Review - The Impossible Imposter

I began with the first book in this series and it quickly became one of my favorite historical mysteries.  We are up to the seventh in the series now and Veronica never has a dull moment.

1. A Curious Beginning (click here)

3. A Treacherous Curse (click here)

4. A Dangerous Collaboration (click here)

5. A Murderous Relation (click here)

6. An Unexpected Peril (click here) 

Author: Deanna Raybourn

Copyright: Feb 2022 (Berkley) 334 pgs

Series: 7th in Veronica Speedwell Mysteries

Sensuality: Innuendo, mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Veronica Speedwell is an amateur entomologist 

Setting: 1889, London England

Obtained Through: Netgalley, publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "London, 1889. Veronica Speedwell and her natural historian beau Stoker are summoned by Sir Hugo Montgomerie, head of Special Branch. He has a personal request on behalf of his goddaughter, Euphemia Hathaway. After years of traveling the world, her eldest brother, Jonathan, heir to Hathaway Hall, was believed to have been killed in the catastrophic eruption of Krakatoa a few years before.

But now a man matching Jonathan’s description and carrying his possessions has arrived at Hathaway Hall with no memory of his identity or where he has been. Could this man truly be Jonathan, back from the dead? Or is he a devious impostor, determined to gain ownership over the family's most valuable possessions—a legendary parure of priceless Rajasthani jewels? It's a delicate situation, and Veronica is Sir Hugo's only hope.

 Veronica and Stoker agree to go to Hathaway Hall to covertly investigate the mysterious amnesiac. Veronica is soon shocked to find herself face-to-face with a ghost from her past. To help Sir Hugo discover the truth, she must open doors to her own history that she long believed to be shut for good."

Veronica is highly intelligent with a sharp tongue and wit that is put to the test in this book.  Stoker (Mr. Ravelstoke Templeton-Vane) is her sleuthing partner.  He is cranky and reclusive but perfect for her.  This outing will test both Veronica and Stoker.  

My Thoughts:  Hathaway Hall is the location for part of the mystery, the rest of the story is in and around London.  The man who reappears as Jonathan is definitely hiding something and Veronica is caught in the thick of things.  When they return to London danger follows them.  Veronica's past comes back to bite her and we learn more of her back story which disrupts the domesticity she has found with Stoker.  The plot moves quickly with complications and twists.  The climax is perilous with suprises.  The wrapup drops another surprise that will reverberate into the next book.  This is a book has significant events occur impacting Veronica and Stoker!

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Review - An Unexpected Peril

I began with the first book in this series.

1. A Curious Beginning (click here)

3. A Treacherous Curse (click here)

4. A Dangerous Collaboration (click here)

5. A Murderous Relation (click here)  

Now we have the sixth entry in the series with an interesting premise.

Author: Deanna Raybourn

Copyright: March 2021 (Berkley) 346 pgs

Series: 6th in Veronica Speedwell Mystery series

Sensuality: Period references to mature material

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical amateur sleuth

Main Character: Veronica Speedwell 

Setting: 1888, London England

Obtained Through: Netgalley

Book Blurb: "A princess is missing and a peace treaty is on the verge of collapse in this new Veronica Speedwell adventure.

 January 1889. As the newest member of the Curiosity Club--an elite society of brilliant, intrepid women--Veronica Speedwell is excited to put her many skills to good use. As she assembles a memorial exhibition for pioneering mountain climber Alice Baker-Greene, Veronica discovers evidence that the recent death was not a tragic climbing accident but murder. Veronica and her natural historian beau, Stoker, tell the patron of the exhibit, Princess Gisela of Alpenwald, of their findings. With Europe on the verge of war, Gisela's chancellor, Count von Rechstein, does not want to make waves--and before Veronica and Stoker can figure out their next move, the princess disappears.

Having noted Veronica's resemblance to the princess, von Rechstein begs her to pose as Gisela for the sake of the peace treaty that brought the princess to England. Veronica reluctantly agrees to the scheme. She and Stoker must work together to keep the treaty intact while navigating unwelcome advances, assassination attempts, and Veronica's own family--the royalty who has never claimed her."

Veronica is highly intelligent with a sharp tongue and wit that is put to the test in this book.  Stoker (Mr. Ravelstoke Templeton-Vane) is her sleuthing partner.  He is cranky and reclusive but perfect for her.  Journalist J.J. Butterworth has a small role in the story and is becoming a regular supporting cast. Baroness von Wallenberg is the Princess's Lady-in-waiting and the chancellor, Count von Rechstein guide Veronica through the myriad of details in her role as princess and add to the story.

There is the princess's disappearance, Alice Baker-Greene's murder, and the dangers of posing as the princess that gets more dangerous as the investigation continues.  The plot has plenty going on and the pacing picks up after all the setup for the story is in place.  

Another fantastic killer reveal and tense show down.  Love the climaxes in this series.  The wrap-up provides closure and a nice surprise for Veronica and Stoker.  

There was a good bit of setup before the meat of the situation.  But once I was in the heart of the story, it was an absorbing read.  I liked Veronica disguised as the princess and everything she went through.  Even though the story takes place entirely in London, the fiction country of Alpenwald becomes so real that at times I felt the story partially took place there.  Excellent story and mystery, for the motive was slowly uncovered until things clicked into place.  If you enjoy historical mysteries, this is top notch like all the books in this series.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it!

Review - A Murderous Relation

I reviewed the first book, A Curious Beginning (click here), the third in the series A Treacherous Curse (click here),  and the fourth in the series A Dangerous Collaboration (click here).  I am just now getting around to reviewing the newest release in this exciting series.  

Author: Deanna Raybourn

Copyright: March 2020 (Berkley) 320 pgs

Series: 5th in Veronica Speedwell Mysteries

Sensuality: Period adult conversations

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical amateur sleuth

Main Characters: Veronica Speedwell

Setting: 1888, London England

Obtained Through: Library Find

Book blurb: "Autumn 1888. Veronica Speedwell and her colleague Stoker are asked by Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk to stop a potential scandal so explosive it threatens to rock the monarchy. Prince Albert Victor is a regular visitor to the most exclusive private club in London, and the proprietress, Madame Aurore, has received an expensive gift that can be traced back to the prince. Lady Wellie would like Veronica and Stoker to retrieve it from the club before scandal can break. 

Worse yet, London is being terrorized by what would become the most notorious and elusive serial killer in history, Jack the Ripper—and Lady Wellie suspects the prince may be responsible.  

Veronica and Stoker reluctantly agree to go undercover at Madame Auroreʼs high-class brothel, where a body soon turns up. Secrets are swirling around Veronica and the royal family—and it is up to Veronica and Stoker to find the truth, before it is too late for all of them."

Veronica is larger-than-life, incredibly ahead of her time, stubborn, and highly intelligent with a sharp tongue and wit. In other words - incorrigible and great fun.  Stoker (Mr. Ravelstoke Templeton-Vane) is her sleuthing partner.  He is cranky and reclusive, and believes Veronica is the woman for him, even if she doesn't believe in romantic love or marriage.  Tiberius, Stoker's estranged brother, only has a small part in this outing - but it is enjoyable.  Lady Wellie has more page time in this book and she is hard to like but you begin to understand the weight on her shoulders.  Journalist J.J. Butterworth has a significant role in the story and is a welcome addition. Prince Albert Victor, who has been the subject of a few Ripper theories since around the 1970's, is portrayed well for such a controversial historical figure. Mr. Pennybaker, one of Stoker's taxidermy clients, is a breakout character.

The setting of Victorian London is always so real you can smell the coal smoke in the air.  Madame Aurore's scandalous brothel is atmospheric and titillating without being crass.  The fear over the Ripper murders becomes palpable, and for a brief moment Veronica believes she may have passed the evil incarnate on a foggy street in her adventure.  Very well done.

The plot is revealed as the adventure progresses and brings back a villain from an earlier book to reprise his plot against the throne.  The story veers and swerves as events develop and Veronica with Stoker by her side keep up the chase.  The pacing is well maintained throughout. 

The climax provided delicious tense moments like I adore.  This series sets a high bar for exciting climaxes and this book held up the tradition.  The wrap-up answered many questions and tied up remaining threads.  You will have to read it to find out about Veronica and Stocker's personal relationship - my lips are sealed.

Overall, this is yet another great Veronica Speedwell adventure placing the character in the stratosphere of unique and bar-setting heroines.  I particularly enjoy the characters, although the plots continue to be full of twists and turns.  It's the characters that endure long after the reading.  This isn't a Ripper story, the infamous serial killer is background only which is very effective.  With that said, she gives homage to the victims giving their lives context.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author and series on your watch list.

Here is a wonderful interview with the author about this book at The Poisoned Pen bookstore.  Remember those?