This is the fourth book in Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia series of mysteries and having read the first three I was eager to see what events occurred after the marriage of Lady Julia and Brisbane. At the start of the book they are still on their (rather long) honeymoon and are staying at the hotel in Egypt. Both of them are chafing at the bit for a change of scene when Julia's sister Portia and her brother Plum arrive on the scene - help is needed in India where Portia's true love Jane is now residing. Jane is pregnant and her husband has died and there is a suspicion that the death wasn't 'natural'. Without further ado, Julia and Brisbane set sail for India along with Portia and Plum in order to ensure Jane's safety.
Suspects and motives for murder abound and Julia is soon caught up in trying to solve the mystery of Jane's husband's demise - in spite of being warned off by Brisbane who is always conscious of Julia's lack of care for her own safety in these matters. Characters from a past story make an appearance alongside many new ones typical of the era, circumstances and location. Mystery, evil, heartbreak and more death occur and Lady Julia finds her killer in a quite unanticipated person.
I did enjoy this book, it's full of the delights and problems of personal relationships with several convenient appearances by either characters from past books or people that have been mentioned briefly along the way. The mystery is a good one although not my favourite adventure of Julia's.
This is my second review for the Historical Reading Challenge.
Some good book reviews, Tee!
Posted by: simone | 10 February 2011 at 03:00 PM