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Silent on the Moor (Lady Julia Mystery #3)

by Deanna Raybourn (Goodreads Author)

4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 · rating details · 4,389 ratings · 528 reviews

In Grimsgrave Hall, enigmatic Nicholas Brisbane has inherited a ruined estate, replete with uncanny tenants and one unwanted houseguest: Lady Julia Grey. Despite his admonitions to stay away, Lady Julia arrives in Yorkshire to find Brisbane as remote and maddeningly attractive as ever. Cloistered together, they share the moldering house with the proud but impoverished remn...more

Paperback, 465 pages

Published 2009 by Mira Books

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Feb 14, 2009 Christel rated it 5 of 5 stars

What is with the new cover? This series is so much more than "romance." In fact, what drew me to this series was the independent spirit of the heroine, Lady Julia...think Austen meets Mary Russell (the Laurie King books). I will keep reading because I'm already hooked, but I must wonder whether I would have picked up this series with this current design...I know we shouldn't judge books by their cover, but this one makes me think it is a traditional bodice-ripper which I completely detest. I am...more

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Jun 27, 2009 Allison (The Allure of Books) rated it 5 of 5 stars

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

The murder, in this one, was the easiest to guess ahead of time. But there were SO MANY subplots that I think you had to have some idea of the bigger crime when you reached the final bend in the story or you would have been completely overwhelmed by everything else that happened.

What I love most about this series, anyway, is that it isn't about the mystery plot as much as it is the characters. Once the murders had been solved, there was still 50 pages left in the book to resolve the personal iss...more

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Feb 23, 2009 Samantha rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was really disappointed in this book. I had enjoyed Raybourn's first novel, Silent in the Grave, but I feel that the overall skill, literary style, and simply classiness of the first novel had sadly deteriorated by this one. First, I think it is clear that her publishers are taking Raybourn's literary pretensions less seriously, judging from this cover as compared to the earlier ones, as well as from the fact that this book unlike previous ones was published only in paperback. It's as if Raybo...more I was really disappointed in this book. I had enjoyed Raybourn's first novel, Silent in the Grave, but I feel that the overall skill, literary style, and simply classiness of the first novel had sadly deteriorated by this one. First, I think it is clear that her publishers are taking Raybourn's literary pretensions less seriously, judging from this cover as compared to the earlier ones, as well as from the fact that this book unlike previous ones was published only in paperback. It's as if Raybourn was demoted from borderline literary to borderline Harlequin over the course of her career.

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

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

PS: Raybourn also demonstrates the most callous attitude to incest and child murder possible. (less)

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Feb 22, 2009 SarahC rated it 5 of 5 stars

Deanna Raybourn has released another chapter in the wonderful story of her Lady Julia Grey. Number Three, Silent on the Moor, is another interesting, mysterious, romantic tale. Julia risks traveling to the far reaches of Yorkshire to find what has become of her troubled but magnetic Nicolas Brisbane.

If you are looking for a different kind of a story that doesn't fall easily into a category, you'll like this book. The cover art may say romance, but this book is great mystery and excellently writ...more

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Feb 19, 2009 Angie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: belovedbookshelf

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

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

Reading Silent on the Moor was an exercise in conflicting emotions. I wanted to blow right through it to the end in one sitting and I simultaneously wanted each page to last longer than it possibly could so that I could savor being back with these two characters I have come to love. I had some pretty high hopes for this one. The third book in a series such as this comes with a rather hefty share of promise resting squarely on its shoulders and can really make or a break the series as a whole, in my opinion. This one truly made it. Every hope I had was fulfilled and I found myself turning back to reread favorite passages before I was even a third of the way through the book. This practice was repeated at regular intervals for the duration--truly the mark of an excellent read around these parts. If you like literary mysteries and haven't come across this series before, for the love of all that is holy, go get them now. I am immoderately fond of them.
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Mar 01, 2009 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, historical

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Not as good as the first two books (the 2nd is my favorite so far), but still a very enjoyable read.

The book did lag in spots--most notably when Brisbane was absent--and the mysteries themselves were rather easy to figure out, but the interesting characters more than make up for it. That is where I feel Ms. Raybourn truly shines--her characterization. She writes compelling and complex characters that you cannot help but care about, with Brisbane being the most captivating of the lot. Julia's fa...more Not as good as the first two books (the 2nd is my favorite so far), but still a very enjoyable read.

The book did lag in spots--most notably when Brisbane was absent--and the mysteries themselves were rather easy to figure out, but the interesting characters more than make up for it. That is where I feel Ms. Raybourn truly shines--her characterization. She writes compelling and complex characters that you cannot help but care about, with Brisbane being the most captivating of the lot. Julia's family proves to be as entertaining as always, although unfortunately we didn't get to see as many of them in this novel due to the isolated setting of the moor. Portia's my favorite of Julia's rather large assortment of brothers and sisters and I was saddened to read about the split between her and Jane. I do hope that she finds some happiness in a later book.

Moving on to the story itself, as I said above, I found the mysteries to be quite easy to figure out. I knew early on that Ailith was not as meek and sweet natured as she seemed to be, nor that Hilda wasn't going to turn out to be as awful as she first seemed. I'd also correctly surmised that Lady Allenby was not the one who actually poisoned Brisbane, the true nature of the relationship between Ailith and her brother Redwall, as well as the parentage of the mummified infants. That being said, the book is still very enjoyable mainly due to the intriguing relationship between Julia and Brisbane. I thoroughly enjoy the back and forth between the two. The fact that they loved each other and both knew it, but yet something always managed to keep them apart made it all the more bittersweet. That being said, I am so glad that the author gave them their happy ending at the end of this book and didn't drag it out until the next book. I do wonder, however, how Ms. Raybourn will keep the relationship between the two from growing stale now that most (I have to say most, I cannot believe we know all there is to know about Brisbane just yet) of Brisbane's secrets have been revealed. I'm perhaps not as worried as I should be. I trust that Ms. Raybourn will not let us down.

Before I end this review--and oh, how I wish I could place this outside of the spoiler cut--I have to comment on the cover. Quite simply, it is repulsive. The first two books had such beautiful, quality covers...ones that gave a true representation of the book that lay between them. This cover does not. It looks cheap and tawdry and just...ugly. It's fortunate for me that I'd already read and loved the first two books in this series, for had I not--or if they'd both featured covers in the vein of this one--I'd have not given them a second glance.

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Oct 12, 2010 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

The third book in Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series transports us to the wild and isolated moors of Yorkshire. Brisbane has purchased Grimsgrave Hall, a place from his past that is in great disrepair and haunted by secrets. Determined to settle the status of their relationship once and for all, Lady Julia and her sister Portia visit, uninvited, to "help" him set up his household. They encounter surprises at every turn, including the Allenby women whose family used to own Grimsgrave Hall--...more The third book in Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series transports us to the wild and isolated moors of Yorkshire. Brisbane has purchased Grimsgrave Hall, a place from his past that is in great disrepair and haunted by secrets. Determined to settle the status of their relationship once and for all, Lady Julia and her sister Portia visit, uninvited, to "help" him set up his household. They encounter surprises at every turn, including the Allenby women whose family used to own Grimsgrave Hall--ruined by the reckless spending of the eldest son (Sir Redwall) before he died. An attempted poisoning and the discovery of two mummified babies hidden in Sir Redwall's Egyptian collection give Julia much to puzzle over.

Brisbane isn't as involved in the investigations this time around. He seems to be preoccupied with other matters and he spends a lot of time pushing Julia away. She doesn't believe his words and chooses instead to believe his body language. Eventually they find that their investigations intersect, but I was annoyed by how much Brisbane kept Julia in the dark. He seems to enjoy having her keep busy working on things he already knows because he doesn't really want her too involved. I understand that they have strong feelings for each other and I found the outcome of their relationship at the end of the book to be satisfying, but Brisbane's penchant for secrecy would frustrate me like crazy.

The Allenby family was mysterious and pretty interesting, even compared to Julia's unique family. The Allenbys were so preoccupied with their royal history and noble legacy, even though they had lost everything. Their attitudes were so snooty when compared to the March family, though Hilda, the prickly and independent daughter was not as stuffy. There ended up being some serious skeletons in that family's closet.

I also have to comment that this is one of the only historical fiction books I've read that features GLBT characters in important roles. Julia's sister, Portia, was in a relationship with her former husband's cousin, Jane. In this book, Jane has left Portia because of her desire for a child of her own, and Portia is devastated. The portrayal is sympathetic and Julia's family had accepted Jane as part of the family. It was nice to see a portrayal that treated GLBT characters as regular people and not as scandalous persons to be shunned or ignored. Society may not have been as accepting, but at least Julia's family wasn't that way.

Finally, a note about the cover: I don't really care for it. It makes Silent on the Moor look like a bodice-ripper when it isn't really like that. There is passion and desire, but *SPOILER AHEAD* bedroom activities are post-wedding and are not described in detail. This isn't your typical romance novel--it is more of a historical mystery with romantic aspects to it.

So, I really enjoyed this book. I liked learning more about Brisbane's background and I liked seeing how Lady Julia worked on her own. I am looking forward to reading more about Lady Julia and Brisbane.(less)

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May 23, 2012 Allison rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dark-depressing, historical-mystery, gothic, romantic, cozy-mystery, mature, victorian, 1800s, library

I have to admit I was disappointed in this third installment of the Lady Julia Grey series. The setting is part of the problem. Although a gothic moor lends atmosphere, it's also quite depressing when the author doesn't allow lighter moments to break up the monotony. This does not happen, and honestly, I felt let down. There were real opportunities here that went unrealized, especially for the development of Julia and Brisbane's relationship.

(view spoiler)...more I have to admit I was disappointed in this third installment of the Lady Julia Grey series. The setting is part of the problem. Although a gothic moor lends atmosphere, it's also quite depressing when the author doesn't allow lighter moments to break up the monotony. This does not happen, and honestly, I felt let down. There were real opportunities here that went unrealized, especially for the development of Julia and Brisbane's relationship.

(view spoiler)

The mystery itself is also blah. It just doesn't have the sophistication of the previous ones and generally falls flat. Maybe it's because the other aspects I've already described make the entire story one-dimensional. This whole book was a missed opportunity. It was filler. I will continue to read the series because reviews suggest a return to higher quality in later books. I hope so.(less)

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Aug 23, 2009 Angela rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, mystery, romance

Silent on the Moor, the third of the Lady Julia Grey novels, is not as awesome as Book 1--but it's better than Book 2, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

The scenario's a time-honored one straight out of Gothic romances: i.e., our heroine heads out to a remote location, in this particular instance to the manor that our hero has recently acquired, and our hero spends a lot of time being mysterious and brooding. There are mysterious household denizens with mysterious secrets, as well as the obligatory M...more

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Feb 28, 2009 Muriel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, read-2009, romance, mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is the third in the Lady Julia Grey series and while not the strongest entry by far (I'd give the edge to the second book) it was still a fun ride.

The mystery this time around was a bit pedestrian (not to mention terribly gothic) and I pretty much figured it out from the get go. There were a few surprises but I got the main gist so that part of the story really didn't grasp and is one of the reasons (along with the new cover which is just awful, not to mention terribly misleading!) I am kno...more

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Feb 26, 2009 Christy B (Readin' and Dreamin') rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, mystery, neo-victorian

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 18, 2009 Liz rated it 5 of 5 stars

This one took me a little while to get into just because my mind was stuck in the last series I just finished, but once I got into the book, I couldn't put it down. Just like the first two books in the this series, the author just teases me by putting Julia and the oh so fabulous Brisbane together for short snippets and conversations that are over much too quickly. I enjoyed the mysteries in each book, but what drove the series is the wonderful relationship between these incredible leading chara...more

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Mar 17, 2009 Liz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, books-read-in-2009

The third installment of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries finds our heroine traipsing off to the spooky estate known as Grimsgrave, which was recently acquired by her would-be lover, Nicholas Brisbane. She intends to sort out matters between them once and for all, but when she shows up uninvited with sister, brother and various maids and pets in tow, she realizes that matters may be more complicated than she had anticipated. For one thing, the dilapidated estate houses several unexpected residents,...more The third installment of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries finds our heroine traipsing off to the spooky estate known as Grimsgrave, which was recently acquired by her would-be lover, Nicholas Brisbane. She intends to sort out matters between them once and for all, but when she shows up uninvited with sister, brother and various maids and pets in tow, she realizes that matters may be more complicated than she had anticipated. For one thing, the dilapidated estate houses several unexpected residents, the remnants of the once prominent and still obsessively proud Allenby family, the Lady Allenby and her two daughters, Ailith and Hilda. Redwall Allenby (Ailith and Hilda's brother) left their lives in ruins when he squandered the family fortune on his obsession with ancient Egyptian artifacts. When he died, his family was left with no choice but to sell the once-grand estate. Now, they are allowed to live there still by Brisbane, but only as charity cases. It soon becomes clear to Julia that there is something not quite right about the Allenby's, and when an attempt is made on someone's life, it is up to her and Brisbane (once again) to solve the mystery and save the day.

I did enjoy this book, though maybe not quite as much as the others in the series. It seemed to take awhile for the story to get moving, but once it did I couldn't put it down! The writing, as always, was very atmospheric and descriptive, and the plot (once it got down to the juicy parts) was engrossing. I did think that, for all the build-up, the resolution of the Allenby family part of the plot was slightly anticlimactic. However, I did like how matters ended up with Lady Julia and Nicholas! My biggest gripe about this book is definitely the new cover. I hate it! It looks like the cover of a trashy romance novel, which this is not at all. If I didn't know anything about this series and I saw that cover, I never would have picked it up off the shelf. Having said that, I am really hoping there will be more books written in this series. I'm definitely addicted!(less)

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Mar 04, 2009 LJ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1800s, england, historical, female_author, mystery, romantic_suspense, victorian_1837-1901

SILENT ON THE MOOR (Hist. Mys-Lady Jane Grey-England-1888) – VG+
Raybourn, Deanna – 3rd in series
Mira, 2009, US Trade paperback – ISBN: 9780778326144

First Sentence: “Julia Grey, I would rather see you hanged than watch any sister of mine go haring off after a man who will not have her,” my brother Bellmont raged.

Lady Jane Grey is put out knowing that the man she loves, Nicholas Brisbane, has asked her sister, Portia, to help him renovate his new home in Yorkshire, Grimsgave Hall, but has not invi...more SILENT ON THE MOOR (Hist. Mys-Lady Jane Grey-England-1888) – VG+
Raybourn, Deanna – 3rd in series
Mira, 2009, US Trade paperback – ISBN: 9780778326144

First Sentence: “Julia Grey, I would rather see you hanged than watch any sister of mine go haring off after a man who will not have her,” my brother Bellmont raged.

Lady Jane Grey is put out knowing that the man she loves, Nicholas Brisbane, has asked her sister, Portia, to help him renovate his new home in Yorkshire, Grimsgave Hall, but has not invited her. Being on the Mad March’s, she is going, invitation or no. So Jane, Portia, and their bother Valarian, head to Yorkshire.

Grimsgrave Hall is in the moors, remote from any town, half ruined and Brisbane is not alone. Jane is surprised to find Lady Allenby and her two daughters still live there, proud of the purity of their bloodline back to the Norman kings.

Jane finds the deceased father and son were fascinated by Egyptology and have many artifacts from their travels there, and decides to catalogue them. What she doesn’t expect is to find a coffin containing the wrapped remains of two babies…with the golden blonde hair of the Allenby family.

I needed an enjoyable, engrossing, romantic story and this was it. Ignore the cover of the book as it not remotely representative of the story. Yes, the romance between Jane and Brisbane is critical to the story, but there are no graphic sexual scenes involved.

Set on the moors of Yorkshire, it is a classic, highly atmospheric suspense with wonderful humor, great characters, heart-quickening romance.

Raybourn creates such a strong sense of place and her dialogue is appropriate to the period and the characters. From independent, determined Jane to all the pets, the characters are so well drawn. They are human; the positive characters being ones you’d like to know and the negative characters being so subtly drawn you don’t know quite what to believe until it is revealed. There is breath-catching suspense but also a subtle evil.

This was, for me, the best and most literate of the three books with impeccable details of Victorian life and manners. I loved the excerpts from Shakespeare used as chapter headings, as well as the references to Bronte and religion: “Religion is as intimate as making love and ought to be a private.”

This was the perfect read for a rainy Sunday. I loved it and want more.
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Feb 13, 2009 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Marcia at The Printed Page passed along her ARC copy of Silent on the Moor to me. Thank You!

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Despite his admonitions to stay away, Lady Julia arrives in Yorkshire to find Brisbane as remote and maddeningly attractive as ever. Cloistered together, they share the moldering house with the proud but impoverished remnants of an ancient family—the sort that keeps their bloodline pure and their secrets close. Lady Allenby and her daughters, dependent upon Brisbane and devastated by t...more Marcia at The Printed Page passed along her ARC copy of Silent on the Moor to me. Thank You!

*******************
Despite his admonitions to stay away, Lady Julia arrives in Yorkshire to find Brisbane as remote and maddeningly attractive as ever. Cloistered together, they share the moldering house with the proud but impoverished remnants of an ancient family—the sort that keeps their bloodline pure and their secrets close. Lady Allenby and her daughters, dependent upon Brisbane and devastated by their fall in society, seem adrift on the moor winds, powerless to change their fortunes. But poison does not discriminate between classes….

A mystery unfolds from the rotten heart of Grimsgrave, one Lady Julia may have to solve alone, as Brisbane appears inextricably tangled in its heinous twists and turns. But blood will out, and before spring touches the craggy northern landscape, Lady Julia will have uncovered a Gypsy witch, a dark rider and a long-buried legacy of malevolence and evil.
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I’ve been having a difficult time getting motivated to write this review…I think mostly because I’m sad to see an end to the vibrant, charismatic characters of Lady Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane. Silent on the Moor is a compelling and very, very satisfying installment to the story of these two characters. Raybourn could have chosen to write a more straightforward story and I’m sure I would have been pleased but SOTM is so much more and I would venture to say the most complex out of the three novels. This novel has everything anyone would require for a great story…eccentric characters, multi-layered twisting plotlines, an evocative setting - mysterious and ancient mansion on the moor, historical detail, multiple secrets…and multiple deaths.

Accompanying Julia to Grimsgrave is her sister Portia, her brother Valerious and their pets Florence, Puggy and Grim. After a tedious journey, Lady Julia hopes to be welcomed but their arrival falls quite short of expectations: Brisbane is temperamental and reticent, there are three poverty-stricken ladies in residence and the mansion is decrepit and full of secrets, with room after room empty - all except for a study full of dubious Egyptian artifacts. Lady Julia is determined to investigate why Brisbane gave up the reward of a gentleman’s title for the purchase of Grimsgrave, and as she unravels the mystery more questions arise. Lady Julia is finally coming into her own, determined to go after what she wants, Nicholas Brisbane.

What I appreciate about Raybourn’s stories is that she creates relationships between characters and finds it unnecessary to go into explicit detail about their intimacy. Raybourn creates passion, tension, chemistry and yearning using dialogue, emotion and restrained expression not physical action. A true talent!

A little longer than the previous two novels, in SOTM Raybourn stays true to her writing style and although each book stands on its own they form a cohesive whole…not always easy for authors writing series. I strongly recommend reading the novels in order, as there are storylines following back to the first novel, resolved in SOTM. For each chapter in each book there is a quote by bard summarizing the chapter (that must have been a lot of research), my favourite being the quote for the last chapter in Silent on the Moor…but you will have to read it to find out! Deanna Raybourn will be writing a fourth installment to the series.

Rating: 4.5

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Jan 20, 2013 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: series, london, victorian, mystery, romance, 2013, favorite-females, feminist

Oh Julia. You do delight me.

I have been lost in the world of Julia all day. I know that I have been unforgivably neglectful, but I simply can't stop reading. I adore everything about this series. Lady Julia and Portia are two of the best female characters I've ever encountered. Delightful!

Raybourn also weaves a beautiful scene and captures the enchanting parts of Victorian England that I love to read about. Julia lives with the confines of an extremely sexist society, but she manages to buck th...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Christy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, mystery, victorian-edwardian, historical

These Lady Julia books are quite engaging. I am currently reading the fourth, and finished this one less than a month ago.

The continuing cast of characters seems to grow with each book in the series, so I recommend starting with the first (Silent in the Grave), so that you can fully appreciate some of the humor surrounding this unconventional Victorian family and their adventures.

They are well-written and (I believe) well-researched. I thoroughly enjoy the characters and the twisty mysteries pr...more

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Dec 19, 2012 Lia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Still not as good as the first one. Julia comes off as a pushy manhunter throughout most of the book. This is not a murder mystery, and Brisbane and Julia are not a team here. Julia has answers to questions, answers that Brisbane probably knew all along, and she wanders about trying to find her answers, often getting frustrated with Brisbane when she realizes he already knew them.

Stylistically, there aren't many of the matter-of-fact foreshadowing I have come to expect in the series. The statem...more Still not as good as the first one. Julia comes off as a pushy manhunter throughout most of the book. This is not a murder mystery, and Brisbane and Julia are not a team here. Julia has answers to questions, answers that Brisbane probably knew all along, and she wanders about trying to find her answers, often getting frustrated with Brisbane when she realizes he already knew them.

Stylistically, there aren't many of the matter-of-fact foreshadowing I have come to expect in the series. The statements occur perhaps once or twice throughout the entire book. The pace of the novel was fine, but I kept expecting someone to die (not a spoiler, it was mentioned at the end of the last book that Brisbane and Julia meet over another dead body) but like I said, this is not so much a murder mystery as an investigation into Brisbane's past. The mystery itself is good, the perpetrator was a bit easier to determine than the previous books though. I keep expecting Brisbane's second sight to actually show him something (something useful, hah!) but it seems it's just a weird quirk. Along with the rages and drugs he attempts to use to control them. The mentions of Wuthering Heights got to be a little tedious (they're in the moors, the Bronte sisters lived nearby, etc.), possibly because it is not one of my favorite books.

Also, I was not a fan of the (view spoiler)

All in all a good book, but Julia has turned into a nagging busybody. The lack of growth in her character is starting to bother me. At the end of the first book it's clear she's transformed into a "normal March" and I suppose that's all she will ever do?

Trigger warning: Hero shows violence towards heroine. Bruises, restraining, etc. (same as the previous books in series) (less)

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

LOVED IT. I really enjoyed the first two installments and this, the latest chapter in the adventures of lady Julia Grey doesn't disappoint.

As with Silent in the Sanctuary, the first third or so of the book really sets up the the plot of the book. It's really a steady build towards what will become the major mystery plot of the book. And that's quite alright because Raybourn's characters, settings and dialogue are all engrossing and top notch.

Moor picks up directly after Sanctuary. If you recall,...more LOVED IT. I really enjoyed the first two installments and this, the latest chapter in the adventures of lady Julia Grey doesn't disappoint.

As with Silent in the Sanctuary, the first third or so of the book really sets up the the plot of the book. It's really a steady build towards what will become the major mystery plot of the book. And that's quite alright because Raybourn's characters, settings and dialogue are all engrossing and top notch.

Moor picks up directly after Sanctuary. If you recall, Brisbane has asked Portia via letter to come help him organize his affairs at his recently acquired Grimsgrave property with the explicit instructions to NOT allow Julia to come with her. Of course being at odds with the conventions of the time, Julia goes with Portia despite Brisbane's wishes to the contrary. What follows is a fantastic mystery surrounding an old house that is occupied not only by the new lord and master, Brisbane, but a down on their luck family that comes from even older nobility. As the book progresses, the house gives up secrets about its long standing family history and a very disturbing crime.

The plot is very clever and very smart as one would come to expect from this series. No detail is insignificant, no character beyond suspicion.

My only problem with the book was that it had to end. =) This series has really been a joy to read and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't attached to the characters.

What I find refreshing about Julia Grey is that while she's of noble birth and is prone to the propriety of the time and, at times, snobbish behavior of the 'gentle born', she's really much more than a daughter of a rich and powerful Earl. She's very human and while at times she may seem stuffy, it's only because propriety demands it in social situations. She doesn't see herself as above anybody else. Even when she argues with 'the help', such as Morag, she's always looking to make their lives as easily as possible and reflects on how stressful and sometimes saddening it must be to be at the whims of the highborn.

I'm not sure if the series is going to continue. It doesn't end on a cliff hanger (and don't worry, I won't put any spoilers in here) but it seems like there's plenty of high adventure left for Julia and Nicholas and the rest of the supporting characters that Raybourn has so colorfully and expertly crafted over the course of these three books. Given the number of the March siblings and their penchant for getting into trouble, I'm sure there are plenty of tales left to tell. I can only hope that we're lucky enough for Raybourn to give us more of them!

Regardless of whether the series continues or not, Moor is a great addition to the series and can serve as a great book end to what began in Silent in the Grave.(less)

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Oct 25, 2012 Gils rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, history, mystery, romance

Julia Grey does not disappoint in her adventures.

This installment of the Julia Grey series was a bit more morbid than the previous 2 books. There is much truth about the age in which it was set, but not necessarily something that you want to think about. Or read about. It did not deter me from soldiering on and plowing through it, though. I am a sucker for romance, and we finally get a little bit of it in the end.

I have read that many people aren't fond of Brisbane. They believe he is too perf...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

"She hugged me again, fiercely, and flew off to the kitchen, leaving me feeling fairly staggered. I was the daughter of an earl, I thought bleakly, born to privilege and wealth most people could not even hope to imagine. And in that moment, I would have happily traded places with a little maid who had everything I did not." - Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn

Silent on the Moor is the third novel in the Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourn: Victorian murder mysteries featuring the deligh...more "She hugged me again, fiercely, and flew off to the kitchen, leaving me feeling fairly staggered. I was the daughter of an earl, I thought bleakly, born to privilege and wealth most people could not even hope to imagine. And in that moment, I would have happily traded places with a little maid who had everything I did not." - Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn

Silent on the Moor is the third novel in the Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourn: Victorian murder mysteries featuring the delightful Lady Julia Grey and the wonderfully enigmatic Mr Nicholas Brisbane.

Silent on the Moor sees Mr Brisbane come into possession of a wild and rundown estate known as Grimsgrave on the Yorkshire moors. Despite Mr Brisbane's express wishes that she not, Lady Julia invites herself to stay at his estate, dragging along her sister and brother on the journey north as her chaperones (custom of the times required that a lady should never travel alone, especially to visit an unmarried man in his own home). Upon arriving at Grimsgrave, Lady Julia is shocked to discover that the previous owner - Mrs Allenby and her two daughters - are still residing in the hall, but even more surprising is Mr Brisbane's coldness towards her. Being the determined and stubborn woman that she is, Lady Julia refuses to return to London and decides to stay at Brisbane's side despite the clear opposition; she is determined to get to the bottom of the mysteries of Grimsgrave Hall.

Silent on the Moor is wonderfully gothic. Set on the wild expanse of the Yorkshire moors in a crumbling mansion, with attempted murder, mummified remains, ghosts, gypsy magics and well-guarded secrets, it is unabashedly addictive. The story conjures images of a derelict, darkened hall alight with the amber glow of the fire whilst the wind howls relentlessly outside, and Mr Brisbane's dark and brooding character is deliciously Heathcliff-esque: The author's inspiration for this story is quite obviously Emily Bronte's classic gothic novel, Wuthering Heights, but she pulls it off. I loved it.

Don't be misled by the cover: This is not a romance novel. Although the romantic tension between Lady Julia and Mr Brisbane is electrifying, Silent on the Moor is an historical mystery novel with seemingly star crossed lovers playing the central roles. And it is brilliant. I loved everything about this novel: The setting, the characters, the style, and it is my favourite of the Lady Julia novels to date (I hope to see Lady Julia and Mr Brisbane return to Grimsgrave in future).

I would highly recommend this series to anyone.(less)

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Jan 19, 2012 Indiana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, fiction, historical, mystery, romance, victorian-england

Enjoyed it! I’ve been waiting anxiously for this book since I finished the last book in the series over a year ago! This is the third book in the series revolving around well to do and widowed Lady Julia Grey and private detective Nicholas Brisbane. It’s set in Victorian England – this book specifically up on the moors of Yorkshire in an isolated manor. (Raybourn based it on Riddleston Hall for those of us who have been there.) It’s the Wuthering Heights book of the series. LOL! Brisbane is almo...more

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Oct 15, 2011 kaoyler rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read most of this book sitting in the Philadelphia airport waiting for the plane. Thank heaven it was a good read. Made the six hours bearable. Finished it during the seven hour flight home. In this novel Nicholas Brisbane has turned down a title in favor of a country estate. He has asked Portia, Julia's sister, to help him furnish it, and Julia decides she will go along and confront him about their relationship. It isn't until they are on their way there that Portia informs Julia that he wrot...more

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Sep 13, 2011 Brie rated it 4 of 5 stars

The first half of the story is spent catching up with the characters, meeting new characters, and setting up for the mystery to come. The same could be said for Silent in the Sanctuary, the difference for me being that I was less interested in this cast of supporting characters than I was with those in Sanctuary. My disinterest kept the fist fourteen or so chapters from being the page turner the two earlier installments had been.

The high point in this mystery ended up being the relationship deve...more

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Sep 08, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: period, romance, suspense

Another really great Lady Julia book! This one finds Julia traipsing off to the moor in search of Brisbane's mysterious new country estate, with her sister Portia and brother Valerius in tow. Of course, Julia was not invited to Brisbane's new estate... but she doesn't really let that bother her! Upon arriving they discover a strange old manor and an even stranger family with whom Brisbane has an apparently rather sordid history. He's also pushing Julia away with one hand (while clinging to her w...more Another really great Lady Julia book! This one finds Julia traipsing off to the moor in search of Brisbane's mysterious new country estate, with her sister Portia and brother Valerius in tow. Of course, Julia was not invited to Brisbane's new estate... but she doesn't really let that bother her! Upon arriving they discover a strange old manor and an even stranger family with whom Brisbane has an apparently rather sordid history. He's also pushing Julia away with one hand (while clinging to her with the other!); it's clear that the dark circumstances will require a certain inquisitive nature to ferret them out...

Cue Lady Julia! Here we have another mystery for her to unravel. Meanwhile exploring her feelings for Brisbane and about society/marriage in general. Of course there is danger afoot on the moor. All in all, it was an entertaining mystery and I enjoyed it, though slightly less than the last book, which was just a romp. I did suspect the outcome of the mystery regarding the Allenbys, but enjoyed Julia's investigative activities nonetheless. Once again Raybourn has given us blurred lines between heroes and villains, and allows the reader - through Julia - to sympathize with everyone in the book and see their own motives so clearly. Julia herself continues to be someone I really like and admire.

It was gratifying to get more insight into Brisbane's background and character. And appropriately at this point in their relationship, we see him at his most unguarded yet. I was pretty cross towards the end of the book when society and circumstance was going to keep Julia and Brisbane apart - yet again - but Raybourn turned it around in one fell swoop and gave me what I was looking for. I felt it was time. If she had kept them apart much longer, the anticipation would have grown stale. I guess it's kind of a spoiler but then if you look at the cheesy cover you can guess there is a romance in here and it probably ends happily. :)

I look forward to reading about more exploits for Julia and Brisbane - I'm interested to see how their strong personalities will mesh as they become partners in life and business. With strong characters such as these, I think Raybourn can get a lot more mileage out of the series - if it continues to be as strong and balances the need for a completed plot arc in each story, with character growth over the multiple books. (less)

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

Once again, the biggest and best character in the book is the mood and setting. I frequently ask myself if Deanna Raybourn lays awake at night dreaming up haunting, amazing places to set her story and THEN comes up with a story outline. Her descriptions of the moors made me feel as though I was right there, pulling a wool scarf around myself to stave off the winds.

This was the first time I was able to figure out the mystery before the characters did, but it's because the story started reminding...more

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

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

Like the second book, SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY, this one picks up - and transforms - a Victorian cliche: the setting is a dark, ominous, half-ruined estate in the northern moors of Yorkshire, capped by a rotting manor house, where dark family secrets fester. It's full of bleak landscapes, profound isolation, and country superstition. Nicholas Brisbane has acquired the estate, and his letters back to London indicate that something is very wrong - although he won't say exactly what.

Julia makes the...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Book Binge Blog rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-mystery, mira, for-review

I've tried to remain non-spoilerish about the central couple in this series, but that all ends here. LOL

Nicholas and Julia want each other. She's not afraid of it, but he is, and at the end of the first two books, he's pushed her away. But not anymore. Julia is going after Nicholas and we know she's stubborn and she's going to put this thing to rest between them once and for all.

Nicholas has purchased a property up in Yorkshire. It's a crumbling down estate and in Silent in the Sanctuary, he had...more I've tried to remain non-spoilerish about the central couple in this series, but that all ends here. LOL

Nicholas and Julia want each other. She's not afraid of it, but he is, and at the end of the first two books, he's pushed her away. But not anymore. Julia is going after Nicholas and we know she's stubborn and she's going to put this thing to rest between them once and for all.

Nicholas has purchased a property up in Yorkshire. It's a crumbling down estate and in Silent in the Sanctuary, he had extended an invitation to Portia to come help him set up his home. Julia invites herself along, which pleases none of the occupants at Grimsgrave.

As much as I enjoyed this book, it wasn't perfect. I thought the mystery was a bit slow to gain momentum. Until some bodies are found, Silent on the Moor just comes across as a dark read. Which is fine, but again, a bit slow.

Fortunately, that didn't bother me too much because of two things. The increasing intensity between Nicholas and Julia and the descriptive setting. The moor is practically a character the way it's so richly described. I felt like I was there in that desolate country, avoiding bogs and foggy patches. The moor is a dangerous place and it almost felt like there was a presence there trying to catch an wandering traveler.

Now, Nicholas and Julia. He is still trying to push her away, but a gypsy friend told Julia to listen to what people say but also to pay attention to what they're body is trying to tell you. And Nicholas is definitely sending out mixed signals.

But what I remembered most vivdly was that even as his right hand had gripped my chin so cruelly, forcing me to face him as he raged at me, his left hand had stolen into mine, clasping it with all the desperation of a drowning man.

I loved the push and pull between these two characters. And Nicholas is just so intense! I liked how Julia is the one who is goes after what she wants. Compared to the Julia we met at the very beginning of this series, this shows how far she's come along. She's taking control of her life.

Portia is in this book too, and things are not going well for her. I can't wait to read book 4, the Dark Road to Darjeeling, to see how things work out for her. 4 out of 5. The mystery though, would get a 3.5 out of 5.

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

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Jul 15, 2011 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This has been my favorite book in the series so far! The mystery behind this one is intriguing, gruesome, twisted, and I loved it! This had a nice mix of Lady Julia coming into her own, Brisbane being Brisbane, Gypsy magic and old scores to settle. Not to mention a crazy family due to some inbreeding. Yes, I said inbreeding (calm down, it will make sense once you read it and very typical under the circumstance, well, one was just...) Piqued your interest? Good, it's worth figuring out.

The myster...more

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Feb 21, 2011 Roberta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, favorites

Siamo nello Yorkshire, nel paese di Lesser Howlett. Qui, in mezzo alla brughiera, sorge Grimsgrave Hall, la tenuta degli Allenby, una famiglia ormai decaduta e in povertà. Gli ultimi eredi, Lady Allenby e le due figlie Ailith e Hilda, hanno deciso di vendere la proprietà e Nicholas Brisbane l'ha ottenuta in cambio dei servigi resi al governo.
Nonostante Brisbane appaia ostile all'idea di visitatori, Julia decide di raggiungerlo insieme alla sorella Portia e al fratello Valerius. Se lo scopo uffi...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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Books by Deanna Raybourn

Silent in the Sanctuary (Lady Julia, #2)

Dark Road to Darjeeling (Lady Julia, #4)

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Quotes from Silent on the Moor

“Oh, yes. I mean to marry him. But not because I want him to give me a life. I want to marry him to share the life I already have. The difference, I think you will find, is a significant one.” — 24 people liked it

“I stepped closer still. He closed his eyes again and covered my hand with his own. 'You smell of violets. You always smell of violets,' he said. 'You've no idea how many times I have walked these moors and smelled them and thought you were near. On and on I walked, following the scent of you, and you were never there. When I saw you in the hall tonight, I thought I had finally gone mad.” — 20 people liked it

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Silent on the Moor (Lady Julia Mystery #3)

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