A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn
#10 Veronica Speedwell
Historical Mystery
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 3.3.26
Pages: 336
Rating: 4.5 stars
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Sellers: Amazon
ADD TO: GoodReads
GoodReads Synopsis:
Veronica and Stoker are practically dying for a new adventure but when their wish is granted, they find themselves up against a secret society and a darkly seductive duo in this landmark historical mystery from beloved New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author Deanna Raybourn.
When the corpse of an entitled young man is found entirely drained of blood in a carriage next to Highgate Cemetery, Veronica’s interest is piqued. And then a second victim is found, his death made to look like a suicide, and Veronica and her intrepid beau, Stoker, know the hunt is on. The two men share one link: they were both members of a society so secretive that only a singular mention of it can be found anywhere.
Thirsty for more clues, Veronica and Stoker hear that a young Roma boy may know more about their first victim, but the only way to the boy is through an old acquaintance of Stoker’s, Lady Julia Brisbane. Lady Julia and her dashing husband, Nicholas, occasionally track down murderers and are only too happy to help. But as it becomes clear the secret society is a dangerous sect looking to entice immortality seekers, Veronica and Stoker find themselves ensnared by a decidedly more sinister couple.
The professed leader of the society claims to be a creature of the night; his partner practices witchcraft and they both fancy themselves emissaries of the otherworldly. Just as Veronica and Stoker get closer to learning the true purpose of the society and unraveling this macabre mystery, another body turns up, and they quickly discover they’ve gone from being the hunters to the hunted. . . .
Sophia Rose's Review:
Is a vampire loose in Victorian London? Veronica and Stoker are on the case to find out. After a little hiatus, a favorite author, Deanna Raybourn returns to the Veronica Speedwell series with sensational results in this latest.
A Ghastly Catastrophe is tenth in the Victorian-Era Veronica Speedwell mystery series that work best when read in order to get the character and relationship development occurring over the course of the series. Incidentally, fans of Deanna Raybourn’s earlier historical mystery series featuring Lady Julia and Brisbane will get a wonderful cameo crossover moment.
A Ghastly Catastrophe opens with a bored Veronica and Stoker getting descended upon by a despairing JJ who got fired from her newsletter about the same time Inspector Mornaday arrives to beg their help on some mysterious murders- bodies drained of blood with two punctures on them- that he is not in charge of the case.
Veronica’s rampageous imagination goes into high gear with thoughts of Dracula flairing in her head. Stoker is there to partner her and his keen eyes are looking for a less dark esoteric answer to the deaths. Their case twists, turns and leads them to a dangerous secret society and investigation from the inside becomes necessary.
A Ghastly Catastrophe had all that I love about this series. Veronica and Stoker are a true romantic couple and investigation partners who respect and demonstrate tender care, but they haven’t lost their bantering and healthy, invigorating arguing discussions. This case brings a bone-chilling feel of atmosphere and taut tension. And, the Victorian backdrop is carefully crafted along with the unique restoration work situation Veronica and Stoker have for their day jobs.
All around fabulous and the disappointment of it all being over and now the impatient wait for the next series installment. Historical Mystery fans who like a daring-do, bantering, smart pair of detectives should give this series a whirl.
Author Bio:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn is a 6th-generation Texan. She graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is the author of the Veronica Speedwell Victorian mystery series, and her first contemporary thriller, KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, published in September of 2022 at #9 on the New York Times bestseller list and won the 2022 Barry Award for Best Thriller. Her novels have been nominated for numerous awards including the Edgar, the Macavity, and the Agatha. She makes her home in Virginia.
Website: https://www.deannaraybourn.
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments, restaurants and theaters are her jam. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance. Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose
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