Mostly Murders

Book 1 in the Veronica Speedwell series.

Miss Veronica Speedwell is not your typical Victorian-era lady. Orphaned at a young age and brought up by two spinster sisters, Veronica is a lepidopterist with scandalously modern ideas of women’s independence, and even her love of butterflies comes from a desire for freedom. A young lady should not run around unaccompanied, so Veronica took up butterfly hunting as an excuse to go out. With her scientific mind, bravery and intelligence, Veronica becomes quite a specialist in hunting down rare, exotic specimens on foreign expeditions, allowing her not only the chance for a meagre income but also the freedom of romantic dalliances far from the prying eyes of the Victorian English society.

When the last of her guardians passes away, Veronica sees an opportunity to leave England and explore the world, but before she can make any plans, she is attacked by an unknown assailant and rescued by a kindly German Baron who tells her that she is in grave danger. He leaves her in the reluctant care of his friend Stoker, a ruggedly handsome and hot-tempered natural scientist with a dark past, who is busy trying to taxidermy an elephant for a rich client.

When the Baron is murdered soon after, Veronica and Stoker are thrown together in an exciting and dangerous adventure, searching for the Baron’s killer and trying to evade various unknown enemies. Sparks fly and banter fills the pages as the two intelligent, stubborn and independent characters are forced to try to work together to survive.

This is not a book for people who want a realistic depiction of life in London in the late 1800s. It is a cozy mystery for people who love strong, independent female characters, witty and sassy banter, light-hearted fun adventure and sizzling romance. Some people may find Veronica rude or crude, but I personally love her. She is very direct and doesn’t bother with fake politeness, especially not towards people who believe in stifling conventions denying women the right to choose and think for themselves.

Cozy mystery – Historical fiction – Romance