A really quick and fun novel! A very interesting premise ad I look forward to seeing where Deanna Raybourn goes next!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

Whelp, it appears as though I have jumped on the beloved Veronica Speedwell Mystery train on book SEVEN. Oopsie.

As I read through the Goodreads reviews I see that this series is a very popular one. Having not read the first six I don’t know what I’m missing, so I would say this book can be read as a stand alone. The reviews do mention frequent references to prior books, which I am sure adds to the excitement if you’ve read them all.

Overall this was a cute, sweet, fun mystery that I enjoyed! I loved Veronica and her smart and witty personality. Here here for strong women in all centuries of life (1889 specifically for this one).

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, Penguin Random House, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Jonathan Hathaway suddenly returns from the dead, Veronica Speedwell and her beau Stoker have been secretly assigned by the head of Special Branch to determine whether or not it is indeed Jonathan or if there is an imposter. Jonathan had been declared dead after the eruption of a volcano years ago, and now he approaches the home of his sister and grandmother - with very little memories, but claiming that he is indeed alive.

In the process, when Veronica sees "Jonathan", she also sees a ghost from her past. Her relationship with Stoker has been going quite well, but now her past just might blow up in her face, and the secrets that Veronica has kept from Stoker just might be her undoing.

So, is this indeed Jonathan? Why does the blurb indicate that Veronica's past plays a role in this next thrilling installment in this exciting series? Mystery, secrets, lies and drama all play hand in hand in this remarkable story. The ending truly whet my appetite for book #8 in this series.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I've read two historical fiction novels (so far) this month - WHO AM I??? As a long time fan of this Veronica Speedwell series, I was super stoked to receive this copy of the latest installment. I have loved all six books before this one.... so I suppose it was only time that one wasn't gonna *quite* do it for me. Le sigh.
I absolutely LOVE the dynamic between Veronica and Stoker. LOVE. Sassy, witty banter. Her forcefulness to his more calm demeanor.. .and you can just feel their love oozing off the pages. So what the hell are you doing, Raybourn?!?! Ok, let me calm down and pull myself together....

The book starts fun. Their dynamic is in full force within the first chapter and we see that forcefulness in Veronica's personality that I spoke of. I also found the "mystery" intriguing but it was also sorely lacking as it took a far back seat to Veronica's past. Now, I realize some books in series will do this. And I also realize it's time we learned a bit more about Veronica... but um, WHAT. Uff. I'll admit it was fun to see a little different side of the characters... but I felt like Veronica was a caricature of herself. And my heart went out to Stoker. And I'm gonna leave it at that as I don't want to spoil anything for y'all.

I NEED the next installment to see what happens. While this wasn't my favorite in the series, I really did still enjoy the book... my feelings are muddled and on behalf of some of the characters, am miffed. Which just shows how much I freakin' care, ok? Haha...

Well, Deanna Raybourn does it again! I had been eagerly anticipating this book since I finished the 6th because I am hooked on this series! I definitely was not disappointed in this one and in fact I need the 8th one like now because I need to know what is going to happen.

This book takes off where Veronica and Stoker are back from another of their adventures and of course, they can never not get involved in another mystery for long. I am still just shipping them so hard and so glad that they are together because I have wanted it from the beginning. This case is slightly different than the others because they are asking Veronica to come in and identify a friend she had thought to be dead. I liked that this was a different way for them to get involved, plus Stoker was all in because he got to stuff another animal carcass, a rare one this time. I really enjoy how in every book there is still a little bit more we learn about the somewhat mystery of Veronica and her heritage, I am hoping one day maybe something big happens when this series concludes.

The plot was well written and it flows smoothly. I was extremely delighted when not too far into the book a big twist that I did not see coming happened. I won’t give it away because it is a good one, I mean who doesn’t love a good twist that you don’t already see coming?! It is really nice that the author does a good deal of research and so you can feel the real history in the undertones of this story as you read. Even if you hadn’t read the rest of the series you would not be completely lost in the story which is nice.

The characters as always were great. The banter between Veronica and Stoker I just love, plus it just makes their relationship better. This one definitely had some harder times for their relationship and will be interesting to see how it plays out in the next book, but I have faith it will all right itself. The supporting characters are good as always, you learn some background about them which is nice because it makes you care about them more. It is nice that there is even some mystery of the characters that surround them so it is like a few smaller mysteries along with the bigger mystery that is being solved.

As always this book is 5 out of 5 for me. Truly, if you haven’t started this series please do yourself a favor and go pick up any of them and read. Plus the covers are to die for. I will be eagerly anticipating when I can get my hands on the next one.

A winning combo occurred when talented authoress, Deanna Raybourn, paired two of the most eccentric individuals of the Victorian Age. Veronica and Stoker come with sparks and their scintillating dialogue and spirits draw in their readers and make it an irksome delight to have to wait for each new release.

Opening Lines
“I do not care for infants, and even if I did, I should not care for this one.” Loc 71
In this seventh installment of a series that must be read in order, Veronica and Stoker are on their way back from a tiny Alpine kingdom’s royal wedding and looking forward to their usual work categorizing and repairing specimens for their patron, the Earl of Rosemorran, who planned to open a museum.

On the Hunt for a Tasmanian Tiger and a Long Lost Hathaway
Veronica does adore her detecting adventures, but if she had known what would be the result of this latest case that the head of Special Branch, Sir Hugo Montgomerie, presented them, she might very well have been as cautious as Stoker in approaching cases.
They have been asked to visit a family associated with Sir Hugo to verify that the man who stumbles onto the estate grounds was, in fact, who he claimed to be, the missing oldest son, and not some imposter there for his own nefarious purposes. So to Hathaway House on the atmospheric Dartmoor they go and they meet all the principle family members. Veronica has a past involving Jonathan Hathaway she has kept from Stoker, but the time never seems propitious to tell him.
“I looked up to find Stoker regarding me with an expression of cool detachment…Whatever confession I had intended to make died upon my lips. I could confide many things, but none of them to that face, I decided.” Loc 2845

Appearances in the Fog
The moor lives up to its reputation and the troubles at Hathaway House only add to the sensations the moor engenders with its deep bogs, mysterious light orbs in the night, and sinister goings on that culminate in the disappearance of a valuable family jewel and the erstwhile Jonathan Hathaway.
“Adventure beckoned, and although I deplored spending any more time than necessary with –, I could only appreciate the situation in which we now found ourselves. A priceless diamond! A thief in the night! A man returned from the dead! A mortal enemy determined to ensure his destruction! It was all thoroughly satisfactory, I reflected.” Loc 3047

Deadly Complications Following a Jewel Heist
They think their part in it all is done. After all, they were only sent to discover if there was an imposter and to access a few specimens the family wished to be rid of for the museum, but the danger is hard on their heels and they find themselves in familiar circumstances when it comes to their cases- in the hands of a dastardly villain- and Veronica reflects,
“Well, here we are again,” I said calmly. “This is usually the point at which you become hysterical.” Stoker stared at me. “I have never become hysterical. I have, upon every occasion, reacted with perfect candor and appropriateness to the situation at hand.” Loc 3424
How do they escape the villain’s coils? I refuse to say, but I will share something of Veronica’s determination to make it so.
“I would give them half the earth if it stopped them harming a hair of your head,” I said fiercely. Loc 3484

Warmest Regards for a Detecting Duo
I find Veronica and Stoker a winning pair of fictional characters and I love trotting along behind them on their adventures. The author does a bang up job of painting the Victorian era settings, situations, and dialogue while maintaining the breezy, eccentricities that come with a woman who has grown up under curious circumstances and has circumnavigated the globe on her own and pair her with an aristocrat who betook himself into the life of a sailor and explorer, adventurous scholar, circus performer, and more.

The plot was equally intriguing because it drew up the veil on Veronica’s past, particularly her past when it comes to the time she traveled to exotic locales as a lepidopterist and took her lusty adventures where she willed as well. Her secrets are like the sword of. But, I had no idea what this would set in motion even in the last paragraph of the book. Ugh, I am still unsettled. More drama? Haven’t they gone through enough, yet? On the bright side, this means we are in for at least one more adventure that is shaping up to go to another part of the world.

Wrapping Up
And, so, I close feeling resty for more of the author’s clever characters and wry writing in another historical mystery lush with more than one kind of adventure and worried about where this installment left things. Do treat yourself and acquire the first of this Victorian mystery series if you already have not done so.

This is one of my favorite series and in my eyes Deanna Raybourn can do no wrong. Needless to say, I loved this one too. Sooooooo good.

***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
I will always love a Veronica Speedwell mystery and this one does not disappoint. There are some twists and surprises which were delightful. On another note, if you listen to this on audiobook, the narrator does a decent job, though Stoker's voice makes me cringe every time.

ahhh Veronica Speedwell. I love her so much. This book was enjoyable and all that jazz, but it really made me want to go back and re-read the first - meet everyone again and all that. i might do that soon.

the adventure and mystery in this one was fun, captivating and interesting. i had a great time reading it, as i always do with these books.

that ending though! WTF. WTF. WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. DJDZFHGILJHGZDFIUHZDFIGL.

good thing i adore these characters.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Intrepid partners in business, love, and sleuthing, butterfly enthusiast Veronica Speedwell and natural scientist Stoker find themselves embroiled in family politics, theft, and devastating secrets within the pages of An Impossible Imposter. Book 7 is one of my absolute favorite series and is a must read.

Veronica and Stoker have just returned to London from their last adventure when Sir Hugo Montgomerie from Special Branch summons them, asking a personal favor concerning his goddaughter. It seems long lost, presumed dead eldest son Jonathan Hathaway has returned with no memory and little more than his identifying possessions. Would Veronica and Stoker investigate to see if he is the real deal? Veronica knew Jonathan prior to his death and thinks this will be an easy task. However, when they arrive in Dartmoor, they find an utterly dysfunctional family, each with a great deal riding on Jonathan’s identity. Veronica does indeed recognize Jonathan, and he is a shocking blast from her past. Burdened with the secrets associated with Jonathan and her former travels, she struggles to do the right thing for both the Hathaway family and her future with Stoker. The sleuthing pair have quite the adventure on the moors facing mortal danger before all is said and done.

I am a huge Deanna Raybourn fan and am always excited to join Veronica and Stoker on their exciting exploits. An Impossible Imposter is a great addition to the Veronica Speedwell series. There is no murder to investigate within these pages, but there is quite a precarious puzzle to unravel. How silly of me to think readers have learned all of Veronica’s secrets! The one revealed here is indeed a doozy, and I did not see it coming…at all. I understand her trepidation in sharing the truth with Stoker, but I was peeved with her throughout the book at her resistance and uncharacteristic meek hesitance to break the case wide open. It is all selfish yet quite the act of love from Veronica. Of course, there are ramifications of her actions that are heartbreaking for Stoker, and I can only hope that they resolve their issues in the next book.

Veronica and Stoker are a well established couple at this point, and though their chemistry is palpable, the delightfully sizzling banter present in previous books is mostly lacking here. Surely, they are not becoming too settled, but I greatly miss this element of their relationship (and my favorite part of every book in the series). Veronica continues to be an abrasive know-it-all, but I love her for it. Stoker continues to be my favorite character, and his childlike enthusiasm about obtaining a certain animal specimen here made me love him all the more. I hurt for his hurting and wish the emotional strife could have been dealt with differently. Members of the Hathaway family are almost universally unsavory, especially the new heir’s wife Mary. “Jonathan” is indeed quite the cad, but I can see his charmingly manipulative appeal.

An Impossible Imposter gets off to a humorous start and then slows a bit as Veronica and Stoker settle in at Dartmoor. It does quickly pick up in pace and intensity once a priceless diamond, belonging to the Hathaway matriarch, is stolen. The action and adventure continues to build as the dynamic duo faces dangerous adversaries and possible death. An unlikely ally steps up. Some aspects of the story require a bit of suspension of belief, but it is all great fun and wildly entertaining.

I impatiently wait for the next book in the Veronica Speedwell series. I highly recommend An Impossible Imposter to Deanna Raybourn’s fans and any reader who enjoys highly spirited Victorian characters.

In AN IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTOR, Deanna Raybourn’s 7th entry in her Veronica Speedwell series set in Victorian London, we find Veronica and her erstwhile partner/lover Stoker are asked by Sir Hugo Montgomerie, head of Special Branch for a favor. They are to go to deadly moors of Dartmoor to see if a man purporting to be the eldest and heir, thought long dead, is a phony.
Veronica and Stoker go to Hathaway Hall and find more than they bargained for. Veronica comes face to face with a ghost from her past. There is a blood red ruby, a Maharini, a con man, kidnapping and secrets long held thrown into the mix.
As always Veronica and Stoker make a wonderful duo, and while the story is lots of fun, it’s not quite as good as the previous entries. But do read it anyway.

Deanna Raybourn never ceases in her skill to make the Veronica Speedwell series completely enjoyable. The banter between Veronica, Stoker, and so many other characters is partly what makes these a delight to read. Plots are cleverly laid out, characters are well developed, I hope she continues in the series!

Is it wrong to say – at least it was better than the last? The previous book, An Unexpected Peril, had me wondering if Deanna Raybourn had used a ghostwriter since it had no flow and the banter was off. I am glad to say that The Impossible Impostor stepped up the game, not completely, but getting back on track. There is more humor and bantering between Veronica and Stoker, but since their relationship has taken a turn, they aren’t as snippy and blunt with each other. I miss their wordplay.

The storyline flows well, and the characters follow their prescribed course. There is a surprise for the readers, not alluded to in previous books, which throws Veronica and Stoker off their usual game. From the beginning, you know who the good guys are and where the bad guys fit. You know Veronica will frustrate, and Stoker will acquiesce. You know they have a do-gooder’s heart, and if capable, they will right all wrongs.

That is why I come back to these books. When they are on their game, they fit each other. They work around each other’s imperfections and find a way, hopefully with wit and teasing to right a wrong and to help the exploited gain their footing.

Deanna Raybourn has been one of my favorite historical mystery writers since I first discovered the Veronica Speedwell series. I have since read all of her books and loved each of them, some more than others, but overall her books have been fantastic. The Veronica Speedwell series being my personal favorite of her books and series. Veronica is such a wonderfully non conventional character and her chemistry with Stoker has been solid through most of the series.

However, the last book left me a little disappointed, it was ok but just not my favorite in the series so I was really looking forward to this one and seeing how and if the dynamic of the books changed at all after the last one. If you love historical mysteries that are smart, cheeky, and of course with a hint of romance you will find a lot to love in the Veronica Speedwell series! She is such a great heroine and I have loved this series over all.

I can’t believe we are into the seventh book already! It seems like just yesterday I was discovering Veronica for the first time and now here we are seven books in and so much has changed for both Veronica and Stoker through the books. I went into this one expecting some of that familiar sizzle and chemistry to be rediscovered between Veronica and Soker as well as a smart mystery story and I was not disappointed!

Summary
While investigating a man claiming to be the long-lost heir to a noble family, Veronica Speedwell gets the surprise of her life in this new adventure from the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

London, 1889. Veronica Speedwell and her natural historian beau Stoker are summoned by Sir Hugo Montgomerie, head of Special Branch. He has a personal request on behalf of his goddaughter, Euphemia Hathaway. After years of traveling the world, her eldest brother, Jonathan, heir to Hathaway Hall, was believed to have been killed in the catastrophic eruption of Krakatoa a few years before.

But now a man matching Jonathan’s description and carrying his possessions has arrived at Hathaway Hall with no memory of his identity or where he has been. Could this man truly be Jonathan, back from the dead? Or is he a devious impostor, determined to gain ownership over the family’s most valuable possessions–a legendary parure of priceless Rajasthani jewels? It’s a delicate situation, and Veronica is Sir Hugo’s only hope.

Veronica and Stoker agree to go to Hathaway Hall to covertly investigate the mysterious amnesiac. Veronica is soon shocked to find herself face-to-face with a ghost from her past. To help Sir Hugo discover the truth, she must open doors to her own history that she long believed to be shut for good. (summary from Goodreads)

Review
I went into this one hoping for one thing and then getting another and I don’t mean that in a bad way at all! When I picked this one up I was really just hoping to see more chemistry and progression between Veronica and Stoker than was in the previous book and I feel absolutely satisfied in that expectation with this book. But that wasn’t the only thing that I came away with in this one. This book was full of some new an interesting surprises in Veronica’s backstory! Up until this point I felt like readers were familiar with Veronica’s character and almost like there wasn’t really more to flush out and develop in some ways (at least that’s how I felt) but then Raybourn kind of throws in a curveball for fans and we realize that there is a lot more than meets the eye even at this point in the series.

In this book I really enjoyed exploring more of Veronica’s character and backstory. I had forgotten some of the bigger points of the larger narrative and I appreciated that Raybourn spent some time going back over some of the high points as a reminder. I personally feel that new readers to this series might miss some of the nuances of Veronica and Stoker having not read the other books but I don’t think they would be entirely lost in the series though. In this book we really see a different side of Veronica and while I didn’t necessarily love how her character handled some things, I felt like getting to explore this new side of her was really interesting and intriguing for long time fans of the series. And the ending—I won’t reveal anything but I need the next book! This one was a cliffhanger!

This series has great banter and witty dialogue, it’s one of the things I love best. The mysteries are smart but the dialogue is where it’s at for me! In this one, fans of the series will enjoy the banter and chemistry between Veronica and Stoker along with all the dialogue! So much sass and wit, I love love love the dialogue in this one (as well as the other books). Over all this book came out better for me than the previous one, especially with all the new revelations about Veronica. I am eager for the next book and I think fans will dig this one. It might have some controversy but I loved seeing a new side of Veronica even if I didn’t agree with her response at times.

Book Info and Rating
Format: 325 pages hardcover

Published: February 15 2022 by Berkley Books

ISBN: 9780593197295

Free review copy provided by publisher, Berkley Books, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: historical mystery

Here is the newest installment in the Veronica Speedwell series! AN IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTER is book seven and while this wasn’t my favorite one I can appreciate all of the character development and backstory we get throughout the book. I know that this happens at some time with every longer running series, we always need a book or two to help lay some groundwork for future books. I think that’s why this book had a different feel than the others.

I love the dynamic between Veronica and Stoker. This is the high point of the books and it’s been so fun seeing how things progress between these two. They just compliment each other in so many ways and their banter is perfect. I think Raybourn has done a great job making these two feel real and their interactions authentic and believable. I know I’m not the only reader of this series that wants them together!

I wish there was more of the mystery in this book and a little less of her past, or at least a better balance between the two elements. Parts felt a little slower but the last half really made up for it and oh my god, that ending! Now we’re stuck waiting to see what will happen next, because obviously I need to see how things turn out for Veronica and Stoker! If you’re thinking about starting the series I highly recommend you start from the beginning.

In this Veronica Speedwell novel we see our favorite duo Veronica and Stoker looking into the sudden reappearance of Jonathan Hathaway, a once thought dead man who is the brother to Sir Hugo's goddaughter. He was also supposed to have been killed in the eruption of Krakatoa and we learn that Veronica was there and knew the man in question and had indeed thought he had perished. So they journey to Hathaway Hall where this so called Jonathan is living without any memory of who he is and Veronica is determined to either prove his identity as Jonathan or an impostor.

I have yet to be disappointed by any story that includes Veronica and Stoker and this is just another book to add to my favorite list. I love that we were able to delve even deeper into Veronica's past and we finally understand why she hates certain things like marriage and whole trusting one person. I love that the mystery had me puzzled until the reveal and I was so pleased how everything turned out for the secondary characters. I loved the tension between our favorite pair as they tried to solve the mystery of the stolen diamond and found that this novel like the rest of the 6 before it was fast and extremely entertaining read that I can't wait to reread. Of course, I cannot wait to read what happens in the next installment of Veronica and Stoker.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group/NetGalley for the digital review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I always anxiously await the next installment in Veronica and Stoker's adventures and I have yet to be disappointed. This was another fun and engaging outing with two of my favorite fictional characters. I really enjoyed the expansion of Veronica's backstory here, lots of fun details get revealed. She and Stoker continue to be adorable and perfect for each other. The mystery is engaging and interesting as well. Can't wait for more!

After being disappointed by book 6 I was really nervous going into this next book. But this book delivered everything I loved about the first 5 books in this series. The romance, tension, and mystery had me invested from start to finish.

One of my favorite things about this series, is the fantastically crafted mysteries with high stakes encounters. This book has a layer of humor that keeps it from feeling too heavy, which I love, but when the MCs find themselves in dangerous situations, it always feels dangerous. I never know how they'll get out of these wild situations and I love following along with them.

In this new addition, we learn a lot about Veronica's history. I loved that we finally got a peak at what she was like before book 1 (especially since we've already gotten Stoker's backstory). I audibly gasped when parts of her history were revealed!

I also love that the mysteries completely wrap up in each of these stories and only minor threads are left to weave them all together. And at the end of this one, we're left wondering how our MCs will overcome this hurdle.

Honestly book 8 better have many a page of Veronica begging for forgiveness at Stoker's feet 🤣

I hope Deanna Raybourn writes in this world forever. I will never grow tired of these characters or amazing mysteries.

Another fantastic installment in this series. I really struggle with books that have one character hiding something significant from the other, so I spent about 20% of this book supremely uncomfortable. Thankfully, it becomes clear to the reader, if not Veronica, that the secret is not a secret at all, and that space is being created for her to reveal it all.

This series is incredibly self-aware of its place and time, which I really appreciate. Still, there are times where I'd like to see it go just a little bit further from awareness to action, specifically the sarcophagus that Veronica and Stoker have. But overall, I think this series is so emblematic of the good work that historical fiction can do to right the narrative about "the old days" and who had power then.

At this point, there's basically one thing that could get me to stop reading this series, and I think this book makes it clear that that's not in the author's plan. I'm on the edge of my seat for the next!

This is a fantastic series with plenty of interesting mysteries and historical intrigue. This mystery was a bit more personal and I enjoyed the interplay of the characters.