Silent Night

A Lady Julia Christmas Novella

By: Deanna Raybourn

Narrated by: Ellen Archer

Length: 1 hr and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

After a year of marriage - and numerous adventures - Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together - until they find themselves at her father's ancestral estate, Bellmont Abbey, with her eccentric family and a menagerie of animals.

Nevertheless, Julia looks forward to a lively family gathering - but amongst the celebrations, a mystery stirs. There are missing jewels, new faces at the Abbey, and a prowling ghost that brings back unwelcome memories from a previous holiday - one that turned deadly. Is a new culprit recreating crimes of the past? And will Brisbane let Julia investigate?

©2012 Deanna Raybourn (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Timeless

I must have read this whole series 5 times or more. Timeless. I always need my March family at Christmas..

Too short, but sweet

Always enjoy Lady Julia, but this was the shortest short story I've ever read. Hopefully the next two are longer.

christmasy, but enjoyable year round

I really did enjoy getting to hear from Lady Julia and Nicholas again. I havve missed them since Dark Enquiry came out. And I have to say: this book was just plain fun. All the animals brought unexpected plot twists to the story.

Christmas with the family and a mystery

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.

It was OK.

This book was so-so. It could have been better, seemed like the story was missing something.

great listen

love this author and story teller. I have listened to all of the Victoria Speedwell series and loved them so I thought I would check out Julia Gray.

Entertaining!

Recommend this quick read.
It’s very light and funny at times.
Thumbs up for this book.

A Cheery Christmas Novella

As the title suggests, this novella is a Christmas-centric one - postponing the trip for Rome that had been set up at the end of The Dark Enquiry. Julia, Brisbane, Plum, Portia, and Jane the Younger (along with the loyal staff and the menagerie of pets) return to Belmont Abbey for the holiday. Some loose ends are tied up with Lord March, another missing jewels case is solved and fresh romance abounds alongside the deepening relationship between Julia and her husband. It's a cheery story and nicely sets up the next novella - also Christmas-themed, with the every decade tradition of the March family performing a play for the local village - and including a mandatory role for Brisbane! As usual, I am looking forward to continuing on with the series!

Recommended for fans of the series only

Nice little story if you are familiar with the characters but would not be a good introduction for anyone hoping to get a taste before delving into the series.

Christmas smiles in Lady Julia’s world

Love this novella of Christmas at the Abbey with Julia’s March family relatives. Especially with the children’s pageant and Nicholas’ laughter. It definitely left me smiling.