Raybourn cleverly incorporates Victorian fascination with Egypt into this latest installment in the terrific Veronica Speedwell series. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books- you'll be just fine with this. Veronica is a classic feisty independent woman at a time when many women were not as mobile due to society's strictures. Her pal, Stoker, comes to the forefront here, as it's his frenemy John de Morgan who has gone missing (with some jewels btw). We all know curses aren't real and that Anubis can't really be alive and in London but something creepy and bad is happening. Trust Veronica and Stoker, who have a fast repartee and good instincts, to untangle things. I know some might want them to get together romantically (or see a Veronica/Tiberius match) but that would ruin the books, imho. The tension is part of the charm. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Two thumbs up!

It's only fitting to include this review on History Thursday, as it is set back in Victorian London! As we know, Victorian London was agog over all things Egyptian, so it's only fitting to have a book that deals with both topics! This is book 3 of the Veronica Speedwell series, and I SO SO wish the series would be picked up for a movie or mini series! In many ways Veronica reminds me of so many modern day sleuths, but adding the historical 'woman out of her time' has given this series such a wonderful edge. Not to mention how intelligent and forward she is, making her someone you wish had been in your ancestry tree! Add some quality chick-lit romance with Stoker, and you literally have a book you will not want to put down until the end. I do have to admit I figured out who was the suspect early on, but the path that Veronica and Stoker made it all that more interesting! if you're a fan of the series, you'll be thrilled to learn more about Stoker's background in this book. But either way, you be asking when Book 4 is coming out before you finish this one! So make sure to add it to your New Year reading list!

Another terrific installment in the smart, funny, romantic Veronica Speedwell mystery series!

I have been a big fan of this series since I read the first book back in May. Veronica Speedwell very quickly became one of my favorite characters of all time with her intelligence, humor, and spunk. This series is a breath of fresh air compared to other historical fiction books set during this time period, and A Treacherous Curse did not disappoint. The plot was exciting and fast paced, the new mystery was interesting especially with the connection with Stoker. I was on the edge of my seat the entire way through the story and the twist at the end was incredible, something that I enjoyed a lot trying to figure out along the way.

It’s Victorian London and Veronica Speedwell and her colleague Stoker are on the case. In this 3rd installment of the series, Stoker’s former expedition partner has disappeared after abruptly leaving the Egyptian expedition he was working at. Also missing is the necklace worn by the Egyptian princess whose grave was uncovered. Further complicating things is the curse that was released when the princess was uncovered. One man is dead and another gone missing. Will Veronica and Stoker be able to unearth the culprit and find the missing necklace?

What a delight is was to spend a few hours with these two! Veronica and Stoker play off of each other really well and neither is your typical Victorian detective type. The story has some very unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I really loved how the author incorporated some much Egyptology information into the story and do it in a way that feels natural. Lovers of period detective stories should really enjoy this one.

I love Veronica Speedwell, secrets and all. Stoker is as enigmatic as always but he does give up a few of his secrets. Both are outside the pale in Victorian England but they seem to have found a good base to operate from. This time something from Stoker's past comes up to haunt him and he and Veronica try to solve the disappearance of someone from his past before it destroys his present. There are plenty of twists and turns. Danger seems to be around every corner. I missed clues that would have explained much of what was happening and the end was a big surprise. I hope these two continue to surprise and thrill me.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

A wonderful new addition to one of my favorite series. I was thrilled to see more of Veronica and Stoker, and to witness yet another small step in their relationship. I do wish that there would be a bit less focus on the mystery and more on the characters and the romance but that's just me. The mystery was still interesting however. I loved Egypt and as always I wasn't able to solve it early, which I enjoy. I absolutely cannot wait for the next one :)

Snuck this in pretty close to the wire to wrap up 2017. And what a way to go!

"<i>I won't kill a man on his knees.</i>"
"<b>There, you see? Stoker has standards.</b>"

Right now my brain is just kind of an endless happy-pained shriek (ala the snapchat voice filter) because of that ending. I was sort've warned and I thought I could handle it but oh god I couldn't. I lost it. Raybourn is wicked, totally wicked, and I have to respect her for toying with the fangirls the way she is.

"<i>They disrobed you?</i>"
"<b>They stripped me mother-naked.</b>"
"<i>Well, that must have intimidated them.</i>"

A TREACHEROUS CURSE has all the hijinks, snark, atypical historical behaviour from our leading lady, investigative gumshoeing, and still-not-a-couple torment we've come to expect from this series. It's funny, clever, and in the third installment we really got into the deep, dark, and heavy with some of Stoker's past (which I so desperately wanted after book two!) and it was delicious and rewarding and made me equally murderous, too. I'll admit that somewhere around the 70% mark I did lose a little traction with some of the wind up of the mystery coming to a head but the first half was so strong, so solid, and the ending made me feel all the things.

"<i>You fight harder for me than you would ever do for yourself. Why?</i>"
"<b>Because there is no power on this earth that could make me abandon our friendship.</b>"

There characters are so strong, so flawed, so brilliant when they get on and yet I love them equally when they are in sync as when they are fighting and sulking and refusing to speak to each other. This relationship is so real and true and honest and it's just everything.

"<i>What is it about the pair of you that you must be so contrary?</i>"
"<b>What is it about the rest of the world that it cannot take us as we are?</b>"

I can't wait for book four (and I'll be waiting a long ass time, sigh, #arcproblems).

4.5 "she regarded him and counted only the damage; I saw only the places where he had stitched himself back together" stars

If you're looking for a historical mystery series that features a female protagonist who is smart, determined, fiercely independent, speaks her mind and has a penchant for getting in the middle of police investigations then let me introduce you to Veronica Speedwell.

Veronica is a modern woman whose disregard for societal rules raises some eyebrows in Victorian England and her complicated family history adds an intriguing element. But it is her close, yet complicated relationship with her friend and colleague Stoker, their witty banter, and knowing I'll get a solid mystery that keep me coming back to this series.

In this third book in the series, the mystery surrounds a supposed curse surrounding an Egyptian expedition which has brought its relics to England for display. The mystery has twists and turns but I'll be honest - I was more intrigued about getting a better look at Stoker's mysterious past.

As with her other works, Deanna Raybourn combines beautifully crafted prose, a healthy dose of humour and a twist-filled mystery that will keep readers glued to their books. I highly recommend this series for people who enjoy well written, engaging historical mysteries with a protagonist who stands out from the rest.

Tip: Read this series in order

Disclaimer: This ARC was generously provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

In this third installment of Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell series, Veronica and Stoker are faced with Egyptian curses, stolen artifacts and mummies that aren't all they're cracked up to be. As always, the descriptive detail is superb, the language on point and the mood is deliciously tense. But, as in the last two novels, something was missing for me. Despite how well written the story is, despite my admiration for an independent woman character set in the Victorian era (a rarity in those times, I'm sure!), I just don't like Veronica Speedwell.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley; all opinions and thoughts are my own.

I love this series. Veronica and Stoker continue to entertain me as they embark on their adventures together. As the series unfolds, the depth of their relationship strengthens, particularly in this one, “A Treacherous Curse.” The author shines a little more light into Stoker’s dark and troubled past and tightens his bond with Veronica even more.

Recently, I read critiques of the character-building in the Veronica Speedwell series, particularly that they are shallow and one-dimensional. However, I heartily disagree. With each book in the series, Raybourn gives readers a greater look behind the scenes into the people and the events that have shaped both Veronica and Stoker.

Honestly, I don’t pick up this series for the mystery (though their cases are usually quite interesting); I choose them for Veronica, Stoker, their repartee, and Patricia, the Galapagos tortoise.

A Treacherous Curse is book 3 in the series of historical mysteries featuring Veronica Speedwell and her trusty partner Stoker. This one leads readers on a mystery involving a missing person and missing Egyptian artifact. Readers are also given insight into Stoker's past, to include his ex-wife who was mentioned in previous installments of the series. The author stays true to Veronica's spunky, no nonsense, independent woman in the Victorian era attitude, which I enjoy immensely. I appreciated that the potential romance that could be developed between the two authors still didn't bloom. I really enjoy the professional relationship these two characters have and how this relationship helps them solve their mysteries. I felt that solving the mystery dragged a bit in this one compared to the first (I hadn't read the second). Still very interested to see where things go. If you enjoy a good Victorian mystery, I highly recommend this series.

I have yet to read a Deanna Raybourn book that I did not like. I might not like particular plot points, but I liked, okay loved, all the books. I have to say though, the Veronica Speedwell books are my favorite.

Veronica is a woman after my own heart. I just wished I had her strength of character. She does as she believes is right, regardless of what others might think. I don’t know how realistic this is for the Regency time period or any time period, but I love her anyway.

She doesn’t have much use for most men and even Stoker is subject to her managing ways. Most of all, she is funny. A lot of the humor is found within her thoughts rather than what she actually says or does, but it is quoteworthy nonetheless.

He proceeded to lecture me for the next quarter of an hour, about what I cannot say, for I turned my attention to the contents of the packing crate. I had long since discovered upon my travels that men are largely the same no matter where one encounters them. And if one is prepared to let them discourse on their pet topics of conversation, one can generally get on with things quite handily without any interference.

As for managing Stoker, she knows him, and herself, well.

I pressed my lips together, holding back the question that rose to them. Whatever had caused him to react so strongly, he had no wish to share it and I had no wish to pry.

(I have pledged myself to honesty in these pages, gentle reader, so I will admit that in point of fact I had a rather ferocious wish to pry, but I had learnt through painful experience that Stoker responded far better to the oblique approach than to more direct methods . . .)

And just a general touch of humor:

I turned to the post, sorting the various envelopes into pigeonholes. BILLS TO PAY. BILLS TO PRETEND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED. LETTERS TO ANSWER. LETTERS TO IGNORE. LETTERS FROM TEDIOUS PEOPLE.

Been there, done that. Haven’t you?

I just realized that I haven’t said a word about the plot. The entire thing turns around a archaeological find in Egypt. There is a missing team member, a missing (or was it stolen) diadem belonging to an Egyptian princess. And to just stir things up, a woman from Stoker’s past. Just how does Stoker feel about her after all these years?

If I have any criticism of this book, it is the use of words that I have never heard before. Just as an example: eclose, froideur, exsolutus, and vulneraverunt. The silver lining is that my vocabulary is definitely increasing. Thank goodness for my Kindle. It was able to define most of these for me.

Having said all that, my initial thought when I reached the last chapter was “when is the next book coming out?” As I said earlier, I love the Veronica Speedwell books and I cannot wait to find out what happens next.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I love Julia Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey series, so I was anxious to dive into her new Veronica Speedwell series. I’ve not been disappointed, and in fact, may like Veronica even more than Lady Julia. Brilliant, outspoken, strong-willed and far ahead of her time, Veronica is a fascinating character, as is her partner, Stoker. I received this as an ARC through Netgalley, but decided to read the first two books before diving into this one. That turned out to be an excellent decision, as the relationship between Veronica and Stoker develops through the first 3 books, and secrets from both their backgrounds are revealed over the course of the series, and there are surely more to come.
The lovely relationship that has developed between Veronica and Stoker has been enjoyable to watch develop. Their banter makes me laugh out loud at times, and conveniently the mysteries they solve are interesting. And while I feel like I have a pretty good vocabulary, I’m always grateful for my Kindle’s built-in dictionary when I read a Deanna Raybourn book - I do believe I use that feature more for her books than for any other author’s. (And that’s a positive in my book.)

Copy provided by Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an unbiased review

Loved this book. Veronica and Stoker are the perfect pair. The book was well written and the characters were developed nicely. I love that Veronica doesn’t fit in with the mores and etiquette of the time. I can’t wait for more in the series.

Fast-paced, witty, and brimming with tension, this third installment in the Veronica Speedwell series is Raybourne at her finest.

In this installment, Stoker and Veronica are tasked with solving the disappearance of John de Morgan and a certain Egyptian relic which may or may not be directly related to John’s disappearance. At the center of this case is Caroline de Morgan, and subsequently Stoker himself, as Caroline is the woman who broke his heart and John is his former best friend who stole her away. As in true Raybourne fashion, a myriad of characters are introduced as the mystery unfolds, and Stoker and Veronica work together to sort of piece everything together, but not without getting into their fair share of trouble along the way. Egyptian artifacts, a mummy’s curse, and a jaunt through London’s sewers are all in a (typical) days work for these two, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

A Treacherous Curse was by far my favorite installment in this series thus far. Stoker’s past has always been hinted at and while some bits and pieces have been revealed, never has the story surrounding both his time in the Amazon and his ex-wife been fully explored. Much to my surprise and delight, it’s finally revealed in this book and I loved how an entire storyline was created around the reveal of his past. Fairly heartbreaking, as I’ve always known it would be, but also quite surprising the things we learn of Dear Revelstoke. Add to that, there’s an incredible amount of romantic tension concerning Veronica and Stoker this time around, and this book hit all the right buttons for me.

Stoker’s and Veronica’s relationship is certainly one of the things, among many, that keeps me running back to this series. I adore their partnership on so many levels and I love that while a romantic relationship between the two is almost a guarantee, it hasn’t happened quite yet. Not only has it not happened, but there’s an incredibly slow burn and a incrementally small build-up, and it’s going to be worth the wait when they finally get together. Their relationship is built on mutual respect for one another, and their friendship and partnership are one of the strongest I’ve ever encountered and I have no doubt that all of the above will make their romantic relationship (when it happens, because it has to) be that much better. This series is first and foremost a mystery series, with a very minuscule amount of romance and when the romance finally takes hold, it’s going to be amazing and well worth the tension and the drawn out process.

Bottom line - incredibly fun and witty, this series continues to delight and enchant me, with its dynamic cast of characters and the interesting and adventurous (and often hilarious) mysteries. Highly recommend both this series and this installment, and I’ll certainly be looking forward to Veronica and Stokers next adventure.

*eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Once again Deanna Raybourn has crafted a fine tale.
The attention to period details, here including digging in Egypt, is impressive in its detail without bogging the story down in information dumping.
Veronica Speedwell is a richly formed character, fully developed in all her idiosyncrasies. She is totally devoted to her partner, Stoker. More so to him than he is to himself at times!
The mysterious goings on are interesting and the solution satisfying.
I look forward to Miss Speedwell's further adventures. It will be quite interesting to see where the undeniable connection she and Stoker have leads to. Should they come together at last, the fire brigade better stand by!

tl;dr Review:

If you love this series, you’ll love this book!

Full Review:

I’d already read the first two books in this series about Veronica Speedwell (A Curious Beginning followed by A Perilous Undertaking) and had resigned myself to having to wait until the third book came out in the new year.

That is until I stumbled upon an ARC on NetGalley and literally shouted with joy and pumped my fist. (Yes, I’m weird. It’s fine.)

Because I fear in my excitement that I may give too much away in trying to describe the story, here’s the description offered by the publisher:

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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.

London, 1888. As colorful and unfettered as the butterflies she collects, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell can’t 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 rumors abound that the curse of the vengeful princess has been unleashed as the shadowy figure of Anubis himself stalks the streets of London. But the perils of an ancient curse are not the only challenges 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…

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That description right there should be enough to make you pick it up (although I do highly recommend you read the first two in the series prior to reading this one).

I had already fallen in love with the no-bullshit attitude of Veronica and loved how she is brilliant enough to ignore and/or manipulate men to her advantage. (I know that sounds bad, but trust me, it’s not.)

I also loved the irascible Stoker and enjoyed their consistent verbal sparring.

Outside of already loving the series, author Deanna Raybourn has a way of drawing you in with an entirely new tale and aspect of Victorian England with each book. This one brought me into the mindset of those that were raiding (though they’d call it preserving) Egyptian tombs in the 1800s. Despite this being a fictional story, it was fascinating to see the way society reacted to these expeditions back in their day.

Another reason I enjoy these books? Because as much as I try to figure out where they are going or who the bad guy is or what the ending will be, Ms. Raybourn always leaves me confounded. Even when I think I have it, she loops back on me and throws my assumptions to the wind.

If you’re looking for an exciting mystery peppered with hilarious social commentary of the time and a bad-ass protagonist, you’ll want to give this book a read.

I almost think I’ve come to a point where I just rate this book highly because it’s everything I could ever want in a historical fiction and then some. Set in Victorian England, following an independent and strong-willed woman while she sleuths with a handsome and devilish man. It’s quite perfect, really, and while mysterious aren’t my usual genre, I can’t stay away from these books.

I’ve enjoyed this series from the moment I finished A Curious Beginning, and this book is absolutely no exception. Raybourn simply has a magical way with words that brings you straight into the heart of Victorian England and into the lives of her characters. They are multi-faceted, three-dimensional, and you really want them as your own friends!

Veronica and Stoker are approached, once more, to solve a mystery and this one has been brought from across continents, weaving mythology and blurring the lines of reality…at least for a bit. One of things I loved most about this book is how raw and open we see Stoker, and for good reason. He’s an honest, good man, and he has kept most of his inner turmoil to himself, despite a growing friendship with Veronica. We learn even more about his past, and y’all know I love a good backstory. Stoker is no exception. Not only is he a dedicated friend, but he was also a dedicated husband despite what the world threw at him afterward.

We also see Veronica and Stoker’s friendship (I’m hesitant to call it a romance, really) solidify. Granted, we get a bit of that toward the end of the previous book, A Perilous Undertaking, but I think even Veronica is surprised with how open Stoker is about his past and she knows there’s no stopping him once he gets on a tangent. Truthfully, I think she’s quite relieved as well, because she’s curious about him as well, but doesn’t quite have the courage to ask him about it, though she’s heard rumors.

As I’ve said before, I’m rather bad at deducing who could be the possible culprit, so the ending was far more surprising than I thought it would be. However, minus the disappearance and subsequent events, it almost seemed a good jest but with horrible consequences. Despite that, I quite like the new characters, and chuckle with the old ones, especially good ol’ Lady Wellie. Veronica’s past is still on the table, though she would rather ignore it as those in hers have done, but we see that it’s slowly beginning to catch up with her. Yet I’m unsure if Veronica is willing to accept it, especially with some things that popped up in this book.

I am definitely interested to see where Raybourn will take these characters. There’s 2 more books about this one, and I’m almost at this point where things become repetitive, so I’m almost expecting a good shocker from book 4 and especially book 5. I’m torn about how I want the relationship between Stoker and Veronica to progress, as I’m afraid that if something romantic develops, their friendship could possibly go downhill, and I definitely don’t want that.

A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn is the third novel in the Veronica Speedwell series. Set in London, 1888 it shares Victorian mysteries and the friendship and antics of Veronica, the bastard daughter of the Prince of Wales and the troubled Stoker Revelstoke Templeton-Vane. In this installment, Stoker's former best friend is missing as well as an Egyptian artifact. Throw in an ex-wife, an Egyptian God, and Veronica's tenacious need to investigate and you've got an addictive read that will entertain you as you work to solve the case. 

Veronica Speedwell is one of my favorite characters. She is brazen, witty and a free thinker. The banter, and teasing she tortures Stoker with making them the ideal pair. While romantic notions are hinted at between them, the case takes front and center. Each book contains a new case, but I recommend starting at the beginning of the series for character development, relationships and because they are fantastic historical mysteries! Full review to post at Caffeinated on January 15th.