Cover Image: A Murderous Relation

A Murderous Relation

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Thanks to Netgalley for a free review in exchange for an honest review

I tend to not like the story line revolving around the royal family. Its more than I can suspend disbelief of. However, I didn't hate this as much as with the second book.
I actually came to like Eddy.

I am very happy about the progress with their relationship although it still a long time to get to. Honestly after the harrowing events of the fourth book I really wanted to see more of the relationship blossom and possibly more blushing from Mr. Stoker.

I really hope there is more of our dynamic duo's because I love their banter and their penchant for mischief.

Was this review helpful?

A fun mystery for fans of cozies. I enjoyed the main characters and their relationship. It's a fun series I want to read more of in the future!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoy this series it is set in Victorian England and the characters are well crafted. Veronica Speedwell is a single butterfly collector wit a penchant for solving mysteries along with her partner Stoker Templton-Vane, a taxidermist who is also up for a good case to solve. This episode finds them being asked to retrieve a piece of jewelry that has been given to a "paramore" of the Prince. The lady in question runs a social club for the wealthy of London. The club is extremely discreet and offers gourmet food and drinks and entertainments of all sorts. The paramore is murdered and Veronica and Stoker and the Prince are kidnapped. They must thwart the kidnappers retreive the jewel and return the Prince without anyone finding out about any of the events. There is a great deal of sexual innuendo since the social club is basically a high class brothel without the hired prostitutes and there is a simmering something going on between Veronica and Stoker as well. It was a fun read.

Was this review helpful?

*does a celebratory dance to commemorate the fact that Veronica and Stoker FINALLY got it on!*

Thank you for an amazing book! As always, Ms Raybourn weaves a tale that lets you experience life as it was during the Jack The Ripper era. This book elegantly builds upon the previous books and sets Veronica and Stoker up well for many more adventures to come (we hope!).
I loved the addition of Prince Albert Victor into the story, and I loved how human Ms Raybourn made him. It saddened me to learn that he died of the flu just a few short years after this story was placed.
I cannot wait for the next one!!

Was this review helpful?

The latest installment in the Veronica Speedwell series still feels fresh and exciting. I adore spending time with Veronica and Stoker as they work another one of their cases. Veronica's personality and attitude towards life is so fresh and enjoyable; Stoker good naturally going along with Veronica even when he things she is a bit of a nut is also heartwarming. A quirky, victorian mystery series, this is one of my favorites!

Was this review helpful?

ARC provided by NetGalley

Another great installment in the Veronica Speedwell series. This one was very fast paced and fun. There were a lot of moving parts with the mystery, so it kept you intrigued and guessing throughout the story. As always, the banter in the story was great, and I love that the relationship between Veronica and Stroker is finally progressing faster! Can't wait to read the next one.

Was this review helpful?

Always a great historical adventure. Weaving in the royal family adds a nice twist. Always look forward to the next one.

Was this review helpful?

Wow, I loved reading this book so much! I just love Deanna Raybourn's writing, and between Veronica being the awesome person that she is, the historical setting, and the fascinating mysteries, I just devour this series! It's just so fantastic!

This book does take place during the time of Jack the Ripper. So there was a bit of commentary about how life was for those women at the time, of how few choices they had. It was also about her brother, the future King, and his antics, though this was probably made up for the story!

This book is set at high speed! I mean, it mainly takes place over the course of two days. They got to a party at the brothel, and things just don't slow down from there! It was kinda an intense read, and I just couldn't put it down!

I had to do some searching, but I found on Deanna Raybourn's journal, that there's 2 more books in this series, and that's just so exciting! I just love spending time with these characters, and I can't wait to see what further adventures they go on together!

This book was so fantastic, so enjoyable, and I can't wait for the next journey!

Was this review helpful?

This series continues to be great! I love the characters, and the romance moves at just the right pace without overshadowing the mystery. The wait for the next book in the series will be agonizing!

Was this review helpful?

It happened again.

I wait wait wait for the next Stoker and Holmes and the moment it is in my greedy hands, I devour it whole. I just love these characters and how they are evolving. This installment returns to London where a problem arises within the royal family. Toss in Jack the Ripper and you have a glorious Stoker & Holmes mystery. Now the wait for volume six. Sigh.

Did I mention how much I love Tiberius?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy.

Was this review helpful?

A Murderous Relation is a great addition to the Veronica Speedwell series. It keeps the sense of adventure and mystery from previous installments while still exploring the budding feelings between our two main characters as they (as always) struggle to survive perilous situations. The second you finish, you look to see when the next book is coming out because you're anxious to see what's in store!

Was this review helpful?

This is one of my favorite series, so I am always thrilled with a new entry is published. Veronica and Stoker are captivating characters, intelligent wise acres who fear nothing but their own emotions. A Murderous Relation explores Veronica's bloodlines, which include the English royal family and Irish anarchists.

The plot examines the now debunked theory that England's Prince Albert Victor, Queen Victoria's grandson, was actually Jack the Ripper, an examination that gives Veronica the chance to interact with her half brother and, once again, come to the rescue of the royal family--a family that does not publicly acknowledge her existence and which would be greatly relieved if she did not exist at all.

As always, Veronica and Stoker encounter life threatening situations, but the author also takes this opportunity to have them interact with poor women who are crushed under the weight of Victorian England's class system, the sort that the Ripper hunted. There is a definite feminist vibe to the writing, but there is also an examination of love and its many expressions, from self-serving to self-sacrificing.

Raybourn is a talented writer who uses her characters and plot to explore the universal human condition, which is what makes this series a standout among historical cozies.

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

Was this review helpful?

I love this series so much and all I want is for Raybourn to give me more Veronica and Stoker. Though this could be considered a "Ripper" novel, it doesn't center around who could have been Jack the Ripper. Ripper was more in the periphery and used as a useful backdrop to increase the suspense. Veronica is again asked to assist with helping the royal family out a spot of trouble. Though not inclined to assist, her curiosity get the better of her and, of course, solves the case. We FINALLY get a resolution to the question of will they or won't they with Veronica and Stoker. Give me more, Rayhourn! Give me more!

Was this review helpful?

This was my first time reading a Veronica Speedwell mystery, but it won't be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this main character, who is an independent, capable woman who eschews traditional female expectations and is an equal partner with her friend/romantic interest. The seedier side of Victorian London makes for a compelling story, but the Jack the Ripper angle comes to nothing, which would have made for a more interesting plot.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely adore this series, but I'm noticing that I enjoy Veronica and Stoker so much more when they are sleuthing mysteries NOT related to the royal family. Since this book circles completely around Veronica's younger step-brother, I was frustrated that Veronica willingly risks her life and Stoker's to protect and prove the innocence of her royal step-brother (an understandably entitled, but also sweet, naive idiot) simply because his mother asks. It seems out of character for Veronica to give a fig what the royal family wants of her, even more so since they never fulfill what they promise her, so I'm having difficulty with the premise of her being happy to solve their problems time and again. To be fair, Raybourn does portray Veronica as slightly put out with this new request, but that seems a very superficial front and her disgruntled attitude lasts only briefly.

On the positive side, Raybourn still knows how to keep the humor and action going similar to all the prior books in this series, making this a page-turner nonetheless. The best parts of this book are Veronica's momentary brush with the Ripper and Veronica's and Stoker's relationship. I'm still looking forward to the next in the series. I just hope it doesn't involve Veronica's family business.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A really good rollicking adventure, probably the best book in this series. Veronica Speedwell and Stoker are on the heels of the person who is trying to blackmail the future King Of England, Prince Eddy. But along the way they must contend with her evil Uncle, Jack the Ripper and their own simmering emotions. What fun!

Was this review helpful?

This series is so much fun to read, and I've really enjoyed them all...up until now. I was under the assumption that this was the last book, and for the last book in the series it was extremely underwhelming. There was hardly any action or plot and I was very bored the entire time. Even all the tension between Stoker and Veronica felt forces and their scenes felt so bland and completely unsatisfying. This was not at all what I was expecting for (what I thought) was the last book in a series that I love. I'm hoping it's true that more books will be written, because I would love to read adventures of Veronica and Stoker.

Was this review helpful?

Finally! Stoker and Veronica get some long awaited sexy time!! Woohoo!,
Needless to say, I’m a fan of this series. I devour the Veronica Speedwell books in a day or less. They’re so much fun and wonderfully written.

Was this review helpful?

I think you can tell that the author had a blast while writing this one. There were so many fantastic elements here including royal scandals, Jack the Ripper, kidnapping, and one high class brothel. Also, can we talk about all of that delicious tension between Veronica and Stoker? This is probably my favorite in the series so far, so definitely don't miss it!

Was this review helpful?

I gobbled my way through this, the way I have with all the Veronica Speedwell books - each entry continues to delight! There was plenty of good Veronica, Stoker, and Veronica/Stoker banter and (bless) action, plus the return of some favorite characters and the introduction of a few new ones. As always, I appreciated Raybourn's researched attention to historical detail and atmosphere. I did feel as if the pacing was a little off - things did go along quite briskly, but there wasn't necessarily a flow, as if the events were each happening in their own little bubble of action (though this did give some additional room for emotional/character based reflection) - and that the mystery was not as twisty and involved some significant exposition and little clue-gathering. I also would have liked a bit more payoff to setting it against the Ripper murders; the social commentary on the tragedy was well-done, but the mystery aspect seemed not to live up to its full potential (though I suppose our investigator and her assistant were quite distracted, and keeping with the admirable aim of historical accuracy, perhaps the Ripper could never be caught in this series, as in reality). Overall, a very satisfactory addition to the series, and I'm already looking forward to any more.

Was this review helpful?