaps that is why I had trouble getting into it. Although the book is well-written and the description of the Himalayan plantation was exquisite, I simply could not get interested in the mystery. The book promisingly starts with Lady Julia on her honeymoon with her hunky husband, Brisbane. Their camaraderie was extremely fun to read and I'm sure the development of their relationship would be extremely entertaining to read, too. In this adventure, however, Lady Julia embarks alone at first. Lady Julia's sister, Portia, and brother, Plum, engage her services to help a family friend, Jane, whose husband has died, in her time of need. Jane is pregnant and living on her deceased husband's family's plantation with his aunt and his cousin. Jane suspects that her husband has been murdered and it's up to Lady Julia to find out the truth and keep Jane from a similar fate. Lady Julia is especially motivated to solve the mystery to prove to her husband, Brisbane, that she has skill in this area since detective work is Brisbane's business. The trouble with the mystery for me is that I simply didn't care enough about the characters. I felt no tension. The story revealed itself too slowly for me to stay engaged with. I think the best bet is to start the series from the beginning in order to appreciate all the nuances of the characters and fully appreciate the mystery.

Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn (released Oct 1) is the 4th in the Lady Julia Grey Series. I have loved this entire series from the moment I found it last year. This fourth book takes us to India with Julia, Brisbane, Portia and Plum. Portia has gathered the family to "rescue" Jane who finds herself pregnant with a recently deceased husband who may or may not have been murdered. The story twists and turns taking you an adventure as unique as the Indian landscape. The people of The Valley of Eden add a layer of eccentricity to the lush backdrop.

As soon as I started reading this book I felt like was visiting friends and catching up with everything that had been happening in their lives. The dynamics between Julia and Brisbane still crackle with familiar wit. Part of the reason I am drawn to these novels is the complete cast of characters. Plum and Portia are two of the most interesting, enjoyable "minor"characters I have ever come across. Each has a depth you wouldn't expect all while adding true moments of levity.

Deanna Raybourn has created a magnificent cast of characters that you want to sit down and have a cup of tea with. This story will pull you and keep you on your toes. I found myself laughing out loud at the many situations that Julia find herself in. Conversely I found myself crying as I experienced the pain and heartache that occurs.

There is no one writing better Victorian mysteries today than Deanna Raybourn. This new offering is every bit as good as the other three. The setting is beautiful and exotic and once again the mystery is complicated and unpredictable. She always manages to surprise me. Lady Julia and her new husband Nicholas Brisbane are on their honeymoon when Julia's sister Portia and brother Plum appear and talk them into going to India to investigate the death of Portia's former lover's husband. Since boredom has hijacked the wedding trip, the couple agree. Even though the mystery is interesting, it is the characters who drive this novel. The new characters are complex and as always Julia's family is delightfully quirky, but the true stars of this book are Julia and Nicholas. Although madly in love, they are beginning to find out that the marriage of two such strong personalities is not always comfortable. Julia in particular is having a hard time finding her balance between being an independent woman and a wife. At the same time, Nicholas is struggling with needing Julia's insights and wanting her help, and his desire to protect her. But, through all the turmoil and unhappiness they remain devoted and passionate about each other. Raybourn has remained true to her characters and has not given them a pat happily-ever-after relationship. This is a real marriage filled with the discord and uncertainity we all face. Although living together is hard, the couple know that living apart is impossible.
After finishing this 4th book in the series, I went back and read the first three. No matter how many times I read Raybourn's books, I always find something I overlooked. Although this book can theoretically stand on its own, it will be much more enjoyable if you read the series in order.

Sated (literally) after an eight-month honeymoon, Lady Julia and her brooding, brilliant "private inquiry agent" husband Nicholas Brisbane accompany Julia's older sister Portia and her restless brother Plum to India. Some time earlier Portia's former lover, Jane, yearning to have her own child, married Freddie Cavendish and returned with him to The Peacocks, the tea plantation he had inherited. But now Freddie has died under mysterious circumstances and Jane is afraid she or her child may be the next target.

Going hand-in-hand with the mystery element, which encompasses the Marches' impoverished cousins Emma and Lucy, a free-spirited American women with two intriguing children who is married to a staid minister, a drunken doctor, and an older Englishman known as the White Rajah, is the often rocky relationship between Julia and Brisbane. She is determined to show him she can be an equal partner in his crime inquiries, to the point of being rude and demanding. In his turn, Brisbane will not allow himself to be led by the nose. They are two independent spirits who will need to find as much balance in their professional life as in their marriage bed, and it's as much fun watching them clash as it is to make your way through the convoluted conundrum posed by Freddie's death. The exotic setting also adds much to the story.

Dark Road to Darjeeling - Deanna Raybourne
4 stars

This is the fourth book in Raybourne's Lady Julia Gray series. Now married to the psychic private investigator, Nicholas Brisbane, Lady Julia and her extensive family are once again involved with a murder investigation. The story takes our heroes to the far reaches of the British Empire, a tea plantation at the foot of the Himalayas.
As with the other books, the story is full of quirky characters and has a lovely atmospheric setting. There is nothing demanding about this book. It's just fun, light reading for a rainy weekend. I especially enjoy the exotic and comic pets that keep being added to Lady Julia's menagerie.

This is one case where I do not recommend the audio version. Generally, I find that I like to listen to books from a familiar series. With a good reader it's easy and relaxing to follow familiar characters with a predictable plot. Unfortunately the reader of this series is obnoxiously annoying. She gives Julia's sister Portia an abrasive high pitched, nails on a blackboard, voice that is completely unsuited to the character. Her upper class English accent is so exaggerated it makes many words indecipherable. It's really too bad. Someone like Barbara Rosenblat or Rosalind Landers could have done so much for the characters and comic aspects of these books.

"Dark Road to Darjeeling" by Deanna Raybourn was a very pleasurable read with interesting characters and a delicious mystery to boot! This was my first read in this series and I didn't have any trouble following along. Anytime mention was made of what I presume happened in previous books, enough was explained that I didn't have that "HUH?" feeling that can be so frustrating. Others have given a precis of the plot so I'll just stick with what I enjoyed.

Readers who enjoy Laurie R. King would likely find Ms Raybourn's books very entertaining. The delicate details that put the reader in the author's intended time period are done as well as any other author I've ever read (and that's a BUNCH). The mystery aspect is very reminiscent of a 'cozy' in the level of danger/blood, yet the characters are (as I found while researching her other books) often away from their home which gives a nice bit of zing to the story.

Finally, I would have absolutely no problems with having even young teens read this series as the romantic portion of the story is very low-key and tastefully done. In fact, if you have a teen who enjoys history and mystery...you really couldn't go wrong with this series!

Dark Road To Darjeeling is the fourth book in the Lady Julia Grey series, but it is the first book, I have read from this author. I think it is safe to say, that this book can be read as a stand alone, but I personally would have liked to have read the previous books. I normally do not read historical mysteries, as I am more of a historical romance type of gal, but I was intrigued by the blurb. Not to mention, I occasionally enjoy a good mystery as much as the next person. So, when I was asked to read and review, I was happy to.

The author does an amazing job with the character detail. Each character was rich with depth and substance. My favorite was the protagonist, Lady Julia. She was compassionate, independent, witty, and an intelligent woman, who also had a craving for adventure. But much to her husband, Brisbane's disdain, she also leaped before she looked and carelessly put herself in danger. Not having read the previous books, I thought Brisbane came off a bit a jerk in the beginning of the book, but, as the story went on, I began to understand his point of view. I think my problem was, I was living vicariously through Lady Julia, so much so, that I was also beginning to feel as she felt and only seeing the world around her, from her perspective. In truth, I didn't realize I was doing it, until it was brought to my attention, by a supporting character through the author's remarkable writing skill. I also appreciated, while Lady Julia and Brisbane were newlyweds, they were not living in marital bliss. It found it interesting as they struggled to find a compromise and discover that marriage wasn't all happy bliss, it took work.

I thought the plot was a wonderfully written whodunit. Lady Jane and Brisbane are pulled from their honeymoon to investigate a murder. The clues that are left for the reader are subtle, but the truth is in the characters. Each had motive, means, and opportunity. I enjoyed the interactions between Lady Jane and the supporting characters aka "suspects". It was fun to learn more about them as the investigation went on. I also think, the lush India scenery provided for an amazing backdrop for a mystery. I do want to point out, that everything from the detail, discription and dialogue felt authentic. I also appreciated, the author's skill in writing circumstances, which at the time, would have been considered taboo, was done with taste and crediablity.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Often at times, I found myself shifting back and forth between suspects trying to figure out whodunit. I love the fact, that not only was there a mystery to solve, but the author threw in several surprising twist and bittersweet moments. Although, this is a little outside my preferred genre, I couldn't put this book down, I just had to know whodunit.

I have read the previous Lady Julia novels with great enjoyment. This one was not quite up to the level of suspense that I expected and there were parts in which I became bogged down because of a surfeit of minutiae that did not advance the story.
There were simply too many instances where the heroine behaved so irresponsibly and for a woman of that era, in a rather scandalous manner.
She is married to a man whom she should trust but in many situations behaves as if she resents his concern for her and her endless rationale of her behavior is boring and slows the story so much that I became bored and put it aside for a few weeks before wading through to the end.
I can usually read a book of this side in a day. This one simply did not hold my interest and while the basic story line is good, I think some critical editing would sharpen the story and make it more enjoyable to read.

Julia and her husband, Brisbane have been traveling all over the Mediterranean for their honeymoon. They just returned after being gone for eight months. Brisbane and Julia are ready for a change of pace. Julia's sister, Portia tells Julia that she wants both Julia and Brisbane to go with her to India. Portia's good friend, Jane Cavendish is in need of their assistance.

Jane's husband is dead and Jane is with child. If Jane and her child hope to have a safe future then they will need all the help they can get from Julia, Brisbane and Portia. Everyone is guilty.

Dark Road to Darjeeling is the fourth Julia Grey novel. Julia is like the female version of Sherlock Holmes. Even when Julia is suppose to be enjoying the rest of her honeymoon, she cannot help but find herself in the middle of a good murder mystery. Julia was bitten by the mystery bug when she helped her current husband, Brisbane solve her former husband's murder. Julia and Brisbane make a great pair. They are meant for each other. Dark Road to Darjeeling will have fans walking a road of mystery/suspense and romance!

In this fourth of the series, the newlyweds are enjoying their honeymoon when fellow Marches Plum and Portia arrive. Seems Portia's ex, Jane, has been widowed in the final months of her pregnancy and now fears for her life. Her husband, Freddie Cavendish, died suddenly, but the death was deemed a terrible accident. Jane thinks that someone may have their eye on the Cavendish estate, a successful tea plantation in India. If Jane gives birth to a son, he would inherit, making Jane and her unborn a target for whoever may have killed Freddie. Brisbane agrees to investigate and Julia is eager to prove her usefulness as a parter in the practice, causing a bit of an argument between the couple.

Ah, Julia and Brisbane. One of my favorite fiction couples. I love seeing how they progress as characters together. I do have to admit that some of the gothic atmosphere I love about Raybourn's books was missing in this one. Otherwise, a fun Victorian mystery and a wonderful addition to this ongoing series.

The Julia Grey series is pretty gripping: great language, imaginative plots- if slightly twisted, and great protagonists. The suspense and plots fall a bit flat after the protagonists get married, but the books are still good for a lazy afternoon's read.
The series is written in the voice of Julia Grey, an aristocrat who falls in love with a detective and wants to help him with his work. It is set in England in the mid 1800s- a period that has been 'done to death' in hundreds of novels in multiple genres and is relatively well-known to the average reader: females from this era are expected to conform to much more rigid rules and are not expected to question or challenge men; and ought to pay sufficient attention to clothing.

In that respect, the Grey series portrays an interesting evolution of Julia Grey, from a "Dresden shepherdess" (her description), meekly following, to one who struggles with and challenges the limits that society places on her and finally reaches for what she wants regardless of what is expected from a woman in her position. The man Julia loves and wants to marry, Nicholas Brisbane, is half-Gypsy, and poor and is "in trade" as a private investigator. Julia has to overcome the economic differences between herself and Brisbane, her family's horror of non-aristocrats and tradesmen, and the social consequences of being seen around a Gypsy.

As I mentioned before, once she does overcome all these struggles and gets married to Brisbane, the series goes downhill a bit. Frankly, one can't help feeling that they ought to get themselves to a marriage counselor pronto.

This is the fourth book of Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series. True to form, the author has written this in an excellent fashion with a great story. (Type in the author's name to link to the other titles: Silent in the Grave , Silent On The Moor (A Lady Julia Grey Novel) ,Silent in the Sanctuary: A Lady Julia Grey Mystery ).

In The Dark Road to Darjeeling, newlyweds Julia and Nicholas travel to India where they soon become embroiled in yet another spine tingling, breath stopping mystery.

Just as Agatha Christie would often transport her protagonists to exotic settings, Deaana Raybourn has chosen a romantic and beautiful setting in which to place her newly married and romantic, sleuthing couple.

In this installment of this wonderful series, Julia and Nicholas investigate the untimely death of a friend's husband. Although it is a beautiful setting, dark foreboding mystery is just underneath the surface.

Lady Julia Grey mystery is my ultimate guilty pleasure!

When I first read "Silent in the Grave", I really loved it, but didn't expect it to be any better than that. Most of the time the first book is the best and it gets worse as the series continues. But, Lady Julia Grey mystery is different. It actually gets better each time.

When Julia and Brisbane got married, I didn't know how they'd carry on the intensive relationship between them. Well, they did carry it on.
Mystery part of the series has gotten better, too.

I don't think my husband would like it because of the romantic part of the series, but I have recommended this series to my girl friends and they all love it.
If you have not read "Silent in the Grave" yet, you should start from it.
You also have to remember that it gets better!

I loved the first three Lady Julia Grey novels but Dark Road to Darjeeling has languished on my TBR pile since it's release. After finally finishing it I realized the problem was a change in my perception of the heroine. I wanted her to grow more confident and assertive as she gained experience, but in Dark Road she seems almost belligerent. The pace didn't hold my interest, unlike the first three where it seemed events were clipping along. I found that without caring if julia succeeded, the case itself wasn't moving quickly enough. I haven't picked up The Dark Enquiry (Lady Julia Grey), I found that Dark Road killed my interest in the characters.

Lady Julia Grey and her husband, the devilishly handsome and mysterious detective, Nicholas Brisbane are on their honeymoon trip when Julia's sister, Portia, intercepts them and requests that they accompany her to India in order to safeguard her former paramour, recently widowed Jane Cavendish. Portia believes Jane's husband, Freddie, died under suspicious circumstances and fears that Jane will be the murderer's next target. Once again Deanna Raybourn has written an engrossing historical mystery that will keep your attention from the beginning to the end. The intricate plot, the beautiful setting, and detailed characterizations were all spot on! Also, the culprit came as a complete surprise to me (a person who can usually pick out the guilty party in no time flat). I highly recommend this novel.

In 1889, Lady Julia Grey and her second husband detective Nicholas Brisbane enjoy a honeymoon in the Himalayas; not a surprising locale for this pair who met when her first spouse was twitching in his final death dance a few years ago (see Silent in the Grave). While high in the mountains, the happy couple is stunned by family visitors; Julia's brother Plum and her sister Portia arrive with shocking news.

Portia's former lover Jane Cavendish insists her husband Freddie was murdered in India. Brisbane couldn't care less that Freddie's dead as he wants time alone with his wife. However, the three siblings agree to investigate the homicide to the sleuth's disappointment. However, he hesitantly agrees to assist his wife and in-laws, but insists they owe him big time. As the inquiry continues into boiling colonial India, they find a horde of potential killers with strong motives, but not one iota of evidence pointing specifically at any of them.

The fourth Lady Julia Grey historical mystery (see Silent in the Sanctuary and Silent on the Moor) is a superb entry in what is a strong series. Shifting continents, but still influenced by the Victorian presence in Asia, as "the sun never sets on the English Empire", Dark Road to Darjeeling is a great whodunit it that showcases the talent of Deanna Raybourn to mix humor with tension in a descriptive late nineteenth century exotic locale. Fans will want to read this terrific whodunit as the Lady Julia Grey saga continues its super storytelling.

Harriet Klausner

I really enjoyed this latest installment in the Lady Julia Grey series. Even though it is a historical novel, it is so well written and fast past it is as addictive and easy to read as a modern day thriller. Julia is an intelligent and feisty protagonist and her new husband Brisbane is just as compelling. A good supporting cast of siblings Portia and Plum. I usually don't like when characters in a series travel to another setting, but because there are so many familiar characters, I did not mind. What I loved about the earlier novels was still present. The mystery is a good one, with a satisfying and truly shocking ending. Already I cannot wait to read the next novel.

I love the Lady Julia series but I was disappointed to find this one the weakest after looking forward to its release. I liked the mystery but I was very disillusioned with the Brisbane's marriage. I really felt that after all they had been through they would have a marriage of understanding and communication yet they had neither. They seemed angry at each other most of time and had a complete lack of communication. I really didn't feel much love between them which was something I was really forward to in this book since they would be married. I felt much more love and tenderness between Portia and Jane. I'm looking forward to the next one though.

The fourth of the Lady Julia Grey novels, Raybourn hasn't lost her edge. These are amongst my very favorite mystery novels. Dark Road to Darjeeling, though, is the novel that Lady Julia stars with her now husband, Brisbane. This time, they are in India solving a family mystery at the end of their honeymoon.

Julia's quirky family still makes an appearance, thank goodness, and the chemistry between Julia and Brisbane hasn't abated just because they've gotten married.

Highly, highly recommended, even if you don't normally care for historical fiction mysteries....these are worth your time!

Slow, almost tedious start but generally a good read. Lady Julia coming to grips with her new role as wife and partner with Brisbane. Victorian aristocracy at its best or worst as the almost the whole, they leave the raven at home, entourage moves to colonial India.

The characters in the Lady Julia Grey series are convincingly of their era, yet will be satisfying to modern chick lit fans as well as those who like a well-researched historical novel. There's lots of local color, an interesting range of deeply drawn characters, and a plot that moves through its twists and turns at a good pace.

The result is a strongly structured mystery novel with an intriguing setting and people you'll care about. This was the first of the series that I've read, but I'll be going back to catch up with Lady Julia's adventures.

When I first was offered Deanna Raybourn's Dark Road to Darjeeling, I almost turned it down. The reason was that I haven't read the other books in the series. I even asked if I would be confused by the characters and the story because this is the fourth book in the Lady Julia Grey series. I was told that I wouldn't and took a chance. I've heard great things about Lady Julia Grey, and it was always one of those series I thought I would get to eventually. After reading Dark Road to Darjeeling, I felt like smacking my forehead for not reading Deanna sooner. Dark Road to Darjeeling is a delightful, Victorian mystery with the former widowed Julia Grey, now married to Nicholas Brisbane, a private inquiry agent. Julia and Brisbane's relationship reminds me a bit of Roarke and Eve in JD Robb's In Death series. (Probably because I'm obsessed with those two characters, especially Roarke) Brisbane reminds me a bit like Roarke, including the way his new wife calls him by his last name and never his first. So, if you are a fan of in The Death series, and want a taste of the Victorian in the late 19th century, do give Deanna Raybourn a try. I now must go back and read all the past books to see how Julia and Brisbane first met.

Dark Road to Darjeeling takes place as Julia and Brisbane are on their honeymoon. The lucky couple, who must have a nice savings, have been traveling for eight idyllic months. Suddenly Julia's brother Plum, and sister Portia, crash their honeymoon in Egypt. Portia and Plum are bound to India and want the Brisbanes to join them. Portia's former lover, Jane (Portia is a widow and she and Jane had a long term relationship), who abandoned Portia last spring because she wanted to get married children is now pregnant and a recent widow residing in a place called the Valley of Eden. Her deceased husband Freddie, a very distant cousin on Julia's mother side and somewhat of an unsavory fellow, settled in India where his family owns a tea plantation. If Jane gives birth to a son, he'll inherit the estate. But Freddie's death may have not been an accident and he may have been murdered. So off Julia will go with her siblings, although Brisbane isn't too gung ho about going. Because of that, he and Julia are at odds with one another. But since Julia likes her independence, she leaves Brisbane in Calcutta.

When she, Plum and Portia arrive at the plantation, they are met by roaming peacocks and must take caution because a man eating tiger is on the loose. They are met by members of Freddie's family such as his aunt Camellia and his cousin Harry. Julia puts her amateur detective skills to the test and will try her best to find Freddie's killer, if he was indeed murdered. Many surprises are in store for Julia, from the strange customs of the locals, shady relatives of Julia who coincidentally happen to live near the Cavendishes, and even that of Brisbane, who feels Julia shouldn't putting her nose where it doesn't belong. For the first time in their marriage, Julia and Brisbane are not on the same page. There are major strains between them, which leads to Julia pondering how to handle her new husband.

I found the mystery element in Dark Road to Darjeeling to be very pleasing and had no clue how it would end. There are a few shocks in store that you won't see coming. Julia comes from a very eccentric family, but is out of sorts upon meeting the locals because they are very odd. Also, Brisbane gives Julia a hard time for no reason that she can think of. And when those reasons are revealed, you will be just as surprised as Julia is.

The middle of the novel meanders at a very slow place as Julia goes around meeting everyone who could have possible killed Freddie. Everyone is a suspect, and you will never figure out who may have been responsible for his murder. My favorite passages where the ones with Julia and her interactions with her siblings, and most importantly with Brisbane, who has this subtle, smoldering dark personality that Julia can't get enough of. She is very vocal about her joys in the marriage bed with her lusty husband, although those scenes are always fade to black. I also enjoyed how Portia and Jane's relationship was handled and how no one frowned up their love for one another.

Dark Road to Darjeeling was a nice read, even with a dragging middle and a few out of the ordinary twist that didn't seem to fit. This was my first read by Deanna Raybourn and it definitely won't be my last.

Katiebabs

I have enjoyed the Lady Julia series and this next installment did not disappoint. We are off to India, following Portia's partner, Jane, now widowed and with child. The plot of the book is already mentioned in many of the reviews so I won't restate it. My interest was kept throughout the book and I was surprised by the ending. The author was able to keep you guessing about the murderer until the shocking conclusion, bringing back characters from the past.
I recommend this series without hesitation and can't wait until the next.

Having previously loved the three prior Julia Grey novels, I was totally blown away with how much I disliked this one. Sadly, the author had my beloved hero/heroine bickering with each other from the very beginning and the few times the hero actually made an appearance, they continued to bicker throughout. The rest of the book was Julia this and Julia that and none of it in a flattering way. I found her arrogant and selfish, constantly jumping to wrong conclusions and forcing her oh-so-repetitive introspects down my throat. The book was also quite boring until the end and while it did pick up the pace, it also jumped all over the place. It did not help that the narrator gave Portia such a horribly shrill voice that it actually hurt my ears and caused dogs to howl. I'm so glad I read the first three books myself.

I love this series. The novellas fill in the time line but the novels like this one provide a rich background as a setting for the characters. There are several threads to each mystery that are woven together by the conclusion. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.

Since the first in the series when Julia Grey meets Nicholas Brisbane over her husband dead body, this series just gets better. This book is set in exotic India where of course there are more mysteries to solve on Julia and Nicholas's honeymoon.Must have been nice to be rich in those days to have such long honeymoons! In my opinion this is the best book yet. I am hoping there will be another one soon.

What makes this series so fun are the colorful characters and the exoctic places and interesting situations Lady Julia finds herself in. This one is no exception. If you want lions, tigers and bears, oh my (well maybe not the first and last one), then please take a chance down the Dark Road to Darjeeling.

The change of scenery and pace in relationships keeps this latest entry in the series fresh and interesting. The old formula of spunky young woman solving mysteries despite the warnings of an older, more experienced male gets old, but the author manages to put some fresh perspective on it which I hope will further develop over time.

Dark Road to Darjeeling provides an exotic setting, as Julia and Bribane cut the honeymoon short and travel to India with Julia's sister Portia due to a distressing letter received from her now pregnant and widowed partner, Jane.

A great addition to the series!