Silent in the Sanctuary (Lady Julia, #2)

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Silent in the Sanctuary (Lady Julia Mystery #2)

by Deanna Raybourn (Goodreads Author)

4.05 of 5 stars 4.05 · rating details · 5,507 ratings · 596 reviews

fresh from a six-month sojourn in Italy, Lady Julia returns home to Sussex to find her father's estate crowded with family and friends— but dark deeds are afoot at the deconsecrated abbey, and a murderer roams the ancient cloisters. Much to her surprise, the one man she had hoped to forget—the enigmatic and compelling Nicholas Brisbane—is among her father's houseguests an...more

Paperback, 560 pages

Published 2008 by Mira

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Sep 01, 2008 Angie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: belovedbookshelf

Given how much I loved Silent in the Grave, I felt a tingle of thrill and anxiety as I cracked open the sequel. The first book had what I consider to be a "perfect" ending. I couldn't have asked for more and wouldn't have wished it different in any way. Such endings are rare and to find one at the end of the first book in a series is rarer still. So, could Silent in the Sanctuary live up to its predecessor? I really, really hoped it could.

The second volume picks up several months after the end...more Given how much I loved Silent in the Grave, I felt a tingle of thrill and anxiety as I cracked open the sequel. The first book had what I consider to be a "perfect" ending. I couldn't have asked for more and wouldn't have wished it different in any way. Such endings are rare and to find one at the end of the first book in a series is rarer still. So, could Silent in the Sanctuary live up to its predecessor? I really, really hoped it could.

The second volume picks up several months after the end of the first. Lady Julia is on vacation in Italy, attempting to recover from the traumatic events of her investigation into her husband's death by basking in the Tuscan sun. Her recuperation is cut short, however, when she and her brothers (the delightfully named Plum and Lysander) receive a summons home to England for the Christmas holidays. At the last minute, they decide to take along a young Italian count who has become a friend to all three, but who also seems to have formed a rather strong attachment to Julia. Hmm. Back in England, all of Julia's hilarious and quirky family members are present and accounted for while a few unexpected Christmas guests round out the mix, including a few cousins, an uncle, a dubious clergyman, and one Mr. Nicholas Brisbane.

What follows reminded me of a wonderfully late night game of Clue. All the players are charming and suspect in turn and the murder even takes place in the sanctuary with the candlestick! And it remains Julia's and Brisbane's task to ferret out the identity of the killer. May I just say, I continue to love these two reluctant partners. Julia, in all her incorrigible intrepidity, serves as the perfect foil for Brisbane and his ruthless pursuit of the murderer. This second volume includes a few more tantalizing insights into the darkness that is Brisbane, as well as some cracking good repartee between our two lead characters. I went in with the highest of expectations and Silent in the Sanctuary more than lived up to them. This series is right on track to become an all-time favorite. Seriously, it has everything you could ask for. Charmingly dry-humored heroine? Check. Tortured and broody hero? Check. Humor, danger, genuine creepiness? Check, check, check. I'm recommending them left and right and can't wait to get my hands on the third installment, Silent on the Moor, due out in March.(less)

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Sep 25, 2007 Chelsea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: advance, historicalfiction, mystery, own, 2007

I really enjoy the main character - Lady Julia Grey. I'm not a big fan of mysteries, and I'm more than willing to admit to being a snob when it comes to the excess of bad mystery series available today, but I really enjoyed this.

The mystery itself isn't as twisted as in the first book, Silent in the Grave, but the characters, especially the supporting ones, are more fun this time around.

Lady Julia is from a family of infamous crazies and rogues and scandal makers, and it doesn't much phase her....more

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Jun 27, 2009 Allison (The Allure of Books) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: series_lady-julia, own-it, 2009, romantic-suspense

I have never read a series where I felt more like the whole series could have been read all through as one (huge, though it would be) book. The chemistry didn't falter and the characters didn't lose ANY of their appeal in this sequel, which so often happens in series.

The mysteries are good--sometimes the broader parts of the crimes aren't terribly hard to guess, but there are always smaller intrigues mixed in, and I don't think it would be possible to solve each and every one of them, so I think...more

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Apr 10, 2008 _inbetween_ rated it 1 of 5 stars

Recommended to _inbetween_ by: alex

I can't stand that woman. I tried. She should be a favourite, but Lady Julia Grey isn't just too Mary Sue (see author's photo) but a priviledged bitch with nine awesome siblings and one awesome rich father, so Brisbane has to be put down for his one kiss (still not described, while Julia being kissed by a few others in the meantime always was - and while I'm bored with purple prose, SOMETHING would have been preferable rather than the feeling a whole paragraph was missing), and Brisbane's bride...more I can't stand that woman. I tried. She should be a favourite, but Lady Julia Grey isn't just too Mary Sue (see author's photo) but a priviledged bitch with nine awesome siblings and one awesome rich father, so Brisbane has to be put down for his one kiss (still not described, while Julia being kissed by a few others in the meantime always was - and while I'm bored with purple prose, SOMETHING would have been preferable rather than the feeling a whole paragraph was missing), and Brisbane's bride is suddenly out of the blue a chatterbox while Julia gets to abuse him and then cry and be the tortured heroine?! For what! Just as the debut was NOT evocative, this is another case of the wrapping being better than the content - nice cover, same annoying 3 blank pages and one stupid proverb between every short chapter, same modernisms, same pseudo-liberalness combined with rich, careless priviledge with a heroine that, when it comes down to it, is plain boring. The genuinely stupid ones in gothic novels this one quotes at least didn't pretend and at least had genuine reasons to be afraid or worried. Julia just has lots of support. As with the non-kiss, the non-denouement of the first novel is here referred to as tragedy, as her heavy burden, again something never seen, and I wish I had never mistaken her as an original, unusual character when her coolness over her dead husband had been meant to indicate weakness (cp. the UK article "What a Carve up" about authorial intent sometimes being bad after all).

ETA: and the book just gets worse. While I still like Brisbane, the further praise of hashish and lack of mention of his second sight, which was a crap idea but just leaving it out now doesn't make anything any better, is insufferable, but nothing is as bad as that damn Julia. What should have been the hightlight, her kissing him, feels as contrived and stupid as the whole book - Raybourne keeps TELLING us she evolved while I never saw a single indication she had been any different at the start of the first book than she is now. None. And she walks into the murderers room again, and men chiding her for once does not make me angry at them but at that stupid bint who then flounces off to cry when yes, she had been stupid and no, I've never seen her exhibit any intelligence. Or anything making her better or more interesting. This is such a waste! Oh, and the font is now bigger and the lines are spaced wider apart to bolster it even more. And I might have to read one more to see if she ever lets them fuck, or if she's going to pull a Beaton since she's unable to do Sayers or Chase.

To have her father tell her she really is his favourite only made me hate her more and him to boot. Why?! She then weeps a bit more. The poor thing. Coz he loves her most and gave her a house and Brisbane risks his life again for her. I can't even like the two evil women - or any character really. They are all truly repellent to me, and they will keep cropping up, if the gipsy Marge is any indication. And since one of the criminals they let escape killed again (as TOLD in the incredibly long epilogues), she plans on and endless eries.
To think that the first novel at least had some vague promise that is now all gone in fake tales about Brisbane that Julia cannot know, not having known him before or seen him since, and the unsufferable superiority of heroine and author.

No, really, such generally unpleasing characters - not because they are dark and dreary but because they are meant to be colourful and all seem like backstabbing housewives. It's one thing to have them be humans, not black and white, and another to never have any reason fro their changes EXCEPT that it fit whatever Raybourne wanted to tell the reader. It's not Perry or Hern she tries to immitate, it's that boring Jane Austen as Detective series by Barron, which has another string-along non-romance that at least historically never came to anything (some excuse there).

Seriously annoying hot air.

ETA-FIFTEEN: she has a blog. My claim she was a Mary Sue is further supported by her other photographs, where she's decked out like her heroine, down to the pendant. Read her entries. I was making CLAWs with my fingers talking about her and how I'd have to wait another two years to read if she let J and B do the carnal thing, since it still seems marketed as romance and readers actually consider the bare bones of nothingness in this self-lauding drivel romantic. I fell for it when she once didn't describe a thing, preferring understatement, but having done it again this time, I think fade-to-black was less coy. And I really need to stop fuming now :)(less)

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Apr 14, 2011 Christa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own

Read in February 2009, and again in April 2011. Review from Feburary 2009 -I loved this second book in the Lady Julia Grey series. I thought that it was much more enjoyable than the first book. I find Lady Julia to be a likeable and sympathetic heroine. Nicholas Brisbane also appears in this book, and he didn't seem to be quite as enigmatic as in the first novel. I enjoyed the mystery, and there were numerous interesting secondary characters, most of them Lady Julia's family. This book was a gre...more

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Feb 27, 2008 ScottK rated it 4 of 5 stars

Took me a bit longer to get into than Silent in the Grave but I did finally get into it. I think part of the problem wiht this book is she brought in way too many new characters right away, then had to give them all a backstory so we would like them,or at least feel comiserate with them. The actual murder doesn't take place until almost the halfway mark. Having said that, I will say that I love her characters, the new as well as the old stand bys, and am glad that alot of the same people are in...more

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Jul 05, 2010 Hannah rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Insomniacs

Recommended to Hannah by: Hanneybean

Shelves: 2010-reads, mysteries

#2 in the series was marginally better then the debut novel, but the same problems inherent in the first were still present and irritating here, IMO. (If you are at all interested, see my 1 star review of Silent in the Grave. The only thing propping this one up to 2 stars was a better mystery plotline.

I'll gladly pass on any further "adventures" of Lady Julia and Brisbane.

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Jun 23, 2008 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars

The gothics I used to read years ago in middle and high school seem like such light weights compared to the Lady Julia Gray mysteries. Ms. Raybourn creates such an atmosphere that makes it truly hard to put her book down. In this second mystery, Lady Julia Grey and her brothers have been summoned from their Italian vacation by their father for Christmas at home. Home is a de-consecrated abbey that has housed her family for generations. Her father has invited extra houseguests as well, one in par...more

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Apr 16, 2009 Lisa Greer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Quite good, but I loved 'Silent in the Grave' best. This one seemed a bit slower with more filler or something. I can't wait to get my hands on 'Silent on the Moor' though. :)

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Nov 19, 2012 Matt Schiariti rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved Silent in the Grave. I found it to be an extremely well written and quite addictive read and I was hoping for the sequel to have everything the first did and I was NOT disappointed. Sanctuary is every bit as engaging as its predecessor with lively characters, great dialogue and a tight well executed plot.

The book starts off in Italy where Julia and her two brothers, one of whom is recently and suddenly married, are summoned back to their house of birth by their father for the holidays. L...more

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Mar 09, 2009 Liz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, books-read-in-2009

The sequel to Silent In The Grave, this book picks up where the previous one left off. Lady Julia Grey has retired to Italy to recover from the disastrous events that have occurred. There she enjoys the company of two of her brothers, Plum and Lysander, as well as their friend, the handsome count Alessandro Fornacci, and Lysander's new Italian bride, the fiery Violante. Though Julia could ask for nothing more, she finds that her appetites for adventure and intrigue have been whetted, and she is...more The sequel to Silent In The Grave, this book picks up where the previous one left off. Lady Julia Grey has retired to Italy to recover from the disastrous events that have occurred. There she enjoys the company of two of her brothers, Plum and Lysander, as well as their friend, the handsome count Alessandro Fornacci, and Lysander's new Italian bride, the fiery Violante. Though Julia could ask for nothing more, she finds that her appetites for adventure and intrigue have been whetted, and she is not quite content to while away her time "embroidering cushions and pouring tea". Little does she know that when her father demands that she and her brothers return to the family estate for the Christmas season, she will encounter more than her fair share of danger. On their return to the family home of Bellmont Abbey (an ancient pile that was once a monastery), she is shocked to find that, among other guests, who should be present but Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent who she assisted in the investigation of her husband's murder. The two of them shared a chemistry that she had thought was unmistakable, but the entire time Julia was in Italy Brisbane made no attempt to contact her. Now he produces the unexpected -- a fiance, the silly but beautiful widow Charlotte King. As if that weren't enough intrigue, the gathering is soon disrupted by the vicious murder of another houseguest, the flirtatious curate Lucian Snow, who is discovered bludgeoned to death in the abbey's former sanctuary. Julia's cousin, the seemingly genteel Lucy, is discovered standing over the body, a bloody candlestick in her hand. As a blizzard renders the way out of the abbey impassable, Julia finds herself and her family snowed in with a party of houseguests, one of whom is murderer. Now, like it or not, she and Brisbane must get to the bottom of the mystery and stop the killer, before any more victims are claimed.

This was an absolutely delicious book, and if possible, I think I enjoyed it more than the first! I think the setting of being snowed into a spooky old abbey (which has its fair share of ghosts) with a murderer really did it for me. Yes, it's been done before, and it could have been cliche, but it wasn't! The numerous twists and turns of the story really kept me guessing, I never once suspected the killer or the motive behind the murder. The overall atmosphere of the book, and the way the scenes were described (vividly, but without being bogged down by unnecessary details) made me feel like I was there in the abbey with the characters. Also, the development of the characters themselves was very strong, as in the first book. Even secondary characters have distinct personalities that make them an actual part of the book, and not just cardboard props. I love Julia's eccentric family, and they seem like people I would not mind spending time with, were they real. And of course, there's the love interest, Nicholas Brisbane, who while being infuriating at times still has that dark sense of mystery that makes him an intriguing character. I'm looking forward to reading Silent On The Moor (which I have waiting for me on the table at home) and I hope that there will be more books in this series forthcoming!(less)

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Feb 12, 2009 Toni Osborne rated it 3 of 5 stars

The novel continues from where the "Silent in the Grave" finished:

Returning home after a 6 months stay in Italy with her brothers Plum and Lysander, Lady Julia Grey gets a chance once again for excitement at Bellmont Abbey. The previous year, she had developed a taste for intrigue and danger after helping Nicholas Brisbane in the hunt for her husband's killer.

Once home in England, they find the Family Estate crowded with family and friends invited for Christmas; the enigmatic and compelling Nich...more

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Feb 08, 2009 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

Silent in the Sanctuary…in one word, delightful! This second installment in the Lady Julia Grey novels by Deanna Raybourn takes a very gothic turn compared to the first book, Silent in the Grave, adding a dramatic element and keeping the storyline fresh.

I’m not going to go into great detail about the novel…not wanting to spoil the story. After the murder of her husband and almost losing her own life in the subsequent investigation of the murder with private inquiry agent, Nicholas Brisbane, Lad...more Silent in the Sanctuary…in one word, delightful! This second installment in the Lady Julia Grey novels by Deanna Raybourn takes a very gothic turn compared to the first book, Silent in the Grave, adding a dramatic element and keeping the storyline fresh.

I’m not going to go into great detail about the novel…not wanting to spoil the story. After the murder of her husband and almost losing her own life in the subsequent investigation of the murder with private inquiry agent, Nicholas Brisbane, Lady Julia Grey is recovering in Italy with her brothers Plum and Lysander. At the summons of their father, they return home to England for Christmas and the seat of the March family, the very gothic Bellmont Abbey. Accompanying them on the journey is the young Count Alessandro Fornacci, who has developed a passion for Julia but does Julia return the sentiment? Her relationship with Brisbane complex and disturbing, Julia is not quite sure of her regard for him and in the four months she has been in Italy she has not heard one word from him…no sooner have the Marches arrived at the Abbey and Julia is introduced to Brisbane, now Lord Wargrave, and his fiancé Mrs. Charlotte King. Of course then there is murder and Julia and Brisbane are thrown together again to investigate.

There are not many characters I have encountered in novels that have the taut chemistry that Raybourn has created with Nicholas Brisbane and Lady Julia Grey…they are individuals in their own right and we get to learn many fascinating facets of their personalities. Raybourn as well has a talent for dialogue…varying at times biting, witty, playful, sarcastic, emotional, etc., each character having their own distinct voice.

I am confused about the switching of formats and cover art between Silent in the Grave HC/MMP and Silent in the Sanctuary HC to the change in the MMP version. Now SITS MMP has a similar cover to the upcoming TP release of Silent on the Moor (March 1, 2009). I wish cover art for series books could be kept consistent…they look so much nicer on your shelves! I suppose the publisher is trying to attract romance fans but I don’t think the series can be classified as romance (yet), so why change the covers?

I have also reviewed Silent in the Grave, which you can find on my blog. This is a great series and next I will be reading Silent on the Moor, an ARC given to me by Marcia at The Printed Page. If you like Victorian or Regency mysteries, I would also recommend Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily Ashton series (And Only to Deceive, A Poisoned Season and A Fatal Waltz). Try A Whisper in the Dark by Louise May Alcott and The Thirteen Tale by Diane Setterfield for gothic overtones.

My Rating: 4.5

http://myobsessionwithbooks.blogspot....
(less)

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Oct 20, 2012 Gils rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ebooks-i-own, mystery, romance, history

3.5 Stars

I do love how well researched these books are. And the language is on par with the time period. I have often read Victorian novels or novels set in other times that do not correctly reflect the mannerisms or speech of the people of the time. It is really off putting and makes it difficult for me to read. Thankfully, that is not the case in the Julia Grey Novels.

I love Julia & Brisbane's constant bickering and back and forth. It creates a tension which is altogether delicious. Though...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Myonlycookie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mysteries

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is the second installment of the Lady Juila Grey series... I wasn't sure if I'd pick up this series again, but I got a hankering for another mystery after I finished Sherlock Holmes, and thought of this series. It's a light, quick read.

That said, I'd like to point out that this book isn't 100% mystery, and neither is the series. It's more like a historical/romance/mystery combo, if I could call it that. The first book in the series begins with a mystery, so that's why I thought it was more...more This is the second installment of the Lady Juila Grey series... I wasn't sure if I'd pick up this series again, but I got a hankering for another mystery after I finished Sherlock Holmes, and thought of this series. It's a light, quick read.

That said, I'd like to point out that this book isn't 100% mystery, and neither is the series. It's more like a historical/romance/mystery combo, if I could call it that. The first book in the series begins with a mystery, so that's why I thought it was more a traditional mystery. This book does not - in fact, I was 43% into the book before the actual mystery began. So, mystery readers, fair warning.

That said, who doesn't love a little English Christmas party mystery? I greatly enjoyed the structure of the mystery, and that there were plenty of characters (i.e. suspects).

I do find the main characters intriguing. Lady Julia seemed way less useless in this book, and had much more to do than sit around. Brisbane is less maddening, mostly because he takes Lady Julia a tad more seriously. I still found their relationship maddening, because they cannot get enough time together, and therefore, I can't actually root for them as a couple. I hope this changes further in the series (note: it does).

Lady Julia's family is the best, full of interesting characters. I like how this book focused on siblings that the previous book did not. This allows there to be fresh, yet familiar, characters in each story, which is pretty smart on the author's part. There is something about all the characters that sucks you in, and I find myself wanting to learn more about them.

Cons: Though it's not quite a mystery, I still think there was way too much exposition before the mystery started. The mystery itself was fine; nothing extremely creative or technical, but it made sense and had a chilling resolution. There are a lot of shady dealings in the book, and I liked how everything weaved together.

I still don't particularly like Lady Julia or Brisbane as detectives. Lady Julia tries, but she usually ends up bungling the situation in someway. She's not particularly observant, except when it comes to Brisbane. Brisbane, on the other hand, chooses to exclude Lady Julia from his observations, then gets mad at her when she meddles, which is frustrating on the part of the reader. Again, the reader doesn't get to see much of Brisbane's brilliant deductions, so I don't actually think he's a brilliant investigator.

Already started the third book and hoping that Julia and Brisbane's partnership finds its footing.(less)

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Jul 10, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Silent in the Sanctuary is the second novel in the Lady Julia Grey Chronicles by Deanna Raybourn, a delightful murder mystery series starring the equally delightful Lady Julia Grey.

The second novel begins with Lady Julia on vacation in Italy with two of her brothers, Plum and Lysander, their Italian friend Alessandro, and Lysander's new bride. However, their holiday is cut short when their father, the Lord March, commands that they return to England. Upon their arrival at Bellmont Abbey (the fam...more Silent in the Sanctuary is the second novel in the Lady Julia Grey Chronicles by Deanna Raybourn, a delightful murder mystery series starring the equally delightful Lady Julia Grey.

The second novel begins with Lady Julia on vacation in Italy with two of her brothers, Plum and Lysander, their Italian friend Alessandro, and Lysander's new bride. However, their holiday is cut short when their father, the Lord March, commands that they return to England. Upon their arrival at Bellmont Abbey (the family home) they are surprised to learn that their father has arranged for an elaborate Christmas event for the family and their closest friends - including the dark and mysterious Nicholas Brisbane.

Despite the events of the first novel (Silent in the Grave) and the resulting distance and time apart, Lady Julia remains deeply fond of Mr Brisbane and believes that he feels the same of her in return. She is therefore shocked to learn of his apparent attachment to another woman, yet before she can come to terms with Brisbane's sudden change of heart, a murder is committed at the Abbey and there is a jewel thief on the loose!

Not one to leave it to the professionals and desperate to prove her worth to Brisbane, Lady Julia stumbles her way through her own investigation as she seeks out a murderer and a jewel thief. The romantic tension between Lady Julia and Brisbane is evident, and has been turned up a notch since the first novel. I found myself nail-bitingly impatient as I urged it to be resolved - in one way or another!

Whilst I found the first novel to be rather slow-moving, Silent in the Sanctuary has much better pace now that most of the central characters and the customs of the time have been presented to the reader. The fact that Lady Julia is not a conventional Victorian Lady makes her escapades seem all the more thrilling, and the characters are all the more hilarious when seen through her eyes. I doubt these novels would have the same allure if Lady Julia was not the antagonist.

Recommended! (less)

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Jun 06, 2012 Mary Ellen rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people looking for an Amanda Peabody who doesn't go to digs

Shelves: mysteries

I never read the first book in the series, but the many, many references to the events therein kept me from feeling "left out." Indeed, they made me feel a bit too "included": I could have lived a very happy life without being reminded dozens of times of the untimely demise of the husband of Lady Julia, the somewhat-clueless-though-thinks-she's-clever "sleuth" and narrator of this book (and, I'm guessing, of the series). (To be fair, the reference don't appear to give away any key plot points of...more

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Feb 12, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

ilent in the Sanctuary is one of several “Lady Julia Grey mysteries.” I read this to prepare for a class a friend of mine is teaching here at Valdosta State. While I would never have independently chosen to read this novel, I have to say that I found it rather engaging (if a bit long). The mystery itself, which I will not spoil, possesses multiple twists and turns but is not so complicated that we as readers cannot follow how Lady Grey works it out. The romantic intrigues are fascinating and in...more

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Oct 09, 2011 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

My grandmother told me this was the first book of the series and since I needed something to read, I started reading it.

Julia March returns to her family home for Christmas time with several siblings, their spouses and several extended family members and friends. When someone is murdered after dinner one night, it is up to the investigator (who was already there as a guest)and Julia to solve the mystery before everyone leaves.

Things I liked:

The time period: This book is set in 1885.
The location...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Melonie Piper rated it 5 of 5 stars

The actual mystery in this book was even better than the mystery in book one. The most striking thing about Silent in the Sanctuary is the atmosphere, the mood, the tone.... wow, it was extremely well done. It's also very helpful that the story takes place in a time where the biggest landowner is essentially the chief of police. That means you can take a bunch of people, throw them in a spooky old monastery and not be wondering when they're going to summon the police. It gives the "solve it your...more

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Aug 21, 2011 Bird rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cozies-mysteries-detective, historical-fiction, library-reads, read-in-2011

This book breaks so many of my "rules," yet I love it anyway. It relies heavily on descriptions, some of which are long-winded and flowery. The descriptions cover everything from the landscape to architecture to people's clothes. The foreshadowing is heavy-handed to say the least (as in, "I should have known that would be the last time I ever saw him"). And, while technically a mystery, there are many points in the story that do not further the mystery at all.

Yet I'm nearly falling in love with...more

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Aug 01, 2011 Madame X rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, mystery, romance-spans-multiple-books

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, Lysande...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Book Binge Blog rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-mystery, for-review, mira

Six months after the events of Silent in the Grave, we find Lady Julia Grey in Italy with two of her brothers and a young Italian count, who is very attentive. Their father has summoned them home for Christmas and so everyone is bundled up and headed home, with the young count joining them.

Back in England, Julia discovers that the infuriating Nicholas Brisbane is to join her family at their estate for the Christmas holidays. She believes that it’s her family’s attempt at matchmaking and this ann...more Six months after the events of Silent in the Grave, we find Lady Julia Grey in Italy with two of her brothers and a young Italian count, who is very attentive. Their father has summoned them home for Christmas and so everyone is bundled up and headed home, with the young count joining them.

Back in England, Julia discovers that the infuriating Nicholas Brisbane is to join her family at their estate for the Christmas holidays. She believes that it’s her family’s attempt at matchmaking and this annoys her. She’s annoyed with herself even further when Nicholas is there with his fiancée, and she has to admit, she’s jealous. Her bestest sister Portia urges her to make Nicholas jealous with the young Italian stud. It’s a true testament to Julia’s character that she thinks about it for a second, but doesn’t actively try to do it. As much as I have to admire the writer keeping the character true to herself, this romance reader would have liked some more jealousy on Brisbane’s part.

Once back at home, there are some new characters on the scene. More of Julia’s family makes an appearance, there’s Brisbane’s fiancée, and there’s also some locals. With this mix of people, it’s only a matter of time until a body shows up…which it does, during a game of hide and seek.

Despite Julia wanting to keep away from Nicholas, her curiousity and her inability to turn away from a good mystery keeps her in close contact with the mysterious and frustrating man.

Silent in the Sanctuary takes the parts of what I truly enjoyed from the previous books and improves on it. The characters are the driving force of these books. At the heart lies Julia, a woman who enjoys her freedom but is still irresistibly drawn to Nicholas. Nicholas continues to be a mystery but more of his past is coming to the forefront, and each nugget of truth makes us more curious. It makes Julia more curious too. The pleasant surprise here was Julia’s family – there are a fun bunch and I’m glad she has so many relatives. Portia is a definite favorite of mine. Portia is a lesbian and has been living openly and at the edges of society since her husband died. In fact, she is living with her husband’s cousin. Portia is a strong character that urges Julia to step outside her comfort zone and pushes Julia and Nicholas together.

There were two mysteries in this book and it took me forever to figure them both out. I’m so clueless and I’m one of those readers that totally misses the themes that the author is showing us throughout the narrative. So Silent in the Sanctuary was a good mystery.

Great characters, strong mystery and an intense connection between our two lead characters leaves us with another enjoyable read from Deanna Raybourn. I definitely recommend this series. 4 out of 5.

This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Ames.(less)

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Jul 15, 2011 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am enjoying this series more than I expected. Raybourn does a fine job of intertwining a love story and mystery. For me, I am all about the angst between Lady Julie and Brisbane. The mystery aspect well written and serves its purpose, but basically, I'm all about will or won't Julie and Brisbane get together?

In this book we get to know a few of the March family member better, as they and a few house guests are snowed in at the March's home. I think I would like to be in this family as they hav...more

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May 25, 2011 Maria K. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historic-fiction, mystery

When you form a relationship with a writer's work, picking up that writer's book becomes a kind of home-coming experience. Even if the book is a brand new and unfamiliar one, you can still enjoy the anticipation of coming back to your favorite's writing, storytelling style and - if it is a series - the characters you have come to love from the prior works.

Being an enthusiastic "serial reader" myself, I revel in the sense of returning. This was very much the case with Azimov's "Foundation" series...more When you form a relationship with a writer's work, picking up that writer's book becomes a kind of home-coming experience. Even if the book is a brand new and unfamiliar one, you can still enjoy the anticipation of coming back to your favorite's writing, storytelling style and - if it is a series - the characters you have come to love from the prior works.

Being an enthusiastic "serial reader" myself, I revel in the sense of returning. This was very much the case with Azimov's "Foundation" series and Clarke's "Rama" series, the delicious "Harry Potter" books by J. K. Rowling and even Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series (until the author got lost in his own plot lines and couldn't find the way out).

So, it was with no small pleasure that I finally got around to reading the second in Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series "Silent in the Sanctuary". The feeling was further enhanced by the fact that the book itself also began with a home-coming of Lady Julia and her brothers (with a few new characters in tow) to the March family seat - the Bellmont Abbey.

From then on, it is Deanna Raybourn doing what she does best: making you laugh one moment, frown in puzzlement the next and cringe two minutes later. She is precisely the kind of author, with whom you need never worry about being disappointed - it just cannot happen. After the edge-of-your-seat page-turner that was Silent in the Grave, one might think that there are really only so many riddles and plot twists one author can come up with to keep the reader interested. Well, apparently this author has a secret portal into a riddle and plot twist universe, because I personally don't see her running out of them any time soon.

The complex multi-layered plot is garnished with all the favorites Deanna Raybourn supplied so generously in the first book: fantastic environment (Thornfield Hall would have been so proud!); incredible food (I think each book should come with a recipe Appendix); gorgeous clothes; the cleverly-hidden nods to other works of literature (read the March family train station scene and then the similar departure scene from Jerome K. Jerome's "Three Men in a Boat" side-by-side - you'll laugh twice as hard at them both); and - of course - the characters that, while honoring the great traditions of romantic literature, remain nonetheless fresh and fascinating: the likable villains, the crazy-yet-sharp old ladies, the annoying I-know-something-but-I-won't-tell guests - all of them swirling in a mad vortex around Lady Julia herself and - of course - the incomparable Mr. Brisbane.

A word of caution: if you are hoping to get a breather with this book, think again. The closer you get to the end, and the more questions are being answered, the more new mysteries pop up. So, if you are anything like me, expect to stay up till midnight devouring the last 100-150 pages. Not that you will notice the time, mind you - you will be far too busy enjoying yourself in the company of Deanna Raybourn and her characters. (less)

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Dec 05, 2010 Janet Miller rated it 4 of 5 stars

resh from a six-month sojourn in Italy, Lady Julia returns home to Sussex to find her father's estate crowded with family and friends— but dark deeds are afoot at the deconsecrated abbey, and a murderer roams the ancient cloisters.

Much to her surprise, the one man she had hoped to forget—the enigmatic and compelling Nicholas Brisbane—is among her father's houseguests… and he is not alone. Not to be outdone, Julia shows him that two can play at flirtation and promptly introduces him to her devote...more

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May 12, 2010 Allie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance, mystery, favorites

I loved this book just as much as I loved the first one, Silent in the Grave. Brisbane is as mysterious and interesting as always and Julia is fun and a great narrator. They make a great and entertaining team to. I also loved Julia's family.

The developing relationship between Julia and Brisbane is interesting and the characters have great chemistry. I like how their relationship is not the focus of the book.

The mystery is multi-leveled and there are multiple culprits. I think it would be impossi...more

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Mar 13, 2010 Janice (Janicu) rated it 4 of 5 stars

http://janicu.livejournal.com/96105.html

This is the second book in the Lady Julia Gray mysteries. I found a used copy of this book for sale at Savers in Phoenix, AZ. Getting the second book actually prompted me to start the first one.

The Premise: After the events of the first book and a trip overseas, Lady Julia and her brothers are called back to the family home for Christmas. Julia's father, Lord March, has a few family and assorted guests over at the March home, Belmont Abbey. Amid the usual...more http://janicu.livejournal.com/96105.html

This is the second book in the Lady Julia Gray mysteries. I found a used copy of this book for sale at Savers in Phoenix, AZ. Getting the second book actually prompted me to start the first one.

The Premise: After the events of the first book and a trip overseas, Lady Julia and her brothers are called back to the family home for Christmas. Julia's father, Lord March, has a few family and assorted guests over at the March home, Belmont Abbey. Amid the usual family drama, odd occurrences start to happen and (of course, this is a murder mystery series after all), things culminate in a murder.

My Thoughts: I read this over my Holiday vacation, and it's a book that goes with that season. It's got snow, and family coming together, and holiday traditions. It is a good book to read curled up in a chair during winter and read for hours. The book is not a short one, but with so much going on, it entertains quite well.

Compared to the first book, Silent in the Sanctuary had more story threads and twists. Which is not entirely surprising because there are a lot more characters, and they're all staying in the same house, which makes things ripe for conflict and mystery. Along with Julia and her immediate family (Julia's sister Portia, her father, her two brothers Plum and Lysander, and Lysander's wife Violante), there are several guests - Alessandro, Madame Hortense de Bellefleur, Lucian Snow (the local curate), Julia's two cousins Lucy and Emma, Lucy's fiance Sir Cedric and his clerk Henry Ludlow, Julia's aunt Dorcas, Nicolas Brisbane, and Charlotte King. It's a long list, and I may be forgetting someone!

The story is like a game of Clue, full of possible suspects in one house, and plenty of hints at odd things afoot. There were missing items and people, and sneaking about in the middle of the night. In the end we don't have just one mystery to solve, and there are a few surprising twists I never saw coming. I think I was more surprised at the twists in this one than the first.

And then there is the romance between Julia and Nicolas. Brisbane. His presence is a surprise for Julia, thanks to her meddling father. At the end of Silent in the Grave, she thought that they had romantic possibilities, but he never writes her while she is away. Julia is even more annoyed to find out that he got engaged in the meantime. Delicious I say! It's a little different now that Julia has gotten used to being an independent widow. Julia is a lot more assertive, in a very March family way. She holds her own in solving the mysteries and even discovers some things Brisbane has missed. It also means she doesn't worry as much about societal rules, and if she thinks Brisbane is in the wrong, she lets him know it. It's an engrossing dance between Julia and Brisbane, but but both parties have their baggage, and this affects how they see the other person. I had the feeling this was especially true of Brisbane. Julia was so different from when we first met her that it sometimes surprised me. I think I may have read this second book so close to the first that wisps of the Old Julia stayed in my brain so there was a clash with the new one, but that was a minor issue that I think only I had.

Overall: Loved the first one and the second one is again a strong book - I think I liked the twists in the mystery in this one more than the first book, but I'm undecided on which book I liked more for the romance. I really need to read book 3, Silent on the Moor! This series is shaping up to be one of my favorites, and if you are even considering reading these books, I strongly urge you to try them.

Mom's verdict: She liked this one too. I think it took her longer to read than Silent in the Grave, but she agreed that the mystery had multiple surprises. She wants me to get book 3 so she can borrow it.(less)

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Jan 08, 2010 lindsae rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After traveling a few months with her brothers in Italy, Lady Julia Grey (and the rest of her family) are summoned back to Sussex by her father for Christmas. Upon her return home Julia finds her home overrun with extended family and Brisbane, her love interest from the first novel.

A body of the guest is found in the chapel and a distant cousin cries sanctuary to keep from being turned into the authorities. Brisbane and Julia work to find out who did the murder and why.

This book moved much slow...more

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Jan 07, 2010 Nicole rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

Lady Julia Gray returns home after visiting Italy with two of her mad March brothers at the request of her father, Lord March, who desires the family home for Christmas to meet Lysander's new wife Violette. Julia brings with her brother Plum and his friend Allessandro, a young Tuscan with eyes for Lady Gray.
The family gathering is rapidly expanding with new spouses or fiancees. Cousin Lucy is to marry Sir Cedric from the Abby and each are accompanied by a companion relative. Lucy by her sister...more

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About Deanna Raybourn

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

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Quotes from Silent in the Sanctuary

“I would give up everything for you, Giulia"
I smiled at him gently. "But you must understand. I should never want a man to give up anything for me. I should want him to feel in winning me he has won the whole world...” — 20 people liked it

“Now I was more certain than ever of my decision. I could not love a man who did not love Jane Austen.” — 13 people liked it

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Silent in the Sanctuary (Lady Julia Mystery #2)

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