Review: A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn

Title: A Perilous Undertaking
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Pages: 368
Genre: Mystery, Fiction
Source: Free ARC from Berkley

Rating: A+

Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from Berkley via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review (and trust me, honest is always what you’ll get).

Review: Deanna Raybourn is easily one of my new favorite authors (which sounds weird given that she’s written quite a few books, it’s just – she’s new to me), and while it may have taken me a little to warm up to the first in this series, I instantly fell head over heels in this second installment. If I had access to the next (and I assume there is going to be a next), I’d have jumped right in, no question.

Veronica Speedwell is just my kind of woman: brilliant, passionate, sure of herself, curious, and open-minded. And her relationship with Stoker definitely heats up in A Perilous Undertaking. They are an excellent pairing (if they’ll ever bother to getting around to it), and it is a thrill to watch things unfold between them. The tension was palpable, feelings were brewing, obstacles have been discovered, and I can’t make up my mind at what pace I want this to go. How many  more books before their inability to further their relationship becomes agonizing?

The mystery itself was complex and twisty. Small hints here and there, but I never found a sure enough footing to make a confident guess. I daresay that Veronica and Stoker were also quite surprised when all was revealed.

But beyond all that, I love Ms. Raybourn’s writing style. It’s hard to put my finger on the exact nature of my love for it. It flows. It feels natural. From the first paragraph, I fall in, and don’t want to get out. I just enjoy reading her, completely independent of the story itself. Fortunately, she also spins a good tale, so it’s truly a win all around.

This is the first book I’ve finished in 2017, and I call it a most excellent start. Can’t imagine starting off my reading year in a better way.

Once again, a gorgeous cover, and I will be buying the book to pretty up my shelves.

Desperately looking forward to whatever comes next for Miss Speedwell and Stoker.