Monday, April 20, 2020

A Murderous Relation

Title: A Murderous Relation
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Published: March 10th 2020 by Berkley Books
Format: eBook, Hardcover, 308 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Veronica Speedwell #5

I was a bit apprehensive when I began this book, being a fan of the Veronica Speedwell series, I was put off by the cardboard characters of the previous book, ‘A Dangerous Collaboration’. I am glad to see Deanna Raybourn is back in form and Veronica and Stoker are both again their witty and maddening selves.

Upon returning to the estate they call home this dynamic pair are ready to move their relationship forward if it wasn’t for the needed business Lady Wellingtonia has enlisted them in. Prince Albert Victor, the bumbling half-brother of Victoria has gifted a questionable woman with an initialed diamond star. If the relationship between Albert and Madame Aurore becomes known, there is no limit to the disgrace the royal family will face considering there is already quiet squabbling that the prince is Jack the Ripper.

Costumed in unique and audacious costumes, Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke “Stoker” Templeton-Vane enter the Club de l’Étoile in search of the jewel only to discover they have walked into a masked ball of debauchery which fascinates Veronica and embarrasses Stoker. That is until their sights are focused elsewhere and now, they have a dead body to deal with and a cast of characters chasing them through the streets of London.

What brings me back to this series is the dialogue between the two main characters. There is something both engaging and charming about two very unlikely cohorts which tends to bring out the best and worst in each other.

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