Wednesday 7 April 2021

Book Review: A Curious Beginning


 I wasn't sure about this book. In these trying times, I resorted to a book others have reviewed. I had saved this one in my file. Looking back, I realized  that Linda McLaughlin: A CURIOUS BEGINNING by Deanna Raybourn (historical mystery) did a review. It was in my library, so we contactlessly picked it up. 

At first, I wasn't sure. It takes place in London in 1887, and I tend to read modern murder mysteries by women. (The men tend to be too graphic for me!) I was so enthralled that I managed to snag the next in the series at my library. 

She is a feisty heroine, our Veronica Speedwell. Brave, bold, a traveler, and professional lepidopterist, also acerbic and smart. She has selective sex, just for fun, and exploits the men in her life. I have a hard time believing her life and lifestyle was possible in Victorian England, but I am able to suspend belief. There is, after all, a mystery involved.

I reserved the second, surprisingly it was available. There are some books with several reserves on them. This one isn't as popular. 

I like these mysteries. Happily, there are six in this series. I shall likely follow it and read them all. I like being taken away to another world. You really need to read them in order, I've found. I like that. The character development is good, and it gives me a deeper read to become involved in the characters. 

I don't want to give the plot, as I prefer reading a book without expectations of what is to come. Raybourn has obviously done her research. The language is colourful. It is also sophisticated. 

"It was a surprisingly perspicacious speech from an old roué!"


Funnily enough, I was looking for a YA novel Josephine is reading. I did a search and found these two books. Do you see the humour in the too broad search?! 



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@Barrie Summy

7 comments:

Lucy said...

Sounds interesting, thanks for reviewing.

I will say, in certain genres, I prefer to read female authors myself. Particularly if there are love scenes involved. I find that in most cases, men seem to substitute their personal fantasies in lieu of a believable love scene, in my opinion. :)

Barrie said...

I often find gems from books our reviewers review. Love this! I do like historical mysteries and must give this series a whirl. And, yes, I did see the humor in your search. :) Thank you for reviewing!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
These sound intriguing... probably not something I would look for specifically, but recommendations are always worth taking note of! YAM xx

Sarah Laurence said...

I don't usually read to many mysteries, but the ones I have liked were indeed by female authors. Interesting.

Lyndi Lamont said...

I read the first two in the series and enjoyed them. The characters are colorful, if not entirely believable for the time, but that's what suspension of disbelief is for. Thanks for linking to my review. I'll have to read it again!

Like Lucy, I prefer female authors in romance and even in mysteries.

Linda McLaughlin

William Kendall said...

That's the first I've heard of this author.

pattinase (abbott) said...

The only historical series I read somewhat regularly is the Maisie Dobbs books. But this sounds promising.