Veronica Speedwell mysteries

I was in my little village library and the cover of a book caught my eye. It was the most recent book in the Veronica Speedwell mystery series and I was in the library with some visiting friends and Sam noticed I was looking at the book and said this is a fantastic series but that I had to read them in order.

A intrepid and irreverent lady lepidopterist and her gentleman friend—a scientist, explorer, natural historian, naval surgeon, and taxidermist—who solve mysteries that affect the royal family in Victorian London? What’s not to like?

So, I borrowed the first book, A Curious Beginning from one of my other libraries in ebook and tore through it. I was reading it on the beach when I got to the twist about Veronica‘s parentage and gasped out loud, loud enough for my wife to ask me what was going on. I didn’t tell her because I think these might be prime candidates for reading aloud to her and the dog, which we haven’t done in a while.

I borrowed the second book, A Perilous Undertaking, immediately after finishing the first, and it’s just as delightful. I might have to buy the whole series and the covers are so pretty, I’m tempted to buy them in paperback.

There’s no sex in these books (so far—Veronica has a strict policy that she doesn’t engaged in ‘sexual congress’ with Englishmen or while living in England) but they’re obviously attracted to each other and will surely get it on at some point.

Still, these are mysteries, not romances, so while there’s a lot of talk about other people having sex (and getting murdered), the focus isn’t on Veronica and Stoker’s love story. For now, at least, they’re good friends who live together (sort of) with a great deal of respect and enjoyment of each other’s company.

I’m here for it.