I received a copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review. This is the first book I've read in the series, and I'm going to go back and read all the previous ones. I really enjoyed the relationship between the two leads, Veronica and Stoker, and all their banter. The mystery was a bit predictable, but still enjoyable because of the relationship between them. I also enjoyed the interactions between Veronica, Stoker, and his brother, Tiberius. I look forward to delving into the series!

Thank you so much to @Netgalley and @Berkleypub for sending me this amazing e-book.

I’ve been a huge fan of this series, ever since I picked up A Curious Beginning. I will not lie and say that the covers of these books definitely caught my attention but I fell in love with Veronica and Stoker. I love how amazing and crazy their lives are, at the time when women had no rights and were meant to be housewives. And this book definitely gave me everything I wanted ever since book one.
After they find themselves in a mysterious situation and place, they mystery only brought them closer together. After all the pain they both went through, I am so happy they finally admitted their feelings to each other!
And of course, the Mystery. I love how crazy and unexpected it was and I definitely didn’t see the killer coming!

Can you also talk about the ending, please? Because Jack the Ripper is COMING!

A Dangerous Collaboration is book four in the Veronica Speedwell series. I recommend reading at least book three, A Treacherous Curse, first before reading this one because there are events of this book that are in reaction to the previous and will make more sense if you are aware of the background.

Veronica has been separated from Stoker for six months as she went to Madeira without him and comes back to his brother's invitation to join him on an island with some unique butterflies. The island is owned by Tiberius' old school friend, Malcolm and Tiberius suggests they pose as an affianced couple so not to offend Malcolm's Catholic sensibilities about two single people traveling alone together. Tiberius is tediously trying to seduce Veronica - for his own amusement and to irritate his brother? Either way, it's irritating after the events of the last book to have it reversed between Veronica and Stoker again.

I was intrigued by the missing bride story, is she dead or alive? The island seems to be almost from a different time, with a small village and isolation as there are days when the water is too rough to go anywhere. This leads them to believe that Rosamund did not flee, so is she haunting the island or did she never leave it and has been hiding away? If so, why? The pool of suspects is also very limited due to everything taking place on the island, so the fact that no one saw anything suspicious makes it even more muddled as to what may have happened. The hopelessness around so much of the book - Veronica and butterflies, her relationship with Stoker, the potential futility of investigating the bride's disappearance permeates the book. It does not have the creepy undertones of a Gothic but sad frustration about life's choices.

There was more tension between Stoker and Veronica than there was about the mystery because it's been three years and part of them doesn't expect answers. There isn't much to unravel with the mystery. Overall, it wasn't a particularly satisfying read so hopefully the next in the series picks up the pace and has a more intriguing mystery.

I love the Veronica Speedwell books! This one was a big different which I liked. You find out more about Stoker and his relationship with his family which is good. The characters were well written and the story moved along well. I also liked that we were somewhere different than the usually London atmosphere. I love the interaction between Stoker and Veronica. She is defiantly not a damsel in distress which I love. Can't wait to see what's next!

A Dangerous Collaboration is the 4th book in the Veronica Speedwell Mystery Series and it was such a treat to read!

Pretty well continuing where A Treacherous Curse leaves off Veronica and Stoker are yet again thrust into another conundrum. Traveling to a secluded island, staying at a haunted house with some interesting characters is a recipe for intrigue, right!?

Deanna Raybourn has cemented herself as a go-to author for me. Her writing puts a smile on my face. It's witty, saucy with the right blend of smart-alecky mixed in. Oh and yea an interesting mystery that needs to be solved. In this case, the location was yummy. A small island with an old castle - is it really haunted? Stormy weather, a bride missing for 3 years and the icing on the cake would be Stoker’s brother along for the ride. Is he really an innocent bystander? You’ll have to read this little gem to find out.

While I suppose you can read this one as a stand alone, but why? Start with A Curious Beginning and go from there.

Miss Veronica Speedwell is a lepidopterist, adventure seeker, and investigator. She and her colleague, Stoker Templeton-Vane are working as natural historians, cataloging an extensive collection. Veronica is invited to travel alongside Lord Tiberius Templeton-Vane, Stoker’s brother, to a house party on St. Maddern’s Isle where the Romilly Glasswing butterfly is said to live. The Glasswing was previously thought to be extinct so Veronica is elated at the invitation and agrees to the trip. Unsure of his brother’s intentions, Stoker decides to travel to the isle as well.

Upon arriving at the castle of St. Maddern’s Isle, Veronica, Tiberius, and Stoker are met by their host, Malcom Romilly. At luncheon, Malcom confesses that the castle hasn’t hosted guests in three years. At that time, his bride, Rosamund, disappeared on their wedding day and hasn’t been seen or heard from since. Malcom has specifically invited his lifelong friend Tiberius, his sister-in-law Helen who is the widow of his late brother, and her son Caspian to the isle for this sojourn. Malcom’s sister, Mertensia and the housekeeper, Mrs. Trengrouse complete the group Malcom has assembled to determine once and for all what happened to Rosamund on that fateful day. Through their investigation, Veronica and Stoker learn that each member of the gathering had a reason for hoping Malcom and Rosamund’s marriage would not succeed. But who wanted it to fail badly enough to actually do something about it?

This was my first Veronica Speedwell mystery and I am definitely making plans to read the first three novels. This book kept me guessing up until the very end. Each time I thought I had narrowed down the identity of the perpetrator, a new twist would develop sending me in a new direction. Veronica and Stoker’s relationship is marked by romantic tension and wiitty, flirtatious dialogue. The series is set in the 1880s in Victorian England and this novel takes place in an old castle. Details such as stone floors, candlelight after nightfall, and secret passageways accent the mysterious elements of the story beautifully. Deanna Raybourn has written a compelling and alluring story that I strongly recommend to mystery lovers, fans of historical fiction, and those who love a strong-minded, independent female heroine!

Sincere thanks to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author Deanna Raybourn for the opportunity to read this eGalley!

I have a lot of feelings about this book. On the one hand, I absolutely love this series. I was completely hooked by the first one and have been a huge fan ever since. But I also feel like the quality of the books is dropping a bit. I loved this book because I love the characters, but I feel like their slow-burn was dragged out just a tiny bit too much, and that the mysteries and getting a little too mystery-of-the-week. Like, the mystery of the first book was largely focused around Veronica and I think that helped focus the book. With the mysteries of the following books, the further it gets from out characters the less invested I am. I'm reading this book for the characters and the love story. I like watching them solve the mystery together but I don't especially care about the mystery itself.
Also, with this book in particular, the beginning did a lot of telling without showing. I sets Veronica up for a whole expedition, and I've been DYING to see her and Stoker on a trip, and then it just brushes over the trip in a few lines. They have a fight, she leaves, has a bad time. It felt like telling and not showing in the worst way and it was SO obvious that the Raybourn just wanted to get past it. In the process however, I feel like she missed a lot of opportunity for character development and emotional depth, and for that I was disappointed.
Because I love the characters though, I still very much enjoyed the book. I do plan to purchase it and will read the other books in the series.

A DANGEROUS COLLABORATION – Deanna Raybourn
Veronica Speedwell Mystery

England – 1888

Veronica Speedwell, lepidopterist and amateur sleuth, has been invited to the island of St. Maddern off the Cornwall coast to, hopefully, find a presumed extinct butterfly called the Romilly Glasswing. It is her fellow scientist, Stoker’s brother, Lord Templeton-Vane who issues the invitation, much to Stoker’s disdain. The brothers are not the best of friends, long story short – Stoker is their mother’s son, but not their father’s son! At any rate, Veronica accepts and, because their host is a Roman Catholic, she and the viscount pretend to be engaged. Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, is upset upon their arrival at the tiny train station in Cornwall to find Stoker waiting for them. What Tiberius hasn’t completely confessed to either Veronica or Stoker is that there is a dark reason for their visit to St. Madden.

The three travelers arrive by boat on the tiny island to be greeted by Malcolm Romilly, owner of the land. There is clearly tension between he and Tiberius, and all is revealed later. Three years ago, just after their marriage ceremony, Malcolm’s new wife, Rosamund vanished. No trace of her has been found. Malcolm has invited Tiberius, a lifelong friend, his sister-in-law, Helen, widow of Malcolm’s brother, and her son, Caspian to the island. Malcolm’s sister, Mertensia, and housekeeper, Mrs. Trengrouse round out the odd combination of people in the house. Just what does Malcolm have in mind by bringing this group together?
Veronica and Stoker are at odds due to her pretending to be Tiberius’ fiancée. Both of them pretend not to care, but that tension is fairly apparent. They have worked together in the past on other mysteries, but this one seems to be more personal than others due to Stoker’s brother’s involvement. What connection is there between Malcolm, Rosamund, and the viscount? Things get even more confusing when Malcolm asks Helen, a self-professed psychic, to try to contact Rosamund. What happens during that episode sets the tone for Veronica and Stoker to search for answers to more than one question.

A DANGEROUS COLLABORATON is my first Veronica Speedwell mystery, and I will definitely read the previous ones now. There are plenty of red herrings in this tale, almost everyone except Veronica and Stoker, seem to have a reason to not want Malcolm and Rosamund’s marriage to work out. But who had the most to lose? An excellent, beautifully written mystery, I highly recommend A DANGEROUS COLLABORATION, and encourage readers to also read the previous novels: A CURIOUS BEGINNING, A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING, and A TREACHEROUS CURSE.

More than 5 stars! I love this series!

After Julia and Brisbane in the Julia Grey series, I didn't think we'd have another couple like that, but Veronica and Stoker—wow!

The mystery is this book is quite twisted and there's so many people involved. To me, it has heavy hints of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, with the setting and the Gothic elements, even though it's quite different.
Of course, as interesting as the mystery was, it was a way to get Veronica and Stoker closer, to learn more about Tiberius, his past and his relationship with his brother.
After the way book 3 ended, I've been anxiously wait for progress. I was not disappointed, but at the same time, I want more!

The Veronica Speedwell series is one of my favourites due to its main characters, delightful banter and Raybourn's ability to write a compelling mystery. In this fourth addition to the popular series, Veronica, Stoker and Stoker's brother Tiberius (aka Lord Templeton-Vane) find themselves in an old, and possibly haunted, castle on a secluded island off the Cornwall coast with a mystery to solve.

Veronica continues to be the epitome of a sassy and strong woman who doesn't cave to the pressures put upon Victorian women. Stoker remains a complicated fellow, with deep-seated familial issues and I liked that his relationship with his brother, Tiberius is revealed more and hope that Lord Templeton-Vane has a bigger role in future plots.

The relationship between Veronica and Stoker continues to be intense, complex and dripping with a chemistry. While there seemed to be less of their classic banter this time out and some of their scenes could have been rectified with a simple conversation, overall, I continue to love their unique relationship.

Raybourn's mysteries continue to get better and better as she weaves twists, complexity and tension. Readers are teased with a hint of the fifth book's focus which will leave Veronica fans chomping at the bit for the mystery and more details about the unique bond between Veronica and Stoker.

Note: If you haven't met Veronica and Stoker yet (Honestly!! You haven't read it yet?), I advise you to start at the beginning and read A Curious Beginning.

OH WOW. I’m going to try to write this without revealing any spoilers but please know I ought to get a cookie because I. Am. Bursting. !!!!!

This book is everything. Veronica is her willful, adventurous, sassy self. So independent and curious. Her relationship with other characters is fascinating to read about.

And there’s stoker.

STOKER.

My heart melts for this irascible grump who nearly always steals every scene he’s in. And in this book—he flat out SHINES. We see a different, secret side to him: playful, tender and sensitive.

I can’t recommend this book enough. Five stars. All the stars. !!!!

Another delightful entry in this series. The setting is particularly interesting in this one, and the growth in supporting characters of the series offers promise for future volumes.

Veronica and Stoker are BACK in the best way possible!! After the frustration of the previous book where they both felt something for each other but neither of them would admit it - there's FINALLY plot progression in this entrancing book! Hurrah! Loved the plot and pacing in this one, and was totally surprised at the culprit in this novel. Thank you Ms Raybourne!

A Dangerous Collaboration is the newest Veronica Speedwell installment by Deanna Raybourn. Stoker and Veronica find themselves on another adventure with none other than Stoker"s brother Tiberius. Veronica is persuaded to join Tiberius at the castle home of his oldest friend Malcolm Romilliy. Malcolm's family is quirky and a bit on the prickly side. Stoker and Tiberius can barely be in the same room with one another and Veronica is now being referred to as Tiberius' fiance. Add a missing wife, a poison garden and a young heir to the estate and suddenly all bets are off. Fun, fast paced and the ongoing are they or aren't they questions make this an all around enjoyable read. Well done Deanna, can't wait for the next book!

First, I would like to give a big thanks to the publisher and author for gifting me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I also received book three in the Veronica Speedwell series from Netgalley and it was my first glimpse at the series and at this author. I fell in love with Veronica and so enjoyed reading the books in this series. I got book one and two and quickly read through both so I was very excited to receive an advanced copy of book four. I find Veronica to be such a strong, clever, witty, likable character and I love reading the witty and friendly (sometimes flirty) dialogue between her and Stoker, her business partner. The mysteries are fun and have always provided surprises and twists that kept me from guessing the ending. The books are still light and easy reads, not anything dark or heavy- even though investigating murder. I relate these to a grown up version of the Flavia de Luce novels. Definitely a series and author I will always keep my eye on anticipating the next title!

Love, love, love this series! I've enjoyed all 4 books so far and can't wait for the next one (and hope there will be more than 5 books in the series).

This is one of my favorite series. The characters are interesting and the mystery keeps me engaged.. Veronica is a strong female lead. She and Stoker make a good partnership in their careers and in solving the mystery. I look forward to more books in the series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review. - If you haven't tried this series I highly recommend you find them and read them in order due to character story line.

A house party mystery with a poison garden, fake engagement, and a missing bride gives Deanna Raybourn a chance to make her Veronica Speedwell character shine. This is the fourth well-written mystery in this series and it remains a testament of the fun that a strong-willed woman with enough spunk can generate on the page.

This is a new installment in a series of period mysteries, but requires no previous knowledge of the earlier volumes in the series to enjoy, a big plus for me. Veronica Speedwell and her mystery-solving partner Stoker become embroiled in a mystery that includes elements of the Victorian ghost story The Mistletoe Bough, pirate lore on the Cornish Coast, Spiritualism, and poison gardens. As Veronica and Stoker try to figure out the disappearance of a bride who vanished on her wedding night, they must also contend with Stoker's brother's interest in Veronica and their own slow-burn romance. While the mystery solves itself when the murderer announces themselves, the story is still entertaining and a fun read with good characters and little details that charm the reader (Chester the felt mouse, among others).

I love the Veronica Speedwell series with its naturalist leading lady and her colleague, Stoker, who get pulled into solving mysteries and fighting their mutual attraction to one another. As the book opens, Veronica and Stoker have a very strained relationship following her extended trip to Portugal. Things get a little dicier when Stoker’s brother, Lord Templeton-Vane, entices Veronica to join him on a trip to Cornwall with the chance to see a butterfly thought previously to be extinct. Stoker manages to wrangle an invitation as well.

Their arrival at the secluded island in Cornwall reveals there were ulterior motives to the invitation when their host, Malcolm Romilly, asks them to find out what happened to his bride, Rosamund, who disappeared on their wedding day, three years previously.