Lady Emily versus Lady Julia….
A POISONED SEASON – Tasha Alexander
(Book 1 in the LADY EMILY series)
3.5 STARS
Lady Emily Ashton’s (nee Bromley) character grows as the novel progresses but women’s lib kind of knocks you too often in the head. As this takes place in the Victorian era I can see why this would be a big issue, but I think it would been better as a show then tell. A great Victorian mystery and is believable. Philip Ashton while on a hunting trip dies of a fever, but while Emily is in mourning she discovers who her husband really was and whether he was actually murdered.
link to summary: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/a/tasha-alexander/and-only-to-deceive.htm
I have read the rest of the series and am up to date…
Book 2: A Poisoned Season(3.5 STARS)
http://www.shelfari.com/books/1234493/A-Poisoned-Season/readers-reviews
Book 3: A Fatal Waltz (3.5 STARS)
http://www.shelfari.com/books/3610114/A-Fatal-Waltz/readers-reviews
Book 4: Tears of Pearl (3 STARS)
http://www.shelfari.com/books/5408102/Tears-of-Pearl/readers-reviews
Book 5: Dangerous to Know (3.5 STARS)
http://www.shelfari.com/books/14865115/Dangerous-to-Know/readers-reviews
Book 6: A Crimson Warning (3.5 STARS)
http://www.shelfari.com/books/22536429/A-Crimson-Warning/readers-reviews
SILENT IN THE GRAVE – Deanna Raybourn
(Book 1 in the LADY JULIA GREY series)
3.5 STARS
Lady Julia Grey’s husband and childhood sweetheart, Edward, has died and she has set in for the year of mourning and taking care of the heir Sir Simon Grey. On the day of her husband’s death she meet the mysterious Nicholas Brisbane who claims he was hired by Edward and he may been been murdered. She pushes those thoughts aside until discovers the threatening letters and forges ahead to solve a mystery that may not exist.
I loved Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily mysteries and found Lady Julia a good read while I wait for more Emily. Set in Victorian times – Julia is apart of the eccentric March family whom I fell in love with and the servants were not lumped together as cardborad characters. It is a fun historical mystery/romance.
link to summary: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/r/deanna-raybourn/silent-in-grave.htm
I have rest of the books on hold to read soon. I will post links to my reviews when I have read them for those interested.
Book 2: Silent in the Sanctuary (4 Stars)
http://www.shelfari.com/books/3552591/Silent-in-the-Sanctuary/readers-reviews
Book 3: Silent on the Moor
Book 4: Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5: The Dark Enquiry
When it comes to the first books in the series Lady Julia kicks Lady Emily’s butt by .5 stars. Alexander’s series is mostly focused on Emily and then her relationship with the Queen’s agent, Colin. Raybourn, on the other hand, focuses on Julia and her family. There is an attraction between Julia and private investigator, Nicholas and I find it to be more interesting. Nicholas is mysterious and we only get his story in strands. In real life you may want to be married to Colin, but when it comes to novels you definitely want to fantasize about Nicholas.
Julia’s family plays a bigger part in the book which adds to the book’s flavour; Emily’s parents seem a bit more bland. Raybourn’s novel is a bit more dark and mystical – think Sherlock Holmes (novels not movies) mixed with Bronte, and Alexander’s novel is more women’s rights and adventure – think Arthur Conan Doyle’s Lost World mixed with Jane Austen. I liked both books for what they were and if I had to pick, “Silent in the Grave” was the better of the two. As for series…stay tuned.
anoveladdiction 