AN IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTER (Veronica Speedwell #7). Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the free review copy. (PUB 2.15.22)

I love this series. This is another engaging installment of the historical mystery adventures of Speedwell and Stoker. (Yes- you must read them in order.)

As with any great series, I find great comfort in returning to these well-known, well-loved characters. I love seeing the character's relationship evolve. Veronica Speedwell is my favorite kind of character: smart, quick-tongued, vivacious, and loyal. She knows who she is and won't sacrifice that based on other people's expectations. She is full of moxie and gumption. I wish I could join her for a glass of aguardiente as she regales me with tales of her and Stoker's latest mystery.

Deanna Raybourn has this magical ability to bring the mystery to life through both her writing and storytelling style. Her stories have a pacing that makes me slow down and savor each passage. And oh my goodness- she is a wordsmith. Her vocabulary astounds me. I find myself highlighting 'new-to-me' words that have me running to the dictionary and wondering how I can work them into conversation.

AN IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTER is not my favorite book of the series, but. . . it includes a bombshell from Veronica's past, ever evolving relationships and a bit of a cliffhanger ending that has me already (anxiously) awaiting the next installment. Excelsior!

I got a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was unaware that this was the 7th book in the series, having only read the blurb there. However I did not feel lost reading it. This is part of a Victorian mystery series where the main character is a natura historían with a specialty in lepidoptery (butterflies) who happens to travel the world for her job and ends up getting tangled in all sorts of adventures with mysteries to solve.

I really enjoyed this series, from the main characters, to the settings, and the romance in between. Despite having not read the first 6 books I understood who the characters were, their personalities came through as well as their relationships. I loved the main character Veronica, her drive and her wit make for a great narrator (it is her writing in her personal journals we are experiencing as readers). The story was full of twists that were pleasantly unexpected. It was an easy, fast paced read full of witty conversations and exciting adventures. I definitely recommend it, I will definitely be diving into the previous books. Not only to understand some references better but for the writing style and the adventures that are surely going to be entertaining.

When I say that I love Veronica Speedwell, I really mean it. I have really enjoyed going along on her adventures with Stoker. She is strong, independent, funny, and extraordinarily intelligent. Her keen sense of deduction is on par with Sherlock himself. To finally get a chance to learn more about her history and travels in this book was something I have been waiting for since the first book in the series.

7 books in and I adore these characters even more.

We are following Veronica and Stoker as they try to uncover the truth and identity of someone from Veronica's past. The twists and reveals were exquisite.

Some of the new characters we meet are absolutely hard to read with their "women should be domesticated" rhetoric. Much like Veronica I wanted to throttle them with a cheese wire lol

The romance takes a back seat but because Veronica is faced with her past it does put her relationship with Stoker in a precarious place. Because of this I'm now dying to have the next installment.

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5

Veronica and Stoker are summoned by Sir Hugo Montgomerie, head of Special Branch, but instead of serving Queen and country, he's asking them to look into a more personal matter. Namely, on behalf of his goddaughter Euphemia Hathaway.

A man matching the description (and carrying identifying papers) of Jonathan Hathaway has turned up at Hathaway Hall. The problem is, Jonathan was supposed to have died years ago during an exploration. So who is this person? Is he really Jonathan, seemingly back from the dead? Or is he someone with more nefarious purposes aimed at the family?

Veronica and Stoker are ready to look into matters, but soon it's Veronica's past that makes a telling return and threatens to upend every confidence she's gained for herself along the way.

I really like how, at seven books and counting, that Deanna Raybourn is able to continually add layers and depth to these characters. You would think that we, as readers, would know everything there is to know about Veronica and Stoker, but let me tell you, we don't.

But the way in which Deanna Raybourn adds these new facets to beloved characters and still make it all count for something is truly magical.

This time around I didn't find An Impossible Imposter and easy ready. Don't get me wrong, I was still wholly captivated by the story, and even after finishing I just want to curl up with these characters for a few more days. But this story really puts Veronica through the ringer, emotionally speaking. It's one of the few times we see her off her game and not the wholly confident, independent woman she's made herself into. I won't lie, I was a little thrown by it, but I think that's the point.

Of course a lot of this revolves around the relationship between Veronica and Stoker. After finally getting together, if you thought these two would have it easy, you have another think coming! But I feel as though these slight challenges that they're still facing will only make them stronger in the long run. I can confidentially say this because I have every faith in Veronica and Stoker being endgame. There are also some blink-and-you'll-miss-it subtle ways in which Deanna Raybourn also conveys this too.

Overall, I feel like this book, more than previous, will really benefit for what comes next in the series. I almost wish I could have waited and read this one and the next book more back-to-back, but who am I kidding? If I get my hands on a Deanna Raybourn book, I'm reading it sooner rather than later!

*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. Here is my honest review.

Sir Hugo enlists Veronica and Stoker to investigate the reappearance of a man thought dead for the past 6 years. Veronica was close to the man up until his death and the perfect candidate to vouch for his identity. And she does recognize him, just not as who he claims to be. At the center of the intrigue is a unlikeable family, their ill-begotten family jewels, a daughter who reminds Veronica of herself, a man indebted to violent creditors, and delicious chemistry between the major players. Another fun, witty installment of the series.

Let me just say An Impossible Impostor could be my favorite of the Veronica Speedwell series. That’s notable because it’s the 7th book! I’m not going to say more about the book than what’s revealed in the synopsis except that readers will learn a huge secret at 30% in. I loved that.
I also love the relationship of Veronica and Stoker. They are unique in their own ways yet seem cut from the same cloth where intellect and sensibilities are concerned. They are admirable individuals and a perfect couple. I can’t wait to see what they get up to next.

Veronica Speedwell is back. I'm a huge fan of this incorrigible woman who lives her life fully and with gusto and intelligence. In this installment we learn a huge secret from her background. No spoilers here, but can you believe there is a larger secret about her than the one we already know? Veronica and Stoker are off on their latest mystery which turns into a theft. Multiple kidnappings, a few beatings, and a clever criminal mind make out the rest of the story. As long as there are Veronica Speedwell stories, I will read them.
Thank you to Net Galley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I’ll tell you to read it (but read the others in the series first!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this advanced copy! All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Summary:

London, 1889. Veronica Speedwell and Stoker are summoned by Sir Hugo Montgomerie, head of Special Branch, with a special non-official request. Determine if the man who has appeared at the home of his god-daughter is who he claims. Eldest son, Jonathan, was believed killed in a volcanic eruption, and now a man claiming to be him has shown up at the family home.

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.

Review:

Through this story line, we learn a little more about Veronica’s history. We had a pretty big surprise dropped into the mix! No spoilers, but there were definitely things I didn’t see coming! I always enjoy a good mystery romp with Veronica and Stoker. I love her strong mind and will to always seek the truth, without fear or worry or repercussions. Through a series of twists and turns in the story, there turns out to be more than one mystery to solve (the mysterious man’s identity, and a missing jewel). I really enjoyed the extra little bit of history that was thrown in about the British Empire during the time preceding the story time period.

Miss Veronica Speedwell, a butterfly scientist who sometimes takes on undercover detective work, and her companion, the Honorable Revelstoke Templeton-Vane, have been handed an opportunity and a mystery to solve. For Revelstoke (Stoker), it is an opportunity to work with a rare specimen in his chosen field of taxidermy, but for Veronica, it’s an unwelcome reminder of a past she would rather forget. As the pair works to determine the true identity and motive of a suspected impostor, will past events exact a price too high for their relationship to remain intact? Find out in this intriguing tale of deception by a talented author.

Veronica's adventures are always a treat, and this addition brought both a surprise in her backstory and a twisting mystery - although one in which the main characters sometimes seem more along for the ride than active participants. The writing is fun and funny as usual, with an extra layer of emotion in places, and I love the way the Raybourn touches on familiar characters and locations while also continuing to diversify and develop the series, in this case especially in the area of Veronica and Stoker's relationship. I'm excited to see where we'll be venturing next!

Miss Speedwell and Stoker have barely returned from their last adventure in the Alpenwald, when a summons from Sir Henry Montgomerie from Scotland Yard sets them on a new adventure. Under the guise of visiting a family that has some animal specimens that Stoker should view for the collection they are building; they are sent to observe a young man who is supposedly the long lost dead grandson of the matriarch of the house to see if he is an imposter. Veronica is uncomfortable with the request because she actually was friends with the man in question before they were separated in the eruption of Krakatoa in Sumatra over six years ago. When she and Stoker arrive at the estate and meet the gentleman, she receives the shock of her life. Things left unsaid, secrets kept on all sides, make for the usual explosion of chaos that happens around Veronica.
This is the usual fun, often snarky, adventurous caper that have been so enjoyable in the previous books.

A solid entry in the Veronica Speedwell series. This volume finds Veronica and Stoker on the trail of a valuable gemstone, along with an unexpected visitation from Veronica's past. Hijinks abound with these two sleuths on the case, and Ms. Raybourn delivers with her usual snappy dialog and well-written prose. (I always learn at least two new vocabulary words when reading this author- many thanks!)

I love the interactions between Victoria and Stoker. In this story, as she investigates a lost heir, she has to confront an incident in her past and ultimately reveal it to Stoker. Looking forward to the next book and see what happens to them.

Received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest opinion.
Oh! Really awesome! The last book was ok, this one was better. We learn a bit more of Veronica's history in this one, which I loved. I loved the ending and can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what she can gets up to.

I love hanging out with Veronica and her partner, Stoker. They are an auto-read for me now, and I'm happy to say that I enjoyed this book slightly more than its predecessor. If I'm being honest, I do feel like a spark has been lost now that Veronica and Stoker are a couple. As adorable as it is to see them settling into domestic satisfaction, their prior exchanges were thickly laced with raging hot tension. I miss that. There's a blatant fabrication to their current spats that I just find kind of tiring.

Anyway, the imposter mystery is pretty good, if a little sprawling. It definitely took several turns that I did not see coming, but that's purely because Veronica's thought-process is deliberately withheld until it's randomly not. I don't really enjoy this method of mystery writing and it's something that I feel has become more noticeable in the latter books of this series.

Although I do think this one repossesses a bit of Veronica's signature spunk and sass, I wasn't fond of the suggestive cliffhanger ending. Again, it just feels a little tired at this point.

Veronica Speedwell is back for another adventure and this time her past is catching up with her. When an old friend resurfaces, whom Veronica assumed dead, she must go investigate, even if it brings up parts of her past she is not sure she is ready to confront. I do enjoy these two characters, however, this one moved a little slow for me. I don't want to just come back for the next title because you hooked me in the last 2% of the book with a cliffhanger. Stoker and his angsty existence make a perfect male lead though!

Veronica and Stoker are called upon by an old friend to look into whether a missing-and-presumed dead heir who has suddenly returned is the real thing. When they arrive at the crumbling estate, Veronica instantly knows the man - but revealing his true identity could force her to face secrets from her own past. In amongst the madcap heists and kidnappings and escapes and chases that enliven the plot of any Veronica Speedwell book, this one gets at issues of trust and how to move forward from an unlovely past.

Veronica and Stoker are back in London, but not for long. Sometime colleague Sir Hugh Montgomerie requests their help with a family situation - the long-lost son of the Hathaway family (presumed killed in the explosion of Krakatoa) has returned. Or is he an imposter? Veronica has a personal connection to the lost heir and Stoker is bribed by the offer of a thylacine for his collection, so they set out to Hathaway Hall. Family tension and a jewelry collection "acquired" while the former patriarch was serving in India keep the suspense building and action moving, as does revelations about Veronica's past and the impact on her current relationship with Stoker. Another enjoyable addition to the series that leaves one with a hint of more of Veronica and Stoker's relationship to come!

A traditional Veronica Speedwell novel (I've read 'em all!) but a lovely sojourn to the country and good cliffhanger-esque ending.