Dear Ms Raybourn: You may never stop writing your Veronica Speedwell novels. I will not permit it. Many thanks.
Book 6 in the Veronica Speedwell Mystery series, is, as they all are, a damn delight. If you haven’t read them, please do. If you do read them, know that this one does not disappoint.
Everyone’s favorite lepidopterist and taxidermist are on a momentary mystery solving and near death experiencing lull. As they work side by side to create an exhibit honoring the late mountain climber Alice Baker-Greene (recently deceased as the result of a climbing “accident” in the mountains of Alpenwald) both are happy for the occupation but secretly longing to get back into something a bit more adventurous. Well, at least Veronica is.
When Stoker examines Alice Baker-Greene’s climbing rope before placing it into the exhibit, he notices that it has been cleanly cut; not the usual marking of an accidental rope fray from a rocky outcrop. Was Miss Baker-Greene’s climbing rope deliberately cut? Mystery!
When Stoker and Veronica bring this to the attention of the Hereditary Princess of Alpenwald and her royal entourage, their concerns are swiftly dismissed. When both the climbing rope AND the Princess go missing, however, it’s hard to deny something is afoot!
Even though they have consummated their relationship, the give and take between Stoker and Veronica is still full of suggestive sexy time and witty banter. Love that for them, but with this book, the other characters steal the show. The fictitious alpine country of Alpenwald and all of its illustrious climbing folk are a hoot.