A Treacherous Curse

By: Deanna Raybourn

Narrated by: Angele Masters

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

Members of an Egyptian expedition fall victim to an ancient mummy's curse in a thrilling Veronica Speedwell novel from the New York Times best-selling author of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries.

London, 1888. As colorful and unfettered as the butterflies she collects, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell can't resist the allure of an exotic mystery - particularly one involving her enigmatic colleague, Stoker.

His former expedition partner has vanished from an archaeological dig with a priceless diadem unearthed from the newly discovered tomb of an Egyptian princess. This disappearance is just the latest in a string of unfortunate events that have plagued the controversial expedition, and rumors abound that the curse of the vengeful princess has been unleashed as the shadowy figure of Anubis himself stalks the streets of London.

But the perils of an ancient curse are not the only challenges Veronica must face as sordid details and malevolent enemies emerge from Stoker's past. Caught in a tangle of conspiracies and threats - and thrust into the public eye by an enterprising new foe - Veronica must separate facts from fantasy to unravel a web of duplicity that threatens to cost Stoker everything....

©2018 Deanna Raybourn (P)2018 Recorded Books

I rarely give a book a 5, but....

I cannot overemphasize how much I love this series. The writing, characters, and plot are excellent, but it is the connection between the two leads that is MAGICAL. Lovers come and go, but to find a partner you are attracted to, one that thinks of you before he thinks of himself, one that loves you as a friend first....Well, guard and nurture that love because it is hard to come by. My Husband and I always say,"I am yours and you are mine" and I shake my head and marvel at what we have between us. Please, NEVER, NEVER take this incredible gift for granted.
The author conveys this concept again and again throughout the series and that theme......
Well, take it with you.

14 people found this helpful

Unoriginal, Unsuspenseful, Unlikely Dialogue

I loved Deanna Raybourn's Julia Grey mysteries, so I was surprised that this series, and this book especially, didn't appeal to me at all. The story is unoriginal and has been better told in plenty of other cozy historic mysteries before (Elizabeth Peters' books, for example).

There were lots of missed opportunities for suspense and romantic tension between our two favorite characters. No one in the story was ever in real danger and the villains kept backing down, becoming nonthreatening. It definitely wasn't a "page turner."

Also, instead of dialogue, the characters just monologue at each other. It was so unrealistic that it was hard to buy into the characters or the story. No real person would have those perfectly prepared scripts to recite at people in the heat of argument or passion, especially not while the other party passively listens.

I also thought the anglophile pandering was a little heavy handed, even though this American girl loves a good English mystery.

That said, still 2 stars for light distracting book and a good performance.

4 people found this helpful

Boring

I like the lead characters, but Holy Cow, this was boring. The shrill voices of the older women are almost unbearable--but maybe that's the point. I appreciate learning more about Stoker's bitchy wife and I liked how Veronica takes no bs from anyone. Still, this story is totally unmemorable and I only listened to find out what might happen between Stoker and Veronica. Otherwise, this was a waste of my time.

3 people found this helpful

Has this series reached its limit? For me it has.

Maybe it's me, but this series seems to be getting a little tiresome. The elaborate Victorian dialogue wears on me, the characters seem even less realistic, and the plot seems strained. Even the narrator's arch tone has become grating. Time for me to move on, I guess.

11 people found this helpful

Good but slow at times.

As always, great characters - love Veronica and Stoker and wish there was more of them interacting with each other; but seems like the author gets a bit lost in side character conversations that go on far too long. Get to the damn point. Sometimes When I’ve listened to characters having a conversation for
45 minutes, I don’t even know what information I’m supposed to be remembering.

2 people found this helpful

Good story

It was a good story but they all seem the same and not much happens to progress the characters. Enjoyable but same story

2 people found this helpful

So much fun!

This is so well written! Listening to the prose and banter is a delight! Obviously a great deal of research has gone into this book and it paints such a clear picture of the Victorian Age. I’ve never been a fan of books set in that time period, but this book has changed my thinking. A strong female character, a male character who admires her for her strength and independence, and slowly growing attraction between them makes for a fun story and has me hoping for more. The reader does a wonderful job conveying the emotions of the characters as she reads. Can’t wait for the next adventure!

5 people found this helpful

Still Good, Felt A Little Short

I felt that this one had a different sort of pacing than the previous two books. There wasn’t as much action or verbal sparring, which I heartily enjoyed, but in their place were kinder and more deeply felt scenes. Overall it was a very good book, and a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining listen. As always, the narrator is incomparable.

2 people found this helpful

LOVE IT!!!

I actually love this Veronica Speedwell series so much that I am listening to all three again. I love the way the author "paints" the book so vividly that I can imagine being right there! And the voice of Angele Masters is INCREDIBLE! She is wonderful in her portrayal through voice of many different characters. TOTALLY AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 people found this helpful

5/5--Historical mysteries/detective at its BEST

*-I have recently obtained the Audible versions available of "the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries".

*-Applause to Deanna Rayborn's professional writing and establishing the exacting wit of each of the characters as they solve the unsolvable, while dealing with personal demons of their own. You have kept the quality true through all 3 novels I have enjoyed.

*-Applause to Angele Masters exacting narration, where I felt I was there, with the characters, on their investigations. The voices and emotions were a genuine performance.

*-I recommend this series to anyone who loves historical based mysteries---An intriguing, addicting, series presented in excellence. On where you laugh and cry along with the characters

The only reason I did not go into the particulars of this novel is that I don't wish to ruin a moment of your read/listen. It will not disappoint (I have read the first three novels and they only get better as you continue to enjoy the series.) And for those who do not know me--I rarely give a 5/5. In my viewpoint a novel must work to deserve this rating—and this series most certainly does.

4 people found this helpful