An Unexpected Peril

A Veronica Speedwell Mystery, Book 6

By: Deanna Raybourn

Narrated by: Angèle Masters

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 best-selling 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.

©2021 Deanna Raybourn (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Oodles of diverse characters add extra interest to a knotty mystery.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Fans of feisty Victorian heroines will hope Veronica has a long career.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Raybourn has again crafted a delightful mystery that balances Veronica’s growth and maturity with her undeterrable, adventurous spirit.” (Booklist)

A disappointment after reading others in the series.

I’ve very much enjoyed the previous books in this series, but not so much this one. The main female character Veronica Speedwell has become more arrogant and self centered in this adventure. No longer someone I could like. You would think she would develop some humanity as time went on. Also in previous books her history of several sexual relationships was a little unbelievable considering it’s Victorian England, but okay it’s part of the character development. In this book it it sounds like she “slept” her way around the world and while traveling alone. Really not likely. Doubtful I’ll read the next in the series.

Fantastic as usual

I love Veronica’s approach to her relationship with Stoker. No vacillating. No prevarication. There was plenty of plot so that the threat of relationship destruction doesn’t need to be employed to have adequate drama/conflict to over come. She is strong enough to appreciate Stoker without needing to subjugate him nor throw him off in her attempt to prove her independence. Thank you Ms Raybourn for providing us with quality literature and a heroine we can thoroughly enjoy!

love this series

always a great performance as well as an excellent story... looking forward to the next

A Triumph

An Unexpected Peril is the sixth book in Deanna Raybourn's extraordinary Veronica Speedwell Mysteries. Veronica is an unique character, bold, intelligent, and utterly cutting edge for her time. I find her and her devoted lover, Revelstoke Templeton Vane, Stoker to his friends, to be a most compelling couple. This mystery has them searching for clues to the murderer of an Alpine climber, a young woman whom Veronica knew and admired. In the course of solving this case, Veronica is pressed into the service of the royal princess of a tiny country on the border of France and Germany.
Told in the first person with humor and insight, the narration is enhanced by the fantastic talents of Angele Masters.

Another lovely…

This one drags a tad in the middle, but I love me some Veronica and Stoker!

Unlistenable

After narrating the previous five books, which I enjoyed, the narrator has changed her voices in a way that I could not listen. Veronica screeches, and Stoker sounds like an old man recovering from a bout of laryngitis. I was so perplexed that I went back and listened to parts of earlier books, which had perfectly

I have never written such a critical review of a narration, but I'm posting it here in hopes that the author/publisher sees it and reconsiders their choice of narrator.

The book is great, by the way, on a Kindle.

Fabulous!!

Veronica Speedwell and Stoker are the greatest.
Please keep the books coming as their escapades are fabulous!!!

Did not disappoint

I am addicted to this series and Have enjoyed every one. Looking forward to the next

a good series

a goid series. not as good as her royal spyness but good none the less. remember read in order.

Love all the Veronica Speedwell books

Great writing and great stories. The narrator does a good job capturing many characters .