A Murderous Relation (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery)

Product Description
A royal scandal’s connection to a brutal serial killer threatens London in this new Veronica Speedwell adventure from New York Times bestselling and Edgar® Award–nominated author Deanna Raybourn.
Autumn 1888. Veronica Speedwell and her colleague Stoker are asked by Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk to stop a potential scandal so explosive it threatens to rock the monarchy. Prince Albert Victor is a regular visitor to the most exclusive private club in London, and the proprietress, Madame Aurore, has received an expensive gift that can be traced back to the prince. Lady Wellie would like Veronica and Stoker to retrieve it from the club before scandal can break.
Worse yet, London is being terrorized by what would become the most notorious and elusive serial killer in history, Jack the Ripper—and Lady Wellie suspects the prince may be responsible.
Veronica and Stoker reluctantly agree to go undercover at Madame Auroreʼs high-class brothel, where a body soon turns up. Secrets are swirling around Veronica and the royal family—and it is up to Veronica and Stoker to find the truth, before it is too late for all of them.
Review
Praise for A MURDEROUS RELATION “[E]nthralling….The charming characters and involving story, together with the smoldering heat between Stoker and Veronica, make this one a highlight in a very popular series.”—
Booklist
“Raybourn’s combination of late Victorian history, well-drawn characters, romance, and humor keep the pages turning.…Fans of the author and Victorian mystery lovers will enjoy this romp and eagerly await another Veronica and Stoker adventure.” —
Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries
"[A] ruthlessly intelligent heroine...You'll be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series."—NPR
"I love this series! Veronica Speedwell is utterly unique...The plots are clever and fast-paced."—Amanda Quick,
New York Times bestselling author
"Lively and adventurous...Positively excellent."—
Booklist (starred review)
"Her intricately plotted and dramatic story features a strong-willed, independent woman."—
Library Journal (starred review, pick of the month)
About the Author
Deanna Raybourn is the author of the award-winning,
New York Times bestselling Lady Julia Grey series as well as the
USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award nominated Veronica Speedwell Mysteries and several stand-alone works.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Chapter
1
London, October 1888
What in the name of flaming Hades do you mean his lordship wants me to officiate at the wedding of a tortoise?" Stoker demanded.
He appeared properly outraged-an excellent look for him, as it caused his blue eyes to brighten, his muscles to tauten distractingly as he folded his arms over his chest. I dragged my gaze from the set of his shoulders and attempted to explain our employer's request again.
"His lordship wishes Patricia to be married and asks if you will do the honors," I told him. The fact that the Earl of Rosemorran had made such a request shouldn't have given Stoker a moment's pause; it was by far not the most outrageous of the things we had done since coming to live at Bishop's Folly, his lordship's Marylebone estate. We were in the process of cataloging and preparing the Rosemorran Collection-amassed thanks to a few hundred years of genteel avarice on the part of previous earls-in hopes of making it a proper museum. With our occasional forays into sleuthing out murderers and the odd blackmailer, we were a bit behind, and his lordship's latest scheme was not calculated to improve matters.
"Veronica," Stoker said with exaggerated patience, "Patricia is a Gal‡pagos tortoise. She does not require the benefit of clergy."
"I realize that. And even if she did, you are not clergy. The point is that Patricia has been quite agitated of late and his lordship has taken advice on the matter. Apparently, she req