The next installment in the Veronica Speedwell series, centered around the mystery of a dead woman encased in wax. Veronica and Stoker make for an endearing couple and the science and history of the time are well done. Overall, a great addition to the series and fans of the series will enjoy it.

Thank you so much to Berkley, PRH Audio, and Netgalley for providing advanced copies of this book! All thought and opinions are still my own.

This series is an all-time favorite and I never want it to end. I've fallen so in love with Stoker and Veronica and this book just cemented that further.

Like with every Veronica Speedwell book, this can definitely be read as a standalone. While you miss some history of the MCs relationship, the mystery elements stand completely on their own, and any relevant points from past mysteries are explained/wrapped up at the beginning of each book.

And this was such a fun mystery! Like with any mystery, I've preferred some more than others throughout this series. And this one was definitely a favorite. I love how this series explores the many facets of women (and honestly anyone "othered"), during a time when people were expecting to fit into neat little boxes.

Despite loving all of that, my favorite aspect of this book was the character development. Or more precisely, getting to see how much these 2 characters have grown since book. Veronica is still feisty and hard headed, but learning her limitations. Stoker is learning how to protect without holding Veronica back. They're both learning to accept help and that other people may have useful skills after all. And their romance ... be still my beating heart.

There were so many passages that left me absolutely swooning. These two love each other so fiercely and I adore them.

I really hope we continue to get more and more Veronica Speedwell books. Because I would read this series forever.

Veronica and Stoker have a macabre mystery to solve when Lord Rosemorran brings home what is supposed to be a wax figure of a woman under glass and they discover this is no wax figure. It’s a real-life dead woman!

A Grave Robbery, despite its morbid mystery, was a delight! Clever and so funny! I’m so happy that Veronica and Stoker have finally settled into their romance and the conflict doesn’t come their relationship. I loved how they worked together, united against any problems they faced. It was fun to have J.J. and Mornaday working with them, as well. Their contributions were valuable and the interactions fun!

The small tamarin monkey, who adored Stoker was endlessly entertaining! I love all the animals they’ve added to their family!

It was a danger-filled, thrilling conclusion! The series is best read from the beginning.

I cannot get enough of Veronica, Stoker, Mornaday and JJ. The plot and character development in this book were excellent. The characters have been developed naturally throughout the series, but are in no way predictable. The plot was interesting and, as always, propulsive. I couldn't wait to read it, and I have a serious book hangover now!

Another show stopper from Raybourn! Over the course of this series I have fallen in love with V and Stoker, as well as JJ, Mornaday, and Lady Wellie. I loved that JJ and Mornaday took a more active role in the mystery this time. Raybourn has captured a balance of humor, heart, and mystery perfectly. After the tumultuous relationship of Stoker and Veronica in the last two books, I was glad to see them once again reluctantly homogenous. As always, I am anxious for the next adventure. Delightful, splendid, stupendous! Excelsior!

Thanks to NetGalley, the Publisher and Author for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

Each book in this series is a new mystery to solve. While they can all certainly be read as standalones, I do think reading from the beginning is such a pleasure as you really get to see the progression is and well worth it.

A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn is a good fit for readers who enjoy historical mysteries with a touch of romance and feminism.

A great addition to the series is this 9th book. A historical mystery is just the perfect comfort read and this really checked all the boxes. I love this one.
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I Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy this series but for me this book was a struggle. The first half unfolded at a glacial pace, leaving me moving back and forth between the written version and the audiobook. Desperate to rekindle my interest, I even cranked up the audiobook speed to 1.5x. But it wasn’t until the halfway mark that the narrative finally captured me.

Where the story truly shines is in its humor and banter. As the plot thickens, Veronica and Stoker—our dynamic duo—take center stage. Their chemistry, lukewarm in the first half of the book, now erupts into a delightful dance of wit and revelations. The number of characters initially exhausted me, but then came the twist—a surprise that blindsided me. There’s nothing quite like that “I didn’t see that coming” moment to refresh a reader.

Veronica and Stoker, in their own ways, peel back layers. Their relationship evolves, each revelation a stepping stone toward deeper understanding. It’s an ideal progression, one that keeps readers invested.

For those just embarking on the Speedwell journey: Start from the beginning. Deanna Raybourn weaves Veronica’s and Stoker’s backstories, but the original accounts hold treasures that can’t be fully conveyed in subsequent books.

This is another series that just never misses for me. From Veronica and Stoker and their wonderful relationship, to the always fun supporting characters and the compelling mystery driving it all,

As the ninth book in the series, there was really only one thing I really wanted from this book, and that was for Veronica and Stoker's relationship to remain solid throughout the story. If you've read this series, you know this is one of the most torturously slow burn romances out there, so I feel like these two have finally earned a bit of comfortability (at least as far as their relationship is concerned) and this book DELIVERED. Oh my goodness, these two were SO cute throughout the entire story, I was LIVING for all of their interactions. In true Stoker fashion, there are plenty of romantic lines that will have you swooning, but Veronica has a fair share of her own, which I love to see, especially considering how she viewed relationships at the start of the series.

One of the strengths of this series is the sheer amount of entertaining supporting characters, which is another reason why I think, even though each book could technically be read as a stand-alone, everyone should read from the beginning. It's just that much more entertaining having a connection to all the characters that pop in and out throughout the series. This book sees Veronica and Stoker team up with JJ and Mornaday, and I loved the dynamic between this foursome. Another character that was introduced that I absolutely adored was Spyridon. He was absolutely hilarious, and I would love to see more of him.

While the outcome of the mystery wasn't my favorite of the whole series, it was still super compelling (and also more than slightly macabre). The premise of the wax figure turning out to be an actual human was eerie, but had me hooked immediately. I also appreciated the few twists that were revealed at the very end regarding the identity of the victim, which I did not see coming.

Overall, I don't have much else to say other than I absolutely adore this series and EVERYONE needs to pick it up (from the beginning) immediately. The characters are amazing, Veronica is one of my favorite heroines of all time, and I dare you to read this and not fall head over heels in love with Stoker (challenge: impossible).

This is one of my favorites so far of the Veronica Speedwell books! The mystery itself of the beauty was both intriguing and horrible at the same time, and the inclusion of both Mornaday and J.J. Butterworth in the investigation just makes it even better. Till the end it keeps you guessing and worrying for all involved. It was well paced and we even get to meet some new characters that hopefully we will see more of in the future. It felt more high-stakes with a lot of action towards the end.

The banter and chemistry between Veronica and Stoker without outside complications is a great change. It’s just nice to see them working in tandem and secure in their love for each other without the drama of some of the past books. As an added bonus this one has a lot of sweet endearments. It was just really tender between them in this book.

Overall, the mystery is top notch and the little family of characters we have grown to love are all working at their best. I highly recommend it.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

This series never disappoints. It's one of the few mystery series I've read that never starts to feel stale as it goes on. The plot of each, the tying in of the time period details, and the relationship between Veronica and Stoker never fails to be interesting, and I get excited every time I see a new volume is coming out.

First let me say I loved it. Of course I did. Stoker and Veronica are my very favorite and I enjoy every second I get to spend with them. Second of all, let me say that this is probably the most disturbing book in the series so far. Even Stoker thinks so (evidence by his reaction compared to previous mysteries). It also somehow made it even more poignant and creepy and tense and fascinating. No spoilers, but I was enraptured by what they uncovered and the historical significance and the implications and consequences. I was on my toes the entire time and I loved being so stressed. Also I love the merry group of misfits that Veronica has gathered and I hope she continues to trust and rely on them, because this series has the best characters.

ALSO I was LIVING for Stoker and Veronica's interactions. I have never highlighted so many passages and they way they know and understand and love each other for their true selves had me just swooning!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I adore this series and was so excited to get my hands on this latest installment. The relationship that Stoker and Speedwell have is delightfully unconventional and genuine. Both carry their own wounds, their own healing, their own passions, and blend them together when it is applicable. I love that they each expect the other to be fully themselves, even if that expression doesn't always come across. They make mistakes, they heal, they learn, they detect! I adore the way Raybourn writes-it's expressive, invoking, and engaging. I love her word choice, her vivid descriptions, and it draws you in. I find myself occasionally looking up words or ideas that she uses, to find out more. This particular installment was great! A wax figure that also has a real woman in it? Sleuthing? Historical information? It's great! This was a fabulous read start to finish.

I can’t believe this is book #9 in the Veronica Speedwell series!! I have come to love and adore this series so much. I was ecstatic to be approved for an e-ARC!

Veronica and Stoker are becoming such a great book couple! Their relationship has grown and evolved over the last nine books. Just a FYI- this is a very slow-burn romance. I have enjoyed that aspect and being able to get to watch them explore what they mean to each other. Their banter in each book keeps getting better and better. I can imagine their facial expressions, especially Stoker’s. Somehow, Veronica is just a magnet for murder mysteries! They both grew in their relationship, and I love they were both open to what each other needs.

One of the things I enjoyed about this installment is that Veronica’s entourage seems to have grown permanently. There are several characters throughout the series we get to see more of in certain books. In this book a couple of characters join forces with Veronica and Stoker. It was fun and gave some hilarious moments!

The actual murder mystery in this book wasn’t as intense as other books. It didn’t seem as dire or chaotic as other books, and I think it was a good change of pace. It doesn’t mean no drama or near-death experiences, but it was a laid back pace. It was still an interesting and twisty case! It didn’t have much impact on the overall arc of the series but feels a little like it can start a new one. I can be totally off when the next one comes out, but I can’t wait to see!

Overall, I really enjoyed this, and it’s always a highlight when I can pick up the next adventure. I cannot wait for the next one already! I’m don’t know how many more Raybourn will write, but I highly recommend picking this series up. I also recommend reading them in order. You won’t get some things or appreciate the relationships without the journey. Excelsior!!

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an e-ARC!! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

A Grave Robbery, by Deanna Raybourn, is the ninth book in the Veronica Speedwell historical mysteries series. It combines suspense, mystery, history, and romance. The plot is intriguing, the setting is striking, and the characters are appealing. The story is set in Victorian London, where Veronica and Stoker get involved in a morbid mystery. What begins as a seemingly straightforward task soon evolves into a dark and suspenseful investigation when they stumble upon a shocking discovery that propels them into a thrilling quest for the truth.

This was an entertaining and well-written historical mystery with well-developed characters. I loved the dynamic between Veronica and Stoker. Their banter is entertaining, and the chemistry between the couple is palpable. It was delightful to revisit characters from previous books and the introduction of new ones. The mystery in the story was compelling and I enjoyed all the twists and turns that heightened the suspense throughout the novel.

A Grave Robbery is another wonderful addition to the Veronica Speedwell series. This novel can be read as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading the books in sequence to truly understand the characters and their back stories. With a unique mystery, gothic elements, and a well-crafted plot, I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this historical mystery filled with lots of witty words and some action. I love how Victoria and Stoker work together. I really enjoyed all the time we get to spend with J.J. and Mornaday. I loved how fast paced the story is and I loved Wilfred. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will..

Veronica is irrepresible, determined/stubborn, whip-smart, sharp tongued, a huricane, and a hoot. Stoker (Mr. Ravelstoke Templeton-Vane) is Veronica's reclusive and cranky love and sleuthing partner who looks like a pirate but has a vulnerable heart. They have settled into their couple status and their feelings for each other which has some tender moments.

Fearless journalist J.J. Butterworth, the British version of Nellie Bly, joins the team again. Detective Mornaday, often complaining and put-upon, is the only policeman they trust and though he is having a personal rough time, he jumps into the investigation. A new addition is a golden Marmoset monkey who adores Stoker-but Rose, daughter of their benefactor, likes to dress up the monkey and put bows in her hair, which provides comedic relief throughout. And this book has laugh-out-loud moments.

The plot is to find out the identity of this poor girl, which becomes a hunt for justice for her. Both quests take the team on a journey with several twists. I'm not a fast reader, but I read this quickly (for me) since I was so captivated by the story.

Ms Rayburn digs up some of the most interesting historical tidbits and in this outing she introduces us to a funeral train which carries the coffin and mourners to the gravesite for internment. The London Necropolis Railway was the name of the system real life train. In this book we have an underground version, which provides a great creepy setting for a few scenes. Fantastic job for a really macabre and chilling backdrop. Also the world of physically accurate wax models, Anatomical Venuses, for medical training adds to the disturbing and even surreal atmosphere of the investigation.

The climatic killer confrontation was wonderfully tense and hair-raising. I have to give kudos for every climax in this series has been unique and exciting. Besides the creativity of a murder victim embalmed as a wax figure! The wrap up sees things resolved satisfactorily on most every thread.

Now for a note on the writing style. Not only does Ms. Rayburn write historical fiction with accuracy but she inflects the style of speaking without loosing the reader. I'm not one to rapsidize on beautiful sentences or turns of phrase, but she adds to the time period and Veronica's character with her writing style.

I have read most of the books in this series and I felt this was one of the top three so far.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

Deanna Raybourn does it again! I don’t think I will ever get tired of reading this series they are always so fun to read and I am always sad when it ends. As I say every time, the cover is amazing. This series truly has some of the most amazing covers.

We are back for another adventure with Veronica and Stoker and this one was a crazy one! Nothing like thinking you have a wax figure and then you open it up and bam, not a wax figure but a preserved corpse! It is like mysteries just gravitate towards them, which is good because Veronica can’t be still for long and Stoker can never say no to her, and really we all know he loves a good mystery to solve.

The plot was well written, you get glimpses here and there of past mysteries they have solved and so you get a little background if you are new to the series. It flows really well and it kept the pace up nicely. I always enjoy trying to solve the mystery along with them, and this one I did not solve, it was a nice surprise for me as well. It is nice that not only are you having and adventure and mystery solving, but along with it you still get to see Veronica and Stokers relationship grow and it was nice to see the softer side of Veronica and even the side of Stoker where he lets her be her own woman and doesn’t try to persuade her not to do something, but instead trusts her and doesn’t ant to change her.

The characters of course are amazing, I love Veronica and Stoker, they are one of my favorite couples. Their banter is just really fun to read and they work so well together. I love how Veronica has some great comebacks for things and how she narrates the story, since she is the writer. This one had a nice tamarin monkey that just made me laugh like how it was so attached to Stoker and would give Veronica a distasteful look. In this one we get to see more of J.J. and Moranday, which I really liked. They are great characters as well and I like getting them more involved in the story. We are also introduced to Wilfred who was great, and Spyridon who I hope is in more stories to come because he seems like a fun one.

This series truly never lets me down so I defintiely recommend it, even if you don’t start at the beginning they can be read as a standalone as well. I can’t wait to see what adventures Veronica and Stoker get up to next.

I adore this series and its latest appearance is one of the most pleasurable volumes yet. Though I saw the who and why dunnit pages ahead of the final revelations, my goodness, Veronica and Stoker are at the top of my lovability scale. Moreover, the historical context, eccentric secondary characters, animals, one dastardly golden lion tamarin (in love with Stoker, aren’t we all?) and many doggos, settings, absolutely marvellous, as is Raybourn’s witty, elegant prose.

In A Grave Robbery, Veronica and Stoker are as domestically blissful as they’re capable of. The cozy scenes they share as pleasurable as their latest adventure…and their love for each other, finally so open, fulfilled, and fulfilling, I cheered.

But to the mystery: ensconced in their employer’s, Lord Rosemorran’s, “Belvedere” doing the professional work of taxidermy and lepidoptery while cataloguing, preserving, and preparing Lord Rosemorran’s significant collections for display in his planned museum, Veronica and Stoker are confronted with his latest acquisition, an “Anatomical Venus.” These anatomically correct wax figures were used for paedagogical purposes and are now, in 1889 Victorian London, collected and displayed for public gawping (made famous by Madame Tussaud’s). Veronica and Stoker are handed a “Sleeping Beauty” of an Anatomical Venus, only to discover, upon further investigation, the wax figure hides a perfectly preserved “Jane Doe” of a servant girl. Veronica and Stoker are soon on the hunt for her identity and the circumstances of her death.

(Hmmm, I’ll start by indulging in speculation: I wonder if this is the last of Veronica and Stoker we’re likely to see? There were many avowels of love and devotion, not that I didn’t enjoy every word of them, and, without spoiling, a concluding paragraph that gave me the reader’s spidey-sense…if you’ve read Grave Robbery, dear reader, or know what may be coming next from Raybourn, do drop me a line.)

As for this volume, and for every volume, but especially this one, I love how Raybourn embraces unabashed Victorian sensationalism. The villains are fiendishly villainous and the good guys, adorably virtuous. With its nod to Shelley’s Frankenstein, a preserved female body, a beautiful one at that, hidden within an effigy, I was agog at the opening scene, while chuckling at the tamarin’s obsession with Stoker and the precocious shenanigans of Lord Rosemorran’s youngest, also sending Stoker adoring goo-goo eyes.

Veronica and Stoker discover galvanic experiments, seek information from a travelling circus, and meet with the Plumtree heir, Wilfred, the sole living relative of the undertakers who had taken charge of the poor servant girl-beauty, identity unknown, from the police, fifteen years ago and sought to find her family. When Plumtree Sr. couldn’t, they buried her…except not. Her body, preserved for nefarious purposes, I thought surely a mustachioed evil-doer would appear and I wasn’t disappointed. Raybourn carries off the final scene of the villain’s capture with aplomb and what is most enjoyable, she maintains the humour with our company of characters.

Humour comes in the form of Raybourn’s ability to create lovable, funny, eccentric characters, with their foibles exposed. For example, we have Veronica and Stoker recruit the help of intrepid reporter, JJ Butterworth, and somewhat cutely priggish Scotland Yard detective Mornaday. Their bicker is infinitely amusing. Wilfred Plumtree, young, naïve, and honest, proves the most adorable, as his innocence combines with a fine mind and a mama’s boy freedom from mama’s edicts. In sum, he’s a hoot. Raybourn also maintains Veronica and Stoker’s witty, wonderful banter while allowing them the space to commit to each other in loving, touching phrases. This series started out cynical and we saw many a time when it looked like Stoker and Veronica may not make it as a couple, but A Grave Robbery proves us wrong.

Sentiment and sensation, a strong sense of justice for a poor servant-girl, dead too young and unacknowledged, make Veronica, Stoker, and co., good people, their eccentricities part and parcel of what makes them loveable. I don’t know if we’re going to get more Stoker and Veronica, I certainly hope we do, but if this is where we leave them: with love’s triumph and friendships paramount, a true community of good, fun people, I’ll be okay with it, but I’ll miss them.

Deanna Raybourn’s A Grave Robbery is published by Berkley and was released on March 12th. I received an e-galley, via Netgalley, for review purposes. This doesn’t impede the free expression of my opinion, written without the aid of any AI (a couple of times I googled a spelling though and looked for synonyms of villain).

A Grave Robbery, book 9 of this fantastic historical mystery series, finds Veronica and Stoker back home in London hard at work as they try to catalog Lord Rosemorran's ever growning collection. Their work halts when Rosemorran acquires a wax figure for Stoker to modify for the collection. The only problem is that she's not wax at all! Veronica and Stoker are back in the sleuthing game to solve the mystery of how the Sleeping Beauty came to be preserved, this time with the help of some of their friends! A Grave Robbery was perfectly paced and had surprise twists that I did not see coming!
The best part of reading a new Veronica Speedwell book is that it feels like coming home to a strange but loving small town since they should be read in order. It was so nice to see Veronica and Stoker back in London at the Belvedere. The last couple installments lacked the atmosphere and delightful cast of characters that Raybourn created to inhabit Veronica's world, so I was pleased to find my favorite naturalists by day/ametur sleuths by night back in Victorian London. Veronica and Stoker are finding their stride after the slow burn start of their relationship and I truly enjoyed seeing them grow even further together throughout A Grave Robbery. I love the quirky setting of Lord Rosemorran's estate and the cast of unlikely characters that make the story come alive!