What do you think?
Rate this book
Lady Julia Grey #4
Dark Road to Darjeeling
After eight idyllic months in the Mediterranean, Lady Julia Grey and her detective husband are ready to put their investigative talents to work once more. At the urging of Julia's eccentric family, they hurry to India to aid an old friend, the newly widowed Jane Cavendish. Living on the Cavendish tea plantation with the remnants of her husband's family, Jane is consumed with the impending birth of her child—and with discovering the truth about her husband's death. Was he murdered for his estate? And if he was, could Jane and her unborn child be next?
Amid the lush foothills of the Himalayas, dark deeds are buried and malicious thoughts flourish. The Brisbanes uncover secrets and scandal, illicit affairs and twisted legacies. In this remote and exotic place, exploration is perilous and discovery, deadly. The danger is palpable and, if they are not careful, Julia and Nicholas will not live to celebrate their first anniversary.
Amid the lush foothills of the Himalayas, dark deeds are buried and malicious thoughts flourish. The Brisbanes uncover secrets and scandal, illicit affairs and twisted legacies. In this remote and exotic place, exploration is perilous and discovery, deadly. The danger is palpable and, if they are not careful, Julia and Nicholas will not live to celebrate their first anniversary.
388 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2010
About the author
Deanna Raybourn
40 books8,211 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn is a 6th-generation native Texan. She graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of one, Raybourn makes her home in Virginia. Her novels have been nominated for numerous awards including two RT Reviewers’ Choice awards, the Agatha, two Dilys Winns, a Last Laugh, three du Mauriers, and most recently the 2019 Edgar Award for Best Novel. She launched a new Victorian mystery series with the 2015 release of A CURIOUS BEGINNING, featuring intrepid butterfly-hunter and amateur sleuth, Veronica Speedwell. Veronica has returned in several more adventures, most recently AN IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTOR, book seven, which released in early 2022. Deanna's first contemporary novel, KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, about four female assassins on the cusp of retirement publishes in September 2022. (Please note: Deanna is not active on GR.)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 866 reviews
January 26, 2015
I finished the wonderful Silent on the Moor last year and knew it would be a long, cold wait for the next book in the Lady Julia Grey series. I was so happy with where the end of that book left my favorite characters. It was in no way an agonizing or excruciating ending, rather it managed to leave me both perfectly happy and aching for more adventures with the indomitable Julia and the elusive Brisbane. So when I managed to get my hands on an e-ARC of DARK ROAD TO DARJEELING a few days ago, I vowed that nothing would come between me and that book. With a quick weekend trip to DC looming on the horizon, I downloaded the book to my husband's Kindle and decided to let it be the first full book I read on that device, thinking it would be nice to compare the reading experiences on the Nook and Kindle. So, armed with an e-reader and plenty of chocolate, I boarded the plane and settled in for a cozy ride. Turns out, I was in for a much longer ride than I planned on as bad weather delayed our flight from the planned three and a half hours to more like nine. I was so glad I had Lady Julia and Brisbane to keep me company and what would have been a tedious and frustrating journey was actually the most pleasant of times.
A warning: It is impossible to discuss this installment without including one particular spoiler for the previous three books. So, please. If you haven't read them and are concerned about what you do and do not know going in, tread no further. But go simply (and quickly) to your nearest bookstore and purchase Silent in the Grave. You can come back and thank me later.
Nearing the end of their wedding trip in the Mediterranean, Julia and Nicholas Brisbane unexpectedly meet up with Julia's sister Portia and her brother Plum. The two March siblings are come to convince Julia and Brisbane to follow them to Darjeeling, where Portia's former partner Jane is in much distress. Having been suddenly widowed shortly after becoming pregnant, Jane has endured a few too many months of loneliness and fear in her unfamiliar and foreign home. Based on the increasingly distracted tenor of Jane's letters, Portia is convinced Jane (and her unborn child) are in some danger and she would be much comforted were Brisbane to employ his myriad skills in ferreting out a possible murderer and divining the reason behind Jane's mounting unease. Julia is, of course, keen to join her husband in his efforts and work together as equal partners in the investigation. Brisbane, unsurprisingly, disagrees vehemently. And the tension this conflict engenders threads its thorny way throughout the bulk of the tale. Mysterious neighbors and strangely familiar ones people the small Valley of Eden which Julia and her companions travel to, along with the family of Jane's deceased husband, who each have their own reasons for possibly wanting her and her offspring out of the way for good. Once again, it is up to Brisbane and Julia (whether he will have her or no) to stop the snake in the grass before it strikes again.
I smiled the whole way through DARK ROAD TO DARJEELING. And I do mean that smile never left my face. It is so soothing to have an author consistently come through for you. The writing, the craftsmanship, the characters, and the setting all come together seamlessly in a Deanna Raybourn novel. A favorite passage early on, featuring the endearingly offbeat March siblings (taken from my uncorrected ARC):
This book in particular put that Cheshire Cat smile on my face because it dealt with that delicate and heady navigation two people engage in after the honeymoon is over. I adore novels that handle that subject well and this one did it flawlessly. Julia's and Brisbane's lives have been changed by their love for each other, but they themselves have not been changed. Those fundamental facets of their makeup, those traits that make them who they are, have not been altered by a piece of paper. And this means that they must learn to work with each other. It's a protracted and intricate process, and Julia's insistence on being part of Brisbane's work is a major stumbling block on the road to marital accord. The really wonderful thing is that it is all laid out so very realistically. And yet, somehow, Ms. Raybourn manages to balance these challenges out with the incredibly intense and genuine love these two dominant people feel for one another. The result is hypnotic. I could read about them all day long (and I did in this case). The rich and fragrant Indian setting formed an exquisite underpinning for the disturbing and dark deeds that take place at the foot of the majestic Himalayas. I went back and forth on who the culprit might be and one new character in particular threw me (and Julia) for a loop. I am still trying to figure out how I feel about what happened there. I have to say, I came to the end of this adventure feeling much the same way I did at the end of its predecessor--perfectly satisfied and more in love with these characters than ever before. DARK ROAD TO DARJEELING is due out October 1st.
Reading Order: Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Silent on the Moor, and DARK ROAD TO DARJEELING
A warning: It is impossible to discuss this installment without including one particular spoiler for the previous three books. So, please. If you haven't read them and are concerned about what you do and do not know going in, tread no further. But go simply (and quickly) to your nearest bookstore and purchase Silent in the Grave. You can come back and thank me later.
Nearing the end of their wedding trip in the Mediterranean, Julia and Nicholas Brisbane unexpectedly meet up with Julia's sister Portia and her brother Plum. The two March siblings are come to convince Julia and Brisbane to follow them to Darjeeling, where Portia's former partner Jane is in much distress. Having been suddenly widowed shortly after becoming pregnant, Jane has endured a few too many months of loneliness and fear in her unfamiliar and foreign home. Based on the increasingly distracted tenor of Jane's letters, Portia is convinced Jane (and her unborn child) are in some danger and she would be much comforted were Brisbane to employ his myriad skills in ferreting out a possible murderer and divining the reason behind Jane's mounting unease. Julia is, of course, keen to join her husband in his efforts and work together as equal partners in the investigation. Brisbane, unsurprisingly, disagrees vehemently. And the tension this conflict engenders threads its thorny way throughout the bulk of the tale. Mysterious neighbors and strangely familiar ones people the small Valley of Eden which Julia and her companions travel to, along with the family of Jane's deceased husband, who each have their own reasons for possibly wanting her and her offspring out of the way for good. Once again, it is up to Brisbane and Julia (whether he will have her or no) to stop the snake in the grass before it strikes again.
I smiled the whole way through DARK ROAD TO DARJEELING. And I do mean that smile never left my face. It is so soothing to have an author consistently come through for you. The writing, the craftsmanship, the characters, and the setting all come together seamlessly in a Deanna Raybourn novel. A favorite passage early on, featuring the endearingly offbeat March siblings (taken from my uncorrected ARC):
"If Father wanted you to have an escort so badly, why didn't he come himself? He is always rabbiting on about wanting to travel to exotic places."
Portia pulled a face. "He would have but he was too busy quarrelling with his hermit."
I blinked at her and Brisbane snorted, covering it quickly with a cough. "His what?"
"His hermit. He has engaged a hermit. He thought it might be an interesting addition to the garden."
"Has he gone stark staring mad? Who ever heard of a hermit in Sussex?" I demanded, although I was not entirely surprised. Father loved nothing better than tinkering with his country estate, although his devotion to the place was such that he refused to modernise the Abbey with anything approaching suitable plumbing or electricity.
Portia sipped placidly at her soup. "Oh, no. The hermit isn't in Sussex. Father has put him in the garden of March House."
"In London? In the back garden of a townhouse?" I pounced on Plum. "Did no one try to talk him out of it? He'll be a laughingstock!"
Plum waved an airy hand. "As if that were something new for this family," he said lightly.
I ignored my husband who was having a difficult time controlling his mirth and turned again to my sister. "Where does the hermit live?"
"Father built him a pretty little hermitage. He could not be expected to live wild," she added reasonably.
"It isn't very well wild if it is in the middle of Mayfair, now is it?" I countered, my voice rising. I took a sip of my wine and counted to twenty. "So Father has built this hermitage in the back garden of March House. And installed a hermit. With whom he doesn't get on."
"Correct," Plum said. He reached for my plate and when I offered no resistance, helped himself to the remains of my fish.
"How does one even find a hermit these days? I thought they all became extinct after Capability Brown."
"He advertised," Plum said through a mouthful of trout grenobloise. "In the newspaper. Received quite a few responses, actually. Seems many men fancy the life of a hermit--and a few women. But Father settled on this fellow from the Hebrides, Auld Lachy. He thought having a Hebridean hermit would add a bit of glamour to the place."
"There are no words," Brisbane murmured.
This book in particular put that Cheshire Cat smile on my face because it dealt with that delicate and heady navigation two people engage in after the honeymoon is over. I adore novels that handle that subject well and this one did it flawlessly. Julia's and Brisbane's lives have been changed by their love for each other, but they themselves have not been changed. Those fundamental facets of their makeup, those traits that make them who they are, have not been altered by a piece of paper. And this means that they must learn to work with each other. It's a protracted and intricate process, and Julia's insistence on being part of Brisbane's work is a major stumbling block on the road to marital accord. The really wonderful thing is that it is all laid out so very realistically. And yet, somehow, Ms. Raybourn manages to balance these challenges out with the incredibly intense and genuine love these two dominant people feel for one another. The result is hypnotic. I could read about them all day long (and I did in this case). The rich and fragrant Indian setting formed an exquisite underpinning for the disturbing and dark deeds that take place at the foot of the majestic Himalayas. I went back and forth on who the culprit might be and one new character in particular threw me (and Julia) for a loop. I am still trying to figure out how I feel about what happened there. I have to say, I came to the end of this adventure feeling much the same way I did at the end of its predecessor--perfectly satisfied and more in love with these characters than ever before. DARK ROAD TO DARJEELING is due out October 1st.
Reading Order: Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Silent on the Moor, and DARK ROAD TO DARJEELING
September 20, 2016
This book read slow for me. The previous book read super fast but this one just didn’t have the same pacing for me. It could have been because Brisbane was absent in a large portion of the book. For me the chemistry between Julia and Brisbane is strong and moves the plot, not having them together for a large chunk of the book, slowed things for me.
Also I struggled with their relationship…..yes now they are married and it’s clear that they love each other more than anything, but I couldn’t help but feel like Brisbane was being far too conventional in his idea of what their marriage would be like. I think he thought she would let him do his thing and listen to him……but clearly he hasn’t accepted that the woman he married is far from ‘normal’ and is she didn’t listen to him in the previous three books, why would marriage suddenly make her listen? That kind of bothered me throughout the book.
The same goes for Julia….I felt like they are both chaffing against their marital exceptions. I never felt like their relationship evolved or changed in the book. At the end I still felt like things were at a stalemate between the two so I am looking forward to the next book to see if things resolve or improve.
This wasn’t a bad book and or lackluster installment by any means…..I just felt like the other books were simply better. One of the things that I love about Raybourn’s mysteries is that she isn’t afraid to go down a darker, taboo road when it comes to motive for her murders. The motive is always unpredictable and shocking and this book did not disappoint! The murderer and motive were interesting and will intrigue the reader.
I liked the change of scenery in this book. The exotic location helped break up the typical ‘foggy London’ setting so may Victorian murder mysteries have so I liked that change. I loved Raybourn’s descriptions of the Indian landscape and customs.
While this book wasn’t as good as some of the others, it wasn’t a ‘dud’ at all. It was engaging and I loved the twists in the murder mystery and the uncertainty of who the killer might be based on everyone having motive, including a close family friend. It was definitely still worth the read and I did enjoy it. Let’s face it, any book that came after Silent on the Moor, for me just wouldn’t compare because the third book was so so so so right up my alley!
I am looking forward to seeing what’s ahead in the next book for Lady Julia and her husband…..the next book’s description sounds delightful!
See my full review here
Also I struggled with their relationship…..yes now they are married and it’s clear that they love each other more than anything, but I couldn’t help but feel like Brisbane was being far too conventional in his idea of what their marriage would be like. I think he thought she would let him do his thing and listen to him……but clearly he hasn’t accepted that the woman he married is far from ‘normal’ and is she didn’t listen to him in the previous three books, why would marriage suddenly make her listen? That kind of bothered me throughout the book.
The same goes for Julia….I felt like they are both chaffing against their marital exceptions. I never felt like their relationship evolved or changed in the book. At the end I still felt like things were at a stalemate between the two so I am looking forward to the next book to see if things resolve or improve.
This wasn’t a bad book and or lackluster installment by any means…..I just felt like the other books were simply better. One of the things that I love about Raybourn’s mysteries is that she isn’t afraid to go down a darker, taboo road when it comes to motive for her murders. The motive is always unpredictable and shocking and this book did not disappoint! The murderer and motive were interesting and will intrigue the reader.
I liked the change of scenery in this book. The exotic location helped break up the typical ‘foggy London’ setting so may Victorian murder mysteries have so I liked that change. I loved Raybourn’s descriptions of the Indian landscape and customs.
While this book wasn’t as good as some of the others, it wasn’t a ‘dud’ at all. It was engaging and I loved the twists in the murder mystery and the uncertainty of who the killer might be based on everyone having motive, including a close family friend. It was definitely still worth the read and I did enjoy it. Let’s face it, any book that came after Silent on the Moor, for me just wouldn’t compare because the third book was so so so so right up my alley!
I am looking forward to seeing what’s ahead in the next book for Lady Julia and her husband…..the next book’s description sounds delightful!
See my full review here
October 4, 2017
I was thinking the other day that this series would not work half as beautifully if the POV alternated between Julia and Brisbane. I so so love Brisbane as a mysterious slowly-being-revealed character. I suppose when I'm honest with myself, I really am reading this series for that reveal of Brisbane. The effectiveness of the cloaking and revealing of Brisbane shows how important a magical hero is in this series, and how well Raybourn understands that. And really, just how critical a compelling hero is in general. Important for me as a writer to keep in mind always!
Anyway, a major treat to get back to smart, perceptive Lady Julia and mysterious, smoldering Brisbane! Even with Lady Julia and Brisbane married, there is wonderful tension.
I would say it is one of the quieter ones in the series, even though the mystery turns out to be quite dramatic...and kind of unusual. Still, the book felt strangely subdued. Not necessarily in a bad way.
Still, the mystery is always secondary to me, as I am such a fan of both of these characters. This book takes place soon after Lady Julia's marriage to Brisbane, so they're working out this mystery, as well as new issues in their relationship. And dramatic family things happen, too!!
I loved this setting - a tea plantation in India during the British Colonial era. I thought it was lovely to spend time in and learn about, and integrated beautifully into the plot - it reminded me of the goodness of Carolyn Jewel's INDISCREET (1800s Turkey) in that way...or Meredith Duran's DUKE OF SHADOWS (end of British Colonial rule in India). Also, as a fan of Somerset Maugham's shorts and essays, this book was a great treat - we meet some of those types here, but the perspective is slightly different and more intense, as things all unfold in a small contained area over a longer work.
This is such a strong series. I already have the next!
Anyway, a major treat to get back to smart, perceptive Lady Julia and mysterious, smoldering Brisbane! Even with Lady Julia and Brisbane married, there is wonderful tension.
I would say it is one of the quieter ones in the series, even though the mystery turns out to be quite dramatic...and kind of unusual. Still, the book felt strangely subdued. Not necessarily in a bad way.
Still, the mystery is always secondary to me, as I am such a fan of both of these characters. This book takes place soon after Lady Julia's marriage to Brisbane, so they're working out this mystery, as well as new issues in their relationship. And dramatic family things happen, too!!
I loved this setting - a tea plantation in India during the British Colonial era. I thought it was lovely to spend time in and learn about, and integrated beautifully into the plot - it reminded me of the goodness of Carolyn Jewel's INDISCREET (1800s Turkey) in that way...or Meredith Duran's DUKE OF SHADOWS (end of British Colonial rule in India). Also, as a fan of Somerset Maugham's shorts and essays, this book was a great treat - we meet some of those types here, but the perspective is slightly different and more intense, as things all unfold in a small contained area over a longer work.
This is such a strong series. I already have the next!
February 24, 2017
Possibly the best entry in the series.
November 19, 2010
I really love this writer and series, so, of course, I enjoyed it a ton. I have to admit, the conflict between the two main characters, now that they're hitched, wasn't as exciting as before, but still it was super enjoyable because Julia and Brisbane are flawed and unique characters. I especially like the secondary characters in Raybourn's books, they never feel one-dimension l or cookie cutter, she always goes out of her way to make them distinctive.
The setting, India during the 19th century, was very interesting and felt well-researched and the mystery was a BIT tame, but still enough to keep me turning the page.
I definitely smelled some setup for the next book, and I can't wait!
The setting, India during the 19th century, was very interesting and felt well-researched and the mystery was a BIT tame, but still enough to keep me turning the page.
I definitely smelled some setup for the next book, and I can't wait!
September 20, 2017
4 Estrellitas. Me ha gustado algo más que el anterior libro, pero ésta vez es por la historia, trasladada en ésta entrega a la India. Ésta ha sido mucho más interesante que el romance, aunque repito, el romance ni es lo mejor, ni lo más importante, ni lo más interesante de ésta serie, de modo que si buscas una novela romántica convencional, aquí no lo encontrarás.
"Camino oculto a Darjeeling" empieza nueve meses más tarde que donde terminó "Tiempo de pasión". No me gusta spoilear en mis críticas, pero la sinopsis del libro ya lo hace. Tras una boda poco convencional, muy al estilo de los March, Julia y Nicholas Brisbane se embarcan en su luna de miel rumbo al Mediterráneo, pero unos meses más tarde, a punto de terminarla y volver a Inglaterra, se les unen en Egipto Portia y Plum, los hermanos de Julia. Estos convencen al nuevo matrimonio de que partan con ellos a la India, pues la queridísima amiga de Portia, Jane, está embarazada y su marido acaba de morir, aparentemente asesinado. Portia requiere de Julia y Brisbane para desentrañar el misterio de la muerte del marido de Jane, mientras que ella necesita reunirse con ella en su delicado estado.
Así es como el libro empieza en la India, cuando nuestros protagonistas y sus hermanos llegan a los Pavos Reales, la hacienda de té y heredad de la familia Cavendish, a la que ahora pertenece Jane. En dicha casa ahora conviven la aludida, Harry, el primo de su marido y la tía Cavendish, que lleva toda la vida dirigiendo la casa. Junto a ésta familia, habrá otra pequeña multitud de nuevos personajes, la familia del párroco, el médico melancólico, un excéntrico inglés que vive como un ermitaño en un monasterio budista abandonado... y ¿Nos acordamos de las primas pobres de los March, Lucy y Emma? Pues sí, también viven allí.
Todos estos personajes aportarán su grano de arena y harán que el lector se devane los sesos buscando al culpable de la muerte de Freddie Cavendish, pues aparentemente todos han podido ser un asesino. Y no, no será fácil descubrirlo, aunque para eso están Julia y Brisbane.
Quizás lo que ha podido decepcionarme de ésta novela es el romance. Ya he advertido que en general en ésta serie no lo busquéis, pues no son puramente novelas románticas. Sí, los protagonistas tras tres libros por fin se han casado, pero mentiría si dijera que el suyo es un matrimonio idílico. A mí personalmente no me ha gustado cómo se desarrolla su relación, para empezar porque no hay confianza entre ellos. Nicholas Brisbane es un hombre hecho a sí mismo, un hombre maduro y autodidacta que es como es gracias a su inteligencia, paciencia y perseverancia. Estos dones han hecho que sea un magnífico investigador, y Julia Grey (ahora Brisbane) está en pañales en lo que a investigación se refiere. Sí, es inteligente y quiere ser de ayuda a su marido. Creo que cualquier esposa en su situación querría hacerlo, pero sin la experiencia de Brisbane ella no hace nada. Y lo peor es que Julia se comporta como una niña egoísta y caprichosa y le oculta información crucial a Brisbane, con el motivo de que él no se le adelante... pero ¡vamos a ver! Que estáis casados, se supone que os amáis y debéis confiaros cosas, que lleváis casi un año juntos. A mí personalmente esto me ha desinflado mucho, y es lo que ha hecho que me cabree un poquito y sí, que el libro no llegue a las 5 estrellas.
El tema de la investigación del supuesto asesinato me ha parecido magnífico, es lo que mejor maneja ésta escritora, eso y el ambiente, ahora tan alejado de la Inglaterra victoriana que tan bien conoce. En ése sentido Deanna Raybourn no me ha decepcionado, pues también me ha demostrado que ha hecho los deberes con ésta novela para ambientarla en la India.
Aunque el "romance" me ha hecho enfadarme mucho, la trama por suerte no lo ha hecho, y no tardaré mucho en leer el quinto y último libro de ésta serie.
"Camino oculto a Darjeeling" empieza nueve meses más tarde que donde terminó "Tiempo de pasión". No me gusta spoilear en mis críticas, pero la sinopsis del libro ya lo hace. Tras una boda poco convencional, muy al estilo de los March, Julia y Nicholas Brisbane se embarcan en su luna de miel rumbo al Mediterráneo, pero unos meses más tarde, a punto de terminarla y volver a Inglaterra, se les unen en Egipto Portia y Plum, los hermanos de Julia. Estos convencen al nuevo matrimonio de que partan con ellos a la India, pues la queridísima amiga de Portia, Jane, está embarazada y su marido acaba de morir, aparentemente asesinado. Portia requiere de Julia y Brisbane para desentrañar el misterio de la muerte del marido de Jane, mientras que ella necesita reunirse con ella en su delicado estado.
Así es como el libro empieza en la India, cuando nuestros protagonistas y sus hermanos llegan a los Pavos Reales, la hacienda de té y heredad de la familia Cavendish, a la que ahora pertenece Jane. En dicha casa ahora conviven la aludida, Harry, el primo de su marido y la tía Cavendish, que lleva toda la vida dirigiendo la casa. Junto a ésta familia, habrá otra pequeña multitud de nuevos personajes, la familia del párroco, el médico melancólico, un excéntrico inglés que vive como un ermitaño en un monasterio budista abandonado... y ¿Nos acordamos de las primas pobres de los March, Lucy y Emma? Pues sí, también viven allí.
Todos estos personajes aportarán su grano de arena y harán que el lector se devane los sesos buscando al culpable de la muerte de Freddie Cavendish, pues aparentemente todos han podido ser un asesino. Y no, no será fácil descubrirlo, aunque para eso están Julia y Brisbane.
Quizás lo que ha podido decepcionarme de ésta novela es el romance. Ya he advertido que en general en ésta serie no lo busquéis, pues no son puramente novelas románticas. Sí, los protagonistas tras tres libros por fin se han casado, pero mentiría si dijera que el suyo es un matrimonio idílico. A mí personalmente no me ha gustado cómo se desarrolla su relación, para empezar porque no hay confianza entre ellos. Nicholas Brisbane es un hombre hecho a sí mismo, un hombre maduro y autodidacta que es como es gracias a su inteligencia, paciencia y perseverancia. Estos dones han hecho que sea un magnífico investigador, y Julia Grey (ahora Brisbane) está en pañales en lo que a investigación se refiere. Sí, es inteligente y quiere ser de ayuda a su marido. Creo que cualquier esposa en su situación querría hacerlo, pero sin la experiencia de Brisbane ella no hace nada. Y lo peor es que Julia se comporta como una niña egoísta y caprichosa y le oculta información crucial a Brisbane, con el motivo de que él no se le adelante... pero ¡vamos a ver! Que estáis casados, se supone que os amáis y debéis confiaros cosas, que lleváis casi un año juntos. A mí personalmente esto me ha desinflado mucho, y es lo que ha hecho que me cabree un poquito y sí, que el libro no llegue a las 5 estrellas.
El tema de la investigación del supuesto asesinato me ha parecido magnífico, es lo que mejor maneja ésta escritora, eso y el ambiente, ahora tan alejado de la Inglaterra victoriana que tan bien conoce. En ése sentido Deanna Raybourn no me ha decepcionado, pues también me ha demostrado que ha hecho los deberes con ésta novela para ambientarla en la India.
Aunque el "romance" me ha hecho enfadarme mucho, la trama por suerte no lo ha hecho, y no tardaré mucho en leer el quinto y último libro de ésta serie.
October 20, 2019
Maybe 3.7 stars? I didn’t like this book quite as much as the first 3 volumes. Part of this, I’m sure is because Julia and Nicholas are a married couple now, so the romantic suspense dimension of the narrative is much more limited. We know that they are unlikely to part, that they care about each other a great deal, so the author must re-create that tension with differences of opinion regarding their matrimonial roles. Slightly less effective for me than the courtship question.
The mystery plot reminded me rather of M.M. Kaye’s mysteries, like Death in Kashmir. I can see why the author chose the place--it’s exotic to those of us in North America and Europe, plus it was part of the British Empire during the time period. She had sent Jane there in the previous book, so it made sense to have Portia and Julia follow her in this volume. However, I find I prefer Victorian plots set in England, so this may be another reason that I prefer the previous books.
However, the setting stirred up memories of the days I spent in Assam and Bhutan in 2010, seeing the dark green tea plantations, laden elephants on the edges of the roads, and the many prayer flags and prayer wheels along our route. Good memories of a beautiful place and encounters with many friendly people.
The mystery plot reminded me rather of M.M. Kaye’s mysteries, like Death in Kashmir. I can see why the author chose the place--it’s exotic to those of us in North America and Europe, plus it was part of the British Empire during the time period. She had sent Jane there in the previous book, so it made sense to have Portia and Julia follow her in this volume. However, I find I prefer Victorian plots set in England, so this may be another reason that I prefer the previous books.
However, the setting stirred up memories of the days I spent in Assam and Bhutan in 2010, seeing the dark green tea plantations, laden elephants on the edges of the roads, and the many prayer flags and prayer wheels along our route. Good memories of a beautiful place and encounters with many friendly people.
May 24, 2020
I love the characters but not the writing. I really struggled with every book in this series. Question to ponder, while reading this book - Was there air travel between Europe and Asia in 1888? 2.5 stars.
September 18, 2018
I feel like this was fine? I found it less annoying than I remember finding the previous one. I mean, you can't really expect realism from this series. I did find there was something off about the whole roundabout argument that Julia and Brisbane had for the entirety of this book. It boils down to - she is not trained to be a detective and he wants to keep her safe v. she feels she could be useful and wants to prove herself and so runs in like a bull in a china shop. But the secrets they both keep to pursue those two objectives are radically disproportionate, so the whole thing kind of doesn't work so well? It's very much a case of, "I want to keep you safe, so to that end, I will tell you nothing so you have no information and can't upset anything. I will also just order you to stay away from anything dangerous, and you should trust me," followed by annoyance when obviously that doesn't happen. I have minimal patience for that when the alternate route of, "Rather than just forbidding you to do something (when I know you are curious), I will explain to you the reasons why a seemingly innocuous thing is dangerous, so perhaps proper precautions can be taken," makes so much more sense.
I just, they've known each other years now. I think there's always going to be something about these books that grates.
It may come down to the fact that entire March family is not a product of its time, so DR's trying to impose that mentality on the marriage feels disingenuous.
This sounds like I didn't like it at all. It's weirdly compelling and readable, but it's also no quite... it's just not quite.
I just, they've known each other years now. I think there's always going to be something about these books that grates.
It may come down to the fact that entire March family is not a product of its time, so DR's trying to impose that mentality on the marriage feels disingenuous.
This sounds like I didn't like it at all. It's weirdly compelling and readable, but it's also no quite... it's just not quite.
February 2, 2021
.
The mystery was good, engrossing, dark, and full of many people who had motive and means. I mean, Freddy was an immature jerk of the first order.
Julia and Brisbane are cajoled into going to India to help Jane prove that her husband was murdered. Not because Jane loved him but because she is worried for her unborn child.
The setting was idyllic, but plagued by a man eating tiger.
Lots of quirky characters and surprising twists.
But, Brisbane is still a dick. There are glimmers that he is coming to understand Julia's need to help. But they are weak little ineffectual glimmers. Both he AND Portia tell Julia that she has no business in his business.
He still never shares his thoughts with Julia. He seems to enjoy keeping her in the dark and outsmarting her. Like he enjoys making a fool of her. And I, as the reader, want Julia to outsmart him. But I am doomed to disappointment.
Their marriage isn't a partnership and it never will be. Instead of having a conversation with her, he always ends up sexing her up (but it's still fade to black).
Since she enjoys the work, maybe she should open up her own investigating business, since he doesn't want her help...
So I may read the last book (well last book for now), just for the mystery and to catch up on Julia and her family. But I sure as heck am NOT reading it for romance.
The mystery was good, engrossing, dark, and full of many people who had motive and means. I mean, Freddy was an immature jerk of the first order.
Julia and Brisbane are cajoled into going to India to help Jane prove that her husband was murdered. Not because Jane loved him but because she is worried for her unborn child.
The setting was idyllic, but plagued by a man eating tiger.
Lots of quirky characters and surprising twists.
But, Brisbane is still a dick. There are glimmers that he is coming to understand Julia's need to help. But they are weak little ineffectual glimmers. Both he AND Portia tell Julia that she has no business in his business.
He still never shares his thoughts with Julia. He seems to enjoy keeping her in the dark and outsmarting her. Like he enjoys making a fool of her. And I, as the reader, want Julia to outsmart him. But I am doomed to disappointment.
Their marriage isn't a partnership and it never will be. Instead of having a conversation with her, he always ends up sexing her up (but it's still fade to black).
Since she enjoys the work, maybe she should open up her own investigating business, since he doesn't want her help...
So I may read the last book (well last book for now), just for the mystery and to catch up on Julia and her family. But I sure as heck am NOT reading it for romance.
September 20, 2010
Having enjoyed a relaxing and calm honeymoon together for the last eight months, Lady Julia and Brisbane are unexpectedly brought back to the real world with the sudden arrival of Julia's sister Portia and brother Plum. Portia has arrived in a flurry, insistent that Julia and her detective husband accompany the pair to Darjeeling, India to help Portia's former partner Jane Cavendish. Ever since the death of Jane's husband, Portia has been worried about the vagueness of Jane's letters - worried for the impending birth of her first child and worried that someone might have killed Jane's husband. Naturally, Julia insists Brisbane takes the case and her help along with it but Brisbane is not about to thrust his wife into the middle of a possible murder investigation. Mad as a wet hen, Julia's continued determination to prove her usefulness to Brisbane in his work sparks a disagreement that lasts throughout much of the novel as both are too stubborn to compromise on the subject. As one hopes only to help while the other tries only to protect.
Upon their arrival in the Valley of Eden, Julia is struck by the eccentric qualities of almost all of Jane's new family and neighbors. A grieving doctor who cannot remain sober, a free-spirited American artist married to an English clergyman and even the White Rajah, a recluse who has adopted the native dress and customs. There amidst the lush and stark Indian landscape of the Cavendish's prosperous tea plantation, Julia finds herself quickly deducing a plausible motive for murder in every single person she has met. The trouble is sorting out who the killer is before he can strike again.
As the fourth installment in what has to be one of my favorite series out there (mystery or not), Dark Road to Darjeeling is a unique animal. As a Lady Julia mystery, some elements remain the same - like the previous novels, a murder is solved - although always drastically different than how you would have expected - but there is also a decided departure from some previous standards. Starting with the new cover image and title format and extending even to the landscape - no longer in traditional England but India. Both settings equally evocative while remaining worlds apart.
Once inside the story, the changes continue. As a married couple Julia and Brisbane are faced with the difficulty of striking a balance between their private and personal lives. The pair are both passionately driven individuals and it is only natural they would clash (if you don't believe me, just read their previous books - tension galore). I was so grateful that Deanna Raybourn did not sugar-coat this aspect of their marriage. Yes, they are honeymooners - utterly in love - but they are also very much strong individuals. Their disagreements have never been easily solved but that just makes for a more satisfying resolution in my opinion. Ms. Raybourn's characters have never failed to entrance me with their sharpness - I can easily imagine any of them alive and wandering around, sticking their noses in other people's business - and that remains to be true in Dark Road to Darjeeling. As always, Deanna Raybourn strikes the perfect balance between tension (oh the delicious tension!) and humor (especially where the Marches are concerned) and yet again I'm awed and more in love with Julia and Brisbane than ever. Ms. Raybourn hasn't steered them wrong yet.
Upon their arrival in the Valley of Eden, Julia is struck by the eccentric qualities of almost all of Jane's new family and neighbors. A grieving doctor who cannot remain sober, a free-spirited American artist married to an English clergyman and even the White Rajah, a recluse who has adopted the native dress and customs. There amidst the lush and stark Indian landscape of the Cavendish's prosperous tea plantation, Julia finds herself quickly deducing a plausible motive for murder in every single person she has met. The trouble is sorting out who the killer is before he can strike again.
As the fourth installment in what has to be one of my favorite series out there (mystery or not), Dark Road to Darjeeling is a unique animal. As a Lady Julia mystery, some elements remain the same - like the previous novels, a murder is solved - although always drastically different than how you would have expected - but there is also a decided departure from some previous standards. Starting with the new cover image and title format and extending even to the landscape - no longer in traditional England but India. Both settings equally evocative while remaining worlds apart.
Once inside the story, the changes continue. As a married couple Julia and Brisbane are faced with the difficulty of striking a balance between their private and personal lives. The pair are both passionately driven individuals and it is only natural they would clash (if you don't believe me, just read their previous books - tension galore). I was so grateful that Deanna Raybourn did not sugar-coat this aspect of their marriage. Yes, they are honeymooners - utterly in love - but they are also very much strong individuals. Their disagreements have never been easily solved but that just makes for a more satisfying resolution in my opinion. Ms. Raybourn's characters have never failed to entrance me with their sharpness - I can easily imagine any of them alive and wandering around, sticking their noses in other people's business - and that remains to be true in Dark Road to Darjeeling. As always, Deanna Raybourn strikes the perfect balance between tension (oh the delicious tension!) and humor (especially where the Marches are concerned) and yet again I'm awed and more in love with Julia and Brisbane than ever. Ms. Raybourn hasn't steered them wrong yet.
Want to read
April 15, 2012With each consecutive volume, Ms Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series seemed to be slipping into uninspired, repetitive mediocrity—such a pity after the literary bravura of Silent in the Grave.
The ending of Silent on the Moor promised a welcome escape from the increasingly tedious members of the March family and their servants.
Dark Road to Darjeeling opened auspiciously with a brief description of Lady Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane enjoying their honeymoon romping across Europe, free of the familial baggage of previous volumes.
Alas, the baggage catches up with them in Egypt and suddenly we're back in the same rut. The same old characters going through the same old motions.
Portia, Julia's sister, persuades the newly-weds to travel to India and solve a possible murder on an improbably idyllic tea plantation in the Himalayan foothills. Nicholas decides to stay behind to meet the Viceroy (in Calcutta?) so instead of the hoped-for debut of an independent crime-solving couple, we find Julia having to struggle on her own, surrounded by family members, two of whom just happen to have taken up residence in the vicinity.
At this point I gave up. The description of life and work on the plantation, and Anglo-Indian life in general, were as authentic as an amateur theatrical backdrop. The prose was as flat as day-old beer.
So many other books to read; so little time.
The ending of Silent on the Moor promised a welcome escape from the increasingly tedious members of the March family and their servants.
Dark Road to Darjeeling opened auspiciously with a brief description of Lady Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane enjoying their honeymoon romping across Europe, free of the familial baggage of previous volumes.
Alas, the baggage catches up with them in Egypt and suddenly we're back in the same rut. The same old characters going through the same old motions.
Portia, Julia's sister, persuades the newly-weds to travel to India and solve a possible murder on an improbably idyllic tea plantation in the Himalayan foothills. Nicholas decides to stay behind to meet the Viceroy (in Calcutta?) so instead of the hoped-for debut of an independent crime-solving couple, we find Julia having to struggle on her own, surrounded by family members, two of whom just happen to have taken up residence in the vicinity.
At this point I gave up. The description of life and work on the plantation, and Anglo-Indian life in general, were as authentic as an amateur theatrical backdrop. The prose was as flat as day-old beer.
So many other books to read; so little time.
March 11, 2019
First Read: 19 February 2016
Second Read: 11 March 2019: Aussie Reader challenge for MaRch 2019 (R = Reminiscing - to read a historical fiction novel): This was good, but probably my least favourite in the series to date. I love the India setting and I adore Brisbane and Julia (even if their relationship bothers me way more on re-read). A few tears at the end of this one.....but a gorgeous historical murder series with a gorgeous underlying romance :-)
Original Review
This is the fourth book (excluding short stories) in the Lady Julia Grey series.
I love these books and this is more of the same. In this adventure, Julia and the hottest, Scottish, gypsy ever to line the pages of a book (aka Nicholas Brisbane) find themselves in India to investigate the mysterious death of a friend's husband.
These books are essentially stand-alone murder-mystery books, but overarching all of that is this beautiful story between Julia and Brisbane. I read a review that said they were glad the author chose to write it from Julia's POV only as this has allowed Nicholas to remain an enigma that is slowly developed book by book to keep the reader hanging. This is spot on. He is such a mystery and I love his character and I love the edginess and intensity of his relationship with Julia. Bring on book 5 and here is hoping the tv series gets made (the rights were sold last year).
Second Read: 11 March 2019: Aussie Reader challenge for MaRch 2019 (R = Reminiscing - to read a historical fiction novel): This was good, but probably my least favourite in the series to date. I love the India setting and I adore Brisbane and Julia (even if their relationship bothers me way more on re-read). A few tears at the end of this one.....but a gorgeous historical murder series with a gorgeous underlying romance :-)
Original Review
This is the fourth book (excluding short stories) in the Lady Julia Grey series.
I love these books and this is more of the same. In this adventure, Julia and the hottest, Scottish, gypsy ever to line the pages of a book (aka Nicholas Brisbane) find themselves in India to investigate the mysterious death of a friend's husband.
These books are essentially stand-alone murder-mystery books, but overarching all of that is this beautiful story between Julia and Brisbane. I read a review that said they were glad the author chose to write it from Julia's POV only as this has allowed Nicholas to remain an enigma that is slowly developed book by book to keep the reader hanging. This is spot on. He is such a mystery and I love his character and I love the edginess and intensity of his relationship with Julia. Bring on book 5 and here is hoping the tv series gets made (the rights were sold last year).
November 7, 2018
This was the best in the series so far in my opinion.
Things I liked about this book/series:
The relationship between Julia & Brisbane (although I’d like to hit him with a frying pan sometimes)
Julia’s Scottish maid Morag is a total crack up.
I loved the fact that Raybourn keeps you guessing as to who committed the murder.
I liked the description of the exotic location in this book.
And the unexpected surprises that popped up in the second half of this story.
Things I liked about this book/series:
The relationship between Julia & Brisbane (although I’d like to hit him with a frying pan sometimes)
Julia’s Scottish maid Morag is a total crack up.
I loved the fact that Raybourn keeps you guessing as to who committed the murder.
I liked the description of the exotic location in this book.
And the unexpected surprises that popped up in the second half of this story.
September 24, 2022
It’s not the Victoria Speedwell series, but it’s improving. (The tiffs are waning, which is good. Tedious after a while.)
Lots of interesting characters and a constant guessing as to the whodunnit. And what a surprise that was! Bravo!
But one thing struck me as .. impolite? When a guest in someone else’s home, is it proper to have sex in their beds? Every night? I’m no prude, by any means.. but um, it IS their sheets and such. I thought the late 1800’s English were more prudent. Dunno. Just struck me as odd.
Set in India, or there about, on a tea farm where Lady Julia and Brisbane are requested to establish a murder and then solve it. Annoying games/secrets play out until a truce is met. (Thankfully!)
If you’ve been reading this series in order, you are in for an upset. Be forewarned!
Lots of interesting characters and a constant guessing as to the whodunnit. And what a surprise that was! Bravo!
But one thing struck me as .. impolite? When a guest in someone else’s home, is it proper to have sex in their beds? Every night? I’m no prude, by any means.. but um, it IS their sheets and such. I thought the late 1800’s English were more prudent. Dunno. Just struck me as odd.
Set in India, or there about, on a tea farm where Lady Julia and Brisbane are requested to establish a murder and then solve it. Annoying games/secrets play out until a truce is met. (Thankfully!)
If you’ve been reading this series in order, you are in for an upset. Be forewarned!
February 26, 2015
Nous voici donc sur les exotiques contrefort de l'Himalaya, dans la région du Sikkim et des plantations de thé du Darjeeling....
Un tome ou l'on a un petit clin d'oeil toujours à Sherlock Holmes (et plus spécifiquement au Chien des Baskervilles ici ^^)
Un tome où notre cher couple continue d'arranger les limites de leur relations, cette fois-ci dans les mariages, et ce n'est pas facile de faire co-exister le côté professionnel et protecteur de Brisbane et le côté fureteur et parfois naïf de Lady Julia. C'est que celle-ci ne veux pas se contenter de la vie d'une sage épouse (elle a déjà donné) mais envisage leur relation aussi comme un partenariat. Et son désire d'indépendance et de confiance la fait parfois faire des erreurs.
Mais ce que j'aime bien c'est que même si elle s'excuse auprès de Brisbane, elle n'est jamais tout à fait vraiment calmée. Et c'est pour ça que j'aime beaucoup Lady Julia, même si parfois je me dis qu'elle en fait un peu trop... XD. Quand à Brisbane *soupir* il est parfois un peu trop protecteur, et renfermé, et cachottier...mais bon entre sa femme et sa belle-famille... ^^
Sinon j'aime toujours autant les personnages secondaires, comme Portia et Plum, respectivement soeur et frère de Lady Julia et leur petites querelles familiales, qui détendent l'atmosphère.
Parce que si ce tome fleure l'exotisme, les histoires qu'il raconte ne sont pas joyeuses.... on y recroise certains perso vu dans des tomes précédents, et ce n'est pas toujours gai, et la résolution du mystère ne déparerait pas dans certains épisodes de CSI: Vegas...
Mais bon un très bon voir excellent livre comme d'hab et en route pour le numéro 5 ^^
Un tome ou l'on a un petit clin d'oeil toujours à Sherlock Holmes (et plus spécifiquement au Chien des Baskervilles ici ^^)
Un tome où notre cher couple continue d'arranger les limites de leur relations, cette fois-ci dans les mariages, et ce n'est pas facile de faire co-exister le côté professionnel et protecteur de Brisbane et le côté fureteur et parfois naïf de Lady Julia. C'est que celle-ci ne veux pas se contenter de la vie d'une sage épouse (elle a déjà donné) mais envisage leur relation aussi comme un partenariat. Et son désire d'indépendance et de confiance la fait parfois faire des erreurs.
Mais ce que j'aime bien c'est que même si elle s'excuse auprès de Brisbane, elle n'est jamais tout à fait vraiment calmée. Et c'est pour ça que j'aime beaucoup Lady Julia, même si parfois je me dis qu'elle en fait un peu trop... XD. Quand à Brisbane *soupir* il est parfois un peu trop protecteur, et renfermé, et cachottier...mais bon entre sa femme et sa belle-famille... ^^
Sinon j'aime toujours autant les personnages secondaires, comme Portia et Plum, respectivement soeur et frère de Lady Julia et leur petites querelles familiales, qui détendent l'atmosphère.
Parce que si ce tome fleure l'exotisme, les histoires qu'il raconte ne sont pas joyeuses.... on y recroise certains perso vu dans des tomes précédents, et ce n'est pas toujours gai, et la résolution du mystère ne déparerait pas dans certains épisodes de CSI: Vegas...
Mais bon un très bon voir excellent livre comme d'hab et en route pour le numéro 5 ^^
May 29, 2011
Again, an incredibly entertaining book in this series. It follows the same formula as the three previous books, more-or-less, but it just seems to result in a great story. It starts blithely enough, but the ending is really quite emotional. There is less "story" after we learn WhoDunnit, but the further revelations of the Nicholas' background add to our understanding of both him and Julia.
Although it's set in India, the setting isn't really a significant part of the story, so don't expect anything particularly deep and mythical along those lines. Having said that, I really love the way the author handles the stresses of marriage in this one. Sometimes, the tensions and disappointments that are part of any marriage are portrayed far too melodramatically, at least in romances, but in this book, they are handled very realistically, and I appreciate that.
I probably guessed WhoDunnit a bit sooner than in the other books, but, honestly, it didn't dull my enjoyment of the book one little bit. Also, I did read this one straight after the three previous books, and often reading a series in bulk can be a bit like eating too many champagne truffles - fabulous but a bit nauseating. Well, I didn't get that this with this book at all.
Highly enjoyable. 5 stars.
Although it's set in India, the setting isn't really a significant part of the story, so don't expect anything particularly deep and mythical along those lines. Having said that, I really love the way the author handles the stresses of marriage in this one. Sometimes, the tensions and disappointments that are part of any marriage are portrayed far too melodramatically, at least in romances, but in this book, they are handled very realistically, and I appreciate that.
I probably guessed WhoDunnit a bit sooner than in the other books, but, honestly, it didn't dull my enjoyment of the book one little bit. Also, I did read this one straight after the three previous books, and often reading a series in bulk can be a bit like eating too many champagne truffles - fabulous but a bit nauseating. Well, I didn't get that this with this book at all.
Highly enjoyable. 5 stars.
July 28, 2017
Reseña completa
Esta vez nos trasladamos a la India y a un ambiente extraño y opresivo (otra vez), con muchos personajes y de nuevo secretos. Dentro de lo que es el carácter de Brisbane es donde mejor se ve que Julia lo es todo para él, aunque nunca se lo diga y ella ya lo sepa. Tiene un par de momentos en los que te deja un mal cuerpo que dura días.
Esta vez nos trasladamos a la India y a un ambiente extraño y opresivo (otra vez), con muchos personajes y de nuevo secretos. Dentro de lo que es el carácter de Brisbane es donde mejor se ve que Julia lo es todo para él, aunque nunca se lo diga y ella ya lo sepa. Tiene un par de momentos en los que te deja un mal cuerpo que dura días.
April 7, 2017
And we're back...now the wonderful Lady Julia and Brisbane are married but they still have quite a bit of fight in them and I LOVE IT!
Brisbane struggles with loving that he is married to a strong and opinionated woman who is gutsy and bold, but he also wants to keep her safe. Because let's be honest, she has no idea what she's doing. She's very intelligent and is great at putting clues together and getting people to talk...but there is a LOT more to detective work and people have a tendency to try and kill her quite a bit...just saying.
Julia to her credit, just keeps pushing harder. The only thing that annoyed me is that she keeps keeping things to herself because she wants to prove she can do everything herself...HELLO...in what world is that going to end well????
All in all, this story is a bit slower than the last, and although I love the setting of India, the story itself gets a bit stale.
The CHARACTERS THOUGH...I didn't realize how much I've grown to completely adore the characters of this novel until I got to the end of the book and was blubbering about like an idiot. Portia her crazy, caring and extravagant sister, Plum her over the top artist brother, Brisbane the dark, sensuous, loyal husband and Lady Julia the lovingly imperfect, stubborn to a fault, kind heroine. The next book is the last in the series...it's going to be tough to say goodbye.
Brisbane struggles with loving that he is married to a strong and opinionated woman who is gutsy and bold, but he also wants to keep her safe. Because let's be honest, she has no idea what she's doing. She's very intelligent and is great at putting clues together and getting people to talk...but there is a LOT more to detective work and people have a tendency to try and kill her quite a bit...just saying.
Julia to her credit, just keeps pushing harder. The only thing that annoyed me is that she keeps keeping things to herself because she wants to prove she can do everything herself...HELLO...in what world is that going to end well????
All in all, this story is a bit slower than the last, and although I love the setting of India, the story itself gets a bit stale.
The CHARACTERS THOUGH...I didn't realize how much I've grown to completely adore the characters of this novel until I got to the end of the book and was blubbering about like an idiot. Portia her crazy, caring and extravagant sister, Plum her over the top artist brother, Brisbane the dark, sensuous, loyal husband and Lady Julia the lovingly imperfect, stubborn to a fault, kind heroine. The next book is the last in the series...it's going to be tough to say goodbye.
January 3, 2019
Confermo il mio amore incondizionato per la Raybourn che riesce a catturare e coinvolgere il lettore come poche. Questa serie continua a livelli altissimi e anche questo episodio non mi ha delusa! L’ambientazione è di quelle che preferisco, l’India con il suo fascino conturbante, la vicenda è molto intrigata e piena di colpi di scena, i personaggi tutti sospettabili ma alla fine mai avresti pensato ad un epilogo del genere…
Adesso mi rimane soltanto di leggere il quinto e ultimo libro di una serie davvero ben scritta, curata nei particolari storici, con personaggi vividi e ben delineati e storie sorprendenti...
Adesso mi rimane soltanto di leggere il quinto e ultimo libro di una serie davvero ben scritta, curata nei particolari storici, con personaggi vividi e ben delineati e storie sorprendenti...
July 20, 2010
This is a review of an ARC.
There are author gloms and there are author GLOMS. My recent splurge, featuring Deanna Raybourn’s phenomenal Lady Julia Grey series, is definitely a member of the latter category. After blazing through the first three books (Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, and Silent on the Moor), I all but writhed and moaned at the prospect of waiting until October to follow Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane on their next Victorian adventure. And now, courtesy of Harlequin and NetGalley, I now have an ARC of the fourth book, Dark Road to Darjeeling. How did it hold up to my expectations?
Let me simply say that it is magnificent.
Forgive me. This is going to be less a review and more a gush-iew. Lady Julia Grey, lately remarried to private enquiry agent Nicholas Brisbane, is spending some time abroad on her honeymoon when two of her siblings, Portia and Plum, drag her off to an even more exotic locale on the border of India. Portia has summoned Julia to an estate called the Peacocks, where Portia’s widowed lover Jane resides. Jane’s late husband, Freddie Cavendish, died in circumstances that strike Portia as suspicious, and she wants Julia to convince Brisbane to offer his assistance. Julia, of course, is not going to sit on the sidelines while her husband ventures forth into danger. Our intrepid heroine gathers her English pluck and stampedes onto the scene, determined to scour out the answers while showing Brisbane her investigative chops.
The Peacocks is located in a remote, insular valley, and only a longtime resident would have had access to Freddie. The residents of the valley, however, are a mixed bunch, and any one of them could have meant Freddie harm. Add a man-killing tiger, a leprous granny (or two?) and a crazed American photographer to the stew, and you have an explosion just waiting to happen. Luckily for readers, it’s as delicious an explosion as you’ll ever find. While it’s not quite on par with the spectacular mystery in Silent in the Grave, it’s still satisfying, and provides the perfect vehicle for the best relationship drama I’ve read all year.
The highlight of Dark Road to Darjeeling is not the mystery itself. Rather, it’s the interplay between Julia and Brisbane that keeps me hooked, page after page. Deanna Raybourn has mastered the art of keeping the characters true to themselves while still allowing them to grow. Newly married and not entirely comfortable with the prospect, Julia and Brisbane have to learn to work with and around each other. Raybourn does a terrific job of making the pair accessible to modern readers, while allowing them to remain historically feasible. Julia is, in many ways, an unrepentant snob, an aristocratic lady accustomed to general uselessness. Her attitude towards foreigners and colonization is a realistic one, and I admire the author for taking a risk on a viewpoint that will likely strike contemporary readers as exploitational. It’s a realistic touch—a reminder that however marvelous our protagonists are, they are nonetheless not perfect. Deanna Raybourn is pitch-perfect on just about everything else too. Julia’s partnership with Brisbane is fraught with conflict, but I never doubted that they love each other.
Dark Road to Darjeeling is a tremendous achievement, a perfect mix of fun and wisdom. Dear god. Will I have to wait until next year for Lady Julia Grey’s fifth adventure? If so, apoplexy calls.
There are author gloms and there are author GLOMS. My recent splurge, featuring Deanna Raybourn’s phenomenal Lady Julia Grey series, is definitely a member of the latter category. After blazing through the first three books (Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, and Silent on the Moor), I all but writhed and moaned at the prospect of waiting until October to follow Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane on their next Victorian adventure. And now, courtesy of Harlequin and NetGalley, I now have an ARC of the fourth book, Dark Road to Darjeeling. How did it hold up to my expectations?
Let me simply say that it is magnificent.
Forgive me. This is going to be less a review and more a gush-iew. Lady Julia Grey, lately remarried to private enquiry agent Nicholas Brisbane, is spending some time abroad on her honeymoon when two of her siblings, Portia and Plum, drag her off to an even more exotic locale on the border of India. Portia has summoned Julia to an estate called the Peacocks, where Portia’s widowed lover Jane resides. Jane’s late husband, Freddie Cavendish, died in circumstances that strike Portia as suspicious, and she wants Julia to convince Brisbane to offer his assistance. Julia, of course, is not going to sit on the sidelines while her husband ventures forth into danger. Our intrepid heroine gathers her English pluck and stampedes onto the scene, determined to scour out the answers while showing Brisbane her investigative chops.
The Peacocks is located in a remote, insular valley, and only a longtime resident would have had access to Freddie. The residents of the valley, however, are a mixed bunch, and any one of them could have meant Freddie harm. Add a man-killing tiger, a leprous granny (or two?) and a crazed American photographer to the stew, and you have an explosion just waiting to happen. Luckily for readers, it’s as delicious an explosion as you’ll ever find. While it’s not quite on par with the spectacular mystery in Silent in the Grave, it’s still satisfying, and provides the perfect vehicle for the best relationship drama I’ve read all year.
The highlight of Dark Road to Darjeeling is not the mystery itself. Rather, it’s the interplay between Julia and Brisbane that keeps me hooked, page after page. Deanna Raybourn has mastered the art of keeping the characters true to themselves while still allowing them to grow. Newly married and not entirely comfortable with the prospect, Julia and Brisbane have to learn to work with and around each other. Raybourn does a terrific job of making the pair accessible to modern readers, while allowing them to remain historically feasible. Julia is, in many ways, an unrepentant snob, an aristocratic lady accustomed to general uselessness. Her attitude towards foreigners and colonization is a realistic one, and I admire the author for taking a risk on a viewpoint that will likely strike contemporary readers as exploitational. It’s a realistic touch—a reminder that however marvelous our protagonists are, they are nonetheless not perfect. Deanna Raybourn is pitch-perfect on just about everything else too. Julia’s partnership with Brisbane is fraught with conflict, but I never doubted that they love each other.
Dark Road to Darjeeling is a tremendous achievement, a perfect mix of fun and wisdom. Dear god. Will I have to wait until next year for Lady Julia Grey’s fifth adventure? If so, apoplexy calls.
August 13, 2023
I don't think I got to this one on my first read-through of the series back in 2010, because if I had, I never would have embarked on a re-read (inspired by my fondness for the Veronica Speedwell series by the same author). This one was DARK. It was not at all the slightly fluffy and witty Victorian mystery I thought I had signed up for. I was frustrated by the lack of real progress in Lady Julia's and Brisbane's relationship, even though they're married now and you would think they would have figured some of this stuff out. But then the mystery resolution and the ending added on...I'm going into full spoiler mode here, so only click if you want, but the tl;dr is it got DARK and no one seemed to care and it seemed forced and I don't even want to read the last book in the series now.
July 3, 2021
1.5 stars
I waffled between 1 and 2 stars, and decided to compromise.
Unfortunately, I liked this one a lot less than its predecessor, Silent on the Moor, mostly because of personal pet peeves.
Mild spoilers, and some vaguely spoiler-y musings for the book and its previous installments follow.
The plot of this novel hinges on Jane's desperate desire for her own child ("not some foundling", in her own words, but "her own blood"). Unfortunately, I personally cannot really sympathize with this particular sentiment, especially since Jane went to such lengths to become pregnant. I ended up being irritated whenever this plot point came to the fore.
I was also annoyed by the push and pull of the working relationship between Julia and Brisbane. I think it's a little silly to conceal tidbits of information during an investigation, and Julia and Brisbane both were guilty of this several times during the narrative. Considering that the series incorporates many modern attitudes (tolerance towards same-sex couples during a time when it was considered unnatural and unthinkable etc), I was peeved to see "chivalry" being used as an excuse to foment further conflict between Julia and Brisbane. Since my interest in their romantic shenanigans was never more than tepid, I mostly skipped through the relationship drama.
More than once, I was forcefully reminded of Holmes (Brisbane) and Watson (Julia). Imagine Holmes and Watson constantly bickering like a pair of yowling cats, while also making out and posturing for each other's benefit, and you have the relationship between Julia and Brisbane.
But the greatest fault that I found with this novel is the inescapable similarity with Agatha Christie's Crooked House.
The only saving grace was that there were (sadly infrequent) snippets of very amusing interludes. Perhaps fans of the series could overlook the plotting issues. I might still give the sequel a chance because it will presumably involve Julia's large and amusing family.
I waffled between 1 and 2 stars, and decided to compromise.
Unfortunately, I liked this one a lot less than its predecessor, Silent on the Moor, mostly because of personal pet peeves.
Mild spoilers, and some vaguely spoiler-y musings for the book and its previous installments follow.
The plot of this novel hinges on Jane's desperate desire for her own child ("not some foundling", in her own words, but "her own blood"). Unfortunately, I personally cannot really sympathize with this particular sentiment, especially since Jane went to such lengths to become pregnant. I ended up being irritated whenever this plot point came to the fore.
I was also annoyed by the push and pull of the working relationship between Julia and Brisbane. I think it's a little silly to conceal tidbits of information during an investigation, and Julia and Brisbane both were guilty of this several times during the narrative. Considering that the series incorporates many modern attitudes (tolerance towards same-sex couples during a time when it was considered unnatural and unthinkable etc), I was peeved to see "chivalry" being used as an excuse to foment further conflict between Julia and Brisbane. Since my interest in their romantic shenanigans was never more than tepid, I mostly skipped through the relationship drama.
More than once, I was forcefully reminded of Holmes (Brisbane) and Watson (Julia). Imagine Holmes and Watson constantly bickering like a pair of yowling cats, while also making out and posturing for each other's benefit, and you have the relationship between Julia and Brisbane.
But the greatest fault that I found with this novel is the inescapable similarity with Agatha Christie's Crooked House.
The only saving grace was that there were (sadly infrequent) snippets of very amusing interludes. Perhaps fans of the series could overlook the plotting issues. I might still give the sequel a chance because it will presumably involve Julia's large and amusing family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2010
Why is it sometimes so hard to write a review for a book you loved as opposed to one you disliked? This is not going to be at all well written. I'm sorry.
Deanna Raybourn's books are some of my favorite things in the world. I was so curious to see how the author could keep the relationship between Julia and Brisbane fresh and exciting now that they were married. I had no doubt that she could do it, and she did not let me down. But even throughout their struggles to find a common ground in their marriage, you never once lost sight of the fact that these two loved each other fiercely.
The addition of any of the members of Julia's family is always a welcome sight, especially Portia, she's one of my favorite characters.
The ending was one of the most shocking and heart-breaking things I've read in awhile :(
Cannot wait for the next in the series!
-------------------------------------------------------
I don't normally add books to my "to read" shelf until I actually own them, or have them on order, but I was so excited when I saw the cover art for this one!
It's lovely! It's not hideously cheesy like the cover for Silent on the Moor
Deanna Raybourn's books are some of my favorite things in the world. I was so curious to see how the author could keep the relationship between Julia and Brisbane fresh and exciting now that they were married. I had no doubt that she could do it, and she did not let me down. But even throughout their struggles to find a common ground in their marriage, you never once lost sight of the fact that these two loved each other fiercely.
The addition of any of the members of Julia's family is always a welcome sight, especially Portia, she's one of my favorite characters.
The ending was one of the most shocking and heart-breaking things I've read in awhile :(
Cannot wait for the next in the series!
-------------------------------------------------------
I don't normally add books to my "to read" shelf until I actually own them, or have them on order, but I was so excited when I saw the cover art for this one!
It's lovely! It's not hideously cheesy like the cover for Silent on the Moor
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2014
One page in and I was reminded of why I love this series (and I'm wondering why I ever set it down): "I felt my temper rising, the result of too much travel and too much time spent in proximity to my family." Julia is so cranky and full of herself, just like me!! :-)
And then, by page 286, I set it down. For a LONG time - months! Because ... I just don't love this any more. Julia is full of herself I can barely stand it, and Brisbane is awful to her, almost unforgivable in my eyes. It's a struggle to finish this. But they seem to love each other very much. Problem is, I don't like either of them, so I don't particularly want to read about it.
The convoluted plot, since I know I'll forget and someday will want the refresher: Portia's lover, Jane, has married Freddie Cavendish (a distant cousin of theirs) and hared off to India, where Freddie has inherited a tea plantation. Freddie thusly impregnates Jane (yay, Jane!) and gets murdered, at which point Jane urgently requests Portia's immediate assistance, since Jane fears her own life is in danger next. Julia & Brisbane, honeymooning in various places, join Plum & Portia on their way to Darjeeling to solve the mystery of Who Murdered Freddie Cavendish.
And then, by page 286, I set it down. For a LONG time - months! Because ... I just don't love this any more. Julia is full of herself I can barely stand it, and Brisbane is awful to her, almost unforgivable in my eyes. It's a struggle to finish this. But they seem to love each other very much. Problem is, I don't like either of them, so I don't particularly want to read about it.
The convoluted plot, since I know I'll forget and someday will want the refresher: Portia's lover, Jane, has married Freddie Cavendish (a distant cousin of theirs) and hared off to India, where Freddie has inherited a tea plantation. Freddie thusly impregnates Jane (yay, Jane!) and gets murdered, at which point Jane urgently requests Portia's immediate assistance, since Jane fears her own life is in danger next. Julia & Brisbane, honeymooning in various places, join Plum & Portia on their way to Darjeeling to solve the mystery of Who Murdered Freddie Cavendish.
November 15, 2010
This author has fast become one of my favorites. Lady julia Grey, who likes to dabble in mysteries after her first husband is murdered is a delightful and not tpical Victorian woman. She meets Nicholas Brisbane, an enigmatic and interesting Scottish/gypsy who is a detective and he helps her solve the mystery of her husbands death. The next two books are new mysteries solved by this duo, and at the end of book 3, they finally marry. By the time she finally married Brisbane, I was ready to run off with him myself if she did not take him first-I find him that interesting. This book takes them to India where a friend of julia's sister Portia drags Julia and their brother plum to help. It is full of interestig places and people, and I loved the introductions to the chapters by Rabindranath Tagore, whose poetry I studied way back in the dark ages when I took an elective while working on my Masters Degree. The History of India was most fascinating, and I loved the course, but truly this is not a country I have any desire to travel to. Wonderful hero and heroine and I highly recommend these books. So far, book 3 was my favorite.I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
January 5, 2018
Anche questo quarto libro della serie resterà tra i miei preferiti.
Devo dire che dopo "Silenzi e misteri", temevo di di non trovare più spunti nella coppia Brisbane/Lady Julia.
Invece i due sono strappati alla loro lunghissima luna di miele nel Mediterraneo per soccorrere Portia e l'amata Jane. E anche stavolta la Raybourn mi ha spiazzata trasportando tutti nella penisola Indiana, anzi, nell'Himalaya, tra piantagioni di tè, foschie, palazzo in rovina e marajà.
Ci sono la foresta selvaggia, I serpenti, persino una tigre mangiauomini e il ritmo viene scandito dal ciclo delle piantagioni, in un angolo di paradiso dove gli inclesi cercano di imporre a forza la mentalità e lo stile occidentale.
Giallo come al solito complicato e con tanti indizi.
Finale che mi ha colto parecchio alla sprovvista (e non sono ancora sicura che mi siano piaciute le implicazioni).
Però bello, intricato. Letto in pochissime ore.
Devo dire che dopo "Silenzi e misteri", temevo di di non trovare più spunti nella coppia Brisbane/Lady Julia.
Invece i due sono strappati alla loro lunghissima luna di miele nel Mediterraneo per soccorrere Portia e l'amata Jane. E anche stavolta la Raybourn mi ha spiazzata trasportando tutti nella penisola Indiana, anzi, nell'Himalaya, tra piantagioni di tè, foschie, palazzo in rovina e marajà.
Ci sono la foresta selvaggia, I serpenti, persino una tigre mangiauomini e il ritmo viene scandito dal ciclo delle piantagioni, in un angolo di paradiso dove gli inclesi cercano di imporre a forza la mentalità e lo stile occidentale.
Giallo come al solito complicato e con tanti indizi.
Finale che mi ha colto parecchio alla sprovvista (e non sono ancora sicura che mi siano piaciute le implicazioni).
Però bello, intricato. Letto in pochissime ore.
March 4, 2017
This was an improvement on Silent on the Moor, not being so completely dark and frustrating. Julia and Brisbane still don't talk to each other nearly as much as they should, and a lot of the plot comes from their continued lack of trust. But at least they're together finally, and they do seem to be learning by the end of the book. This gives me hope for the future.
India provides a different setting, so that was interesting. I'm slightly ashamed to admit that although I should have found this change refreshing, I missed England and wished they would return to London again.
The mystery itself is ok. Still not the caliber of the beginning of the series, but I enjoyed it overall. I'm looking forward to reading The Dark Enquiry, which I believe does return to London, and hopefully more after that!
India provides a different setting, so that was interesting. I'm slightly ashamed to admit that although I should have found this change refreshing, I missed England and wished they would return to London again.
The mystery itself is ok. Still not the caliber of the beginning of the series, but I enjoyed it overall. I'm looking forward to reading The Dark Enquiry, which I believe does return to London, and hopefully more after that!
February 14, 2011
4.5 Stars. I just love this series. Picking up each new installment is like getting together with an old friend--reconnecting where you left off and having a good time. In this installment Lady Julia travels to India with Brisbane, Portia, and Plum in tow, and the exotic setting really adds to the ambiance and the mystery. A few surprises in this one: a couple of reveals that I saw coming and a couple that I didn't. A few promising seeds planted for future stories, and a sad development at the end that caught me off guard and had me in tears. But as long as Julia and Brisbane can get up at the end of each mystery, dust themselves off, and stroll hand-in-hand toward their next adventure, I'm happy. Anxiously awaiting The Dark Enquiry later this year!
December 23, 2015
While I knew the series wouldn't be the same since the big deal in the previous book, it was still an enjoyable book. I totally did not guess the mystery murderer and while without the wonderful tension of 'will they? won't they?' in this installment, it still had enough going on to keep you wanting more anyways. And I hear the series will continue so hooray!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 866 reviews