A Treacherous Curse is the third installment of the Veronica Speedwell series written by Deanna Raybourn. It is fun, it is fantastic, and if you haven’t started reading this series now is your chance!

Veronica Speedwell is a lepidopterist, someone who studies butterflies. Raised by her “aunts”, she has an interesting parentage (which you will need to read the other books to find out about because I am certainly not going to spoil it for you). Revelstoke Templeton-Vane is a historian, also with interesting parentage, a bit of a temper, and a somewhat shadowy, scandalous past. In the first book in the series, A Perilous Undertaking, they are thrown together through unforeseen circumstances and through the course of their most interesting acquaintance manage to become investigative partners and dare I say…friends.

In A Treacherous Curse, a priceless diadem discovered on an archaeological dig in an Egyptian tomb has gone missing, along with the photographer that was on the discovery expedition, who just so happens to be a former friend and colleague of Stoker (and oh boy, is that a story!). Everyone suspects the photographer may have taken the jewel, however, he has since disappeared under suspicious circumstances, leaving behind his wife, and putting Stoker under suspicion. Veronica and Stoker are brought in to investigate on the side, not realizing they will be dredging up much of Stoker’s past and possibly incurring the wrath of the mummy’s curse.

I absolutely love the characters of Veronica and Stoker. They make me laugh out loud. The best part of all of the books has been the relationship between the two. I should mention that these books are mysteries, not romance. This is not to say there isn’t any romance or potential for romance in them. If I was a betting woman I would say that at some point Raybourn has intentions to get Veronica and Stoker together because, well, they are perfect for each other, but this is a slow burn romance of the best kind. It is like watching your favorite TV non-couple that you wish were a couple, discover just how much they like each other and slowly gravitate towards each other over several seasons.

I also love the characters because they are just fun. Veronica is very no-nonsense and probably the opposite of what you would think a Victorian lady would be like. She is sassy, she is experienced, if you know what I mean, and she is very much in charge of her own life. Stoker is an aristocrat who never really fit in with his family. After an expedition accident leaves him injured and scarred, he wears an eyepatch and adds the flair of a gold hoop earring giving him the appearance of a hot pirate! Who doesn’t love a hot pirate??? And I love the role reversal in the fact that Veronica is so worldly when it comes to sex, and Stoker, not so much. In fact, he is kind of a prude. On many occasions Veronica purposely makes Stoker blush by teasing him mercilessly and he is such an easy mark.

The mystery in the book is good. I didn’t actually guess who the culprit was until later in the book. Raybourn has a super quick paced writing style, which I love. You can sit down with one of these books and power through it in a day. She even sometimes throws in some old-style language that keeps you in mind of the time period. I admit there were several words I had to look up and every time the dictionary said they were archaic. So, I highly recommend this book, especially if you like a quick, easy mystery, but I do recommend starting from the beginning of the series because you learn things in those books that are important to this story.

Wow, I'm so happy that NetGalley introduced me to Veronica Speedwell!! I LOVED this book so much from the beginning that I actually stopped reading it and purchased the first to books in the series so that I could read them in order. I highly recommend!

A Treacherous Curse is the third book in the Veronica Speedwell series. I absolutely love the main character in this series. Veronica is intelligent, outspoken and strong. Readers looking for a series featuring a strong, female main character will love this series! This third book focuses on Stoker Templeton-Vane. His former partner has disappeared from a dig site along with a priceless artifact from the tomb. Unfortunately, the item is allegedly cursed, causing Anubis himself to appear in London. Wickedly creepy and mysterious, this story was so much fun to read!

I like this series....it's a nice mix of wit, mystery and suspense with a nice dash of creepiness thrown in for good measure. I like the fact that this book focuses on Stoker, revealing more about the character. It keeps the series fresh, and made for a nice action-filled story. Veronica Speedwell is a creative and different sort of main character. She breaks social norms, lives on her own terms and is an awesome strong female character.

Another great addition to this series. I can't wait for the next book!!

Deanna Raybourn is also the author of the Lady Julia Grey series.

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Berkley Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

One of my problems with requesting books is that I sometimes miss that the book is part of a series that I haven't read. Once I realized A Treacherous Curse was part of the Veronica Speedwell series, I wasn't sure I would understand the plot since I hadn't read the first 2. Fortunately, the book had already grabbed my interest so I continued reading. I'm so glad that I did. I will definitely go back and read the other two books (and check out other Deanna Raybourn books).

This is a fantastic Victorian England mystery steeped with murder, intrigue and tension. I have not read the first two books in this series. I didn't know it was a part of a series when I requested it from NetGalley- I just loved the description! It was so well written and had me guessing who the bad guy was til the very end. The two main characters are amazing and you wish you could meet them in real life.

Veronica and Stoker are cataloging a private collection set to be public when they hear of a tragedy at an Egyptian dig site. One of the people missing is Stoker's old partner and Veronica had no clue. You learn a lot of back story about both characters and I think it really adds a real connection to them both.

I love this time period and the author did a beautiful job capturing it. Veronica is very opposite of a lady from the Victorian era. She doesn't take crap from anyone and does what she wants. She is brave and inquisitive. This book surpassed my expectations and I am SO glad I read it! I never felt lost having not read the previous books in this series. It can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for offering me a free eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I absolutely loved the latest book in the Veronica Speedwell series. The relationship between Veronica and Stoker keeps getting better and better. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Curses, and conspiracies, and Egyptian gods, oh my! A Treacherous Curse will keep you on your toes with new adventures and threats. Veronica and Stoker are at it again with solving an Egyptian mystery on London soil! This one is striking, intriguing, and thrilling until the end!

Let me start off by saying that I have just devoured these first 3 books in a matter of four days! That’s right. These books have been insanely entertaining, full of humor, mystery, and intrigue! I have loved the fact that women have been shown to be the stronger, more cunning, sex (in a time when women were looked upon as weak), and that the attitude toward strong female characters, and men who admire them, has been one of intense empowerment!

That said, A Treacherous Curse both mirrored the attitude and hilarity of the first two books, but also offered more in regard to the emotional side of Veronica and Stoker’s friendship. I loved that we still got a well written mystery, but also saw a side of Stoker, and Veronica, we have yet to see. Both were more emotionally vulnerable and open.

The Veronica Speedwell books have quickly become one of my new favorites series. I have thoroughly enjoyed the shameless banter, the scandalous comments and attitude of Veronica, the well thought out mysteries, and the intriguing plot twists that have carried throughout the books. A Treacherous Curse was unpredictable and captivating! And, now that I have blown through these with intense excitement, I am in dire need of book 4! 4.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Sadly, this is one of my DNF pile. I tried so hard to give this a chance but to no avail.

Like the previous two books in the Veronica Speedwell series, A Treacherous Curse's protagonist is unconventional, cares not a whit for propriety, and charges headfirst into a curse. A Treacherous Curse, though, differs in the fact that its connection to royalty --and Veronica's father and family-- is more tenuous. It seems a bit of stretch for why Veronica and Stoker are to be the ones investigating. However, the mystery is well-woven and only predictable in some aspects. Veronica is very much coming into her as a Sherlock-like detective.

WOW. I am absolutely in love with this series. I found this one to be the quickest read of the three - I absolutely couldn't quite put my finger on what was going on in the mystery. Stoker and Veronica were amazing as always in this third instalment and their chemistry just HAS to pay off at some point! I am already highly anticipating the next in this series - I HOPE IT IS SOON!!!

Okay, I have to admit that I had stayed away from this series. Why? After all, I love suspenseful historical mysteries. I am in my reading milieu when I am able to get my hands on a well-crafted series. However, the early descriptions of the heroine made her sound more like an adventuress in the traditional sense of the word rather than what Veronica Speedwell is: a brilliant, capable, principled woman whose adventures are the by-product of solving intriguing mysteries.

Once I started reading this third entry in the Veronica Speedwell series, I realized what I had been missing and promptly bought the first book, A Curious Beginning. I intend to enjoy every bit of it and the second book very soon.

A Treacherous Curse, as the title implies, is a mystery that has its roots in an Egyptian expedition which has resulted in the death of one member of the party and the disappearance of another. Veronica and her partner, Stoker, are scientists who have solved two life-imperiling mysteries and are drawn into this one because of a personal connection for Stoker. The missing man is his ex-best friend and current husband of his ex-wife, a woman who is a liar and a cheat but who seems to still have some hold over Stoker.

The chemistry between Veronica and Stoker is electric (though what they have is not yet a romance) and the adventure is moves along at a compelling pace. The pair's clever banter gives Nick and Nora Charles a run for their money, a delight for the reader.Stoker seems to have a bit of the tortured hero in him, and Veronica is not without her issues. Nevertheless, it seems the characters are evolving, even within the space of this book.

I hope there are many more adventures for Veronica and Stoker--I'm sure I will be finished with the first two books all too son.

Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

A Treacherous Curse, the third delightful installment in the outstanding Veronica Speedwell mystery series, finds our intrepid protagonists Veronica Speedwell and Stoker Templeton-Vane involved in the mysterious disappearance of Stoker’s former best mate, the diadem de Morgan is suspected of stealing, and the Egyptian curse seemingly following the Tiverton Expedition home to London from Egypt. To solve the mystery, dark secrets from Stoker’s past must be revealed. The pair finds themselves dealing with Stoker’s first wife, a petulant teenager, an American millionaire, an obsessed explorer, and deceit and danger at every turn.

It is no secret that Deanna Raybourn is among my favorite authors, and I was bursting with excitement to read the further adventures of Veronica ad Stoker. The Egyptian emphasis makes it all the more appealing. Like many Victorians of the era, I am fascinated by all things Egyptian. I simply adore Veronica and Stoker. Their banter, at which Raybourn excels, is sharp, smart, and, at times, hilarious. I hang on every word that they utter. Veronica is generally the smartest person in the room, and, unfortunately, she knows it. She is unapologetically herself, not caring one bit about being a proper English lady or fitting into society’s mold. She has baggage and secrets of her own (most of which we learn in the first book of the series, A Curious Beginning). In A Treacherous Curse, we learn the secrets that Stoker has held so dear, the very circumstances that make him the moody, smoldering man he is today. It is a fascinating revelation, and I love him all the more for him overcoming his betrayal and experiences. Though this is not a romance novel, the chemistry between Veronica and Stoker is electric and delicious to behold.

I admit, once I leaned how John de Morgan and his wife Caroline betrayed Stoker, I had a difficult time feeling bad about his disappearance. We are left most of the book wondering if he met with foul play or disappeared of his own initiative. Is he a good or bad guy in this narrative? As is most often the case in real life, here, too, he is a bit of both. We meet several interesting characters in the course of the investigation, and I was surprised in the end who turned out to be the “bad guys”. The idea of an ancient curse following the explorers home keeps the story’s momentum and provides the danger and mystique that keeps the tale exciting.

Deanna Raybourn maintains her place at the top of my “must read” list, and I hope there are many more adventures featuring Veronica and Stoker to come. I highly recommend A Treacherous Curse to any historical mystery/fiction reader and those who appreciate lively protagonists.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

This was a charming book. I read it as standalone though it's the third of a series. Highly enjoyable nevertheless. Would definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction and crime. Anyone who likes Victorian Era fiction, adventures like the Mummy or other Egyptology-based fictions should enjoy this as well.

I was unaware that this was part of a series when I received my arc, but I was pleasantly surprised that for being the third installment it is accessible to new readers to the series. Any major plot developments from the previous books are recalled briefly early on, and barring a better understanding of the dynamics between Stoker and Veronica's relationship I do not feel that I missed out.

Overall I enjoyed the story: Veronica and Stoker are tasked with uncovering the mystery surrounding Stoker's former best friend, John de Morgan, in order to clear his name from further tarnishment while also dealing with an alleged mummy's curse and theft of an artifact. Set in 1888, the way it is written using words common to that era, Raybourn really gave the impression of the book being from that time period.

I did find myself a bit bored mid-way through the book, but I was interested to see the resolution so I persevered. It may have been a bit longer than necessary, and some of the exposition, inner monologue and descriptions, along with the "high society" voice for the book, may have contributed to the feeling of the plot dragging on. I really enjoyed spunky Veronica, and the resolution gave me good memories of Scooby Doo.

I'd recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction, archaeology (especially mummies!), and strong female characters.

Set in 1888 Victorian Era England, A Treacherous Curse is the third installment author Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell Mystery series. Protagonist Veronica Speedwell is a natural historian with a specialty in butterflies. Basically it means that she's a butterfly hunter who travels the world looking for exotic new species. She's known to have the occasional dalliances with foreign men, while avoiding her fellow Englishmen, and the idea that all women should be married and take care of their spouses above all else.

Veronica and her partner Revelstoke Templeton-Vale have been involved in two different murder investigations since this series began. Make this number three. They say to investigate one murder is a curiosity. To investigate two is a habit. But, after reading about a curious curse that hit a group of Egyptologists, and the death of Stoker's one time friend, adventurer, and expedition photographer, Veronica and Stoker are all in. This time they must solve the curiosity of the curse, whether or not Anubis has actually risen, the murder of a former friend, while also dealing with the woman who destroyed Stoker's life and his reputation.

Veronica and Stoker are perfectly fit for each other both personality wise and otherwise. They are able to be themselves when they are around each other, rather than fit in to any societal norms that are expected of them, especially from their families. One could say that family is also one of the aspects that brings the two together since both of them are outcasts in their own ways. Veronica has what appears to be an unwelcome connection to the royal family, while Stoker's reputation and his own family has left him out in the cold, as it were. Although, one of Stoker's brothers apparently hasn't given up at romancing Veronica.

To be perfectly honest, they don't have to have a romantic connection for me to enjoy these two. It is mostly Veronica who keeps the duo together. She is not afraid to look Stoker in the eye and call him out for his bullshit and his self pity issues that often times see him become someone else. Veronica is a character who I really love. She's independent, has a mind of her own, and is often outspoken on subjects ranging from sex between men and women, to her unwelcome connection to the royal family who continue to ignore her, but keeps her under observation so she doesn't embarrass the royal family.

This story does a good job of finally revealing what happened to Stoker. The mystery behind his fall is directly correlated to one particular nasty woman, and no I don't mean Madonna. After meeting Veronica, I dare say that miss nasty pants brought a butter knife to a gun fight. You don't mess around with Veronica Speedwell.

I absolutely adore this book! Deanna Raybourn his the ability with Veronica Speedwell to write so many smart and funny characters who go against societal norms.

The one line insults that Veronica Speedwell throws out are so funny and made me drop my bookmark and pause reading to have a good laugh.

I am dying for Veronica and Stoker to go for each other! The tension is killing me! I cannot wait until the fourth book because each book just builds on all the good things the previous books did!

Veronica and Stoker are back to solve another mystery. This time the mystery is a curse that clouds the archaeological dig where an Egyptian Princess is buried with a priceless diadem. The diadem has gone missing along with Stokers former expedition partner and his disreputable past is re-surfacing.

Anubis, the god of tombs who has the head of a jackal, has been seen haunting the shadows of London. Is the curse real? Can Veronica solve the mysteries that plague the princess and Stoker?

This was a great read, but not my favorite Veronica Speedwell mystery. It is well written and Veronica’s sassy attitude is always entertaining. However, I prefer a more historically based book where I am entertained and also learn something.

I am looking forward to the next Veronica Speedwell mystery.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Veronica and Stoker. They’re two of my all-time favorite characters. Can’t wait for the next installment! All I can say about Ms. Rayburn is that she needs to write faster. I need my next Speedwell!!

I was given an ARC to review. This is a great addition to this series. I love the female lead. Veronica is spunky, independent and plays by her own rules. Her relationship with Stoker is definitely in the slow burn category. If you love a book with a lot of romance, you won’t find it here. The characters relate well to each other, but the romance is at a snails pace. This book centers around a mummy and it’s supposed curse. As always, the supporting characters are very well written. In this book, we learn more of the back story of the male lead, Stoker and his disastrous marriage. His ex wife makes a memorable appearance. I love this series, I just wish the romance moved a little faster.