2023 ??5
Reading Vlog: https://youtu.be/MrU2exNWEJA

This is our grand parade to follow the last book. We were left a smiiidge unsatisfied but Deanna Raybourn made up for it in spades. I adored this installment even more upon re-read. Again, I urge you to take this series slow. The slow-burn won't have as deep an impact and enjoyment if you rush through it.

I had so many favorite moments. But I'll try to minimize it to these two...

"You madden me. You distract me. You enrage me. I cannot think of any person of my acquaintance who has so often and so thoroughly driven me to the brink of endurance. And yet you saved me. Whatever that melancholic state, it has been banished, and I know it is because I wake every day knowing that you're there."

"Perhaps I have simply decided that if such misadventures are the price I must pay to have you in my life, I am content to pay them."

2022 ??5
Reading vlog: https://youtu.be/Z_BYyGwGC6Y

PRAISE THE LORD ABOVE! This series is contracted to at least go through book 9 and I am dancing for joy.

I adore these characters so much. It doesn't matter what they're doing, I'll buy it. I'll read it. I'll rave about it.

This book hit right. It made waiting worth it. Can't wait for the next book!138 s Christy Hall314 81

Veronica and Stoker are just returning to England after attending a royal wedding in the Alpenwald. Even though they try to get back to the business of cataloging and preparing items for Lord Rosemorran’s museum, they are immediately pulled into yet another mystery to solve. This one is very personal for Veronica, involving a man from her past long thought dead in the eruption of Krakatoa. Has Jonathan returned from the dead? Or is this an impossible impostor?

It’s a bit of a slower start in this one with some recaps from previous novels. They are just snippets laced through the current scenes so it isn’t that bad. Because the mystery is more about confirming or denying the identification a person, it feels different from previous mysteries that led to more action (murder, robbery, kidnapping, etc). The action doesn’t actually ramp up until about halfway through. Most of the beginning is focused on developing characters, Veronica’s backstory, and the internal struggle she faces because of the current events. Once the action does get going, it is very exciting and definitely delivers the suspense and twists we’ve come to expect.

Some of my favorite secondary characters make appearances: JJ, Julian, Sir Hugo, etc. Better yet, we meet a host of new characters: the Hathaway family. They are a family full of interesting people: Jonathan, a long lost grandson who is happy to be home after six years away; Effie, a budding astronomer who is oppressed by her family; Charles, the younger brother who inherited everything after Jonathan’s supposed death; Mary, Charles’ rude and social climbing wife; and Lady Hathaway, the dowager of the Hathaway family and a bit of a classist/racist. They aren’t a particularly happy or enjoyable family. In fact, they are all a bit awful in their own ways. But that makes this mystery and Veronica’s role in it that much more interesting as she navigates their difficult relationships with one another and how it affects her relationship with Stoker.

It’s tough to talk about this mystery without giving so much away. I enjoyed the historical aspects involving the tensions between England and India. There are quite a few twists and turns, both new and old mysteries are resolved, and there is a deepening of Veronica and Stoker’s relationship. While there are secrets that threaten their bond and the novel ends in a bittersweet way, I’m sure Veronica can fix what’s wrong. There is so much humor and historical tidbits. I often luxuriate in the description and laugh aloud at Veronica’s sense of humor. There are beautiful romantic scenes that make your heart melt. I do love Veronica and Stoker so much!

I definitely recommend this series! I love each one and give them all five stars. While some reviewers will fluctuate their ratings, I find each one unique, interesting, fun, romantic, mysterious and exciting. Each has its own flavor that can be enjoyed differently. I honestly can’t wait for #8 in the Veronica Speedwell series!action-adventure crime historical-fiction ...more62 s2 comments Seneca31 27

This was my least favorite of all the Veronica Speedwell books. The story lacked the mystery and adventure that the others have. I'm very disappointed in this one. Most of the other books rely on sleuthing and the investigative prowess of Stoker and Veronica to propel the story and this had none of that. I will definitely read the next book as I'm invested in the relationships of the characters, but I have to say this was a bland book that left me wanting for more.55 s1 comment Jeannine695 62

Disclaimer: This is not an objective review. This is a review by someone who is 100% on the Veronica train. Let the fan-girling commence…

Veronica’s backstory was always interesting. She's been all over the world, has had all kinds of liaisons (a future title MUST use "liaison," s’il vous plaît), and survived disasters, man-made and natural. The first 80 pages or so remind us of that backstory and cover some pertinent moments from first six books in the series as well. While I didn’t need the reminders, they will make it easy for someone to jump into this story. They are also helpful reminders for people who aren’t fervent readers. (If you fall into that latter category, I guess you have not read the grotto scene a dozen times or flipped to the "I would die for her" moment on The Sisters over and over again...not sure how that's even possible, but okay.)

I found the revelation about Veronica’s past relationships around page 100 delightfully shocking. I didn’t think it was possible to throw a curveball when Veronica’s narration has been unapologetically bold throughout the series. This is a woman who told a vicar's wife that she was mistaken about the nationality and location of her hook ups in the first chapter of the first book. It seems Veronica is still holding a lot of cards close to the vest.

The mystery was interesting. In a fun change, there's no murder to solve. Sir Hugo Montgomerie asks Veronica to go to an estate on the moors to verify a man's identity. He's someone she knew around the time she survived a volcanic eruption (that's been mentioned in previous books). It sounds so simple, but of course it isn't.

Veronica and Stoker fans will adore the return of the tension in their relationship. They are fiercely loyal to each other, but are navigating a huge conflict here. While I saw some ARC readers express regret at the ending, I thought it was absolutely perfect for a series I hope to keep going for many more books. We got to see Veronica and Stoker without major conflict in book 6. That was a fun romp, but the tension is part of the magic and it’s good to have it back.

The set up for book 8 at the end makes me excited. Let’s get these adventurers on the road!39 s1 comment Carole (Carole's Random Life)1,890 543

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

This was fantastic! I am a huge fan of this series and have been from the start. I look forward to each installment in this series and had pretty high expectations for this book. I was not disappointed. I have loved watching the characters and their relationships grow and change over the course of the series. I was entertained by this story from the very first page and was hooked until the very end.

Just when I thought that this series could no longer surprise me….BAM! These books just keep getting better and better. Veronica and Stoker are great together and I love seeing them work to solve a case. This case was particularly interesting because it is connected to Veronica’s past. One of Veronica’s old friends is seemingly back from the dead and she is asked to check it out to see if his claim is legitimate. Plus Stoker has the opportunity to get his hands on a specimen that he is very eager to have.

The mystery kept me guessing until the end and there was plenty of action and excitement to keep things interesting. Some of the characters introduced in this installment were wonderful while others left me shaking my head. There were fewer scenes focused on Veronica and Stoker’s relationship and I have to admit that I missed those swoon-worthy moments I have come to expect. There were some developments that left me completely shocked and I do wonder where the series will go from here.

I would recommend this series to others. This is the seventh book in the Veronica Speedwell series and I would recommend reading the series in order if at all possible. I found this book to be a solid page-turner and I am very eager to see what happens next to this wonderful cast of characters.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.

Initial Thoughts
Just when I thought that this series could no longer surprise me....BAM! These books just keep getting better and better. Veronica and Stoker are great together and I love seeing them work to solve a case. This book had a lot of action and excitement to keep things interesting. After that ending, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series. 2021 2021-netgalley-challenge mystery ...more33 s Barbara Rogers1,619 176

Barbara’s rating: 3/3.5 of 5 Stars
Series: Veronica Speedwell #7
Publication Date: 2/15/22
Period: Victorian
Number of Pages: 336

When I read a book, I want to get lost in the story. I want to forget I’m reading and hear the character’s voices speaking as the story unfolds. Unfortunately, this story just didn’t get me there. I this series, but for some reason, this particular addition to the series felt too convoluted and the situations felt too forced. There are certainly plenty of plots within plots to keep you wondering who is doing what to whom – maybe too many of those. I think the ONLY person I d in this book was Stoker – and he ended up being hurt emotionally. Why do authors feel the need to do that? There wasn’t a real reason for it other than to set up the next book and that could have easily been done another way. Perhaps the author was suffering from the effects of the pandemic and isolation. Honestly, if I had read the last chapter or so of the book before I requested the ARC, I would never have requested it. I would have just skipped this book and waited for the next one when it is released -- and that is mostly because of the ending. I did not it - it was depressing.

There was no murder, little real mystery, and way too much drama about Veronica’s past. Who would have thought we still had more secrets to learn from Veronica’s past. I mean – goodness – enough already. I thought the story was slow at times and those blazing, fiery interactions between Stoker and Veronica just weren’t really there this time. We do get an imposter, an abduction, a very, very valuable stolen jewel, and some pretty vile villains. Those just weren’t enough to suck me into the story.

I found the first bit of the story very entertaining because Stoker and Veronica are traveling back from the continent with a baby (not their own) and the situations that are described are definitely funny. It was the best part of the book!

The gist of the story is: Upon their return to England, Sir Hugo Montgomerie, the head of Special Branch of Scotland Yard approaches them to handle a personal matter for him. They eventually agree and travel to Hathaway Hall on Dartmoor. When they arrive, they find a highly dysfunctional family. Has Jonathan Hathaway really returned from the dead or is it an imposter? Veronica knows right away but then doesn’t tell anyone. Why wouldn’t she tell given what he had done to her in the past? Anyway – a large, irreplaceable diamond is stolen and Jonathan is blamed. He swears he didn’t do it and Veronica believes him – go figure. Lots of things go on – including abductions – while they are trying to uncover the real thief. Then – at the end – well – things aren’t very good between Veronica and Stoker and …

If you choose to read this book, I truly hope you love it. There are lots of 5-star out there and I hope yours will be one of them. For me, however, it left much to be desired and created a lot of absolutely unnecessary emotional turmoil.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.iblog netgalley xx-2022-read31 s Melki6,376 2,439

YESSSSSS! The magic is back!

Though I haven't really enjoyed a Veronica Speedwell book since volume four, I keep reading them in the hopes that Raybourn will again conjure the spell that so enchanted me with the first book - and she did it with lucky number seven.

When a missing/presumed dead son suddenly shows up at an estate, Veronica and Stoker are called into action to investigate if the would-be heir is the genuine article or an imposter. Turns out, he's a blast from Veronica's past, as well, and his presence dredges up a secret she thought was long buried.

Raybourn provides an exciting story, with good pacing, and appropriate chills and thrills. She also creates an arch nemesis for Veronica, and gives her a good poke to ensure the woman shows up to cause trouble later in an upcoming volume.

For the first time in a long time, I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.

Well done, Deanna!historical-fiction mystery29 s Samm | Sassenach the Book Wizard1,147 238

gimmmmmmmmmemost-anticipated-2022 releases-202225 s Wanda Pedersen2,007 418

How I love these adventures of Veronica Speedwell! In this installment, Ms. Raybourn is channeling her inner Arthur Conan Doyle, including lonely moors with dangerous bogs, sparkling jewels of uncertain provenance, and the mysterious return of a long lost relative.

Someone from Veronica's past reappears unexpectedly, throwing a wrench into the inner workings of her life. She must face the fact that she has not been completely honest with her beloved Stoker and that it may damage their relationship irreparably. But in the meanwhile, there are mysteries to be solved and Veronica distracts herself from her troubles by applying herself to the work at hand. This is a shrewd strategy to maintain the romantic suspense which is often sucked out of a storyline when the couple actually declare their attachment.

In the course of the investigation, Stoker is delighted to discover a taxidermied thylacine, that extinct predatory marsupial. Trust this author to insert such an eccentric item in such a charming way and to give Stoker such enthusiasm for it. Of course, Patricia, the Galapagos tortoise, still wanders the earl’s garden, and Veronica and Stoker have acquired quite the canine retinue. I love all the natural history details that Raybourn seeds through the novel.

Although there is not yet a listing of an eighth book, the ending of this one leaves me in no doubt that it is in the works. For this, I am incredibly grateful. I will mourn when this lovely series comes to an end.
favourites female-authors historical-fantasy ...more22 s marita lazarus256 46

Aargh..... not my favorite in the series. 50% of the book is about Veronica's past, and the ending leaves us hoping that Veronica and Stoker's relationship survives. I had a hard time investing myself into this book. I love that we know about Veronica's past, but I did not have to go through half the book to find out about her, and Harry and everything else.

I've read all the books in the series, and I'm so invested in the relationship between Veronica and Stoker and although the characters belong to Ms. Raybourn and she is free to change their dynamics, I hope she smooths everything over in the next book. I will continue to read the series, as they are good. I just wished this one had a better mystery and a more solid ending 19 s Maja - BibliophiliaDK ?1,115 862

I WILL NEVER FALL OUT OF LOVE WITH VERONICA AND STOKER

This series has a special place in my heart. I cannot shake it off. I keep coming back. and whenever I see a new book released, my heart skips a beat ??


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