A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn Narrator: Angele Masters
Series: Veronica Speedwell #4
Published by Recorded Books on March 12, 2019
Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Length: 12 hours, 33 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell is whisked off to a remote island off the tip of Cornwall when her natural historian colleague Stoker's brother 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 fiancĆ©eāmuch 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...
Veronica Speedwell is a dashing lepidopterist and sometimes crime-fighting sleuth in Victorian England.Ā She is one of my favorite all time heroines, even when she behaves badly or wonāt own up to her feelings.Ā In A Dangerous Collaboration, the fifth installment in the theĀ Veronica Speedwell Mystery series by Deanna Raybourn, the intrepid Veronica finds herself embroiled in another mystery.Ā This time, sheās lured away from London to St. Maddernās Isle off the coast of Cornwall by the promise of a near-extinct and exceptionally rare butterfly specimen, the Romilly Glasswing.Ā There are ādiverting undercurrents of tension and mysterious things afoot at the Romilly family seat, Agincourt, and Veronica soon finds herself trying to unravel a three year old missing person’s case.
Veronica is helped in her sleuthing by Stoker, her beautiful and brooding partner in crime-solving. But this time around, his delectable, brother, the urbane Tiberius Viscount Templeton-Vane joins the cast of characters.Ā Tiberius has made appearances in earlier books, but in A Dangerous Collaboration, he takes on a more substantial role, which is perfectly fine by me.Ā Heās a great character, enigmatic and dry-witted, with a particularly deviant side that is very appealing and exciting.
Sexual tension is pretty much the norm when it comes to Veronica and Stoker. I love the foil of Stoker and their partnership is a source of hilarity and romantic sighs.Ā While they are both still struggling to define exactly what they are to each other, it is obvious (at least to the reader) that they are something to each other.Ā Half the fun (or frustration) is that they each seem to take turns being the one in denial.Ā Stoker claims that āIt is the nature of whatever is between us that we make no demands upon each other.āĀ The fact that he canāt abide Veronica going off with his brother and makes a mad dash to overtake them before they get to Cornwall is proof there is something much more profound between then than just friendship.Ā I feel like this book gives me the most romantic and tragic moments in the series thus far; however I recognize the foreshadowing when Veronica says āI think there can be nothing more between us until and unless all ghosts from the past have been exorcised.ā
I love the world that Deanna Raybourn has created.Ā Veronica is a strong, independent, intelligent woman in a period where a womanās ability to create domestic bliss was her greatest accomplishment.Ā I believe this world, and can appreciate and understand Veronicaās struggles in the context of Victorian Societal norms.Ā I appreciate that the author makes sure to include mentions of women of science, who havenāt always been remembered in our history books.
While I am sure this book could be read as a stand-alone, I beg of you, donāt do it.Ā Youāll appreciate the characters so much more by starting at the beginning.Ā It is so worth it.Ā This story delivers as a classic cozy-mystery, but seeing the development of Stoker and Veronicaās relationship is the highlight of this installment.Ā I canāt wait to see how things progress in the next book.
Narration:
The best part about having a single narrator for an entire series is that they develop consistency in performance across the books so that we can easily identify the characters just by the spoken word.Ā Angele Masters does a fantastic job in this series, but especially shines with Veronica.Ā I love how no-nonsense and snarky she sounds, it exactly matches how Iād expect the character to sound.Ā The book is easy to follow at 1.5x, but I tend to listen to these at 1.2x just to make them last a little longer.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Deanna Raybourn
New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn is a 6th-generation native Texan. She graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of one, Raybourn makes her home in Virginia.
Her novels have been nominated for numerous awards including five RITAs, two RT Reviewersā Choice awards, the Agatha, two Dilys Winns, a Last Laugh, and three du Mauriers. Her Lady Julia Grey novels are currently in development as a television series in the UK and she launched a new Victorian mystery series with the 2015 release of A CURIOUS BEGINNING, featuring intrepid butterfly-hunter and amateur sleuth, Veronica Speedwell. Veronicaās second adventure is A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING (January 2017), and book three, A TREACHEROUS CURSE, was published in January 2018. A DANGEROUS COLLABORATION will be released in March 2019. Further books in the Veronica Speedwell series are contracted through 2020.
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I've developed a preference for audiobooks over the last few years, which allow me to complete chores, run carpool, or work on my many building and craft projects while 'reading.
My all time favorite selections include Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, and all of Robin Hobb's books set in the Farseer world. Ā Honorable mentions to Elle Kennedy, Penny Reid, Meljean Brook, Ann Aguirre, Krista and Becca Ritchie, Jeaniene Frost, and Kristen Callihan.
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She is a very intrepid and fun heroine. And I love that she’s a lepidopterist. š
She does sound like a fun heroine.
I love this series even if Veronica and Stoker drive me crazy at times. Great review.
While these aren’t my usual type of read, all the covers grab me and make me want to pick them up. Your review also makes me want to give them a try. Great review!