The “wickedly clever and devilishly amusing” Veronica Speedwell returns for a rousing adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey Mysteries.London, 1887. At the Curiosity Club, a ladies-only establishment for daring and intrepid women, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell meets the mysterious Lady Sundridge, who begs her to take on an impossible task—saving … to take on an impossible task—saving society art patron Miles Ramsforth from execution. Ramsforth, accused of the brutal murder of his mistress, Artemisia, will face the hangman’s noose in a week’s time if the real killer is not found.
But Lady Sundridge is not all that she seems, and unmasking her true identity is only the first of many secrets Veronica must uncover. Together with her natural-historian colleague, Stoker, Veronica races against time to find the true murderer. From a Bohemian artists’ colony to a royal palace to a subterranean grotto with a decadent history, the investigation proves to be a very perilous undertaking indeed…
SusanElia MacNeal
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I was so excited to review this one (I received a complimentary review copy from the publisher). I really enjoyed Veronica’s opening adventure; the twists thrown at you at the end left me more than eagerly anticipating what would come next. The result, A Perilous Undertaking, didn’t disappoint – although I must admit I didn’t find it quite as perfectly compelling as the first installment, for reasons I still don’t quite understand… Still, the book was a whopping good ride. The story opens with Veronica and Stoker entwined in their own particular brand of frustrating companionship, and quickly adds on layer after layer of political and social intrigue. There’s been a murder, you see, and a man is set to hang. Some Very Important People are convinced it’s the wrong man – but all the rules of propriety dictate that they remain distanced. Enter Veronica… The implications of Veronica’s Big Secret (which I cannot disclose, sorry, it would literally ruin the first book for anyone who hasn’t read it) are, of course, invoked – and continue to play out with intriguing and delightfully complicated consequences. New addenda and codicils are added, as expected, and set up a third book quite handily.
For the rest of my review, please visit http://blog.jill-elizabeth.com/2016/08/16/book-review-a-perilous-undertaking-by-deanna-raybourn/.
A Perilous Undertaking will be released January 10, 2017.
Liked the first one but LOVED this one! As the relationship between Veronica and Stoker builds and strengthens, I have a feeling this series will just get better and better. Hilariously funny with an intriguing plot….just a pure pleasure to read. Looking forward to #3 in January!
This book quite literally made me laugh out loud. The interactions between the characters are hilarious, made even funnier by the time and setting of the book.
Be careful though, it gets a little racy. A few parts made me blush a bit. Definitely NOT for immature readers.
Regardless, a wonderful period mystery and I can’t wait to read more.
If you’re a fan of Elizabeth Peters and her Amelia Peabody series, this is up your alley. I honestly haven’t enjoyed this romp-of-a-series so much in a long time! Witty, intelligent, fabulous characters and world… I truly miss Veronica’s world when I’m not reading it, which is my highest praise. Highly recommend!
Second in this series of adventures of Veronica and Stoker. This one dragged a bit, but was extremely well-written, clever, and endlessly charming. I’m definitely reading more of them.
This series is a great read on how women, intelligent, independent, can make their own decisions and create a new world. Now this is in the Victorian age, and I’m not sure there were many like her. But entertaining it is. Her romantic antics were well written but not her only focus.
This series is entertaining, and I look forward to all the books and new ones when they come out.
Very disappointing. Author’s apparent fascination with sex was a major takeaway. Very unrealistic characters.
Didn’t finish as it was just too off-putting. Did learn one thing: not to buy any other books by this author.
Suspense and murderous fun in A Perilous Undertaking. I love finding a new, fun series with engaging characters.
I love Veronica and how she always says what she thinks regardless if others agree with her. She is a wonderful character and you never know what will happen with her. She is fearless and always wants to solve the mystery at hand. In this book she is asked by Lady Sundridge to prove the innocence of a man who will hang in one weeks time if another suspect cannot be found. She only tells Veronica that she knows that he is innocent, but not how she knows this. Stoker is not keen to get involved, but Veronica convinces him to help her and the adventure begins. They visit a bohemian artists’ colony and also a private “club” where unmentionable things have taken place. Also, they must visit Stoker’s older brother to gather information. I like how we are learning more about the backstories of the characters and how Veronica and Stoker are growing closer. This is becoming a new favorite series.
One of my favourite Sherlock Holmesian retellings! I can never expect what Veronica will say next, and Stoker is absolutely hilarious with his blushing around her. I’m bingeing this series for sure.
Book 57 towards my goal of 275! 5/5 stars for this Historical Fiction/Mystery read! This one has a bit less adventure than book 1, but the Mystery element is definitely upped in this one! Lady Welly is one of my all time favorite side characters! Highly recommend if you enjoy historical Mystery. My favorite line from this one. “Has anyone ever complimented your sitting down parts?”
I didn’t much care for Veronica in the opening third of book 1, but she’s growing on me. These are witty, humorous, and full of daring-do, rather like a female Holmes with her own Watson in Stoker, who just happens to have medical training and military experience. In this case, they have a week to save a–possibly–innocent man from hanging for murder. I lost track of the timeline, and one should never lose sight of the ‘ticking time bomb’ in a mystery/suspense, so that was my main quibble. Overall, the author draws vivid and interesting characters and creates a clear picture of London in the time period, so I plan to read book 3.
While I thought the original book in this series was just okay, I am glad I stayed with it. The 2nd book was more amusing and interesting and felt getting to know the characters made me like the story line all the better.
I’ve enjoyed reading about Veronica and her adventures. I love this delightfully determined and dedicatedly different heroine. No slave to mindless cultural norms, she nonetheless wends her way expertly through situations with great aplomb. Really rooting for her and Stoker, but I am grateful to the author for taking her time, and presenting a more realistic development of a relationship.
“Excelsior!” I breathed.
Rated MA ( Mature Audiences)
Some strong language, but also cleverly used euphemisms
Sexuality, and sexual acts discussed throughout, but no sex scenes. There is sexual tension between characters, however.
Incidental drug use.
Settting: Elizabethian England
Plot: Veronica and Stoker are asked to by Royalty to prove a condemned man innocent. At first absolutely alll evidence points to his guilt.
Plenty of plot twists — great characterizations and witty dialog make for enjoyable reading.
Recommended!
I was disappointed after enjoying the Lady Gray series. The main character was just way too over the top. There was nothing she hadn’t done or couldn’t do. The preoccupation with sex got tiring. Basically, I thought it was rather sophomoric.
Wonderful book & series! She really draws you in. Didn’t want it to end & waiting for the next one.
Interesting premise but the narrator’s voice was so high pitched that I could not enjoy the book.
Enjoyable read
Lovely historical mystery with unique characters.