Deanna never disappoints! Such strong characters and marvelous twists and turns delight the reader!

The second book in the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries is just as much a tour de force as the first. Veronica and Stoker are set upon yet another adventure, attempting to clear a man of murder, someone close to the royal family. Veronica is determined to step up to the challenge and prove herself, Stoker faithfully by her side. But will their meddling put them on the wrong side of the law, or piss off someone else who's trying to cover something up?

I've been really enjoying Veronica's tales. As a lepidopterist (butterfly collector), and of late, amateur detective in Victorian England, Veronica has a lot of spunk, particularly for a woman of her time. She's unconventional, witty, and fearless, a perfect counterpart to Stoker—taxidermist by trade, black sheep of his family, and adventurer in his own right. The two are the perfect alchemy, even if they don't know it yet. Sure, they're best buds, but the sexual tension between them has become quite palatable and though I'm not much of a romanticist, I'm hoping they'll just get it on soon! ;)

I love how the author has been slowly peeling back the layers of our two main characters rather than fully reveal them in the first book. In this second book, we learn even more about Veronica and Stoker, particularly Stoker and his background with his family. Coming to know them in this way is akin to getting to know a friend, a bit at a time, and I'd definitely love to have either or both of these two as friends. They just seem so fun!

I'll definitely be on the lookout for future books in this series as they're published.

Veronica Speedwell is importuned by Her Royal Highness, Princess Louise, Queen Victoria's sixth child, to investigate the murder of Maud Eresby, better known as Artemisia, the mistress of Miles Ramsforth, who has been convicted of her death. HRH Louise knows Ramsforth did not kill her, so she hires Veronica and Ravelstoke Templeton-Vane to uncover the real killer. Poor Maud, brilliant painter, was pregnant with Ramsforth's child, a sinister motive for her death. Veronica and Stoker are directly told by Sir Hugo Montgomerie, the head of Special Branch at Scotland Yard to not investigate, so he is angry when they disobey his orders. Veronica and Stoker persist, nonetheless, and uncover too many suspects within the enclave of bohemian artists who reside with Sir Frederick Havelock. Another entertaining read from Deanna Raybourn.

Veronica and Stoker are stuck in London after their expedition is cancelled. When one of her royal family members comes calling for a favor, Veronica is more than happy to oblige. Artist Miles Ramsworth has been charged with the murder of his pregnant lover Artemisia and is set to hang. Veronica and Stoker work together, despite their conflicts/chemistry, to uncover what truly happened, and find a mystery involving bohemian artists, and an orgiastic grotto that will reveal truths about their respective family secrets.

Love this series so much. The chemistry between Veronica (the lady lepidopterist) and Stoker (pirate/taxidermist) is palpable in this one!

A Perilous Undertaking is the second installment in author Deanna Rayborn's Veronica Speedwell series. The series is set during the Victorian Era, most notably, 1887. Veronica is a renowned lepidopterist (someone who studies & hunts butterflies) as well as someone who admires the work of Arcadia Brown lady detective. The author has even given her a catch phrase all her own, “Excelsior!” Veronica breaks the ceiling when it comes to being the typical female who stays home and caterers to her spouse.

She considers herself part of the petticoat and parasol brigade which travels all over the globe looking for thrills and adventures. Veronica is unapologetically comfortable in her own skin. She takes matters in her own hands when it comes to sex with men, although she does have certain restrictions. Veronica's partner in crime is Revelstoke Templeton-Vale. Stoker as he is called, is still reeling from being betrayed by his ex-wife. Stoker is a naturalist, a taxidermist by profession, and a surgeon while serving in His Majesty's Navy.

The duo has since taken refugee in Bishop's Folly thanks to the graces of Lord Rosemarron, and the fact that they would otherwise be homeless. If you've read A Curious Beginning, you know that Veronica carries a heavy secret that could rock the very fabric of British society if it was ever found out. The fact that certain people have tried to silence her with bribes doesn't exactly offer a whole lot of confidence in Veronica's ability to keep a secret. As Veronica has said numerous times, she wants nothing from nobody. She is more than capable of being her own person without anyone's help.

As the synopsis indicates, Veronica finds herself invited to attend a ladies-only establishment for daring & intrepid women called the Curiosity Club. There she meets Lady Sundridge. Lady Sundridge is a character who I won't spoil who she really is, or how much of an importance she really is to this story. Sufficient to say that she knows who Veronica is, and was encouraged to look for a private inquiry agent in order to help a good friend named Miles Ramsforth from being executed for the murder of is mistress Artemisia.

With Stoker along for the ride, Veronica finds that she has limited time to suffer the idiocy of society snobs, or royalty who want to use Veronica for their own devices. She needs to find a way to save Miles before it is too late. But, as the story unfolds, and the mystery gathers even more steam, and even more capable characters who could have been responsible, Veronica finds herself questioning her attraction to Stoker which has moved at a tortoise pace over the past two novels.

Both Veronica & Stoker are highly intelligent and more than capable characters, but Stoker's past and Veronica's idiosyncrasies about not having sex with any man from England, keeps getting in the way. They have a connection that goes behind just fellow colleagues in the natural historian sciences. In this installment, readers will also get a deeper understanding about Stoker's family and why he choose to run off to serve his country. One has to ask themselves if there is a point where someone is too proud or just being dumb when it comes to family, and accepting a little help now and then.

A Perilous Undertaking is a ell rounded, even paced story, with a mystery that will leave you guessing right to the end. Some hints as to who the scoundrel really was, but nothing so apparent that you can put your finger on it. Definitely liked how much Veronica came into a character who you can actually stand beside, and not pull your hair out at her screwball antics.

The intrepid Veronica (and Stoker) are back in fine form! I love this series so much - the pacing, the plot, the eccentric characters - they all culminate into a triumph of a novel. Well done, Ms Raybourn!!

The second Speedwell, as expected, does not disappoint! Another smart mystery filled with just the right amount of humor and romance. The chemistry between Stoker and Veronica is so much fun, I can't wait for the next installment.

I loved the first one, so I was pretty sure I would love this one too and it doesn’t disappoint. I really love this series.

Veronica is sort of tricked into going to a ladies meeting where she meets Princess Louise, who wants her to look into a matter for her. Though Veronica is no real detective she knows that she has some skills from how she handle things from book one, can’t tell you…lol.

A friend of Princess Louise is going to hang for killing a woman if Veronica can’t prove him innocent and the man will not give his alibi and is silently going to his death. Veronica enlists the help her friend Stoker and the adventure begins.

I love Veronica, she is very unconventional for the time period and is a scientist who studies butterflies. Stoker is a naturalist who is a taxidermist and they make a strange but fun team. Because of their science skills, it gives them a unique look at crime solving for the era. The banter between the two crack me up and is by far my favorite part of the book.

The mystery is really good, at times I thought it was who it was and then I wasn’t sure and thought it was someone else but always in the back of my mind I thought it was who it ended up being, but there are lots of good suspects.

If you love historical mysteries with a lot of fun humor then you really need to try this series. I would recommend starting with book one A Curious Beginning.

A little mystery, snark, family troubles and a smidgen of romance await you in A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING by Deanna Raybourn. This is the second novel in the Veronica Speedwell series featuring a feisty, modern thinking heroine and her dashing business partner and friend Stoker. Laugh aloud moments, danger and suspense await you!

The setting is 1887 London, and Stoker and Veronica's travel plans are thwarted when the benefactor trips over a tortoise. Oh yes, things are quite interesting when you spend time with this duo. When Victoria's invited to the Curiosity Club, she meets the mysterious Lady Sunbridge. The lady implores Veronica to save Miles Ramsforth from hanging. Miles is accused of brutally murdering his mistress. Veronica knows that Sunbridge is withholding information, but nevertheless agrees.

The mystery served is a classic whodunit, and Rayburn took us into the unspoken worlds within the art world and the ton of London. Stoker and Veronica are hilarious together from their back and forth bickering to Veronica's way of shocking Stoker with her open-mindedness, curiosity, and forward thinking. Not only do we spend time within the Bohemian artist colony we also visit an eighteenth-century sex club and opium den. I thought the mystery was well done with red herrings, believable suspects, and a few surprises.

For me, the best part of this series is the dynamic friendship and developing romance between Stoker and Veronica. Their personalities are different despite the fact that both love adventure. Despite his gruffness and pirate appearance, Stoker is still very much a product of his upbringing. For those who have read book one, we finally discover why he loathes his family. Veronica is a breath of fresh air, from her modified attire to her outspokenness. When they visited Stoker's brother, I had tears from laughing as Stoker squirmed and Veronica shocked. Delightful!

Aside from the chemistry dancing around Stoker and Veronica that is driving me crazy, I loved everything about this novel and the series. The mystery wrapped up with Raybourn tying any loose threads and provided a sound suspect.

Fans of whodunits, snark, and strong heroines will want to grab A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING. I cannot wait for the next book!

If you're told the book you're about to read is a Victorian murder mystery featuring a lepidopterist (butterfly collector) and her best friend, a taxidermist, it may cause you to question if the book is right for you. But with Deanna Raybourn at the helm, you can put away your doubts because you know you're in for a good ride. Her writing is some of the best that I've read and the breadth of her vocabulary is wonderfully challenging (thank goodness for my Kindle's dictionary feature) and adds so much to the personalities of her characters and the era in which they live.

I have read a couple of Deanna Raybourn's previous books in her Lady Julia Grey series and quite enjoyed them. I associate Raybourn with memorable, witty and well-rounded characters and her compelling writing. The first book in her Lady Julia Grey series, Silent in the Grave, features one of my all-time favourite opening lines ...

“To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate.
Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.”

A Perilous Undertaking, the second book featuring Veronica Speedwell, was the first book I've read in this newer series. For new-to-Veronica readers, you needn't worry about falling behind in character relationships or the plot if you haven't, like me, read the first book in the series, A Curious Beginning. Raybourn gives enough details without divulging the plot lines from the first book yet doesn't leave her readers with that niggling feeling that they're missing something by not starting with the first book.

While the mystery itself had some good twists and kept me guessing, this book is much more of a character focused read. Even secondary characters, namely spunky old Lady Wellington, add much to the plot and humour. But it's the bond between Veronica and Stoker that really drew me into this book. They have a deep connection to each other that is based in respect and love but is sprinkled liberally with witty banter and some delightful romantic tension.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. With it's stunning cover, humorous exchanges, solid historical mystery and colourful main characters this book has it all.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy in exchange for my honest review.

Fabulous second installment to this series! Can't wait for the next part

Deanna Raybourn presents a second intrigue of Veronica Speedwell, the lepidopterist and international traveller, in a Perilous Uncertainty. Scandal and murder among the artists and aristocracy in Victorian London lap at the skirts of Queen Victoria's daughter, Louise, and an innocent man may hang. Veronica and her partner in adventures, Stoker, are asked to find out how Artemisia, an artist, and lover of Miles Ramsforth, died and exonerate Miles. As Veronica and Stoker investigate, a pattern of debauchery and blackmail unfold. Who is guilty? What is Veronica's connection to the royal family? Excellent plotting. Read on.

I'm a big Deanna Raybourn fan, so I was super excited for this series. To be honest, the first book was pretty good, but not something I would say that I really loved. But I loved this one! The quips between Stoker and Veronica is so entertaining. I listened to an interview with Deanna Raybourn recently where she talked about the research she put into this series and the historical inspiration for the character of Veronica, who is based off an actual lepidopterist. Deanna and Veronica are so feminist, and I loved it.

Apparently there is a mystery series, featuring Veronica Speedwell, that I never knew about. A Perilous Undertaking is my first foray into that series and it will definitely not be my last.

This book has everything I want in a mystery and it has the added flair of taking place in the 1800’s! Veronica Speedwell is hired to save Miles Ramsforth from execution. He is accused of the horrible murder of his mistress, Artemesia.

The mystery itself is solid and is made even more interesting by the details of the era and the characters themselves. Veronica Speedwell is a butterfly hunter and we learn a little bit about butterflies along the way. Her sidekick, Stoker is a natural historian. The witty conversations between Speedwell and Stoker are some of the best I’ve read in a long time. They have a very strong friendship, but there is an undercurrent that it could someday be more.

I completely enjoyed everything about this book and will definitely be reading more in the series.

I received an ARC of this book.

Original review posted on my blog From Ink To Paper, http://frominktopaper.com/index.php/2017/01/31/a-perilous-undertaking-veronica-speedwell-2/

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Let me first start by saying I absolutely love this cover! It was what instantly drew me to looking at this book on NetGalley and was super excited when I was granted the opportunity to read it. I have not read the first one, but did not need to have read it in order to follow along with the story. I do want to read the first one though now!

I love that this is set in Victorian times and that the feel of the time was put into the story and I could just picture it as I read. I think the two main characters Veronica and Stoker are very well developed and I love how they interact together, the humor, the obvious romantic tension that you just sit there saying oh give in already and kiss each other! I love that Veronica can be very blunt and forward and no matter how many times she does that Stoker still gets all uneasy about what she says.

The fact that Veronica is related to royalty was pretty interesting, again obviously we learned this in the first book but I haven’t read it so it was a fun surprise for me. I think the whole plot was well thought out and I was guessing the whole time on who I thought the murderer might actually be. I thought there were some good twists to keep you on your toes and wondering what was going to happen. I also love the humor that was thrown in and hearing about their hobbies like Veronica catching butterflies and Stoker with his taxidermy.

I think the writing was well done and the story well thought out. I thought all of the supporting characters were well developed as well, you got to know them and see how they fit into the story. I thought it was quite interesting just seeing how everyone of the characters connect in some way and who actually knows who Veronica really is, even when she doesn’t know they know who she is. I don’t want to give too much away about the story, but definitely recommend this book.

A Perilous Undertaking is indeed quite fraught as murder and mayhem mix equally with tea and scones. The mystery unfolds in delightfully unexpected ways as our wayward heroes defy polite society by brazenly sleuthing through the English countryside. This novel takes a closer look at the mysterious origins of Miss Veronica Speedwell and her (unfortunately) platonic companion Stoker. I enjoyed this book immensely, and sincerely hope to see the future adventures of our intrepid adventurers.

Having loved the first Veronica Speedwell novel I had high hopes for its sequel and Raybourn did not disappoint. Miles Ramsforth, a high-society art patron, is due to hang for the murder of his mistress, Artemisia, yet many people feel the wrong person had been found guilty. A member of the royal family secretly hires Veronica and her colleague Stoker to find the real murderer and save Miles' life before it is too late.

This mystery in "A Perilous Undertaking" is quite complex and weaves in and out of high society like a kite caught on the wind. Many people had motive to kill Artemisia and just as many people have hidden reasons for sitting back and letting Miles take the fall whether he is guilty or not. I enjoyed meeting some new faces and revisiting some old. Lady Wellingtonia is a great addition to the cast and she contributed several humorous moments. While I suspected several individuals of actually killing Artemisia, the ending was fantastic and even if the reader might catch on to the real culprit, the book provides so much fun getting there that I highly doubt anyone would be bored.

It's really hard to say a lot about this book because much of it ties in so closely with the first installment. However, hands down the best aspect of the novel is the relationship between Veronica and Stoker. Veronica is clearly unlike any woman Stoker has previously encountered and as their friendship and working relationship continue to grow, one can't help but wish for some kind of romance between the two. They clearly grate each others' nerves at times and the banter between the two is often quite comical, even though neither of them find it one bit funny. At one point in the book, Veronica is talking so frankly about sex and orgies and the hidden activities of London's rich and elite and I could honestly visualize the shock on Stoker's face. "A Perilous Undertaking" also provides some back story on Stoker himself which enriches the tale.

If you liked "A Curious Beginning" then I have no doubt you will enjoy this next installment as well. It's a well written and fun addition to Veronica Speedwell's world and my only regret is having to wait for Veronica and Stoker's next adventure.

Raybourn' s latest novel takes on a murder involving a group of libertine artists, whose connections to the royal family require her investigative skills. This was an interesting case, with plenty of twists and turns, and nice plays on historical events. Raybourn has a great writing style that means this was a quick, enjoyable read.

In the second installment of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries, Veronica continues to be a woman out of her time. The mystery in this one is not as prominent as it was in the first, but I found this to be excellent in learning more about who Veronica (a lepidopterist) and Stoker (a natural historian) are. We find out more about Stoker’s past and meet some of his family, and I found that it really rounded out Stoker as a character.

With her ties to a major family, Veronica is swept up into a job preventing the hanging of someone some believe to be innocent. Along the way, Veronica and Stoker become closer friends with so much romantic tension hanging between them. While I’m not really one for romances in a traditional sense, I’m really liking this slow burn, and I’m hoping that later in the series something happens because I have a feeling it will be so satisfying to read.

The other characters in the novel are well-developed and engaging, and I felt each of them added so much to the depth of the story. I loved all of the incidents Veronica and Stoker find themselves in, and I especially loved the peeks into that upper-class art scene and those sex houses/clubs of Victorian England.

If you enjoy vivacious and smart women, broody and Byronic men, visual glimpses into life in Victorian England, and a lot of humor and tension, these mysteries should be on your reading lists!