An Unexpected Peril

An Unexpected Peril (2021) Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell)

Set in London in 1889

Veronica and Stoker are now coworkers but also romantic companions, and despite everything, they continue to get along well.

I reflected bitterly. For now that I had joined myself in affection to Stoker, I could no longer run from myself as I had once so blithely done. I must, instead, sit and face my demons.

Mostly.

Stoker was never happier than when imparting information, whether one asked for it or not. This, I had observed frequently upon my travels, is common in the male of the species.

First thing I continue to love about this series is the science and how Veronica and Stoker revel in their (what we would now call geekiness).

“If you speak of Lamarck’s theory one more time, I shall scream,” I warned him.

His expression was cool. “I certainly do think that Lamarck had some perfectly sound ideas,” he began.

While working on the collection, they are also preparing a memorial display for Alice Baker-Greene–a young woman who had been killed mountain climbing.

Which gives you the first thing I had issues with. There was a LOT of discussion of mountain climbing and dying while climbing and that… remains difficult for me to read. So I skimmed a lot of those bits.

Unfortunately, that death is central to the story, so there was no escaping it.

“No, I think you were quite correct the first time,” I said cheerfully. “This is a case of murder.”

“I reject this,” Stoker said in a tone that bordered on desperation.

“Stoker, as you well know, murders happen,” I told him.

“But why must they happen to us?”

The mystery was interesting, but overall I had a hard time enjoying it because of the mountain climbing deaths.

Publisher: Berkley
Rating: 7.5/10

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