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A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn

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Danielle is Currently Reading

Danielle is currently reading

A Perilous Undertaking (Veronica Speedwell, #2)

by Deanna Raybourn (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: reviewed, currently-reading

Reading for the 6th time

read in November 2018

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Danielle said: " Review originally posted on Overflowing Shelf

A Perilous Undertaking might be my favorite story in the Veronica Speedwell series! Sometimes the second book in a series suffers from the sophomore slump, but that does not happen with this one.

One of th Review originally posted on Overflowing Shelf

A Perilous Undertaking might be my favorite story in the Veronica Speedwell series! Sometimes the second book in a series suffers from the sophomore slump, but that does not happen with this one.

One of the main things I love about this book is how it continues to add more dimension to the characters. Veronica and Stoker are already incredibly complex characters, but we get to see them develop even more in this book, bringing added dimension to them. With A Curious Beginning, it’s really an introduction to who they are and the starting of partnership, but we really see that expand in this book. They trust each other on a much deeper level and some of the actions of this book bring them even closer together that they start to understand each other at a soul-deep level (if that makes sense). This book also is the most heartachey for me with the slow burn attraction we see simmering under the surface between Stoker and Veronica. There are still a lot of secrets about Stoker’s past that we have yet to unravel, but I love seeing some more hints of the hurt he’s working his way through and know we’ll get more revealed in the coming books. As he says “I have never spoken of it. But someday I might, and if I do, you may be certain that it will be with you.”

I also love how this book also introduces us to new characters, including Stoker’s older brother Tiberius, now the Viscount Templeton-Vane. Stoker’s relationship with his brother is fraught, but Tiberius knows how to needle him and get under his skin and seems to fit in great with Veronica. I know we see much more of him in a later book, but his introduction and how he fits into the murder mystery in this one adds nice dimension to this book. We also get our first introduction to the Curiosity Club, a women-only club for ladies with exemplary skills in different fields who are paving the way for others where Veronica seems like she’ll fit in perfectly.

In terms of the plot, I also find A Perilous Undertaking has one of my favorite mysteries in the entire series. I don’t know if it’s the art scene or the mysterious sex club grotto or the foray into an opium den or what, but I love all the layers the plot presents in this book. This book, if you can’t tell from that last sentence, takes you so many place as they work to clear Miles Ramsforth from the murder of his pregnant mistress Artemisia. Add in the fact that Veronica and Stoker were brought into this mystery by someone in Veronica’s family and you have so many elements to work through. I literally loved every second of reading this one and felt I never knew where the evidence Stoker and Veronica uncovered would lead them next.

Another thing I love about these books is the bits of humor that is woven into the narration. We really see that come through in this book starting with the situation that leaves that trapped in England in the first place to Veronica’s fascination with items she finds in the grotto. I love how that adds some levity to these novels.

If you haven’t picked up these books yet, I highly recommend that you do! They’re great pieces of historical fiction with incredibly complex characters that always take you on a wild ride. I cannot recommend them enough as they have a little something for everyone!
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4th reread - this still holds up and is still one of my favorite in the series. I love everything about it.

Update - this is just as good the second time around as it still kept me up way too late even though I know how it ends

Original review:
Well I didn't realize what time it was until I finished the book and saw it was 2:40am so this was damn good ...more "

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(80%)
"It’s wild how much happens in this book, but I love it so much" — Jan 08, 2026 08:26AM

Apr 09, 2021 04:30PM · see review

Danielle is currently reading

Mortal Arts (Lady Darby Mystery, #2)

by Anna Lee Huber (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in April 2020

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Danielle said: " This was a beautiful, yet heart wrenching story. "

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(51%)
"Slowly but surely making my way through this!" — Jan 05, 2026 11:50AM

Apr 09, 2020 10:51PM · see review

Danielle is currently reading

Game Changer (Game Changers, #1)

by Rachel Reid

bookshelves: currently-reading

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(43%)
"Finally back to this as my train read" — Jan 06, 2026 02:20PM

Dec 01, 2025 08:27PM

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“It's just that...I just think that some things are meant to be broken. Imperfect. Chaotic. It's the universe's way of providing contrast, you know? There have to be a few holes in the road. It's how life is.”
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