The New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries returns once more to Victorian England and introduces intrepid adventuress Veronica Speedwell…. London, 1887. After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with … with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.
But fate has other plans when Veronica thwarts her own attempted abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron, who offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. But before the baron can reveal what he knows of the plot against her, he is found murdered—leaving Veronica and Stoker on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth.
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So. Much. Fun. What a romp! I laughed outloud multiple times. A lady ahead of her time (Victorian era) and deemed insufferable by some, I found Veronica hilarious and charming. And Stoker, her partner? Well. He’s a perfect combination of gentlemanly and piratical. This is like a grownup version of MacKenzi Lee’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue and A Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy. If you need a fast-paced, thoroughly enjoyable historical mystery, well, what are you waiting for? Excelsior!
To not know who you are or to be an unknown in the world is devastating, especially to Veronica Speedwell. However, to be someone who is hunted, that is terrifying. Raybourn has a powerful story, filled with mystery and adventure. Her characters drift from one bought of action to another and their sleuthing keeps getting closer to the truth. Readers will hang onto the edge of their seats until the very end with this curious beginning.
Veronica Speedwell is an orphan, raised by two sisters. Her adventures take her far and wide, across the world on grand expeditions in search of rare butterflies; however, she travels back home after the passing of the last sister. True to her nature, she is caring and believes in making her own way, even after there is no one left to call family. What she couldn’t have expected was that someone may also be waiting for Veronica to be alone at last. When a baron appears at Veronica’s house after a burglary, he informs her that she is in grave danger and takes her to a man named Stoker, a man who is supposed to be able to keep her safe. Veronica has never wished for any man to hold such a prize over her head; she can keep herself safe, especially after what seems to have been a one-time incident! Yet, when men keep coming after her no matter where the both of them go, she is forced to investigate what her life means to these men. Secrets have to be kept as secrets, but whose secrets are they?
Raybourn has a mesmerizing tale, engulfing adventure, originality, creativity and mystery. Veronica Speedwell is everything that a strong woman should be. The characters in this story are magnificent and the pace is quick, but very easy to follow. With each chapter, the plot thickens and every character causes suspicion. How will Veronica ever be able to find out the truth when everyone appears to be hiding something? If you are a reader of cozy mysteries and historical fiction, this may be your cup of tea. Due to the author’s ability to captivate her audience, it is a novel that you may find hard to put down after picking it up.
This book was purchased by Turning Another Page in a local bookstore and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating to A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn.
A wonderful Victorian Mystery with a spunky, independent heroine who doesn’t take herself too seriously, doesn’t rest on ceremony, and won’t take guff from anyone. Not gory, and only the barest hint of romance, as befitting a proper Victorian! A great read that might just keep you up all night if you pick it up.