Rating: Really Liked It
Source: Publisher
Description: Veronica Speedwell and her natural historian colleague Stoker are asked by Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk to help with a potential scandal so explosive it threatens to rock the monarchy. Prince Albert Victor is a regular visitor to the most exclusive private club in London, known as the Club de l'Etoile, and the proprietess, Madame Aurore, has received an expensive gift that can be traced back to the prince. Lady Wellie would like Veronica and Stoker to retrieve the jewel from the club before scandal can break.
Worse yet, London is gripped by hysteria in the autumn of 1888, terrorized by what would become the most notorious and elusive serial killer in history, Jack the Ripper--and Lady Wellie suspects the prince may be responsible.
Veronica and Stoker reluctantly agree to go undercover at Madame Aurore's high class brothel, where another body soon turns up. Many secrets are swirling around Veronica and the royal family--and it's up to Veronica and Stoker to find the truth, before it's too late for all of them.
Genre: Mystery - Historical
Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed previous books in this series and I love the author. Plus, I can never resist a mystery that's connected to Jack the Ripper!
My Impression: Insomnia decided to pay me a visit last week and over the weekend and while I'm not usually a fan of this particular visitor I have to admit that I wasn't too terribly sad because it gave me time to fly through this book. What fun it was!
There's abduction, intrigue, treason, madness, blackmail, jewels, and royal politics. It's quite the ride and I couldn't wait to see just how Veronica and Stoker could possibly get themselves out of some of the spots they landed in. Throw in a fantastic collection of side characters and it's impossible to resist.
I've read a few books set during this time period and I've read a few books that deal with Prince Albert Victor and I must say this was my favorite. I felt like I knew poor Prince Albert and this was one of the few portrayals that I've seen that felt based on fact as well as sympathetic. After finishing the book I really wanted to read more about both the Ripper victims and poor Eddy himself.
While I enjoyed this quite a lot I did have a complaint or two. The primary one being the attraction between Stoker and Veronica. Their lack of communication drove me crazy at times and Veronica's distracting lusting over Stoker in the first half got a bit much. I get she's attracted to him but either act on it or let it go!
Minor complaint aside this was a fun book with an entertaining mystery and likable and sympathetic characters. If you enjoy historical mysteries this is a must read.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I have never read a book by Raybourn that I did not enjoy.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would! If you enjoy historical mysteries you couldn't do better with this series. If you're not a big mystery fan Raybourn has a number of historical fiction titles that are equally amazing.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
I read one and I am hooked on this series. Thanks for this review.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I think they drive us all crazy particularly with the romantic thread.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one. I did, too. In fact, it's one of my favorite installments in the series!
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many great things about this series. I have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteOuch to the insomnia, hope it has passed. Chuckling at the Veronica/ Stoker relationship. Perhaps its their author's fault!
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