Another good installment in the Speedwell saga. A little more back history. I really enjoy this mystery series and this book with all it's spookiness was fun! A great read!

Thank you Netgalley

Solid addition to this series. I enjoyed all the characters and the plot was interesting. Impersonating royalty sure takes it out of you.

Not my favorite of the series, but I am glad that the Veronica and Stoker finally got together.

In this installment Sir Hugo Montgomerie has made a request that Veronica go and identify a man who was from her past, a man thought to be dead. So she and Stoker head off to investigate to figure out if this man is really who he says he is, and of course along the way we meet a whole cast of new characters that are a bit awful in entertaining ways. This probably won't be the last we see of them. There was some angst but it wasn't unbearable.

There are tender moments and a lot of understanding in this one and reveals that made me better understand Veronica as a character. I really appreciated that because sometimes she can be outright annoying, but not so much in this one. I like seeing her be introspective. This book was not as action packed as some of the others and there was no murder to solve, but I still felt the pacing was good. I'm excited to see where Veronica goes from here. I'm glad I can just jump into the next book.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

I have loved every one of the Veronica Speedwell mysteries, especially the relationship between Veronica and Stoker, and An Impossible Imposter is no exception. I can't go into details without spoiling, but I am not waiting to read the next installment. This one left me a little unsatisfied but I have full faith in Raybourn's ability to craft a solution in the next book. This is a fantastic series!

I had pretty mixed feelings about this book. On one hand I really enjoyed the escapism of the story, but on the other hand I would've liked a little bit more of a perspective from present time rather than it be so focused in the Veronicas past. I think that this was done intentionally to sort of end on a bit of uncertainty, but unfortunately my brain just prefers a little more comfort haha.

“It takes courage to live a good life, Harry, but it also takes courage to live like a blackguard. Both require difficult choices. Both require hardship and endurance and patience. There is, in the end, little difference between the good and the bad. Only one of these lives requires you to look over your shoulder all the while and the other one makes it a little easier to sleep at night.”

I do however think that there are really good parts to the story such as the quote that I include above. Overall this fell pretty middle of the road for me, but I definitely plan on continuing the series as I do adore this writers style and characters and worlds that she creates.

I have read all of these books so far, and it took me until this one to figure out why I didn't love them. I normally love books like this, but instead of being written about someone happening in the late 1800's, it is written the way they would have written it. I think it is a fine balance to making it fit with the time period without feeling modern. The issue I have with these books is that half the time I have to look to obscure things. They are likely period based and how the characters would have said things back then, but I just had a hard time connecting with it. I am not sure if I will be reading about more of these from here out or not.

It's trouble ahead for Veronica and Stoker...
The seventh entry in the Veronica Speedwell series finds our main characters heading for a rocky future. While fun, the mystery isn't the main focus, although it does help to show what an absolute badass Veronica is. It's the relationship between intrepid and independent Veronica and her grumpy, sexy and dangerous partner Stoker. An Impossible Impostor once again, leave me impatiently waiting for the next book.

Veronica and Stoker are called in by Sir Hugo Montgomerie to investigate the true identity of a man claiming to be the long lost eldest brother of his goddaughter, Euphemia Hathaway. The identity of the young man in question hits very close to home for Veronica, as Jonathan Hathaway was a dear friend of hers years before.

While visiting Hathaway Hall, Veronica and Stoker are introduced to the Eye of the Dawn - a large red diamond that was "acquired" by the Hathaway family during the uprising in India. Shortly thereafter, the stone disappears . . . along with the young man claiming to be Jonathan Hathaway. Veronica and Stoker return to London thinking the matter over, but danger - and impossible imposters - follow them home.

This isn't my favorite book of the series, but there is still a lot of rapier wit and hilarity. There is a lot of history and politics in this one. It takes a bit longer to get into, but it's still a solid story that fans will enjoy.

There is nothing more that I love than a Deanna Raybourn book. Veronica Speedwell Mysteries have become a go-to for me as I enter into investigation after investigation with our lady sleuth. The time period is expertly conveyed and the plots always pull me in. This is just another example of what a fabulous storyteller the author is.

I love this series. I find myself attracted to Victorian mysteries with a female protagonist. I read her Lady Grey series and I was sad to see it end.

Excellent addition to this series. Good mystery, good friends, good relationships. I really enjoy the time period.

An Impossible Impostor is the 7th Veronica Speedwell mystery by Deanna Raybourn. Released 15th Feb 2022 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 325 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a historical cozy mystery with a heaping helping 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. Additionally, there are some major spoilers for the characters' development contained in this volume (which literally had my mouth hanging open in shock). The entire series is well written, light, 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 rather dark (extortion, duplicity, etc) the book itself is firmly in the cozy mystery romance genre. I thoroughly enjoyed the denouement and resolution here.

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. Scattered throughout all of the books are references to specific nomenclature and natural history. It's nerdy and good fun. For readers in search of meticulously researched dialogue and 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 bodices being metaphorically ripped in the course of the adventure). I really enjoyed both the returning characters and the ones who debut in this installment.

Four stars. Recommended for fans of the genre (light romantic historical cozy mystery). It would make a nice buddy or book club read as well as a solid choice for public library acquisition.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

What more could you ask for! Veronica Speedwell and Stroker are again involved in helping their friend to investigate a mystery. I am so glad that we get more Veronica and that her story continues. Can't wait to see what they get up to next.

An Impossible Inposter is the seventh installment in the Veronica Speedwell mysteries. In this novel, Veronica is confronted by someone from her past. Therefore, the reader gets to learn more about Veronica and her past. The book is very slow moving, and the mystery is very predictable. Still, it was good to learn more about our heroine! I recommend this for fans of Sherry Thomas, Anna Lee Huber, and Karen Odden!

Veronica Speedwell stories are always amazing, and the impossible impostor was no different. I really enjoyed the plot twist in this one; Veronica is called upon to verify the identity of a man presumed dead long ago, in a natural incident that took apart Veronica's world. A chest of jewels, a potential back-to-life heir, and general England societal expectations all make for a thrilling addition to the series.

I have read each Veronica Speedwell book, and continue to love them more and more each time! I love how the relationship grows in each book, and I feel as though I have bene a part of the whole ride. I hope this series continues for a long time.

A fast-paced mystery that keeps you engaged from the outset. There is further progression of the character plotlines and much development within their dispositions.

I must admit I haven't read a Veronica Speedwell novel before, but I did find this book enjoyable. I feel like if I had of read something earlier in the series and knew a bit more about the character, I'd find myself liking this one more. I just felt disconnected from the characters and maybe that's due to learning the things I felt like I was missing in previous books within the series. Hard to pick up a series on book 7. Still enjoyable, easy to read, and would recommend people checking out this series as a whole!

hey have a visit from Sir Hugh Montgomerie, head of the Special Branch of Scotland Yard and sometimes right-hand man to the Queen. Sir Hugh has a favor to ask, that Stoker and Veronica visit a family of his long acquaintance. The Hathaway family has thought for years that the heir, Jonathan Hathaway, was killed in the catastrophic eruption of Krakatoa, but a man purporting to be him has returned. Veronica was with Hathaway and another man on the ill-fated expedition. Veronica has always believed that both were killed. Sir Hugh also wants them to check on the well-being of Euphemia “Effie” Hathaway, his god-daughter. He sweetens the deal for Stoker with a promise that there might be a specimen of a “Tasmanian Tiger” at Hathaway Hall and butterflies for Veronica.

Upon arrival, they find a household in turmoil, a miserable Effie, a managing and social-climbing wife to Charles Hathaway, the younger brother to Jonathan, and the estate’s present owner. There is also a dragon of a mother-in-law. Upon introduction to “Jonathan,” Veronica gets the surprise of her life, and so does the reader! The secret of his identity is one she can’t reveal, especially to Stoker. It’s hard to believe that Veronica was ever a romantic fool, but everyone is young once.

An Impossible Impostor is full of chases, kidnappings, escapes, stolen Indian jewels, supernatural happenings, and threats to life and limb. Of course, one has come to expect all that from a Veronica Speedwell novel. The Impossible Impostor himself is just that, impossible indeed. There is the introduction of a new villainess, one I would expect to see again. Isabel MacGregor is not the type to be forgiving when thwarted. The novel ends with a bit of a cliff-hanger, but it only whets the appetite for the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.

Veronica is highly intelligent with a sharp tongue and wit that is put to the test in this book. Stoker (Mr. Ravelstoke Templeton-Vane) is her sleuthing partner. He is cranky and reclusive but perfect for her. This outing will test both Veronica and Stoker.

My Thoughts: Hathaway Hall is the location for part of the mystery, the rest of the story is in and around London. The man who reappears as Jonathan is definitely hiding something and Veronica is caught in the thick of things. When they return to London danger follows them. Veronica's past comes back to bite her and we learn more of her back story which disrupts the domesticity she has found with Stoker. The plot moves quickly with complications and twists. The climax is perilous with suprises. The wrapup drops another surprise that will reverberate into the next book. This is a book that has significant events occur impacting Veronica and Stoker!

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list