Deanna Raybourn

While helping to put together an exhibition on a female mountain climber who recently died, Veronica and Stoker stumble across evidence that indicate that what was assumed to be an accident may have been murder. Of course, Veronica can't resist investigating, even when it pulls her into European royal circles.

Not a terrible outing in this series but this entry felt a little less charming than usual. The mystery felt a little ho-hum as did the exchanges between Veronica and Stoker. I'll give the series one more book and then I may be done with Miss Speedwell.… (meer)

Ooh! Such a delicious addition to the Veronica Speedwell mystery series from the pen of gifted and most imaginative writer, Deanna Raybourn.

The year is 1889; the setting - the Bishop's Folly estate in London's Marleybone district just south of Regent's Park. Our dynamic duo are focused on their duties of repairing and classifying Earl Rosemorran's collection of curious objects. Just when there is not one more inch of space to place another find, in through the door comes a large crate containing a perfectly created wax figure, a la Madame Tussaud. It was a gift to the Earl's daughter and wouldn't it be simply delightful if Stoker could add a small motor to the figure to make it appear as if it is breathing. That shouldn't be too difficult. That is, not until Stoker got into the project and encountered some rather alarming irregularities. Justice must be served and Veronica and Stoker are back at it.

Ms. Raybourn has done an excellent job of weaving concurrent historical events into the continuing storyline of our undaunted Veronica and her beloved Stoker. The dialogue is spectacular and witty. The mise en scène is superb as it formulates a world drawing on all of the reader's senses. The tension runs high, the pacing is excellent and just when you think all is tied up in a pretty bow, there's a new twist which heightens the tension a bit further. In the end, all is drawn to a successful conclusion leaving any armchair sleuth fully satisfied.

As much as I thoroughly enjoyed this story, I would be remiss if I did not mention the adult nature of some of the material contained within it. Although never graphic, there is dialogue and innuendo of a sexual nature and a bit of gore. It is tastefully proffered and at times, quite amusing.

Can you read this as a stand alone book? Certainly, by why would you want to when the entire series is fabulous and there are five other adventures which lead up to this one? I recommend them all.

Publisher:‎ Berkley
Publication Date:‎ March 12, 2024
No. of pages: ‎ 336
ISBN:‎ 978-0593545959… (meer)

Stoker and Veronica are up to all kinds of craziness again along with their friends Mornaday and JJ. Stoker is asked by Lord Rosemorran to refresh a life-size wax doll purchased for his daughter as a gift with a clock mechanism to appear she’s breathing. Of course it doesn’t take long to discover that there’s a real dead woman underneath all the wax. This is the start of their investigation to find out who she is and what happened to her. Storyline is preposterous but Veronica and Stoker are a joy.… (meer)