Dark Road to Darjeeling (Lady Julia Grey, #4) in Once Upon a Twilight blog

Oct 13, 2010 Crystal rated it it was amazing

Humor, that is what struck me in the first few pages of the book. Not in the slapstick over the top way of Stephanie Plum, but in the subtle sarcastic and witty way that I really enjoy it and best fits with a historical novel of a British family. So Dark Road to Darjeeling was off to an excellent start for me with the humor and it never let up. I was intrigued. At one moment the book was very lighthearted, poking fun at the English ways and this unconventional family and the next it had a darker Humor, that is what struck me in the first few pages of the book. Not in the slapstick over the top way of Stephanie Plum, but in the subtle sarcastic and witty way that I really enjoy it and best fits with a historical novel of a British family. So Dark Road to Darjeeling was off to an excellent start for me with the humor and it never let up. I was intrigued. At one moment the book was very lighthearted, poking fun at the English ways and this unconventional family and the next it had a darker feeling.

This book was not at all what I expected. You know the amateur sleuth type novels that are happy and cute (cozy mysteries), well Dark Road to Darjeeling had that, but the darker more suspenseful side was there as well and such a delight to read. I loved how it was unexpected. I guess if you have read other Lady Julia mysteries this will be expected but since this was my first, it was all new to me.

The mystery/suspense plot was well-done and though I did figure out who did it, it was not easy and it was really only a hunch on my part. Ms. Raybourn does a magnificent job making sure there are lots of suspects and lots of reasons to believe each person is responsible for Freddie's death. It was well-done and keeps your interest throughout.

I also love the family plotline and Lady Julia and Brisbane's marriage elements that are through this book. I think they are what take this book to a higher level. Lady Julia and Brisbane don't have the conventional blissful marriage, but they are muddling through and they have great love for each other. This book is not conventional in any means and I think that is a breath of fresh air.

I have not read any of the others in this series and thought this book read well as a stand-alone. I will go back and read the other now because I am intrigued by the characters and want to learn more about them and see them solve other mysteries as well. I also can't wait for the next book as a nice teaser comes at the end of this one.

If you like historical mysteries and exotic settings then this is a book for you. If you enjoy interesting characters and humor, then this is a book for you. Dark Road to Darjeeling is a wonderful book and I can't wait to read more of Lady Julia, Brisbane and her family.

One quote that I really liked (this is from the ARC):

Brisbane regarded her thoughtfully. "Morag, the point of learning to swim is rather to prevent drowning."

She sniffed. "Ha! My father was a sailor, he was. And he always said them that learnt to swim died the worst. They flailed around and waited to be saved while the sharks circled and took them a piece at a time, prolonging the agony. But them that drowned quick were spared the pain of it."

Brisbane looked at me and shrugged. "The logic is faultless," he said. ...more

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Oct 20, 2010 Once rated it it was amazing

Very captivating story, even though I have not read the first 3 books in the series I did not feel out of order. The relationship between Julia and Brisbane is challenging and very emotional and the other characters add to the mystery. this author narrates in a way you feel yourself inside the scene, very fascinating descriptions of locations. The mystery and romance is a very compelling and has you glue to the pages until the unexpected outcome. A very good read.

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