A Ghastly Catastrophe is Deanna Raybourn’s tenth Veronica Speedwell mystery. If you haven’t started this Victorian mystery series, you definitely need to start with A Curious Beginning. Like any series, some are better than others. If you read the Author’s Note at the beginning (a note from Veronica Speedwell), this one is one that’s more fun than some of the others. As Veronica says, “A case that had it all: cryptic threats! Mysterious suicide! A touch of the macabre.”
Veronica and Stoker, adventurers, scientists, and lovers, are itching for another adventure. It’s been six months since their last mystery. It’s Mornaday from Scotland Yard who brings them a new adventure. The body of Maurice Quincey was found dead in his carriage outside Highgate Cemetery. He had puncture wounds in his neck, and had been drained of his blood. But, his relatives, along with the acting head of Special Forces, hushed it up. When Quincey’s best friend, Jameson Harkness, died, and Harkness’ father said he fell from the balcony while the man’s wife said he jumped, Mornaday was suspicious. Because those at the highest level were covering up deaths, Mornaday takes the case to Veronica and Stoker.
Veronica is delighted to have a case that might involve vampires while Stoker scoffs at the idea. Their interest takes them to a Roma camp, a secret society, and introduces them to a man called Ruthven and a woman who professes to be a witch, a couple who try to mesmerize Stoker. It also introduces them to Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane, a couple who are perfectly suited to be friends to Stoker and Veronica. (Readers of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries will recognize both characters.) It’s a complex mystery with an ending that seems perfect if you read the Author’s Note, and read a little about Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
A Ghastly Catastrophe brings back one of my favorite couples from the mystery genre. It’s fun, dangerous, and beautiful at times. I hope it isn’t quite as long before Veronica and Stoker return again.
Deanna Raybourn’s website is https://www.deannaraybourn.com/
A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn. Berkley, 2026. 336p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley provided by the publisher through NetGalley, with no promise of a positive review.
Lesa, I love this series, and I never get them on NetGalley. But I checked the library again today, and they have it on order, so I was able to place a hold–second in the queue! Thank you for the reminder.
You’re welcome, Margie! It’s a Berkley, and I know you and Kaye can’t get Berkley. You would read the Author’s Note. It’s funny. Pay attention to the names!
Wondering what Margie and I ever did to Berkley any dern way to cause them to so cavalierly dismiss. us? harumph 😉
I have no idea, Kaye. I’m sorry.
I’m currently reading A Grave Robbery and anticipate getting to this one soon. I love Veronica and Stoker and the wild escapades they get into. It will be fun to see how Lady Julia and Nicholas are involved. I may have to go back and reread the last one in that series too.
Right with you in loving Veronica and Stoker. I’m sorry to say, Tracy, that I haven’t read the Lady Julia Grey series, so it took me forever to realize who she was.
This series sounds fun!
It is fun, Kim. And, I’ve seen Deanna Raybourn talk on a couple virtual events, and she has done her research. This was the time when British women went on adventures, so Veronica is actually realistic when it comes to her travels.