One of my problems with requesting books is that I sometimes miss that the book is part of a series that I haven't read. Once I realized A Treacherous Curse was part of the Veronica Speedwell series, I wasn't sure I would understand the plot since I hadn't read the first 2. Fortunately, the book had already grabbed my interest so I continued reading. I'm so glad that I did. I will definitely go back and read the other two books (and check out other Deanna Raybourn books).

This is a fantastic Victorian England mystery steeped with murder, intrigue and tension. I have not read the first two books in this series. I didn't know it was a part of a series when I requested it from NetGalley- I just loved the description! It was so well written and had me guessing who the bad guy was til the very end. The two main characters are amazing and you wish you could meet them in real life.

Veronica and Stoker are cataloging a private collection set to be public when they hear of a tragedy at an Egyptian dig site. One of the people missing is Stoker's old partner and Veronica had no clue. You learn a lot of back story about both characters and I think it really adds a real connection to them both.

I love this time period and the author did a beautiful job capturing it. Veronica is very opposite of a lady from the Victorian era. She doesn't take crap from anyone and does what she wants. She is brave and inquisitive. This book surpassed my expectations and I am SO glad I read it! I never felt lost having not read the previous books in this series. It can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for offering me a free eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I absolutely loved the latest book in the Veronica Speedwell series. The relationship between Veronica and Stoker keeps getting better and better. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Curses, and conspiracies, and Egyptian gods, oh my! A Treacherous Curse will keep you on your toes with new adventures and threats. Veronica and Stoker are at it again with solving an Egyptian mystery on London soil! This one is striking, intriguing, and thrilling until the end!

Let me start off by saying that I have just devoured these first 3 books in a matter of four days! That’s right. These books have been insanely entertaining, full of humor, mystery, and intrigue! I have loved the fact that women have been shown to be the stronger, more cunning, sex (in a time when women were looked upon as weak), and that the attitude toward strong female characters, and men who admire them, has been one of intense empowerment!

That said, A Treacherous Curse both mirrored the attitude and hilarity of the first two books, but also offered more in regard to the emotional side of Veronica and Stoker’s friendship. I loved that we still got a well written mystery, but also saw a side of Stoker, and Veronica, we have yet to see. Both were more emotionally vulnerable and open.

The Veronica Speedwell books have quickly become one of my new favorites series. I have thoroughly enjoyed the shameless banter, the scandalous comments and attitude of Veronica, the well thought out mysteries, and the intriguing plot twists that have carried throughout the books. A Treacherous Curse was unpredictable and captivating! And, now that I have blown through these with intense excitement, I am in dire need of book 4! 4.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Sadly, this is one of my DNF pile. I tried so hard to give this a chance but to no avail.

Like the previous two books in the Veronica Speedwell series, A Treacherous Curse's protagonist is unconventional, cares not a whit for propriety, and charges headfirst into a curse. A Treacherous Curse, though, differs in the fact that its connection to royalty --and Veronica's father and family-- is more tenuous. It seems a bit of stretch for why Veronica and Stoker are to be the ones investigating. However, the mystery is well-woven and only predictable in some aspects. Veronica is very much coming into her as a Sherlock-like detective.

WOW. I am absolutely in love with this series. I found this one to be the quickest read of the three - I absolutely couldn't quite put my finger on what was going on in the mystery. Stoker and Veronica were amazing as always in this third instalment and their chemistry just HAS to pay off at some point! I am already highly anticipating the next in this series - I HOPE IT IS SOON!!!

Okay, I have to admit that I had stayed away from this series. Why? After all, I love suspenseful historical mysteries. I am in my reading milieu when I am able to get my hands on a well-crafted series. However, the early descriptions of the heroine made her sound more like an adventuress in the traditional sense of the word rather than what Veronica Speedwell is: a brilliant, capable, principled woman whose adventures are the by-product of solving intriguing mysteries.

Once I started reading this third entry in the Veronica Speedwell series, I realized what I had been missing and promptly bought the first book, A Curious Beginning. I intend to enjoy every bit of it and the second book very soon.

A Treacherous Curse, as the title implies, is a mystery that has its roots in an Egyptian expedition which has resulted in the death of one member of the party and the disappearance of another. Veronica and her partner, Stoker, are scientists who have solved two life-imperiling mysteries and are drawn into this one because of a personal connection for Stoker. The missing man is his ex-best friend and current husband of his ex-wife, a woman who is a liar and a cheat but who seems to still have some hold over Stoker.

The chemistry between Veronica and Stoker is electric (though what they have is not yet a romance) and the adventure is moves along at a compelling pace. The pair's clever banter gives Nick and Nora Charles a run for their money, a delight for the reader.Stoker seems to have a bit of the tortured hero in him, and Veronica is not without her issues. Nevertheless, it seems the characters are evolving, even within the space of this book.

I hope there are many more adventures for Veronica and Stoker--I'm sure I will be finished with the first two books all too son.

Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

A Treacherous Curse, the third delightful installment in the outstanding Veronica Speedwell mystery series, finds our intrepid protagonists Veronica Speedwell and Stoker Templeton-Vane involved in the mysterious disappearance of Stoker’s former best mate, the diadem de Morgan is suspected of stealing, and the Egyptian curse seemingly following the Tiverton Expedition home to London from Egypt. To solve the mystery, dark secrets from Stoker’s past must be revealed. The pair finds themselves dealing with Stoker’s first wife, a petulant teenager, an American millionaire, an obsessed explorer, and deceit and danger at every turn.

It is no secret that Deanna Raybourn is among my favorite authors, and I was bursting with excitement to read the further adventures of Veronica ad Stoker. The Egyptian emphasis makes it all the more appealing. Like many Victorians of the era, I am fascinated by all things Egyptian. I simply adore Veronica and Stoker. Their banter, at which Raybourn excels, is sharp, smart, and, at times, hilarious. I hang on every word that they utter. Veronica is generally the smartest person in the room, and, unfortunately, she knows it. She is unapologetically herself, not caring one bit about being a proper English lady or fitting into society’s mold. She has baggage and secrets of her own (most of which we learn in the first book of the series, A Curious Beginning). In A Treacherous Curse, we learn the secrets that Stoker has held so dear, the very circumstances that make him the moody, smoldering man he is today. It is a fascinating revelation, and I love him all the more for him overcoming his betrayal and experiences. Though this is not a romance novel, the chemistry between Veronica and Stoker is electric and delicious to behold.

I admit, once I leaned how John de Morgan and his wife Caroline betrayed Stoker, I had a difficult time feeling bad about his disappearance. We are left most of the book wondering if he met with foul play or disappeared of his own initiative. Is he a good or bad guy in this narrative? As is most often the case in real life, here, too, he is a bit of both. We meet several interesting characters in the course of the investigation, and I was surprised in the end who turned out to be the “bad guys”. The idea of an ancient curse following the explorers home keeps the story’s momentum and provides the danger and mystique that keeps the tale exciting.

Deanna Raybourn maintains her place at the top of my “must read” list, and I hope there are many more adventures featuring Veronica and Stoker to come. I highly recommend A Treacherous Curse to any historical mystery/fiction reader and those who appreciate lively protagonists.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

This was a charming book. I read it as standalone though it's the third of a series. Highly enjoyable nevertheless. Would definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction and crime. Anyone who likes Victorian Era fiction, adventures like the Mummy or other Egyptology-based fictions should enjoy this as well.

I was unaware that this was part of a series when I received my arc, but I was pleasantly surprised that for being the third installment it is accessible to new readers to the series. Any major plot developments from the previous books are recalled briefly early on, and barring a better understanding of the dynamics between Stoker and Veronica's relationship I do not feel that I missed out.

Overall I enjoyed the story: Veronica and Stoker are tasked with uncovering the mystery surrounding Stoker's former best friend, John de Morgan, in order to clear his name from further tarnishment while also dealing with an alleged mummy's curse and theft of an artifact. Set in 1888, the way it is written using words common to that era, Raybourn really gave the impression of the book being from that time period.

I did find myself a bit bored mid-way through the book, but I was interested to see the resolution so I persevered. It may have been a bit longer than necessary, and some of the exposition, inner monologue and descriptions, along with the "high society" voice for the book, may have contributed to the feeling of the plot dragging on. I really enjoyed spunky Veronica, and the resolution gave me good memories of Scooby Doo.

I'd recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction, archaeology (especially mummies!), and strong female characters.

Set in 1888 Victorian Era England, A Treacherous Curse is the third installment author Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell Mystery series. Protagonist Veronica Speedwell is a natural historian with a specialty in butterflies. Basically it means that she's a butterfly hunter who travels the world looking for exotic new species. She's known to have the occasional dalliances with foreign men, while avoiding her fellow Englishmen, and the idea that all women should be married and take care of their spouses above all else.

Veronica and her partner Revelstoke Templeton-Vale have been involved in two different murder investigations since this series began. Make this number three. They say to investigate one murder is a curiosity. To investigate two is a habit. But, after reading about a curious curse that hit a group of Egyptologists, and the death of Stoker's one time friend, adventurer, and expedition photographer, Veronica and Stoker are all in. This time they must solve the curiosity of the curse, whether or not Anubis has actually risen, the murder of a former friend, while also dealing with the woman who destroyed Stoker's life and his reputation.

Veronica and Stoker are perfectly fit for each other both personality wise and otherwise. They are able to be themselves when they are around each other, rather than fit in to any societal norms that are expected of them, especially from their families. One could say that family is also one of the aspects that brings the two together since both of them are outcasts in their own ways. Veronica has what appears to be an unwelcome connection to the royal family, while Stoker's reputation and his own family has left him out in the cold, as it were. Although, one of Stoker's brothers apparently hasn't given up at romancing Veronica.

To be perfectly honest, they don't have to have a romantic connection for me to enjoy these two. It is mostly Veronica who keeps the duo together. She is not afraid to look Stoker in the eye and call him out for his bullshit and his self pity issues that often times see him become someone else. Veronica is a character who I really love. She's independent, has a mind of her own, and is often outspoken on subjects ranging from sex between men and women, to her unwelcome connection to the royal family who continue to ignore her, but keeps her under observation so she doesn't embarrass the royal family.

This story does a good job of finally revealing what happened to Stoker. The mystery behind his fall is directly correlated to one particular nasty woman, and no I don't mean Madonna. After meeting Veronica, I dare say that miss nasty pants brought a butter knife to a gun fight. You don't mess around with Veronica Speedwell.

Veronica and Stoker are back to solve another mystery. This time the mystery is a curse that clouds the archaeological dig where an Egyptian Princess is buried with a priceless diadem. The diadem has gone missing along with Stokers former expedition partner and his disreputable past is re-surfacing.

Anubis, the god of tombs who has the head of a jackal, has been seen haunting the shadows of London. Is the curse real? Can Veronica solve the mysteries that plague the princess and Stoker?

This was a great read, but not my favorite Veronica Speedwell mystery. It is well written and Veronica’s sassy attitude is always entertaining. However, I prefer a more historically based book where I am entertained and also learn something.

I am looking forward to the next Veronica Speedwell mystery.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Veronica and Stoker. They’re two of my all-time favorite characters. Can’t wait for the next installment! All I can say about Ms. Rayburn is that she needs to write faster. I need my next Speedwell!!

Words really can't adequately sum up how much I love this series. In fact, Raybourn cannot produce these books quickly enough to keep me happy. Once again Veronica and Stoker find themselves in the middle of a mystery, but this one comes closer to home.

Mr. and Mrs. Tiverton were on an archaeological dig in Egypt when they discover the sarcophagus of an ancient Egyptian Princess. Shortly afterwards, a mystical Anubis appears and people start to die or go missing. In fact, one of the missing people turns out to be Stoker's old friend/nemesis who is also married to his ex-wife Caroline. Veronica, fearing Stoker will be erroneously connected to the disappearance, vows to helps Stoker figure out what is going on hopefully in time to save what reputation he has left. In doing so, she meets the infamous ex-wife - and she is despicable.

The mystery is this book was just as strong as the others and I liked the introduction of some new characters. However, there is really nothing remarkable about the Tivertons except Lord Tiverton's daughter - Figgy. Figgy is a joy and in my honest opinion, has to be a teenage Veronica in the making. And she is just as enamored with Stoker. But the best thing about this series remains Veronica and Stoker themselves. There are very few romantic overtones in any of the books but the sexual tension between the two main characters could be cut with a knife. Seriously, I wish they would just get together already. The banter back and forth between them is priceless and Veronica is so headstrong and blunt that I can't help but think in real life we'd be best of friends. She embarrasses Stoker every chance she gets, and it's hilarious.

This is a must-read for anyone who has already loved the series and if you haven't, you can grab all three and go on a marathon run and find out why so many other people are in love with Veronica and Stoker.

I also have to mention Nut. Nut is a new dog we are introduced to in this installment and he and Stoker's bulldog, Huxley, are destined to become best friends in the future.

I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.

Deanna Raybourn's third novel in her Veronica Speedwell series is "A Treacherous Curse," set in 1888. It is the story of a British excavation in Egypt that did not go exactly as planned. Sir Leicester Tiverton, his wife, and a philologist, Patrick Fairbrother, were elated to have made an amazing discovery—the sarcophagus of Princess Ankheset of the Eighteenth Dynasty, along with other artifacts. Unfortunately, the expedition's director's died and its photographer disappeared, along with a valuable diadem. Veronica and her partner, the Honorable Revelstoke Templeton-Vane (who has experience as a "scientist, explorer, natural historian, naval surgeon, and taxidermist"), become involved when it comes to light that the aforementioned photographer, John de Morgan, was Stoker's archenemy. If it turns out that someone killed Morgan, Stoker would be a prime suspect.

Part of this series' charm lies in its sprightly and occasionally naughty dialogue. Stoker and Veronica argue and banter frequently like obstreperous school children, but are devoted to one another. As Stoker reveals long-buried secrets from his tragic past, Veronica begins to understand why this enigmatic, repressed, and at times, cantankerous, man behaves the way he does. Their physical attraction remains just that—an attraction--since they are not yet ready to embark on an intimate relationship. Still, they are intellectual equals, amateur detectives, curators of a planned museum, and fierce street fighters who will do anything—include wading through London's fetid sewers--to catch a villain.

The author's large and colorful cast includes Veronica, an outspoken feminist, lepidopterist, and busybody; Stoker's ex-wife, the gorgeous Caroline, whom he once worshipped; the aforementioned Lord and Lady Tiverton, aficionados of Egyptian archeology; their daughter, Figgy (Iphigenia), an irritable and rebellious fifteen-year old; Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk, an influential and autocratic grande dame; and Mr. Horace Stihl, an American millionaire who was a close friend of Sir Leicester and his first wife. Raybourn sends her hero and heroine on a merry chase. Thanks to their brilliant minds, persistence, shrewd insight into human nature, and willingness to risk their lives, Veronica and Stoker finally get to the bottom of what turns out to be a complex and sordid mystery. "A Treacherous Curse" is another engaging, atmospheric, and well-researched Victorian novel by the talented Ms. Raybourn. It is a lively, humorous and, at times, grim tale of greed, betrayal, and murder.

FINAL DECISION: Very enjoyable entry into the series. The highlights were the Egyptology aspects and the reveal about Stoker's past. The characters are further developed and their relationship moves forward in small but significant ways.

THE STORY: The utterly unique Veronica Speedwell and Stoker, her partner in museum organization and crime solving, become entwined in the disappearance of Stoker's former expedition partner and ex-friend. He also happens to be the man who married Stoker's ex-wife. The man disappeared under suspicious circumstances along with a priceless artifact from an Egyptian expedition but Stoker is a prime suspect. Ancient curses and appearances of the Egyptian god Anubis abound as Veronica and Stoker attempt to locate his ex-partner and clear Stoker's reputation.

OPINION: Historical mystery and romance, this book continues the series of crimes that butterfly collector Veronica and naturalist Stoker get involved in solving. Here there is a personal aspect as Stoker might become the prime suspect if the disappearance is not solved.

Once again the highlight of this book is the interaction between Veronica and Stoker. While the two are not engaged in a romance in the traditional sense, they are certainly involved in a relationship -- it's just the seriously slow burn type. As the two investigate, the truth about Stoker's relationship with his ex-wife is revealed.

This series is a fun read as Veronica and Stoker make an unusual couple with lots of witty repartee between them. These are unusual people who obviously fit so well together even as they argue and fight and at times hurt one another. While the series is content with the intensely slow burn of their romance, there is no reason to rush along as these two people develop a partnership, a friendship and a even a "romance" unlike any other they have experienced.

The mystery in this book was intriguing as the story exposes the Egyptian craze of the Victorian era. There are plenty of suspects and motivations for the disappearance and the solution (while not one that is "solvable" by the reader) works as a dramatic story.

I enjoyed this book because of its unique characters and voice. What keeps me coming back to this series, however, is the promise of the relationship between Veronica and Stoker.  And on that this book did not disappoint.

WORTH MENTIONING: Veronica and Stoker are such an amusing pair.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A TREACHEROUS CURSE is the third book in the Veronica Speedwell series. The book has a self-contained mystery and could be read on its own for that reason. However, a big part of the attraction of this series to me is the relationship between Veronica and Stoker and for that reason I recommend reading the books in order as their relationship develops.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

The latest in the Veronica Speedwell series is enchanting, suspenseful, and a cracking good read! Love how the digs in Egypt that we’re going on at the time was incorporated into this captivating story. Learning more about Stoker was also intriguing! Great, exciting read! Looking forward to the next one!

** 3.5 stars **

The third book of the Veronica Speedwell series sets us off an an adventure to uncover the mysteries behind a missing persons case with a stolen diadem and offering us a new glimpse into the past of Stoker all the while dressed in the trappings of Egyptian mythology.

I liked the element of the excavations since that was a popular past time for those who could afford it back in that era while offering something fresh to the London backdrop. It was also interesting to see more of Stoker’s history and the people who played a large role in the man he is now and I look forward to seeing how Veronica helps with him overcoming some of that.

A lot of new people were introduced in this mystery and more than once I had to step back and try to remember who was who and which part of the expedition did the serve with in order not to confuse them but once I got back in track the story itself held up.

This book is a good addition to the series overall and I have to say the opening page is definitely one that works to hook you with the humor and show you this isn’t your average Victorian novel.

**thank you to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**