Silent on the Moor

'There are things that walk abroad on the moor that should not. But the dead do not always lie quietly, do they, lady?' It is England, 1888. Grimsgrave Manor is an unhappy house, isolated on the Yorkshire moors, silent and secretive. But secrets cannot be long kept in the face of Lady Julia Grey's incurable curiosity. In the teeth of protests from her conventional, stuffy brother, Lady Julia decides to pay a visit to the enigmatic detective, Nicholas Brisbane to bring a woman's touch to his new estate. Grimsgrave is haunted by the ghosts of its past, and its owner seems to be falling into ruin along with the house. Confronted with gypsy warnings and Brisbane's elusive behaviour, Lady Julia scents a mystery. It's not long before her desire for answers leads her into danger unlike any other that she has experienced - and from which, this time, there may be no escape.

Another winner for Raybourn!

In the third installment of Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series, we travel through the Yorkshire moors to Grimsgrave, an estate newly purchased by private inquiry agent Nicholas Brisbane. After a chilling welcome by the host and residents of the manor, Lady Julia begins to unravel the dark secrets of an ancient family, while Brisbane's gypsy roots appear to be tangled in the mix. But when the Grimswater bell tolls and Brisbane's life is threatened, what other secrets will Lady Julia discover?

This story packs a powerful punch, with suspense and intrigue, insight into Brisbane's mysterious past, more antics from Grim (the sugared-plum loving raven), and an ending guaranteed to please fans of the series! Ms. Raybourn's attention to Victorian detail appears flawless and I truly felt whisked away to another world, in another time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it as I eagerly await the fourth installment that Ms. Raybourn assures is in the works!

A side note: This is not at all a bodice-ripping romance, but truly an excellent Victorian mystery with a delightful pinch of romance. Personally, I prefer the original book covers for Silent in the Grave and Silent in the Sanctuary because they were more... what's the word? ... mysterious.

My rating: 9 – Loved it!