Raybourn, Deanna. Silent in the Sanctuary. I thoroughly enjoyed Silent in the Grave, and when Jill offered to send me the second in the series, I was delighted. Sanctuary picks up Lady Julia's story in Italy, where she has been recovering from the events in Silent in the Grave. When their father requests that Julia and her brothers return to England for Christmas, the siblings leave Italy and return to their father's estate, Belmont Abbey. On arrival, they find themselves in the midst of a house party that includes Nicholas Brisbane and his fiancee.The tension between Brisbane and Lady Julia, her suspicions about his engagement, a murder, a jewel thief, poor relations, gypsies, a ghost...all help make this a Christmas house party to remember.
I enjoyed the novel, but missed the humorous tension between Nicholas and Julia that was such a large part of the first novel. There were so many characters in this one that the relationship between Nicholas and Julia is less prominent and less adversarial. Still--it was a fast, fun read!
Fiction. Historical mystery. 2008. 552 pages.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I think you are right in your assessment of Julia and Nicholas' relationship. Thanksfully, another book seems to be in the offing. Maybe the relationship will advance and their pleasurable bantering will be back on track.
ReplyDeleteKay, I'm looking forward to the next one!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun book. Plus the cover is very attractive.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was fun, too, but you're right the relationship was much more restrained than the first book. I suspect the next one might get back to the two of them again. Apparently she's written the next book already, but she said she was going to take a break and write something different afterwords.
ReplyDeleteStefanie - It is a fun read - light and fast!
ReplyDeleteDanielle -- I'm ready for the next in the series!