Review: Silent on the Moor, by Deanna Raybourn

I’ve been anticipating Silent on the Moor ever since I tore through Silent in the Sanctuary, and Silent in the Grave before that. I can't remember when last I've enjoyed a series as much as the Lady Julia Grey books. This time, Lady Julia Grey travels to Yorkshire with her sister Portia, where Brisbane has recently purchased a decrepit mansion on the moor. Living there too are Lady Allenby and her two daughters, the descendents of Saxon kings but living in reduced circumstances after the death of Lady Allenby’s son, Redwall.

I greatly enjoyed this story of poison, romance and revenge, compounded by a number of sinister and rather twisted family secrets. We learn more about Brisbane’s past, and we get to see more of his and Julia’s relationship—never smooth, but they have wonderful chemistry together. Julia’s maid Morag is back, too, still as feisty as ever. What I love about Deanna Raybourn’s books is that she’s so good at character and plot development, and Silent on the Moor failed to disappoint me on those points. The crime, or crimes, unfold slowly, but getting to the end is well worth it. The title is a misnomer, which I guess in a way is a good thing; this novel is pretty unpredictable. My only problem is that I finished this book so fast. When’s Raybourn’s next book coming out?

Also reviewed by: Obsessed With Books, Wendi's Book Corner, Medieval Bookworm, A Garden Carried in the Pocket