Silent in the Grave

By: Deanna Raybourn

Narrated by: Ellen Archer

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

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

These ominous words, slashed from the pages of a book of Psalms, are the last threat that the darling of London society, 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, Sir Edward 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 Sir Edward has been murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers the damning paper for herself, and realizes the truth.

Determined to bring her husband's 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.

©2007 Deanna Raybourn (P)2007 Audible, Inc.
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. All characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Critic reviews

"Riveting." (Bookreporter.com)
"Fans of British historical thrillers will welcome Raybourn's perfectly executed debut." (Publishers Weekly)

It's by Harlequin but It's Not Bad At All

I nearly didn't listen to this book when I realized it was published by Harlequin (Mira line). My experience with Poison Study and Magic Story was not good. However, I was pleased to find that this was a fun historical mystery and that the romantic aspects did not overwhelm the mystery.

While I thought I knew who the villian was early on it wasn't confirmed until very close to the end. I enjoyed that the heroine while espousing current thinking on a number of issues did not go a great distance over the line of opinions held by the most forward thinking Victorians. One of the things that did not feel quite right was the fact that her family was so highly situated. Her father was not only an Earl, but also an intimate of Queen Victoria's. She did not seem to fit into that type of a milieu.

Anyway, if you want something a little lighter and fluffier than Anne Perry then you should sit down with this one (or travel or do your housework while listening to it.)

Fun Listen!

I read this book before I listened to and the audio version gave the book a new demention of how truly uptight the English peerage was during the 19th century. The book is a light mystery with romantic tension that will appeal to most people who like this combination. This the author's first book and you can see that the series will continue to grow over time. I look forward to her 3rd book (already read the sequel and am listening to it.)

The reader did a very nice job - her accent was just what I expected and she did a nice job with the other character voices - especially the men. My favorite character voice with the sister, Portia!

Give this book a try,it is a fun, light-hearted listen and you will find yourself smiling.

Too Much Distraction

This is a well written book. The author hides the true murderer well. However, about 20 per through the book you want her to get on with the plot rather than the setting.

Buyer beware

I was taken by this book, months ago on Sonic T I started listening to the book and did not get to the ending because of my personal schedule. Sonic T then, started the book again and just by chance I heard it at an odd hour (for me) - I then purchased this Zen V that came with a 30 day trial period and I had to get this book. It was amazing and could not go to sleep until I finished the book. I ending kept my interest and it left me wondering is there another book. This book was wonderful, thank you for making it apart of Sonic T programing

Enjoyable

I liked the 3-book series of the adventures of Brisbane and Lady Julia. I recommend listening to them one after another as I did.

Great Story, lacking performance

Would you consider the audio edition of Silent in the Grave to be better than the print version?

No

Would you be willing to try another one of Ellen Archer’s performances?

No

Any additional comments?

After reading the reviews, I didn't think Ellen Archer's reading could be that bad, but alas, it is very hard to get through. As a native American English speaker, this English accent sounds about as good as Keanu Reeve's attempt in Dracula. There are some very strange pronunciations and it detracts from the story, which is very sad because I did enjoy the story, but I had to try hard to concentrate on the plot and the not the performance.

Narrater needs help.

The narrator mispronounced so many words is was laughable- and annoying. What the heck is a Vicecount? She couldn't even get the name "Cressida" right, which is a fairly common English name. Two stars for a pleasant voice and good characterizations, though.

Engaging Start To A Series!

This is October's book club choice - usually my favorite month of our club, because it seems we tend to find nice, but spooky stories over the years. Initially, I was a little hesitant about this one - I felt a bit forced into choosing it, because it was the only title available on Audible (the only way I can guarantee lately that I will finish the book in time, while juggling my other reading!). But, I soon came to love it!

This is the first book in a series featuring Lady Julia Grey. It opens with the death of her husband and an introduction to the mysterious private detective, Nicholas Brisbane. They eventually come together to investigate the truth of her husband's untimely demise. Though there is a wide cast of characters - Julia is the youngest girl of the ten children of Lord March (himself once a playmate of Queen Victoria), it's remarkably easy to keep the vibrantly drawn characters straight.

And it's so well-performed, with a multitude of accents and just such a fun time throughout! I really enjoyed listening to it - and ever so much more than I expected! And the book does end satisfyingly as a standalone novel, but still entices the reader right into a sequel without a genuine cliffhanger. It is the relationships between the characters, even more so than the plot, that invites to keep listening... I am definitely going to be continuing on with the series - my only real dilemma is whether or not I will continue with my originally planned Halloween listening, or if I will go ahead and continue on with this series consecutively...

I really love all of the characters - the Tower Raven especially! - and while it does have a somewhat modern flair, it still feels believable and I am really looking forward to discussing this with our club! I am totally a new fan of the author's too!

Too obvious

Unfortunately, despite what could have been a very good mystery was ruined by the obviousness of who the villain was. Sigh. It was fairly clear from early in the book. I listened hoping to be wrong, hoping that a twist would come... But alas.

Great series

I binge-read (listened) to all the books in this series. They are all very good. There are a few minor issue with the narrator - words mispronounced for example - but I liked these a lot!