e-ARC from Netgalley, all opinions are my own

I'll never not enjoy the books in this series! Veronica Speedwell is impetuous and charming and so well written- her character could easily be seen as unrelatable, but her adventures ring true (well, as true as huge dinner parties inside of an old dinosaur skeleton can be!) and are so amusing.

I was drawn into the intricate web of mystery and suspense in A Sinister Revenge.

A Sinister Revenge weaves together historical mystery and a dash of the unknown, as Veronica and her friends unravel a sinister plot that threatens to destroy their lives. With its blend of romance, historical intrigue, and a touch of the macabre, readers will find A Sinister Revenge to be a gripping and unforgettable read.

I do think it's necessary to read the previous books in the series before starting this one.

A solid entry in the series, improved by the ongoing presence of Tiberius but also slightly marred by the very unnecessary and nonsensical "fight" between Veronica and Stoker. Could have done without their turbulence, but the story itself was fun and engaging, even if the twists were a little predictable. I like a "closed" mystery likle this where all suspects and secrets are contained in a relatively small space (in this case, an estate), and I appreciate that there was a little nuance around the actions of characters who did objectively bad things but maybe not entirely for bad reasons.

Is it evil of me to delight over Veronica having to work at getting Stocker back? The previous books have Stoker going to great pains to make Veronica know that he loves her, and she gives him no confirmation of her love in return.

Another fun murder mystery romp with Veronica and Stoker. The ending felt like a series ending I’m surprised there will be another book. Not that I’m complaining.


This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for my honest thoughts.

Deanna Raybourn can do no wrong in my humble opinion. "A Sinister Revenge" is now the eight installment of The Veronica Speedwell Mysteries I have read and they keep getting better. The mix of history, mystery, and fabulously engaging characters, these books always make their way to my bookshelf.

Silly me didn't realize this was a part of a series. This book description is definitely appealing though, and I'm going to go check out the first book in the series!

This is book 8 in this historical mystery series. Sometimes I just really enjoy an old fashioned mystery. I especially love a mystery when it’s freezing outside and this fit the bill. I never want to give too much away with mysteries but if a mystery set in a different era is your jam pick this one up!
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Huge thank you to @berkleypub and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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From publisher: Tiberius has received a cryptic message-along with the obituaries of two recently deceased members of his old group of friends, the Seven Sinners-that he too should get his affairs in order. Realizing he is in grave danger but not knowing why, he plans a reunion party for the remaining Sinners at his family estate to lure the killer out while Veronica and Stoker investigate.
I love the relationship between Veronica and Stoker. He challenges her and makes her acknowledge hard truths. This series works so well because of their dynamic and, at times, gender role reversals, as Stoker tends to be the more emotional of the two. The mystery is almost secondary (though thoroughly enjoyable) to how these characters interact with each other.

I really like the Veronica Speedwell mysteries more than I do her Lady Julia Grey series. This is because I find Veronica to be more charming and spunky. I also find it to be more romantic, and the mysteries to be very well written. In this latest novel, it picks up where the last picked off. I particularly liked the mystery and the side characters. My only complaint was that it lacked the romance that I was hoping for. Nevertheless, I hope that they will get married in the next novel! Veronica and Stoker need to have a grand wedding! I recommend this novel for fans of Rhys Bowen, Sherry Thomas, and Victoria Thompson!

Well I really thought that I could connect with the characters and the story. I was confuse as to which character was speaking in the beginning of the book. At first I thought it was Tiberius and then I thought it was another guy. Clearly more details of the narrator needed to be given. The talk about helping Tiberius and theSeven Sinners. I tried following the brothers and Veronica regarding how should they confront whom ever sent the clippings. The characters dialogue and point of view made the story very choppy for.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

As always Deanna Rayborn writes amazing fiction that sucks you in from the first page. Once I start a Veronica Speedwell book I cannot put it down. I end up reading all of them in one sitting and this one was no different. So much fun banter between Stoker and Veronica and of course a fun adventure.

In A Sinister Revenge, the latest volume of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries, the adventure hits close to home- Tiberius, Stoker's older brother and sometime nemesis, has received two death notices of old college friends with a warning. Veronica and Stoker travel to Stoker's ancestral home to confront the potential killer and each other. The last volume ended on a bittersweet note that I was happy to see resolved in this volume (and I am not going to spoil it). This series is always a delight and I look forward to more!

I LOVE this series and this entry was no different. Give me all the Veronica and Stoker. I hope this series continues for a long time.

The good news is this is book #8 in the Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn and you don't need to read the previous books in order to enjoy this one. Every now and then, I pick up a book, read the short blurb, and decide to give it a try and learn it is part of a series and not the first or second either. Luckily, I found this story flows so well that new readers can drop in and enjoy the characters, setting, and the tightly plotted and twisty story line.

The book starts with Veronica Speedwell in Bavaria, September 1889, with Viscount Tiberius Templeton-Vane. Veronica, a lepidopterist, is seeking butterflies and Tiberius is bored and wanted company during his travels—preferably someone intelligent and not interested in him and his title. Tiberius is also looking for his brother, Stoker. Veronica and Stoker had been a couple until they had a massive tiff and Stoker decided he needed time alone.

They manage to find Stoker eventually and, at that point, Tiberius asks Veronica and Stoker to help him find the person who is killing off the Seven Sinners. He shows them the obituaries of the two sinners who have died recently and the note stating he is next. They come up with a supremely dangerous plan to have a house party at Tiberius' estate inviting the living members of the Seven Sinners and several local people who had been in attendance the last time the Sinners were at the estate. Thereafter it's basically a country house murder mystery except the murder hasn't happened yet--at least not Tiberius' murder.

The characters are all well-developed and appropriate to the time period. The relationships develop for the reader as they interact with each other and Veronica and Stoker investigate without letting anyone know they are investigating—always a tricky procedure.

I really liked Veronica's wit and snarkiness. Stoker was a curmudgeonly person with a love of dinosaurs. Their interactions pulled the story together in some interesting ways as they tried to settle their disagreements they compete to find the potential killer before the other. It was like watching a suspenseful rom-com mystery where there were serious issues as well as many humorous moments and enough people with motive and opportunity to make it difficult to guess the killer before the end.

I enjoyed every page of A Sinister Revenge, the first chapter set the stage and I couldn't put it down. I will be keeping an eye out for the release of the next book in the series.

Who doesn't love a good revenge plot? Another fun and action-filled romp with Veronica and Stoker while they work to uncover who is threatening Stoker’s brother Tiberius. And with me being the president of the Tiberius Fan Club, I thoroughly enjoyed an novel centered on the eldest Templeton-Vane brother. The twist and turns of Veronica's investigation are fun to follow along with as well as the questions it brings about up about Victorian women's (and today's!) autonomy and agency. Also very glad Veronica and Stoker got THAT out of their systems. Continues to be one of my top series.

An excellent entry in this fun series! I love Veronica Speedwell’s refusal to conform to Victorian sensibilities.

A Sinister Revenge was featured on the Cozy Corner on Fresh Fiction in March on blog titled Holmes is Where the Heart is, along with Kenneth Johnson and his new series debut with Holmes Coming, and Sherry Thomas with A Tempest at Sea, her 7th Lady Sherlock Mystery.

And last, but not least by any means, is Deanna Raybourne’s 8th Veronica Speedwell mystery, A Sinister Revenge, also released in March, 2023. I know this isn’t a Sherlock Holmes series, but Veronica is every bit as interesting in her deductive detective work as Sherlock and the framework of the series is setup like a Holmes mystery. The series is Victorian, she is a scintillating deductionist, and she has an adorable sidekick—the somewhat moody, grumbly, reluctant doctor Revelstoke (Stoker)Templeton-Vane—even if he is scarred, muscled and exotically beautiful. (Torture us further, please Ms. Raybourne.) The mysteries are intricate, and page-turningly delicious—you’ll want to gobble them up in one sitting—unless you want to savor every last word—which is something I choose to do with Ms. Raybourne’s work. Her writing fascinates me with its poetical creation.

In this latest installment, Veronica and Stoker’s brother, Tiberius, lure Stoker into helping with the investigation of suspicious demise of several of Tiberius’s friends from his rakish days of youth. With the promise of restoring an iguanodon, Stoker grudgingly agrees to assist with this scheme to catch the killer of the members of Seven Sinners, a name the men had notoriously called themselves during their debauchery on their grand tour. (Is that a not just the most tempting name?) Veronica is determined to get to the bottom of things and save Stoker’s brother, because despite how much Stoker and Tiberius try to make their relationship look like that of Cane and Able, these two men truly care about one another.

Can anyone see the need for a dinner party involving the survivors? I love dinner party mysteries! There are plenty of red herrings and intrigue and adventure— it wouldn’t be a Doyle-Christie style mystery without them;) Once again, a thoroughly enjoyable mystery that is a MUST read.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. Veronica Speedwell has done it again, but this time she must face her greatest fear: emotional vulnerability. Also, there are fossils, crumbling cliffs, journalists, terrifying nurses, and a great many victims. Veronica has a lot to investigate, all on her own while in direct competition with Stoker.

This book was great fun, but I really appreciated that Veronica did some much needed introspection to do a bit of character growth. She has needed to do some thinking for a while now, and it was good to see her progress. Overall, this was an enjoyable romp through Devon, despite the sheer number of bodies involved in this plot.

"A Sinister Revenge" by Deanna Raybourn is a captivating historical mystery that takes readers on a thrilling journey of intrigue and revenge.

Set in 1800s London, the novel follows Veronica Speedwell, a feisty and independent woman who is a naturalist and adventurer. Along with her partner, Stoker, a brooding and enigmatic man, they are drawn into a dangerous game of revenge that threatens to destroy their lives.

The story is well-paced, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Raybourn's vivid descriptions of Victorian London bring the city to life, and her characters are richly drawn and complex.

Veronica is a refreshing heroine, with her wit, intelligence, and courage, challenging the norms of her time. Stoker, on the other hand, is a fascinating enigma, with a troubled past that slowly unfolds as the story progresses.

The themes of revenge and justice are woven throughout the narrative, exploring the lengths people will go to seek retribution for past wrongs. Raybourn also delves into the darker aspects of Victorian society, such as the treatment of women, class divisions, and the prevalence of corruption.

Overall, "A Sinister Revenge" is a gripping and satisfying read, with its blend of mystery, history, and romance. Raybourn's skilled storytelling and attention to detail make this novel a must-read for fans of historical fiction and mystery.

Deanna Raybourn and her Veronica Spedwell series never disappoint! This last in the series is no expection.