Historical
The Dead Travel Fast
By Natalie
Mar 14, 2010 - 7:34:00 PM

Theodora Lestrange is not the ‘normal’ woman of her day.  She doesn’t want a husband or, heaven forbid, children.  Considered a burden by her family, Theodora does not want to get married in order to have a house of her own.  She wants the house but not the trouble that goes with being under a man’s thumb.  Traveling to a dear friend’s home in Transylvania to attend a wedding, Theodora hopes to be able to write the novel of her dreams in order to win her financial and emotional independence. 

When Theodora arrives at her friend’s home, all is not what she thought it would be.  The castle is barely standing and its people are somewhat different than what Theodora expected.  But it is her friend’s fear that gets Theodora’s attention.  And then she meets the master of the castle, Count Andrei Dragulescu. 

With the townspeople whispering about sinister plots and foul deeds, Theodora is swept into the imagery and majesty of the Romanian village in which the castle is located.  Theodora is anything but superstitious, but she can’t help being intrigued and enchanted by Count Dragulescu and the unexplained happenings taking place.  Knowing that Andrei is withholding information from her, Theodora strives to contain her attraction to this brooding and often authoritative man. 

I found myself just as immersed in this story as Theodora.  Never expecting more than a mediocre gothic romance, I was more than happy to experience the superlative plot of Deanna Raybourn’s THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST.  With imagery, imagination, and over the top suspense and drama, I could hardly contain myself from rushing to the end of THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST just to see what would happen.  My conscience prevailed and with a surprise ending, my enjoyment of this historical mystery came full circle. THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST was simply a delicate balance between pragmatism and the unexplained.  I will definitely search out and read more from this talented author.