The Dark Enquiry: Lady Julia Grey, #5 -- Deanna Raybourn
Speaking of romantic historical mysteries, right?
Is it weird that I like these more bodice-ripper-y covers than I liked the classier, literary-fiction-looking covers on the first couple of books in the series? Probably not, actually, as I'm obviously not the only one -- they'd have gone back to the others if these didn't sell better.
I can't help but wish for some Brisbane action on the cover, though. I'd be satisfied with a single arm -- hirsute, tautly muscled and sleeve rolled up, of course...
Erm. Anyway. Where was I?
I'll try to avoid spoilers about the previous books, but GEEZ GUYS, there are freaking FOUR of them. At this point, I don't think it'd be possible to completely avoid spoilers. But I'll try to avoid spoilers about Book Four, at least.
So. The Dark Enquiry. Lady Julia and Brisbane are back in London, still working their way through the complexities of married life while attempting to be partners in detection. That situation, already a powder-keg due to their strong personalities, is exacerbated by an indiscretion on the part of Julia's straight-laced older brother, a dead medium, a troublesome reporter and a leetle bit of blackmail.
We get more information about Brisbane's history and are introduced to an awesome new character -- one that I hope will appear in future installments -- I didn't identify the Big Bad until the "Hey, Julia, let's go off together by ourselves and not tell anyone" moment, and it was really cool to see Julia and Brisbane finally start to gel as co-investigators. Their evolving relationship allows for a decent amount of character growth and I appreciate that Deanna Raybourn appears to be trying to keep them from stagnation.
As always, I completely enjoyed my time with the characters, but, this time around, I wasn't all that emotionally affected. Except for one thing. As in Dark Road to Darjeeling, a really, really Bad Thing happens. It's a Bad Thing that was necessary, I think, to allow the series to continue, but... it was really, hideously upsetting, and it made me cry. [NO SPOILERS, BUT ENOUGH VAGUE HINTS THAT YOU MIGHT FIGURE OUT THE BAD THING] And I'm a little bit concerned, because while the Bad Thing will allow the stories to continue as they have been, it could also allow for the kind of stagnation that the author is clearly trying to avoid. [END VAGUE SPOILERS] But we'll see how it all plays out.
Already waiting for Book Six!
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Previously:
1. Silent in the Grave
2. Silent in the Sanctuary
3. Silent on the Moor
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Book source: ARC via Netgalley.