Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
132nd out of 140 books
—
95 voters
Silent Night (Lady Julia Mystery #5.5 Christmas Novella)
by
Deanna Raybourn (Goodreads Author)
'Tis the season for an investigation! Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane return for a Christmas caper at Bellmont Abbey—.
After a year of marriage—and numerous adventures—Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together—until they find themselves at her father's ancestral estate, Bellmont Abbey, with her eccentric family and a menagerie of animals.
Neverth...more
After a year of marriage—and numerous adventures—Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together—until they find themselves at her father's ancestral estate, Bellmont Abbey, with her eccentric family and a menagerie of animals.
Neverth...more
ebook, 70 pages
Published
November 1st 2012
by Mira
(first published October 1st 2012)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,218)
Nothing makes me order a book faster than Deanna Raybourn! Now all I have to do is wait.
***
I know it's a short story but darn that Deanna Raybourn, she left me wanting more ... MORE!
If you're new to the Lady Julia series, this a great primer on who is who and who did what to whom. If you're an enslaved, I mean, dedicated reader, it's a short but sweet visit with favorite characters. Also, I'm going to try the wassail recipe at the end!
***
I know it's a short story but darn that Deanna Raybourn, she left me wanting more ... MORE!
If you're new to the Lady Julia series, this a great primer on who is who and who did what to whom. If you're an enslaved, I mean, dedicated reader, it's a short but sweet visit with favorite characters. Also, I'm going to try the wassail recipe at the end!
Boring, insipid, and nowhere near the par of her normally excellent Lady Julia novels. This is a very short Christmas novella that is lighter than light, with not much plot, and some very forgettable new characters in a supporting cast. And, lest I forget to mention, some rather annoying family members. Their appearance in the normal novels are bad enough, which is a testament to Deanna Raybourn's ability to write believable characters, but in the family gathering in which this book takes place,...more
This was a fun Christmas novella involving the regular characters from Deanna’s Lady Julia mystery series. Newly married Julia and Nicholas Brisbane travel to Julia’s family seat for Christmas, taking with them a fantastic assortment of pets they have acquired from all their travels – my favorites are the raven Grim and the peacocks from Julia’s trip to India. Julia is looking forward to a lovely, traditional Christmas with her family, but she finds that her father is sulking in his study, hardl...more
This is one of those stories that seems to be written strictly for the fans of a series. And since I'm a huge fan of the Lady Julia series, I grabbed it up eagerly. It is a short novella that takes a break from the usual darker murder mysteries and intense romantic relationship that Lady Julia and her detective husband, Brisbane share together. There is a light mystery, light sweet romantic interludes and gathering as a family for the holidays to entertain the reader.
Julia and Brisbane along wit...more
Julia and Brisbane along wit...more
So often authors virtually phone these "in-between" novellas in. Not so with Silent Night, which comes after the fifth full entry in the Lady Julia Grey mystery series. In this novella, amusingly counted as 5.5 in the series, Lady Julia and her new husband and old partner, Nicholas Brisbane, spend Christmas with her father, the eccentric Earl March, and some of her unconventional family. While at Bellmont Abbey, the March family's country home in Sussex, Lady Julia, acting mostly without Brisban...more
The novella format is so hard to read and grade; I'm sure it is also difficult to write. It helps that most characters are firmly entrenched by now if you follow the Lady Julia series.
As a fan of Julia and Brisbane, I was glad to have another story with them but also sad that is was so short. A major issue raised in the last book was not discussed here and I can understand that its proper place is in the next as yet unscheduled novel. Overall this was a vignette and should be read and appreciat...more
As a fan of Julia and Brisbane, I was glad to have another story with them but also sad that is was so short. A major issue raised in the last book was not discussed here and I can understand that its proper place is in the next as yet unscheduled novel. Overall this was a vignette and should be read and appreciat...more
Feb 27, 2013
Purnima/Bernie Bhagria
added it
This book was very good i really loved everything about it to be honest and with me im very picky with books but this one really caught my attention i love the romance the action packed and the very serious moments all jam packed into one its very interesting what the main character "Julia" has gone tro in her life it may seem heart breaking but to be honest its really interesting to read about i really think ppl that are into romance, strong moments, action , and discovery should read this beca...more
Lady Julia Brisbane is looking forward to a traditional family Christmas with her family. She knows her husband, a private inspector, isn't viewing the time with the same enthusiasm. When things begin to go missing, Julia decides to investigate, with the guidance of her husband. The answers to the mysteries are not what she expected, though.
This is a novella, which could leave some people wanting more. It also doesn't have the same sinister twists to it as other Lady Julia novels. But not every...more
This is a novella, which could leave some people wanting more. It also doesn't have the same sinister twists to it as other Lady Julia novels. But not every...more
I'm so starved for more Lady Julia (seriously, what is UP with the new historicals by Deanna Raybourn and WHY are they NOT LADY JULIA STORIES!!!!!!!!!?) that I snapped up this novella as soon as I could lay my hands on it in the library's eCollection (since it isn't available in print).
It made things worse.
I want a full-length Lady Julia story... there was a huge plot point in the last one that I want some resolution for. And based on Ms. Raybourn's upcoming books/website/blog, I don't think th...more
It made things worse.
I want a full-length Lady Julia story... there was a huge plot point in the last one that I want some resolution for. And based on Ms. Raybourn's upcoming books/website/blog, I don't think th...more
While I wait...and wait and wait and wait...for the next full-length installment in the Lady Julia Grey series, which I think is the best-written historical/mystery/romance series written today, this little Christmas novella was a tasty treat. There isn't much substance to it, perhaps, but still it was pleasant to meet up with all our favorite characters at a typically crazy March family Christmas at the Abbey. I never though I liked any flavor of romance novel—until I met Lady Julia and Brisban...more
I actually kind of liked this British book! Even though I only gave it 3 stars, it was a high 3 stars, LOL. I enjoyed the storyline. I loved the scene descriptions and I loved the characters! I liked the conversations between Julia and her husband, Brisbane. I did kinda feel like I was missing some pieces, not having read some of the other books. But it wasn't too hard to follow.
A nice short historical Christmas read and pretty clean too! I might actually be interested in trying one of her othe...more
A nice short historical Christmas read and pretty clean too! I might actually be interested in trying one of her othe...more
Meh. I realize this is a novella, which soul purpose was to help fans endure the lonnnng gap between The Dark Enquiry and Lady Julia's next adventure, but... meh. The main characters didn't read, to me, like they usually do. Julia using her feminine wilds to manipulate Brisbane? A lot. Not endearing. I also I am tiring of all the animals; something that started out as cute has become obnoxious. Bah Humbug!
I love Deanna Raybourn, but this fell just a bit flat to me, something which I chalk up to her having written one and a half other books and another novella in the same year, as well as to its shorter format. Charming and diverting (especially re: the quite naughty cat), but not wholly satisfying. I hope she gets around to writing another full-length Julia Grey novel soon!
A charming interlude in the Lady Julia books by Deanna Raybourn, with enough action to be interesting, but less angst than some of the full length novels. Characters from previous novels appear, and there are enough misbehaving animals and humans enjoying a countryside Christmas to raise a smile or two.
I'd recommend this to readers of the series rather than to first timers.
I'd recommend this to readers of the series rather than to first timers.
There is nothing wrong with this novella, it was a fine read; but it is not the equal of the prior books. As happens in series, the main characters are starting to become more caricature than real characters. This was really a short Christmas story, and it tried to be too many things at once. It wasn't bad. It just wasn't up to the standards of the series.
This would be a 3.5 star book...
While I enjoyed parts of this book, others were annoying and seemed a bit unfinished. I mean how many times can you insinuate how much fun they have in bed together? Really? But it was overall a cute holiday novella that left you wanting the "rest of the story", which it appears we will have to wait for! Lol.
While I enjoyed parts of this book, others were annoying and seemed a bit unfinished. I mean how many times can you insinuate how much fun they have in bed together? Really? But it was overall a cute holiday novella that left you wanting the "rest of the story", which it appears we will have to wait for! Lol.
This novelette was a quick and easy read and my first Christmas themed story for 2012.
It is not a full length novel, and is not marketed at such; instead you can look at it as a little teaser, or appetiser, for the next Lady Julia novel due out later next year.
It was wonderful catching up with my old fiction friends – my only complaint was that it ended so quickly. There is, of course, an explanation for everything but Lady Julia has to work it out so they can all enjoy a wonderful family Chri...more
It is not a full length novel, and is not marketed at such; instead you can look at it as a little teaser, or appetiser, for the next Lady Julia novel due out later next year.
It was wonderful catching up with my old fiction friends – my only complaint was that it ended so quickly. There is, of course, an explanation for everything but Lady Julia has to work it out so they can all enjoy a wonderful family Chri...more
Although I enjoyed this (even given I guessed the culprit long before the end), this seemed to have been rushed in the writing. There were several instances of the same word repeated close together, even in the same sentence; a character's "Gallic shrug" referenced within a few paragraphs. So, it gave the appearance of not having been edited. What I enjoyed most was the detailing of Victorian Christmas traditions--and you get recipes for a traditional wassail and homemade potpourri as a bonus.
I normally try to stay away from novellas because they are short and tend not to have a developed story. And even though there really wasn't an in depth story to this one, I really do enjoy Lady Julia and Brisbane. There is always chaos in the March family and it was fun to see them at Christmas.
A bunch of the mystery series I'm addicted to have put out these "novellas" recently. This one was pretty par for the course. Cute, silly mystery, wrapped up in less than 100 pages. I liked it, but didn't love it. I wish there were another Lady Julia book in the near future though!
It was fine, it was ok, it was nothing to get excited over. I don't think I'm a novella reader, there really isn't much to them and I'm generally disappointed by them. I think this was an olive branch from the author since she is diverting off of this series for a while.
I've been missing Lady Julia and Brisbane, so I was very happy to get a little visit with them in this novella. Silent Night takes place after the last installment in the series The Dark Enquiry. Lady Julia and Brisbane (and heaps of animals) go to Bellmont Abbey for Christmas. Of course, there is a bit of a mystery. Jewels go missing, Lord Bellmont is sulking, a ghost is sighted.
It's a fun, little Christmasy romp. If only the library gods had granted me the pleasure of reading it at Christmas...more
It's a fun, little Christmasy romp. If only the library gods had granted me the pleasure of reading it at Christmas...more
Cute, but nothing earthsahttering. I can't even really count this towards my 2012 total, cause it was only about 50 pages. But solid writing and consistant characters -- easily worth the $1.99 if you're a fan of the series.
I'm ready for the next book!
I'm ready for the next book!
While I love Julia, Brisbane, the March family and their retainers, this was just okay. It had it's moments but the story did not to flow well. I found myself going back to see if I missed something.
But if you are a fan of Lady Julia as I am, it is worth the time.
But if you are a fan of Lady Julia as I am, it is worth the time.
This isn't your usual Valentine's Day read, but it had a bit of love and romance. It's fantastic to see Julia and Brisbane again, along with the rest of her unusual family.
I'm hoping to read more about them in the future!
I'm hoping to read more about them in the future!
I was supposed to save this until closer to Christmas, but I just couldn't resist taking a peek, and before I knew it, I was done. :) Its always a treat to delve into the world of Lady Julia and Brisbane and the March family and this novella is no exception. My one complaint is that I wish it could have been longer.
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Deanna Raybourn, so I purchased this one with the intention of reading it during the Christmas season. Although I wish it had been longer, I’m happy to say it was a lovely little holiday read and it was a welcome addition to my collection.
I’ve seen some reviews of people being disappointed with this novella, but to me, this was really just a taste of Lady Julia while we wait for the next full length book. Not only did it do a good job of capturing the feel of...more
I’ve seen some reviews of people being disappointed with this novella, but to me, this was really just a taste of Lady Julia while we wait for the next full length book. Not only did it do a good job of capturing the feel of...more
Too much menagerie and not enough Brisbane. Of course, there's never enough Brisbane.
It was nice, however, to revisit Deanna Raybourn's charming and witty world: I look forward to her next full length work.
It was nice, however, to revisit Deanna Raybourn's charming and witty world: I look forward to her next full length work.
As an extension of "the dark enquiry", this is a light hearted look at the March's family Christmas with a touch of mystery thrown in--It was a nice counter balance to the darkness of the last book.
This novella was like a nice, quick little appetizer. I've missed these characters so it was nice to spend a bit of time with them, but honestly, it just made me miss them more!
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
A sixth-generation native Texan, Deanna Raybourn graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a double major in English and history and an emphasis on Shakespearean studies. She taught high school English for three years in San Antonio before leaving education to pursue a career as a novelist. SILENT ON THE MOOR is the third novel in the award-winning Lady Julia Grey series. Deanna m...more
More about Deanna Raybourn...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“The other travellers do seem to have given us a wide berth,” I admitted.
“Can you blame them?” He surveyed our possessions, and I found myself smiling as well.
“Not precisely a partridge in a pear tree...”
“But we have a raven in a cage, a lurcher on a lead, a Siamese in a basket, and a dormouse in your décolletage. We are a travelling circus.”
—
1 person liked it
“Can you blame them?” He surveyed our possessions, and I found myself smiling as well.
“Not precisely a partridge in a pear tree...”
“But we have a raven in a cage, a lurcher on a lead, a Siamese in a basket, and a dormouse in your décolletage. We are a travelling circus.”
“I sat down and put my fingertips to my temples, rubbing hard. “We have one fallen tree, one destroyed Rookery, one delusional butler and no good brandy. Is that what you are telling me?”
“And the cook’s down with piles and more than half the staff are suffering from catarrh,” she added maliciously.
I looked to Brisbane, who was smiling broadly. “God bless us, everyone,” he said, spreading his arms wide.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
“And the cook’s down with piles and more than half the staff are suffering from catarrh,” she added maliciously.
I looked to Brisbane, who was smiling broadly. “God bless us, everyone,” he said, spreading his arms wide.”
Nov 04, 2012 05:48pm