Silent in the Grave

In the 12 years I have been an Audible member I have only purchased two or three romance novels. I can't recall what prompted me to use a credit for SILENT IN THE GRAVE, but I am glad I did. The great period detail shows Raybourne did her research. Be sure to listen closely because the author sprinkles quite a few clues throught this clever story. The narration by Ellen Archer is spot on, not sure why some reviewers disliked her.
If you want to listen to a riveting mystery laced with humor, romance and cleverness then SILENT IN THE GRAVE is a great choice.

Deanna Raybourn has created memorable characters here in Lady Julia Grey, and Nicholas Brisbane. The former is an aristocratic lady with a charmingly eccentric family, and the latter is handsome, dark, exotic -- but Raybourn avoids the traps that could turn him into a Sherlock Holmes clone. Grand fun.

I gave only 4 stars because the reader is only moderately adequate to the task. At times she sounds a bit strangled, which I put down to RP being not her native English accent; and many of the characters sound rather alike, the men particularly. This definitely reduces the listening pleasure, but not so badly that I don't recommend the book.

If you buy this book looking for a romance you will be disappointed, as the *intimation* of a romance is there, but in the end, the actual romance is holding out for the sequel. (So don't be mislead of the Harlequin title -- this isn't sugary-sweet over-the-top romance book, which in my case was a concern, although ever since Poison Study, I stopped judging a Harlequin book by its publisher :-)

The mystery/plot is fine, although there is a little too much deus ex machina towards the end, but not enough to ruin the book for me. The characters don't always play to societal norms, but it isn't as if this book is trying to pass as accurate historical fiction, so it is forgivable. There are a number of interesting side characters, including pets. Overall fairly well-written gothic/Victorian mystery mix -- good, but not perfect.

As for the narrator, I don't think she is British. It wasn't that the accents were off completely, just occasionally, which to my ear was slightly grating, and at times the "class" of the accent didn't match the "class" of the character. I expect most North American listeners won't be bothered, but British listeners might cringe at times.

From me, the romance gets a 2/5 (although the potential for a really steamy 5/5 exists for the next book). The narrator ranges from 2.5/5 to 5/5. The story gets a 3.5/5.

This book was excellent. I have ecclectic taste in romance novels and this fit right in with my taste. I like romance novels from Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick, Elizabeth Peters, J.D. Robb, and Lisa Kleypas; very different writing and genre styles. This book was a cross between Elizabeth Peters (historical, suspense) and Amanda Quick (Historical Romance). The romance is just starting in this book though and I cannot wait until her next book to see what happens...

I enjoyed the historical notes, the very good characterization and the fun of the book. It walks the edge of historical 'wish fulfillment' and 'truth', but for a relaxing listen while finishing up dishes, it was great. One that I'll listen to again. I like it. A lot.

I first listened to this story on XM Radio's Sonic Theater (Ch. 163) and was so impatient to wait until the next to hear just another chapter that I came to Audible to download the entire book. I am so glad I did. The author is a great storytelller. She was able to develop the characters so quickly that I felt I knew them. I especially liked the twists and turns (no more hints given here!) and where you thought you were being led. I hope my intuition is correct and she has another book coming soon. I can't wait!!

I liked the reader and her accents quite well. I probably don't have the discerning of some listeners but it was easy to separate the characters during the reading and only once, near the end, did I note that one character's accent somewhat resembled another.
It is not an extremely complex mystery but it was enjoyable as it evolved and better than I expected from a Harlequin, (I feel I can say this as I probably singlehandedly kept them in business back in the 80s!)
If you are looking for a light read this is fine. I liked it well enough to go buy the other two Audible has in the series.

I read this book before I listened to and the audio version gave the book a new demention of how truly uptight the English peerage was during the 19th century. The book is a light mystery with romantic tension that will appeal to most people who like this combination. This the author's first book and you can see that the series will continue to grow over time. I look forward to her 3rd book (already read the sequel and am listening to it.)

The reader did a very nice job - her accent was just what I expected and she did a nice job with the other character voices - especially the men. My favorite character voice with the sister, Portia!

Give this book a try,it is a fun, light-hearted listen and you will find yourself smiling.

I'm not a big romance reader, but I love a good mystery. I like historical fiction well enough, too. This was a good combination of mystery, historical fiction and chick lit. It was not full of ooshy-gooshy romance (a relief), nor was it full of bodice ripping passion. It was, however, a pretty good mystery and the author did her research for the historical component. The narrator does some pretty terrible accents, though. Everyone who isn't English sounds like an English person doing a caricature. Also, she makes some pretty glaring mispronunciations.

I almost gave up a few times during the course of listening to this book. Although the plot moves along nicely and the charater development is good, Ellen Archer's narration is weird and irritating. She inserts pauses between words for no apparent reason, giving the story...an...odd...halting...quality. I will read the second in the series myself rather than listen to her again.