The third installment of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries was superb. Still in Victorian England but now with an Egyptian curse! The series is getting better and better, and while you don’t have to read the prior ones, I’d highly suggest it. I love the Egyptology and how pervasive and fashionable it was during that time. However the best part was the exploration of Stoker’s backstory, finally meeting more characters and finding out his history. The past continues the slow buildup of the relationship between the characters, something we all hope speeds up in the next novel. If you love historical feminist mysteries, this is for you.

posted on Amazon

Though I didn't manage to finish this one pre-pub, I love this series and Veronica herself. My coworkers and I love this series and recommend it to patrons often!

Series just gets better and better.. set in the Victorian era, Veronica who is a butterfly collector gets to learn more about her colleague Stoker when his former expedition partner vanishes with a priceless artifact. Solving the disappearance is just part of the fun. Witty, intelligent, all in all a great series. Highly recommended.

Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke Templeton-Vane--Stoker--are working away at their respective restoration and cataloging duties in the Belvedere, the future museum on the grounds of the home of the Earl of Rosemorran. It's the Earl's family collection of animals, insects, devices, and other oddities that they are cataloging.

Then an expedition to Egypt returns, with treasures, a story of a curse killing members of the expedition, and the expedition photographer, John de Morgan, missing, along with a valuable diadem found in the tomb the Tivington expedition excavated on this trip.

De Morgan was once Stoker's best friend. He's now married to Stoker's former wife, Caroline, who left Stoker apparently dying in the Amazon. Caroline returned to Britain and divorced him, claiming cruelty, and in the process destroying his reputation.

De Morgan may be a thief, who has stolen the diadem to finance an escape from his tempestuous marriage. Or he may be dead, killed by the real thief. If de Morgan is dead, Stoker is the most likely suspect in his murder.

Stoker and Veronica have to find him before what's left of Stoker's reputation is irretrievably gone, and he himself is perhaps convicted of murder.

They meet Sir Leicester and Lady Tivington, Sir Leicester's daughter from his first marriage, Iphigenia, and his assistant, Patrick Fairbrother. They meet Sir Leicester's long-time friend and now rival, American millionaire Horace Stihl and his son, Henry.

Veronica meets, and Stoker has to meet again, his beautiful ex-wife, Caroline de Morgan.

Looked at one way, no one has a motive. Looked at another way, it's possible everyone does. But who really does?

Raybourn gets the content and rhythm of late Victorian conversation right, and Veronica, Stoker, and the other regulars are great characters that it's fun to continue to learn more about. The pacing is very good. The only thing I'm not wholly satisfied with is Veronica's relationship with her father, which I really can't say any more about. Hopefully that's another thing that will continue to develop over future books.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

Four and a half stars: This series keeps getting better and better. Love the characters, the suspense, the chemistry and the era.

Veronica and Stoker are busy working on their restoration project, after their last case. Unfortunately, their quiet reprieve is quickly ruined when a mystery is dumped on their doorstep. A dig in Egypt is rumored to be cursed. Furthermore, one of Stoker’s old friends and colleagues was on that expedition, and he is now missing along with a priceless diadem. If Veronica and Stoker don’t act, Stoker’s name could get dragged through the mud again. Things get even worse when someone from Stoker’s past resurfaces. Veronica refuses to let harm come to Stoker, even if that means she has to unsheathe her claws. Can Veronica solve the mystery of the curse?
What I Liked:
*The Veronica Speedwell series is truly a series that I think is getting better and better with each and every installment. I love the quirky characters, the chemistry between Veronica and Stoker, the era, and especially the pluck and determination of Veronica Speedwell. She is not a well mannered Victorian lady that’s for sure. If you like historical mysteries, this is absolutely a series you need to be reading!
*I cannot tell you how much I love Veronica and Stoker. I especially like the role reversals. Veronica is wild, daring and even promiscuous, which is not what you would expect from a proper Victorian lady. Stoker, on the other hand, tends to be more modest, less brash and he is much more cautious. Together they are dynamite. I love these unconventional characters.
*The mystery in this installment was the strongest yet. I liked that it featured Egyptian artifacts, a supposed mummy curse and that there was lots of intrigue as well as plenty of suspects and motives. I was constantly guessing as to who was behind the crimes, and when all the cards were laid out, I was wrong. I liked the way it all pieced together. The author crafted a terrific mystery. I especially like the way little details and clues that seem small and unimportant pop back up later. This one will keep you on your toes.
*The author does an excellent job with the era. I can tell she has gone to great lengths to research the time period to make sure she gets the details right.
*The romance, or lack thereof if you will, is what keeps me reading this series. I absolutely adore the relationship between Stoker and Veronica. The chemistry is off the charts, but it isn’t what you think. This is a relationship that is based on solid trust, friendship, and yes attraction. So much is said in a touch or a look, and it drives me nuts, but I keep coming back for more. After all the revelations about Stoker’s past, I was absolutely on the edge of my seat waiting.... waiting.... waiting.... I will not tell if I got what I wanted.
*The ending was superb. The mystery was solved, all the answers were laid out neatly, and all ends well, except for that moment in the butterfly garden....
And The Not So Much:
*My one hesitation with this series is that it isn’t a series that I would recommend reading without an ereader unless you keep a dictionary close by. In order to make sure the book comes across as authentic to the time period, the author uses a lot of vocabulary words that are outdated. I spend a great deal of time looking up words that I am unfamiliar with, which is fine, but if I didn’t have an ereader, it would be a hassle.
*I felt this one dragged just a tad in the middle section. Thankfully, it concluded with a fantastic ending, so well worth the effort.
*Argh.... the romance is killing me!!!!

A Treacherous Curse is the best book to date in this series. I love the mystery, the suspense, the characters, and most of all the electric relationship between Stoker and Veronica. If you want a well plotted historical mystery with unconventional characters, this is the series to read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

It's 1888 London, and Veronica Speedwell and her piratical-looking colleague, Revelstoke Templeton-Vane (Stoker) are still working on cataloging the vast collection of Lord Rosemorran. All London is talking about the upcoming exhibition of Lord Tiverton's latest Egyptological dig. After years of fruitless expeditions, Lord Tiverton has finally struck gold with the discovery of the tomb of an obscure Princess. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a diadem of precious metals. However, the dig's photographer, John de Morgan, and the diadem have gone missing under strange circumstances. De Morgan's wife is prostrate and in seclusion. Veronica and Stoker become involved because the photographer was the "friend" who left Stoker for dead in the Brazilian jungle, and his wife, Stoker's ex-wife. The ex-wife who returned to England and destroyed Stoker's reputation with lurid tales of his cruelty to get a divorce. Stoker will be the logical suspect if John de Morgan is not just missing but dead. After years of rebuilding his reputation, Stoker and Veronica are not about to let that happen.

I have been a fan of Deanna Raybourn's work since the first lines of her first novel, Silent in the Grave:" To say that I first met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor." Now, that is an attention-grabbing beginning. When the adventures of Lady Julia Gray came to an end, I was eager to see what would happen next. She has followed it up with the adventurous, unconventional, intrepid lady lepidopterist, Veronica Speedwell, who also has a fascinating family history; and the irascible, mysterious natural scientist, Stoker. Their two previous adventures, A Curious Beginning, and A Perilous Undertaking introduced two even more fabulous characters. A Treacherous Curse is a delight from beginning to end and moves the somewhat glacial progress of the romance between this perfectly matched pair satisfactorily. Who knew that Stoker was a closet romantic?

Many thanks to Berkely Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.

This is proving to be a really fun series. Veronica Speedwell, butterfly collector extraordinaire, and her roomie and best bud, Stoker are off on another adventure. This one involves Stoker's ex-wife, a stolen diadem, the long locked mystery of Stoker's secrets about his marriage. A winner.

An excellent read. Love Veronica's pragmatic, modern outlook in the traditional repressive Victorian world and her and Stoker's "on page" chemistry makes for a very entertaining read.

I think, in terms of mystery, A Treacherous Curse is now my favorite of the series.

Immediately, Veronica and Stoker meet up with a sick Inspector Montgomerie, who warns them about a storm about to break, one that will dredge up Stoker's past and destroy beyond repair what reputation he's built back up for himself. John de Morgan, a former expedition partner of Stoker's, has gone missing along with a priceless diadem belonging to an Egyptian princess, leaving behind a wife too distraught to answer any further questions.

Signs point to foul play with Stoker as the likeliest culprit since de Morgan had no known enemies save for Stoker. Worse, that wife he left behind? Meet Caroline de Morgan, formerly Caroline Templeton-Vane, Stoker's ex-wife and the woman responsible for leaving Stoker for dead and destroying his reputation in the first place.

Thus, Veronica and Stoker race to discover what really happened on that Egyptological expedition, one that was apparently fraught with death and misfortune, seemingly cursed by the dead princess who unleashed Anubis on the excavation party. Now, Anubis has followed the heads of the expedition to London, and the press is stirring up rumors of the curse and the players whenever they get a chance. It's only a matter of time before they discover the missing de Morgan's tie to Stoker and stir up rumors of a very different sort.

I enjoyed this mystery the most out of the previous books because it was a lot more murky and complicated. The culprits and answers weren't immediately obvious, and it took Veronica and Stoker a while to work everything out. The new characters introduced were varied and engaging, especially Julien d'Orlande, Sir Leicester, Lady Tiverton, and Figgy. I love how Raybourn writes characters, that no matter what they're doing or how long they're on the page, they feel fleshed out and real on her Victorian canvas. She truly has an innate talent.

Once again, though, Veronica and Stoker's relationship takes center stage for me above everything. The mutual respect, the sparks between them, the stubbornness, the competition, the loyalty--I am a total sucker for them. (Besides, anyone who's willing to go tearing off into a sewer with you and save your life in the process, keep them! Do you know how rare of a Ride-or-Die find that is??? Y'all are meant for each other, deal with it.)

By facing Stoker's past together, they grow closer as friends, their bond deepening towards something more. But slowly, so agonizingly slowly, especially compared to what happened in A Perilous Undertaking. However, I still like the slow pace because there's a lot that both Stoker and Veronica need to work out with themselves and each other before both of them would be ready to take that final step. Here, we see some of those vital details being seen to.

Case in point: confronting Caroline de Morgan. Every scene with her was excruciating both because of how deeply Stoker is still hurt and affected by her (or rather how he let himself get duped by her) but also because of the woman herself. Like Veronica, I wanted to throttle her within the first few words she spoke. Caroline is a real piece of work, and I am currently living for the scene where Veronica called her out on her privilege and her BS. Thank you, Veronica, for never being afraid to say what's on your mind. You're the real MVP!

Also, the little moments with Veronica and her father had me feeling Some Typa Way. I loved the item he sent her (with a butterfly!) because it was so unexpected that he actually is keeping tabs on her and learning about her from a distance. Veronica's mixed feelings about it were matched only by my own. I really hope that Veronica gets to meet him at some point and find her peace with everything.

Also, ALSO, I could've screamed when the Viscount interrupted Veronica's moment at the very end. Listen, Tiberius Templeton-Vane, you are distractingly fine as hell, but now is not the time!

Ugh.

Anyway.

Now I have to wait for the next book. It doesn't even have a release date yet. Someone murder me, so Veronica and Stoker will be summoned to figure it out. I need them.

(This review will be posted on my blog, Goodreads, and Amazon within a day or two.)

A Treacherous Curse is the third Veronica Speedwell novel by Deanna Raybourn. I don’t think much is lost in reading the novel out of order. Background information is provided as you go.

Veronica Speedwell is apparently a woman well ahead of her time. She is a scientist and a feminist who believes in free sex. She wears trousers and picks locks. She is also the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Wales. Is she a very likely character for 1888? Not so much.

Veronica and her professional partner, Stoker, are working with a collection of artifacts when they begin hearing about a curse on the Tiverton expedition to Egypt. Soon, the news of the expedition affects Stoker, whose wife deserted him for John de Morgan, a member of the expedition. De Morgan and his wife left the expedition, apparently with the diadem, one of its most important finds. His wife has returned to her parents, but de Morgan is nowhere to be found.

The police want to question Stoker about de Morgan, because their enmity is well known. The story has reopened all the rumors of Stoker’s disastrous expedition to the Amazon, where he was left for dead by his wife and de Morgan, and the lies they told about his relations with his wife. So, Stoker decides he must find de Morgan to clear his name. Any notion that he is going to do this without Veronica’s assistance, he must speedily dismiss.

Concerned parties are the Tivertons and their assistant, Mr. Fairbrother, and Caroline de Morgan. Stoker and Veronica begin looking into the incident, but they can find no trace of de Morgan beyond his landing in Dover. Oddly, though, apparitions of the god Anubis, which haunted the Tiverton expedition, have now relocated to London.

For some time, I followed Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey series, a mashup of the mystery and romance genres. I tired of the series because of the cliché of the couple always arguing about the wife taking part in the investigation. Apparently, Raybourn has decided to hold the couple of Stoker and Veronica apart indefinitely, maybe hoping to avoid this problem.

But I don’t like Veronica nearly as well as I did Lady Julia, and there is something about the breezy, sometimes slightly racy narration that I find irritating. Too many young men are stripping to the waist for no apparent reason, for one thing, in a time that was much more modest than our own. As I mentioned before, I find Veronica not very believable for the time period.

A spectacular, fantastic novel. I couldn't put it down.

Deanna Raybourn’s third outing featuring Veronica Speedwell and her partner (of sorts) Stoker Templeton-Vane fulfilled all of my expectations and more. A TREACHEROUS CURSE finds the intrepid pair looking into the disappearance of Stoker’s former best friend, a missing Egyptian diadem, and the validity of an ancient curse. We learn much about Stoker’s past, the very clay that has formed him into the man he is today. The revelations are eye opening, and the pair’s quest takes them on an enthralling adventure in London full of heartache, deceit, and danger.

Oh, how I adore Veronica and Stoker! They make the perfect investigating duo, and their chemistry is electric. A TREACHEROUS CURSE is far from a romance novel, but the chemistry between these two is palpable and delicious. Raybourn excels at Victorian era dialogue. The banter between Veronica and Stoker, as well as their off-the-cuff remarks, is fabulous. Their quick wit is at times hilarious and part of what keeps Raybourn at the top of my list of favorite authors. Victoria is unapologetically herself; she fits into no societal mold, and I love her for it. Stoker is an enigma of sorts, yet even after we learn about his reputation destroying past he smolders and does not dare allow readers to feel sorry for his circumstance. These two are made to be together, whether they ever become romantically involved or not.

The mystery involving John de Morgan’s disappearance and the Tiverton Expedition’s missing treasure and curse make for compelling reading. I am reminded of the great Elizabeth Peters mysteries featuring Amelia Peabody despite the action here never moving to Egypt. I was pleasantly surprised by some the turns the investigation took. The story is a delightful way to while away the hours.

A TREACHEROUS CURSE is fantastic, and I highly recommend it to any historical mystery/fiction reader. I hope there are many more adventures ahead for Victoria and Stoker.

I really enjoyed this book. It took me a couple of chapters to really get into it but as soon as I did, I did want to put it down. I have not read the first to books and you don't need to read this book. The only thing I found missing by not reading the first 2 books is a little more back story on Veronica and Stoker but nothing major. I found myself really enjoying the mystery about what happened to de Morgan. Veronica is a fun, spirited, nonsense woman and it is so much fun to follow her along in this book. I can't wait to see what adventures Veronica and Stoker get upto next.

A Missing Diadem and an Egyptian God Stalking London

Victoria and Stoker are ensconced in Belvedere, a museum they are starting for their benefactor, the Earl of Rosemorran. However, their work is interrupted by a disappearance that could put Stoker in danger.

The Tiverton Expedition is returning to London from Egypt after a successful season. They uncovered the unfinished tomb of an Egyptian princess. The princess’ mummy was wearing a priceless diadem and the grave-goods constitute a significant find. Unfortunately the diadem is missing along with the expedition photographer.

Victoria and Stoker are drawn into the mystery because Stoker is the only enemy the police are aware of for the photographer. Stoker’s ex-wife is married to the photographer, and it is well known in London that there is bad blood between the two men. So Stoker is in danger of becoming a suspect. Victoria would to anything to help Stoker, so they are immediately involved in trying to solve the disappearance and find the missing diadem.

As usual, Deanna Raybourn creates an enthralling picture of London in the late 1800s. The Egyptian background is particularly well done. The pace is fast and the outcome somewhat of a surprise, although, I thought the mystery was less engrossing than in the previous two books.

The best part of the book was the deepening romance between Victoria and Stoker. There is no overt sex (although Victoria would not be averse to it), but the tension between the two leads to misunderstandings as well as tender moments. The fact that they are so adept at pushing each other’s buttons shows the depths of the attraction.

If you enjoy historical romance with an Egyptian motif, this is a delightful book.

I received this book from Berkley Publishing for this review.

Hi Karen,

My next review is:-

A Veronica Speedwell Mystery-A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn published in hard covers by Berkley Books on 16 January 2018 308 pages, ISBN-13: 978-0451476173

The book opens in London in Victorian England during 1888. As colourful and unfettered as the butterflies she collects, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell cannot resist the allure of an exotic mystery--particularly one involving her enigmatic colleague, Stoker. His former expedition partner has vanished from an archaeological dig with a priceless diadem unearthed from the newly discovered tomb of an Egyptian princess. This disappearance is just the latest in a string of unfortunate events that have plagued the controversial expedition, and rumours abound that the curse of the vengeful princess has been unleashed as the shadowy figure of Anubis himself stalks the streets of London.



Members of an Egyptian expedition fall victim to an ancient mummy's curse in this thrilling Veronica Speedwell novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries



But the perils of an ancient curse are not the only challenges that Veronica must face as sordid details and malevolent enemies emerge from Stoker's past. Caught in a tangle of conspiracies and threats--and thrust into the public eye by an enterprising new foe--Veronica must separate facts from fantasy to unravel a web of duplicity that threatens to cost Stoker everything...



Veronica is an illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Wales and therefore has access to lots of important people including of course her father whenever she needs to call in a favour. She and stoker have many adventures before finally arriving at the dramatic conclusion of this gripping historical mystery.



I previously read for review one of the authors earlier books “Silent In The Grave” featuring Lady Julia Grey (January 2008) and was therefore was aware of her superb writing and research ability and was pleased to have the opportunity to read this later book.



What an enchanting, well plotted but witty story this is, authentic in it's colourful Victorian period detail and yet, written by an American author. A number of Americans have tried in the past to write mysteries with a genuinely English atmosphere but few have succeeded. This book is the second in a series of books with the characters of Veronica Speedwell and her companion “Stoker” and I look forward to reading them all. Strongly recommended.



Best wishes,



Terry
(To be published on eurocrime.co.uk in due course)

Sometimes it is easy to forget how much you love two characters until you are immersed back into their world and then all those old feelings and thoughts about them resurface and you remember why this is one of your most favorite series and some of your most favorite people.

Veronica and Stoker are those people for me. This series is just so much fun with the Victorian old world London setting, mystery, and of course the adventures that always await these two. Not to mention the chemistry between them is off the charts.

I would say there is very little romance in this series, if any at all in fact and yet these two have such a passion, such a spark that it is hard to resist reading about them and not sensing it and just waiting for that spark to ignite and set fire to the world.

With nonstop action, mystery and intrigue, this really has become a favorite and a series that is just getting better and better with time. Fans of the genre really need to pick this up, because I can guarantee that this series will be one that will not disappoint.

Veronica and Stoker are back! The Tiverton Egyptian Expedition digs up a cache of Eighteenth Dynasty goods including a sarcophagus. A series of misfortunes make the public assume the Expedition is cursed. When a former friend of Stoker disappears along with the diadem, or jeweled crown, of the dead Egyptian princess, Stoker and Veronica investigate. The friend's wife tells investigators that the night her husband vanished, his hotel room vanished too. There are mysterious sightings of Anubis in both Egypt and England.

This is the third book in the series. While I enjoyed the first, this one was rather slow moving. Despite the disappearance and theft being set in Egypt, the pair never leave England during their investigations. There are endless interviews with the parties involved in the Expedition. There is a lot of talk about the two previous books' plots. Basically, there was much too much telling rather than showing in the plot. I was expecting more Evil Under the Sun but received more The Curse of King Tut's Mummy. I wanted more mystery, adventure, and romantic involvement between the characters. For someone with such free sexual morals, Veronica is not moving very fast with Stoker. There is a bit more of Stoker's backstory. I recommend the first book, A Curious Beginning with 4 stars but this one only gets 3 stars from me.

Thanks to the publisher, Berkley, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

One would think that in a city the size of London trouble might knock on the door of someone other than Veronica Speedwell for once. But, she and her partner Stoker seem to find themselves in the sewers without even trying. This time, the diadem of an Egyptian princess has gone missing, along with Stoker’s old expedition partner and arch enemy, and now Stoker’s reputation is at stake. Having spent years trying to piece back some semblance of respect in society, Veronica refuses to allow him to be destroyed once again. As the police have little interest in pursuit of the diadem and assume the missing man to have run off with it, Veronica and Stoker are left to their own devices to find the truth.

If you’ve read my reviews on the first two books in this series, you know how much I love it. But it bears repeating: I love this series! Veronica Speedwell is everything I had hoped to grow up to be: intelligent, independent, strong, adaptable, resilient and she cares little for what others think of her. With one exception. Her partner Stoker is her only equal, and the most important person in her life. His respect she could not do without. Being a little in love with Stoker myself, I completely understand. ;)

The mysteries in this series are always smartly done, with some complexity that prevents me from sorting it all out by the end. The characters are addictive. It is hard for me to imagine tiring of their escapades, though it would be interesting to see how the romance angle would work in the long-term. The will-they-won’t-they can’t drag on forever, and based on the progress in this book, I’d say there will be some answers on that front in the next installment. The ending of this book was tremendous and the only thing that disappointed me on the last page was that it was the last page. And as this has just been released, I have to wait. The good news is, it appears there are at least two more books slated in the series. Definitely a series worth waiting for!

1888 and an Egyptian expedition has returned to London. A cursed expedition. When Stoker's (Revelstoke Templeon-Vane) former friend and expedition companion goes missing with a priceless diadem it is the latest in a line of unusual events. Veronica and Stoker decide to investigate.
A very enjoyable well-written mystery. With some interesting characters who I hope to read more about.
Although this is the third in the series it can be read as a standalone book.

this was such a great read! Veronica Speedwell is a female character in Victorian times and yet she stands out BRILLIANTLY! She has quickly risen to be one of the top characters in my favorite female protagonist lists. She’s smart, savvy, witty, sarcastic and stands out as a self-made woman in a time of Lords and Ladies.

One of the most interesting part of the book for me was the references to archaeological digs, Egyptian mummies and lost diadems! It read like an action packed adventure and Veronica and Stoker complimented each other so very well.

The entire book is written in Victorian English which made it slightly difficult for me to keep up with it in the beginning but it soon grew on me and I started finding the writing almost charming. I really did end up learning a lot of new words so thank you dictionary on the Kindle! I may even read the other books in the series solely for more Veronica!