While hosting a dinner party, Lady Julia meets Nicholas
Brisbane, a private inquiry agent, over the twitching body
of her dying husband. No one is shocked at Edward's death
since his health has been poor from hereditary heart
disease. What stuns Julia is Nicholas' private announcement
that Edward was murdered. Unbeknownst to Julia, Edward had
been receiving letters threatening his life, so he hired
Nicholas to find the sender. Julia's thoughts are in
disarray as she contemplates how her marriage has ended and
how little she knew of her husband's life the past year.
Julia sends Nicholas away refusing to believe him.
At the end of her year of mourning, Julia uncovers one of
the letters to Edward. She acknowledges her mistake and
convinces a reluctant Nicholas to reopen the case and find
the killer. Coming from a family who encourages individual
thinking and action, regardless of society's dictates,
Julia persuades Nicholas to let her help. She ignores
Nicholas' warning of the possible pain and heartbreak he
may uncover. As the facts are unearthed, Julia discovers
not only a killer amid her circle, but some truths about
herself.
Debut author Deanna Raybourn pens an ingenious new
mystery series that's rich in historical detail. She
highlights the Victorian manners and caste system,
intertwining them in her clever plot. The characters are
complex with their weaknesses and strengths. From page one,
the story grabs your attention and demands an all-night
read of this spellbinding tale.
These 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 suggests 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 ever closer to a
killer who waits expectantly for her arrival.
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