A Curious Beginning

A Curious Beginning introduces Veronica Speedwell, a Victorian-era lepidopterist who finds herself caught up in danger after her aunt's funeral. When a mysterious German baron offers her protection from unknown assailants, Veronica is placed in the care of the ill-tempered natural historian Stoker. The unlikely pair must work together to uncover why someone wants Veronica dead, leading them through London's scientific circles and carnival sideshows. Their investigation forces them to confront secrets from both their pasts while staying one step ahead of their pursuers. The novel combines elements of mystery, adventure, and historical fiction with a focus on natural science and Victorian society. This first installment in the Veronica Speedwell series establishes its core characters while exploring themes of identity, truth, and the constraints of Victorian social expectations.

Readers call this Victorian mystery a blend of humor and adventure, with strong appeal for fans of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series. The protagonist Veronica Speedwell receives frequent comparisons to Peabody for her independent, scientific-minded nature. Liked: - Sharp, witty dialogue between main characters - Historical research and natural history details - Veronica's unapologetic personality - Slow-burn romantic tension Disliked: - First 100 pages move slowly for some readers - Veronica strikes some as too modern in attitudes/behavior - Mystery plot takes time to develop - Some find Veronica arrogant or abrasive Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (53,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (3,800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) "The banter alone makes this worth reading" appears in multiple reviews. Common criticism notes "the mystery feels secondary to character development" and "takes too long to get going."

A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas A female detective in Victorian London solves murders while battling society's restrictions on women.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley An eleven-year-old chemist and sleuth investigates a murder at her family's English estate in 1950.

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn A Victorian widow teams with a private investigator to solve her husband's murder through the dark corners of London society.

What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris A nobleman investigates a murder in Regency-era London when he becomes the prime suspect.

The Mangle Street Murders by M.R.C. Kasasian A female detective's ward chronicles their investigations in Victorian London while learning the methods of personal detection.

🦋 Author Deanna Raybourn was inspired to create Veronica Speedwell after learning about Victorian female lepidopterists (butterfly collectors) who defied social conventions to pursue their scientific passions. 🔍 The book's Victorian-era setting coincides with a time of significant advancement in natural history and taxonomy, when amateur scientists like Veronica would have made meaningful contributions to scientific knowledge. 👑 The character of Stoker is loosely based on several real-life Victorian naturalists, including Sir Richard Francis Burton, who was similarly scarred, athletic, and known for his adventures. 🌿 Many of the natural history specimens and preservation techniques mentioned in the book are historically accurate, reflecting the period's fascination with collecting and cataloging the natural world. 🗡️ The novel combines elements of several genres—mystery, romance, and historical fiction—following a tradition established by Victorian sensation novels, which similarly mixed crime, scandal, and society.