The final novel in Deanna Raybourn’s trilogy continues
Lady Julia Grey’s penchant for snooping. The second book,
SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY, painted her as an able pseudo-detective,
solving her husband’s murder at the side of private inquiry
agent  Nicholas Brisbane. Fascinated by the dark, handsome
man, she’s devastated when he leaves her family’s
English country estate after solving the crime. Now, Julia plans a
visit to Brisbane’s new home, his reward from the government
for a job well done. She must learn if he shares her strong
emotional feelings. Brisbane has invited her sister, Portia, to put
his household in order. To her elder brother’s chagrin, Julia
packs for the trek to the northern England moor country. To save
family face, younger brother Valerius will accompany them.

Their journey via train, wagon and farmer’s cart lands the
party at Grimsgrave, a dilapidated country manor home located
beyond the tiny hamlet of Lesser Howlett. In disrepair,
Brisbane’s house is a dark, solemn testament to harsh
conditions on the moors. Julia’s first confrontation with
Brisbane is an unpleasant one, and he clearly wishes her to depart.
To complicate the unconventional reception, Lady Ailith Allenby,
her sister and their mother complete the icy welcome. The Allenby
family has owned Grimsgrave since Saxon times but has been forced
to sell when their fortunes disappeared. Sir Redwall Allenby,
Ailith’s brother, died unexpectedly, leaving the women
without financial security.

Ailith’s regal beauty lends to her psychological mystique.
In friendship, she offers Julia a tour of the run-down estate,
walking in the gardens and onto the moors.  There, they go to
the nearby cottage home of Rosalie Smith, a gypsy woman who
conjures herbal preparations for multiple ailments and has prepared
a medicinal for Ailith’s mother’s rheumatism. Julia
warms to the Gypsy, feeling a connection between her and
Brisbane.

The format of SILENT ON THE MOOR follows the pattern of earlier
Lady Julia Grey novels. Each chapter is headed with intricate
floral design followed by a quote from William Shakespeare’s
works that pertains to the action appropriate to that particular
section. To the reader, anticipating the coming events is like
solving a puzzle.

Raybourn presents numerous characters who each embellish the
plot but do not distract. From the innkeeper’s family to
Allenby cousin Godwin, each secondary figure enhances the
importance of the primary characters.

Brisbane leaves for business in Scotland, hoping Julia will
become bored and return to London. But he underestimates her
tenacity. She takes on the task of cataloging the deceased Lord
Allenby’s vast collection of Egyptian relics, which is
gathering dust; money from their sale will furnish a new home for
the Allenby women. While doing this, she discovers something that
will unearth Allenby family secrets. In a secret Priest’s
Hole in the wall, she opens a tiny Egyptian burial cask containing
mummified remains. Mystified, she carefully replaces it in the
wall.

Upon his return, Brisbane suffers a debilitating illness and
lingers near death. With no certain cure available, Julia seeks
Rosalie’s help, hoping the gypsy woman has a potion to cure
him. When a weakened Brisbane makes a slow recovery, Julia shares
her discovery in the Egyptian artifacts with him. Together, they
solve a mystery that will shatter the Allenby family tree.
Julia’s quest is to conquer Brisbane’s childhood
demons. His ties to Grimsgrave wind backwards through both
families’ histories, blending their stories into a
complicated maze. The Allenby family tree was rooted in purity,
while Brisbane’s trailed from gypsy beginnings.

True to the English “whodunit” style, Raybourn
plants suspicion in numerous places. Details congeal them into
final solutions by the book’s conclusion. Setting plays an
integral part in the story. Windswept, boggy moors provide natural
terrains that enhance the plot line, and the bleak, foggy landscape
rises in sharp contrast to Julia’s bright personality.
Undaunted by obstacles thrown at her, she seeks new ways to make
Brisbane open to her affection. Although their romantic
relationship remains a basic element in SILENT ON THE MOOR,
Raybourn binds Julia and Brisbane in a professional one. The two
partner as detectives to untangle the web that threatens their
personal union.

The question will remain open as to whether or not Raybourn will
write Lady Julia Grey into future series adventures. A likable
heroine, she’s a character with the nuances of a modern
woman. She knows what she wants and streaks forward to get it.