A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn

March 10th, 2020 Kimberly Review 16 Comments

10th Mar
A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn
A Murderous Relation
by Deanna Raybourn
Series: Veronica Speedwell #5
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

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.

MURDERMYSTERY historical Royalty smartfunny

I was delighted to dive into A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn and looked forwarding to solving a mystery and author willing a romantic interlude with Veronica and Stoker. Brothels, kidnappings and murder await you in this addictive installment.

This is the fifth Veronica Speedwell novel, and while each involves a mystery to be solved and sorted, there are enough series ARCs from a romantic build to threats, and secrets that the series is best enjoyed in the order of its release.

Jack the Ripper, the Prince, scandal and kidnapping, oh my! Raybourn certainly kept us busy with this engaging murder-mystery.

Veronica and Stoker are asked to retrieve an item and politely refuse, that is until Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk falls ill and they learn what she fears. This has them attending the Club de l’Etoile to steal a piece of jewelery from Madame Aurore, that bears the Royal mark. The tale that unfolds soon has Stoker, Veronica and Prince Albert Victor in grave danger.

This was a clever case and wove in headlines and threads from the notorious Jack the Ripper murders. Raybourn’s thread felt plausible and added to the danger for our trio. I honestly worried whether Stoker would survive this and quite forgot my quest for them to finally act on their desires. Even in danger, Veronica did not…? You’ll have to read the book to find out just what happened.

A Murderous Relation was a fast-paced, action-packed tale with a clever murder-mystery filled with villains you’ll love to hate. Raybourn endears you to the main characters with snark, wit and humor. I am hoping we will see more of this investigative duo.

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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

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16 Responses to “A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn”

  2. Olivia Roach

    If you can even forget the romance that you’re supporting in the thick of the plot unfolding, you know this book is very suspenseful and knows how to completely grip you. And it sounds like this author knows how to make the slow burn burn a lot hehe

    Olivia Roach recently posted: February Wrap Up! [2020]

  5. Davida Chazan

    So… I don’t usually read series but two authors I admire say she is wonderful, so I just went out and ordered the first of these books – A Curious Beginning. I’m hoping I like it because, well… I haven’t found a really cozy mystery writer I can love since Christie died.

    Davida Chazan recently posted: TCL’s Top Ten Tuesday for March 10, 2020.

  7. Greg

    These sound so good and those covers are always so compelling, just makes me want to pick the book up. 🙂 I’ve been seeing this series since it came out, I used to read the Tasha Alexander LAdy Emily books and these sound similar in a lot of ways, but I kinda fell off reading those- these look like a series I ant to try though!

  8. Katherine

    Stoker did have quite a time of it! I knew he would survive but it definitely seemed unlikely a time or two. I love Deanna Raybourn and agree that this was a great read!

  12. Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

    Wow 4.5 Stars?!! That’s fantastic Kim! Villains you hate to love are always a lot of fun! I’m hearing great things about this book, and am glad you enjoyed it Kim 🙂 The cover is pretty neat too!