Let me just start off by saying that I love this series so much. This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year. Ok. Now that that’s out of the way... I adored A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn. It’s the fifth installment in the Veronica Speedwell mystery series. This time we find Veronica and her trusting sidekick, Stoker, attempting to steal a diamond star given to a woman of the night by Prince Albert. If Prince Albert is to have any real marriage options he can’t be seen giving diamonds to all kinds of women. But as always, trouble strikes and Veronica and Stoker must fight their way from certain death. Taking place in everywhere from a high-end brothel to Whitechapel and everywhere in green with a rag-tag cast of well written characters, I couldn’t put this one down. I had to know what would happen between Veronica and Stoker. Their chemistry is absolutely perfect. If you love a book with the perfect balance of mystery and romance, this one is perfect. I can’t wait to see what Veronica and Stoker get up to next!

A Murderous Relation is the fifth book in the Veronica Speedwell series. From the first book this has been one of my favorite series of all time but this installment proves that it is not immune to the mid-single-digit slump. For me, most series around book 5 or 6 take on a repetitive feel. I get not wanting to change what drew readers to the books in the first place, but no one wants to read the same book seven times.
I did feel like there was more action in this book. From staging an infiltration to an exclusive brothel to being kidnapped and held captive, there was a lot going on. It felt a bit busy to me; I do enjoy the more leisurely and clever bits to these books and some action, but this felt weighted in the opposite way. This may be a spoiler to some but it’s a big gripe for me so skip to the end if you don’t want to know… Veronica and Stoker have still not resolved the sexual tension between them and at this point it is just annoying. HOPEFULLY we will see some progress on this front in the next book.
Overall, I’m still excited to read more in this series to see what happens with some of my favorite literary characters.

I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So it's no real secret how I feel about this series. Needless to say, whenever I hear a new one is being published, I count the hours until it pops up on Netgalley, and then count the hours to see if I'm approved. I adore Veronica and Stoker and after the way A Dangerous Collaboration ended, I had really high hopes for this one. That being said, I may have set myself up for some frustration and disappointment. But don't get me wrong, A Murderous Relation is still a wonderful book, the series is still great and I'm already anxiously waiting to see what mess Veronica and Stoker find themselves in next.

So in this installment, Veronica and Stoker are asked to help investigate a potential royal scandal. Yet the "players" are too close to home for Veronica to accept. But when Lady Wellie falls ill, the two of them do some sleuthing and decide they must do as she originally asked. This leads them right smack dab into another calamity and I'm wondering if they aren't secretly cats with nine lives.

Let's get this out of the way. Initially I felt the book started kind of slow. Because of the way the last book ended, I expected more "umph" out of this one in the beginning and probably set myself up to be let down. However, once I hit about the 30% mark, things picked up and once again the book was back in the groove. That really is the only complaint I have and as I said, I more than likely did it to myself.

So what did I like? Everything else. We get to see some familiar side characters and the book actually opens up with Stoker being expected to officiate a wedding of a giant tortoise. Only Stoker and Veronica. Per usual I really enjoyed Lady Wellie and I even ended up liking Eddy, a new character on the scene who has ties to Veronica. Madame Aurore was also a fun addition. Stoker's brother Tiberius makes another appearance and although he rather annoyed me in the last book, I found him quite enjoyable in this one.

The mystery in A Murderous Relation was rather satisfying and I didn't see some of the surprise twists being carried out until they were right upon me. And I can also say that in the end, I am very satisfied with where Veronica and Stoker stand. I can see how this might seem like the end of an era with the series but I'm proud to report there are at least a few more installments on the way.

Finally, there's a new dog on the scene. Madame Aurore has a wolfhound named Vespertine and I feel in love with her. I'm assuming that's her silhouette on the cover. Such a fun addition to the canine brood. She may or may not be in future installments (please Deanna include her in future installments).

If you love this series, don't hesitate to read this one. And if you haven't started yet, WHY NOT!

This is hands down my favorite historical mystery series and I had a great time reading this new addition!

Lady Wellington has a soft spot for the future king, Eddy and when it seems that he might be involved in a scandal she along with one other ask for Veronica and Stokers help. Prince Eddy has been seen going into a fancy brothel and now he has had a jewel make a diamond star to give to the lady of the house. If any of this gets out it will cause a scandal and then the young lady that is supposed to marry Prince Eddy might not.

At first Veronica says no but then the refusal to do so sends Lady Wellie into a fit and puts her in bed and that is when Veronica and Stoker find the true reasons as to why she wanted them to help. It wasn't just to get the diamond star back there was a lot more to it.

Then it can't be a Veronica and Stoker adventure without something going horribly wrong which happens when they get kidnapped. It seems that a nemesis from the first book is back and he has a partner to help make sure things go the way he wants but things don't go according to plan and it seems that Veronica and Stoker have a few allies in the mix to help which is a good thing.

So, I think the first thing I have to say is that after reading the last book I really thought this book would be a bit different in terms of Veronica and Stokers relationship and when it wasn't I was a bit disappointed. Not saying that things don't work it's way towards that in the end but it sure put a damper on my enjoyment when I started this book. If ever I have wanted a couple to get together it would be this one! It also had a few spots in it to where I found it a bit slow, but for the most part I enjoyed it.

I love Veronica and Stoker as they are two of my top favorite characters. I also love Lady Wellie and was kind of bummed that she wasn't in this one much as she was indisposed through most of it. I also liked the introduction to a new character that I am sure won't be in the series much because of certain things but I really liked prince Eddy he was just a bit naive and adorable.

I really liked how the mystery of certain things was wrapped up and who it was that lent a hand in the end and overall I enjoyed this and would recommend it to any historical mystery lover, but I really must advise you to start at the beginning with book one.

Once again lepidopterist and London lady Veronica Speedwell is called upon to assist the Royal Family with a delicate issue. She and companion/colleague Stoker are tasked with recovering a gift given to a woman of questionable reputation, a gift that could ruin the monarchy.if its existence was made public. Along the way Victoria spends time in a brothel, on the run with her half-brother, and perhaps in the sights of Jack the Ripper. Can Victoria and Stoker stay alive long enough to save the monarchy from scandal? Will they ever sort out their relationship? As always, the mystery ends but the story continues!

Veronica Speedwell and her partner in crime-solving have barely had a chance to rest after their last adventure when Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk sends them a frantic message demanding that they return to London as soon as possible. A potential royal scandal is brewing: Prince Albert Victor is a regular visitor to the most exclusive private club in London, the Club de l’Etoile. Its proprietor, the glamorous Madame Aurore, has received an expensive– and easily traceable– gift from the Prince. Lady Wellingtonia asks Veronica and Stoker to retrieve this gift to keep word of the Prince’s visits a secret. They agree to go undercover at the high-class brothel to find the gift and take it back.

The rest of London, meanwhile, is terrified by the news of a series of brutal murders in Whitechapel– murders that have the police baffled, even with every man working overtime. Lady Wellie fears a member of the royal family may be responsible for the murders, and after a body turns up at the Club de l’Etoile, Veronica and Stoker must uncover the truth before it’s too late.

Save for a slight instance of mustachio-twirling villainry towards the end of A Murderous Relation, bestselling author Deanna Raybourn is at the top of her game with this latest installment of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries. After the discord of their previous mysterious undertaking, Veronica and Stoker have come to an understanding and want nothing more than to continue their reconciliation in peace, but of course, larger events get in the way. Though Veronica has reason to turn up her nose at the royal family and their snobbery, Lady Wellie’s fears regarding Prince Albert Victor and the scandal that could ensue persuade her to investigate the matter. This decision brings her and Stoker to a high-class sex club. It’s an eye-opening experience for both Veronica and readers who might not expect such behaviors out of the Victorians, but not everyone in the 1880s London was a prude. Veronica finds mystery after mystery within the Club de l’Etoile, and begins to question her assumptions about herself:

“It was a question that drove me to act that night with reckless bravado. I had to prove to myself that I was still the same explorer who packed her petticoats and her parasol and set off to see the world. I had to peer into the looking glass of my soul and see once more the intrepid spirit that burned within. If I lost her, who then would I be?”

It’s a question Veronica has reason to ask herself more than once during the investigation thanks to the father she’s never met, the precarious circumstances she and Stoker land in, a not-so-chance encounter at the Club de l’Etoile, and the appearance of a certain toy mouse. But while Veronica may doubt herself inwardly, it’s not a thing she ever shows to the world. She’ll hold her head high and think of a clever quip, even when a dastardly villain threatens her life. Excitement and danger are nothing new to our intrepid lepidopterist, who often flings herself into the unknown in search of a rare butterfly.

While Veronica’s courage and love of excitement might infuriate her friends from time to time, they’re the character traits that make her stories impossible to put down. They’re also Veronica’s greatest flaws, as they often prompt her to act without thinking, putting her into situations that put her and her loved ones in danger.

In another author’s hands, Veronica’s adventurous nature might grow infuriating after a while, but Raybourn balances her heroine’s impulsiveness with a sardonic wit that isn’t afraid to critique the culture she lives within. Stoker, too, is a perfect foil for Veronica’s impetuous nature. Their relationship has been at the heart of the series, and the same is true for A Murderous Relation. Raybourn shows her skill with this as well. The ‘will they or won’t they’ question has run throughout the series and could easily grow frustrating, but Raybourn knows better than to use tired tropes and a pointless lack of communication between the two to maintain the tension. Both Stoker and Veronica have seen each other in their most vulnerable states, and while they may come face to face with evil, if they face it together, they may just come out on top.



Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing a free egalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion in any way.

Yet another totally satisfying, clever, absorbing Veronica Speedwell mystery -- I can't wait to share this with readers at my library, and am crossing my fingers for many more installments in this series.

I am enjoying this fun, thrilling, intense, and even romantic series so very much. The writing is intelligent, the plots are excellently done, and the romantic tension between the two main characters will leave you panting for breath. I have to admit, I couldn’t put the book down and inhaled it from beginning to end – in one sitting. I mean – honestly – when the first line in a book is “What in the name of flaming Hades do you mean his lordship wants me to officiate at the wedding of a tortoise?” – you just know you are going to love it! BTW – you’ll absolutely giggle every time Stoker curses – he is so very inventive – luckily, he curses often. You can read this as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading at least the first book of the series, A Curious Beginning, so you become familiar with the characters and their backgrounds, how they meet, etc. – you’ll love the book and it will give you a good foundation for the rest of the series.

Victorian London is in an uproar because of a series of grisly, horrific murders in the Whitechapel area. News sheets are calling for those in power to resign because they cannot apprehend the perpetrator. Those same news sheets are sensationalizing the murders. One lone reporter, J. J. Butterworth, is featuring the actual victims in her column – humanizing them, telling their stories rather than just calling them prostitutes. You’ll love J. J. as a recurring character.

Stoker and Veronica are called to see the formidable Lady Wellingtonia (Wellie) Beauclerk (a recurring character). They are asked to see about retrieving an expensive and inappropriate gift that Prince Albert Edward has given to a very exclusive courtesan. That gift is readily traceable back to the prince and should it become known; it would cause a scandal that could bring the monarchy down – especially in these times with a horrendous murderer about. When they refuse to do Wellie’s bidding, she has a heart seizure and they quickly come to realize that there is more to the story than they originally thought.

The mystery is filled with many twists and turns and not everyone is who they appear to be – and some returning from the dead. With murders, kidnappings, rescues, plots, and plots-within-plots, you’ll be on the edge of your seat throughout the entire read. I certainly recommend the read and hope you will love it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Take Veronica and Stoker’s steamy attraction, add an engrossing mystery, and you’ve got another hit in the Veronica Speedwell series.

A Murderous Relation starts off where A Dangerous Collaboration ends - right after Stoker has uttered the words

“Veronica Speedwell, I meant it then and I mean it now and I shall mean it with every breath until my last. I love you”

and

“I have plans for you in London.”

Swoon... alas Lady Wellie (Veronica and Stoker’s patron’s aunt, who also happens to be involved with the Scotland Yard Special Branch that protects the Royal Family), has plans for them too. All of London is terrified by a string of horrific murders committed by the Whitechapel Murderer, later called Jack the Ripper, and Lady Wellie fears that the Royal Family is involved.

Lady Wellie has received an anonymous note remarking that young Prince Albert Edward (aka Eddy) has been near most of the scenes where and when the murders occurred. Lady Wellie is worried... could Eddy be involved? This would bring down the Monarchy and lead to anarchy for her beloved England. In the meantime, Eddy is on the verge of another scandal - he has given a recognizable jewel to Madame Aurore, the owner of a high class pleasure club called the Club de l’Étoile. If the jewel is sold, or used for blackmail, it will come out that Eddy has behaved badly and his public image, and hopes for a particular marriage, will be ruined. Lady Wellie has told Veronica and Stoker about the second problem, but is hesitant to mention the first. Before she can, she suffers a stroke.

Veronica is reluctant to help the Royal Family, and readers of the series will know why. But then Stoker and Veronica come across the anonymous notes suggesting Eddy’s role in the Whitechapel murders and Veronica knows they must act:

“We have had riots this year. Can you imagine how much worse they would be if people believed even the merest possibility that a senior member of the royal family were involved in these crimes?”

“Anarchy,” Stoker said succinctly.

 And so, Veronica and Stoker go undercover at the the Club de l’Étoile hoping to retrieve the jewel bestowed on Madame Aurore by Eddy and then clear Eddy’s name in relation to the Whitechapel murders. Once again, the game is afoot!

A Murderous Relation marks the return to Veronica’s story of the Royal Family and the cornucopia of secrets Special Branch is trying so hard to keep under wraps. We also see the return of beloved characters like Mornaday, JJ Butterworth, and Sir Hugo. Some not-so-beloved characters make their reappearance as well. As with the other books in the series, A Murderous Relation is a delightful mixture of mystery and romance. But now, Veronica and Stoker know what they mean to each other and that throws them a little off kilter - especially Veronica.

Yet now that we had returned to London, I had been aware of a creeping sensation of doubt. That a physical union between us would be gratifying I had no doubt. I was only too aware of Stoker’s many attractions. But this new and burgeoning habit to rely upon him terrified me to my marrow. I had learnt not to be dependent through the harshest of circumstances. Could I now alter that practice? Could I really throw my hard-won independence to the wind and lean upon him?

Oh, Veronica! Ms. Raybourn writes of Veronica’s struggles so beautifully. And, of course, Stoker is his usual delicious self, always there in whatever capacity Veronica needs him. The delightful banter between the two of them continues and the story is, as one has come to expect, splendidly told. Ms. Raybourn has done her homework again and she beautifully walks the line between historical truth and historical fabrication.

But, I know what most of you fans of the series want to know...will they or won’t they finally enjoy that “physical union”? Well, dear reader, I cannot say. Just read the book. You will not be disappointed either way!

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Fantastic fifth installment of the Veronica Speedwell series! I have enjoyed the previous books, and this one was worth the wait! Their past adventures are referenced in this story, but with enough context that I believe that someone could start with this book if they were to come across it. However I recommend reading from the beginning in order to fully appreciate the build up to this point in the relationship between Veronica and Stoker.

The pair and their romance is the very much at the heart of the novel. The mystery ties into Jack Ripper, as well as Veronica's backstory, but main plot turns more into an action/adventure, which is balanced with humor as well. Raybourn has done an excellent job developing Veronica and Stoker's characters and the relationship, and the history is well researched.

The series overall is reminiscent of The Mummy film franchise, and also Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. I highly recommend Veronica Speedwell to fans of those, but also to anyone who likes historical mysteries with romance.

4.5 Stars.

Thanks to Berkley Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If someone asked for a sampling of books that would show them my exact book tastes, this book would absolutely be on it. As soon as I saw hints of Jack the Ripper lurking at the end of book 4 of the series, I was incredibly excited—especially since (Spoiler for Book 1) we knew Veronica is a half-sister of Prince Albert Victor, who has been associated as either a suspect or motivating factor in the Jack the Ripper murders (e.g., From Hell). For the true crime fans, I will say that Raybourn draws heavily from Hallie Rubenhold’s The Five and notes as much in the acknowledgements.

This book is a Savanna-perfect blend of action, humor, romance and mystery—to me it feels a lot like the 1999 version of The Mummy in the best way. There is a teeny smidge too much romance angst for me in the beginning, but once the action and mystery gets going about a quarter of the way through the book our ever-practical heroine focuses (mostly) on the task at hand. The side characters get some lovely development as well, and if this had been the last book of the series (which it is not! Books 6 and 7 have been contacted) it would have been a satisfying final chapter. Five stars, and it’s going on my Best of 2020 and Overall Favorites lists.

3.5 STARS - What do Jack the Ripper, the heir to England's throne and a murder in a brothel have in common? Together they give Veronica Speedwell and Stoker Templeton-Vane another mystery to solve, of course! In this fifth addition to the popular Historical Mystery series, Veronica Speedwell, our favourite lepidopterist and her right-hand man Stoker, the dashing taxidermist, get embroiled in a royal scandal with connections to the vicious murders committed by Jack the Ripper. Oooo, right?!

Once again, Raybourn creates the vivid atmosphere of 19th century London, right in the heart of the Victorian era and her masterful use of words is, as usual, impressive, engaging and keeps me avidly highlighting words on my kindle to make use of its dictionary feature. Clearly, my vocabulary has exponentially ameliorated and expanded inordinately.

As the blurb indicates, the story has a Jack the Ripper connection, but Veronica has only a brief, albeit totally sinister, brush with the Ripper legend. I had hoped Ripper would have been included more substantially into the main plot but I give Raybourn high praise for including information on the misrepresentation of Jack the Ripper's victims (for further info, I highly recommend reading Hallie Rubenhold's book The Five which gives a detailed and accurate look at the lives of the victims).

This is one of my favourite series but this installment took me a bit of time to get into the nitty gritty of the mystery. There's a little less action this time around and while there are scenes that ramp up the energy, the shenanigans seemed to be somewhat subdued. But never fear, the simmering sexual tension between Veronica and Stoker continues! A couple of sassy secondary characters also make a return - including Lady Wellie and an amorous tortoise (naturally). These lovely ladies make brief appearances and add some levity.

This is a good addition to one of my favourite series that continues to pair a wonderfully atmospheric mystery with two characters that have a penchant for getting into trouble and an affinity for wonderfully witty banter. If you haven't met Victoria and Stoker yet, I highly suggest you do.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this title for review consideration.

As this is the fifth book in the series, I encourage any new readers to start at the beginning of Veronica Speedwell's story, in A Curious Beginning. After getting to know our titular character and her sidekick/love interest Revelstoke "Stoker" Templeton over the past 4 books, I've come to adore them as a team, and as individuals as well. This installment really digs into Veronica's murky heritage, while also focusing on Raybourn's fictional version of the Jack the Ripper murders. As always, this was a fun romp full of witty banter and hilarious antics, and I highly encourage fans of the series to snatch A Murderous Relation up in March when it releases.

First off, I absolutely love this series and these characters! The anticipation of the new direction Veronica and Stokers relationship is taking was killing me! You get to see more of this and meet some more of Veronica's family. Cant wait for the next one!

This series continues to be among my favorites. Veronica and Stoker are more like themselves in this book when compared to A Dangerous Collaboration (same tension, but at least they have acknowledged it!). I love how we go back to Veronica's roots in royalty with this one, and it seems fitting since she is finally starting to accept the fact that she has a home with Stoker. While I didn't love the mystery itself as much in this one, the overall feel and pacing of the story was perfect. I think the mystery needed to take a backseat to Veronica's growth as a character when faced once again with her unusual heritage. I can't wait for the next one!.

So many of my favorite fun mystery series' are due for new installments in 2020--Veronica Speedwell, Kendra Donovan, Lady Darby, the Countess of Harleigh all have new adventures pending. This book in particular has been marked on my TBR with a star as soon as I finished the fourth installment. A Dangerous Collaboration left us with a bit of a cliffhanger: Veronica and Stoker had finally acknowledged four books' worth of sexual tension, but, just as they considered their next steps, they were summoned home by Lady Wellingtonia to deal with a crisis involving Jack the Ripper and possibly the royal family. To be honest, I think there are already more than enough Victorian mysteries out there revolving around Jack the Ripper, so I was not too excited for such a plot line, but I was thoroughly invested in finding out where Veronica and Stoker's personal narrative was going to take them.

I don't want to spoil anything, so I am going to keep this review on the vague side. I do have to admit that the actual mystery here is not the strongest in the series. At one point, my Kindle progress showed I was only about 55% done with the book and we already knew who the bad guys were and what the dastardly plan was, and … it wasn't too original. The characters were still in peril and there was a good amount of action still to come, I figured, but it just seemed off-kilter to have the mystery essentially "solved" so early in the book. On the good side, I really enjoyed the character development here. Veronica and Stoker are smart and sexy and funny and all the things I hope for every time I pick up one of these books. Mornaday is back--love him! And there's a little time with Tiberius, and Lord Rupert. And we get to meet some new characters who I look forward to getting to know better in future books. There is also a beautifully written passage where Veronica has a brush with true evil. I've read it over a few times, and every reading leaves me with chills.

Overall, this is not the best volume in this series, but I always love getting to spend time in the world of Veronica and Stoker. The author has created such unique, authentic voices for her characters, and her Victorian London is clearly well-researched and filled with details that make it feel completely real.

Veronica Speedwell is a jeweled star!! I place her in company with Enola Holmes as I think they would have enjoyed each other’s company immensely. While this is the 5th Veronica Speedwell in the series I didn’t feel that I was missing anything or behind in the story. I will however go back and read the others as it was an extremely enjoyable quick but well crafted read. This would be good for older, more mature young adults as there was a bit of salaciousness throughout. Thanks to #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review #amurderousrelation before publication.

A Murderous Relation is the fifth book in the Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn. A historical romance that is full of mystery and intrigue that pulls you in and holds your attention. I could not put this one down and stayed up all night to finish. The characters are well-written and full of mystery. a story full of keen humor and brilliant deductions with seriously twisted twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.

This was kind of a disappointment for me. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t as good as previous books. There wasn’t really a mystery to solve. Mostly they just reacted to what was happening to them.

There was also a scene that really threw me. Apparently there is a type of flower that resembles the smell of male ejaculation (I googled this and its a thing. The Chinese Chestnut) and is used in the story as a decoration in a Sex Club to “remind us of why we are all here”. Weird. Gross.

The second half of the book was pretty action packed and kept me turning pages but I just get this sense of meh. There was a female character brought in that I expect to see more of in the next book. I do hope there are more mysteries for them to solve and less conflict over her family relations.

Thank you, Net Galley and the publisher, for offering this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, Deanna Raybourn returns with a Veronica Speedwell mystery that is unabashedly fun and a sheer delight to read. I flew through A Murderous Relation with a speed I regret, because I think this might be the last book? I heard a rumor that more mysteries might be in store for Veronica, but until that Goodreads page updates, I will consider this series has ended on a satisfyingly high note.

This time, Veronica and Stoker are drawn into an investigation involving her half-brother, Prince Albert Victor. He’s given a diamond to Madame Aurore, the female owner of the most exclusive club in London known for its anonymity and offerings of sexual freedom. The diamond must be reclaimed before it can be traced back to the prince and erupt scandal within the monarchy and across the country. The timing couldn’t be worse, for London is also gripped in terror over the gruesome attacks of Jack the Ripper, and Lady Wellington, a friend of Veronica and a protector of the crown, suspects that the prince might be responsible. As Veronica and Stoker investigate the brothel, secrets surrounding the royal family and Veronica’s place in it begin to present themselves—along with another dead body.

A Murderous Relation was immensely enjoyable and easy to read. Raybourn continues to introduce new characters with impressive skill, each one more vivid than the last. Aurore and Albert, especially, were immediate favorites, and seeing their interactions with veteran favorites Veronica and Stoker enriched the pages. Tiberius, Lady Wellie, Mornaday, Sir Hugo, and J. J. Butterworth also make return appearances, many of which are expounded upon character-wise, and I was just delighted because I appreciate all of them so much. (However, my appreciation for J. J.? Now through the roof! Good for her.)

As always, however, Veronica and Stoker provide the most enjoyment, both for their individual characterization and their searing, pining relationship with each other. Raybourn proves, without a shadow of a doubt, that after two characters have confessed their love to each other, they can still be interesting, they can still have sexual tension, and they can still be true to who they are and what they want. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read books—romance or no—that once confessions happen, bland conversations, sex, and babies shortly follow.

Not in this house! Raybourn knows how to savor the relationship, how to nourish it, and she knows it’s a good idea to withhold sex when you’re also trying to close a case and solve a murder. Better still? Withhold sex while your sex-starved leads have to investigate a brothel full of sexual delights together. Delicious.

Okay, it’s true. I also flew through this book because I was dying to get to the first ever time Veronica and Stoker do the hippity-dippity. After four previous books of them learning to respect and trust each other and clearly wanting each other on every level—but resisting at every turn—you would be, too! This is a slow-burn at its finest, and I am so thankful to this author for milking that for all its worth, driving me insane in the process!

But!

You can now count this as five books’ worth of waiting. The scene we all want happens, but it’s on the very last pages of the book, which pacing-wise? Brilliant. However, I was definitely disappointed at the speed it occurred and the lack of details. I really, desperately wanted details. I wanted to know how a good writer could write a sex scene for once. I knew that vague and fade-to-black-ish was how it was going to be, truly, because smutty romance book this is not, but c’mon! I’ve done my waiting! Twelve years of it! In Azkaban!

Otherwise and besides the disappoint I placed solely on myself, the plot is solid if not better than those that have come before. I took special enjoyment in Veronica having opportunities to interact with her blood family, with varying degrees of contempt and regret that it can’t become something more. Veronica is a fully-formed, complicated female character with wants and needs that sometimes conflict with each other, and I love her so much for how real she is.

I was also curious as to how Raybourn would approach Jack the Ripper. I’ve read other books (like Stalking Jack the Ripper) that I’ve been unhappy with, either due to the poor presentation of such an historic event or how underwhelmed I was with the solving of this unsolved mystery using amateur detectives. Veronica and Stoker are very much still amateur detectives, and they never pretend to be anything but. Were they going to be the ones to pull the pin on Jack the Ripper at last?

Luckily, I can report that Raybourn handles this with aplomb. Jack the Ripper remains a menace on the fringes of this plot, casting a grim shadow over everything and giving readers a glimpse of the fear and uncertainty Londoners experienced during this time. She also addresses the Ripper’s victims with respect and uses historical research to back up her views. Veronica and Stoker don’t magically solve this case, but there is a scene involving the Ripper that is so chilling, so impressionable, that I had to put the book down for a minute. It was such a subtle thing, but my heart was pounding the entire time.

If this is to be the conclusion of Veronica and Stoker’s detective romps (that we will have the privilege to see, at least), then I will leave it completely satisfied overall. Even despite the lack of graphic sex? Yes. Because these two are amazing, and it is so refreshing to see two adults be intellectual and emotional complements of each other rather than completions. Best of all? No happily-ever-after that involves pregnancy or visual on a baby. That topic hasn’t even been discussed between them. I could weep. Two adults that want to enjoy each other’s company alone for awhile! Thank you, Deanna Raybourn, I owe you my life!

If there is to be more in store for them I’ll get to read? Then, I am so ready! It’s wonderful to just have fun with a book in between all the disappointments and the high-intensity favorites, you know? Let me grab my butterfly net, and I’ll be good to go.