A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn

A Murderous Relation (Veronica Speedwell Mystery, #5)

by Deanna Raybourn

A royal scandal’s connection to a brutal serial killer threatens London in this new Veronica Speedwell adventure from New York Times bestselling and Edgar® Award–nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

Autumn 1888. Veronica Speedwell and her colleague Stoker are asked by Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk to stop 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, and the proprietress, Madame Aurore, has received an expensive gift that can be traced back to the prince. Lady Wellie would like Veronica and Stoker to retrieve it from the club before scandal can break. 

Worse yet, London is being 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 Auroreʼs high-class brothel, where a body soon turns up. Secrets are swirling around Veronica and the royal family—and it is up to Veronica and Stoker to find the truth, before it is too late for all of them.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

4 of 5 stars

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Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

A Murderous Relation is the 5th Veronica Speedwell mystery by Deanna Raybourn. Released 10th March 2020 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 308 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a historical cozy mystery with a strong dash of saucy romance between the main character duo (Veronica and Stoker). There is a fair bit of backstory for the characters and setup for the storyline, so I wouldn't really recommend it as a standalone. The entire series is well written and diverting, so a definite contender for a binge reading session.

The main characters are a lepidopterist (Veronica) and a taxidermist (Stoker), so the author gets points for the characters' appealingly nerdy quirks. Their backstories are as varied as they are and there are significant subplot elements revolving around their family entanglements. Although some plot elements are very dark (Jack the Ripper, seedy Victorian London underbelly, murder, extortion, etc) the book itself is firmly in the cozy mystery romance genre.

Thoroughly readable and entertaining, the series reminds me a lot Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody. There's no objectionable language, but there are strongly sexually suggestive scenes between the two main characters, some minor (good humored) cross dressing, some shooting, stabbing, and other mayhem. For readers in search of meticulously researched verisimilitude, this one will likely engender teeth gnashing. Bring a hefty suspension of disbelief. On the other hand, it's delightfully wonky, humorous, and ever so slightly spicy (with a few actual bodices being ripped in the course of the adventure).

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 13 April, 2020: Finished reading
  • 13 April, 2020: Reviewed