Dear Deanna Raybourn:

This is book six in your Veronica Speedwell mystery series, set in late Victorian London. Blurb time!:

January 1889. As the newest member of the Curiosity Club—an elite society of brilliant, intrepid women—Veronica Speedwell is excited to put her many skills to good use. As she assembles a memorial exhibition for pioneering mountain climber Alice Baker-Greene, Veronica discovers evidence that the recent death was not a tragic climbing accident but murder. Veronica and her natural historian beau, Stoker, tell the patron of the exhibit, Princess Gisela of Alpenwald, of their findings. With Europe on the verge of war, Gisela’s chancellor, Count von Rechstein, does not want to make waves—and before Veronica and Stoker can figure out their next move, the princess disappears.

Having noted Veronica’s resemblance to the princess, von Rechstein begs her to pose as Gisela for the sake of the peace treaty that brought the princess to England. Veronica reluctantly agrees to the scheme. She and Stoker must work together to keep the treaty intact while navigating unwelcome advances, assassination attempts, and Veronica’s own family—the royalty who has never claimed her.

Some series spoilers follow.

Book five in the series not only saw Veronica meeting and bonding with her royal half-brother, but finally….finally! consummating her relationship with Stoker. In the aftermath, Veronica is enjoying the intimacy but also subtly bristling at the bonds that Stoker represents. Both are used to seeking out freedom and adventure. But of the two, Stoker is often the more cautious, level-headed one, whereas Veronica loves nothing more than running head-long into danger. (It’s one of qualities that I sometimes like and sometimes find irritating in her, along with her persistent smugness.)

The investigation into the apparent murder of Alice Baker-Greene causes tension because Stoker initially wants to stay out of it (he did, after all, get shot during their last foray), whereas everything in Veronica – her sense of identification with Alice, her commitment to justice, and the fact that she finds investigating murder fun – prods her towards throwing herself into the fray.

The disappearance of Princess Gisela and subsequent need for a double provide Veronica with the perfect opportunity to snoop around and see what she can find out about Alice’s death. Her suspects include the aforementioned chancellor, Count von Rechstein; Gisela’s would-be fiance, Duke Maximilian of Lokendorf, and Captain Durand, the princess’s personal bodyguard. All fit, more or less, the physical description of the man seen on the mountain with Alice on the fateful day. There’s also a villainous American climber, Douglas Norton, whom Alice had quarreled with, lurking about.

Veronica’s frenemy, the yellow journalist J.J. Butterworth, is also hanging around, disguising herself as a hotel maid to get the scoop on the princess. It somewhat defies credibility that she doesn’t break the story of Gisela’s disappearance, though she’s ostensibly given another story in exchange for keeping her silence. Butterworth then trades favors with Veronica and gives her information on the disappearance of some key evidence – the climbing rope that was clearly cut to cause the fatal fall.

The events of An Unexpected Peril give Veronica a poignant up-close glimpse into royal life, one that could have been hers if things had been different. On the one hand, the stifling rules (and heavy tiaras!) do not suit Veronica, at all. On the other hand, the sense of belonging is something she has felt the lack of her whole life. (The adoration of the masses is nice in small doses, too.)

This is the second book in a row that heavily features Veronica’s royal backstory, and for some reason, I got a little tired of it towards the end. Maybe it feels like Veronica’s feelings never really evolve, so she’s just repeating herself over and over? (Though I’m reminded of the fact that these books are set in a pretty short timeline, with many of them starting just days or weeks after the previous book ended.) Maybe it’s that I’m not a big fan, in general, of inserting fictional characters into real history. Or maybe it’s that Veronica’s vulnerability on the subject of her parentage doesn’t jibe with her uber-confident personality. (I feel somewhat hypocritical about the last one, since I’m generally a fan of vulnerability and not so much of uber-confidence.)

Maybe I’m just in my feelings about the British royal family because the Harry and Meghan/Oprah interview aired last night. Whatever the reason, I wouldn’t mind if the next book focuses on something else.

The mysteries (Alice’s death and Gisela’s disappearance) didn’t interest me hugely, but that’s often the case with the historical mystery series that I read. I read these books for Veronica, Stoker, and the other colorful characters (and dogs! They seem to acquire a new dog in every book) that populate the series. My grade for An Unexpected Peril is a B.

Best,

Jennie

Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Hmmm...if this is what is in store for the Veronica Speedwell series, it might be time to call it.

This is one of my all-time favourite series featuring some of my all-time favourite characters. Veronica and Stoker are such interesting people with a fascinating and complex relationship forged on mutual respect, admiration, and understanding. I just adore them together and have always looked forward to the next instalment.

But based on this book it looks like since the slow burn romance has wrapped up, the author was not sure where to take things. Is this a filler book or has this story concluded? I feel like there is just so much we can still explore given their VERY intriguing back stories but the story and mystery felt far more aimless than in past volumes.

I will tune in for the next, but am really hoping it proves more engaging than this one.

That being said, I am very attached to these characters and eager to hear about their adventures, even if the story is more on the slight side.

Veronica and her companion/lover Stoker begin another quest to solve murder that was originally thought to be an accident in the 6th title in Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell mystery series. They have joined with other adventure minded friends to open an exhibit that celebrates the life of intrepid Alpinist Alice Baker-Greene who died in an accident on the Teufelstreppe mountain peak in the small country of Alpenwald.
Princess Gisela, ruler of Alpenwald comes to open the exhibit to honor her late friend and meet with the French envoy. But after Alice's climbing gear is unpacked it becomes apparent that her death was not an accident. Then the princess goes missing just before she is to sign a new treaty with the French.
A substitute princess, a journey to Alpenwald, and a variety of nefarious villians all complicate Veronica and Stoker's attempts to uncover the truth.
An intriguing history cozy that gains in momentum as it is read.
4🌟🌟🌟🌟

An Unexpected Peril is another treat of a book by Deanna Raybourn. I love the setting, the characters and of course the ongoing relationship between Stoker and Veronica. I have enjoyed each of the books as they have come along and recommend them to my reader friends. You just can't beat character like Veronica. Loved the mystery in this one and impersonating a princess sounds like good fun.

As always, Deanna Raybourn can do no wrong. The Veronica Speedwall series will forever have a place in my heart, and one I recommend to anyone who wants a charming, funny historical mystery series. Each book continues to get better and better as the friendship and relationship of Veronica and Stoker develops. I fall more and more in love with each character the more I read. The witty dialogue is incredible and keeps me laughing. This series is one I will continue to reread often and will always find such joy in the characters!

WHY DID I LISTEN TO AN UNEXPECTED PERIL BY DEANNA RAYBOURN?
Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series is special. An Unexpected Peril is the sixth book in the series, so of course I knew I was going to read it. I have also listened to four out of the five previous books in the series. It was a no brainer that I would also listen to this book once it came up in my Libby holds queue. I love that Raybourn keeps on delivering with this story about the intrepid Veronica Speedwell and the different adventures she thrusts herself headlong into.

WHAT’S THE STORY HERE?
An Unexpected Peril follows Ms. Speedwell as she travels to Germany with Stoker to investigate mysterious circumstances that surround the death of mountain climber Alice Baker-Green. You see, it is assumed that Alice’s death is a tragic accident. However that’s not the case as Veronica has discovered. She lets Princess Gisela know this, as Gisela is sponsoring a memorial exhibit for Baker-Green. But then, Gisela disappears. With potential war on the horizon and Veronica looking like Gisela, she is asked to pose as Gisela to prevent war. So, Veronica does so while also trying to get to the bottom of what happened to Alice.

WHAT DID I THINK OF AN UNEXPECTED PERIL?
An Unexpected Peril is my favorite of the Veronica Speedwell series so far. I love how bold Veronica is. Even at the end when she’s in danger, she’s still brave. Also, again, I love the chemistry and the relati0nship between her and Stoker. There’s a part in the book that is literally heart eyes emoji for me — where you can see just how invested Stoker is and how much he cares. Oh and then there’s the mystery. This is one where I was really engaged – especially as we get the different reveals. Plus, the fact that Baker-Green was a suffragist was awesome too. Really, this book has so much going for it – so of course it is my favorite of the series.

HOW’S THE NARRATION?
This is my fifth review of an audiobook from the Veronica Speedwell series and really what can I add that is new? Angele Masters continues to kill it with her narration. I think that if you are to experience the Veronica Speedwell books you simply must try the audiobooks. They’ll get you through chores, feeding a baby, long drives, all kinds of tedious things. You will feel absolutely transported if you listen to these books. I promise.

This is one of my absolute favorite series. Is it funny? Yes! Does it have a slow burn will-they-won’t-they? Yes! Does it distract from the mysteries? No! Does it totally make it more entertaining? Yes! Does it have adventure? Yes! Sleuthing? Yes! Amusing bickering? Yes! A woman who refuses to be told what to do? Double yes!

This time around Veronica Speedwell (lepidopterist) and Stoker Templeton-Van (natural historian)–when not hilariously bickering–end up roped into a missing Princess case. Apparently, it is frowned upon in this establishment for princesses to up and disappear. And by this establishment I mean 1889 England because this is a historical mystery. The goal is to keep the disappearance a secret because clearly the princess has just taken a break and will return, but no one can know she’s missing. Plus, there are important duties to attend to and that’s how Veronica ends up being talked into pretending to be the princess until they find her. Fun! Except this is a mystery and wow does Veronica have a knack for getting herself and Stolker into life or death situations. Throw in mountain climbing, diaries, do-I-have-to-marry-him, delicious desserts, I-think-it’s-a-murder, a grump and a cheerful go-getter, and literal LOL scenes and you’re in for a fantastically fun mystery.

If you’re debating jumping in here, I’ll say that you won’t be lost because Raybourn gives you all the necessary tidbits, but so much of the delight of this series is watching characters’ secrets be revealed and Veronica and Stoker’s relationship. Plus, why only want one great read when you can have 6?

The Veronica Speedwell series continues to entertain. In this new entry, we find a newly intimate Veronica and Stoker, still saucy and arrogant and still learning each other fully. The duo encounters another raft of colorful, larger-than-life characters who lead them on another hair-raising, mind-bending adventure involving alpinists, cut ropes, missing princesses, the growing threat of Germany, and those who wish to stem the tide of progress.

Raybourn’s writing is sharp, with the witty dialogue we’ve come to expect in the series coupled with a well-researched and fascinating plot. Why isn’t this a TV series????

Recommended.

Hooray for another Veronica and Stoker installment! I absolutely adore this series (and everything Deanna Raybourn has written, for that matter), and once again this latest book is an absolute gift to the series!

Veronica is a newly minted member of the Curiosity Club (can I join??), and has been tasked with putting together a memorial for a pioneering mountain climber, Alice Baker-Greene, who sadly perished while climbing in Alpenwald (a fictional town I would love to visit!). But Stoker makes an interesting discovery that leads the pair to believe her death was not an accident, but murder. Veronica has to convince Stoker that they need to investigate, and before they know it, the visiting Princess Gisela of Alpenwald has gone missing. The princess bears a striking resemblance to Veronica, so she is asked to step in for some official royal duties while in London. It's in her undercover role that Veronica figures out the mystery of the missing princess as well as Alice Baker-Greene's death.

This was such a fun adventure! I loved the mountain climbing plot line, as well as the mysterious Princess Gisela. But mostly, I loved watching the newly blossoming relationship between Veronica and Stoker grow stronger. I was so worried Raybourn would do something to drive them apart, but though their bond is tested, it only grows stronger. I love that Veronica admits her vulnerabilities but stays strong to who she is, and that Stoker respects that. Highly recommend this series to any historical cozy mystery lovers, and fans of this series will be thrilled with this latest installment!

This series is phenomenal. I wish I could read it for the first time all over again. The character development and the banter among characters, the way that story unfolds... all of these things make the entire series such a stand-out!

This was my first Veronica Speedwell novel, and will definitely not be my last. I enjoyed this alternate history very much. It most reminded me of 19th and 20th century novels like George Barr McCutcheon's Graustark novels and Anthony Hope's Prisoner of Zenda because of both the impersonation of a monarch from a fictional country and the style of writing. There is also a steampunk feel.

Our main character, Veronica, is definitely ahead of her time and a very independent woman. Although a lepidopterist, she really seems to thrives on action, adventure, and mystery. This novel contains some other woman of a similar vein. This is NOT a romance, but parts are romantic...

This is the sixth novel in the series, but I didn't have any trouble catching up with the characters. But I will be going back and beginning with #1 now.

That was fun! :) The characters Ms. Raybourn has created for this series really have taken on a life of their own. I love the voice that she gives them, and I love the tone of her writing in this series. This particular volume finds our intrepid Veronica and Stoker creating an exhibit to memorialize a pioneering female mountaineer who tragically died in a climbing accident. They discover evidence that the mountaineer's death was actually murder, and the next thing they know there's a missing foreign princess and Veronica is asked to impersonate her for public appearances in London. The actual mystery here is not that hard to figure out, but it's still fun along the way, and both main characters are thinking through their new relationship. Thumbs up, and excelsior!

So...first thing first...somehow I missed that this was the sixth book in the series amd didn't even realize it until well into it, however, I still followed the plot and relationships very well. The author did an exceptional job ensuring that, like me, if it is read alone it is still understandable and flows well.

Overall this was a really interesting Sherlock Holmes feel detective story. I loved the character relationship between Veronica and Stoker. I'll definitely be jumping back in from the beginning I think.

I have been enjoying these novels since the first was published. I highly recommend starting at the beginning and at least reading the first book before you jump into this one. It was nice reading Veronica and Stoker after finally realizing their feelings. Honestly the romantic tension was getting a little overdone! I enjoyed their unique characteristics and how this series continues to break the mould of what historical, female driven mysteries look like.

Veronica Speedwell, newest member of the Curiosity Club, stumbles upon evidence that the death of a famous mountain climber might not have been an accident. Together with the steady, stalwart Stoker, they slowly uncover the details of Alice Baker-Greene's murder.

The plot surrounding the murder was pretty convoluted, as usual for Veronica and Stoker. This got a bit tedious at times, but it still managed to keep my interest. The now-usual push-and-pull feelings that Veronica has towards her biological father make you realize once again how difficult and precarious her position is. And it is quite admirable how she deals with it all.

Veronica and Stoker are exactly what you would expect them to be. And what I really enjoyed most in this book, is that it shows their relationship with ups and downs. They have their arguments and disagreements and then they make up and carry on. It's not all just moonshine and roses all the time.

It was a very enjoyable and intriguing read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Let me start by declaring my undying love for this series, Veronica, and Stocker (both separately and together). That being said - of course I enjoyed this book and wanted to devour it as soon as I hand my hands on it.  My one criticism being that I am ready for Veronica and Stocker to go on an adventure. As lovely as it is to see them romping around London, I loved the books the most when they were traveling and more of the unexpected/unknown awaited around each corner.

This book admittedly had a slow start, but it was just a joy to be reunited with my favorite pair that it didn't both me (but a note for anyone who is new to this series). The sleuthing overall was a bit slow and intermittent because of all the other drama going on. (And really I was more interested in that then who may have killed Alice.) Mainly - the missing Princess who Veronica was impersonating.  If you have been reading the series - then you know how much this was a shock to her system because of her secret inheritance and past.  It definitely rifled her up and made her extremely uncomfortable. But at the same time, I think it made her even more secure in her position to stay anonymous, butterfly loving, Veronica Speedwell full-stop.

The tension and banter between her and Stocker was amazing as usual.  The ending had such a tense exchange that I was literally on the edge of my seat and could not turn the pages fast enough. I could feel the emotion rolling off the page. And while I love the tension and unspoken words between them, I'm hoping that there will be a little bit of comfort / resolution between them going forward. The stony silence just doesn't work for me - their quips and banter are what I'm living for in this book.  Also, (understandably) Stoker seemed more in the background for most of this book - since it was focusing a lot on Veronica's inner demons.  I'm hoping to see them shine together in the next one.

As usual I am a little emotional at the end of this book because I already miss the characters, the world, learning more about butterflies, hearing Veronica's unapologetic manner with lots of sass.  I always read these way too soon, but I cannot keep my hands off the pages once it arrives.

Yet another wonderful installment. I look forward to a new book in this series every year! This one was particularly exciting because we got to see a new side to Veronica. She is asked to step in while the Princess goes missing, so we see Veronica acting as both royalty and an investigator. I just cannot get enough Veronica and Stoker - their equally strong personalities make for a dynamic duo.

An Unexpected Peril is the sixth “Veronica Speedwell” Victorian-Era-set mystery Raybourn has penned and as solid an addition to one of my favourite series as any. While the mystery component didn’t engage as well as the previous two volumes, the marvelous A Dangerous Collaboration and A Murderous Relation, Veronica and lover-and-fellow-sleuth, Stoker, were as charming, sharp, and funny as ever, with, on Veronica’s part, a tenderness and vulnerability that made me like her even more. As for Stoker: his candy-eating, Keats-quoting, animal-obsessed nerdiness, broad shoulders, and good looks, are easy to love. His love for Veronica and one heart-stopping avowal in this volume would make him irresistible to any romance reader. But first, to the mystery, best recounted by the novel’s descriptor:

January 1889. As the newest member of the Curiosity Club–an elite society of brilliant, intrepid women–Veronica Speedwell is excited to put her many skills to good use. As she assembles a memorial exhibition for pioneering mountain climber Alice Baker-Greene, Veronica discovers evidence that the recent death was not a tragic climbing accident but murder. Veronica and her natural historian beau, Stoker, tell the patron of the exhibit, Princess Gisela of Alpenwald, of their findings. With Europe on the verge of war, Gisela’s chancellor, Count von Rechstein, does not want to make waves–and before Veronica and Stoker can figure out their next move, the princess disappears. Having noted Veronica’s resemblance to the princess, von Rechstein begs her to pose as Gisela for the sake of the peace treaty that brought the princess to England. Veronica reluctantly agrees to the scheme. She and Stoker must work together to keep the treaty intact while navigating unwelcome advances, assassination attempts, and Veronica’s own family–the royalty who has never claimed her.

That final element, the family “who has never claimed her” and her love for Stoker make for a new facet to Veronica: the young woman who never belonged suddenly belongs to someone, the child who yearned for family has it in her grasp. But the years of solitude, solitary adventure, and a certain steeling of the heart have rendered Veronica uncomfortable with attachment, and Stoker, loving, funny, astute, gorgeous Stoker, drives a stake through the heart of Veronica’s strikes-out-on-her-own existence and scares her more than any villain. And this is the best part of An Unexpected Peril.

I was, at first, quite engrossed by the mystery: Stoker and Veronica’s involvement with the exhibition, the murdered mountaineering adventuress, and the kingdom’s aloof, but attractive princess, the sycophants and hangers-on who surround her drew me in. Yet the mystery, after the initial excitement, lumbered along; by the second-half, I didn’t much care how it would be resolved, and when it was, the resolution proved abrupt and anticlimactic.

What pleased and delighted were Veronica and Stoker: vulnerably new at love without losing, on Veronica’s part, her acerbic wit; and, on Stoker’s, his charming grumpiness. Over the course of the series, however, Raybourn has slowly and surely and finely imprinted onto their characters, depth of maturity and feeling. Having consummated their attraction and admitted mutual affection, Veronica and Stoker navigate not its heady newness, but the realization this is no fleeting love affair but the makings of a life-long commitment. Needless to say Stoker takes to love like an otter to water; Veronica, on the other hand, flounders, not in her love for Stoker, but in realizing he, and others, friends she’s come to love, are necessary to her; early on, Veronica admits: “Between her departure and that of Tiberius, I felt abandoned by my friends, a state of affairs I would not have credited only a year before. I was accustomed to living my life unfettered as one of my beloved butterflies, and these new bonds of attachment brought with them not only connection and warmth but a dreadful sensation of loss when my companions were not present.” Veronica’s love for Stoker is no less strange to her: “For now that I had joined myself in affection to Stoker, I could no longer run from myself as I had once so blithely done. I must, instead, sit and face my demons.”

Veronica only possesses one fear: that of the solitary who is no longer alone, counting a great love and friends and realizing she is frightened of losing what she didn’t know she needed. Nothing is farther from Stoker’s mind and yet, Veronica experiences uncertainty, doubt, and her vulnerability has Raybourn pen one of the great love avowals in romance fiction: “A sudden dart of fear lanced my heart. It thudded awkwardly in my chest. “I would hope that I am counted among the good that has happened to you,” I said, summoning a smile. He did not return it. He leant forward a little and cupped my chin in the breadth of his palm. “You are not.” The thud in my chest became a hammering, slow and painful on the ribs. “Oh.” He went on. “You are not among the good that has happened to me. You are the best of all that I have known … ” What follows, dear reader, must be read to be savored and enjoyed because there is much, much more of what Stoker has to say to Veronica.

It didn’t matter, in the end, this wasn’t Raybourn’s most compelling mystery. The call of “Excelsior” to those who love the series as much as I do is still strong. And to those who haven’t yet, you have the pleasure of starting with Veronica and Stoker’s meeting and first adventure in A Curious Beginning and plunging into a glorious glom. For this reader, with her companion in reading adventures, Miss Austen, An Unexpected Peril offers “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma.

Deanna Raybourn’s An Unexpected Peril is published by Berkley. It was released on March 2nd and may be found, along with the series’ first five novels, at your preferred vendor. I received an e-galley, from Berkley, via Netgalley.

A trace of boredom with domesticity, the death of a woman mountain climber that is looking more and more like murder, and a disappearing princess of a tiny European country drive Veronica to investigate and drag a reluctant Stoker along with her. This historical mystery series is a highlight of my reading experience and I can hardly wait for each new installment.



An Unexpected Peril is the sixth in the series and could be read standalone, but is even better when read in the series order to understand the personal and relationship dynamics of the primary characters.



With her days busy organizing the museum pieces into catalogued and organized collections for display and the new project of a memorial display to a recently deceased woman alpinist at her women’s Curiosity Club, Veronica should be content and busy. Instead, she is privately trying to quash the building need to run away from this life and head out on a new traveling adventure to hunt her butterflies. She doesn’t want to analyze why this is even when Stoker pushes her to do this. Instead, she insists they investigate Alice Baker-Green’s death after Stoker points out her rope was cut and someone breaks into their display at the Curiosity Club to steal specific items including that rope. Meanwhile, Veronica’s uncanny resemblance to the Alpenwald princess has her agreeing to impersonate the woman after she goes missing and grave matters of state must be continued at all cost.



I’ve enjoyed how this series produces engaging mysteries and historical backdrops- in this case woman mountain climbers and the culture of a fictitious, but realistic small European country. But, more so I enjoy the complex mystery of the lead female character Veronica who is unconventional in some ways for her day, but just as vulnerable as the next person though she desperately tries to hide this. I also appreciate the person who is Stoker her love interest, investigation partner, and work colleague who has his own unconventional streak and appreciates her for just the way she is.



I’ve noticed it in past books, but it really struck me in this one how the author dedicates a great deal of emphasis to women. Veronica herself is a testimonial to the homage paid, but so, too, are the mystery of the dead female climber who made history in her field and the missing princess who turns out to have innovative ideas for her country and dares to take her own path. What a wonderful shoutout to women from the past and those who continue to make history in the present.



As a side note, I think I gained pounds just reading about the delicious food that Haitian pastry chef Julien prepared and presented to Veronica and Stoker. I do believe I’ve been missing out by not having a professional chef for a close friend.



All in all, it was another fabulous installment in the series that engages the mind as well as the heart, balancing history and mystery, and delves into a spicy and intriguing set of characters. Those who love historical mystery really must.

Years ago, I read a couple of Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey novels. I had every intention of reading more, because they were great, but life got in the way and they joined the enormous and teetering To Be Read pile—which has only increased since I purchased a tablet to save my overstuffed bookshelves. Talk about well-laid plans that don’t come to fruition!

But about a month ago, Raybourn’s publicist at Berkley wrote to alert me to the imminent appearance of An Unexpected Peril, no. 6 in a different series that hadn’t even crossed my radar. I sought out the first book, A Curious Beginning, and immediately fell in love with Veronica Speedwell and her handsome but troubled partner, Stoker. Here in the sixth book, Veronica and Stoker are setting up an exhibit commemorating a renowned mountain climber when they come across evidence that her early death may not have been accidental. But the government of the country where she died shuts down any investigation, and the case appears to be closed—until their princess disappears and Veronica is called in to take her place.

If you ever loved a novel about a strong-willed Victorian woman with a profession of her own and a yen for travel—Amelia Peabody, I’m looking at you!—Veronica and Stoker are definitely for you.