Words really can't adequately sum up how much I love this series. In fact, Raybourn cannot produce these books quickly enough to keep me happy. Once again Veronica and Stoker find themselves in the middle of a mystery, but this one comes closer to home.

Mr. and Mrs. Tiverton were on an archaeological dig in Egypt when they discover the sarcophagus of an ancient Egyptian Princess. Shortly afterwards, a mystical Anubis appears and people start to die or go missing. In fact, one of the missing people turns out to be Stoker's old friend/nemesis who is also married to his ex-wife Caroline. Veronica, fearing Stoker will be erroneously connected to the disappearance, vows to helps Stoker figure out what is going on hopefully in time to save what reputation he has left. In doing so, she meets the infamous ex-wife - and she is despicable.

The mystery is this book was just as strong as the others and I liked the introduction of some new characters. However, there is really nothing remarkable about the Tivertons except Lord Tiverton's daughter - Figgy. Figgy is a joy and in my honest opinion, has to be a teenage Veronica in the making. And she is just as enamored with Stoker. But the best thing about this series remains Veronica and Stoker themselves. There are very few romantic overtones in any of the books but the sexual tension between the two main characters could be cut with a knife. Seriously, I wish they would just get together already. The banter back and forth between them is priceless and Veronica is so headstrong and blunt that I can't help but think in real life we'd be best of friends. She embarrasses Stoker every chance she gets, and it's hilarious.

This is a must-read for anyone who has already loved the series and if you haven't, you can grab all three and go on a marathon run and find out why so many other people are in love with Veronica and Stoker.

I also have to mention Nut. Nut is a new dog we are introduced to in this installment and he and Stoker's bulldog, Huxley, are destined to become best friends in the future.

I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.

Deanna Raybourn's third novel in her Veronica Speedwell series is "A Treacherous Curse," set in 1888. It is the story of a British excavation in Egypt that did not go exactly as planned. Sir Leicester Tiverton, his wife, and a philologist, Patrick Fairbrother, were elated to have made an amazing discovery—the sarcophagus of Princess Ankheset of the Eighteenth Dynasty, along with other artifacts. Unfortunately, the expedition's director's died and its photographer disappeared, along with a valuable diadem. Veronica and her partner, the Honorable Revelstoke Templeton-Vane (who has experience as a "scientist, explorer, natural historian, naval surgeon, and taxidermist"), become involved when it comes to light that the aforementioned photographer, John de Morgan, was Stoker's archenemy. If it turns out that someone killed Morgan, Stoker would be a prime suspect.

Part of this series' charm lies in its sprightly and occasionally naughty dialogue. Stoker and Veronica argue and banter frequently like obstreperous school children, but are devoted to one another. As Stoker reveals long-buried secrets from his tragic past, Veronica begins to understand why this enigmatic, repressed, and at times, cantankerous, man behaves the way he does. Their physical attraction remains just that—an attraction--since they are not yet ready to embark on an intimate relationship. Still, they are intellectual equals, amateur detectives, curators of a planned museum, and fierce street fighters who will do anything—include wading through London's fetid sewers--to catch a villain.

The author's large and colorful cast includes Veronica, an outspoken feminist, lepidopterist, and busybody; Stoker's ex-wife, the gorgeous Caroline, whom he once worshipped; the aforementioned Lord and Lady Tiverton, aficionados of Egyptian archeology; their daughter, Figgy (Iphigenia), an irritable and rebellious fifteen-year old; Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk, an influential and autocratic grande dame; and Mr. Horace Stihl, an American millionaire who was a close friend of Sir Leicester and his first wife. Raybourn sends her hero and heroine on a merry chase. Thanks to their brilliant minds, persistence, shrewd insight into human nature, and willingness to risk their lives, Veronica and Stoker finally get to the bottom of what turns out to be a complex and sordid mystery. "A Treacherous Curse" is another engaging, atmospheric, and well-researched Victorian novel by the talented Ms. Raybourn. It is a lively, humorous and, at times, grim tale of greed, betrayal, and murder.

FINAL DECISION: Very enjoyable entry into the series. The highlights were the Egyptology aspects and the reveal about Stoker's past. The characters are further developed and their relationship moves forward in small but significant ways.

THE STORY: The utterly unique Veronica Speedwell and Stoker, her partner in museum organization and crime solving, become entwined in the disappearance of Stoker's former expedition partner and ex-friend. He also happens to be the man who married Stoker's ex-wife. The man disappeared under suspicious circumstances along with a priceless artifact from an Egyptian expedition but Stoker is a prime suspect. Ancient curses and appearances of the Egyptian god Anubis abound as Veronica and Stoker attempt to locate his ex-partner and clear Stoker's reputation.

OPINION: Historical mystery and romance, this book continues the series of crimes that butterfly collector Veronica and naturalist Stoker get involved in solving. Here there is a personal aspect as Stoker might become the prime suspect if the disappearance is not solved.

Once again the highlight of this book is the interaction between Veronica and Stoker. While the two are not engaged in a romance in the traditional sense, they are certainly involved in a relationship -- it's just the seriously slow burn type. As the two investigate, the truth about Stoker's relationship with his ex-wife is revealed.

This series is a fun read as Veronica and Stoker make an unusual couple with lots of witty repartee between them. These are unusual people who obviously fit so well together even as they argue and fight and at times hurt one another. While the series is content with the intensely slow burn of their romance, there is no reason to rush along as these two people develop a partnership, a friendship and a even a "romance" unlike any other they have experienced.

The mystery in this book was intriguing as the story exposes the Egyptian craze of the Victorian era. There are plenty of suspects and motivations for the disappearance and the solution (while not one that is "solvable" by the reader) works as a dramatic story.

I enjoyed this book because of its unique characters and voice. What keeps me coming back to this series, however, is the promise of the relationship between Veronica and Stoker.  And on that this book did not disappoint.

WORTH MENTIONING: Veronica and Stoker are such an amusing pair.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A TREACHEROUS CURSE is the third book in the Veronica Speedwell series. The book has a self-contained mystery and could be read on its own for that reason. However, a big part of the attraction of this series to me is the relationship between Veronica and Stoker and for that reason I recommend reading the books in order as their relationship develops.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

GREAT STORY! Loved the mystery! Loved the Egyptology! Loved the chemistry between Veronica and Stokes!

The latest in the Veronica Speedwell series is enchanting, suspenseful, and a cracking good read! Love how the digs in Egypt that we’re going on at the time was incorporated into this captivating story. Learning more about Stoker was also intriguing! Great, exciting read! Looking forward to the next one!

** 3.5 stars **

The third book of the Veronica Speedwell series sets us off an an adventure to uncover the mysteries behind a missing persons case with a stolen diadem and offering us a new glimpse into the past of Stoker all the while dressed in the trappings of Egyptian mythology.

I liked the element of the excavations since that was a popular past time for those who could afford it back in that era while offering something fresh to the London backdrop. It was also interesting to see more of Stoker’s history and the people who played a large role in the man he is now and I look forward to seeing how Veronica helps with him overcoming some of that.

A lot of new people were introduced in this mystery and more than once I had to step back and try to remember who was who and which part of the expedition did the serve with in order not to confuse them but once I got back in track the story itself held up.

This book is a good addition to the series overall and I have to say the opening page is definitely one that works to hook you with the humor and show you this isn’t your average Victorian novel.

**thank you to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

The third installment of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries was superb. Still in Victorian England but now with an Egyptian curse! The series is getting better and better, and while you don’t have to read the prior ones, I’d highly suggest it. I love the Egyptology and how pervasive and fashionable it was during that time. However the best part was the exploration of Stoker’s backstory, finally meeting more characters and finding out his history. The past continues the slow buildup of the relationship between the characters, something we all hope speeds up in the next novel. If you love historical feminist mysteries, this is for you.

posted on Amazon

Though I didn't manage to finish this one pre-pub, I love this series and Veronica herself. My coworkers and I love this series and recommend it to patrons often!

Series just gets better and better.. set in the Victorian era, Veronica who is a butterfly collector gets to learn more about her colleague Stoker when his former expedition partner vanishes with a priceless artifact. Solving the disappearance is just part of the fun. Witty, intelligent, all in all a great series. Highly recommended.

Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke Templeton-Vane--Stoker--are working away at their respective restoration and cataloging duties in the Belvedere, the future museum on the grounds of the home of the Earl of Rosemorran. It's the Earl's family collection of animals, insects, devices, and other oddities that they are cataloging.

Then an expedition to Egypt returns, with treasures, a story of a curse killing members of the expedition, and the expedition photographer, John de Morgan, missing, along with a valuable diadem found in the tomb the Tivington expedition excavated on this trip.

De Morgan was once Stoker's best friend. He's now married to Stoker's former wife, Caroline, who left Stoker apparently dying in the Amazon. Caroline returned to Britain and divorced him, claiming cruelty, and in the process destroying his reputation.

De Morgan may be a thief, who has stolen the diadem to finance an escape from his tempestuous marriage. Or he may be dead, killed by the real thief. If de Morgan is dead, Stoker is the most likely suspect in his murder.

Stoker and Veronica have to find him before what's left of Stoker's reputation is irretrievably gone, and he himself is perhaps convicted of murder.

They meet Sir Leicester and Lady Tivington, Sir Leicester's daughter from his first marriage, Iphigenia, and his assistant, Patrick Fairbrother. They meet Sir Leicester's long-time friend and now rival, American millionaire Horace Stihl and his son, Henry.

Veronica meets, and Stoker has to meet again, his beautiful ex-wife, Caroline de Morgan.

Looked at one way, no one has a motive. Looked at another way, it's possible everyone does. But who really does?

Raybourn gets the content and rhythm of late Victorian conversation right, and Veronica, Stoker, and the other regulars are great characters that it's fun to continue to learn more about. The pacing is very good. The only thing I'm not wholly satisfied with is Veronica's relationship with her father, which I really can't say any more about. Hopefully that's another thing that will continue to develop over future books.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

Four and a half stars: This series keeps getting better and better. Love the characters, the suspense, the chemistry and the era.

Veronica and Stoker are busy working on their restoration project, after their last case. Unfortunately, their quiet reprieve is quickly ruined when a mystery is dumped on their doorstep. A dig in Egypt is rumored to be cursed. Furthermore, one of Stoker’s old friends and colleagues was on that expedition, and he is now missing along with a priceless diadem. If Veronica and Stoker don’t act, Stoker’s name could get dragged through the mud again. Things get even worse when someone from Stoker’s past resurfaces. Veronica refuses to let harm come to Stoker, even if that means she has to unsheathe her claws. Can Veronica solve the mystery of the curse?
What I Liked:
*The Veronica Speedwell series is truly a series that I think is getting better and better with each and every installment. I love the quirky characters, the chemistry between Veronica and Stoker, the era, and especially the pluck and determination of Veronica Speedwell. She is not a well mannered Victorian lady that’s for sure. If you like historical mysteries, this is absolutely a series you need to be reading!
*I cannot tell you how much I love Veronica and Stoker. I especially like the role reversals. Veronica is wild, daring and even promiscuous, which is not what you would expect from a proper Victorian lady. Stoker, on the other hand, tends to be more modest, less brash and he is much more cautious. Together they are dynamite. I love these unconventional characters.
*The mystery in this installment was the strongest yet. I liked that it featured Egyptian artifacts, a supposed mummy curse and that there was lots of intrigue as well as plenty of suspects and motives. I was constantly guessing as to who was behind the crimes, and when all the cards were laid out, I was wrong. I liked the way it all pieced together. The author crafted a terrific mystery. I especially like the way little details and clues that seem small and unimportant pop back up later. This one will keep you on your toes.
*The author does an excellent job with the era. I can tell she has gone to great lengths to research the time period to make sure she gets the details right.
*The romance, or lack thereof if you will, is what keeps me reading this series. I absolutely adore the relationship between Stoker and Veronica. The chemistry is off the charts, but it isn’t what you think. This is a relationship that is based on solid trust, friendship, and yes attraction. So much is said in a touch or a look, and it drives me nuts, but I keep coming back for more. After all the revelations about Stoker’s past, I was absolutely on the edge of my seat waiting.... waiting.... waiting.... I will not tell if I got what I wanted.
*The ending was superb. The mystery was solved, all the answers were laid out neatly, and all ends well, except for that moment in the butterfly garden....
And The Not So Much:
*My one hesitation with this series is that it isn’t a series that I would recommend reading without an ereader unless you keep a dictionary close by. In order to make sure the book comes across as authentic to the time period, the author uses a lot of vocabulary words that are outdated. I spend a great deal of time looking up words that I am unfamiliar with, which is fine, but if I didn’t have an ereader, it would be a hassle.
*I felt this one dragged just a tad in the middle section. Thankfully, it concluded with a fantastic ending, so well worth the effort.
*Argh.... the romance is killing me!!!!

A Treacherous Curse is the best book to date in this series. I love the mystery, the suspense, the characters, and most of all the electric relationship between Stoker and Veronica. If you want a well plotted historical mystery with unconventional characters, this is the series to read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

It's 1888 London, and Veronica Speedwell and her piratical-looking colleague, Revelstoke Templeton-Vane (Stoker) are still working on cataloging the vast collection of Lord Rosemorran. All London is talking about the upcoming exhibition of Lord Tiverton's latest Egyptological dig. After years of fruitless expeditions, Lord Tiverton has finally struck gold with the discovery of the tomb of an obscure Princess. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a diadem of precious metals. However, the dig's photographer, John de Morgan, and the diadem have gone missing under strange circumstances. De Morgan's wife is prostrate and in seclusion. Veronica and Stoker become involved because the photographer was the "friend" who left Stoker for dead in the Brazilian jungle, and his wife, Stoker's ex-wife. The ex-wife who returned to England and destroyed Stoker's reputation with lurid tales of his cruelty to get a divorce. Stoker will be the logical suspect if John de Morgan is not just missing but dead. After years of rebuilding his reputation, Stoker and Veronica are not about to let that happen.

I have been a fan of Deanna Raybourn's work since the first lines of her first novel, Silent in the Grave:" To say that I first met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor." Now, that is an attention-grabbing beginning. When the adventures of Lady Julia Gray came to an end, I was eager to see what would happen next. She has followed it up with the adventurous, unconventional, intrepid lady lepidopterist, Veronica Speedwell, who also has a fascinating family history; and the irascible, mysterious natural scientist, Stoker. Their two previous adventures, A Curious Beginning, and A Perilous Undertaking introduced two even more fabulous characters. A Treacherous Curse is a delight from beginning to end and moves the somewhat glacial progress of the romance between this perfectly matched pair satisfactorily. Who knew that Stoker was a closet romantic?

Many thanks to Berkely Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.

This is proving to be a really fun series. Veronica Speedwell, butterfly collector extraordinaire, and her roomie and best bud, Stoker are off on another adventure. This one involves Stoker's ex-wife, a stolen diadem, the long locked mystery of Stoker's secrets about his marriage. A winner.

An excellent read. Love Veronica's pragmatic, modern outlook in the traditional repressive Victorian world and her and Stoker's "on page" chemistry makes for a very entertaining read.

I think, in terms of mystery, A Treacherous Curse is now my favorite of the series.

Immediately, Veronica and Stoker meet up with a sick Inspector Montgomerie, who warns them about a storm about to break, one that will dredge up Stoker's past and destroy beyond repair what reputation he's built back up for himself. John de Morgan, a former expedition partner of Stoker's, has gone missing along with a priceless diadem belonging to an Egyptian princess, leaving behind a wife too distraught to answer any further questions.

Signs point to foul play with Stoker as the likeliest culprit since de Morgan had no known enemies save for Stoker. Worse, that wife he left behind? Meet Caroline de Morgan, formerly Caroline Templeton-Vane, Stoker's ex-wife and the woman responsible for leaving Stoker for dead and destroying his reputation in the first place.

Thus, Veronica and Stoker race to discover what really happened on that Egyptological expedition, one that was apparently fraught with death and misfortune, seemingly cursed by the dead princess who unleashed Anubis on the excavation party. Now, Anubis has followed the heads of the expedition to London, and the press is stirring up rumors of the curse and the players whenever they get a chance. It's only a matter of time before they discover the missing de Morgan's tie to Stoker and stir up rumors of a very different sort.

I enjoyed this mystery the most out of the previous books because it was a lot more murky and complicated. The culprits and answers weren't immediately obvious, and it took Veronica and Stoker a while to work everything out. The new characters introduced were varied and engaging, especially Julien d'Orlande, Sir Leicester, Lady Tiverton, and Figgy. I love how Raybourn writes characters, that no matter what they're doing or how long they're on the page, they feel fleshed out and real on her Victorian canvas. She truly has an innate talent.

Once again, though, Veronica and Stoker's relationship takes center stage for me above everything. The mutual respect, the sparks between them, the stubbornness, the competition, the loyalty--I am a total sucker for them. (Besides, anyone who's willing to go tearing off into a sewer with you and save your life in the process, keep them! Do you know how rare of a Ride-or-Die find that is??? Y'all are meant for each other, deal with it.)

By facing Stoker's past together, they grow closer as friends, their bond deepening towards something more. But slowly, so agonizingly slowly, especially compared to what happened in A Perilous Undertaking. However, I still like the slow pace because there's a lot that both Stoker and Veronica need to work out with themselves and each other before both of them would be ready to take that final step. Here, we see some of those vital details being seen to.

Case in point: confronting Caroline de Morgan. Every scene with her was excruciating both because of how deeply Stoker is still hurt and affected by her (or rather how he let himself get duped by her) but also because of the woman herself. Like Veronica, I wanted to throttle her within the first few words she spoke. Caroline is a real piece of work, and I am currently living for the scene where Veronica called her out on her privilege and her BS. Thank you, Veronica, for never being afraid to say what's on your mind. You're the real MVP!

Also, the little moments with Veronica and her father had me feeling Some Typa Way. I loved the item he sent her (with a butterfly!) because it was so unexpected that he actually is keeping tabs on her and learning about her from a distance. Veronica's mixed feelings about it were matched only by my own. I really hope that Veronica gets to meet him at some point and find her peace with everything.

Also, ALSO, I could've screamed when the Viscount interrupted Veronica's moment at the very end. Listen, Tiberius Templeton-Vane, you are distractingly fine as hell, but now is not the time!

Ugh.

Anyway.

Now I have to wait for the next book. It doesn't even have a release date yet. Someone murder me, so Veronica and Stoker will be summoned to figure it out. I need them.

(This review will be posted on my blog, Goodreads, and Amazon within a day or two.)

A Treacherous Curse is the third Veronica Speedwell novel by Deanna Raybourn. I don’t think much is lost in reading the novel out of order. Background information is provided as you go.

Veronica Speedwell is apparently a woman well ahead of her time. She is a scientist and a feminist who believes in free sex. She wears trousers and picks locks. She is also the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Wales. Is she a very likely character for 1888? Not so much.

Veronica and her professional partner, Stoker, are working with a collection of artifacts when they begin hearing about a curse on the Tiverton expedition to Egypt. Soon, the news of the expedition affects Stoker, whose wife deserted him for John de Morgan, a member of the expedition. De Morgan and his wife left the expedition, apparently with the diadem, one of its most important finds. His wife has returned to her parents, but de Morgan is nowhere to be found.

The police want to question Stoker about de Morgan, because their enmity is well known. The story has reopened all the rumors of Stoker’s disastrous expedition to the Amazon, where he was left for dead by his wife and de Morgan, and the lies they told about his relations with his wife. So, Stoker decides he must find de Morgan to clear his name. Any notion that he is going to do this without Veronica’s assistance, he must speedily dismiss.

Concerned parties are the Tivertons and their assistant, Mr. Fairbrother, and Caroline de Morgan. Stoker and Veronica begin looking into the incident, but they can find no trace of de Morgan beyond his landing in Dover. Oddly, though, apparitions of the god Anubis, which haunted the Tiverton expedition, have now relocated to London.

For some time, I followed Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey series, a mashup of the mystery and romance genres. I tired of the series because of the cliché of the couple always arguing about the wife taking part in the investigation. Apparently, Raybourn has decided to hold the couple of Stoker and Veronica apart indefinitely, maybe hoping to avoid this problem.

But I don’t like Veronica nearly as well as I did Lady Julia, and there is something about the breezy, sometimes slightly racy narration that I find irritating. Too many young men are stripping to the waist for no apparent reason, for one thing, in a time that was much more modest than our own. As I mentioned before, I find Veronica not very believable for the time period.

A spectacular, fantastic novel. I couldn't put it down.

Deanna Raybourn’s third outing featuring Veronica Speedwell and her partner (of sorts) Stoker Templeton-Vane fulfilled all of my expectations and more. A TREACHEROUS CURSE finds the intrepid pair looking into the disappearance of Stoker’s former best friend, a missing Egyptian diadem, and the validity of an ancient curse. We learn much about Stoker’s past, the very clay that has formed him into the man he is today. The revelations are eye opening, and the pair’s quest takes them on an enthralling adventure in London full of heartache, deceit, and danger.

Oh, how I adore Veronica and Stoker! They make the perfect investigating duo, and their chemistry is electric. A TREACHEROUS CURSE is far from a romance novel, but the chemistry between these two is palpable and delicious. Raybourn excels at Victorian era dialogue. The banter between Veronica and Stoker, as well as their off-the-cuff remarks, is fabulous. Their quick wit is at times hilarious and part of what keeps Raybourn at the top of my list of favorite authors. Victoria is unapologetically herself; she fits into no societal mold, and I love her for it. Stoker is an enigma of sorts, yet even after we learn about his reputation destroying past he smolders and does not dare allow readers to feel sorry for his circumstance. These two are made to be together, whether they ever become romantically involved or not.

The mystery involving John de Morgan’s disappearance and the Tiverton Expedition’s missing treasure and curse make for compelling reading. I am reminded of the great Elizabeth Peters mysteries featuring Amelia Peabody despite the action here never moving to Egypt. I was pleasantly surprised by some the turns the investigation took. The story is a delightful way to while away the hours.

A TREACHEROUS CURSE is fantastic, and I highly recommend it to any historical mystery/fiction reader. I hope there are many more adventures ahead for Victoria and Stoker.

I really enjoyed this book. It took me a couple of chapters to really get into it but as soon as I did, I did want to put it down. I have not read the first to books and you don't need to read this book. The only thing I found missing by not reading the first 2 books is a little more back story on Veronica and Stoker but nothing major. I found myself really enjoying the mystery about what happened to de Morgan. Veronica is a fun, spirited, nonsense woman and it is so much fun to follow her along in this book. I can't wait to see what adventures Veronica and Stoker get upto next.

A Missing Diadem and an Egyptian God Stalking London

Victoria and Stoker are ensconced in Belvedere, a museum they are starting for their benefactor, the Earl of Rosemorran. However, their work is interrupted by a disappearance that could put Stoker in danger.

The Tiverton Expedition is returning to London from Egypt after a successful season. They uncovered the unfinished tomb of an Egyptian princess. The princess’ mummy was wearing a priceless diadem and the grave-goods constitute a significant find. Unfortunately the diadem is missing along with the expedition photographer.

Victoria and Stoker are drawn into the mystery because Stoker is the only enemy the police are aware of for the photographer. Stoker’s ex-wife is married to the photographer, and it is well known in London that there is bad blood between the two men. So Stoker is in danger of becoming a suspect. Victoria would to anything to help Stoker, so they are immediately involved in trying to solve the disappearance and find the missing diadem.

As usual, Deanna Raybourn creates an enthralling picture of London in the late 1800s. The Egyptian background is particularly well done. The pace is fast and the outcome somewhat of a surprise, although, I thought the mystery was less engrossing than in the previous two books.

The best part of the book was the deepening romance between Victoria and Stoker. There is no overt sex (although Victoria would not be averse to it), but the tension between the two leads to misunderstandings as well as tender moments. The fact that they are so adept at pushing each other’s buttons shows the depths of the attraction.

If you enjoy historical romance with an Egyptian motif, this is a delightful book.

I received this book from Berkley Publishing for this review.