The fact that we are reading a mystery novel set in Victorian England, with a protagonist who is a progressive female with the determination to live her life on her terms gives this series a feel that bridges the gap of time. The first few chapters may seem a bit confusing and may cause you to wonder just what all these seemingly unrelated tangents could possibly have to do with each other, but I assure you that in time it all becomes clear. She is a lady (almost) completely to the core, yet she is incredibly feisty and will strike out physically, or intellectually, if provoked. So our heroine, Veronica Speedwell is a little firecracker if people were to be related to animals then she would be the love child of a butterfly and a pit viper. It is not your fault that you are entirely devoid of imagination. Clutterthorpe, but I do sympathize with how strange it must sound to you. 'I am quite determined to be mistress of my own fate, Mrs. Give me a chance to win you over, please? If you, like me, shy away from books labeled as historical fiction, please don't overlook this exquisite book. These books are amazing! I cannot believe it's taken me so long to read them, as they have come highly recommended time and again, but better late than never I suppose. Lucky for me, Berkley offered the opportunity to review all three books that currently make up the Veronica Speedwell series and am I glad they did. It is a rare day that I pick up historical fiction of any kind I have nothing against the genre, but I feel as though all the flashy, contemporary books shove my good intentions out of the way and I never get around to reading those golden oldies I claim I'll dive into. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. 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.

As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.īut fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron who has ties to her mysterious past. After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry-and the occasional romantic dalliance.

As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own.

A curious beginning series