An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn

An Unexpected Peril (Veronica Speedwell #6) by Deanna Raybourn, 336 p.

"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."--Goodreads blurb

This was probably my second favorite book in the series so far (after the opener), with great characters, interesting storylines and back story, and great backdrops. Veronica takes up a disguise and becomes a new woman, and in the meantime unravels a mystery and a murder, and finds out that even in the late 1800s, love is love. 

 

A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn

A Murderous Relation (Veronica Speedwell #5) by Deanna Raybourn, 320 p.

"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."--Goodreads blurb
 

Lady Welly is one of my favorite side characters of this series, and she bring a new mystery to Ms. Speedwell and Stoker. Needing to go undercover in a very special club, this newest mystery brings out some interesting things in Veronica and Stoker's lives. Oh, and don't forget Jack the Ripper running around in the background, too!

A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn

A Dangerous Collaboration (Veronica Speedwell #4) by Deanna Raybourn, 336 p.

"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."--Goodreads blurb

This book brought me back into the exciting fold of Veronica and Stoker's lives that always seem to be more and more exciting. Stoker's big brother Tiberius plays a prominent role in this whodunit mystery, and interesting characters bring the story to life. Tiberius has a past of his own and it comes back to him in this fun and twisty mystery. Veronica and Stoker do it again, and do it well.
 

A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn

A Treacherous Curse (Veronica Speedwell #3) by Deanna Raybourn, 308 p.

"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."--Goodreads blurb

The third title in this series didn't keep me as enthralled as the first two, but it kept me interested. Twisty and turny, Ms. Speedwell and Stoker work as well together and new, interesting characters bring out the best in these characters, both individually and as a team. Still excited to pick up the next installment in the series.
 

A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn

A Perilous Undertaking (Veronica Speedwell #2) by Deanna Raybourn, 338 p.

"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 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"--Goodreads blurb

The 2nd book in this series did not succumb to the slump that so many second-in-a-series books do. Finding the true murderer brings Veronica and Stoker closer, and also puts them in some very hilarious situations. Well-written and fast paced, I am once again clamoring for the next book in the series. 

 

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell #1) by Deanna Raybourn, p. 339

"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."--Goodreads blurb

The first book in this series was a blast to read. What fun, yet frustrating, characters. Veronica Speedwell is the woman every modern woman JUST KNOWS they would be had they lived in the late 1800s. Smart, strong-willed, and sassy, Ms. Speedwell gets herself into a mystery and finds our new ill-tempered best friend, who happens to be really handsome, too, as well as some long-lost family. Great first book in this series and can't wait to get my hands on book #2.