Title: Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey #1)

Author: Deanna Raybourn

Publisher: Mira 2006

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 511

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Monthly Motif -- March; 52 Books -- W27; New Author; Lucky 14 -- Visit the Country

"Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave."

These ominous words are the last threat that Sir Edward Grey receives from his killer. Before he can show them to Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent he has retained for his protection, he collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of dinner guests.

Prepared to accept that Edward's death was due to a long-standing physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane visits and suggests that her husband was murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers damning evidence for herself, and realizes the truth.

Determined to bring the murderer to justice, Julia engages the enigmatic Brisbane to help her investigate Edward's demise. Dismissing his warnings that the investigation will be difficult, if not impossible, Julia presses forward, following a trail of clues that lead her to even more unpleasant truths, and ever closer to a killer who waits expectantly for her arrival.

I don't know why it took me this long to finally start this series.  It was an absolute delight.  Right away I was taken in with the mystery of Lady Julia and her husband's death.  Then we get the entrance of Nicholas Brisbane and a whole host of interesting side characters.  I love that the reader is right along with Lady Julia in finding the truth in the case.  She holds nothing back from the reader even if she does keep things from other characters.  I loved how the truth eventually came out and the story ends.  Or at least this chapter of Lady Julia's life is ended.  I can't wait to read the next story.

Lady Julia Grey

• #1 Silent in the Grave
• #2 Silent in the Sanctuary
• #3 Silent on the Moor
• #3.5 Midsummer Night
• #4 Dark Road to Darjeeling
• #5 The Dark Enquiry
• #5.5 Silent Night
• #5.6 Twelfth Night
• #5.7 Bonfire Night