A Dangerous Collaboration

I’m a day late but still delighted to tell you about author Deanna Raybourn’s latest Veronica Speedwell mystery, A DANGEROUS COLLABORATION, that was released yesterday, Tuesday, March 12^th.

Described as “a ruthlessly intelligent heroine” by NPR, Veronica Speedwell is one of those characters that you enjoy getting to know better and better. The previous book in the series, A TREACHEROUS CURSE, has been nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel.

A lepidopterist by trade, Veronica has been up to much more than chasing after rare specimens of butterflies. Continuing on after the exhilarating adventures of A Curious Beginning, A Perilous Undertaking, and A Treacherous Curse (which was named by Suspense Magazine as one it’s best historical mysteries of 2018!), it’s difficult to imagine how the spunky and spirited Victorian-era sleuth could find herself caught up in even more thrilling and dangerous exploits.

Brimming with Raybourn’s trademark clever plot construction that readers have come to love, in addition to provocative storytelling and the smoldering chemistry between Veronica and Stoker, A DANGEROUS COLLABORATION is another great example of why readers keep picking up and continue to come back to this phenomenal series.

Here’s a brief synopsis to entice you even more.

After chasing down clues leading to her mysterious past, having quite literally run off to join a traveling circus, solving a murder mystery at a ladies-only social club, and an unraveling an ancient Egyptian curse, Veronica always goes back to her true love:  the butterflies. But as colorful and unfettered as the butterflies she collects, Veronica can't resist the allure of an exotic mystery—particularly one involving her enigmatic, frequently uncouth, yet ruggedly handsome colleague Stoker.

          Veronica is whisked off to a remote island off the tip of Cornwall when Stoker’s brother, Tiberius, calls in a favor. On the pretext of wanting a companion to accompany him to Lord Malcolm Romilly’s house party, Tiberius persuades Veronica to pose as his fiancée—much to Stoker's chagrin. But upon arriving, it becomes clear that the party is not as innocent as it had seemed. Every invited guest has a connection to Romilly’s wife, Rosamund, who disappeared on her wedding day three years ago, and a dramatic dinner proves she is very much on her husband’s mind.

          As spectral figures, ghostly music, and mysterious threats begin to plague the partygoers, Veronica enlists Stoker's help to discover the host's true motivations. And as they investigate, it becomes clear that there are numerous mysteries surrounding the Romilly estate, and every person present has a motive to kill Rosamund.

Now for those of you who aren’t familiar with the author, here’s a bit of background on her.

Author Deanna Raybourn

Deanna Raybourn is the author of the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Lady Julia Grey series, currently in development for television, as well as the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries and several standalone novels.

Visit her online at www.deannaraybourn.com, on Facebook at DeannaRaybournAuthor, and on Twitter @deannaraybourn.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have you read any of the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries? Have you ever thought about becoming a lepidopterist (a person who studies or collects butterflies and moths)?