• The Dark Enquiry

  • A Lady Julia Grey Novel
  • By: Deanna Raybourn
  • Narrated by: Ellen Archer
  • Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,078 ratings)

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The Dark Enquiry  By  cover art

The Dark Enquiry

By: Deanna Raybourn
Narrated by: Ellen Archer
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Publisher's summary

Partners now in marriage and in trade, Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane have finally returned from abroad to set up housekeeping in London. But merging their respective collections of gadgets, pets, and servants leaves little room for the harried newlyweds themselves, let alone Brisbane's private enquiry business.

Among the more unlikely clients: Julia's very proper brother, Lord Bellmont, who swears Brisbane to secrecy about his case. Not about to be left out of anything concerning her beloved - if eccentric - family, spirited Julia soon picks up the trail of the investigation.

It leads to the exclusive Ghost Club, where the alluring Madame Sraphine holds evening séances - and not a few powerful gentlemen in thrall. From this eerie enclave unfolds a lurid tangle of dark deeds, whose tendrils crush reputations and throttle trust.

Shocked to find their investigation spun into salacious newspaper headlines, bristling at the tension it causes between them, the Brisbanes find they must unite or fall. For Bellmont's sake and more, they'll face myriad dangers born of dark secrets, the kind men kill to keep.

©2011 Deanna Raybourn (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Dark Enquiry

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing end to this series

This was a disappointing end (or I hope it is the end) to this series. Lady Julia's selfishness reaches an all time high, She stubbornly pushes her inept way into loosely connected circumstances causing damage to all those around her. Sorry I wasted the time to listen.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Yes! Lady Julia is back and I'm loving it!

I love this series! If you have never read the first book, go read it first. This is book #5, so to truly enjoy it you need to read the others.
Ok for the fans of Lady Julia. I know she can sound whiney and act so so stubbornly, but she does act a little more mature in this one. (I love her whining and stubbornness, she is a great character)
The story is outstanding! I was actually surprised in the end by this one. Some stories are predictable, but this is very good.
This story takes place in London a few months after their arrival back from India and their long honeymoon. It’s fun to listen how Lady Julia settles or unsettles into domestic life. Of course there is a murder or two, Julia gets into trouble and keeps secrets like she always seems to do. Brisbane is his usual heroic, brooding, dashing self. More secrets with a great ending, just a little sad. Loved it!

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I think this series is getting better and better!

I have become so tremendously fond of these characters that I want to continue right away to accompany them on their next adventure. I'm sorry to have reached the point in this series that I must wait for the next book!

I am so glad that Deanna Raybourn is not letting these books dissolve into bodice-ripping romance! I was concerned that when Lady Julia and Brisbane finally had a book in which they were both in the same room together most of the time that the romantic scenes would outweigh the mystery. Raybourn is maintaining an excellent balance of allowing her readers to know the depth of the feelings between our protagonists, but not getting graphic about it. Hurrah! Great fun!

I thoroughly enjoyed the story with its twists and turns and an excellent wrapup at the end. Highly recommended for a lighter weight mystery read. The late Victorian setting adds to the charm. Reading the series in order is best, but I think that this one could be enjoyed as a stand alone.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Tedious

This is the 6th Lady Grey novel I have listened to and they just seem to get more tedious as they go along. Julia is not all that likable and tends to just be in a total pain. They mystery part is fine, you can't really guess who the murderer is until the end but I just kind of hate Julia. Ugh!!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Murderer in the family ... maybe

This is an enjoyable series with likeable characters. Lady Julia and Brisbane began their relationship with the death of her husband. After several incidents Julia begins to believe Brisbane’s warning, that her husband was killed. Thus, begin Julia’s detective career.

Through the series Brisbane is driven crazy with Julia investigating in dangerous situations. Julia is wealthy, intelligent, bored and a liberated woman. She is very likeable and exhausting with her views, but likeable. She discovers clues to put all the pieces in place.

I particularly like her family and all the color they add to the story. She is the youngest girl in a family of 10 kids, 5 boys and 5 girls. They are a very unconventional family. All the girls are educated and have been taught to be independent. Her favorite sister is a lesbian and single mom. The youngest son is a doctor. It is a disreputable occupation because it requires a doctor to work with their hands. The eldest son is a politician whose family antics cause embarrassment. Because of her wealth and family, she is tolerated in the ton. Her family’s eccentricities are entertaining. Most of then go against the 1800s codes of conduct.

Of course, Brisbane is the dark mysterious bad boy who does not want to tarnish Lady Julia’s character. Julia does not make that easy. Even marries, she constantly inserts herself in compromising or dangerous situations. My attention was held through the series with little reveals of Brisbane history. I found Julia unreasonable at times with her lack of understanding of her lack of experience. I am all for women’s liberation and being treated equally but be real Julia. She was delusional to think that she could be an equal partner when considering Brisbane’s experience.

The mystery takes more time in the story than the romance.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Another Great Lady Julia Gray Novel

This is the fifth book in the Lady Julia Gray series by Deanna Raybourn and it very much lives up to the quality of the rest of the series. I bought the first audiobook in the series on the recommendation of my fabulous local librarian. She was right! It is a marvelous series with one book after the other continuing to capture and hold my interest. I listened to the first five books in the series over an eight day period. I can't say I have a favorite out of this series as they have all been equally great stories and fun listens. I very much enjoy the reader Ellen Archer. She has a great cadence and vocally interprets the characters very well. I can hardly wait for book 6. Don't hesitate to try any book in this series!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

series?

wondering why this isn't listed as a series nor showing which book of the series it is, here on audible.
I would not have jumped in on "book 5" had I known prior!

that said, luckily, it works as a stand alone

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

A “Lady” is always in the way

Any additional comments?

The only mystery, in any of these stories, is why a gentleman of business- someone who knew the value of time and money in a difficult time- tangled himself up with a board Lady who continually hindered his work.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

a decent listen

Would you listen to The Dark Enquiry again? Why?

I don't believe I will. It was a good enough book, but some facets seemed a little far fetched. Maybe if I had read or heard some of the authors previous books I might not have found this so.




What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

A woman trying to find her place in the worlkd and her relationship at a time when a woman's position was pretty well set by society.

What does Ellen Archer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The abillity to introduce humor or anger and other emotions as she reads.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

none

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another lovely story in the series

This story has even more interaction between Julia and Brisbane. I love the way the narrator brings the characters to life.

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1 person found this helpful