Caffeinated Reviewer

Deanna Raybourn’s ninth book in the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries proved quite the clever case, when Lord Rosemorran purchases a wax doll and his daughter asked Stoker to animate it. What Veronica and Stoker discover is a carefully preserved human encased in wax like the Sleeping Beauty in the style of Madame Tussaud’s. I don’t think I’ll ever grow bored with this series and quickly was swept up into the mystery and these characters.

Veronica and Stoker discover that not all fairy tales have happy endings, and some end in murder, in this latest historical mystery from New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

Lord Rosemorran has purchased a wax figure of a beautiful reclining woman and asks Stoker to incorporate a clockwork mechanism to give the Rosemorran Collection its own Sleeping Beauty in the style of Madame Tussaud’s. But when Stoker goes to cut the mannequin open to insert the mechanism, he makes a gruesome discovery: this is no wax figure. The mannequin is the beautifully preserved body of a young woman who was once very much alive. But who would do such a dreadful thing, and why?

Sleuthing out the answer to this question sets Veronica and Stoker on their wildest adventure yet. From the underground laboratories of scientists experimenting with electricity to resurrect the dead in the vein of Frankenstein to the traveling show where Stoker once toured as an attraction, the gaslit atmosphere of London in October is the perfect setting for this investigation into the unknown. Through it all, the intrepid pair is always one step behind the latest villain—a man who has killed once and will stop at nothing to recover the body of the woman he loved. Will they unmask him in time to save his next victim? Or will they become the latest figures to be immortalized in his collection of horrors?

In each book, Veronica and Stoker solve a mystery and it’s always filled with danger, adventure and delightful banter. While one could jump in with any book, I recommend reading them in the order of their release. I do so because of the relationship that develops between them, the history we learn about their pasts and, of course, their friends and acquaintances.

Raybourn inevitably has me exploring topics and, in this case, I researched a bit about the wax dolls, and atomically correct dolls. Veronica and Stoker provided intriguing tidbits that made it all fascinating.

The mystery was well done and perfectly paced, but Veronica and Stoker create the atmosphere that brings me back to this series again and again. Wicked back-and-forth banter, vexing, acceptance and delightful chemistry with steamy bits behind closed doors, We get hints from Veronica addressed directly to the reader about these encounters.

I love they invited their friends who they consulted in the past. Veronica doesn’t like to share her mysteries or perhaps it is fairer to say she enjoys solving them. The mystery provided several twists and an explosive ending, leaving me more than satisfied.

Positively delightful, I cannot wait for their next adventure. If you love historical mysteries, with a touch of romance, friendship and fascinating discoveries, I urge you to give this series a go.

Amazon | Audible

About Deanna Raybourn

A sixth-generation native Texan, New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a double major in English and history and an emphasis on Shakespearean studies. She taught high school English for three years in San Antonio before leaving education to pursue a career as a novelist. Deanna makes her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband and daughter.

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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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