Silent on the Moor

By: Deanna Raybourn

Narrated by: Ellen Archer

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

In Grimsgrave Hall, enigmatic Nicholas Brisbane has inherited a ruined estate, replete with uncanny tenants and one unwanted houseguest: Lady Julia Grey. Despite his admonitions to stay away, Lady Julia arrives in Yorkshire to find Brisbane as remote and maddeningly attractive as ever. Cloistered together, they share the moldering house with the proud but impoverished remnants of an ancient family: the sort that keeps their bloodline pure and their secrets close. Lady Allenby and her daughters, dependent upon Brisbane and devastated by their fall in society, seem adrift on the moor winds, powerless to change their fortunes. But poison does not discriminate between classes.... A mystery unfolds from the rotten heart of Grimsgrave, one Lady Julia may have to solve alone, as Brisbane appears inextricably tangled in its heinous twists and turns. But blood will out, and before spring touches the craggy northern landscape, Lady Julia will have uncovered a Gypsy witch, a dark rider, and a long-buried legacy of malevolence and evil. Deanna Raybourn spins a gripping tale of loyalty and lust, set against the wild beauty of the Yorkshire moors.

©2009 Deanna Raybourn (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Fans of romantic mystery could ask no more." ( Kirkus )

Love This Series!

I love this series! These historical/romantic suspense novels are so well written, with complex characters, that I hate when the story ends. For me the romance between Brisbon and Lady Julia is hotter than some of the more explicitly sexual romances I have read. It took a while for them to decide, one way or the other, to be together. But the wait was worth it. The mystery of what was really going on in Grimsgrave Hall was also executed well and kept me guessing. If you haven't read the first two books in this series, "Silent In The Grave" and "Silent In The Sanctuary", I recommend reading these books first to truly appreciate this series.

Wonderful, imaginative, and thrilling

This is a fabulous read. Lady J and her dashing man are at it again! Right up to the end, I was surprised by the events. It's a fantastic book by Deanna Raybourn, whose imagination, character development and story lines never cease to entertain me. I need more Lady Julia in my reading life!

Dreadful Narraton

This has been the Most Painful narration that I've ever had to endure.
The affected accents are So artificial it grated the whole way through.
Phoebe, in particular was sickening.
I don't know who the voice coach has been for the narrator, but honestly, a computer speak narration could not have bern worse.
Please use a native English speaker nest time
This was so 'over the top' with a mixture of quasi upperclass English, interspersed with American pronunciation of 'can't' as against the English 'carn't), pronunciation of polm, instead of parm( palm) etc.
I had to stop listening, when I first got the book.
I am now persevering with gritted teeth!
The story, so far, is quite intriguing, if it all gets too much, I'll get it on my kindle.
I shall Not buy a book using this narrator again.
To the narrator, please use a different voice coach or stick to American dialogue.

darkly enchanting

While I enjoyed the story, this installment of the Lady Julia series seemed to chase its tale a bit.

I liked that they mystery pulled in some of Brisbane's history, but felt like his attitude toward Julia was awful. Maybe the author was trying to capture the vibe of Heathcliff and his asshat ways. Brisbane's habit of pulling Julia close one minute, then pushing her away the next got old. I am glad that is out of the way, so perhaps the stories can focus more on mystery.

Great storyline

I have really enjoyed the Lady Julia Gray series. I have enjoyed watching the relationship developed between her and Brisbane it had been tantalizing and amazing. I think if I had to say what I didn't like it is the way the narrator does Porscha voice it is very irritating. This last book was very intriguing in the storyline with constantly moving in a great manner. I cannot wait to read or listen to the rest of the books in the series good job really worth your time.

A good entry in the series

Setting: Yorkshire 1888
Genre: Mystery
Accompanied by her sister Portia, brother Val, and various maids and pets, Lady Julia Grey descends upon Nicholas Brisbane at his newly-acquired estate, Grimsgrave. Julia wants to confront Brisbane about their mutual attraction and find out if there is a future for them. When her party arrives, she finds the last of the Allenby family still in residence, waiting for Brisbane to complete renovation on a building for their use. The estate had been sold by Lord Redwall Allenby, the late son of the household, to pay his debts. The remaining members live in genteel poverty.
To keep herself busy, Lady Julia decides to catalog the artifacts Lord Allenby had sent back from his travels in Egypt. While doing so, she makes a macabre discovery. There are other mysteries besides, such as why is Brisbane so hostile toward the Allenby family? Who is the Gypsy woman in the cottage at the crossroads, and why does she not travel with her people? What is her connection to Brisbane? Who among the Allenbys has murderous intentions?
The story is good, though mostly, at least in the first half, character study. But plot and character development are good, and the author’s grasp of the language is excellent, and she has a wonderful ability to evoke the time and place of the setting.
Ellen Archer gives a great performance, giving all the characters unique voices, and she does great accents.

It's Dark, but it's Goooood... ;)

Reading about a woman stranded in a dark, cold place surrounded by duplicitous people, insanity and hardship....in the midst of a pandemic was a bit daunting at first. I was trying to escape the pressures brought on by COVID and this seemed to make matters a bit worse EXCEPT the stories twists, turns and promises of passion made up for all the darkness is the beginning. Deanna Raybourn is an excellent writer. I've been correctly guessing the identities of Murderers for quite a long while; but, with her books I never seem to know! I'm usually quite surprised at the end. Pleasantly surprised, that is. :)

Excellent Story and Narration

Wonderful character development, enchanting story line and excellent narration by Ms. Archer. Highly recommend for anyone who likes period novels!

An excellent series.

I have been pleasantly pleased with this series. The narrator is exceptional always using the perfect "voice" to enhance the character bringing that person and the dialogue to life. The author also writes exceptional dialogue.
The story is very good and the tension and ties that bind ALL of the characters together leads to some incredible chemistry between the characters. Ms. Raybourne always puts in some good red herrings to throw one off the scent and you usually can't guess "who did it" until the very end and that is very refreshing......Enjoy.

Simply wonderful!

A wonderful gothic feeling story which is one of my favorites!

The moors, the ruined castle, the secrets and suspense and the tragic hero! Superb! Plus they finally get together!!
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