Another volume in a beloved series, read in two days, and now I have to wait till next March for the next one … (be warned, if you haven’t read the series, and you ought, there be spoilers ahead).

Lepidopterist Veronica Speedwell and her partner-in-adventure and love-of-her life, Stoker Templeton-Vane, are caught up in another intrigue involving her half-brother, Prince Eddy, a diamond, a brothel, its procuress, and ever more threats to the British royal family. At its opening, comfortably ensconced at their friend’s, Lord Rosemorran’s estate, Bishop’s Folly, in charge of curating his vast collection, Veronica and Stoker enjoy a respite from their adventures in the best way they know, bantering, bickering, and anticipating love-making. Raybourn has introduced a new tenderness in their exchanges, especially on Veronica’s part, the more hard-assed of the two. A new-found peace and rightness are between them. Raybourn doesn’t disappoint us in this volume: Veronica and Stoker, after kidnappings, extortion, villains on their tail, save the day once again and FINALLY, FINALLY achieve their HEA. (The novel is also set against the backdrop of the Whitechapel murders and Raybourn includes one vibrant, creepy, masterful scene with the Ripper.)

Their latest intrepid, save-the-day-and-monarchy adventure is set off by their friend and confidante, Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk, a Lady-Granthemish figure whose sole purpose is to protect the crown, as well as Veronica and Stoker. Prince Eddy, second heir to the throne, after his father, Edward, has gotten himself entangled with Madame Aurore, proprietess of the den of iniquity, Club de l’Etoile, and recipient of a precious jewel identified with Eddy’s name and favour. Lady Wellingtonia sets Veronica and Stoker to retrieve the jewel and save the crown from scandal. A delicious appearance by Stoker’s provocative, competitive brother, Tiberius, ensues when Stoker and Veronica appeal to him for costumes to penetrate the club. From there, high jinx ensue and Veronica and Stoker are at the heart of it.

What makes Raybourn’s series a favourite is the relationship between Veronica and Stoker: partners, friends, and now, finally, committed lovers and Raybourn’s witty turns of phrase and way with dialogue. It’s been a long road to get Veronica and Stoker to this peaceful, passionate, committed end and the journey has been stupendous. Stoker is ever the steady, reliable, funny, loving companion, loyal, honourable, and vavavoom gorgeous. Veronica’s beauty is no less, but she’s had to change to come to the point, as she does here, of admitting how much she loves and needs Stoker. Stoker knew from the first and has waited with roguish-eye-twinkles and endless patience for her: he’s been faithful, stalwart and gives her the space and support to be herself.

When the novel opens, Veronica and Stoker’s relationship has been stalled (and the dangers they encounter stall it longer, but the anticipation is delicious):

In spite of his numerous attractions — and the fact that we were both more than a little in love with one another — we had hitherto resisted the more primitive blood urges. Stoker frequently swam in whatever available pond or river provided a chilly respite, and I submerged my yearnings in rigorous scientific study and the odd evening spent sampling the collection of robust phallic artifacts.

Early on in the series, Raybourn makes Veronica and Stoker’s attraction apparent. However, it’s a feminist twist that Veronica is the more ogling of the two. When the series opens, she has a healthy sexual appetite she indulges frequently. But from the moment she meets Stoker, Raybourn cleverly develops her character as such that Veronica cleaves to Stoker more and more: in body, mind, and spirit. I especially loved the waltz Stoker and Veronica share and the moment of revelation for her:

He was my anchor, my sole point of reference in a world that spun too fast, that would have thrown me off my balance if he had let go of me. But he did not let go. He kept me upright, anchored, and that was the moment that I understood how he had changed me. I had been so long on my own, so apart from everyone, that I had not realized how he had pierced my solitude. I had finally acknowledged that I loved him, but it was not until that moment that I understood I needed him.

As for Stoker, it’s lovely that he’s hers from the first moment she walks into his taxidermist’s studio. Vulnerability comes easily to Stoker; for Veronica, this is a poignant, beautiful revelation because she’s been alone so long, it’s difficult for her to be vulnerable. But she has finally found her safe-space with Stoker. Thus, Raybourn creates her second great sleuthing couple, united in love, intellectual curiosity, and honour to do what is right and just. With Miss Austen, herein we found “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma.

Deanna Raybourn’s A Murderous Relation is published by Berkley. It was released in March and may be found at your preferred vendor. I received an e-galley from Berkley, via Netgalley.

I received this as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me access.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read. So when I was given this advanced copy, I was super excited and binged the whole series!

Was it worth it? Spoiler alert, yes. Yes, it was.

I love the dynamic that Veronica and Stoker have. Think like a sexually charged Holmes and Watson, if Homles was a woman.

Can't wait for the next book of adventures!

I’d previously read the first in the series and found it promising if not a new favorite. When I saw this one pop up on NetGalley, I requested it without reading every detail of the blurb—only enough to think it was a Jack the Ripper novel.

Thus I was completely blindsided by 30% of the book being placed in an upscale brothel and describing all the outlandish sorts of debauchery that occurs in it, the most disturbing of which was a creepy guy who was into bondage, who got nearly 10% of page real estate, and who <i>played no role in the mystery</i> to boot. This sort of gratuitous kink is disgusting and extra annoying, only playing a role of showing how Veronica thinks “well, more power to him, whatever he likes as long as he’s an adult making his own decisions” even though he can’t seem to leave her alone. Showing some facts of life as a part of a mystery is one thing; throwing in detailed descriptions of the atmosphere just to use up page space by giving loads of details which are disturbing and gross is completely different. Nearly everything she saw in that 30% of the book spent in the brothel had no effect on the mystery at all. Before finding the body—after which the kink was left behind for facts and a new twist—the scenes yielded only two minor clues.

I did enjoy it better after the kidnapping. A relation comes back to stage a new assault on Stoker and Veronica and they aren’t going to stop until their ends are accomplished, no matter how little our MCs are inclined to go along with those plans. The hair-raising escape attempt sequence was the best part of the book, with all sorts of danger and a royal prince along for the crazy ride. This is about 30% of the book and gained an entire star for the book...this is the sort of action I was looking for when I asked to read this novel. Especially the masterful scene where Veronica brushes up against a monster in the fog.

But then the story deflates again and Stoker and Veronica become mere reactionaries to others’ plans. They try to put a few clues together but they are always a day late and ten pounds short. <spoiler>Ultimately they fall for a trick that should have been excessively transparent and nearly die for their troubles while someone else solves the whole thing. Say what? Yes, that’s right: Veronica doesn’t solve the case. </spoiler>

So yeah, a mystery viewed by side characters in the solving of it was a big bummer. I’d have preferred to follow the Scotland Yard group who was actually matching clues together instead of being in Veronica’s head thinking only about how she’s going to manage to sleep with Stoker. And Stoker does hardly anything except get gravely hurt more than once and swear a lot. As in, nearly every other word that comes out of his lips is a high-level profanity.

Sadly, I won’t be continuing this series after a disappointment of this level. There are too many other good books waiting on my overstuffed TBR.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

The latest in the speedwell/stoker saga with a dash of Jack the ripper thrown in to try to make it interesting. Not the author's best work but fans of the series will want to read it.

Veronica and Stoker are having and adventure at home as they attempt to save the young, future Prince of Wales from scandal . This series just always makes me smile. Filled with period details, delightful dialogue, and bawdy humor it was a perfect antidote for these dark times. Thank you #netgalley for the advanced copy.

An enjoyable addition to this series in which Veronica and Stoked once more get involved with the royal family. The Ripper sideline didn't really add much but I guess you can't ignore it if you're in London at that time...Hope there will be more, I want to see where this couple goes next.

Not long after finishing A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, I decided to read the most recent Veronica Speedwell mystery. I read the first book back in 2017, and it immediately reminded me of the show Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. There's something about an intrepid historical heroine + a serious and slightly exasperated man as her sidekick that I just can't resist. Each book of the series has been filled with banter, sexual tension, and a compelling case that they're trying to solve. The second wasn't my favorite, but the third exceeded my expectations. And the fourth? Well, it was one of my favorite books of 2019. Needless to say, I was excited to dive in to the fifth!

If you aren't familiar with the series, it opens in 1887 London with the newly orphaned Veronica Speedwell, a butterfly collector, ready to travel the world. Fate, however, has other plans for her. After thwarting her own abduction, Veronica teams up with a natural historian named Stoker to unravel the plot against her. Rather than live in fear, she embraces the thrill of danger and is soon thrust into a life of crime solving. While the mystery changes with each book, I love feeling like I know what to expect when I pick up one of these mysteries: a delicious slow burn, lots of banter, fascinating secondary characters, and a heroine constantly defying convention.

In A Murderous Relation, Veronica and Stoker are asked to retrieve a jewel from an exclusive private brothel because it could be traced back to Prince Albert Victor and cause a scandal for the monarchy. Plus, tensions are already high in London with Jack the Ripper on the loose. This specific mystery is probably one of my least favorite in the series. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book as a whole, I was expecting a bit more complicated intrigue. The summary mentioned that infamous serial killer, but he's a peripheral part of the setting and not central to the mystery. The actual case was missing that certain spark that I've come to expect from this series.

Now, that being said, the dialogue and characters were still utterly delightful. Stoker and Veronica have tons of chemistry and a delicious will-they-or-won't-they dynamic. After the developments in the previous book, I couldn't wait to see what the future held for them. But the course of true love never did run smooth, so I shouldn't have been surprised that they had a difficult time acknowledging their emotions. I was frustrated at first, but it did feel realistic based on everything we've seen from them thus far in the series.

Raybourn still paints a vivid picture of Victorian England. I admire the way she's created a world that is clearly dangerous and yet is still so inviting for readers. I love my time spent with this duo and typically spend most of each book with a grin on my face. The clever, snarky banter just calls my name! It's fun to see familiar characters returning in each new installment, and I always look forward to seeing who Raybourn will introduce, too. If you're searching for a fictional escape, this series would be the perfect choice. They're smart, snarky, and have the perfect amount of suspense and sexual tension. And if you like audiobooks, I highly recommend them in that format!

Veronica and Stoker are called to London to help prevent a royal scandal from becoming public news. As Jack the Ripper roams the streets of London they will go undercover in a high-class house of ill-repute to uncover a viscous blackmailer. In the course of their investigation they will face indiscreet royals, a curious courtesan and traitors to the crown. A Murderous Relation is the 5th book of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries and it gives readers the opportunity to finally see our protagonists face their feelings for one another. This is a gripping mystery, with interesting historical details woven throughout!

Raybourn's latest novel takes on a devious plot against the British crown, with plenty of mayhem, intrigue, and a bit of romance. There's even a cameo by Jack the Ripper. Raybourn's series is a great read, historical fiction with a modern sensibility.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say except that I loved this book. I have loved all the other books so it wasn’t a surprise that I did this one too. I am a huge Jack the Ripper story fan so the fact that this was involved in this story was great I loved that this played up the theory that the Prince could have maybe been the Ripper and it was Veronica and Stoker who had to solve it.

I really enjoy that each story you learn a little bit more about the background of Veronica and Stoker. Especially Veronica though since she is technically royalty but it is a secret and so in this book she finally meets one of her half-brothers and so you see that relationship grow. Also speaking of relationships you finally are seeing Veronica and Stoker stop trying to resist their feelings for one another and fully commit to something. Of course some funny scenes with them occur which they have great banter with each other so wouldn’t suspect anything different.

I like that the story progresses nicely and you are captivated from the beginning wondering what twist is coming next and how they are going to figure out the mystery in this one. I think the descriptions of the scenes are well done and it makes you feel like you are there. The supporting characters are well written and it is nice to meet new ones and learn more about the ones we have already met.

Also can I just say the cover art is AMAZING! Really all 5 of the books have beautiful cover art.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one and will be eagerly awaiting to see what adventure is next for Veronica and Stoker.

This is the fifth book in the Veronica Speedwell mystery series; I’ve read and reviewed the first four books. Big spoilers for the series appear below, so be forewarned.

Veronica and her partner in crime (-solving) and love interest Stoker are recovering, physically and emotionally, from the events of book four when this story opens. Stoker still has stitches from a stab wound to his arm, and both of them are grappling with the fact that they essentially admitted their love for each other in that book. But the two are quickly plunged into a new mystery involving Lady Wellie, the great aunt of their benefactor Lord Rosemorran. Lady Wellie has strong ties to the British royal family and has acted as a sort of eminence grise for them for decades.

Lady Wellie summons Stoker and Veronica to discuss the Jack the Ripper case, which has gripped London and caused unrest. She is concerned that this unrest could be a threat to the royal family, in the form of rising republicanism. She raises concerns about any potential future scandals damaging the family, as a prelude to introducing another person concealed in a hidden compartment in the room – Alexandra, Princess of Wales, the future queen of England.

Veronica has a secret about her parentage (though it’s a secret a lot of people seem to know about throughout these books), one that has put her in danger throughout this series. She is the daughter of an Irish actress and Albert Edward, first son of Queen Victoria and heir to the British throne (he later ruled as Edward VII). Her parents were secretly married, but her father eventually abandoned her mother (who subsequently committed suicide) for Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Since he never divorced Veronica’s mother before marrying the princess, his children with her are illegitimate. Meaning Veronica has a claim on the throne, albeit one she wants nothing to do with.

(I’m slightly confused about this plot point, actually, because Veronica’s mother was Catholic and I think that somehow affects Veronica’s legitimacy? But anyway, those who would put Veronica on the throne are not entirely concerned about whether she’s strictly next in the line of succession – they imagine her more as a figurehead put up as the result of a coup.)

Princess Alexandra wants Veronica and Stoker’s help. She is concerned about her oldest son, Prince Albert Victor, commonly known as Eddy. He was enamored, supposedly, of a woman who it turns out is a notorious madam, and has given her a significant piece of jewelry that can be traced back to him. Now Eddy has fallen for Princess Alix of Hesse, who his mother thinks would be a good match for him. She’s worried that a scandal will bubble up regarding the jewelry and the madam, ruining the prospective marriage and damaging the royal family even further in the public’s eyes.

Veronica, angry and resentful at her position as the dirty little secret of the family, refuses to retrieve (steal) the jewel back. The princess (and her escort, Inspector Archibond, a member of the police who apparently appeared in a previous book, though I don’t remember him), leave. Lady Wellie, upset, implores Veronica to relent, but she refuses. Lady Wellie then falls into a faint and appears to have had a stroke.

Veronica and Stoker, of course, do end up trying to get the jewel back, after learning that Lady Wellie fears that Eddy may himself be Jack the Ripper. They hare off to the brothel owned by the madam in question, a Frenchwoman (of course) named Madame Aurore.

A Murderous Relation had slightly odd pacing, perhaps because chunks of it felt like a series of set pieces that sometimes went on too long. First we have the set-up as described above, and then the preparations for dressing in masquerade to visit the brothel and the brothel visit itself. The third act, so to speak, has

Spoiler: Show

(For what it’s worth, I counted, and the brothel sequence takes up 20% of the book while the next part is about 22%. So they do comprise a significant chunk of the book.)

This is a fairly solid entry in the series with some good points (finally, Veronica and Stoker progress!) and interesting weaving of real historical details. Not just Jack the Ripper and Eddy (historians firmly aver that the latter had nothing to do with the Ripper), but also the (poignant to me) mention of Eddy’s courting of Alix of Hesse. In truth, she spurned his suit because she was already in love with Nicholas II of Russia. Alix became Alexandra Feodorovna, empress of Russia, and was killed with the rest of her family in Ekaterinburg in 1918. Eddy himself never lived to be king.

My grade for A Murderous Relation is a solid B.

A Murderous Relation is the 5th Veronica Speedwell mystery by Deanna Raybourn. Released 10th March 2020 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 308 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a historical cozy mystery with a strong dash of saucy romance between the main character duo (Veronica and Stoker). There is a fair bit of backstory for the characters and setup for the storyline, so I wouldn't really recommend it as a standalone. The entire series is well written and diverting, so a definite contender for a binge reading session.

The main characters are a lepidopterist (Veronica) and a taxidermist (Stoker), so the author gets points for the characters' appealingly nerdy quirks. Their backstories are as varied as they are and there are significant subplot elements revolving around their family entanglements. Although some plot elements are very dark (Jack the Ripper, seedy Victorian London underbelly, murder, extortion, etc) the book itself is firmly in the cozy mystery romance genre.

Thoroughly readable and entertaining, the series reminds me a lot Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody. There's no objectionable language, but there are strongly sexually suggestive scenes between the two main characters, some minor (good humored) cross dressing, some shooting, stabbing, and other mayhem. For readers in search of meticulously researched verisimilitude, this one will likely engender teeth gnashing. Bring a hefty suspension of disbelief. On the other hand, it's delightfully wonky, humorous, and ever so slightly spicy (with a few actual bodices being ripped in the course of the adventure).

Four stars.

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.

Really wanted to like this but couldn't get into it. The characters are annoying and I couldn't get into it. For the cozy mystery readers, this is definitely for then since its an easy read. However, not for me. But i think other mystery readers will enjoy it.

Bloody Hell Deanna Has done it again. She has wrote a book full of family mischief while giving us the best mystery yet. Letting Veronica meet her brother then mixing in all of templeton vane males, just give us the best plot ever. I cant wait to the next Veronica book. These books always make me laugh and say wow everytime i read them. Deanna can really gut your heart and soul with her beautiful poet style writing. I love how she makes you think and how she truly describes modern day while talking about Victorian times. I am just as in love with this book as I am with every book that came before. And just when I think Deanna Cant surprise us anymore or write another great book, then the next book comes out and I am left surprise. Waiting for Deanna Books is like waiting for the next Harry Potter to be release. I will always recommend Deanna work

Mystery, romance, social/ class tension and the royal family what a great combo!. Veronica and Stoker are back and better than ever. While Jack the Ripper is terrorizing Whitehall Stoker and Veronica must steal a diamond star back from mysterious madam who has entrapped one of Veronica's family members.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that, if a series is set in the late 1880s, at some point, they will introduce Jack the Ripper as an element. Does it always work successfully? No. And with this book it was... okay. It set off the series of events that lead to Veronica and Stoker meeting the crown prince of England at a... rather scandalous house. Coming face-to-face with a part of her past is jarring to Veronica. But that's not the only part of her past she'll have to face and this one might just be the thing that finally kills her.
Still a good book in the series but didn't feel as if it read as fast as other books in the series. I still think regular readers will not be disappointed.

Three stars
This book came out March 10th
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group
Opinions are my own

I absolutely loved this next entry into the Veronica Speedwell series! Fun, mysterious, and romantic, Veronica and Stoker are at it again! I love the London setting and the...surprising addition to the cast of characters! I read this on an airplane and I was absolutely charmed. Cannot WAIT for more Veronica and Stoker!!

This is the 5th book in the Veronica Speedwell mystery series and it was worth waiting for! If you are a fan of historical atmospheric mysteries, especially in a series where the characters are so engaging, this book is for you. Start at the beginning of the series, but watch out for book 5. This one's got Jack the Ripper!

Veronica Speedwell's latest adventure is set in 1888, a year when Jack the Ripper was at large, and Scotland Yard's law enforcement officers were desperate to identify and capture him. Although the Ripper's presence is felt in Deanna Raybourn's "A Murderous Relation," he plays only a peripheral role in the story. On the contrary, this novel is a merry romp with witty dialogue, delightfully satirical passages, and a touch of eroticism. The heroine is the irrepressible Veronica, a lepidopterist who lives on the estate of the Earl of Rosemorran. The earl is a wealthy individual who, following in the footsteps of his ancestors, collects a wide variety of specimens from all over the world. Speedwell and her close friend, Revelstoke Templeton-Vane (Stoker), are cataloging and repairing his lordship's vast trove of artifacts. In addition, they are intrepid amateur detectives who are tough and resilient, adept at hand-to-hand combat, and rarely back down from a challenge.

For their latest caper, Veronica and Stoker don outlandish costumes and attend an event at the risqué Club de L'Étoile, an exclusive establishment that caters to affluent individuals with special tastes. At the behest of Alexandra of Denmark, the Princess of Wales, the duo sets out to retrieve a gem that the princess's son, Albert Victor, gave to Madame Aurora, the club's owner. As usual, Veronica and Stoker face daunting challenges while trying to carry out their mission. The wild plot includes abductions by madmen; intrigue concerning the British royal family; a clash between the protagonists and a member of Scotland Yard; and social commentary about the discrepancy between upper-class Londoners and their impoverished counterparts who can barely afford food and shelter.

Raybourn pokes fun at Prince Eddy (the queen's grandson), a naïve and gentle young man who has been sheltered his entire life by his smothering mum. The author keeps us entertained with salacious humor, wry banter, and a series of confrontations between our protagonists and their adversaries. For those new to the series, Raybourn provides background information about Veronica's and Stoker's past exploits and personal sagas. Although aspects of this story are preposterous, fans of Veronica and Stoker will enjoy this droll, lively, and diverting work of historical fiction.