An Unexpected Peril

It is always nice to slide back into Veronica and Stoker's world. This duo is one of my all-time favourites and in this sixth book of the series, trouble once again finds the pair in the middle of a murder as well as the mystery of a missing princess. Naturally.

This story has foul play, a princess impersonator and a murrrrder with a gaggle of suspects and the threat of an international incident t'boot. Yes, it is all that and a bag of crisps. The mystery takes the main stage with Veronica and Stoker's banter taking a bit of a back seat this time around, but I enjoyed seeing a different side to their relationship. And yes, you'll have to suspend disbelief for one aspect of the mystery, but you'll do it because it's Veronica and we love her. She continues to be a woman ahead of her time - an independent, intelligent spitfire full of sass and a delightfully progressive attitude towards Victorian rules. And there's Stoker *le sigh*. Totally swoony Stoker.

I'd also like to give a hearty huzzah to Raybourn for her outstanding vocabulary that not only has me using my Kindle's dictionary with wild abandon, but also enables me to throw out terms like lepidoptery to the amusement and no doubt envy of my family and friends. 

The stunning cover will pull you in, but its the mystery, Veronica's curious connections to the Royal family and her relationship with Stoker that will keep you coming back for more.

Note: I strongly recommend starting this series at the beginning with A Curious Beginning to get the full effect of Veronica and Stoker's connection.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Berkley publishing for my advanced copy of this title via NetGalley given in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 4 stars

Author: Deanna Raybourn

Genre: Historical Mystery

Series: #6 in the Veronica Speedwell series

Type and Source: eBook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Berkley

First Published: March 2, 2021

Opening Lines: London, 1889 -- "Stoker, I cannot say 

that I care much for your goat. He is leering at me."

Book Description from GoodReads: A princess is missing, and a peace treaty is on the verge of collapse in this new Veronica Speedwell adventure from the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

January 1889. As the newest member of the Curiosity Club—an elite society of brilliant, intrepid women—Veronica Speedwell is excited to put her many skills to good use. As she assembles a memorial exhibition for pioneering mountain climber Alice Baker-Greene, Veronica discovers evidence that the recent death was not a tragic climbing accident but murder. Veronica and her natural historian beau, Stoker, tell the patron of the exhibit, Princess Gisela of Alpenwald, of their findings. With Europe on the verge of war, Gisela's chancellor, Count von Rechstein, does not want to make waves—and before Veronica and Stoker can figure out their next move, the princess disappears.

Having noted Veronica's resemblance to the princess, von Rechstein begs her to pose as Gisela for the sake of the peace treaty that brought the princess to England. Veronica reluctantly agrees to the scheme. She and Stoker must work together to keep the treaty intact while navigating unwelcome advances, assassination attempts, and Veronica's own family—the royalty who has never claimed her.