A Curious Beginning

Deanna Raybourn

Sep 2015 · A Veronica Speedwell Mystery Book 1 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

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. After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.

But fate has other plans when Veronica thwarts her own attempted abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron, who offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. But before the baron can reveal what he knows of the plot against her, he is found murdered—leaving Veronica and Stoker on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth.

Ratings and reviews

Better than average story, but the heroine is so progressively anomalous and "perfect" as to be unbelievable. No one is without flaws and everyone being "in awe of her" was a bit eye- rolling. The plot was also a bit like a caricature - too over the top, though entertaining. It's like Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries meets Bird on a Wire (yes, the Mel Gibson/ Goldie Hawn movie).

I really enjoyed the banter between the 2 main characters. I didn't want to put the book down. Looking forward to the next book.

Victorian mystery that keeps you curious to the end. Chatty at times but not laboriously so. Good insight to Victorian women's movement.

About the author

Deanna Raybourn is the author of the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Lady Julia Grey series, currently in development for television, as well as the USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award nominated Veronica Speedwell Mysteries and several standalone works.