Lady Julia Grey.

Despite his admonitions to stay away, Lady Julia arrives in Yorkshire to find Brisbane as remote and maddeningly attractive as ever. Cloistered together, they share the mouldering house with the proud but impoverished remnants of an ancient family: the sort that keeps their bloodline pure and their secrets close. Lady Allenby and her daughters, dependent upon Brisbane and devastated by their fall in society, seem adrift on the moor winds, powerless to change their fortunes. But poison does not discriminate between classes...

A mystery unfolds from the rotten heart of Grimsgrave, one Lady Julia may have to solve alone, as Brisbane appears inextricably tangled in its heinous twists and turns. But blood will out, and before spring touches the craggy northern landscape, Lady Julia will have uncovered a long-buried legacy of malevolence and evil. 

Set against the wild beauty of the Yorkshire moors, Deanna Raybourn spins a gripping tale of loyalty and lust.

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1. Although Julia and Nicholas are a Victorian couple, they have a very modern problem: his career versus their relationship. In what ways does his work complicate their future?

2. Hilda Allenby speaks bitterly about how difficult it is to be a woman and subject to the whims of men. What are some examples of this in the book?

3. The Allenbys have let down the villagers of Lesser Howlett by not fulfilling the responsibility they have toward the locals. How do they fail in their role and what impact does this have on the family and the community?

4. Jane gives up her relationship with Portia in order to assume the more traditional role of wife and mother. Was she right to do so?

5. Nicholas and Julia both rely to varying degrees upon intuition. How does this play into their decision-making?

6. The Allenbys are devoted to the memory of their ancestors. How is this pride manifested in the inhabitants of Grimsgrave Hall?

7. Hilda Allenby chooses employment and uncertainty over marriage with Valerius March. Why?

8. Julia Grey is not a traditional Victorian woman. Discuss the qualities that make her unconventional and whether these qualities make her relatable to a modern reader.

9. The tragic story of Mariah Young has repercussions into the next generation. Discuss.

10. Will Julia and Nicholas be able to sustain a working relationship or will they find this problematic?

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"With a strong and unique voice, Deanna Raybourn creates unforgettable characters in a richly detailed world. This is storytelling at its most compelling."

— Nora Roberts, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Following Silent in the Grave and Silent in the Sanctuary, the newest book in the Lady Julia Grey series has a lot to measure up to --- and it does. Freed from many of Victorian society's strictures following her husband's death, Julia feels she's found purpose assisting private inquiry agent Nicholas Brisbane, but their mutual attraction and his self-determined unsuitability keep them at a crossroads. As Julia descends on Grimsgrave, Brisbane's newly purchased estate on the Yorkshire moors, it becomes clear that it's not just the house that's rapidly falling apart --- the inhabitants aren't doing well either. As the characters unravel, the mystery begins. The complex story mixes the dangerous undertones of family secrets, local lore, and the current desires of the living. After Brisbane is nearly murdered, the suspense builds to a wonderfully shocking end. Learning about Brisbane's past, a satisfying conclusion, and the promise of another book will thrill longtime fans. A great choice for mystery, historical fiction, and/or romance readers, with a strong appeal for Anne Perry buffs."

— Library Jorunal, February 1, 2009 (Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH)