Hey Bookworms, how was your week? I recently finished a wonderful audiobook that I can’t wait to recommend to everyone! If you’re into Historical Fiction and Mysteries, chances are you’ve already heard of this one but just in case you haven’t please read on to learn more about A Curious Beginning!
About A Curious Beginning
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Genre(s): Mystery, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Berkley Books
Format Read: Audiobook
Narrator: Angele Masters
Year Published: 2015
Series: Veronica Speedwell, Book 1
Cover Artist: Could Not Find
Synopsis
As a Lepidopterist, Veronica Speedwell lives to find rare butterflies in remote locations. So when her spinster aunt dies, she’s finally free to travel to her heart’s content. Before she can set off, her plans are thrown off-course by an attempted kidnapping—which she thwarts with the help of a mysterious German Baron. The Baron offers to bring her to London and leaves her under the protection of his recluse friend, a taxidermist named Stoker. When Veronica and Stoker receive the news of the Baron’s sudden death, they have to work together to unveil the murderer while fleeing for their own lives.
Pace: Medium, A Mix of Character and Plot Driven
Tone: Adventurous, Mysterious
My Review
I had wanted to start this series for a long time so when I found the audiobook on Hoopla, I jumped right on it! I am glad I chose the audiobook route because the narrator did an excellent job portraying each character’s distinct voice. Veronica and Stoker’s banter was delightfully delivered. Since their strong personalities clashing against each other is a big part of this book’s charm, I was glad I got to hear their clever curse-slinging and snappy comebacks as I laughed out loud multiple times! Even though they do not trust each other, keep secrets, and are constantly antagonistic, they are stubbornly loyal and I loved every minute of their undeniable chemistry. It feels like it’s going to be a very slow burn for those two and I am on the edge of my seat!
The excellent characters are just one of the many things this book has going for it. The pace is perfect; I prefer shorter audiobooks but at almost 11 hours, this one never felt like it dragged. The adrenaline kept pumping at just the right times, and the down-times felt earned and served to peel back the secrets one bit at a time. The atmosphere was an addictive mixture of whimsy and creepiness.
“Should I be in distress? In a meadow? You mean if the cows organize some sort of attack? I have extensive experience with cows. They almost never do that.”
I thought my etymology vintage poster cross-stitch was very on theme and that my namesake might appreciate it 😜
“Everyone has a capacity for cruelty. Not everyone gets the chance to exercise it.”
It’s set in the Victorian Era so there are strict moral codes and primness but Veronica doesn’t give a fig about any of that; she’d much prefer bluntness and the scientific method. She’s stubborn, intelligent, self-assured, funny, and empathetic: I am happy to share my name with her 🥰 It’s not often I get to share my name with a character in a book so that was an added bit of joy for me.
Although she almost veered into “I’m not like other girls” territory, which historical fiction stories often use to show how “modern” a character is. A pet peeve for many of us, I’m sure. She only avoided this fate because she offers a biting critique of patriarchy, acknowledging that the only reason she finds a lot of other women tiresome, is due to men purposefully gatekeeping education. I appreciate the various sentiments of this kind that were sprinkled throughout because they gave this lighthearted mystery a bit of depth and bumped it up in my estimation all the more. Even Stoker unflinchingly supports Veronica’s agency while always bringing his ideas and talents into the mix which is why I’m not surprised to find he’s a favourite among the fandom.
Final Thoughts on A Curious Beginning
The mystery aspect is not the strongest element of this story but it’s just ridiculous enough to be fun and gets wrapped in a neat enough bow to provide satisfaction but still leave plenty of room for more adventure to come. I will be continuing the series as soon as possible. It seems there are 9 books in the series and I could not be more excited; this is the kind of historical fiction/ mystery I have been looking for!
| CAWPILE | Rating (0-10) |
|---|---|
| Characters | 10 |
| Atmosphere | 8 |
| Writing Style | 8 |
| Plot | 9 |
| Intrigue | 9 |
| Logic | 8 |
| Enjoyment | 10 |
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Fire
Moderate: Victorian Era Colonialism & Imperialism, Ableism,
Misogyny, Blood, Injury Details
Minor (Mention): Murder, Alcoholism, Poaching/Hunting,
Death of a loved one, Sexual Content
Let’s chat in the comments!
What are some Historical Fiction + Mysteries that you love? Or, Tell me about a book you’ve read where you share your name with a character.
Great review! Like you, I’ve had this on my radar for quite some time now and I’m not sure why I haven’t picked it up yet because every review I see of it is glowing! This sounds so good and I think I might need to prioritise this soon 😍
Thank you! Yeah I feel very much like “why did I wait so long to try this?” lol Well if you do check it out I hope you love it and I’d love to know your thoughts either way 🙂
Sold! It has to go to my audiobook tbr
I’m glad you want to try it and I really think the audiobook is a great way to go with this one! 🙂
I’ve really enjoyed this series! I didn’t love the last book I read (I think it wasn’t the most recent, but the one before that), but I’m really hopeful that was a one-off and I’ll enjoy the next book… when I get round to it. It really does fly by!
Awesome I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed the series but it’s too bad you didn’t enjoy the last one you read, though I am sure that with 9 books in the series it’s tough to keep the same level of quality throughout!
I’ve wanted to read this for a long time, I’m so glad you loved it!
Yes that was me too, I’m glad I finally did and I hope that you give it a shot. Thank you!😃
I’m pretty sure this is on my tbr but if it wasn’t your review would have convinced me to add it. It sounds fantastic and I love the angle that you’ve described for Veronica’s ‘not like the other girls element’. The book Charlotte that immediately springs to mind for me is Charlotte Fairchild from the Shadowhunter books. And Charlotte’s Web I guess (because who doesn’t want to share their name with a spider 🙈).
Also you do cross stitch?? I started doing it again a couple of years ago when I fell in love with the Wrendale designs and I’m totally addicted 😂
I’m glad my review would have convinced you hehe but I hope you end up loving this one!
Oh Yess Charlotte Fairchild is great! I started rereading the Shadowhunters series recently and started with Clockwork Angel.
Yeah I started cross stitching maybe in 2019 or so and it’s what kept me sane in 2020. I really love it but I had not heard of the Wrendale designs but I just looked them up and they are cute 😀 It really is addictive!
Thank you. I’ll let you know how I find it.
Ooh I love that series, I reread it the other year and it mesmerised me all over again. I need to finish the latest series but I was loving that one too. So it’s a must read for this year.
It’s nice to know someone else is into it too. It’s such a fun hobby. Although I have a bad habit of spending too long on them when I first start one, wanting it to look like something before I stop 😂😂 and I hate French knots 😬
Sounds good!
That’s awesome I’m glad you loved it again! I adore the Shadowhunter series but I have not read the newest ones. I started the reread with a friend but then the buddy read kind of slowed down. I still plan the reread the whole series so I can get to the newer ones! I can’t wait to know what you think of the newest one when you get to it 😀
Ah yes It is really fun to meet other people who love cross-stitching too! Haha that just means you get to stitch for a long time and that sounds like a lovely time to me 😂! & yeah French Knots are hard, I don’t often have to do them but it’s a struggle. Though I’ve tried one called ‘colonial knot’ instead that’s very similar but seemed easier to do. In case those pesky french knots bother you too much you can try that and see if it helps 🙂
Ah well I hope you get going with it again soon then and have a fantastic time with the series. That’s why I reread it the other year, I wanted a refresher before picking up The Last Hours. And I’m hoping to get to it soon. Tbh the only reason I haven’t yet is because I want to reread the first two before reading it 😂 I adored those though so it’s definitely not a chore to do so.
Yes that’s true. I just love seeing the image start to take shape. Although sometimes it’s definitely not possible in one go 😂 I don’t have to do loads but when they do pop up on designs I panic. They always seem to pull through or leave a loop 😬 ooh thank you for the tip. Next time I come across one I’ll try it.
Yeah me too but I’m thinking I’ll wait for my friend for a bit more first and if she doesn’t want to continue I’ll keep going alone ahah. & That’s smart! Sometimes a reread of a favourite is what we all need, glad you loved them!
Yeah I can agree with that, it’s so satisfying! Yes that’s the same for me I have to re-do it a million times before it finally works out 😂 & yw I hope that at least helps a bit 🙂
Hopefully she’ll let you know soon then. Either way I hope you enjoy the reread though. Rereading favourites is wonderful and thank you.
Ive seen so many things saying they’re easy once you get the hang of them and I’m like ‘really?’ I had one very small phase with one design where they went well then with the next I was terrible again 😂 it’s a shame we both struggle but also nice to know its not just me missing something 🙈
Yes thanks I agree rereading is such a fun pleasure I hardly ever indulge in.
hahaha that’s so frustrating you’re like ‘hey I’m getting good at this…oh false alarm 😂’ But luckily I think they’re hard for everyone except experts lol
I suppose there’s so many unread books to read that we feel guilty for doing so. Sometimes you need an old favourite though.
Yeah no idea what the random fluke was about 😂😂 I’ve also heard that some people use small beads instead too. I’m sure we’ll both master it one day…maybe.
Yeah that’s exactly it!!
Oh, I like the beads idea so much more!! Well we can certainly keep practicing and there are so many techniques I want to try + patterns I wanna make!
I haven’t tried it yet but I imagine it would look pretty good. And same here. I’ve got my eye on so many cross stitch designs (and have a few owned ones to do still too) and want to try and get into embroidery. Some of the end results of that look lovely.