I am such a huge fan of Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia series. I had no clue what to expect from this stand alone...I have to say that it doesn't live up to her normal standard. I wished she'd used the time to write another Julia novel.The series has wonderful plot and character development, this one had neither. It reminded me almost 100% of a Victoria Holt novel...just add vampires. It wasn't bad, just wasn't anything too great.Still dying for the next book in her series!