Certainly, lepidoptery should be a suitable hobby for a lady chasing pretty things like butterflies can hold no dangers. Mastermind of the charming Lady Grey Mysteries series, Raybourn ( Bonfire Night, 2014, etc.) introduces her latest feisty heroine, deftly twining together suspense, romance, and cracking good dialogue. So when her home is attacked during her aunt’s funeral, a rollicking adventure ensues. WORTH MENTIONING: Interested in running away to the circus?ĬONNECTED BOOKS: A CURIOUS BEGINNING is the first book in the Veronica Speedwell series.Determined to live an independent life, Veronica Speedwell is anything but a proper Victorian lady. I don’t want to give away spoilers so I will leave the mystery at that.

I did expect some of the mystery surprises, but I thought that the entire book was well done. Neither fits in the box that they expect.įor me, the mystery was satisfying, but secondary to the introduction of these characters and the development of their partnership. For these characters, that is perfect and demonstrates that this relationship (whether it is sexual or not) is going to be important to both of them. The tension and sexual interest between these two is high in this book, but the story is satisfied with the slow burn and getting to know one another. He is a grumpy scientist and adventurer who has been broken and this adventure begins a sort of healing for him. We learn some of his history here and despite his attempts, he is fascinated and frustrated by Veronica. She isn’t ashamed by any of her oddities. She believes in women’s education and self determination. Veronica is an independent and forward thinking woman in a time where women’s roles are beginning to change but still constrained by convention.

The two are both misfits in the world and thus have a commonality that is interesting.

OPINION: The highlight of this book is without a doubt the characters of Veronica and Stoker and their burgeoning relationship. When the German baron is killed Veronica and Stoker are forced to solve the murder before Stoker is arrested as the prime suspect. Stoker is also a natural historian and has many secrets. Just at that moment, a man breaks into her cottage and she ends up traveling to London with a German baron who claims that he is going to protect her by delivering her into the hands of his friend Stoker. Veronica is a butterfly hunter and a woman with the taste for foreign affairs (with men). She is now free to pursue her interests out of the country.

THE STORY: Veronica Speedwell is on her own after the death of her aunt. There is no overt romance at this point, but it seems likely that these two who develop a investigative partnership might have some slow burn romance in the future. FINAL DECISION: A mystery where most of the book it taken up with the developing relationship between Veronica and Stoker.

A curious beginning review