A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn
320 pages | published by Berkley
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The Set Up: Veronica Speedwell and Stoker are recruited to prevent a royal scandal when a valuable jewel connected to the royal family turns up at an elite London club. Going undercover, they find themselves pulled into a web of secrets, lies, and growing danger.
A Murderous Relation was the most intense of the series so far, in my opinion.
The stakes felt higher and the danger felt more immediate. The atmosphere was especially heavy; The situation Veronica and Stoker found themselves in felt particularly bleak. The ties to the Jack the Ripper case brought a darkness to this one that the other books haven’t had.
This story was as well written as all of the others have been. I’m a huge fan of the world Deanna Raybourn has created, and the plots she creates. Every twist and turn is logical as well as exciting.
The growing cast of characters continues to be a strength of the series. I’m so invested in the relationship between Veronica and Stoker (because of COURSE I am) and this book in particular was SO satisfying. I particularly loved Eddy, for his good natured personality and even his naiveté. I hope there are more interactions with him in the future of the series.
“I suppose I must surrender to my fate. Because you are clearly destined for adventure. And I am destined for you.”
This installment felt like another step up for the series. Each book manages to raise the bar and I’m eager to keep going.
Here are three book recommendations if you’re interested in Historical Fiction, Romance, and Mystery! Of course, I have the previous book in the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries series (A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn); and then I have two picks (Eliza and the Duke and Rules for Ruin) that are more squarely in the Romance genre, but have a bit of a darker, grittier tone.
