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An Unexpected Peril

(Veronica Speedwell #6)

Deanna Raybourn (Goodreads Author)

4.25 · Rating details · 157 ratings · 69 reviews

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 ass ...more

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Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Expected publication: March 2nd 2021 by Berkley

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An Unexpected Peril (Veronica Speedwell, #6)

Deanna Raybourn (Goodreads Author)

Release date: Mar 02, 2021

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 ...more

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Giveaway dates: Jan 29 - Feb 28, 2021

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Jun 11, 2020 Ella marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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"Veronica and her natural historian beau, Stoker"

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me @ how long i've had to wait for this to happen:

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...more

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Jun 22, 2020 Samm | Sassenach the Book Wizard marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: releases-2021, tbr-2021-march, most-anticipated-2021

Veronica and her historian what now?! I need that term to be used to Stoker and for his reaction on that.

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Nov 26, 2020 Carole (Carole's Random Life in Books) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: series, mystery, arcs-to-review, net-galley, arc-not-yet-released, arc-digital, 2020, 2020-netgalley-challenge

Initial Thoughts
This book was so good! I have been a fan of this series from the start and I think that these books just keep getting better and better. Veronica and Stoker are both awesome as always but I loved seeing the changes in their relationship and how they have grown together through everything. There was even a scene or two that might have melted my heart more than a bit. The mystery was very well done and I continue to be entertained by the situations this pair seems to find themselve ...more

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Jan 02, 2021 h o l l i s rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021-reads, a-smattering-of-lols, ebook, smart-ladies, arc, swoony-crush-worthy-boys, romance, finished-in-january-2021, hist-fiction

Easily the best part of this book was that it wasn't the previous installment. As in, it was better. Not that it counts for much as I felt book five just so overwhelmingly.. well, not good. But anyway, yes, this was likely the closest to being what I loved from these books in the early installments. For which I'm grateful, even as I continue to believe I have just lost the love for this world. Or maybe the magic just isn't there anymore. One or the other.

Ultimately this wasn't a bad addition to ...more

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Dec 07, 2020 Nilufer Ozmekik rated it really liked it · review of another edition

As soon as I saw shining, blazing, tempting cover of the book promising me another dazzling Veronica and Stoker adventure, I clicked the request button so hard and I broke several keyboard letters of my longtime friend/ companion pc! Sorry! When I am getting too excited about something I turn into readzilla ( new name of extra dedicated avid reader)

This book is quite satisfying like the other installments. There is still amazing sizzling chemistry, smart banters between characters make you squ ...more

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Feb 10, 2021 *The Angry Reader* rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs, 2021

Ugh. This poor book.
I struggled with the last one. And this just could not get off the ground.
Veronica’s irreverence came across as selfish and harpy. Even while she had someone else to think about she was focused on “adventure” and herself. It felt like she hadn’t grown or changed or improved since the first book - and that was disappointing.
The “mystery” was far-fetched and uncomfortable - and awful reason to throw away an amazing man.
I’m done with this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and t ...more

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Feb 20, 2021 Laurie • The Baking Bookworm rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery, arc-netgalley

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 St ...more

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Dec 14, 2020 Ashlee Bree rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs, mystery-thriller, historical-fiction

Well, that was a diverting murder mystery romp! It was cozy and comical with a side of butterfly-studying academia, mountain climbing, assassinations gone wrong, political treaties, romance, and princess impersonations, oh my!

I admit this was my first foray into the Veronica Speedwell universe, so even though I found myself plopped in the middle of the series, it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. Sure, some development details between the mains may have flown over my head but th Well, that was a diverting murder mystery romp! It was cozy and comical with a side of butterfly-studying academia, mountain climbing, assassinations gone wrong, political treaties, romance, and princess impersonations, oh my!

I admit this was my first foray into the Veronica Speedwell universe, so even though I found myself plopped in the middle of the series, it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. Sure, some development details between the mains may have flown over my head but the mystery itself was episodic. Contained. I had no trouble following or investing in the enigma surrounding Alice Baker-Greene's fatal fall from a mountainside. And although they may be loath to admit it, Veronica and Stoker are adventure junkies who just can't seem to avoid plunging themselves into crime-solving peril after crime-solving peril. (It's their true life's work. They're pros!) Stoker puts up more grumbling-under-his-breath resistance, of course, but at the end of the day he wants justice just as much as his vivacious counterpart does.

The dynamic between the two is fresh and playful with an undercurrent of soft devotion. They've recently entered into a romantic relationship so they're still navigating expectations, commitment, and what an unconventional future together will look like.

The extra kicker of conflict, as well as entertainment, comes from Veronica's impersonation of Princess Gisela, the future ruler of the fictional Alpenwald, who has disappeared without a trace. Stoker's against the idea from the first, but Veronica is happy to help in part to expose Alice's real killer but also to tread nearer to the family who has never openly acknowledged her.

Hold your petticoats, ladies, because there are plot twists here that'll have you chasing this lead then that one like an ever-curious cat. It all makes for entertaining, suspense-climbing fun! After reading, I'm definitely going to have to get my hands on the previous books in this series.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for my review.

BOOK BLOG ...more

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Nov 30, 2020 Kristin rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: gay-lesbian, gender-issues, series, romance, historical-fiction, self-worth, read-in-2020, mystery

While better than the previous volume, this series has provided ever diminishing returns since at least the fourth installment. And, if I’m being precise, I’d go back to the third book to find the source of where the narrative began to show cracks. This book, while entertaining, was probably the coziest entry in the series, and that did not exactly make for thrilling reading. More focused on “humor,” not many pages, if any, were devoted to the peril mentioned in the title. My opinion is that Dea ...more

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Dec 10, 2020 Kari Ann Sweeney rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, advanced-reader-copy

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the free review copy of AN UNEXPECTED PERIL (Veronica Speedwell #6). PUB DATE 03.02.21

I LOVE this series. This is another fabulous installment of the historical mystery adventures of Speedwell and Stoker. (Yes- you must read them in order.)

Veronica Speedwell is my favorite kind of character: smart, quick-tongued, vivacious, and loyal.. She knows who she is and won't sacrifice that based on other peoples expectations. She is full of moxie and gumption. I wi ...more

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Feb 16, 2021 Barbara Rogers rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: edelweiss, iblog, mystery-historical, 2021-read

Series: Veronica Speedwell #6
Publication Date: 3/2/21
Number of Pages: 336

We’re off on another mysterious adventure with Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke (Stoker)Templeton-Vane (I love his name). The Curiosity Club is preparing an exhibition dedicated to mountaineering in general and the famed female mountaineer Alice Baker-Greene in particular. Alice recently fell to her death while climbing to the summit of the Teufelstreppe, which is located in the tiny country of the Alpenwald. Stoker and Ve Series: Veronica Speedwell #6
Publication Date: 3/2/21
Number of Pages: 336

We’re off on another mysterious adventure with Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke (Stoker)Templeton-Vane (I love his name). The Curiosity Club is preparing an exhibition dedicated to mountaineering in general and the famed female mountaineer Alice Baker-Greene in particular. Alice recently fell to her death while climbing to the summit of the Teufelstreppe, which is located in the tiny country of the Alpenwald. Stoker and Veronica have been wrangled into setting up the displays of Alice’s memorabilia as well as a natural history display of flora and fauna of the Alpenwald.

With Stoker and Veronica involved, we know that foul play has to be involved somewhere and it doesn’t take us long to discover it. As they are unpacking the items for display, Stoker discovers that the climbing rope Alice was using in her last climb was cut very cleanly – it didn’t fray and break as was supposed. Unfortunately, just as they are discussing the fact that Alice was murdered her good friend Her Royal Highness Gisela, the Hereditary Princess of Alpenwald walks in and hears the discussion.

That conversation sets off a chain of events that includes more murders, thefts, betrayals, a missing Princess, and Veronica impersonating a Princess just to name a few things. We have a plethora of suspects and we’re left guessing to the very end. Who would risk creating an international incident to murder a mountaineer? Has the Princess been kidnapped? Murdered? Did she just run away? With vital political treaties needing to be signed and politicians to be placated answers have to be found – and quickly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, but I did think the middle dragged just a bit. It was also missing a bit of the danger and excitement of some of the earlier books. I guess it just wasn’t quite as couldn’t-put-it-down as earlier stories. I am also getting a bit tired of Veronica and her unyielding, know-it-all attitudes. Those are okay in smaller increments, but it does get tiresome book after book. I’m waiting for a bit of character growth and mellowing on Veronica’s part. I love Stoker, and Veronica says she loves Stoker, but it honestly wouldn’t surprise me to have her just walk off and leave him at some point.

I am totally enjoying the series and I enjoyed this book. I hope you’ll give it a try and enjoy it as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Feb 04, 2021 Dianne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, arc-read, netgalley, mystery, 21-02-read, historical-romance

She’s curious, tenacious, feisty, full of pluck and devilishly unique! Now, Veronica Speedwell may be the only person who can bring peace between two nations, but can she pretend to be a princess and fool the royal court? Hits a little close to home, but our determined Miss Speedwell once again dares to go against the odds, while uncovering the truth behind an accidental death.

Deanna Raybourn’s AN UNEXPECTED PERIL once again pits Veronica against the forces of evil and proves that she has what i ...more

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Feb 16, 2021 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-book-read, kindle-books

Normally the Veronica Speedwell series is one I look forward to each release and read almost immediately upon receiving it. I love the adventures Stoker and Veronica find themselves in and the settings are always amazing, not to mention the chemistry between these two is always off the charts.

And while I did like this newest installment, it felt different from past installments and I have to be honest, I didn't always like Veronica. At times she felt selfish, petulant and downright horrible in c ...more

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Dec 10, 2020 Cindy ✩☽♔ is currently reading it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, netgalley, historical-fiction

12/28/20
Got approved for an ARC a week or two ago, so I'll probably give dive in sometime after the New Year!

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Alright, this book already sounds more promising than the last one. Thus, I am hoping it will live up to my overall high expectations for this series! ...more

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Feb 03, 2021 Kathy Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This sixth Veronica Speedwell adventure has Veronica and Stoker settled in London and working on their relationship. This isn't an unmixed blessing for Veronica since she greatly misses the adventures she had while traveling around the world hunting for butterflies. She and Stoker have different relationship goals too. Veronica is absolutely opposed to marrying Stoker which makes sense when considering her need for freedom and the restrictive rules for married women.

Veronica and Stoker are worki This sixth Veronica Speedwell adventure has Veronica and Stoker settled in London and working on their relationship. This isn't an unmixed blessing for Veronica since she greatly misses the adventures she had while traveling around the world hunting for butterflies. She and Stoker have different relationship goals too. Veronica is absolutely opposed to marrying Stoker which makes sense when considering her need for freedom and the restrictive rules for married women.

Veronica and Stoker are working on an exhibition at Veronica's Curiosity Club which commemorates the life and legacy of Alpinist Alice Baker-Greene who lost her life in a climb in the tiny principality of Alpenwalder. While setting up the exhibit, they discover clues that might lead to the conclusion the Baker-Greene's death was not a tragic accident but was actually murder. Well, Veronica jumps to that conclusion with Stoker being more reluctant.

Veronica begins her investigation but she is being thwarted by the Alpenwalder government who doesn't want the bad publicity for their country and who are trying to secretly sign a treaty that will help them survive the political ambitions of Kaiser Wilhelm. Things get even more complicated when the ruling princess goes missing during her visit to London. Luckily, Veronica and the princess bear a strong resemblance to each other which isn't too surprising since they had a common ancestor from the British Royal Family.

As Veronica impersonates the missing princess, she has ample opportunity for she and Stoker to look into the possibility the Baker-Greene was murdered. Of course, there are also ample opportunities for those who don't want the mystery solved to try to to discourage them with things like poisoned chocolates and bombs.

I enjoyed this historical mystery and really like Veronica's viewpoint. I like the way the romance is progressing with Stoker. I liked seeing other characters from earlier books in the series like J. J. Butterworth and pastry chef Julien d'Orlande. The delicacies he presented to the princess made my mouth water.

Fans of historical mysteries and fans of Veronica Speedwell with be eager to follow all the twists and turns as she unravels all the clues and solves the case. ...more

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Feb 01, 2021 Linda Baker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: british-mystery, historical-fiction, victorian, character-driven, netgalley

The Curiosity Club, an organization of brilliant and adventurous women in 1889 London, has asked Veronica Speedwell to mount an exhibit. The exhibit is in honor of Alice Baker-Greene, a renowned mountaineer who recently died in a fall from a peak in the tiny principality of Alpenwald. Veronica, of course, as the newest member, is delighted. Her natural historian partner, Stoker, is also called upon to add his expertise. But when they unpack Alice's effects, which have been shipped from Alpenwald The Curiosity Club, an organization of brilliant and adventurous women in 1889 London, has asked Veronica Speedwell to mount an exhibit. The exhibit is in honor of Alice Baker-Greene, a renowned mountaineer who recently died in a fall from a peak in the tiny principality of Alpenwald. Veronica, of course, as the newest member, is delighted. Her natural historian partner, Stoker, is also called upon to add his expertise. But when they unpack Alice's effects, which have been shipped from Alpenwald, they discover a piece of evidence indicating her death might not have been accidental. After all, Baker-Greene was an expert mountaineer and had climbed that peak many times. The Princess of Alpenwald, Gisela, is in London with her retinue to attend the exhibit's opening. However, when they present their findings to the Princess, her Chancellor, and the Baroness, her lady-in-waiting, they are rebuffed; until the Princess disappears without a trace. It seems that there are reasons other than the exhibit that brought the Alpenwalders to London, reasons that threaten the stability of Europe in an anxious time. Having noticed Veronica and Gisele's strong resemblance, the Chancellor and Baroness ask Veronica to impersonate her. It seems that this is not the first time Gisele has disappeared but has always returned. Stoker is entirely opposed to the mad undertaking, but that does not deter her in the least. Immersion into the duty-bound life of a Princess, a spot of breaking and entering, assassination attempts, and a close encounter with Veronica's own family, who never acknowledged her will not stop her.

An Unexpected Peril is another exciting entry in the Veronica Speedwell series, a long time favorite of mine. So many intrepid Victorian lady explorers dared to brave convention and go out to pursue their passions. Sadly, many are not well known. Women were beginning to demand the right to govern their own lives, and it is quite chilling to know what the powers-that-be were willing to do to stop them. I enjoy the characters of Veronica and the way that they are working together to accommodate each other. There are romantic moments, as well as roof-raising disputes. As always, Raybourn injects her own unique humor into the book.

I highly recommend An Unexpected Peril.

...more

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Feb 06, 2021 Ashley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: edelweiss-plus

The publisher provided me with the opportunity to read this (via Edelweiss+).

I've enjoyed this series and I was really excited to be approved for an ARC for this one. Great read and I had no idea who was behind everything until the reveal. Can't wait for the next one to see what sort of trouble Veronica and Stoker find themselves in! ...more

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Feb 03, 2021 Lorena rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery, netgalley, romance

The latest entry in the Veronica Speedwell series finds our heroine caught up in the politics of a small European country, where a member of her club of female scientists has perished, and whose ruler happens to be (a) missing and (b) almost identical in appearance to Veronica, thanks to her secret royal heritage. Veronica throws herself into solving both mysteries, with Stoker a more-reluctant-than-usual accomplice, as they try to figure out how their unconventional romance should proceed.

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Dec 23, 2020 Cori rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I absolutely adore Veronica Speedwell, and these books get more enjoyable with every addition to the series. Stoker and Veronica have somewhat more sedate adventures in this book, but that doesn’t detract from the story a bit.

What a fun read! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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Dec 26, 2020 Louisa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was a such a fantastic read, loved spending more time with the characters! Another great mystery, and I had such a great time reading this book!

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Jan 31, 2021 Jessica Howard rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021-ebook, 2021, mystery-historical

I had a little trouble getting into this one, but after 5 or 6 chapters, Veronica wove her usual magic.

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Dec 12, 2020 Hypatia marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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Feb 15, 2021 Amy A rated it really liked it · review of another edition

January 1889, Veronica Speedwell is hard at work putting together an exhibition at the Curiosity Club to honor Alice Baker-Green, a renowned female mountaineer - and also a member of the Club - who recently died on her latest climb in the Alpenwald mountains. The pressure is on as Princess Giselda of Alpenwald will be attending the ceremony as well to pay her respects.

While assembling items for the exhibition Stoker and Veronica notice some incongruities that lead them to believe Alice Baker-Gr January 1889, Veronica Speedwell is hard at work putting together an exhibition at the Curiosity Club to honor Alice Baker-Green, a renowned female mountaineer - and also a member of the Club - who recently died on her latest climb in the Alpenwald mountains. The pressure is on as Princess Giselda of Alpenwald will be attending the ceremony as well to pay her respects.

While assembling items for the exhibition Stoker and Veronica notice some incongruities that lead them to believe Alice Baker-Green's death was not an accident. When they bring their findings to the Princess, the Alpenwalders are afraid of the potential for scandal in an already precarious political situation in which they find themselves.

Just as Veronica has begrudgingly agreed to keep their findings quiet, the Princess goes missing, and with certain political negotiations hanging in the balance, Veronica - who bears a striking resemblance to the Princess - agrees to pose as the Princess. But we all know that trouble and danger follow Veronica everywhere. Using the opportunity, while incognito, to search for more information surrounding Alice Baker-Green's death, Veronica will put herself in the crosshairs of someone who wants to keep her, or possibly the Princess, quiet.

Just a note: I will be discussing events from previous books so if you haven't read them and want to avoid possible spoilers, please do not proceed past this point. You have been warned :)

I always look forward to Veronica and Stoker's adventures. This time around I kind of felt like An Unexpected Peril was like releasing a long-held breath. There had been such build up throughout with Veronica and Stoker's relationship, along with Veronica's complicated family situation and I felt like a lot of that came to a head in the previous book A Murderous Relation, that with An Unexpected Peril Veronica, Stoker and, by extension, readers, are settling into a new normal, as the case may be.

I felt like the mystery aspect concerning Alice Baker-Green was almost relegated to a secondary storyline as Veronica masquerading as the Princess kind of overshadows things for a bit. The story takes a little longer to find its legs I think with a good more than half of the book done before readers are allotted further developments with that initial mystery.

I still found the story readable and it moved along at a good clip, it just wasn't as easy to determine early on how the story was meant to unfold. Therefore, I wasn't as enthralled as I have been with previous books.

Of course Veronica and Stoker are always a stand out. I loved that more time is taken on seeing them in their newly formed romantic relationship. Deanna Raybourn is not just going to build things up between them, have them finally get together, and then have done with it. No, she's going to continue to explore who these characters are and now more closely, explore who they are together romantically. Veronica and Stoker are a constant and I appreciate, and applaud, the fact that Deanna Raybourn can still give these characters so much independence and agency on their own without the threat of a parting of ways between them. I love that both Stoker and Veronica understand one another on a level that not everyone get to experience. I'm always hopeful when they're together because they can push each other and truly and fully accept one another for who they are. That alone will always bring me back to this series.

Regardless that I felt the mystery was rather light this time around, I like how Deanna Raybourn has built up this history and how she's seemingly connected Veronica to it and how it kind of pivots around her. The mixing of the factual and creative liberties are so subtle and feel so plausible that I'm always surprised in the author's note at the end when we get more details on decisions made. It's really a testament to Deanna Raybourn's wonderful writing and always pulls me in.

As always, I'm excited to see what adventures are next for Veronica and Stoker. Excelsior!

*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Feb 18, 2021 bibliolatry rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, victorian, cozy-historical-mystery

This sixth book in the Veronica Speedwell series is her best yet. The mystery is set in 1889 (Victorian) London, but is centered around Alpenwald culture and characters. I found them so fascinating, that I kept googling all the people and places mentioned. I finally read the historical notes at the end of the book, and was surprised that they were fictitious because I found them so compelling and realistic.

An Unexpected Peril comes after Stoker and Veronica have admitted and acted upon their lo ...more

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Feb 23, 2021 Sophia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: net-galley-reads, 2021-coyer-seasons, historical-mystery-suspense, 2021-mt-tbr-challenge

A trace of boredom with domesticity, the death of a woman mountain climber that is looking more and more like murder, and a disappearing princess of a tiny European country drive Veronica to investigate and drag a reluctant Stoker along with her. This historical mystery series is a highlight of my reading experience and I can hardly wait for each new installment.

An Unexpected Peril is the sixth in the series and could be read standalone, but is even better when read in the series order to unders A trace of boredom with domesticity, the death of a woman mountain climber that is looking more and more like murder, and a disappearing princess of a tiny European country drive Veronica to investigate and drag a reluctant Stoker along with her. This historical mystery series is a highlight of my reading experience and I can hardly wait for each new installment.

An Unexpected Peril is the sixth in the series and could be read standalone, but is even better when read in the series order to understand the personal and relationship dynamics of the primary characters.

With her days busy organizing the museum pieces into catalogued and organized collections for display and the new project of a memorial display to a recently deceased woman alpinist at her women’s Curiosity Club, Veronica should be content and busy. Instead, she is privately trying to quash the building need to run away from this life and head out on a new traveling adventure to hunt her butterflies. She doesn’t want to analyze why this is even when Stoker pushes her to do this. Instead, she insists they investigate Alice Baker-Green’s death after Stoker points out her rope was cut and someone breaks into their display at the Curiosity Club to steal specific items including that rope. Meanwhile, Veronica’s uncanny resemblance to the Alpenwald princess has her agreeing to impersonate the woman after she goes missing and grave matters of state must be continued at all cost.

I’ve enjoyed how this series produces engaging mysteries and historical backdrops- in this case woman mountain climbers and the culture of a fictitious, but realistic small European country. But, more so I enjoy the complex mystery of the lead female character Veronica who is unconventional in some ways for her day, but just as vulnerable as the next person though she desperately tries to hide this. I also appreciate the person who is Stoker her love interest, investigation partner, and work colleague who has his own unconventional streak and appreciates her for just the way she is.

I’ve noticed it in past books, but it really struck me in this one how the author dedicates a great deal of emphasis to women. Veronica herself is a testimonial to the homage paid, but so, too, are the mystery of the dead female climber who made history in her field and the missing princess who turns out to have innovative ideas for her country and dares to take her own path. What a wonderful shoutout to women from the past and those who continue to make history in the present.

As a side note, I think I gained pounds just reading about the delicious food that Haitian pastry chef Julien prepared and presented to Veronica and Stoker. I do believe I’ve been missing out by not having a professional chef for a close friend.

All in all, it was another fabulous installment in the series that engages the mind as well as the heart, balancing history and mystery, and delves into a spicy and intriguing set of characters. Those who love historical mystery really must.

My thanks to Berkley via Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Feb 23, 2021 Lari rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical-fiction, mystery

I'll start by saying thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC in return for a fair and honest review. I'm extremely invested in the characters in this series and I honestly don't think that any of their adventures could be boring at this point. In this sixth installment, Stoker and Veronica are investigating the potential murder of a fellow Curiosity Club member. In doing so, Veronica discovers that she looks very much like the Crown Princess of the Alpenwald, paving the way for her to ste

Nothing shocked me more than the first book in this series did. Though I think this book fell a little short of where the other books did in terms of the mystery, I think it made up for that with the banter and character development of our two protagonists. I read a lot of historical fiction and when I tell people that, they expect it to be something stuffy or difficult to understand. Veronica Speedwell is anything but, though it doesn't completely disregard the mentalities of the time period in definitely infuses it with witty conversations and personalities that a typical person would not expect.

I had 33 highlights in this book, more than I think I've ever done in any book. I can't describe how clever everything has been during the course of this series. Everything that you expect is completely subverted, from the tropes to the mysteries. When we were first introduced to Stoker in the first book, I don't think I could ever have expected him to be quoting Keats and stealing sweets. And Veronica, she has her moments but she's really growing and realizing that you don't have to be all of one thing. While I have loved her throughout the entirety of the books, I love that she's not so selfish and that she recognizes the things that she wants even outside of her independence. I really appreciate that their growth is authentic to their characters, they're consistent to who they were at the beginning they're just stronger and better people.

So as I do every year when one of these books comes out, I strongly recommend reading this series. It has literally everything that you need from a book and continues to get better with every installment. Veronica and Stoker will always hold a special place for me and I'll keep reading them as long as they keep being written.

This review and all my others can be found at: https://aworldshapedbybooks.blogspot.... ...more

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Feb 22, 2021 Sara LaValley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, owned

When I found out that I was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book, I absolutely lost my mind. Veronica Speedwell is one of my favorite female heroines that I had the good luck to discover in the last year, and each book is more entertaining than the last. What makes this most recent installment to the series so spectacular is how different it is from the previous books. There is still a murder to solve, but a bulk of the story is driven by Veronica's impersonation of royalt When I found out that I was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book, I absolutely lost my mind. Veronica Speedwell is one of my favorite female heroines that I had the good luck to discover in the last year, and each book is more entertaining than the last. What makes this most recent installment to the series so spectacular is how different it is from the previous books. There is still a murder to solve, but a bulk of the story is driven by Veronica's impersonation of royalty. That's right, An Unexpected Peril sees Veronica Speedwell go full Princess and the Pauper, which is as magnificently entertaining as it sounds.

Veronica and Stoker were as always a treat, and I loved to watch their relationship develop. Deanna writes their interactions so well, whether it's the comedic banter or the more tender, romantic moments. Quotes like, "Stoker, I cannot say that I care much for your goat. He is leering at me," and, "You are the part of myself I never thought to find because I did not even dare to dream you existed," will go down as some of my favorite book quotes of all time.

I'll be honest, at the start of this book Veronica was frustrating me. She fears being tied down, and is prone to throw herself into the nearest adventure that promises danger, with Stoker following close behind. Naturally after the events of the previous book, Stoker is reluctant to run head first into danger (but we all know he still will, because that's the man we all know and love), and this hesitance and the Alpenwalder's attempts to keep her from investigating enrage her further. Her reactions to such things were aggravating at first. I love how stubborn and headstrong Veronica is, but her refusal to confront the true reason she wanted to investigate the murder in this book was aggravating, but this opened the door for her development as a character.

Overall, this was a great installment to the series. The fictional country of Alpenwald and the Alpenwalders were wildly entertaining to read about, the mystery was compelling, the story and setting were equally immersive, and Veronica's impersonation of the princess added flavor to the already enticing story. This book sees Veronica in closer encounters with her family than we have ever seen before, and I can't wait to see where future books in the series take us. ...more

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Jan 21, 2021 Stormi (BMReviewsohmy) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021-books-read, 5-stars, mystery-historical

This is book six in my favorite historical mystery series!! I totally loved this one!

In this one Veronica and Stoker are helping with an exhibit for a lady mountaineer who was killed on the mountains she loved to climb. While they are setting things up they are rummaging through some of her things and Stoker notices something about the rope that seems like it could be that the lady was murdered instead of it being an accident. Something Stoker later wishes he wouldn’t have said because once Vero ...more

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Feb 25, 2021 Amanda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

[ I received a digital arc for an honest review]

An Unexpected Peril is the sixth book in the Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn. I adore the series and the leading characters and Stoke her so much.

""Are you listening, Veronica?" Stoker demanded.
"Not in the slightest," I assured him cheerfully.

This Installment in the series brings a mystery that Veronica jumps head first into while Stoker is much more hesitant. A suspicious death of a female pioneering mountain climber and a missing for ...more

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Jan 05, 2021 Jenn rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, 2021, mysteries-thrillers, adult, ebook, historical-fiction

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of An Unexpected Peril.

I have been reading Veronica and Stoker's adventures since they started! We never know what our unconventional Victorian couple is going to encounter. In An Unexpected Peril, we meet the Princess of Alpenward, a fictional country, and investigate the death of famed female climber, Alice Baker-Greene.

I enjoyed the beginning and end of this novel, but felt the middle moved a bit too slow. There were a bit too many characters from ...more

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About Deanna Raybourn

Deanna Raybourn

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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 two RT Reviewers’ Choice awards, the Agatha ...more