by Deanna Raybourn
Series: Veronica Speedwell #2
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Veronica Speedwell returns in a brand new adventure from Deanna Raybourn, the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries...
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...
A little mystery, snark, family troubles and a smidgen of romance await you in A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING by Deanna Raybourn. This is the second novel in the Veronica Speedwell series featuring a feisty, modern thinking heroine and her dashing business partner and friend Stoker. Enjoy a classic whodunit with the liveliest of characters.
The setting is 1887 London, and Stoker and Veronica’s travel plans are thwarted when their benefactor trips over a tortoise. Oh yes, things are quite interesting when you spend time with this duo. When Victoria’s invited to the Curiosity Club, she meets the mysterious Lady Sunbridge. The lady implores Veronica to save Miles Ramsforth from hanging. Miles is accused of brutally murdering his mistress. Veronica knows that Sunbridge is withholding information, but nevertheless agrees.
The mystery served is a classic whodunit, and Rayburn took us into the unspoken worlds within the art world and the ton. Stoker and Veronica are hilarious together from their back and forth bickering to Veronica’s way of shocking Stoker with her open-mindedness, curiosity, and forward thinking. Not only do we spend time within the Bohemian artist colony we also visit an eighteenth-century sex club and opium den. I thought the mystery was well done with red herrings, believable suspects, and a few surprises.
For me, the best part of this series is the dynamic friendship and developing romance between Stoker and Veronica. Their personalities are different despite the fact that both love adventure. Despite his gruffness and pirate appearance, Stoker is still very much a product of his upbringing. For those who have read book one, we finally discover why he loathes his family. Veronica is a breath of fresh air, from her modified attire to her outspokenness. When they visited Stoker’s brother, I had tears from laughing as Stoker squirmed and Veronica shocked. Delightful!
Aside from the chemistry dancing around Stoker and Veronica that is driving me crazy, I loved everything about this novel and the series.
Fans of whodunits, snark, and strong heroines will want to grab A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING. Laugh aloud moments, danger and suspense await you! I cannot wait for the next book!
Laugh aloud moments, danger and suspense await you in A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Darlene
I’m not usually a fan of the Victorian era, but this one sounds like fun!
kimbacaffeinate
This is fun, and I adore the heroine 🙂
Lampshade Reader
I’m so interested in this series. I love the premise and the covers are gorgeous. Did you read the first one? Do I have to read it from the beginning? ~Aleen
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I can see you laughing at the our heroine!
Cyn
I’m loving the title and the cover! And yay Victorian mystery! I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this series before! I really like the sounds of the friendship/romance brewing Veronica and Stoker! Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
This is such a fun series Cyn. I hope you begin them
Melanie Simmons
Sounds like a really good story. I love the sound of it. Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
It really was. I am having fun with these characters.
Melliane
I remember really liking the first book but I was denied on NG for this one so in the end I didn’t read it. I should do that and will add it on my wishlist after reading your review
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do pick it up 🙂
The Bibliophile Babe
Love the cover!
kimbacaffeinate
I do too.
Tiffany
I loved this book! It was so good. Like you, I enjoy Veronica and Stoker’s bantering. Normally slow-build relationship leave me itching for the payoff, but Raybourn somehow makes me enjoy their slow burn. Stoker’s brothers are all hilarious in their own ways as well.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh agreed the build up is hilarious, I am looking forward to it all coming to a frenzy though.
Angela Adams
I’ve seen these framed butterflies. I didn’t know they were real butterflies! I thought the butterflies were art/paintings/drawings…those sad, beautiful butterflies…
kimbacaffeinate
Oh, nope sorry hon, those are real butterflies mounted in there.
Mary Kirkland
This is very different from what I usually read. Sounds interesting.
kimbacaffeinate
You know me I love mixing up my genres 🙂
Lily B
oh I love when the Main characters bicker XD especially in mystery series. I think I would love them both, when I get around to reading them.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes the character relationship dynamics make this fun and keeps the mystery light.
Michele
I’m so happy to see this here and learn that you enjoy this series! I won a beautiful copy of the first book and still haven’t gotten around to it. Mystery, snark, and a bit of romance are my must-haves! I bet I’ll make time now! 😉 Thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo dig it out Michelle…Ali, Heidi and I love this series.
Katherine
I love Deanna Raybourn and I have no idea why I haven’t gotten to this series yet. I’m super curious to see what you didn’t like about the chemistry and I’m glad you enjoyed the 2nd book. I definitely need to read the first soon!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh you misunderstood, I love the chemistry and banter we just want them to do the deed already! Bwahaha…the wait is killing me.
blodeuedd
I can’t wait for more 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Linda 🙂
Quinn's Book Nook
I really want to read some Deanna Raybourn books. I’ve heard such amazing things!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you give them a whirl.
Lorna
It does sound delightful! I like the banter and snark and the slow romance. The who done it part and the fact that its historical are just the icing on the cake for me. I need to check this series out for sure!
kimbacaffeinate
I could totally see you loving these Lorna.
Emma
Although this isn’t my normal type of book, I have heard nothing but good things about it and it does make me want to read it.
kimbacaffeinate
It’s nice to mix it up once in a while 🙂
Genesis
I hadn’t heard of this author or this series before but thank you for putting it on my radar! I’m adding it to my TBR for sure. I love when a mystery also has humor. Makes everything lighter. Like Sherlock Holmes!
Genesis @ Latte Nights Reviews
kimbacaffeinate
Good comparison.
Nadene Reynolds
This sounds like a fun and intriguing read. I can see that you enjoyed it. I never heard about a butterfly hunter before, interesting profession.
kimbacaffeinate
You probably have. The profession is known as a lepidopterist. When you go to a science museum or nature museum, you often see framed pinned butterflies. These butterfly hunters capture, kill and mount them.
Heidi
I know the chemistry is terrific, but it is driving me nuts that they just don’t get it on.
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe…it is only a question of when.
Sophia Rose
Yep, this definitely is on the list. I read book one and all her others.
Veronica and Stoker in action are not to be missed.
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, I am glad you plan to read it Sophia.
Stormi Johnson
I love this series its so much fun. The banter between the two is so fun! Can’t wait till the next one comes out, the only reason I hate being caught up with a series…lol.
kimbacaffeinate
The banter is wonderful.
Anna
Oh, this is the series for me. Give me!
Anna from elements of emaginette
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I could see you enjoying this Anna
Bookworm Brandee
I’m going to have to get on the waiting list at my library for this series, Kimberly. It sounds like such a good time and I don’t want to pass it up! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, I hope you enjoy them.
Jess Fairday's Blog
This is the second time I have heard about this book and series this week. The other review I read had a different cover- but I LOVE this one. Sounds like a book I will really get into. Must start this series soon. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh maybe one the International peeps reviewed it, as they have different covers 🙂
kindlemom1
I’m so glad you loved this Kim! It has quickly become a favorite of mine I think. I just love this author.
I’ve been posting comments on blogs through Bloglovin’ and I just noticed some of them haven’t been showing, so strange and I have no idea why! So sorry about that. 🙁
kimbacaffeinate
You had me go over and look at Bloglovin. Yep, apparently if you comment there it stays there and oddly they don’t notify the blogger. You would think they would.
I too adore this author.
Debbie Haupt
Ooh i’ve seen this around the blogesphere Kim. Thanks for putting it back on my radar!
kimbacaffeinate
This is well received so I hope you try them.
Geybie's Book Blog
Wow.. sounds interesting. Is this a standalone or do I need to read the previous book before reading this one?
kimbacaffeinate
This is the second book, and while the mystery aspect is self-contained, I think you would appreciate the relationship dynamics better if you started with book one.
Prabhleen
Great review Kimba! Plus your blog designs and graphics are awesome, keep up the good work! Also, I have never been to London, so I think I can only visit it through books lolol. Friendship and romance-YESSSSS.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, Prabhleen. I would love to go to London. If I could time travel a week in historical London would be neat..but only a week due to the lack of air conditioning and modern medicine.
Ailyn Koay
is butterfly hunter a real occupation??
kimbacaffeinate
Well, technically they’re referred to as lepidopterist. They hunt butterflies, capture them, kill them and pin them onto boards that are framed.
Ailyn Koay
ok that is officially the job I hate most… I think it is cruel man, up there with hunter
Laurie
I want that job!
Laurie
But I wouldn’t kill them 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, you could keep them in a large atrium.