A Treacherous Curse

October 16, 2017
Set in 1888, Raybourn’s exhilarating third mystery featuring Veronica Speedwell and her colleague, Revelstoke “Stoker” Templeton-Vane (after A Perilous Undertaking), centers on the strange case of John de Morgan. De Morgan, the photo-
grapher on an archeological dig in Egypt plagued with mishaps, and his wife secretly leave the dig at the same time that a jeweled diadem from the tomb of Princess Ankheset goes missing. De Morgan and his wife travel across Europe to Dover only for de Morgan to vanish from the hotel room where his wife last sees him. Did de Morgan steal the diadem and abandon his wife, or is he another victim of the curse that plagued the Egyptian expedition from the beginning? After discovering that Stoker has an unsavory connection to de Morgan, Veronica determines to uncover the truth behind the alleged curse and salvage her partner’s reputation. In audacious, decidedly un-Victorian Veronica, Raybourn has created a delightful cross between real-life reporter Nellie Bly and Phryne Fisher. Agent: Pam Hopkins, Hopkins Literary Associates.

November 15, 2017
Two Edwardian sleuths search for a missing member of a star-crossed archaeological expedition.What begins as just another day for Veronica Speedwell and her colleague in crime solving, the Hon. Revelstoke "Stoker" Templeton-Vane--she's unpacking a crate of male fertility icons for their noble patron's museum while he's rehabilitating a badly mounted duckbill platypus--ends when they're summoned to the sickbed of Sir Hugo Montgomerie, head of Scotland Yard's Special Branch. John de Morgan, lately photographer for Sir Leicester Tiverton's dig in Egypt, is missing, and so is a royal diadem from Tiverton's discovery of the Princess Ankheset's partial tomb. The princess's sarcophagus came complete with a curse, which might help explain why the director of the expedition died and de Morgan, who along with his wife was traced as far as Dover, disappeared along with the diadem; even his room seemed to vanish, or at least completely change its appearance. Sir Hugo warns that when the press gets hold of the story, Stoker's name and an old scandal of betrayal and duplicity will come to light. Worse yet, he may also be a suspect in the disappearance. Sir Hugo advises Stoker to vanish himself for a while, but though Stoker is many things--scientist, explorer, natural historian, naval surgeon--he's not a coward. And Veronica, whose semilegitimate but unacknowledged connection to the royal family might cause a ruckus, too, stands resolutely by his side as the painful truth about his past emerges along with a conflagration in Dover, sightings of the jackal-headed god Anubis in London, an old rivalry with new implications, and a lighter-than-air race/chase. But even a trip to the London underground rivers doesn't faze Stoker and the intrepid, rule-breaking, secretly admiring Veronica in a partnership in which "missish" behavior has no place.The third adventure for the attractively eccentric duo is a clever and witty follow-up to A Perilous Undertaking (2017).

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Starred review from January 1, 2018
The vivacious Veronica Speedwell, lepidopterist extraordinaire and amateur sleuth, sets off on another adventure with Stoker, her handsome, rugged, tattooed companion. When a photographer and a diadem go missing during an Egyptian archaeological expedition, Veronica discovers that the elusive photographer is Stoker's former best friendthe man who, years ago, ran off with Stoker's wife and left him for dead. With Stoker as the primary suspect for the photographer's disappearance, the duo take it upon themselves to unearth what really happened in Egypt, butto Stoker's chagrinthat includes digging up skeletons of his own. As always, Raybourn (A Perilous Undertaking, 2017) writes with verve and wit. This time, however, she brings a new level of depth to her characters as Veronica discovers her first real home in London and the enigmatic Stoker confronts his harrowing past. A Victorian Phryne Fisher, Veronica is an irresistible, modern, engaging woman who uses scientific observation and natural charm to guide her investigations. Details about Egyptian relics, myths, and curses add an extra layer of intrigue to an already fun, rollicking puzzle. Though A Treacherous Curse can be read on its own, recommend the whole series to fans of upbeat, savvy, historical mysteries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

Starred review from January 1, 2018

In 1888 London, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell is intrigued by the newspaper reports about the calamities of the Tiverton expedition in Egypt, including stories of the appearance of Anubis, god of the underworld, and a curse attached to a recovered sarcophagus. In addition, the project's photographer, John de Morgan, and his wife have disappeared with a priceless diadem taken from the newly discovered tomb of an Egyptian princess. It's only when she and her working partner, the scientist Stoker, are called to meet with the head of Special Branch that she learns Stoker was once married to Mrs. de Morgan. Her husband had been the friend who had abandoned Stoker to die in the Amazon. To save Stoker's reputation, the duo team up to investigate the truth behind the expedition and the couple's disappearance. VERDICT While readers of Elizabeth Peters's "Amelia Peabody" mysteries will enjoy this title, it is fans of Jane Eyre who will truly appreciate the third volume in Raybourn's historical series (following A Perilous Undertaking). Her intricately plotted and dramatic story features a strong-willed, independent woman who is the intellectual equal of the brooding Stoker.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2018

In 1888 London, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell is intrigued by the newspaper reports about the calamities of the Tiverton expedition in Egypt, including stories of the appearance of Anubis, god of the underworld, and a curse attached to a recovered sarcophagus. In addition, the project's photographer, John de Morgan, and his wife have disappeared with a priceless diadem taken from the newly discovered tomb of an Egyptian princess. It's only when she and her working partner, the scientist Stoker, are called to meet with the head of Special Branch that she learns Stoker was once married to Mrs. de Morgan. Her husband had been the friend who had abandoned Stoker to die in the Amazon. To save Stoker's reputation, the duo team up to investigate the truth behind the expedition and the couple's disappearance. VERDICT While readers of Elizabeth Peters's "Amelia Peabody" mysteries will enjoy this title, it is fans of Jane Eyre who will truly appreciate the third volume in Raybourn's historical series (following A Perilous Undertaking). Her intricately plotted and dramatic story features a strong-willed, independent woman who is the intellectual equal of the brooding Stoker.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2017

Following last January's A Perilous Undertaking, this third in the New York Times best-selling, RITA Award-winning Raybourn's new series has freewheeling Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell investigating events recalling Tutankhamen's famed curse. Her friend Stoker is part of the ill-fated excavation of an Egyptian princess's tomb, with the latest catastrophe being the disappearance of an expedition partner along with an incalculably valuable diadem. With a five-city tour.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.