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.

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Veronica Speedwell #5
Publication Date: 3/10/20
Number of Pages: 336

I am enjoying this fun, thrilling, intense, and even romantic series so very much. The writing is intelligent, the plots are excellently done, and the romantic tension between the two main characters will leave you panting for breath. I have to admit, I couldn’t put the book down and inhaled it from beginning to end – in one sitting. I mean – honestly – when the first line in a book is “What in the name of flaming Hades do you mean his lordship wants me to officiate at the wedding of a tortoise?” – you just know you are going to love it! BTW – you’ll absolutely giggle every time Stoker curses – he is so very inventive – luckily, he curses often. You can read this as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading at least the first book of the series, A Curious Beginning, so you become familiar with the characters and their backgrounds, how they meet, etc. – you’ll love the book and it will give you a good foundation for the rest of the series.

Victorian London is in an uproar because of a series of grisly, horrific murders in the Whitechapel area. News sheets are calling for those in power to resign because they cannot apprehend the perpetrator. Those same news sheets are sensationalizing the murders. One lone reporter, J. J. Butterworth, is featuring the actual victims in her column – humanizing them, telling their stories rather than just calling them prostitutes. You’ll love J. J. as a recurring character.

Stoker and Veronica are called to see the formidable Lady Wellingtonia (Wellie) Beauclerk (a recurring character). They are asked to see about retrieving an expensive and inappropriate gift that Prince Albert Edward has given to a very exclusive courtesan. That gift is readily traceable back to the prince and should it become known; it would cause a scandal that could bring the monarchy down – especially in these times with a horrendous murderer about. When they refuse to do Wellie’s bidding, she has a heart seizure and they quickly come to realize that there is more to the story than they originally thought.

The mystery is filled with many twists and turns and not everyone is who they appear to be – and some returning from the dead. With murders, kidnappings, rescues, plots, and plots-within-plots, you’ll be on the edge of your seat throughout the entire read. I certainly recommend the read and hope you will love it as much as I did.

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