Silent in the Sanctuary

Silent in the Sanctuary (2009) Deanna Raybourn

After discovering her husband’s murderer, Lady Julia Gray has gone to Italy to recuperate, living with her brothers, Plum and Lysander, and enjoying the country.

But after her brother Lysander returns home married (much to everyone’s surprise) the three are ordered home by their father, ostensibly to spend Christmas, but more likely for Lysander to show his bride and receive a dressing down (or else lose his allowance).

But the holidays look to be chaotic, with surprise visitors and more.

This is a mystery, so there is a murder, but it occurs more than a third of the way through the book, so I was starting to worry about who would end up dead.

Some of the threads I found to be a little strange–or even ridiculous. (A jewel thief? Really?) But I still enjoyed the period and the characters.

And I was astounded to see the game of sardines played.

the notion of sardines was bandied about, and found to be agreeable to everyone. After another lengthy discussion concerning rules and procedures, it was established we should each play alone.

This was a game my extended family played when I was a child, but whenever I described it to people, they would look at me like I was insane, or had made it up.

And when I read this passage,

start my own business , selling cheap shoes out of a cart for four times what they cost to make. They fell apart the first time they got wet, but no matter.

I immediately thought of “the Sam Vimes “Boots” Theory of Economic Injustice“. So despite the failings of this book, I still quite enjoyed it.
Rating: 7/10

Published by Harlequin MIRA

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