This was pure fun. I've been loving this series because Veronica Speedwell is such an engaging, savvy, and independent female protagonist. Now that we are into book 3, it has been fun to move past the preliminaries and explore the characters' backgrounds. I did find the Egyptian aspect to the mystery a little cheesy, but it was intricate enough that I didn't guess the perpetrator ahead of time. Can't wait to see more from this series!

Great series, love the interaction between Veronica and Stoker.

Veronica and Stoker are fun. I can't help but feeling like I'm dropping in on old friends when reading one of these stories.

Although a standalone story, this book is the third adventure of Veronica and her partner Stoker. We got some interesting background on Stoker and a who bunch of new characters introduced. Many of the characters I'm sure will fall by the wayside, but perhaps a few will create interesting allies/foes later on.

While reading you formulate your opinion on "who done it" and at the end are often intrigued at where you were right and wrong. These stories are approachable and have a sense of fun. Veronica is anything but a proper lady and it is always great fun when she encounters those who are astounded by it and those that are of kindred spirit.

I really loved this story and will continue to follow Veronica as she travels the world. (Hoping to get off English soil in the next book.)

Please! Let there be more!! Please Please Please!!! I absolutely adore this series by Deanna Raybourn. Veronica and Stoker are the best heroine and hero that I have read in a long time (for this genre). This is the third book in the series and I hope and pray she and her publisher keep treating us to their stories. Veronica is a lepidopterist with very modern ideas about how women need live and love and natural historian Stoker is a disgraced younger brother of the Earl Templeton-Vane who seems to at times have modern ideas of how women should act and other times has a decidedly uptight view, but has given up on changing Veronica. They have a very unconventional situation living somewhat together, but not exactly at Lord Rosmorran's estate while cataloging his art, specimens and historical items for an estate museum. This story brings Stoker's ex-wife back into the picture who is a very sore point for Veronica. Veronica despises her with just cursory knowledge which deepens as we finally get to learn more about Stoker's previous life with the ex. This is all tied into the latest mystery dealing with missing Egyptian artifacts and a curse. On the romance front between Stoker and Veronica - there isn't much and I may have been yelling at the book on occasion (especially after what happened in the last book), but at the end, there is a spark of hope at least. I felt it was more than a spark, however, I have read other reviews and they seem to think nothing was there. I disagree quite decidedly! My only worry is in the next book (fingers crossed) that I am correct and that hopefully there will be more romance. I know it won't be mushy or anything because they are both too stoic for that, but I believe there is love there to be explored. I received a free ARC of this book for an honest review and even though I have read it now - I purchased the hardback book of this entire series because I love it that much! FYI - I quit buying physical books years ago and even then it was paperback books.

This book was so fantastic! These past two mysteries dealt with Veronica, and her family. This book, the focus was more on Stoker, given that it's his ex-wife and ex-friend who are part of the mystery, so that story fully comes out in this book!

I've read other books with an Egyptology slant to them. Add to that all the wonderful things I love about this series, and this book was so intriguing! I loved the mystery, and meeting these characters, the Tivertons, and the others! So interesting!

Since Stoker was a suspect, more in the way that he was the only enemy of John de Morgan, rather than they actually thought he killed him, well, that was an interesting complication! There were a ew moving parts, and I loved how they all came together, it was just so great!

One thing that I absolutely loved about this book, were the lines that Veronica used against Caroline, they were real zingers! And Caroline unequivocally deserved them! Some weren't used against Caroline, but against her opinions, and that was just great, like that last one! A bit chilling, and so awesome! Oh, plus, the Curiosity Club! Loved the developments there!

This book was, in its entirety, amazing! I just loved reading it! Can't wait for the next book!

Love this series! These characters are so much fun, and wonderfully developed. The story moves at a clipped pace and I couldn't stop turning the pages. can't wait to see how this series continues!

I’ve had my eye on this book since before it even had a title! I finished the second book and immediately started counting the days until this one was going to be released.

Fortunately I had the good luck to be approved for an ARC way back in Oct, because I literally don’t think I could have waited for the release in Jan 2018!

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 (summary from Goodreads).

I would be lying if I said that I didn’t feel somewhat disappointed in this book, and for one reason only–the relationship between Stoker and Veronica. I loved the mystery and intrigue, I mean you can’t go wrong with an Egyptian curse. Egyptian curses are so exotic and mysterious by nature so incorporating it in to the novel was fantastic. I loved how the mystery culminated in the end and how there were multiple little tidbits that were resolved in a very neat fashion.

As always, Stoker and Veronica’s methods of deduction and chemistry played out well in the novel. I loved watching them arrive at the conclusion and there were many different scenes that were brilliantly written–particularly between Veronica and Caroline and of course between Stoker and Caroline. Very well done.

I felt satisfied with the resolution and excited for the next book but as I said, I would be lying if I didn’t note a tinge of disappointment in this book. I felt like in the first two books, there was so much sexual tension and chemistry between Stoker and Veronica and the way that the last book ended, I feel like fans were primed for major progress in there relationship. If you were hoping for just that–you don’t get it in this book.

There was some progress–albeit minimal–between the two. I mean we do find out more about Stoker and his past relationships but we don’t really see the same sexual tension and longing that we do in the other books. I felt like there should have at least been a larger conversation at some point in the book. An acknowledgement. A come to Jesus talk. A kiss. A tender moment. Something! Raybourn is so good at writing chemistry and romance that I was surprised that this book lacked some of her trademark build up and romance.

And this book would have been such a perfect opportunity to create either more conflict between the characters, more tension, or build up to a final resolution. With the introduction of Caroline, I thought that set the bar high for a more complicated romance between the two. I felt frustrated with the amount of grandstanding Veronica did in defense of their friendship. I think their friendship is invaluable to each of them, but it has been so heavily foreshadowed that they will end up together that I didn’t feel it necessary to drive home their friendship importance.

I needed more inner conflict or romantic tension to develop rather than the importance of their friendship. I am ok with the fact that they aren’t married and settled down by now, as that’s the typical formula for many romantic mysteries. That was one of the reason why I loved this series so much….the romance didn’t fizzle out in the first two books. Most books find the two main characters married and pregnant by book 3 or 4 so I am thankful that Raybourn didn’t go in that same formulaic direction with this series, however, I needed a little more to happen when it came to Stoker and Veronica.

All romantic criticism aside, this is a well written mystery and intriguing with lots of moving parts. As I mentioned, the Egyptian plot was exciting and mysterious with a subtle nod to the occult. I love how Stoker and Veronica work together and I am thrilled to see where their adventures take them next. And hopefully the next book moves their relationship forward more.

Book: A Treacherous Curse (Veronica Speedwell #3) by Deanna Raybourn

Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Expected publication: January 16th 2018 by Berkley
ASIN B071RJPG32
Review copy provided by: Publisher/Author in exchange for an honest review
This book counts toward: NA

Hosted by: NA
Books for Challenge Completed: NA
Recommendation: 4 out of 5

Genre: Historical fiction, mystery, detective novel, Victorian novel, Gothic romance

Memorable lines/quotes:

This was a really nice addition to the Veronica Speedwell series. I like how we learned more about the characters and I like the progress that is being made in the various relationships. I recommend these books to readers who like historical mysteries and strong female characters, and this will fit right in. But I do think the mystery in this one was a little easier to figure out than usual.

Definitely British in style and characters. The characters are quite well developed and intriguing. The mystery deepens and there are many surprising developments throughout! Love Miss Speedwell's attitude and perseverance. Great British mystery!

The book was a little slow-going at first and the characters have some serious emotional baggage to carry with them. The "ahead-of-her-time" feminism of Veronica grew tiresome, though I understand the reasons for it. It was an interesting read, but I don't feel compelled to continue the series.

This third entry in the Veronica Speedwell series is another rollicking adventure. Our heroine is smart, tempestuous, bold and doesn't take any guff off anyone -- male or female. In this mystery, set in the early 20th century when all things Egyptian had captured the public imagination, a series of mysterious mishaps at an archaeological dig results in at least one death, a disappearance, and the theft of a priceless artifact. Was it an ancient tomb curse or mere greed?

Speedwell and her cohort Stoker are called in to help solve the puzzle. The whole situation is very much complicated by the fact that the missing man is Stoker's ex-best friend, the same man who stole Stoker's wife and left him for dead. This series steams with romantic tension between Stoker and Speedwell, and she is soon uncomfortably deep in Stoker's past, face to face with Caroline, his philandering ex-wife.

These adventures are tongue in cheek and sometimes over the top, filled with repartee and an epic battle of the sexes between the two leads. The reader is fairly certain where the two will end up, but the buildup is entertaining.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.

I was hooked on this series at book 1, and book 3 did not disappoint!

Veronica Speedwell and Stoker Templeton-Vane together make a most entertaining duo. Veronica is venomous in the most charming and non-villainous way. Stoker is one of those masculine feminist men, a rare bird for their days and still surprisingly (and irritatingly) rare. And though they are very alike and match each other very well, I cannot help but be charmed by how much they balance and compliment each other as well. It's almost like they are written for each other as much as for the characters individually.

Veronica's pragmatic approach and Stoker's emotional temperament are both the top layer of two multi-layered and fascinating figures. I just simply enjoy reading them so much. They dive right into the fray, never leaving the reader wanting for action or adventure. With a scientific background, Veronica and Stoker spend an equal amount of time discussing and dissecting the problems rationally. With this, they never leave the reader behind in the dark. There don't seem to be a lot of <i>eureka!</i> moments that dash off with the reader in a blind tow, and I really appreciate that.

The plot was returned to be more of the main focus here than in the previous installment, [book:A Perilous Undertaking|30008834], and with that we finally get to meet Caroline de Morgan, Stoker's ex-wife. I hope this means something more significant for Stoker and Veronica in the next book, because I'm about to pull out my own hair with the chemistry sparking between these two like shards of electricity on a Tesla ball or plasma globe.

Egyptian curses, Egyptian artifacts, and an archeologically-centered family (or two) dominate the narrative in the best and the most convoluted way. Almost expanding on the idea of a dysfunctional family, but with intrigue, crime, deception, and separation taking on a whole new meaning. Raybourn lands herself firmly in the delightful and funny mysteries category with this installment, and I very much look forward to the next one.

This is the third, and in my opinion, best, book in the Veronica Speedwell series. This time, Veronica and Stoker are solving a mystery surrounding a disappearance during an Egyptian tomb discovery, and Stoker's ex-wife finally makes an appearance. As usual, Veronica is so witty and refreshing, and the banter between her and Stoker was my absolute favorite. The ending of the book had me pacing the room and fanning myself off. I can't wait for the next book in this series. Deanna Raybourn, you are amazing!

With Egypt as the backdrop this Victorian suspense novel soars from page one and never flags. Deanna Raybourn captures the culture and mores of the times sweeping readers up in the unsolved murders and mayhem carefully planted in this well developed plot. Our two sizzling protagonists, Veronica and Stoker, leap off the page and engage in Holmesian logic to dispel the Egyptian curse which most believe caused the deaths and created the mayhem. Sightings of Anubis the Egyptian God of Death on the streets of London add a paranormal twist to the plot making readers hunger for more adventures from these two.

The third installment in this series is just as charming and fun as the previous two. The mystery is not much to speak of but the banter between Veronica and Stoker and Veronica and everyone else is fun, sarcastic and a joy to read. The advancement of Stokers backstory was interesting and I look forward to the next adventure.

After receiving a copy of this -- the third book in the series -- from the publisher for review purposes, I made it a point to read the first two books in the series first, so that I could review this book in context of the series.

I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed the series, but sorry to report that book 3 probably ranked 3rd for me in terms of enjoyment.

First, Veronica Speedwell is a fabulously modern and satisfying heroine (she's feisty, feminist, independent, enjoys wearing trousers, likes science, and isn't prudish about sex). As you can imagine, a modern heroine in Victorian England encounters more than her fair share of challenges. Veronica, though, is more than equal to the task, and she has a deft hand with solving mysteries along the way. Part Nancy Drew, part James(ina) Bond, and part Charlotte Holmes, Victoria is a brilliant companion and her adventures are a delight to follow.

In Book 3, the mystery is a complicated one. A longtime Egyptologist has returned to England with the find of a lifetime: an Egyptian princess's sarcophagus and many attendant artifacts. However, an employee of his has vanished, along with the princess's diadem. The disappearance, of course, takes place under mysterious circumstances straight out of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's oeuvre. There are the usual social and Scotland-Yard-based obstacles to Veronica's involvement in the case, but she dispatches those with her usual flair.

My disappointment came chiefly with the pacing of the book. At nearly 3/4 of the way through the book, I felt that not much progress had been made with the mystery, which meant that the conclusion came very rapidly and wasn't as satisfying as it could have been. Still, the loose ends were neatly and creatively tied up as always, and I'm already thinking wistfully about Book 4 and what adventures it might contain. I would love to see Veronica travel abroad as she originally planned!

Veronica is once again pulled into an investigation, this time with an Egyptian theme. Stoker and Veronica have to figure it out while some parts of Stoker’s not so nice past gets pulled back into the limelight. This book featured more of the relationship between Stoker and Veronica. Once again, a fun book to read if you like Victorian England and a great female lead character.

I love Deanna Raybourn's books. All her stories are exciting and characters well fleshed out. Like the two previous books Speedwell and Stoker play amateur sleuths to find a missing person and a highly valuable Egyptian artifact. I take one star out because the plot is a little muddy and slightly rushed compared to the previous two in the series, but what brought it back were the characters. Raybourn has a knack for creating wonderful and memorable characters (even side characters are great)! I almost wish these books were a little longer but I guess that's how you create suspense for the next book.

This was my first time reading a book by Deanna Raybourn. I was attracted to the cover of the book and the description. I will now go out and start this series from the beginning because I really loved the characters and want to see how they evolve. I believe this would also be a great book for YA. I felt the plot pacing was good and while I am well aware of some of the history revolving around the British expeditions to Egypt I don't think you would have to know the background to enjoy this book. I felt the friendship between Veronica and Stoker was both fun, a little sexy, and based on wanting the best for another person while valuing each others independence! A valuable lesson! Well done Ms. Raybourn !