Another great one by Deanna Raybourn! This book had a great love story, a mystery, and just enough supernatural elements to keep you guessing what is real and what is folklore. The love story was well written as usual too, and it even had me wondering whether these two would even get a happy ending. In general, I love her Julia Grey mystery series much more, but this was a nice change of pace and proved this author can write mystery with a touch of the supernatural as well! Being a big fan of the Silent novels I was pleased to find that Deanna Raybourn had a new book coming. This is not another Lady Julia novel but that's fine. As big a fan of those books as I am, I liked seeing the difference in setting and tone of the novel.The novel starts in Scotland where Theodora Lestrange hails from. She's a budding author and has close ties to her married sister and brother in law, both of whom feel she's getting a little long in the tooth to not have a husband. As it turns out, her publisher also happens to be in love with her and has proposed marriage. It would be safe and proper for Theodora but those are two things aren't high on her priority list. A stroke of fate gives her the perfect reason to leave the land that is her home and experience a bit of adventure that could likely make wonderful research for a new novel.An old school friend of hers that she hasn't seen in years has sent word from Transylvania that she's to be wed to the new count. Theodora sees this as a great, if not a little intimidating, prospect to see a mysterious land that has born so many legends over the years as well as seeing a friend she cares for greatly. What Theodora experiences during her stay at the Castle Dragelscu is both frightening and thrilling. She was prepared to enjoy the company of her friend, but she wasn't entirely prepared for the mysteries of the exotic Transylvanian mountains, its people, and the even more mysterious new count. What's more, something bad happens at the castle during her stay. Is it mere human treachery or something more evil?This book does have shades of the Lady Julia series in it. A strong heroine getting involved in something that's seemingly beyond her experiences, a mysterious and near intoxicating strange man thrown into the middle of her life. Those were both staples of the Silent series. What makes this book even more interesting is the setting. Transylvania. With its legends of werewolves and vampires and the very simple and superstitious townspeople, it makes a great backdrop for a great mystery. Raybourn mixes mystery with vampire lore and Transylvanian imagery to great effect to make a very engrossing read.The Dead Travel Fast has the signature stamp of Deanna Raybourn on it, but it was a nice change to see a perfectly different setting. The book's also darker because of the location and the wonderful sense of place. Thick, dark woods..the shadow of the Carpathian mountains looming overhead, a once majestic castle that's fallen into decline, etc.I like when favorite authors of mine take a slight departure from a well established series of theirs and manage to put it off and she has done that with The Dead Travel Fast. It's not your typical vampire novel, but it's not your typical mystery book either. Those two things make it a great read.
What do You think about The Dead Travel Fast (2010)?
A Victorian Gothic romance done really well, and I was surprised at every turn. A delight to read.
—claudia
Transylvania, the Dragulescus, a writer from Scotland on extended holiday. Fun story.
—Dez
It wasn't my favorite but still something I enjoyed.
—vera
