Deanna Raybourn intimated in her "Acknowledgements" that it took two years to find a publisher for this book. That's surprising, because for a first time author, she has the distinct poise of a seasoned author.

I was hooked from the first paragraph, certainly one of the most enticing I've seen in years: "To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor." From those two sentences, I knew that I was in very capable hands.

This was more than just a hook, however. These two sentences demonstrate a remarkable clarity of thought, and upon reading them, I not only chuckled but also settled into the book: I knew, beyond question, that I was in capable hands. There's nothing more important for an author than to establish within the very first paragraph that they know exactly what they're doing, that they are in complete control of their story. If we, the reader, don't have that sense - even if we're not consciously aware of it - we will lose interest.

While there are certainly tell-tale mystery elements here, it doesn't read like a "whodunit" mystery whatsoever. Raybourn presents her material in such a way that the reader may feel that they're experiencing something entirely new. I can't applaud her loudly enough for this.

Her characters are strong, well drawn, free of cliché, and far from the standard cardboard characters we see too often in fiction. Often an author will talk about characters speaking to them. These are characters that we as readers find ourselves drawn to because ultimately they are the most realistic; they appeal to the majority of our senses. I have to imagine that all of the major characters at times caused a cacophony in Raybourn's mind that kept her up into the wee hours of the morning madly working on her manuscript simply to get the voices to be quiet for a time!

Lady Julia in the beginning is three things, essentially: a sibling, a daughter, and a wife. She has little to no identity of her own. Within these pages, as she realizes (quickly) that her husband was murdered, she grows to the task of an "investigator", led by the rather harsh hand of Nicholas Brisbane, previously hired by her husband (prior to his death, of course ) to look into some rather disturbing notes he was receiving that heavily implied that his life was in immediate danger.

Her relationship with Nicholas is an interesting one, and it never falls into clichés. Thankfully.

The ending is a terrific surprise, and even if you guess at certain plot points, and believe you know who the murderer is, you will still find yourself reeling at the end when everything comes together.

One more thing - and don't you dare cheat!!! - the last sentence of the book was as satisfying as the first.

My only disappointment is that a major publisher didn't pick this up and put a significant marketing campaign behind it, one that, for example, The Thirteenth Tale received from its publisher. I came across this merely by chance at a bookstore. Oddly, it was the first book I saw when I walked in the store, even though it wasn't the most prominently displayed. I'm thankful that my eyes were set as they were that morning, for this beautifully written book gave me too few hours of enjoyment.

...it's that good. That is, if you like Victorian mysteries. The clever writing draws you right in through plot, excellent character development, and constant surprises. To see a beautifully written description of a lead MALE character with a migraine was fascinatng. To see the characters become human was equally so. The whole story is a mystery winner.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on an Advance Reader's Copy of this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a very promising beginning to a new series by a new author-something that always excites me. Lady Julia Grey meets Nicholas Brisbane, private inquiry agent, over the still twitching corpse of her husband, Lord Edward. While Julia assumes that his death is the result of family heart disease, Nicholas is quite rightly suspicious. Lord Edward has engaged him to investigate a series of threatening messages, in the form of verses from the Book of Common Prayer.

When Julia discovers another threatening message sent to Edward herself, she realizes that Brisbane is correct and hires him to investigate the murder---with her help. Along the way she discovers some very unpleasant truths about Edward that force her to reevaluate her own life. Nicholas and Julia are extremely likeable and charismatic, along with a supporting cast of well-drawn characters.

The only reason I give this a 4 1/2 rather than a 5 is that the mystery itself is not so puzzling. While the solution is fairly obvious, the final denouement is not!! I look forward eagerly to the next adventure of Lady Julia and Brisbane.

I thouroughly enjoyed this book and I eagerly await the next one from this writer. I see a bright future for her.

The first line in this book had me riveted: "To sat that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate." And from there on, I was sucked into this well-plotted, and well-paced mystery series piloted by the vivacious and newly widowed Lady Julia Gray. From her eccentric family and servants, to the intricate suspense, this book is a commendable addition to anyone looking to use one of the many gift-cards they recieved this Christmas.

However, if you're looking for a Victorian mystery series firmly grounded in the era, this book isn't for you (try Anne Perry or Carole Nelson Douglas). But, if you're looking for a new historical mystery series entrenched with charming characters and a sparkling narrarator, this is an excellent book. I look forward to the next installment in the Lady Julia Gray/Nicholas Brisbane series.