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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At first Veronica’s personality and attitude put me off. She comes across as entirely too self-satisfied and arrogant in the beginning chapters, far too confident in her own abilities and judgement. If it weren’t for Stoker’s character and the mystery becoming more intriguing, I might have decided not to read more books in this series. As it is, she finally shows some vulnerability, but it takes more than half the book to get to that point. Also, much of that first half is spent running hither and yon with little apparent purpose, murder-plot-wise.
Still, Veronica and Stoker do grow on a person. From the beginning they reminded me of another famous pair of fictional amateur detectives, Amelia Peabody and her beloved Emerson. Both women are exceedingly proud of and confident in their analytical abilities, and both men are equally intelligent but explosively passionate partners for the women.
There are a lot of characters introduced here who I expect will reappear in the next books, for while the main mystery is solved, there clearly remains more to be uncovered. I expect I shall have to avail myself of the next book in the series.
I love this series—definitely a different kind of detective/love interest pairing from the usual.
A new heroine who is both witty and naive . She is brave and also human enough to finds love. This story brings a young woman who is independent because she thinks she is unloveable and instead find a life story where she finds loyal friends who will save her while she is saving them.
I’m a reader who usually reads 3-4 books a week. This book both made me satisfied with the finish & thrilled that it is a series. I can’t wait to continue to live in this land!
Great story line and wonderful characters! Love this series!
I love this author! I hope this is not the last of the series as has been said. You really want to keep these people around to see what happens to them next!!
Deanna Raybourn amazes me. She writes just the books that I love to read.
They are wonderfully researched for historical accuracy. I feel transported into different times and places. She uses actual historic facts as bouncing off points for excellent stories.
That said, her newest series premiere is great. There is a fine, intelligent woman who ends up working with a seemingly grumpy, but clever man.
The mystery is well paced. The drama quite convincing.
I look forward to the further adventures of this duo.
And anything else Raybourn chooses to write!
I greatly enjoyed this book, largely for the wonderful characters and clever writing.
Very entertaining historical fiction work renal lead character
Do you miss Amelia Peabody and Radcliffe Emerson? Then you will want to make the acquaintance of Miss Veronica Speedwell, an independent and intrepid lepidopterist in Victorian England. But why is someone pursuing her, with apparently deadly intent? And why is a kindly foreign Baron trying to help her? Can she trust the enigmatic collector he has entrusted her to? This is a fun mystery, very reminiscent of Elizabeth Peters’ books, and one hopes there will be nany more.
I like all of Deanna Raybourn’s books
I read this several years ago and have eagerly awaited each of the books in the series. The heroine may have been unlikely in her time but none the less a great and interesting character
A well written Victorian mystery with original characters and entertaining dialogue. I immediately started the second book in the series as soon as I finished A Curious Beginning.
I absolutely LOVE the books in this series. Deanna Raybourn creates such unusual situations and wonderful, complex characters in all her books and this series of books is no different. The writing is intelligent and fresh and the plot always pleases those is us who love mystery. A MUST read!!
Different. Very enjoyable with lots of questions. Hard to put down not knowing what the answers would be.
Excellent writing!
Sparkling dialogue, intriguing characters, exciting plot.
A wonderful summer read!
I really LOVED this book. It is right up my alley and it’s in the vein of Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series. I missed the world of Speedwell, which is my ultimate “feel” that I’m looking for. Fabulous banter and witticisms that don’t get in the way of the story. Wonderful details and consuming characters whom I love as friends. Top notch!
Loved this book and bought the other books of the series
A charming, well-written beginning to a series. There were so many times that I wanted to pluck out a sentence and hold it to the light to admire its many lovely facets. The author knows her craft. The main characters grow on you and have delightful flaws and weaknesses, as well as intelligence and courage.