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A Curious Beginning

by Deanna Raybourn

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Veronica Speedwell (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1,55611811,405 (3.75)95
"London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry--and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime. But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker--a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant, wary partners in search of the villainous truth" --… (more)
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» See also 95 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 116 (next | show all)
Would probably rather do a 2 and a half. The author’s misogyny was grating. She has no respect for the women of the time and how they lived their lives. She excoriates them for doing household accounts or being wives and mothers, then constantly has her character cook and clean for the token male. Liked the references to Natural history ( )
  cspiwak | Mar 6, 2024 |
*3.5 ( )
  Fortunesdearest | Feb 1, 2024 |
Fun, feminist, but sometimes felt like it was trying to hard on the Victorian vocabulary ( )
1 vote AerialObrien | Jan 22, 2024 |
This is the first in a historical fiction series set in Victorian London and featuring Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke “Stoker” Templeton-Vane. Victoria is a lepidopterist with an extensive knowledge of butterflies, and Stoker is a taxidermist for large animals. They meet improbably after a mysterious German baron who claims to have known Victoria’s mother takes her to seek sanctuary with this friend Stoker; the baron claims someone is trying to kill Victoria and she is in danger.

Before the baron can offer a full explanation, he is murdered, and Victoria throws her lot in with the handsome, curmudgeonly Stoker as they try to ascertain who killed the baron and who wants Victoria dead and why.

Victoria and Stoker embark on a series of adventures and misadventures, all the while not only battling villains but their growing attraction to one another.

Evaluation: I like some aspects of this book, although I find Veronica to be a bit annoying. Her confidence seems more like arrogance, and her aggressive sexuality with no inhibitions or discretion seems a little unlikely for Victorian England. Moreover, I find it hard to fathom that when she is obnoxious and stubborn, this just makes her all the more irresistible to Stoker. Nevertheless, the historical touches are of interest, and the pacing works well. ( )
1 vote nbmars | Oct 24, 2023 |
3.5 stars ( )
  sarah_mcd | Oct 9, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 116 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (1 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Deanna Raybournprimary authorall editionscalculated
Masters, AngeleNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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For Pam, for everything
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I stared into the open grave and wished that I could summon a tear.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Wikipedia in English (1)

"London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry--and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime. But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker--a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant, wary partners in search of the villainous truth" --

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Average: (3.75)
0.5 1
1 11
1.5
2 17
2.5 4
3 117
3.5 46
4 173
4.5 20
5 88

 

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