Unlike the first book in this series, there isn’t any immediate death to start off with here. Instead, we have Lady Julia Grey in Italy with two of her brothers as she recovers from the events that ended book one. We are introduced to Lysander and Plum, her brothers, and also Lysander’s new Italian wife as they are enjoying their relaxed lifestyle. However, they receive a summons from their father to return home for Christmas; after some discussion they decide to make the journey home […]
It started with death at the dinner party
My reading of Deanna Raybourn’s new series led me to the Lady Julia Grey series, her previous historical mysteries featuring an intrepid heroine. This book begins with death – Julia’s husband Edward suddenly keels over at the start of a dinner party, a seemingly natural tragedy. Edward had a history of a weak heart, so it was assumed that was the cause of his death. As it turns out, things are not as they seem and as Julia reaches the end of her year long […]
Who Killed the Artist’s Mistress?
This is the second book in the Veronica Speedwell mysteries, set in Victorian England. Veronica, our heroine, is a spunky adventurist and lepidopterist who met up with Revelstoke Templeton (aka Stoker) in the first book. Stoker comes from a noble family, but has been estranged from them for several years due to reasons he has kept to himself. He’s also an adventurer who spent time in the Royal Navy, and now does taxidermy in his free time. He and Veronica formed a strong bond solving […]
Have you read the one about the lepidopterist and the taxidermist?
This is the first book in the new series by Ms Raybourn, introducing intrepid adventuress and lepidopterist Veronica Speedwell. As per the book blurb: London, 1887. After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime. Veronica Speedwell is one of those heroines who seems to be ahead of her time […]