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A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn Series: Veronia Speedwell Mystery #1
Find the Author: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest
Also by this author: Far in the Wilds
ISBN: 0451476018
Genres: Historical Fiction
Published by NAL/Penguin on September 1st 2015
Pages: 352
Format: eARC, Hardcover
Source: First to Read
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In her thrilling new series, the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries, returns once more to Victorian England…and introduces intrepid adventuress Veronica Speedwell.London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker—a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant, wary partners in search of the villainous truth.
First in a new historical mystery series about intrepid Victorian England adventurer Veronica Speedwell
Following my reviews you know that I spend most of my reading hours in the realm of Christian Historical Fiction; however, there are a few authors that are in the general fiction market that I gladly and eagerly jump into their novels. Therefore, I realize this recommendation is not for everyone who reads my normal reviews. With that said, A Curious Beginning is an amazing book and a wonderful start to a new series with an author divined with a creative mind Deanna Raybourn. I absolutely loved the Lady Julia Grey series that I started reading on recommendation of my author friend Michelle Moran and I devoured every additional story. Deanna does have another series set in the 1920s that I have not entered into yet. Stepping back into 1887, Veronica is an incredible character. Veronica Speedwell has a name that sets her apart, but her personality is so unique and whimsical that as a reader you cannot help but enjoy her wit. While, Stoker is no Brisbane, he does have his qualities that I found he grew on me in favor after a while.
Raybourn is a winner of the RITA Award and a Romantic Times Award (as well as nominated for additional RITA and Daphne du Maurier awards, an Agatha award, and several Romantic Times awards)
Deanna Raybourn is an author that I truly enjoy the stories that she weaves. I’m entertained. Often I even find a few words that I’m looking up for definition, and that does not often happen in my reading any more. I find myself challenged by her stories and fully entertained. I echo what I have said before, Throughout the novel, I laughed out loud, became infuriatingly angry, teared slightly, and snickered relentlessly. Within the main plot and all the side plots, I definitely feel that the entire story led up to a great overall tale and I was vastly entertained.
It is another one of those books, where I ask, why did it have to end and when can I get more?
About Deanna Raybourn
DEANNA RAYBOURN is the author of the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Lady Julia Grey mysteries and several standalone novels (15 books total; Harlequin) . She lives in Virginia with her family.
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