A Grave Robbery is the 9th in the historical fiction series set in Victorian London and featuring Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke “Stoker” Templeton-Vane. Both now work together; Victoria is a lepidopterist with an extensive knowledge of butterflies, and Stoker is a taxidermist for large animals. They are employed by and live on the estate of the Earl of Rosemorran, where they are cataloguing, repairing, and arranging his vast store of art and artifacts for eventual display in the museum he planned to open.

But progress was slow; they frequently abandoned their endeavors to investigate crimes, putting themselves in considerable peril in the process.

This particular episode involves an “Anatomical Venus” that turns out not to be a wax figure, but an actual dead body. Anatomical Venuses, made primarily in the late 1700s, were conceived of as a way to teach anatomy. Although made of wax (except in the case of this story), they were life-sized and life-like, with an idealized beauty, and thus referred to as Venuses. The Earl had acquired one, and gave it to Stoker to see if he could animate it for the amusement of the Earl’s daughter. To Stoker’s horror, he found the woman was not artificial at all, and he and Veronica set out to find who she was and what had happened to her.

They are aided by two friends who helped them in the past: J.J. Butterworth, an intrepid lady reporter who aspired to be like Nelly Bly, and Inspector Mornaday of Scotland Yard.

But they quickly discovered that they were not the only ones interested in this Venus, and all four are at risk of losing their lives.

Evaluation: I like some aspects of this series, although I find Veronica to be a bit annoying. Her confidence seems more like arrogance, and her aggressive sexuality with no inhibitions or discretion seems a little unlikely for Victorian England. Moreover, I find it hard to fathom that when she is obnoxious and stubborn, this just makes her all the more irresistible to Stoker. Nevertheless, the historical touches are of interest, and the pacing works well.

Deanna Raybourn’s A Grave Robbery, the ninth Veronica Speedwell mystery, might be my favorite in the series. There’s a compelling storyline. The banter between Veronica and Stoker is witty as always. And, there are several new characters introduced, as well as the return of two intrepid ones from previous books.

The Earl of Rosemorran, patron and employer for both Stoker and Veronica, brings Stoker a new project. In a crystal casket is what appears to be a waxwork of a sleeping beauty. He bought it as a gift for his daughter, Rose, who is fascinated by Madame Tussaud’s wax figures. He wants Stoker to install a clockwork mechanism in it so the beauty will appear to breathe.

Stoker knows he can do that, until he makes the first cut in the figure, and discovers it’s an actual body, not a waxwork. With Veronica’s urging, he does just enough of a rudimentary postmortem examination to try to identify her. While he wants to identify the woman, and give her a proper burial, Veronica wants to learn if she committed suicide or was murdered.

This time, Veronica and Stoker need the help of several friends, J.J. Butterworth, a female reporter, and Detective Inspector Mornaday of the Special Branch of Scotland Yard. But, they also recruit several others, a mysterious hermit, and Wilfred Plumtree, an undertaker. The cast is perfect to undertake Veronica’s audacious scheme to catch a villain, someone who tried to bring a dead woman to life.

Wit, innuendo, and adventure. It’s another enjoyable entry in the series. But, I did want to mention Raybourn’s descriptive introduction to Plumtree and Son, the mortuary. Her writing sings, reminiscent of Charles Dicken’s early descriptions in A Christmas Carol. And, who can read of a creator trying to bring a woman to life without thinking of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein? Raybourn is a master at including hints of the past in her series of misadventures.

Veronica and Stoker are at it again, this time with slightly stomach-turning caper of an unexpectedly preserved body. The banter as always was fantastic, and the twists at the end caught me by surprise. Definitely a page turner and I'm excited for more!

Veronica and Stoker are back at it again! They are continuing their work in curating Lord Rosemorran’s collection when he approached the pair with a Sleeping Beauty wax figure hoping that Stoker can fit it with a clockwork mechanism to make it appear more lifelike in the same way of Madame Tussaud’s. But, as he begins working on it, Veronica and Stoker are shocked to realize that it is not a wax figure and that a possible murder had been committed. The work together with their usual cast of character and team up with a few new ones to chase down the villain.
Stoker and Veronica’s relationship is swoon-worthy. The banter is top-notch and you are fully immersed in Victorian England. Deanna Raybourn is a queen of writing wit, romance, and heart-racing action scenes!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 Million Stars🤩)

Trigger Warning: 
Mentions Blood, Death, Embalming, Murder

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Deanna Raybourn for a Digital Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. I truly adore this series and hope that we will be reunited with Veronica, Stoker, and the gaggle of dogs and lovable side characters soon.

Hands down my favorite book in the series! Typically it takes me at least a chapter to get into these books, but this one had me from the first couple of pages.
It had a great pace, on point character development, and left me wanting to visit a wax museum!
FROM MY GOOD NOTES REVIEW

There is nothing about this series that is bad.

This is definitely my favorite of the last few books in this series. There's not much to say that isn't spoilery but Veronica and Stoker's relationship is just so lovely in this installment, J.J. and Mournaday are delightful, and one of my favorite goofy side characters introduced in this plot has a set up to return in a future book, should there be one.

I really love this series. Raybourn strikes a near perfect balance of keeping the characters and relationships the reader is coming back for familiar, while adding new wrinkles and unexpected nuances - along with an absorbing new mystery each time! It's hard to believe we're 9 books in without a drop off in quality or enjoyment. As usual, I'll be looking forward to the next installment.

I have read all of the Veronica Speedwell books by Deanna Raybourn. They are a true delight for readers that enjoy historical adventure and mystery with a little romance. This one holds true with a fast-paced story line and many fun escapades. I found this installment to be rather predictable, something that was not as pronounced in her other books. All in all it is a fun read and historical fiction lovers will enjoy it.

Veronica and Stoker are BACK! This latest installment of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries does not disappoint! This book might just be my favorite of the whole series! The mystery was compelling, and there were several twists I did not see coming. I also loved that we got to dive more into the psyche of some of the side characters, as well as being introduced to some new friends. But most of all, I loved the moments and interactions between Veronica and Stoker. There were some really romantic moments that made me swoon. They are my favorite literary couple, hands down. I loved this book!

Veronica and Stoker find themselves on a new case when their employer brings them a wax figures of great beauty in a glass coffin. They meet morticians with private trains to a cemetery and a female scientist with great intellect but few morals. Another great read in this series.

I really enjoyed this installment in the Veronica Speedwell series! The body being disguised as an anatomical Venus was extremely creepy, and I was invested in the mystery the entire time. There was just enough spookiness for this to be a prefect Halloween-time read (even though I know it won't come out until October). I loved the relationship development between Veronica and Stoker, and I can't wait for the next book!

Another thrilling installment in the Veronica Speedwell series! In A Grave Robbery, Veronica and Stoker investigate a wax doll... who is really an embalmed body.
The mystery in this volume hooked me right away, and I devoured it quickly. It was very intriguing and fast paced. There's a few missteps for me though (such as an awkward aside where Stoker seeming has to teach Veronica about consent within an established relationship), and a few times where I felt like things didn't line up with a prior book (maybe I'm due for a reread). This one seems less connected and less overarching, and thus makes good for a stand alone. But I am more particular to serials myself, especially when it comes to character growth. I don't think it's giving much away to say that Veronica and Stoker are firmly an established couple in this book, but there are some scenes that make it seem like a retread in what Stoker says to her, and I just feel like Veronica has some steps forward still that she needs to make towards him. I did like the involvement of J.J. and Mornaday, who've been supporting characters who pop up from time to time.
As always, I recommend this series to lovers of historical mysteries with romance. I look forward to the next one!
4 stars out of 5
Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing this copy, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Deanna Raybourn has always been a favorite author of mine. No matter what she writes, I know that I will be in for a treat. "A Grave Robbery" was no different, and I am so grateful to Netgalley and the Publisher for this wonderful gift! This has been a delightful series, and the previous book ended with a little cliffhanger, so I was eager to get my paws on this one. I read it in one sitting. It was that good. Ms. Raybourn is always delightful and witty, and her plots and characters are always original, but this one I believe has been her best yet! I loved it, and I could not put it down. If you have not read this series, run to your nearest bookstore and begin. You will have a grand time and I guarantee will enjoy every second! I highly recommend this series, and this latest book was absolutely wonderful. In fact, after I write this review, I will read it for a second time, just because it was that good! 100 stars!!

The cover and description and even the title felt contemporary, but the text itself feels old-style, and it's actually a historical fiction. Oops! I have a hard time personally getting into older-style prose. It's amusing (especially the monkey!!), readable, just not enough to keep me. But I can see it being an easy three stars for target readers, and four to five for the right ones, based on the opening. I stopped after chapter 1 (5%).

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.