Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the invitation to read and review the newest installment in the Veronica Speedwell mysteries, A Dangerous Collaboration! Available now!
About the Book:
Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell is whisked off to a remote island off the tip of Cornwall when her natural historian colleague Stoker’s brother calls in a favor. On the pretext of wanting a companion to accompany him to Lord Malcolm Romilly’s house party, Tiberius persuades Veronica to pose as his fiancée–much to Stoker’s chagrin. But upon arriving, it becomes clear that the party is not as innocent as it had seemed. Every invited guest has a connection to Romilly’s wife, Rosamund, who disappeared on her wedding day three years ago, and a dramatic dinner proves she is very much on her husband’s mind.
As spectral figures, ghostly music, and mysterious threats begin to plague the partygoers, Veronica enlists Stoker’s help to discover the host’s true motivations. And as they investigate, it becomes clear that there are numerous mysteries surrounding the Romilly estate, and every person present has a motive to kill Rosamund…
My Thoughts:
I’m a self-admitted unusual and irregular series reader. I have a hard time sticking with them and sometimes wait until multiple books are out so I can read them in a row. Not so with the Veronica Speedwell mysteries, or at least, partially not so. I started with the first book and devoured the second. Somehow I missed the third, but I was ecstatic for the opportunity to read the fourth, and here I am! Ah-may-zing, and there’s a reason why this series has so many devoted fans!
In A Dangerous Collaboration, our capable sleuth, Veronica Speedwell is back, and this time, she’s off to Cornwall, to a remote island off the coast.
She’s been asked to accompany a friend to Lord Malcolm Romilly’s house party, and moreover, she’s been asked to pose as this friend’s (Tiberius’), fiancé.
Of course, this isn’t just any innocent party. Romilly’s wife, Rosamund, disappeared three years prior, on their wedding day, and every guest at the party is connected to Rosamund. Why were they all invited?
Veronica takes on the mission of finding out the why and begins her investigation with Stoker’s help. What do they uncover? There are several mysteries regarding the Romillys, and any one of the guests could have been her killer.
Veronica and Stoker are their witty selves here, and it’s always so much fun to read the dialogue between these two. A Dangerous Collaboration has a gothic feel with some ghosts and tons of atmosphere on the remote island. Our two main characters have evolved in this installment, just a little, and that kept me engaged and wondering what will happen next for these two. There was the tiniest hint at the direction of the next book, for which I cannot wait! Overall, another solid installment in this well-loved and entertaining series!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn is a 6th-generation native Texan. She graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of one, Raybourn makes her home in Virginia. Her novels have been nominated for numerous awards including five RITAs, two RT Reviewers’ Choice awards, the Agatha, two Dilys Winns, a Last Laugh, and three du Mauriers. Her Lady Julia Grey novels are currently in development as a television series in the UK and she launched a new Victorian mystery series with the 2015 release of A CURIOUS BEGINNING, featuring intrepid butterfly-hunter and amateur sleuth, Veronica Speedwell. Veronica’s second adventure is A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING (January 2017), and book three, A TREACHEROUS CURSE, was published in January 2018. A DANGEROUS COLLABORATION will be released in March 2019. Further books in the Veronica Speedwell series are contracted through 2020.
Lovely review, Jen. I haven’t read any of the series yet, but I’m looking forward to reading them eventually. It sounds wonderful and how awesome that you’re moving right along through the series which means it must be really good! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. ❤
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Thanks, favorite M! Before I forget- these are the begonias again! It’s really hard to see because I have them bunched up there, but they hang off of the greenery differently- by a thin “wing.” I hope you get a chance to read these. They are rewarding and endearing and I just love them! ♥️
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Oh my… if you read my comment I’m sure it’s confusing. It’s one of my posts for tomorrow that has the begonias! I was editing it right before I commented. 😂❤
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Lol! Okay. I’ll watch out for it! 😉
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Woo hoo! I’ve collected the first three books in this series (haven’t started yet) and didn’t know you were reading it! Great endorsement from you, Jennifer. And, you’ve mostly read it in order😍
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Thanks, Jonetta! I’m smiling about the “mostly in order!” 😊 I can’t wait for you to try these. I am certain you will click with them. I think I won a copy of the first book long before blogging, and then I was smitten once I read it.
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Marvelous review and picture with precious kitten, Jennifer! I have not read any mysteries by this author but cannot wait to read this Victorian one. Happy Reading to you! 💕📚😊🌻🐾🐾🌼
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Thanks, Virginia! This is such a charming and endearing series. I hope you get a chance to read it! ♥️
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I’m not reading this series but I wish I were! It sounds like my type of book. And wow, book four already? I have a lot of catching up to do😁
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Aw, yay, Tammy! I can’t believe it’s already book 4 myself! I think she’s been writing one every year. I hope you get a chance to read them and that you enjoy them too!
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I didn’t know you were a fan of the series, Jennifer! Another blogger has raved about the books so I have the first one on my shelf waiting to be read. And now I’m even more excited to dive in!
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Yay, Kathy! I’m excited for you to read the first and tell me what you think too! The main characters and their banter- I just love them! ♥️
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Awww, look at your baby snoozing!😊Wonderful review Jen! Happy happy hump day! Ready for some more rain??🤪💙
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Thanks, Sus! She loves her naps! She’s napping now! I am so not ready for more rain! But the warm temps- haven’t they been nice?! ♥️
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I like my naps too!😴🙋♀️💙
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This sounds like an amazing series that I’d most definitely love! I’ll have to add them. Wonderful review, Jennifer! I hope you’re having a great Wednesday! ❤
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Thanks, Steph! Yes, you would absolutely love them! I hope you get a chance to read them, and the covers are gorgeous! I hope your Wednesday was wonderful! ♥️
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You’re welcome, Jennifer! I hope so too! It was lovely…I hope you’re having a wonderful Thursday! ♥
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Lovely review! This is a series that has been on my hit list! I should really get going on it before it gets any longer 🙂
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Thanks, Tina! Yes, you should give it a try! I hope you enjoy it when you do get around to it!
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Now I get to add this series onto to Mt. TBR. Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! This is a fab series to add! I hope you enjoy it too!
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Lovely review! I have never read a book from this author, I should probably remedy that! 💕
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Thanks, Berit! She is definitely a well-loved author!
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I have to try this series now! And that kitten, oh my gosh, so cute!
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Thanks, Jacquie! That’s my sweet girl, Harper! ♥️
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She’s beautiful!
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Wonderful review. Every time I see one of these released I think oh I want to read this series but I haven’t gotten to it yet.
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Lovely review, Jennifer. A sleuth tale with a Gothic touch – sign me up! 🙂
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Fab review, as always! 🙂 I haven’t read any of this series but it sounds like my kind of thing, I shall add it to my list. I like to know there are a few books out in a series too as I don’t like having to wait ages for a second book.
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Thanks, Hayley! Oh, I hope you find this series endearing, too! I just love Victorian mysteries!
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I enjoyed this review. I have read the author’s other series and now feel more inclined to spend time with Veronica Speedwell. Thanks.
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Thank you, Joyce! I hope you enjoy Veronica’s series just as much as the other one!
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I hadn’t heard of this series! Wonderful review.
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Thanks, Chrissi! It’s such a fun and engaging series!
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I haven’t heard of this series or author before but they are now definitely on my radar. Great review, Jennifer!
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Thank you, Darina! It’s such a good series to have on your radar! So well-loved!
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This sounds great! Do you think they have to be read in order or would this work as a standalone? I love Cornwall as a setting for mysterious goings on… 😀
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I think you could probably read it as a standalone, but it would be so much richer with the knowledge of the back and forth with the two main characters. Cornwall is the perfect setting, and GOSH! I really have to visit Cornwall one day. The beauty!
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I haven’t read anything from this series but this sounds so intriguing!! I absolutely love stories like this where everyone is a suspect! ☺️
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It’s such a good series, LP! The author does and outstanding job of keeping the tension!
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I read the first in the series last year and loved it! Based on your review, I definitely need to catch up!
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They are so much fun, Kyra! I hope you enjoy the other three when you get to them!
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Great review! This sounds like such a fun read. I’ve been meaning to start this series for ages but just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
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Thank you! I hope you get a chance to dig into it, Suzanne! You are the series queen, and I love that!
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cats & books are the perfect combination!
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Thanks, da-AL! I think so too!
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Great review! I really encourage you to go back and read #3 — it reveals a lot about Stoker’s backstory and is a great adventure. 🙂
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Thanks, Lisa! That’s great to know. I definitely need to pick that one up.
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I just started this series and am only at #2. It is amazing. Your kitty is too-too precious!
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Thanks, Mackey! I love this series too! I hope you enjoy them all once you get to them!
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