Silent in the Grave - Deanna Raybourn - Lady Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane - Book 1 - Mira Suspense - January/07

Backcover Synopsis - "LET THE WICKED BE ASHAMED, AND LET THEM BE SILENT IN THE GRAVE."

Those ominous words, slashed from the pages of a book of Psalms, are the last threat that the darling of London society, Sir Edward Grey, receives from his killer. Before he can show them to Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent he has retained for his protection. Sir Edward collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia and a roomful of dinner guests.

Prepared to accept that Edward's death was due to a long-standing physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane visits and suggest that Sir Edward has been murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers the damning paper for herself, and realizes the truth.

Determined to bring her husband's murderer to justice, Julia engages the enigmatic Brisbane to help her investigate Edward's demise. Dismissing his warnings that the investigation will be difficult, if not impossible, Julia presses forward, following a trail of clues that lead her to even more unpleasant truths, and even closer to a killer who waits expectantly for her arrival.

Personal Opinion - I bought this book and its sequel because of the blogs about it earlier. I was not disappointed. It was a terrific story that took the reader through many different parts of Victorian London and into situations that ladies of that time did not get themselves into. The murderer was kept a secret until the end and was a complete surprise.