A CURIOUS BEGINNING (Veronica Speedwell # 1)
Deanna Raybourn
NAL/Penguin
September 1, 2015
I was one of the many mourners of the death of Elizabeth Peters, prolific and world-wide best-selling author of numerous mystery, suspense and romantic suspense novels. Perhaps her best-loved series are her Amelia Peabody mysteries. Featuring intrepid Amelia, her archaeologist husband Emerson, son "Ramses" and a wide supporting cast, the Amelia Peabody mysteries painted a vivid picture of the "golden" age of Egyptian tomb exploration. Elizabeth Peters' background as an egyptologist educated at the University of Chicago lent added expertise to her Amelia and Emerson novels. Deanna Raybourne's new series slots very neatly into both the literature of the intrepid victorian lady traveller and the light-hearted Peabody mysteries. Veronica Speedwell is also a world explorer, but not an archaeologist. She is a lepidopterist, catering to the Victorian obsession for collecting specimens of all kinds of the natural world. She also lacks Amelia's deep pockets and occasional grandiosity. As a foundling raised by two maiden ladies, she has neither money nor family connections.
A Curious Beginning starts at the funeral of her last remaining "aunt" in an English village during Queen Victoria's Jubilee year. Veronica has done her duty in nursing the elderly lady and plans to set out on her next journey that very afternoon. Returning to the cottage the "aunts" inhabited she surprises a thug ransacking the cottage; one who seems intent on abducting her as well as robbery. She is helped in her escape from the thug by an elderly gentleman whom she noticed at the funeral. He introduces himself as Baron Von Stauffenbach and tells her that she needs protection; her life is in danger. His assertion that he knew her birth mother and the offer of a carriage ride to London persuade her to accompany him. His courtly manner and the saving of the price of a train ticket are added inducements not to be resisted. Once in London the Baron places her under the protection of the mysterious and scarred Stoker, a discredited natural historian. Veronica does not believe for an instant that she is in any danger but wants to find out whatever she can about her birth parents from the Baron. The murder of the Baron proves her wrong and sends Veronica and Stoker on a dangerous quest involving Irish Republicans, travelling shows and members of the royal family itself.
A Curious Beginning is a fun read, packed with adventure, peril and just the right hint of developing romance. Stoker and Veronica are battling partners, at least verbally, and learn to trust each other in their first collaboration. I am looking forward to the next in the series, secure in the knowledge that Veronica will get over her long-standing policy of no dalliances with Englishmen. Deanna Raybourn is a gifted writer with a talent for creating vivid and often eccentric characters with a humorous touch.
RATING- 4 Stars
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