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Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars A Treacherous Curse
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2018
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4.5

Veronica Speedwell and her stalwart companion Stoker find themselves drawn into the disappearance of a man associated with a cursed Egyptian excavation. Before he disappeared, however, he made off with a priceless artifact. This is not the first mysterious happening on the excavation but it is one that directly effects Stoker as the missing man is his former expedition partner whom after leaving Stoker for dead married Stoker's now ex-wife. If news of Stoker's past association, and bad blood, with the missing man gets out, he could be labeled as a suspect. Since there's nothing Veronica won't do to protect Stoker, they jump into the investigation with gusto.

When I first started this book I couldn't help but feel a ping of the great Ameila Peabody series with Veronica's no-nonsense attitude and the whole Egypt thing of course. And then there's Stoker so like Emerson....

I immediately got a smile on my face and was ready for our duo to embark on a voyage to Egypt. However, that is not exactly how things transpire, because of course Veronica will be her own person, as it were, and we wouldn't want her any other way.

In A Perilous Undertaking, readers were given a little insight into Stoker's past and background. I was really excited as events unfolded while reading A Treacherous Curse that we retain a lot of that focus on Stoker's past, here especially regarding his previous marriage. There's a lot of emotional struggle for Stoker in this one seeing as how his past is pretty much unavoidably thrown in his face. It's a good thing Veronica was there to knock some sense into him. And I must say I loved how downright fierce Veronica becomes in defense of her friend (from himself as well as those who would cast shade upon him), it's truly a wonder to behold.

The friendship (and dare I say blossoming romance) between Veronica and Stoker is further explored much to my delight. I think that Deanna Raybourn has now written my all-time favorite slow burn romance. You can clearly see that both Veronica and Stoker care for one another beyond a simple friendship or work-colleague relationship, but it's the fact that their friendship has been built up so well that makes anything that comes after between them seem like the cherry on top of the cake. There are some truly lovely and poignant moments between Veronica and Stoker in this installment, many that I highlighted or re-read just because they were such sweet and beautiful moments. It's not all just sweetness, however, as they both show they can push each other's buttons, but what better way to illustrate how well two people know each other than by showcasing all the ways, good and bad, in which they use this knowledge.

As a consequence of the strengthening of the bonds between Stoker and Veronica, I almost think that the mystery plot suffered. I didn't get caught up in it as much as I did the previous books. And I felt like, at the end when all was revealed, I wasn't particularly surprised. Honestly, though, I was ok with all of this because I felt like it was more about moving Veronica and Stoker forward, and what better way to do that than incorporate it with solving a mystery along the way?

This series is one that I continually look forward to, and with so much said throughout the story, there's still things left unsaid. I cannot wait for Veronica and Stoker's next adventure. If you haven't picked up this series yet, I highly recommend that you do, and definitely start from the beginning. The character developments over the course of these three books so far is not one to be missed.
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R Retzler
4.0 out of 5 stars I look forward to reading more of this delightful series
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2018
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Veronica Speedwell is back with Revelstoke Templeton-Vane in 1888 London to investigate the disappearance and presumed death of John de Morgan, Stoker’s former friend. Years earlier, de Morgan ran away with Stoker’s wife and left him for dead in the Amazon. A member of Sir Leicester Tiverton’s Egyptian expedition, de Morgan is suspected of looting a crown from the dig and escaping back to England with his wife. However, when she wakes up the next morning, there is no sign of her husband or the crown, and the room he was staying in has been remodeled as if he never arrived in England. As Stoker appears to be the only enemy of de Morgan, Veronica and Stoker must investigate to clear his name from being dragged through the press, and possibly arrested for murder. To do so, they must get close to the members of the Tiverton expedition, which is said to be under a mummy’s curse, and Stoker’s former wife, Carolyn de Morgan, who is pregnant with de Morgan’s child.

A Treacherous Curse is the third and latest book in Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series. Veronica, an independent woman, who is the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Wales, is a natural historian and lepidopterist. She and Revelstoke Templeton-Vane, another natural historian, work for Lord Rosemorran, cataloging his eclectic collection for the purpose of opening a museum on the grounds of the Rosemorran estate, Belvedere.

Although this is set in Victorian times and is for the most part historically accurate, Veronica is not a typical Victorian woman. She is very brazen and forward and does not disguise the fact that she has had many lovers, although none on English soil. There is nothing demure about Veronica as she matter-of-factly and scientifically goes on her way, making for some very humorous moments. In addition to being friends, there is an unresolved sexual tension that runs between Veronica and Stoker.

I have read both of the previous books in the series, and I enjoy the humor. The mystery is well-plotted, and all the clues are there. The book is an easy and fun read and not to be taken too seriously. The opening sentence gives a hint of the humor to come.

”I assure you, I am perfectly capable of identifying a phallus when I see one,” Stoker informed me, clipping the words sharply. “And that is no such thing.”

I look forward to reading more of this delightful series.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars I always love Deanna Raybourn's books and this was no exception
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018
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I always love Deanna Raybourn's books and this was no exception. As someone who is writing about scientists and archaeologists and the like, however, I was frustrated to read early on that no one throughout the entire editing or revision process fixed the incorrect term "hieroglyphics"...they're hieroglyphs (noun); hieroglyphic is an adjective and there is no plural form. As a anthropology major who studied in Egypt and learned the hieroglyphic language this gets under my skin. Deanna is a smart lady and I'm surprised at this most basic error in a book with subplot of 19th c. Egyptology. Also, a diadem? That's not really Egyptian but I'll go with it for the sake of the story. A bit disappointed that the story did not take them to Egypt, though. Veronica and Stoker on a Nile cruise or a tent in the Valley of the Kings would have been heaven, albeit a little like Amelia and Emerson, if you know what I mean.

Speaking of... I'm hoping that the similarities of the Anubis sighting/haunting at the dig are an homage to Elizabeth Peters/Amelia Peabody...otherwise it's a direct parallel to E.P.'s first Peabody novel. I know Raybourn is a fan.of E.P. as are many of her readers (myself included).

The dialogue between characters, particularly Veronica and Stoker is as lively and engaging as ever. There is nothing stale going into the 3rd book of the series though I wish less time would be spent explaining characters and previous novels. There are 2 other books; if people can't be bothered to read those first, then move along for the rest of us, please.

Overall a solid addition to the series.
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Top reviews from other countries

kara-karina
4.0 out of 5 stars Clever and very entertaining
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2019
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Deanna Raybourn really is a fantastic writer! Veronika and Stoker are a riot together, sharp, violent, cocky, alike. They really feel each other's frequency and bounce ideas off of each other like no one else.

A Treacherous Curse is a very entertaining read. Fast and full of colourful details. There is a mystery with a stolen diadem of an Egyptian princess, a disappearance of a man casting suspicion at Stoker and a possible curse roaming around London. All in all, fun.

Stoker has to face his old demons, and Veronika is determined to carry him through. He is tough though, so while he falls apart a little bit, Miss Speedwell thoroughly tells him off, and he manages to pull himself together.

Veronika makes mistakes here and there are a few hairy situations which kept me on the edge of my seat, but I absolutely adore her character and disposition. She is unapologetically original, with her flasks of aguardiente and leering at handsome men and loathing manipulating women.

And while Stoker grumbles at her antics, he secretly loves her. They might not get to that stage with their bickering, but if they do, I am really curious to see if anything will ever change in their investigations together.

Overall, a fabulous historical mystery. Read the whole series, it's clever and entertaining.
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Verity Reads Books (a lot of them)
5.0 out of 5 stars A Egyptological adventure in Victorian London
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2018
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A rollicking adventure through Victorian London via Egyptology. If you like Amelia Peabody, you should be reading this series already, but if you’re not, use this as your excuse to start! This was my birthday treat to myself and it was such a good tone. My only gripes is that I wanted more progress between Veronica and Stoker, but I’ll settle for the insight into his past that you get through the mystery in this. So much fun.
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JS
5.0 out of 5 stars Another cracking story from Deanna Raybourn
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2018
Verified Purchase
Wow, another wonderful adventure with the fabulous Veronica Speedwell and enigmatic Stoker...if you loved Deanna Rayburn's Lady Julia Grey books then treat yourself and read these. A great story that zipped along, well-drawn characters and witty dialogue...what's not to like? I am counting the days till the next episode!
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Fiona J. Gaunt
5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2019
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I am really enjoying this series. I especially enjoyed this one and it’s Egyptian Curse storyline! Really good fun.
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Jazzie
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
Once again Deanne has produced a fabulous book. I would highly recommend the Veronica Speedwell series. It has wonderful characters and moves at a brilliant pace.
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