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A Curious Beginning

Book 1 in the series:Veronica Speedwell

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In 'A Curious Beginning', we follow Veronica Speedwell, an independent and bold Victorian adventuress with a passion for collecting butterflies. After the death of her guardians, Veronica finds herself entangled in a mystery surrounding her parentage. With the help of a cast of unique characters like the enigmatic Stoker, Veronica navigates through danger, murder, and intrigue in Victorian England while unraveling the secrets of her past. The book is a mix of historical fiction, mystery, and adventure, with a fast-paced plot that keeps readers engaged and entertained.

The writing style in 'A Curious Beginning' is described as witty, humorous, and engaging, drawing readers into Veronica's world of scientific quests, daring escapades, and unexpected twists. The characters, especially Veronica and Stoker, are well-developed and dynamic, with their evolving relationship adding depth to the narrative. The book offers a fresh take on the Victorian mystery genre, blending elements of romance, suspense, and humor to create an enjoyable and captivating story for readers.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Veronica being a strong, independent woman and Stoker as her complex partner, both engaging the reader with their dynamic.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is witty and engaging, filled with strong dialogue and humor, making for an enjoyable read.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Veronica's mysterious past and a web of murder and danger that unfolds as she seeks to understand her identity.

Setting:

The setting is vividly described, taking place in late Victorian England with rich details that enhance the reader's experience.

Pacing:

The pacing is typically fast, with suspenseful moments, although some sections are slower for character development.
I stared down into the open grave and wished that I could summon a tear. Violent weeping would have been in exceedingly poor taste, but Miss Nell Harbottle had been my guardian for the whole of my lif...

Notes:

Veronica Speedwell is a lepidopterist, specializing in butterfly hunting.
The story is set in Victorian England, particularly in 1887.
Veronica was raised by two aunts and is a foundling, adding mystery to her background.
The plot begins with Veronica's aunts passing away and her returning to her cottage to find it ransacked.
She nearly gets abducted but is saved by Baron Maximilian von Stauffenbach, who claims to know about her heritage.
After the baron is murdered, Veronica and her protector Stoker must evade danger together.
Stoker is described as a taxidermist and has a complex personality, making him an intriguing character.
The book features witty banter and clever dialogue, contributing to its humor and charm.
Themes of independence and self-identity are prominent, as Veronica defies gender norms of her time.
The mystery unfolds with many twists, keeping readers engaged throughout the story.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present, with sexual tension and a developing relationship but limited explicit content.

From The Publisher:

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 (44)

Incredible (13)
Loved It (17)
Liked It (8)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (100):

Read It (46)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (45)
Not Interested (8)

3 comment(s)

Incredible
1 month

Some books you read because they’re art. Others you read because they’re fun. Some are both. This is just fun and I like it just the way it is.

 
Liked It
3 months

This was fun and I enjoyed the heroine. The plot is so slow-moving though and ultimately was too fantastical for me

 
Loved It
7 months

I had so much fun with this book. This is really great entertainment.

Although I admit that I did not expect that the slowly emerging romance between Veronica and Stoker would take up so much space in this story. Quite often mystery was relegated to the background, and the adventures of Veronica and Stoker became the main point of this story. It didn't bother me at all because in the end we got the mystery solved. But before you start this book, be aware that mystery will not always be in the foreground.

And it didn't bother me at all because Veronica and Stoker make such a great pair. They are both very intelligent and never hesitate to voice their opinion out loud. And they hardly ever agree with each other. The banter between them is just adorable and hilarious. The dialogues are excellent.

The mystery part is fine. At some point, the stakes get pretty high. Though the reason Max was murdered and Veronica is in danger is a bit exaggerated in my opinion. I'm not sure I like this answers, and I am fully aware that it will have an impact on the rest of the books in this series.

Nor will I lie if I say that I was counting on a little more when it comes to developing the relationship between Veronica and Stoker. I was hoping they would have an affair in this book anyway. I am a bit afraid that this may not happen even in the next few books. Well, I am impatient and I wish I could see them together sooner. That would add more spice to the relationship.

I really want to read the next book in this series right away. And that has rarely happened to me lately. I probably will just do it.

 

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.

 
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