Category: Historical Mystery

An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

An Unexpected Peril (Veronica Speedwell, #6)
Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Veronica Speedwell #6
Publication Date: 3/2/21
Number of Pages: 336

We’re off on another mysterious adventure with Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke (Stoker)Templeton-Vane (I love his name). The Curiosity Club is preparing an exhibition dedicated to mountaineering in general and the famed female mountaineer Alice Baker-Greene in particular. Alice recently fell to her death while climbing to the summit of the Teufelstreppe, which is located in the tiny country of the Alpenwald. Stoker and Veronica have been wrangled into setting up the displays of Alice’s memorabilia as well as a natural history display of flora and fauna of the Alpenwald.

With Stoker and Veronica involved, we know that foul play has to be involved somewhere and it doesn’t take us long to discover it. As they are unpacking the items for display, Stoker discovers that the climbing rope Alice was using in her last climb was cut very cleanly – it didn’t fray and break as was supposed. Unfortunately, just as they are discussing the fact that Alice was murdered her good friend Her Royal Highness Gisela, the Hereditary Princess of Alpenwald walks in and hears the discussion.

That conversation sets off a chain of events that includes more murders, thefts, betrayals, a missing Princess, and Veronica impersonating a Princess just to name a few things. We have a plethora of suspects and we’re left guessing to the very end. Who would risk creating an international incident to murder a mountaineer? Has the Princess been kidnapped? Murdered? Did she just run away? With vital political treaties needing to be signed and politicians to be placated answers have to be found – and quickly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, but I did think the middle dragged just a bit. It was also missing a bit of the danger and excitement of some of the earlier books. I guess it just wasn’t quite as couldn’t-put-it-down as earlier stories. I am also getting a bit tired of Veronica and her unyielding, know-it-all attitudes. Those are okay in smaller increments, but it does get tiresome book after book. I’m waiting for a bit of character growth and mellowing on Veronica’s part. I love Stoker, and Veronica says she loves Stoker, but it honestly wouldn’t surprise me to have her just walk off and leave him at some point.

I am totally enjoying the series and I enjoyed this book. I hope you’ll give it a try and enjoy it as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Dark Heart of Florence by Tasha Alexander

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Edwardian Age (1901-1910), Historical MysteryLeave a comment

The Dark Heart of Florence (Lady Emily #15)
Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries #15
Publication Date: 3/9/21
Number of Pages: 304

Tensions are mounting between Germany and England in the buildup to the first World War. Each wants to collect the secrets the other side is holding and the rest of Europe is their hunting ground. After a series of burglaries at his daughter Kat’s palazzo in Florence, Colin Hargreaves is sent by the Crown to investigate those and other mysterious events happening there. Colin is advised to bring his wife, Lady Emily, along to make it appear it is simply a family sightseeing vacation. Little do they know what a tangled web of deceit and betrayal they are about to embark upon.

They hadn’t even had time for their first cup of tea in Florence before the first body made its bloody appearance. As agents of the Crown, Colin and his fellow agent, Darius Benton-Stone, couldn’t share any details of their investigation with the very curious Lady Emily. No problem, since Lady Emily has brought along a friend, Parisian Cecile du Lac, they will just conduct their own investigation. Of course, there is an intriguing possibility of hidden treasure that Emily and Cecile will look into as well. Between investigating murders, hidden treasure, and sightseeing Emily and Cecile are a very busy pair!

As the bodies mount and the separate investigations become more and more entwined, it becomes apparent that the treasure and the murders are connected in some way. Who has the knowledge to carry out such a dastardly plot? Well, you’ll just have to read the tale to see for yourself.

In the last few books of this series, the author has included an additional story from ancient history. That story ties into and/or explains the happenings in the current story. In this one, the story takes place in 1400s Florence. It chronicles the life of Mena Portenari from the time she is sixteen under the de’ Medici rule and then into terror evoking rule of friar Savonarola. It is a sad tale of victimization and heroism, but it does explain parts of the current case.

While the ancient stories are nice, it has become a bit of a trope for this author. It does get a little tiresome jumping from the current mystery to the ancient mystery in each chapter, even though both stories are well done.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I hope you will as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.