Silent in the Sanctuary (A Lady Julia Grey Mystery)

I love this second installment of Lady Julia Grey's adventures. I think this one was even better than book 1. The March family are so eccentric and Lady Julia and Portia witty and droll and the mysteries keep me guessing for sure. Thankfully these are not harlequin romance as they sort of look in cover design but there is really little or no romance, it's always just out of reach. I suspect that will change as they go on because Brisbane and Lady Julia always spar as they solve the crimes, but I am liking these a lot now! On to book 3!

I unfortunately did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first one. It was something of a disappointment after Silent in the Grave, which I had so very much enjoyed, and a surprise, since the overall ratings for this book were higher than the first one. I wasn't as taken with our main characters, I didn't find the mystery as compelling, and whereas the first book had me literally laughing out loud so many times, this one only drew a few inner chuckles.

It obviously wasn't bad - I gave it 4 stars - but it did not live up to Book 1 for me. Julia rubbed me the wrong way at some points in this book, appearing to me to be very temperamental, flip-floppy, snobbish, and condescending. She'll decide she's not going to like someone one minute, then they say something and she says she does like them, then she decides later that they're vile, etc. I also thought she was much more stuck-up than in Book 1, which did not endear her to me.

Brisbane is as mysterious, maddening, and elusive as ever. Threw me for SUCH a curve-ball at the beginning that I could not recover for PAGES! I began to suspect there was more to it, but my reaction at first was complete disbelief. He did not feature as heavily as he did in Book 1, which was another con for me, and his interactions were relatively few and not nearly as enjoyable or funny/sharp.

I enjoyed seeing Julia's family again and her servants; the secondary characters continue to be a great addition to the series.

BOTTOM LINE:
I went to three different library branches four times in one day, all to track down a copy of this book so I could continue the series, however in the end I think I could have afforded to wait the few days it would have taken to come in. While I enjoyed this book, it did not at all measure up to the first one for me, so while I'm glad I read it - this is definitely a series that you should read beginning to end - I will not be buying my own copy.

LADY JULIA GREY MYSTERY SERIES:
Book 1 - Silent in the Grave (5+ stars)
Book 2 - SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY (4 stars)
Book 3 - Silent On The Moor (4 stars)
Book 4 - Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5 - The Dark Enquiry

This was another book that read quickly and that, once into the meat of the story, I did not want to put down for anything. Both this and the first in the Lady Julia series by Deanna Raybourn have been, simply put, eminently readable. I think I may have liked this one even more than the first book, Silent in the Grave.

Although the murder doesn't occur until almost half of the way through the book, the intrigue begins almost as soon as the house party gathers at Belmont Abbey, and until Lady Julia and Brisbane figure out the answers, they don't know which mysteries are connected to one another. And even though the murder is late in the book, it still seemed like the investigation began earlier than it did in the first book.

In addition to Lady Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane, we saw more of Lady Julia's father, Lord March, and her sister, Portia. We also heard more from the frank prostitute-turned-maid Morag and Aquinas, Julia's excellent butler, and even the Roma Magda. Other family members and friends were out of the picture, but there were some additions to the world of Lady Julia: two more of her brothers, Plum and Lysander, who were previously mentioned but not seen, as well as some other odd relatives. Another welcome addition was the March family home, Belmont Abbey, with its secret passages and interesting rooms and family traditions.

Even Lady Julia didn't annoy me nearly as much as she had before. She may not have been much less stupid than previously, but she certainly stopped pointing it out, which had bothered me. She did annoy me with her constant making of "mental notes", but, as before, it's worth any small annoyance, because I enjoyed the story so much.

Some twists and surprises the reader may be able to see coming long before the characters do, but again, this didn't at all spoil my enjoyment of the story. I can't wait to read the third volume in the series, and I wish there were more of them.

*copied from my goodreads review:

I LOVED this book, probably more than the first! So many great elements in this one. We have a murder, ghosts, thievery, and a snowstorm that keeps all the guests housebound. If this isn't a great recipe for a mystery, I don't know what is!

I loved the progression with Brisbane and Julia. It is slow moving, but its moving just the same. Julia also really came into her own here, taking charge where Brisbane was concerned and what a scene that was! She knows she will have to coax this man along and is not content to just sit around waiting for things to happen to her. She also knows Brisbane has some baggage, but it doesn't stop her in the least.

I also enjoyed seeing each of them jealous with the other's "love" interest. I thought it was perfect timing to bring in Alessandro for Julia, just so Brisbane could see she had other options. Definitely made things interesting!

All in all, this is another great installment in a remarkable series. It had a very "clue" mystery vibe to me which I thought was really cool. A MUST READ for mystery lovers!

Lady Julia Grey is summoned back to England after a restorative six months in Italy following the traumatic events written about in SILENT IN THE GRAVE. An attentive young count, Alessandro Fornacci, journeys with her, as do two of her brothers, one of whom is newly married and who fears their father's wrath at his choice of a bride. It is the Christmas season, and when they arrive at their imposing ancestral home, a former Cistercian abbey confiscated from the monks by Henry VIII, many guests are already in residence, including more of Julia's nine siblings, two penurious cousins, a crotchety aunt, a titled man who made his own fortune, and the inimitable and enigmatic Nicholas Brisbane who has taken a fiancee!

The drolly endearing eccentricities of the March family surface at the dinners, outings, and other diversions of the leisure class that unfold with loving detail, particularly concerning the apparel and courtliness of the Victorian times. But Julia senses undercurrents of intrigue almost immediately as she makes (mostly) courteous conversation all around. Soon a ghost, stolen pearls, a vanished Aunt Dorcas, and a body discovered during a game of sardines all demand investigation and Lord March commends the task to Julia and Brisbane, much to their simultaneously warring disquiet and excitement. The game is afoot, and this prickly pair have many secrets to unravel and more than one culprit to unmask. Their collaboration requires many a consultation, often during the nocturnal hours and often in each other's bed chambers....

Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey, by the way, calls strongly to mind Tasha Alexander's Lady Emily Ashton. Both are strong-willed young widows who give Sherlock Holmes sprightly competition.

SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY delights with its singular characters, its warmly fluent style, its finely-tuned mysteries, and its continuing love story. This second SILENT entry surpasses the first in this reader's opinion.

If Lady Julia is to be believed (and why not?), she and Brisbane will discover another body, in Yorkshire this time, very soon. I can't wait.

Deanna Raybourn scores a winner with her newest Victorian mystery, a sequel to 2007's SILENT IN THE GRAVE. The action emanates from a stately country manor outside London. The March family's Sussex estate is a former abbey, home to a cloistered order of Brothers. Earl March and his children, ribald and eccentric, have occupied the estate for several generations.

A recent widow, daughter Lady Julia Grey, accompanied by brothers Plum and Lysander, recuperates in southern Italy from physical and emotional trauma. Raybourn's debut novel was Lady Julia's intriguing story of solving her husband's murder. Now, recovering from her harrowing experiences, she puzzles over her lack of mail. Nicholas Brisbane, her consort in solving the crime, has ignored her for five months.

Lysander's sudden engagement to a fiery Italian beauty, Violante, triggers March's unexpected request for their return to England for the Christmas holidays. Plum adds to the traveling party when he invites his Italian friend, Count Alessandro Fornacci, a wealthy young man who adores Julia.

March has assembled a house party that brims with intriguing personalities, including two eccentric maiden aunts; orphaned cousins Lucy and Emma; the local vicar's curate, Lucien Snow; daughter Portia; and Sir Cedric Easley, a wealthy tradesman. Sir Cedric has become Lucy's fiance, despite a wide gap in their ages. Lucien exhibits his flirtatious nature, an uncommon trait in a religious trainee. Ultimate shock jars Julia when her father re-introduces her to Lord Hargrave, formerly known to her as Nicholas Brisbane. In turn, he adds a twist to her perplexing emotions with the introduction of his fiancée, Mrs. Harriet King, a widow. Overwhelmed, Julia's composure remains stoic. The abbey's spacious hallways can be useful in prevention of more than chance meetings.

In fact, the abbey's religious history maintains a volume of traditions long ago forsaken but possible to reincarnate. Late one night the guests are awakened by a shriek that slices the quiet hallways. In the former chapel chamber, a morbid scene plays out. Lucien's body lies on the cold stone floor. Above him, Lucy clutches an iron candelabrum that drips slow, heavy crimson drops of blood.

In the pandemonium following the discovery, a bewildered Lucy staggers toward Father March, grabs onto an iron ring attached to the wall and declares, "My lord! In this holy place, I claim the right of sanctuary!"

"Child, what have you done that you would invoke sanctuary?'

"My lord," she continues. "You cannot take me for murder. Under the law I am given forty days."

The girl collapses but is joined by her sister, Emma, refusing to leave the holy room where sanctuary from immediate prosecution is protected. March responds with compassion and allows the scenario to continue. But he enlists Julia and Nicholas to sort out the mysteries of the alleged murder before he contacts London authority. Lucien's body will remain in the cook's larder until a later date. Julia and Nicholas delve into the crime with vigor but find themselves often at odds in their methods. Revelations abound, with dirty secrets unveiled that connect numerous guests besides Lucy with a motive for murder.

Each chapter is prefaced with a quote from Shakespeare that delineates the content to follow. Raybourn tantalizes the reader by inference before she develops the ensuing action, and Victorian-scrolled artwork further illustrates the chapter title pages, which is a clever touch. Although not familiar with the first book in the Silent series, I am an enthusiastic reader and will anticipate SILENT ON THE MOOR, scheduled for release in 2009.

--- Reviewed by Judy Gigstad

Lady Julia Grey has traveled to Italy to recover from the traumatic events of the previous year, the death of her husband, the revelations her inquiries into his death had raised and finally the fire that had destroyed her home and nearly taken her life. Julia also needed to recover from the effects of the inquiry agent who had led the inquiries, the mysterious Mr. Brisbane. She had thought he would contact her, after all she had not imagined the passion in the kiss they had shared but as the weeks passed no letters had arrived for her. Otherwise she was thoroughly enjoying her time in Italy. She and her two older brothers, Lysander and Plum, were delightful company. They had traveled through the country, seeing the sights. It was a totally carefree time, at least until Lysander returned from a brief side trip with a new wife in tow, Even so the newly expanded family group made plans to spend Christmas in a lovely villa and then proceed to Venice in time for Carnavale. The plans changed though when their father summoned the group home for the holidays. When they arrived they discovered that the house party had already begun to assemble, their sister Portia, Aunt Dorcas, two poor relation cousins, one complete with fiance and Brisbane and his fiancee among others. As the party progressed it became all too apparent that things were not as they seemed, with a ghost prowling the halls late at night, a sudden violent death, a mysterious disappearance and the theft of jewels. And all of this before Christmas had even arrived!

This series of romantic mystery thrillers is set in the Victorian Age, featuring Lady Julia Grey, a wealthy young widow, her family of eccentric aristocrats and the enigmatic Brisbane, a private inquiry agent who is a never ending source of surprises. The wry humor and clever plot twists as well as the Victorian era setting have much in common with the early books in the AMELIA PEABODY series.

Lady Julia and her brothers, Plum and Lysander, have been enjoying themselves in Italy. Julia has needed the time away from home after the events that occurred in SILENT IN THE GRAVE. Now, however, their father has demanded they return home immediately due to Lysander's recent and unexpected marriage.

Julia doesn't expect for Nicholas Brisbane to be one of her father's houseguests when they return home. Worse yet, he's claiming to be engaged! But events will throw them together once again when a body turns up murdered and one of Julia's own March family members takes responsibility....

Deanna Raybourn excels at incorporating historical events into a suspenseful mystery. SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY has twists and turns that will leave the reader wildly guessing as to the ending. However, once the conclusion is reached, it is easy to see how all the pieces fit nicely together.

The outrageousness of the March clan is on full display in this second book of the series. While it is not necessary to read SILENT IN THE GRAVE first, it does help establish to the reader the craziness of the Marches along with the rather unusual relationship between Julia and Nicholas. SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY takes the quirks of the Marches to a whole new level as this is one family that doesn't follow in the traditionally thought of Victorian mode.

Deanna Raybourn creates fascinating characters in this series. The depth of emotions one feels about the characters is also impressive. Ms. Raybourn is good at showing that each person has a hidden side, that the mask they often portray to the public isn't their true self. This adds another layer to the character development as no one is simply one dimensional in her tales! SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY is easily recommended.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

This is the second installment in the Lady Julia Grey trilogy, beautifully written hybrid mystery-romances set in the Victorian period, best suited to readers who enjoy both genres. The first book in the series, Silent In The Grave, should be read before this one.

This second book takes place at the March family seat in Sussex, a converted abbey. It's nearly Christmas, and the Marches and their several guests have assembled for the holiday. Julia returns from Italy with her two brothers, Lysander and Plum, as well as an Italian suitor. To her surprise, Nicholase Brisbane and his gorgeous but featherbrained fiance are there to meet her. They are all trapped inside the gloriously gothic old abbey during a terrible snowstorm that cuts off all communication with the outside world - the gates are frozen shut, the roads impassable. One of the visitors is murdered, and another must be the culprit.

Julia and Brisbane team up again to find the killer, and they must work hard to keep their eyes sharp and their thinking rational while Raybourn indulges in every gothic fancy she can think of: fortune-telling gypsies, ghosts roaming the stone-flagged halls, secret passages, impecunious relatives, and stolen jewels. Lord March advises that the mystery had better be solved before the snow melts, when he'll be duty bound to call in Scotland Yard, if they are to have any hope of avoiding a massive scandal. The pressure is on as the investigation becomes a race against time.

For my money, this book was the best of the trilogy. The approach-and-retreat between Julia and Brisbane is the most satisfying, as Julia's confidence has grown and Brisbane treats her with a delicious blend of heat and brusqueness. The mystery of a single murder blossoms into something infinitely more complex, drawing to an unexpected and unsettling conclusion.

Deanna Raybourn scores a winner with her newest Victorian mystery, a sequel to 2007's SILENT IN THE GRAVE. The action emanates from a stately country manor outside London. The March family's Sussex estate is a former abbey, home to a cloistered order of Brothers. Earl March and his children, ribald and eccentric, have occupied the estate for several generations.

A recent widow, daughter Lady Julia Grey, accompanied by brothers Plum and Lysander, recuperates in southern Italy from physical and emotional trauma. Raybourn's debut novel was Lady Julia's intriguing story of solving her husband's murder. Now, recovering from her harrowing experiences, she puzzles over her lack of mail. Nicholas Brisbane, her consort in solving the crime, has ignored her for five months.

Lysander's sudden engagement to a fiery Italian beauty, Violante, triggers March's unexpected request for their return to England for the Christmas holidays. Plum adds to the traveling party when he invites his Italian friend, Count Alessandro Fornacci, a wealthy young man who adores Julia.

March has assembled a house party that brims with intriguing personalities, including two eccentric maiden aunts; orphaned cousins Lucy and Emma; the local vicar's curate, Lucien Snow; daughter Portia; and Sir Cedric Easley, a wealthy tradesman. Sir Cedric has become Lucy's fiance, despite a wide gap in their ages. Lucien exhibits his flirtatious nature, an uncommon trait in a religious trainee. Ultimate shock jars Julia when her father re-introduces her to Lord Hargrave, formerly known to her as Nicholas Brisbane. In turn, he adds a twist to her perplexing emotions with the introduction of his fiancée, Mrs. Harriet King, a widow. Overwhelmed, Julia's composure remains stoic. The abbey's spacious hallways can be useful in prevention of more than chance meetings.

In fact, the abbey's religious history maintains a volume of traditions long ago forsaken but possible to reincarnate. Late one night the guests are awakened by a shriek that slices the quiet hallways. In the former chapel chamber, a morbid scene plays out. Lucien's body lies on the cold stone floor. Above him, Lucy clutches an iron candelabrum that drips slow, heavy crimson drops of blood.

In the pandemonium following the discovery, a bewildered Lucy staggers toward Father March, grabs onto an iron ring attached to the wall and declares, "My lord! In this holy place, I claim the right of sanctuary!"

"Child, what have you done that you would invoke sanctuary?'

"My lord," she continues. "You cannot take me for murder. Under the law I am given forty days."

The girl collapses but is joined by her sister, Emma, refusing to leave the holy room where sanctuary from immediate prosecution is protected. March responds with compassion and allows the scenario to continue. But he enlists Julia and Nicholas to sort out the mysteries of the alleged murder before he contacts London authority. Lucien's body will remain in the cook's larder until a later date. Julia and Nicholas delve into the crime with vigor but find themselves often at odds in their methods. Revelations abound, with dirty secrets unveiled that connect numerous guests besides Lucy with a motive for murder.

Each chapter is prefaced with a quote from Shakespeare that delineates the content to follow. Raybourn tantalizes the reader by inference before she develops the ensuing action, and Victorian-scrolled artwork further illustrates the chapter title pages, which is a clever touch. Although not familiar with the first book in the Silent series, I am an enthusiastic reader and will anticipate SILENT ON THE MOOR, scheduled for release in 2009.

--- Reviewed by Judy Gigstad

Lady Julia Grey has traveled to Italy to recover from the traumatic events of the previous year, the death of her husband, the revelations her inquiries into his death had raised and finally the fire that had destroyed her home and nearly taken her life. Julia also needed to recover from the effects of the inquiry agent who had led the inquiries, the mysterious Mr. Brisbane. She had thought he would contact her, after all she had not imagined the passion in the kiss they had shared but as the weeks passed no letters had arrived for her. Otherwise she was thoroughly enjoying her time in Italy. She and her two older brothers, Lysander and Plum, were delightful company. They had traveled through the country, seeing the sights. It was a totally carefree time, at least until Lysander returned from a brief side trip with a new wife in tow, Even so the newly expanded family group made plans to spend Christmas in a lovely villa and then proceed to Venice in time for Carnavale. The plans changed though when their father summoned the group home for the holidays. When they arrived they discovered that the house party had already begun to assemble, their sister Portia, Aunt Dorcas, two poor relation cousins, one complete with fiance and Brisbane and his fiancee among others. As the party progressed it became all too apparent that things were not as they seemed, with a ghost prowling the halls late at night, a sudden violent death, a mysterious disappearance and the theft of jewels. And all of this before Christmas had even arrived!

This series of romantic mystery thrillers is set in the Victorian Age, featuring Lady Julia Grey, a wealthy young widow, her family of eccentric aristocrats and the enigmatic Brisbane, a private inquiry agent who is a never ending source of surprises. The wry humor and clever plot twists as well as the Victorian era setting have much in common with the early books in the AMELIA PEABODY series.

Lady Julia and her brothers, Plum and Lysander, have been enjoying themselves in Italy. Julia has needed the time away from home after the events that occurred in SILENT IN THE GRAVE. Now, however, their father has demanded they return home immediately due to Lysander's recent and unexpected marriage.

Julia doesn't expect for Nicholas Brisbane to be one of her father's houseguests when they return home. Worse yet, he's claiming to be engaged! But events will throw them together once again when a body turns up murdered and one of Julia's own March family members takes responsibility....

Deanna Raybourn excels at incorporating historical events into a suspenseful mystery. SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY has twists and turns that will leave the reader wildly guessing as to the ending. However, once the conclusion is reached, it is easy to see how all the pieces fit nicely together.

The outrageousness of the March clan is on full display in this second book of the series. While it is not necessary to read SILENT IN THE GRAVE first, it does help establish to the reader the craziness of the Marches along with the rather unusual relationship between Julia and Nicholas. SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY takes the quirks of the Marches to a whole new level as this is one family that doesn't follow in the traditionally thought of Victorian mode.

Deanna Raybourn creates fascinating characters in this series. The depth of emotions one feels about the characters is also impressive. Ms. Raybourn is good at showing that each person has a hidden side, that the mask they often portray to the public isn't their true self. This adds another layer to the character development as no one is simply one dimensional in her tales! SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY is easily recommended.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

This is the second installment in the Lady Julia Grey trilogy, beautifully written hybrid mystery-romances set in the Victorian period, best suited to readers who enjoy both genres. The first book in the series, Silent In The Grave, should be read before this one.

This second book takes place at the March family seat in Sussex, a converted abbey. It's nearly Christmas, and the Marches and their several guests have assembled for the holiday. Julia returns from Italy with her two brothers, Lysander and Plum, as well as an Italian suitor. To her surprise, Nicholase Brisbane and his gorgeous but featherbrained fiance are there to meet her. They are all trapped inside the gloriously gothic old abbey during a terrible snowstorm that cuts off all communication with the outside world - the gates are frozen shut, the roads impassable. One of the visitors is murdered, and another must be the culprit.

Julia and Brisbane team up again to find the killer, and they must work hard to keep their eyes sharp and their thinking rational while Raybourn indulges in every gothic fancy she can think of: fortune-telling gypsies, ghosts roaming the stone-flagged halls, secret passages, impecunious relatives, and stolen jewels. Lord March advises that the mystery had better be solved before the snow melts, when he'll be duty bound to call in Scotland Yard, if they are to have any hope of avoiding a massive scandal. The pressure is on as the investigation becomes a race against time.

For my money, this book was the best of the trilogy. The approach-and-retreat between Julia and Brisbane is the most satisfying, as Julia's confidence has grown and Brisbane treats her with a delicious blend of heat and brusqueness. The mystery of a single murder blossoms into something infinitely more complex, drawing to an unexpected and unsettling conclusion.

It reads almost like an Agatha Christie play: a group of houseguests at an old abbey in Sussex for the Christmas holidays suddenly become suspects when the vicar's assistant is found dead in the chapel. By sheer luck, a snowstorm has rendered everyone homebound. But when strange poisonings start occurring, each person is left to wonder who the culprit is, and whether they will get out alive.

This is the setup for "Silent in the Sanctuary", Deanna Raybourn's sequel to "Silent in the Grave". About six months after the conclusion of the earlier book, this one begins with Lady Julia Grey preparing to leave Italy and return to England for the Christmas holidays. With her is her brother Ly and his new wife, Violante; their brother Plum; and Alessandro Fornacci, an Italian count who has eyes for Julia. But when the arrive at her ancestral home, Bellmont Abbey, they realize that the festivities are to include more than just immediate family. In addition to the travelers arriving from Florence, guests include long-lost cousins Lucy and Emma, seemingly senile Aunt Dorcas, and private investigator Nicholas Brisbane. Brisbane and Julia had worked together to solve her husband's murder earlier in the year, and despite leaving things strained, they are quickly thrust together to solve this crime.

Unfortunately, it seems that fate may be slightly against them. The main suspect is poisoned, along with her sister and Julia's dog. Aunt Dorcas has disappeared. A pair of pearls are missing and other jewelry is discovered. And to top it off, someone is wandering the corridors at night dressed as a ghost. Are all of these events related? Julia isn't sure. But she does know one thing: Brisbane's presence at the abbey is the work of her father, and his being there has to do with a political riot a few weeks prior. Can this have bearing on the case? Or are all of these things a random series of coincidences?

Like "Silent in the Grave", this one is a page-turner, though I will admit that it was a bit slow-starting. The murder doesn't occur until the end of chapter eleven, but once it picks up, it does so with a bang. And once you get into this one, you won't be able to put it down until you've read the last surprise.

We join Lady Julia Grey in Italy where she joined her two brothers after the events in Silent in the Grave. Several months have passed without any word from Nicholas Brisbane. Julia is content but bored with life in Italy. Her brother, Lysander married a Neapolitan girl named Violante quite unexpectedly. They had planned to stay in Europe a while longer until a summons arrives from her father demanding that his children return home for Christmas. They pack up and return to England, to Bellmont Abbey with their friend, Count Fornacci in tow. When they arrive, they discover a house party in progress with a very interesting guest, Brisbane. When one of the guests is found murdered and another guest standing over the body, Lady Julia again teams up with Brisbane to solve the case.

If you haven't read the first book, Silent in the Grave, go out now and get it, I'll wait. It was so good, I hoped there would be a sequel. When I discovered there was going to be a sequel, I jumped up and down. Once I got my hands on it, I devoured it. What a phenomenal book. Everyone becomes a suspect, and I do mean everyone. I didn't know who the killer was until near the end. Besides the murder, there are missing jewels, a betrothal cancelled, a proposal, a wacky family, and some spectacular kissing scenes. Ms. Raybourn should be congratulated. She is a master at description without drowning you in it. The entire book unfolded like scenes in a movie. Julia is a wonderful character, finally coming into her own. Spooky moments and a mysterious hero, what more could you ask for. Brisbane is so yummy I could eat him up! I urge everyone to go out and get this series.
Originally reviewed at Night Owl Romance

England, 1887. Lady Julia Grey went through a great deal the previous year. Her husband was murdered, she discovered that her very good friend -- a very ill man -- was the murderer, and lost her home to a fire. So could you blame her for embarking on a much-needed holiday to Italy? There she reacquaints with two of her brothers and meets the very charming Alessandro. He is five years her junior, but more than willing to be paired off with her. However, Julia hasn't forgotten about Nicholas Brisbane, the enigmatic private investigator with Romany (gypsy) blood. After endless coaxing from her father, Julia and her two brothers and Alessandro go to England. There she discovers that Mr. Brisbane is now Lord Wargrave, a viscount. But the most shocking news of all is that he is engaged with a pretty widow. Julia doesn't let on the fact that she is heartbroken. And now, in some pre-Christmas parties at her father's well-appointed estate, she has to work with Brisbane again. Someone has been murdered, and her beloved cousin appears to be the murderess. But nothing is the way it seems at the Abbey. Soon Julia and Nicholas will have to uncover the truth.

Silent in the Grave, the first Julia Grey novel, opens with Julia's husband's murder. Silent in the Sanctuary, on the other hand, begins with the introduction of various characters. The murder mystery doesn't begin until about halfway through the book. I have to admit that the novel moved very slow for me, and I almost gave up after a while. However, things do get interesting as the mystery mounts and mounts and the plot thickens. I am not pleased with the fact that the murder victim was likable and interesting and I wish it had been someone else and not him, but things get interesting when you get to know the person. The sexual tension between Julia and Brisbane is great when he isn't brooding and being taciturn. Julia's family, especially her father and her sister Portia, is as eccentric and unconventional as better. This side of her family's personality is more convincing in this novel than it was in the previous one. It doesn't come across quite as anachronistic as it did in Grave. Deanna Raybourn has a good eye for historical detail and can write a good mystery. This falls into a Victorian gothic, but Raybourn's writing style is more Agatha Christie than Daphne du Maurier. I enjoyed this a little more than I did Grave. This series isn't quite a five-star read for me just yet, but I will very likely read the future installments. Julia as an amateur sleuth and Brisbane as the dark, brooding investigator are too delicious to pass on.

In this excellent sequel to SILENT IN THE GRAVE, Lady Julia Grey is recuperating after losing her house in a fire and nearly losing her life in the last book. She has spent five months in pleasant Italy with her brothers, Eglamour (Plum) and Lysander. But now her father demands their return for the Christmas Holidays to the great, sprawling medieval Bellmont Abbey, home to the "mad" March family.

Gathered for this wonderful cozy/English country house mystery are the patriarch, the Earl and only some of the ten March children: Julia, Plum, Lysander, Portia. Also, Lysander's new bride, a friend traveling with them from Italy, Alessandro, an elderly aunt, two poor cousins--one of whom plans to marry in the chapel, the fiancé and his assistant/cousin, and very surprisingly, the consulting detective Brisbane... and his fiancée.

The mad Marches and their old Abbey are fabulous. Julia has matured from the first book. She is stronger and more confident, and as the first-person narrator, comes through as a more intelligent and witty personality--with greater focus on what she wants in life and on solving the mystery.

The mystery is a good one, with no obvious suspects at all and no motive. And a snowstorm serves to isolate the Abbey, allowing Brisbane and Julia to investigate. Unlike the previous book, both do a lot of decent sleuthing, and the dark, intense Brisbane is well-matched by the stronger Julia. The sexual tension between them is heated, without being ridiculous. There are sub-mysteries as well, which add to the enjoyment.

I liked this book even more than the first, if that is possible. Having both Brisbane and Julia snowed-in in one place along with a good mystery to solve was just loads of fun. I will totally look forward to reading the continuation of the series.

Lady Julia Grey has been summoned from Italy, along with her two brothers, her new sister-in-law and a handsome new acquaintance, to spend the Christmas holiday in England. The ancestral home, a deconsecrated abbey, will be less then festive however, due to a tragic death, a ghostly apparition or two and a theft that leaves Lady Julia watching everyone at the house party with suspicion.

In addition, Lady Julia is thrown together once again with Nicholas Brisbane, an invited guest of her father's and a seemingly unwilling partner in Lady Julia's efforts to get to the bottom of her family's problems.

To make things even more awkward, Brisbane is engaged to a pretty young thing of "candy box" sweetness, the exact opposite of Lady Julia's forthright, independent woman. Fans of the Amelia Peabody series of Egyptian mysteries will see a similar repartee that characterizes Amelia and Emerson's relationship, in Julia and Nicholas.

The gruesome murder of the local curate is anything but straightforward and Lady Julia refuses to sit back and wait for the local constabulary to figure out who is responsible for his demise. Reminiscing about Brisbane's past support in her efforts to unravel a mystery, leads her to confide in him about her theories, but he admonishes her to let the dead tell their tales to the police only. Undaunted, she sets forth to solve the case on her own, putting herself in mortal danger in the process.

Armchair Interviews says: This book is guaranteed to keep any mystery lover guessing, right up to the last chapter.

In 1887 Lady Julia Grey still mentally heals from the murder of her husband, her own near death, and the burning down of her home (see SILENT IN THE GRAVE). To help her recover she left England and its burning memories for Italy accompanied by two of her March family brothers and her new Italian sister-in-law.

However, with Christmas arriving soon, the March family patriarch wants everyone to spend the holidays at his vast seven century old estate Belmont Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery. Thus Julia reluctantly heeds her father's summons and returns to England. Among the non-kin guests is enquiry agent Nicholas Brisbane. Julia is shocked to learn he is engaged to a simmering woman that is just not right for the intelligent investigator. When her pearls are stolen and guest curate Lucian Snow is murdered, Julia decides investigate over the objection of Brisbane. To keep her out of harms way he allows her to join him, which ironically places her in harm's way.

This late Victorian whodunit with a touch of romance is fun to read due to the relationship between the professional enquiry agent and the amateur sleuth. Readers will laugh at the double entendres and can "see" the bewildered (only when it comes to Lady Julia) Nicholas raise his eyebrows several times at the actions of his unwanted but new sidekick when it comes to detecting; their attraction adds to the amusing antics. Fans of lighthearted late nineteenth romps will appreciate the return from Italy of Lady Julia and her frustrated "mentor".

Harriet Klausner

When her brother marries and Italian beauty, Lady Julia Grey's father summons Julia and her two brothers home to the family estate in England. To her surprise, Julia discovers that Nicholas Brisbane--the man she holds some feelings of affection for--has become engaged to a pretty but uninteresting woman and that the two of them are visiting the estate. Also visiting are two of Julia's cousins--one now engaged to a much older man.

The Christmas festivities are destroyed when one guest, a curate from the local church, is murdered. One of the cousins claims sanctuary--an outdated notion even if the old monastery where the March family lives had never been deconcecrated. Yet Julia, working with Brisbane, soon learns that only a man's strong hands could have killed the curate. Julia follows apparent ghosts, tangled leads, and her amorous heart to discover clues that reach well beyond that single murder.

Author Deanna Raybourn writes beautifully, spinning a story set during the height of the British Empire. Julia, torn between her affection toward her young Italian friend and her frustration at Brisbane's incredible engagement, makes for a sympathetic character. In contrast to the richly drawn characters and setting, I found the mystery itself a bit convoluted. The not-quite-parallel mysteries of murder and jewel theft didn't really complement one another. And mystery readers may grow impatient waiting, as the murder doesn't occur until the midpoint in the novel.

SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY is an interesting blend between romance and mystery. Raybourn is clearly a talented author--I'll certainly look for more of her books in the future.

Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn is the second book in the Julia Grey series. Lady Julia is heading home with her two brothers Plum and Lysander (plus Lysander's new wife) for a family Christmas on the March country estate. But she's in for a surprise because her father has invited family members, neighbors, and the target of Julia's affection: Nicholas Brisbane, who just happens to bring his fiance. Every one of Raybourn's characters is a stand out, whether supporting or lead, they are fascinating and full of mystery. Even the family home, a former abbey, has a personality. The March family is well known for its eccentricities, but murder is something even they can't overlook, and when a young cousin confesses, Julia decides to find out the truth, no matter who gets hurt. The electricity between Julia and Brisbane arcs across each page, and the sibling rivalry among the March children is insightful and often hilarious. This Victorian romance/mystery is filled with lots of period detail and sparkling dialogue. Raybourn ends with a new home for Julia, and this series has a new home on my list of favorites.

Silent in the Sancturary is pure, many-layered deliciousness: an ancient aristrocratic, eccentric and prolific family with ties to the Rom; an estate that is a former abbey and possibly haunted; a potential title at stake; jewel thiefs; and a mystery that doesn't end with the discovery of the murderer, but one that sails away with another couple.

From the author's blog, "And in case you're curious, yes, Brisbane is a Scorpio. All those secrets? How could he not be?" Nicholas Brisbane is a fascinating character, and Lady Julia is a perfect match. In some strange way, he reminds of Martin Cruz Smith's character, Arkady Renko. Maybe it's those secrets, and the daring behind the normal facade.

This is a scrumptious mystery and period piece with just a soupcon of sexual intrigue. Whether that is good or bad, the result is certainly very enjoyable. You will have to settle for subtle moments of sexual tension like Lady Julia rolling up her sleeve and Brisbane focusing on her bare wrist. I delayed reading this book because I knew when I finished it I would have too long a wait for the next.

This book was definitely better than the last. To a point I did enjoy [book:Silent in the Grave], but the solving point I felt ruined what could have been a perfectly great mystery. But that's enough about that. I really enjoyed this one. This was not just one mystery, but several wrapped up in one. There was some romance and extreme feelings between various persons and trying to see them was a task. I enjoyed this story, and it makes me anxious to read [book: Silent on the Moor], because I believe it will be even better. The first book I would not recommend to certain audiences, but I believe that most people could read this one without much affect in a negative sense. It is much more tasteful and enjoyable. I felt as if I could see clues and piece them together, when with the first novel it was more of a jolt of information here and there. In my opinion, this author is getting better and better.

Morning commute time on the shuttle frequently means talking about the books we're reading. And we share our favorite finds. I hardly ever read fiction, and when I do it's mysteries. Contemporary mysteries. When "Silent in the Grave" was passed to me on the shuttle I did not want to appear rude, so I stuck it in my case. I ran out of "my" books that weekend and picked it up in desperation. Couldn't put it down. Couldn't wait to get back on the shuttle on Monday and demand, "What else has she written?". Promptly settled in with "Silent in the Sanctuary". I couldn't put it down either. Not only are the mysteries good (not Agatha good, but still good)but the "voice" of the narration reminds me of witty conversation. I actually slowed down my reading pace because of the quality of the narration.

I meant what I said, hurry up Deanna! Write more Julia!

In her second novel of the Lady Jane Grey series, author Deanna Raybourne has much to live up to. That she so successfully meets the challenge is a testament to the character and wit of her independent widow at odds with an enquiry agent, Nicholas Brisbane, who gets under Julia's skin at every turn, indicative not only of a professional sense of competition, but also a romantic tension that fails to materialize as the two lock horns and intellects, murder at the heart of each contretemps. Returning from five months in Italy with her two brothers, a new sister-in-law and a charming young gentleman with a crush on the widow, Lady Julia arrives in Sussex at her father's home, Belmont Abbey, for a protracted Christmas family gathering. Unexpectedly, among the earl of March's guests is none other than the enigmatic and profoundly stubborn Brisbane, who blandly introduces Julia to his fiancé. Not to be outdone, Julia proffers her handsome gentleman in turn.

Critiquing Brisbane's intended, Julia finds the woman lacking. Pretty enough, to be sure, but not of the intellectual caliber one would expect from Brisbane. Her suspicions piqued, Julia believes something is amiss and vows to keep her eye on the couple, at the same time attending to her temperamental new sister-in-law, as well as a visiting clergyman, and two poor-relation cousins, one of whom has brought her wealthy, elderly fiancé with plans to be married in the Abbey chapel that weekend. Beginning their usual fractious repartee, Julia and Brisbane have once more begun to circle one another when a scream rings out; a man is found dead in the chapel, the about-to-be-wed cousin standing near the lifeless body clutching the blood-stained murder weapon. With everything in chaos, the cousin claims the right of sanctuary, unwilling or unable to answer further questions. Later that night, when she and her devoted sister suffer the consequences of someone's ill-intent, it is clear that this family holiday is not going as planned.

With the aura of a baroque late 19th century drawing room melodrama, the setting is gothic and mysterious, four centuries of ghosts in good company with a killer who mixes among the other guests. Terrified that the culprit might be one of her kin, Julia must consider every possibility, no matter how distasteful, following Brisbane's lead, but forging a singular path as her own stubborn nature prevails. Accidentally thwarting Brisbane's investigation, Julia is adequately remorseful, but as is her wont, her mistakes come at Brisbane's personal cost, all because she refuses to be dominated by another man since widowhood, independence part of this protagonist's charm. Stories within stories, wheels within wheels, nothing is predictable in this novel, not the murderer, nor the eclectic assortment of guests, including a jewel thief and a deeply bitter man who craves society's approbation, nor the two combatants, Julia and Brisbane, who fuel yet another romp through the dark halls of murder and a relationship yet to be acknowledged. A charming, irresistible novel. Luan Gaines/ 2008.

Lady Julia Grey made her introduction to us in Deanna Raybourn's first book, "Silent in the Grave." I plodded through "Grave" and found myself annoyed with Brisbane, her anti-hero, but infatuated with Julia's world. I didn't love "Grave" but couldn't wait to begin reading "Silent in the Sanctuary." It fulfilled every bit of my hopes; I gorged myself on it.

The world of Lady Julia was well drawn in "Grave." I loved the details of Julia's home, her clothes, her interests, her friends, her meals, her maids, etc. Everything was fascinating and very realistic - that is, I could believe in the reality of the character's experiences, especially her childhood and family. In "Sanctuary," we go to Lady Julia's childhood home for Christmas. Five of the ten children are visiting, along with two cousins, a moldering aunt, her father's paramour, and assorted other characters - including Julia's heartthrob, Brisbane, who arrives sporting a new title and a new fiancee. The details of Julia's experience and the experiences of her family and friends again ring true and are enthralling. I loved everything about this book; this is the one that "Grave" wanted to be.

The only false note is Julia's maid, Morag, who is unrelentingly surly and unpleasant to Lady Julia. It is difficult to understand why she would put up with such behavior, even if she did take on Morag as a favor to her aunt. It is a small bad note, however, and is barely worth mentioning in such a satisfying book.

First Sentence: "Well, I suppose that settles it. ..."

Lady Julia Grey and her two brothers, along with her oldest brother's new Italian wife and a friend, are summoned back to England and their country home, a former monastery, for Christmas by their father Earl Marsh.

Once there, Julia is confronted by Nicholas Brisbane, a man with whom she solved the murder of her husband and to whom she felt an attraction. But Nicholas is not alone; his fiancée is with him. With the murder of one of the house guests, Julia and Nicholas are once again on the hunt for a killer.

This was a delightful book. It is character driven and the characters are definitely the best part of the story. The Marshes and their staff are a wonderfully eccentric. The house, with its attics, secret passages, and a ghost, really became a character as well. I wanted to be there.

Perhaps because there were so many characters and a couple plot lines, I didn't think this book was quite as good and the first, "Silent in the Grave." Still, it was delightful and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Upon being drawn to the cover at a local library, I read the back of the book and had expected another sorry attempt at the genre so favorably called, "romantic suspense". While the genre itself boasts quite a few good novels, most of the time they have nothing else to offer than obvious plot lines, thinly stretched twists, much-too-familiar characters that all sum up to frustrating cliches.

Nonetheless, I had some time to kill and I invested some doubtful minutes reading and skimming through. As I went deeper into the story, pleasantly surprised, I became intrigued by the Christie-esque settings, characters, etc, which were all thoroughly charming, but most of all the witty dialogues and the characters' acerbic tongues that reminded me of Salinger. These lent the book a delicious seasoning on top of what could have been a story vulnerable to a few dull scenes (though I admit that readers have to learn to be patient when involved in this genre).

Solving criminal mysteries and delving into little clues that trail after the culprits and finally meting out justice is not my idea of a favorite book, but Silent in the Sanctuary is delightfully refreshing and unconventional, and I was kept chuckling until the very last sentence of the book. I'll look forward to the next installment of the series very much!

I thought the continuing Victorian era tale of Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane was even better than the first: the somewhat whiny and naive character of Julia got on my nerves a bit in the first book but she is a more developed person in this sequel. The murder itself is intriguing and I thought the twist at the end worked well. I think if you read this as a straight murder mystery you might be a bit disappointed at the time taken up by family and period descriptions but if you approach it as a novel with a mystery attached, I think you'll enjoy it.

First, my sincere apologies to the author and the publisher. Ms. Raybourn's publisher was kind enough to extend an ARC, and as such my review should have been published the day the book was available for sale.

I first came upon Ms. Raybourn's work in an unusual way. Having just finished The Thirteenth Tale, back in late 2006, I was browsing the bookstore looking for a book that might be similar, and written by a contemporary author. I didn't think I would find anything, but I was game, and up for the challenge. I came across Silent in the Grave on a display, and it caught my eye because the cover was red, and it vaguely, subconsciously reminded me of the cover of The Thirteenth Tale - although the only similarity is that red appears on both covers. A quick glance at the book description told me that I hadn't found what I was looking for, but I decided to read the first page anyway.

And I'm glad I did. I was immediately hooked, and instead of waiting to get a better price on the store, which I guiltily admit I usually do, bought the book at the store, and devoured it. Ms. Raybourn kept me just as entertained throughout the rest of the book as her opening paragraph had promised, and I greatly looked forward to the next installment in the series.

Now how odd is it, that when looking for something vaguely Victorian that spoke of ghosts and family secrets and tragedies, that I found Silent in the Grave? Because while that wasn't what I was looking for at the time, Silent in the Sanctuary absolutely was. It evoked memories of the Bronte sisters and Henry James, and was more what I was looking for two years ago. That's what this book is...a throwback to a different era. The hook isn't in the first sentence, but rather in the entire book. Ms. Raybourn gave herself quite a task, and she succeeded admirably. She brought together a large, diverse group of people, outfit them with unique yet sensible and believable personalities, and then told us a story that takes place in a cold, dank abbey that is quite possibly haunted.

Not a huge fan of romance, I found myself much entertained by the back and forth between Brisbane and Grey in the first book of this series, and it continues here, with a marvelous twist. In fact, there are so many twists in this book that it's nearly impossible to guess at where the story is headed.

In addition to Brisbane and Grey, there is a marvelous cast of supporting characters, all of whom are exceedingly well drawn. I kept waiting to encounter a character that stepped out of character, so to speak, because with the tangled web Ms. Raybourn was weaving, it seemed that something, somewhere, was bound to fall apart.

It didn't. Ms. Raybourn entertained me again, and masterfully managed all of the delicate, intricate threads of her story. I'm delighted that she didn't try to copy what made the first book such a success, that she listened to the story, and told it as it needed to be told.

Raybourn brings her characters to life from the bit players to her hero and heroine. They mystery is clever and has just a taste of the Gothic. The romance is complicated but the chemistry is keen, despite the fact that the intrepid couple rarely touch. Highly recommended.

This is the second book in the Lady Julia / Brisbane series and it is every bit as fun as the first (Silent in the Grave).

Deanna Raybourn has a talent for twisting and tweaking the story where you least expect it. The murderer has been caught and that's the end, right? Don't count on it!

I have to admit, I'm enjoying the Victorian sexual tension between Lady Julia and Brisbane but I hope it ramps up some in the third outing. Please remember, Ms. Raybourn - teasing turns to boring after a while with no payoff!

The one question I have for Ms. Raybourn is - where do you get the names of your characters? "Eglamore" (Plum)? Lysander?

All in all, Silent in the Sanctuary is a fun book and it even leaves you a little worried about one of the side characters after it ends. Or maybe not. I can't say more without spoilers so I'll leave it at that. Go read the book!

Good setting , mostly interesting characters make this a good entry into a quite satisfying Victorian mystery series. Hopefully, Lady Julia and Nicolas Brisbane will pair up legitimately and remove their weird courtship as a distraction.

I was well and done with the annoying bickering between Brisbane and Julia, and the constant defense of the Roma, but the plot grabbed my attention and held it entwined. Maybe Brisbane's attitude can be saved after all. I will go get the next book and find out where the author takes her characters.
Spoiler alert*** The nod to Agatha Christie's Poirot with the jewel in the Christmas pudding was to be applauded!

I was disappointed at first: Larger print, smaller story. "Silent in the Grave" was such a detailed novel. In the end, I did enjoy this book and now hate to wait until 3/2009 to read more. I hope Deanna Raybourn takes this time to create another great story, letting the characters evolve some more... I certainly felt like living in another world while I was reading her first two books. Thanks!

This is one of a terrific series of period mysteries by this author, which are well written and have interesting story lines. But they recently reissued these stories with new covers that make them look like "bodice rippers" - you know, the hardcore romances, etc. Get past the icky covers, and they are excellent mysteries, and very well written.

Ms. Raybourn has done it again. Silent in the Sanctuary picks up some 4 odd months after the first book ended and sees Julia, Brisbane, and the wonderfully eccentric Marches at a house party before the holidays. The plot, for which I won't speak for fear of ruining any of the twists and turns, was involving and the dialogue witty. The book had it all - smoldering tension between the two stars, an involving mystery, and boat loads of the crazy mixed up drama the March relatives always seem to find themselves in. I absolutly loved Silent in the Grave and was extremely pleased with the Sequel. My only complaint is that I now have to wait for Silent in the Moor. If you haven't yet started Ms. Raybourn's delectable Julia Grey novels, please do - you won't be disappointed!

"Silent in the Sanctuary" was a pleasure to read. I couldn't put it down. The characters are fascinating and the plot is unpredictable. It is a worthy successor to "Silent in the Grave." I've been recommending these books to friends and family. I can't wait for the next one!

I was thoroughly disappointed in this book. I loved "Silent in the Grave". I was looking for this book as soon as I finished that one. But, if the first book made me change my mind about mysteries, this one made me remember why I have never enjoyed them consistently. This plot and story line just felt like a bad game of clue. Some family and strangers are stranded in a large house in the countryside and crimes start happening. I thought to myself, "It was Ms. Scarlett in the library with the candlestick." Anyway, it was not for me. Although, just to keep those of you interested that love mysteries, there were some interesting plot twists. But, I will definately read whatever she writes next.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey books. The new covers, however, are embarrassing and misleading. These are wonderful historical mysteries, not cheap romantic novels. Whoever is making the decisions on the artwork needs to re-read the books!

A solid read, captivating readers with the sexual tension and underlying passion between the heroine and the dark hero. For fans of this author, you will find it her most compelling yet and anxious for the next saga. Write Deanna write!

This is the second book in Deanna Raybourn's successful historical romantic/sleuth series about Lady Julia Grey, a rich Victorian widow, who stumbles into a "career" as a private investigator when her husband dies. In the first book she met enigmatic and potentially very sexy Nicholas Brisbane, a part-time private investigator for the aristocracy, who told her that her husband has been murdered and asked for her help in finding the culprit.

Julia has just spent a year abroad in Italy recovering from a fire which destroyed her home and her husband's murderer and nearly took her life. During that time she hasn't heard a word from Brisbane and when she returns to home for Christmas to Belmont Abbey she is surprised to find Brisbane there as a guest of her father. She is more surprised to find that he is to become Lord Wargrave and she is even more surprised to find that he is accompanied by his fiancé, Mrs Charlotte King.

What follows is a very interesting house party of family and friends. Julia's family, the Hart's, are known for their eccentricity but the addition of murder and theft make this a most unusual house party. Of course Julia teams up again with Brisbane to find the culprits and there is some sexual tension, but not as much as I would have expected.

All in all this turned out to be something of a Victorian "melodrama", with potential villains everywhere, all played out in a Victorian country house party environment, with family, friends with unknown backgrounds, ghosts, secret passages, gypsies, poisoning and jewel theft set against a background of Victorian manners and behaviours.

While this series is a little outside my normal reading stream I enjoyed the first book because I was left with anticipation of what would happen next. At the end of this book I was disappointed that the relationship between Julia and Brisbane had not developed as fast as I expected and there was a lot of the same. I am not sure if I want to keep reading to see where the relationship heads. 3.5 stars.

I loved, loved, LOVED this book. There are mart, funny, and original characters all around including, of course, Lady Julia Grey. The mystery is a good one, the setting is perfect, and the authorship is fantastic.