Deanna Raybourn - A Ghastly Catastrophe

When the corpse of an entitled young man is found entirely drained of blood in a carriage next to Highgate Cemetery, Veronica’s interest is piqued. And then a second victim is found, his death made to look like a suicide, and Veronica and her intrepid beau, Stoker, know the hunt is on. The two men share one link: they were both members of a society so secretive that only a singular mention of it can be found anywhere.
Thirsty for more clues, Veronica and Stoker hear that a young Roma boy may know more about their first victim, but the only way to the boy is through an old acquaintance of Stoker’s, Lady Julia Brisbane. Lady Julia and her dashing husband, Nicholas, occasionally track down murderers and are only too happy to help. But as it becomes clear the secret society is a dangerous sect looking to entice immortality seekers, Veronica and Stoker find themselves ensnared by a decidedly more sinister couple.
The professed leader of the society claims to be a creature of the night; his partner practices witchcraft and they both fancy themselves emissaries of the otherworldly. Just as Veronica and Stoker get closer to learning the true purpose of the society and unraveling this macabre mystery, another body turns up, and they quickly discover they’ve gone from being the hunters to the hunted. . . .

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the Veronica Speedwell series. My buddy friend and I have enjoyed reading the books and, of course, we would want to read this one as well.

In this adventure, Veronica and Stoker are asked to help their friend Mornaday, a policeman, investigate the death of a man who seems to have been bitten by something and was found without any blood. This leads to folklore ideas, such as the vampire, but surely something more logical must have happened. In the meantime, clues take them to a mysterious man, Ruthven, who is seen by many as someone who deals with paranormal subjects. As they learn ore about this man and his past activities, the more sinister the situation becomes. Could it be that something bigger is actually going on?

Once again, I had a good time reading a book in this series. I think the author has achieved a point in which everything is stable and almost predictable in these books, which is comforting, and she has the extremely good element of writing this in a very appealing way.

In general, this was a good addition to the series, simply because it continues the ideas we saw in previous books and it does establish even more strongly the balanced relationship between Veronica and Stoker. They express their feelings in actions and sometimes in how they treat each other, but nothing here is supposed to focus on the romance of it, but my personal preference for romance novels surely fantasizes for what isn't there anyway.

The investigation they conduct here and the several adventures connected to it were interesting, as always, and well sequenced, in the sense that there is always something special to each detail and why it was used. I like this experience of having several little subjects mixed together and all somehow adding to the big picture, something I think is probably one of the author's best features. It was also intriguing to see why the paranormal elements would matter and how the scientific minds of Veronica and Stoker would work through decoding everything about it.

The resolution of the case was well done and offered food for thought, but it was also quite dramatic and, to me, a little sad. I just think the reasoning for the murder was mostly over sad issues than real killer instincts, but the author still found a way to make this a much more serious situation than what seemed at first. If one didn't care for reading in order, this is probably one of the installments I think works the best as an isolated story... although, of course, it is so much better and an more enriching experience to know the background of secondary characters and some references.

Perhaps, more or less in this vein, I can say that the element I was less motivated by was precisely this, that this story seems rather isolated, even bearing in mind how so much is related to previous stuff. It's just that, for me, even with all the positive things I liked, this story was a little predictable and for Veronica and Stoker it seems nothing major happened. I can't say i feel their arc advanced that much.

An interesting element was the presence of lady Julia and her husband, clearly there to bridge with the author's other investigative historical series (I suppose more romance centered). I got curious enough to feel I probably would enjoy reading that series as much I've been enjoying this one. Perhaps one day.

Therefore, this was a good story, had everything it needed, but it wasn't as mind blowing as other installments have been. I hope the series will get at some endgame point, because while it is fun to read about beloved characters, if the characters and their personal lives/issues stagnate, then...

Grade: 7/10

Deanna Raybourn - A Grave Robbery

Lord Rosemorran has purchased a wax figure of a beautiful reclining woman and asks Stoker to incorporate a clockwork mechanism to give the Rosemorran Collection its own Sleeping Beauty in the style of Madame Tussaud’s. But when Stoker goes to cut the mannequin open to insert the mechanism, he makes a gruesome discovery: this is no wax figure. The mannequin is the beautifully preserved body of a young woman who was once very much alive. But who would do such a dreadful thing, and why?
Sleuthing out the answer to this question sets Veronica and Stoker on their wildest adventure yet. From the underground laboratories of scientists experimenting with electricity to resurrect the dead in the vein of Frankenstein to the traveling show where Stoker once toured as an attraction, the gaslit atmosphere of London in October is the perfect setting for this investigation into the unknown. Through it all, the intrepid pair is always one step behind the latest villain—a man who has killed once and will stop at nothing to recover the body of the woman he loved. Will they unmask him in time to save his next victim? Or will they become the latest figures to be immortalized in his collection of horrors?

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the Veronica Speedwell series by author Deanna Rayburn. I have enjoyed the books a lot and would not miss a new one!

In this new adventure, Veronica and Stoker are busy with their work when their employer lord Rosemorran arrives with a wax figure he asks them to fix with a mechanism, so it could seem alive, a sort of Sleeping Beauty doll for his daughter Rose. The problems begin when they find out the image isn't a wax figure, but a real person who was preserved in artificial conditions. This starts them off in a new investigation and the more clues they follow, the more troublesome facts they uncover. They also find some confusing information is being given to them, but whom should they trust? Veronica and Stoker have a hard work ahead but they will do what is necessary to give peace to the poor woman and finally lay her to rest...

As it happened with the previous installments, so did this one engage me in a perfect way and I was easily immersed in the story and in what the main characters were doing. I think the themes and situations explored were fascinating enough, if not slightly too macabre, but I must say that the way the plot went on to justify the villain's acts and behavior was not as brilliant to me. With this I mean to say that the villain was easy to identify and the psychological factors for why were a bit exaggerated.

That didn't ruin the reading experience, though, and I think the fact Stoker and Veronica seemed quite amorous compensated for the other details I might have liked less. That means this was a story I expected to like and thankfully, it did have plenty of scenes to simply savor the story.It was also interesting to notice that while some things have been established, namely the protagonist' relationship, there is still room to add layers. I wonder where the author wants to go, will their relationship ever change, considering their personalities and Veronica's independence? I would not mind things to go into a more formal scenario between them, but would that change who they are as characters and why fans like the series? Food for thought...

In regards to the plot, tit had its ingenious content, and it's always fascinating to see the result of the author's investigation and research. There is always some interesting theme and facts associated with it, and how secondary characters present themselves in relation to it. This time, the wax figures and the attempts to give life back to the dead were the focus but while creating the plot, a lot more about the late 19th century went into it and it seemed to me that the historical research was used very competently. Well, it always is in these books, but sometimes the juxtaposition of themes/facts isn't as entertaining.

The story of the wax figure was quite tragic when we learn what happened to the woman whose body was preserved that way. It does make one think how embalming is done and what procedures go into it. I confess I'm not a particular fan of this theme but what the author chose to use here was enough to paint a picture and it does make one think about what these so called scientists did and how they experimented on subjects which now we know to be unethical and lacking any kind of method. Despite this, the descriptions give credit to innovation and knowledge of these people, stuck in a time where the obvious lack of mechanisms and machines made everything a gamble or a risk.

I'd say the most interesting element would be the motifs of the villain and how things came to be. I think this was a little disappointing because it feels as if the author wanted to give the impression the villain acted out of obsession, lack of control... which I can accept as likely, but in a way it made things look rather simplistic and without the proper psychological depth that certainly had to be part of any reasoning. Perhaps the author wrote it for the reader to see it implied but if so, it was too subtle and to me, the result was one of making the villain look more mad than logical.

All in all, this fit all the expectations I had in general, but I did wish for some things to be different anyway... nevertheless, another good installment and here I'll wait for the next one...

Grade: 8/10

Deanna Raybourn - A Sinister Revenge

Veronica's natural-historian beau, Stoker, has been away in Bavaria for months and their relationship is at an impasse. But when Veronica shows up before him with his brother, Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, he is lured back home by an intriguing job offer: preparing an iguanodon for a very special dinner party.
Tiberius has received a cryptic message-along with the obituaries of two recently deceased members of his old group of friends, the Seven Sinners-that he too should get his affairs in order. Realizing he is in grave danger but not knowing why, he plans a reunion party for the remaining Sinners at his family estate to lure the killer out while Veronica and Stoker investigate.
As the guests arrive and settle in, the evening's events turn deadly. More clues come to light, leading Veronica, Stoker, and Tiberius to uncover a shared past among the Sinners that has led to the fatal present. But the truth might be far more sinister than what they were prepared for.

Comment: This is the 8th installment in the Veronica Speedwell series, which I have been enjoying lately, and this time Veronica and Stoker's adventure is in a place where Stoker has some fond and not so fond, childhood memories...

When Tiberius seeks out Veronica so they could travel to Bavaria, where Stoker has gone to after their last adventure and complicated conversation, she agrees, for she wants to have things back to normal with Stoker. Tiberius has a trick up his sleeve to convince Stoker to come back but the real reason behind this is that he has received a note saying he will be dead next, the same way other childhood friends have recently died. Tiberius thinks only one of two other friends could be guilty so he invites them and their wives, along with two neighbors, for a house party, with the excuse of paying homage to another friend, who died on the cliffs near the family house several years ago. At first it seems everyone is having a good time and nothing is out of the ordinary, but then, someone dies...

This is already what many readers would consider a long series (clearly there others which win against this one, hands down) and it is to be expected that certain elements might sound repetitive, even though the plots of each book in the series had individual events and the focus was heavier on those. Nevertheless, there is this continuous development of the core of the story, which is Veronica's life and of those around her. The romance with Stoker is quite subtle but rewarding in its own way.

I suppose I should not be this picky, after all the writing is consistently appealing and clever, the characters are witty and well constructed and it does show the certain amount of effort and time the author puts in to create something cohesive and captivating. However, it is a little irritating by now how indecisive these characters have been and I'm not fully convinced by their arguments of why not having a more established relationship, mainly Veronica. I don't mean say, marry already!, but why aren't these intelligent, mostly happy people more confident in their feelings, especially if this element is such a good part of the series?

Anyway, personal preferences aside, I was once more captivated by this adventure and the new things we discover about the main characters. I particularly liked knowing a bit more about Stoker's and Tiberius' childhood years and how were things at the family estate in the country. I do wish we had more focus on this too or that Stoker's brothers could play a heavier role in the books. This time it was also fun to have them interact with Merry, Stoker's youngest brother.

The plot was also one that interested me more, the search for a killer of years ago, who murdered a friend of Tiberius, from a group he was part of in his youth years. His friend Lorenzo was killed, although the death deemed an accident at the cliffs, but someone has found out the truth and is killing the group of friends one by one. Tiberius has gotten a message warning him he is next and instead of waiting, he decides to be on the attack and invites the only possible authors to his estate, where he hopes Stoker and Veronica might help find the culprit. As expected, this part of the novel was, indeed, exciting and offered interesting twists and turns.

Since the possible killers aren't many and one dies at some point, of course the choice wouldn't be much, and I have to say that while I could not guess why, the who wasn't that surprising. The psychological aspects regarding the killer's intentions and motivations were quite well used and I could accept why things happened the way they did. Of course, some small details were conveniently handy here and there, but in a time without technology and cameras, I suppose it had to do.

I had a good time reading this, despite the elements I would develop differently, but I do care abut these characters and what could be in the works for them, so I will trust the author to solve things properly. Now, onto to wait for the next book to be published....

Grade: 8/10

Deanna Raybourn - An Impossible Imposter

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 the heir to Hathaway Hall, Jonathan, 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 of 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.

Comment: This is the 7th installment in the Veronica Speedwell series by author Deanna Raybourn, following the adventures and life of protagonist Veronica and of those around her.

In this new story, Veronica and Stoker are called by Sir Hugo Montgomery, a secondary character recurrent in the series who is often their connection to the royal family or the tasks they had performed for them. But now Sir Hugo is asking for a personal favor, he wants Veronica and Stoker to investigate the reappearance of Jonathan Hathaway, the heir of the family he is friends with, presumed dead for years and whom Veronica happened to have met. After convincing their employer the Hathaways are interesting in getting rid of things they might be interested in, the two travel to the Hathaway estate and, indeed, find interesting things, but also a mystery. Some elements of the family believe in this man among them, others can't properly remember, but is that man telling the truth or not? And if not, what does he want since the law has already given the estate and the control of the money to Charles, Jonathan's brother?

I must say I've found this installment to be more appealing to me than the previous one, in terms of plot. I was much more intrigued by the investigation of the mystery man, a possible impostor, than of the previous novel with the climbing element and such. It's not to say the quality is better or worse, but the themes sometimes aren't as appealing.

If there is one thing I can say about this book is that it really surprised me, because when I got to a certain chapter and a revelation is made, I was truly caught unaware. I think the author has talent for this style of story, where things are shared slowly and sometimes so suddenly that they are both surprising and a little out of nowhere, although when explained many things end up making sense. Veronica and Stoker have also led incredible lives and many things we know about them isn't the very last of what they have to offer so the reader can expect more things to come to light.

The plot in this book was quite interesting, there they go to investigate if a person is who he says he is or not and if not, what is going on? When Veronica - who knew Jonathan in the past, finally sees this person, she immediately recognizes the person but we, the reader, only discover if he is Jonathan or not a bit later. In one hand, this tactic is clever because it makes us think and still consider other possibilities, but on the other hand it can feel a little like too much drama... I suppose this scene would have be wonderful on film.

After we know what Veronica knows, things start to fall into place and the story didn't loose its interest, considering other situations that come with knowing if the man is Jonathan or not. I think some details were intriguing, such as Effy, the younger sister of the Hathaways and her love for astronomy although the family wanted her to stick to more feminine pursuits. The resolution for Effy's situation was quite suitable, actually, and it revealed yet another side of Veronica, which I liked.

Thinking on this, obviously part of the interest in these books is to see the development and "improving" of Veronica and Stoker as a couple and as themselves dealing with new challenges in life. They are now familiar to the reader and I like them both but I will repeat that I think Veronica could have reached another level of understanding who she is and what matters to her by now. I don't know how many books are planned for the series, but I think Veronica and Stoker could be much stronger together than just as they have been pictured so far, and if more books are coming, how long will this status last... if not, will it end this way?

The book ends with a interesting new situation, and I wonder how will it affect the next installments in terms of what it means for them together and for the possible secrets that might still exist about them as individuals and that the author might want to exploit. I suppose I'm saying this hoping the series can continue, the adventures and plots are often amazing, even the ones I like less, but the romance or the private lives of the main couple and their surrounding friends and family members could advance to a more... stable situation, I'd say.

Grade: 7/10

Deanna Raybourn - An Unexpected Peril

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.

Comment: This is the sixth installment in the Veronica Speedwell series, which I have been following for some time, featuring an independent heroine in Victorian times.

In this new story, Veronica and Stoker are getting used to their pretty much domestic lives and Veronica seems to feel the weight of the expectations it might cause. Suddenly, on the follow up to the setting up of an exhibit on mountain climbing and the intrepid women in the field on the club Veronica is part of, a tragedy: Alice Baker-Greene, a young woman but with years of experience, has died of a fall. All points to an accident but while preparing things recovered from the campaign, it seems as if Alice's rope had been cut with a sharp object. The patron of the exhibit, princess Gisele of Alpenwald who receives the news with shock, disappears and then it seems as if Veronica and Stoker must help the small country so that political conflicts won't escalate. What happened to Alice? Why did the princess disappear and who is at fault?

I'll say this book didn't captivate me as much as others in the series have. I liked it, I've read it with interest and I've recognized all the little details in it which have made me like the other books in the series too, but the overall result is one of less impact to my personal taste.

Veronica and Stoker are, for all purposes, a couple, although since the narrative is always told only from Veronica's POV, we only know her mind - or what she chooses to share - and we must infer things from Stoker's POV. I've found this didn't matter to me much because Veronica is a complex but assertive character and her "voice" an appealing one to follow. This means, however, we don't get pointless descriptive scenes of their daily lives and intimacy, only the necessary ones for the plot and emotional development.

However, because of this, it can be a bit frustrating to see how Veronica feels trapped sometimes in her relationship with Stoker and she keeps defending the idea her feelings are true but only physically based. Basically, she wants things to remain as they are and doesn't want any kind of formal commitment and I must say this is quite realistic if we think about her personality and characterization. If the author had focused on this and nothing more, they could be a couple, I'd not think about and simply accept it as fact. But the truth is, the author keeps using this as part of their journey and I can't help but feel disappointed that they don't see themselves on the same page, or that this idea is even suggested.

Probably, the next books will also feature this situation and its evolution, but the constant references, here and there, instead of simply letting me know this is an ongoing issue, remind me that things are not settled and this is, for me, annoying. Anyway, I know these characters aren't traditionally portrayed, in the sense of how we expect a couple to evolve, but I'm hoping the author can recover that initial tension and chemistry they had in the first two books, which were wonderful to me, when it comes to the romantic relationship and all possibilities were open.

As for the plot of the book, obviously there's a lot on mountain climbing and on the fictional small country of Alpenwald, which I see more or less like Lichtenstein, meaning a small place nestled between Germany and Switzerland, where mountains abound and lovers of mountain climbing flock to. I liked the plot, between the investigation of Alice's death and the need to help the Alpenwalders who were in a state visit in England, but I admit some details passed me by and I wasn't as focused on the individual things as I was on the big picture.

I'd add that the whole plan to make Veronica - due to her similar looks to princess Gisela - pretend to be the princess to avoid any repercussions of her missing for a while to reach the public awareness was a bit silly. I know part of these books is heavily based on unlikely behaviors and elements but nevertheless, I've felt this plan was only useful to promote a certain scene and that was incredibly disappointing. I think the author could have done such a things much better in a different way.

When we learn the identity of the villain, it was one of those things that can be seen as too obvious because the character never seemed to be considered, but at the same time it was so convenient how that same character was specifically developed, so... I can't say if I liked it or not. I think some details about the plot and the mysterious surrounding it were OK, others not that much.

All in all, still something I've appreciated and it is true the global result is as competent as the others, but it's probably one of my least favorite books in the series.

Grade:7/10

Deanna Raybourn - A Murderous Relation

Veronica Speedwell and her natural historian colleague Stoker are asked by Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk to help with 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, known as the Club de l'Etoile, and the proprietess, Madame Aurore, has received an expensive gift that can be traced back to the prince. Lady Wellie would like Veronica and Stoker to retrieve the jewel from the club before scandal can break.
Worse yet, London is gripped by hysteria in the autumn of 1888, 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 Aurore's high class brothel, where another body soon turns up. Many secrets are swirling around Veronica and the royal family--and it's up to Veronica and Stoker to find the truth, before it's too late for all of them.

Comment: This is the 5th installment in the Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn, featuring an adventurous and confident woman and her close friend Stoker. They are both of scientific beliefs and while working on their personal and mutual projects they find themselves in more trouble than they expected...

In this new story, which takes place not long after the events of the previous one, where emotions were running high, Veronica and Stoker are back to their usual routines of work when lady Wellie asks Veronica's - and Stoker's - help with a very delicate issue. It seems perhaps prince Albert Victor might be somehow related to two scandals, a jewel in the possession of a woman who shouldn't have it, and the terrible cases of the killer in Whitechapel. It will be up to Veronica and Stoker, by now very experienced in finding creative and clever ways of investigation, to determine if the prince is as innocent as his personality suggests. However, as they go on about the investigation, others have nefarious plans to develop and some aren't easy to solve...

One of the things I like the most in these novels is their consistency. I know what I'm going into and I feel the author presents a balanced work from book to book, and often in long series that can be harder than what it seems. As always, there are details we read and wish were different and according to anyone's preference it can be many different things, but I'm happy to say it's never boring to read, even if the plot is focusing on things I wish I could have more suited to me of if the characters say/act in a way I'd like to be different.

This time the pair has two different issues to deal with, although they get mixed up at some point.There's the case of the jewel which could be a scandal for the royal family - and Veronica and Stoker have obvious reasons for it to not develop, for it could reach them as well - and then there's the situation regarding a plan to change the monarchy as it is known. This second situation is actually a little sequential to the events on book #1, but I don't think any reader would feel it missing if this is where they start. Well, in terms of plot at least, for the rest is so much more rewarding to go through if the previous books had been read too.

The author also manages to use the timely subject of the killer known as Jack-the-Ripper, which still to this day continues to be a source of mystery, because of the references done to the killer's activities and there is even a small scene where Veronica escapes him almost by pure luck. Obviously, this is the author's artistic licence going on, but I confess I feel quite happy the author didn't give in to the temptation of putting our protagonists in the path of the killer or more directly involved with him, I feel that would lead nowhere and would be too distracting.

I think the plot is quite engaging and easy to follow, not only because things happen in a captivating way but also because while the characters need to deal with very specific things, we still get glimpses of their routines and regular tasks, such as actions some kind of reference to what they have to do. Veronica is the narrator of the books but her "voice" is very appealing and alluring and it is always fun to be in her head. If there is a criticism I see in her is that she is often too focused on the things she believes are the evidence of her free spirit and independence and I would prefer to see a bit more of her vulnerable side/thoughts.

Many might wonder how is the romance going, considering the events in the previous book. I can say nothing is rushed nor simplified because the couple has a lot to worry about but I kind of liked how the pace in the romance happens, is makes everything feel sweeter. Perhaps, and here I can say this is a personal preference, we could have more clear clues about the actual intensity or strength of their feelings, because since Veronica narrates and some things we can only infer, it's still a bit of a blind spot to guess how likely it is for them to last as a couple if they never discuss things or show their emotions in a much more obvious way.

I had a great time reading this story and will certainly read the next ones too.

Grade: 8/10

Deanna Raybourn - A Dangerous Collaboration

Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell is whisked off to a remote island off the tip of Cornwall when her natural historian colleague Stoker's brother calls in a favor. On the pretext of wanting a companion to accompany him to Lord Malcolm Romilly's house party, Tiberius persuades Veronica to pose as his fiancée—much to Stoker's chagrin. But upon arriving, it becomes clear that the party is not as innocent as it had seemed. Every invited guest has a connection to Romilly's wife, Rosamund, who disappeared on her wedding day three years ago, and a dramatic dinner proves she is very much on her husband's mind.
As spectral figures, ghostly music, and mysterious threats begin to plague the partygoers, Veronica enlists Stoker's help to discover the host's true motivations. And as they investigate, it becomes clear that there are numerous mysteries surrounding the Romilly estate, and every person present has a motive to kill Rosamund...

Comment: This is the 4th installment of the Veronica Speedwell series, whose previous books I have liked quite a lot. Now a friend has joined the fun and we will be reading the rest of the books as part of a buddy read.

In this fourth adventure, Veronica is asked by Tiberius, Stoker's older brother, to visit the island where his friend Malcolm lives. This friend was about to be married when his bride disappeared on the eve of the wedding and some believe she went on her own will, others that something happened to her. Since the invitation came out of nowhere, Tiberius feels his friend has something planned and he takes Veronica to help him investigate. Although Stoker wasn't invited at first, he still joins the group that, along with Malcolm, his sister, his sister-in-law and her son, will talk and see what can be done to finally uncover the truth. But someone might not want the truth to come out...

In terms of continuity and writing, I have to say this book was as great to me as the others. I think the best element is the writing itself, which is appealing, easy but serious and things are conveyed and portrayed in such a way that makes it engaging. I like being in this world, following these characters and that can certainly make a big difference.

The plot isn't that complicated if one compares this to any complex mystery novel. It's not as if things are all always so obvious but I feel the intrigue here is mostly to contribute to the overall development of the main characters, because of how they act or react and how being in such a situation helps us to peel one more layer about them. Despite this, discovering what happened to Malcolm's bride was still satisfying and added to it, allowed us to have a glimpse of the hidden personality of a certain character... I hope the author can use this information to further develop things in another book.

As for Veronica and Stoker, as an investigating team, their work is nothing to be ashamed of, they are creative and intelligent and I love seeing their banter and the way they discuss things until they reach conclusions or the moment in which they feel it's time to take action. I also like it that the author writes in such a way that we keep learning new things about them, some more important in the big scheme than others, but all are part of them. I also find it interesting we get to realize they are both a lot more vulnerable emotionally than what they let others see, this is what makes me eager to see what happens next, how can they understand they are better united than at odds.

I bet many readers expect romance between them or for it to be an element in progress, myself included. Regarding this, I understand and kind of appreciate the author is taking things slow... and in this book it felt the slowness of the process was, indeed, very obvious. The beginning was a bit too slow, in fact, and their interactions seemed a step back, as if the author had to put a brake on things before things happened out of time. Thankfully, the plot moved in a specific direction from a certain point on and I did like what was done... I can imagine many other readers would agree.

Closer to the end, when the plot secrets start to be unraveled and we get to finally learn interesting tidbits, the author also used very good scenes to develop one or two issues, and especially the character development linked to this was done well enough, i'd say. I also liked the inclusion of the setting as n important element of the story, the whole island scenario, the details of the propriety (like the hidden passages in the castle or the poison garden) made things even more vibrant. The secondary characters also had interesting traits and scenes, so the whole thing felt well balanced.

I still don't think this was perfection because of the slower pace at first and a bit of indecision the characters have to be more trusting which, by now, I'd like to see more. I also think, personally, that some characters could have different attitudes about one or two subjects and that they weren't as determined to stick to those notions. I suppose some changes might happen but so far, some of this seems unlikely and I would prefer if it wasn't.

All in all, a very good installment despite the things I'd change.

Grade: 8/10

Deanna Raybourn - Killers of a Certain Age

Older women often feel invisible, but sometimes that's their secret weapon.
They've spent their lives as the deadliest assassins in a clandestine international organization, but now that they're sixty years old, four women friends can't just retire - it's kill or be killed in this action-packed thriller.
Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years. Now their talents are considered old-school and no one appreciates what they have to offer in an age that relies more on technology than people skills.
When the foursome is sent on an all-expenses paid vacation to mark their retirement, they are targeted by one of their own. Only the Board, the top-level members of the Museum, can order the termination of field agents, and the women realize they've been marked for death.
Now to get out alive they have to turn against their own organization, relying on experience and each other to get the job done, knowing that working together is the secret to their survival. They're about to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman--and a killer--of a certain age.

Comment: I'm in the process of reading the Veronica Speedwell series by this author and now a friend has joined me. While talking about it, this stand alone title came up and we have decided to also try it, even though it is a very different type of book and genre from the other series. I confess I wasn't particularly eager to read this one and if not for the buddy read, I might not even get it, but...

In this book we meet Billie, who narrates the story of how she and three friends were recruited around forty years ago to be spies and assassins. They only met because of the "job" but since they were part of a new founded only girls team, they developed strong bonds, especially because they had to trust each other. Now that they are in their 60s, they are retiring and the company they work for, "the Museum" has given them a cruise voyage as goodbye for services rendered. However, they quickly realize they aren't supposed to leave the cruise alive and go on a new and personal mission to find out who made the decision and why they are being persecuted. Will they discover what is happening before someone is lucky in getting to them first?

As I expected, it was easy to read this book. The author is clearly talented and not just in the genre I'm more familiar with, so it was interesting to compare with this one, which is different. The author knows how to write and how to convey things in a very relatable manner, but I have to say I wasn't always as aware of what the purpose of this story was...in terms of plot it is obvious, but what else was it about? I don't think it did have a specific goal so sometimes I felt rather ambivalent towards everything.

The story is fast paced and has all the expected scenes and situations one would find in any spying type of book or like in the James Bond movies. The four ladies might be in their 60s but they have a life of experience and purpose which allows them to do things many wouldn't and the fact they are older means many underestimate them. I found these scenes to be amusing at times and very entertaining, because I think the author also wanted to convey a lighter, more comedy-like vibe, instead of just a study on age or women's role in these types of stories. 

There are also a few - thankfully in my opinion - flashback chapters where certain issues or comments are fully addressed, for us to have a context on them or for certain skills of the ladies to be explained. I don't think this was truly that necessary because if it's in the past, nothing really can be done about that information, and being random flashbacks, I often thought the important subject they are demonstrating could be shared in a better way in the present narrative. Some I also found were way more interesting than others.

The ladies themselves are certainly fascinating. I know many readers thought their personalities weren't very fleshed out, except for the narrator, but I think we can have a pretty good idea about each one and what type of person (and of killer) they are. But it is also true that if this is told by Billie, her vision is obviously limited and I feel that, thinking about that, it also feels as if Billie is the one we get to understand more whereas the others feel more like secondary.

The most interesting and noticeable element in the book is clearly the fact the protagonists are older women, in their 60s. This is very obviously the focus of the novel and I can't really say if I'm glad the author did it and with this gave the story a completely different perspective than it would be if they were younger. But it also felt as if most of their lives were only centered on the job, Billie in particular, and the whole thing about them not being well fleshed out might be related to this... who are these women apart from killers? 

I would say that if they were still young, perhaps we could have more romance or other factors (feminism and social expectations for instance) to add flavor to their lives or the demands of this job in their lives. The way things went... I still can't think of a goal for this book, no specific message or "lesson" we are supposed to have gotten by reading this. It was good escapism and it was nice to even consider any woman of 60 doing the things they do unless they have the body and (apparent) health of Vera Wang, lol, who is even older and amazing, but that is not that enough, I'd say. I liked reading this but it wan't brilliant to me.

Grade: 7/10

Deanna Raybourn - A Treacherous Curse

London, 1888. As colorful and unfettered as the butterflies she collects, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell can’t resist the allure of an exotic mystery—particularly one involving her enigmatic colleague, Stoker.
His former expedition partner has vanished from an archaeological dig with a priceless diadem unearthed from the newly discovered tomb of an Egyptian princess. This disappearance is just the latest in a string of unfortunate events that have plagued the controversial expedition, and rumors abound that the curse of the vengeful princess has been unleashed as the shadowy figure of Anubis himself stalks the streets of London.
But the perils of an ancient curse are not the only challenges Veronica must face as sordid details and malevolent enemies emerge from Stoker’s past.
Caught in a tangle of conspiracies and threats—and thrust into the public eye by an enterprising new foe—Veronica must separate facts from fantasy to unravel a web of duplicity that threatens to cost Stoker everything. . .

Comment: This is the 3rd installment in the Veronica Speedwell series and, as it happened with the previous books, I also had a great time reading it.

This time, Veronica and Stoker are steadily working on their projects, now under the order of the Earl of Rosemorran, when the news about a curse from an Egyptian mummy reaches their ears. The case is even more interesting for them because an artifact was stolen once the group who was part of the excavation arrived in England. One man has disappeared and his wife was left behind but there is something weird about it. Quickly they learn that woman is actually Caroline, Stoker's ex wife. In what proves to be a demanding task, Veronica and Stoker investigate, so Stoker's name can't be brought to the public again, as if he could have something to so with it anyway. At the same time, they interview those who were in Egypt and it's inevitable they learn curious things...

Once again, I had a great experience reading this book, because the characters are very likable and engaging and I think the plot was developed in such a way I kept being curious about what would happen next. I think these two factors alone make for a good read, but I also liked the little things we learned on the way about the protagonists.

The plot is centered around the investigation of the missing artifact and who could have stolen it. The people involved also have a link to Stoker and we realize early on that this will also be a key element in the development of the story. I was quite eager to learn more about this part of Stoker's past - his previous marriage and how the fact his wife left him for his best friend is still a sore spot - and I was not disappointed, for it also provided a fascinating view of Veronica's character and sense of loyalty... she defends Stoker with all she has and apart from her moral code and unique personality, obviously I was also curious to see if this meant their relationship would evolve.

In fact, step by step, I think we see Stoker and Veronica are learning to put aside the things they can't change but which shaped them and they are closer and I can't wait for the moment they decide to admit their feelings and take a chance on one another. I think this book offered an interesting step forward because Stoker faces his ex wife and we get the feeling he kind of moves on by this, by allowing her to say her piece and he can move on in peace, knowing nothing is there anymore.

Although this was really the aspect of this book I was more interesting in, the plot regarding the mummy and the artifacts and the Egypt campaign were all fascinating elements. I mean, often all things Egypt in the archaeological sense feel captivating, this desire to know more about their gods and society and so on... I liked the content presented here and I liked how the author surrounded the main plot with interesting characters and scenes and I confess I was always intrigued by what would come next or how something would be proven to matter.

Once more, Veronica and Stoker face a few complicated situations, in one or two moments their lives are put in danger but apart from the notion that of course they couldn't die, I was also happy with how these scenes played out because, again, we could see how they care about one another and how good human being they are, doing things because it's the right thing to do. It seems quite a clash to their adventurous and apparent careless attitude in life and in regards to society, but I think this mix is precisely what makes them such a great team.

I think any reader or fan of the genre would have a good time reading this but it is true it feels better to read the series in order. I think there are nuances which only make better sense when we know some things  and, in truth, this is a very good series. I still think some elements could be improved, for instance how much better it would be if the secondary characters they deal with could have a more meaningful presence or something...

Nevertheless, this was quite alluring, no doubt.

Grade: 8/10

Deanna Raybourn - A Perilous Undertaking

London, 1887. Victorian adventuress and butterfly hunter Veronica Speedwell receives an invitation to visit the Curiosity Club, a ladies-only establishment for daring and intrepid women. There she meets the mysterious Lady Sundridge, who begs her to take on an impossible task—saving society art patron Miles Ramsforth from execution. Accused of the brutal murder of his artist mistress Artemisia, Ramsforth will face the hangman’s noose in a week’s time if Veronica cannot find the real killer.
But Lady Sundridge is not all that she seems, and unmasking her true identity is only the first of the many secrets Veronica must uncover. Together with her natural historian colleague Stoker, Veronica races against time to find the true murderer—a ruthless villain who not only took Artemisia’s life in cold blood but is happy to see Ramsforth hang for the crime. 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...

Comment: This is the second installment in the Veronica Speedwell series by author Deanna Raybourn. I had a great time reading the first book last year and have decided to carry on with the series when I can and this month I could read the 2nd book.

In this new adventure, Veronica and Stoker are asked to help someone whose identity must remain a secret. That person is friends with a man accused of murdering his mistress but despite the obvious scene when the man was caught with blood in his hands, there is something that doesn't seem right. As Veronica and Stoker investigate, they learn of secret rendezvous at the estate of the accused man, and also about the world of artists in London. Some things that come to light also affect their own perception and feelings...will they be able to deal with is happening and still help to save an apparently innocent man from hanging?

I liked this book. I think it's a very sequel to what we had learned in the first book, although I must say I expected a bit more development overall, regarding Veronica's path. I know this is a series, there are more books ahead, but I kind of wanted to see more emotional evolution more quickly.

The plot is quite interesting, Veronica and Stoker are asked to investigate a murder. The person who asks this is someone important in the royal family whose identity cannot be revealed to prevent scandal. This means they can't simply explain certain things they know but must act as if they are investigating from scratch. As they do, we get to meet several artistic people who work in the same place where the murdered woman was, and some prove to be quite interesting at several levels, especially because in their interactions with Veronica and Stoker, we get to learn things about them too.

The murdered woman was an artist and was pregnant with her lover's baby. That man is accused of murdering her and although it is said he had an alibi for the time of the murder, he can't prove it nor does he want to for some reason and that makes him look even more guilty. I found this part of the story a little weak, after all we only have an opinion of the accused by having other characters talk about him, and not directly his own actions.

To be fair, even though I'm not an usually quick guesser, I must say the real culprit here became rather obvious to me from a certain point, not yet half way through the story. The motif and the action were quite clear, just the how was less obvious. I think the author did try to distract the reader with some red herring clues but to me, the psychological aspect seemed very evident and if one thinks about it for a while, the staging for this murder mystery was rather obvious as well.

That aside, for most readers of course the most interesting aspect of this novel is the continuation of the development of Veronica and Stoker's relationship. They are only friends and co-workers, "partners in crime" so to speak, but there is a clear hint at how that can change into a romantic relationship as well. They are taking their time, again because it's a matter of natural progression for their personalities - both have secrets, have things from their past which they don't want to share - and because it is supposed for things to change slowly.

We do learn more details about them, but it's all shared with a certain measure to the point I feel the author probably had a list from the start of where and how much to share in each book. This means we know they will take their time before getting closer but I hope the process with have the proper emotional development alongside it, which I feel could have been done better here. 

I liked learning a bit more about Stoker's family and I would say it was a positive mark in this book. I mean, it's perhaps not the most obvious clue - it does seem so, though, once we learn it - but it was good to have another perspective of him and of his personality, his attitudes... 

As for Veronica, she remains confident and aware, determined and seemingly immune to certain comments, always ready with a come back but I wish we could have a more vulnerable side of her more often. She is often too aloof and even if during the most complicated moments, it's good to see her show how clever and independent she is, I would like to see another side of her and why would she be a better person or a more challenged one of she were to be in love, for instance.

Everything considered, this was still a rich and entertaining novel, could have been better, especially when it comes to the mystery, but I am eager to read the next one and see what happens.

Grade: 8/10

Deanna Raybourn - A Curious Beginning

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 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.

Comment: I have been interested in this book for years but only now did I manage to get to it, with the influence of my friend H., for this is another of our buddy read picks.

In this story we meet intrepid and adventurous Veronica Speedwell, a young woman with no reticence to do as she pleases in all matters, especially since she loves to travel and have her independence as well as she can, more so among the strict social structure of the late 1800s England. Veronica is brave and has no fear to be herself but she was not counting on the sudden situation in which she sees herself right after her last aunt is buried. This means she has no ties anymore, she was already planning her new journey but suddenly a man shows up saying she is in danger and needs to go with him. Following her instinct, she believes him and they travel to the house of mr Stoker, with whom she is to stay until the man learns more about what is happening that is putting her in danger. However, he dies and now Veronica and Stoker need to hide and investigate the whole business themselves...

I saw how well liked this book was by some of the people whose taste is similar with mine and I was confident I'd like the book too. In fact, this was a good surprise, I found the story to be fun and engaging and the characters likable. Of course, being the first book and seeing that there are more installments, we don't learn all the secrets alluded to or mentioned by the characters regarding their lives, but I liked what I read and feel curious enough to keep going.

The story begins with Veronica, a very clever and adventurous young woman, attending the funeral of her last aunt, someone she wasn't emotionally close to but who she felt she must honor, for this aunt and another were the reason why orphaned Veronica ever had a home. However, now her ties are all severed, she feels she can go on another adventure free as the butterflies she so adores and which are the reason for all her travels. However, sudden things happen and she must change her course. Still, Veronica isn't afraid to change her plans, for she isn't bound by the usually strict rules of society.

I liked Veronica as a woman who had to live within a society that puts too many rules and labels on women who don't behave according to the norm. She did her thing, she never went over the top and I felt I could really admire her but I confess I wish we could have had more scenes with her more vulnerable side, for often it seemed she could do no wrong and was always right in her decisions. As a counterpart, Stoker was strong yes but his flaws seemed to be more obviously presented, thus making them similar in some things (courage, loyalty) but not on others (self confidence on one's name, knowing everything) so at the time they feel more like a forced pair of partners than a potentially perfect team.

I mean, I suppose the goal is to slowly develop the relationship between these two from partners in investigating cases/mysteries to becoming a loving couple.. although by their personalities this should take some time... I'm saying this because the tone of the book is clearly an easy, fun and unassuming one. There's no big dramas, no tragedies being kept hidden or used for tears...perhaps I should say that although there were scenes where I liked this easier, breezier approach, other times I felt things were a little too superficial and I'd have liked more depth.

This means, therefore, that the relationship now feels like they are buddies, just having common goals, sharing attraction but using their own personal rules to not start something they aren't certain off... I wish the vibe would be along the feel of pining but the author has a style that reminds me more of "unaffected", in the sense they act and behave as friends but as if things aren't that special or important. I guess this is a way for things to feel stronger when change does happen but for me it felt as if their connection wasn't truly as unique.

The mystery being investigated is really an imaginative one, the author certainly thought things in a believable process. I haven't investigated the historical facts of the real people mentioned in the book to see if there's some (at least) speculation to the theory being presented, but it was certainly a clever pot choice. The plot isn't set on exaggerated issues or complicated connections, but I was intrigued and between that and the character development, I had a good time reading this book.

I will definitely read the next installment at some point.

Grade: 8/10