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gemin1reader's review against another edition
adventurous
4.5
I love these books but this was one of my faves so far! The mystery was really good and I loved the setting on an isolated Cornish island. But the best bit…was Stoker’s declaration of love. Four books have been leading to this point and it was incredible. No notes!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity and Medical content
Minor: Alcoholism and Pregnancy
kansas_girl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This entry in the Veronica Speedwell series is one of the best, I think. Raybourn's character development here has colored in important depths and interesting elements to the cast of her series. I also thoroughly enjoy having to look up various butterfly species and appreciate the depth of the author's research. This book will also appeal strongly to lovers of exotic garden populations and Victorian medicinal arts. I am somewhat tired of Veronica and Stoker's dithering, and Veronica's endless psychoanalyzing, but I like them all nonetheless. The similarlities to a slighty bawdier Amelia Peabody continue to amuse me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
layzuli's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
larareads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content and Forced institutionalization
mandkips's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Confinement, and Suicide
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Blood, Medical content, and Pregnancy
genny's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
AHHH, PERFECTION! My first 5-star read of 2022 (not counting re-reads). The mystery fully engaged me. The setting reminded me of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None...the circumstances were different of course, but being invited to a lonely mansion on a cold, rocky island surrounded by the unforgiving sea, where you meet a cast of strangers who all seem to harbor secrets...YES. The gothic atmosphere lent the perfect amount of tension to the story, and the climax was the most dramatic thing. The mystery writing improves with each book IMO.
I'm just gonna say it - Tiberius was hot. I loved his playful banter with Veronica, and them developing a genuine friendship was even better. His involvement in the story made it feel more personal than the investigations in previous books. Of course, my favorite part of every Veronica Speedwell book: The Veronica/Stoker development!!! The open admission of the tension between them, the jealousy, the teasing, the reluctance to open up just when the other is ready to admit their feelings........I bookmarked so many moments that made me squeal in delight.
I don't want to spoil anything but oh my goodness, this gave me EVERYTHING that my heart longed for. So much so that this could have worked as the ending to the entire series. I'm very, very glad that there are more books after this, though! And Angèle Masters does a fantastic job narrating the audiobooks. 🥰 My only gripe is that I wish the "fandom" had a bigger online presence. I need all of the fanart, fanfic, whatever!
I'm just gonna say it - Tiberius was hot. I loved his playful banter with Veronica, and them developing a genuine friendship was even better. His involvement in the story made it feel more personal than the investigations in previous books. Of course, my favorite part of every Veronica Speedwell book: The Veronica/Stoker development!!! The open admission of the tension between them, the jealousy, the teasing, the reluctance to open up just when the other is ready to admit their feelings........I bookmarked so many moments that made me squeal in delight.
I don't want to spoil anything but oh my goodness, this gave me EVERYTHING that my heart longed for. So much so that this could have worked as the ending to the entire series. I'm very, very glad that there are more books after this, though! And Angèle Masters does a fantastic job narrating the audiobooks. 🥰 My only gripe is that I wish the "fandom" had a bigger online presence. I need all of the fanart, fanfic, whatever!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Murder, and Alcohol
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