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    A Dangerous Collaboration
    A Dangerous Collaboration
    A Dangerous Collaboration
    Audiobook12 hours

    A Dangerous Collaboration

    Written by Deanna Raybourn

    Narrated by Angele Masters

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Veronica Speedwell returns in another adventure filled with secrets and betrayal from Deanna Raybourn, the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey Mysteries. Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell is whisked off to a remote island off the tip of Cornwall when her natural historian colleague Stoker's brother calls in a favor. On the pretext of wanting a companion to accompany him to Lord Malcolm Romilly's house party, Tiberius persuades Veronica to pose as his fiancee--much to Stoker's chagrin. But upon arriving, it becomes clear that the party is not as innocent as it had seemed. Every invited guest has a connection to Romilly's wife, Rosamund, who disappeared on her wedding day three years ago, and a dramatic dinner proves she is very much on her husband's mind. As spectral figures, ghostly music, and mysterious threats begin to plague the partygoers, Veronica enlists Stoker's help to discover the host's true motivations. And as they investigate, it becomes clear that there are numerous mysteries surrounding the Romilly estate, and every person present has a motive to kill Rosamund...
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateMar 12, 2019
    ISBN9781501986178
    A Dangerous Collaboration
    Author

    Deanna Raybourn

    New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a double major in English and history and an emphasis on Shakespearean studies. She taught high school English for three years in San Antonio before leaving education to pursue a career as a novelist. Deanna makes her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband and daughter and is hard at work on her next novel.

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    Reviews for A Dangerous Collaboration

    4.5/5

    309 ratings19 reviews

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    • 5/5
      A positive ending, but now I can't wait for the next book.
    • 2/5
      The first two books were great - the narrator is fantastic. This book dragged and was repetitive, with far too much focus on frustrated ardor.
    • 5/5
      Oh how I love this series! Excellent mysteries with wonderful characters that grow and are fleshed out more with every book. I love the evolving relationship between Veronica and Stoker, and learning more about their backgrounds. In this one we learn more about Stoker and his relationship with his brother Tiberius. Veronica is most decidedly not your stereotypical Victorian heroine, which at times sets her at odds with Stoker, but it certainly makes for fun reading. This one had a good mystery, an interesting and moody setting, well-drawn characters, and as usual, several words that had me checking my Kindle's dictionary - Raybourn educates me while she entertains me. Much as I loved her Lady Julia Grey series, I think I love this one even more - Veronica is just such a fascinating character. And now I know there's such a thing as a glass-winged butterfly - hopefully I can see one somewhere someday. Meanwhile I anxiously await the further adventures (both professional and personal) of Veronica and Stoker. Excelsior!
      My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing a copy for an unbiased review.
    • 4/5
      Absolutely lovely! This is the second time I read this one and now that I've read all the books before it, it was so much more enjoyable than the first time when I hadn't. I cannot wait to see what Veronica and Stoker get up to next!
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this mystery as much as the others in the same series. My one complaint is also a compliment. Omg the steamy build up between Veronica and stoker might kill me.
    • 3/5
      Veronica Speedwell has been offered an opportunity to gather a rare species of butterfly on a secluded island off Cornwall. She is escorted by Stoker's brother (he claims she is his fiancée) but once there the 3 (Stoker smuggled along) they are asked to solve the mystery of the missing bride. Lo9ngh story short - the host's bride disappeared the day of the wedding 3 years prior and has ever been heard of since. Since the island is remote - where did she go and how did she get wherever she is?Simple plot, good characters, fun circumstances
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this installment in the series -- either I am growing fonder of Stoker and Speedwell, or there was something extra interesting about them being outside their usual haunts. I enjoyed the island location, the poison garden, the weird nooks and priest holes. I also look forward to hearing more about why Veronica went to Malaga and to see how the partnership changes after this. It wa good to hear some back story on Tiberius, as well. Great stuff!
    • 5/5
      Almost perfect. On the plus side, Veronica stopped beating poor Stoker over the head with her libertine sexual views; to the minus side, the book started off tropetastically, with Veronica running away from a romantic entanglement with Stoker by going to Madeira for 6 months, and then immediately afterwards haring off to a house party with Stoker's detested brother as his fiancee. That's a lot of trope stuffed into a few chapters. But then Raybourn tuns all of it on its head, and makes it all meaty and interesting. From the Madeira trip revelation to Tiberius's reasons for bringing Veronica (and Stoker) to the Cornish isle of St. Maddern's. Tiberius's story is raw and brutal, as is the final outcome of the plot. Without giving anything away, all I can say is holy christ, it was horrifying and tragic and really un-hygienic. The mystery plotting I can sum up by saying: I did not see that coming. The 1/2 star deduction was for the insanity of the "we can only be friends" nonsense. There's a fine line between stringing the romantic tension along through a series and the point at which, I, as the reader, starts telling the book "oh just DO it already!". I'm a fan of sexual tension, but not teasing, even if it is consensual. I find it tedious. Fortunately by all appearances, unless Raybourn decides to yank everyone's chains, the teasing will-they-won't-they ends with this book's conclusion. What remains consistent through the whole series is Veronica's fierce intelligence and pragmatism, Stoker's somewhat vicious integrity, and the incredibly rich and amusing banter that Raybourn excels at. I don't think I've ever read any author who captures family dynamics - both good and bad - as well as she does and does it with so much wit and gravitas at the same time. This is one of those series I'd have liked to have discovered late, allowing me to binge read the adventures; as it is, I'll have to wait another year for the next adventure. A favorite quote: Tiberius' voice was sharp. "You think he might have killed himself?" "It's one of eight possibilities for his absence," I remarked. Tiberius' eyes fairly popped. "Eight?" I ticked off the prospects as I named them. "I have been thinking out the possibilities with regard to Rosamund's fate, but they will do just as well for Malcom. He might have killed himself. He might have met with an accident. He may be trapped somewhere and unable to free himself. Hie might be hiding. He might have suffered a breakdown of sorts. He might have been murdered. He might have keeled over dead of quite natural causes. He might have surprised smugglers or pirates and is being held against his will in a lair –" Tiberius made a strangled noise and Stoker shook his head. "You've over-egged the pudding with that one."
    • 5/5
      I do love Deanna Raybourn mysteries and her latest series Veronica Speedwell may even trump Lady Julia Grey.I felt this was one of the strongest of the series.Set on a small Cornish Isle with a dark mystery from the past that has brought Veronica, Stoker and his brother Tiberius together.The tension is heavy, not least between Stoker & Veronica and it has a good solid mystery at it's heart.Already looking forward to reading the next one
    • 4/5
      Veronica is inveigled by Stoker's brother, Tiberius, to accompany him on a visit to the castle of the Romilly family on a remote island in Cornwall ostensibly to collect larva of a rare butterfly species for her vivarium. However, when she arrives she learns that Tiberius had other motives for bringing her along, which likely has to do with the disappearance of Malcolm Romilly's bride, Rosamund, on their wedding day three years previously.Another solid entry in this mystery series. I continue to enjoy watching the relationship between Veronica and Stoker develop and the move to a small island for this novel makes for a nice change of pace. Recommended for fans of the series.
    • 4/5
      Lively and interesting throughout with several interesting puzzles to solve.
    • 5/5
      Synopsis: Victoria and Stoker are not getting along simply because of their inability to deal with their attraction to each other. What makes it worse is that his brother is also attracted to Victoria. Tiberius invites Veronica to visit an old friend in a castle on an island. Of course Stoker makes sure that he goes along. The friend asks his group of house guests to help him find out what happened to his bride who disappeared on her wedding day several years before. Someone in the house is either a murderer or knows what happened to the woman.Review: This was a well written story with lots of ins and outs to keep the reader guessing. Of course, once Stoker declares his love it is likely that this is the end of the series. Boo.
    • 4/5
      Stoker's older brother, Tiberius, tricks Veronica into returning to the family home with a special butterfly siting. Of course Stoker knows that something is wrong and follows him to this castle on an island. Actually, he wants them to investigate what happened to his bride on their wedding day. She disappeared or was she murdered. Lots of creepy happenings at the castle, rivalries and ghosts. Exciting ending with the brothers and Veronica left to drown before their rescue. At last, Stoker and Veronica say what needs to be said.
    • 4/5
      I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.Veronica and Stoker find themselves as houseguests on an island owned by Malcolm Romilly, whose bride Rosamund disappeared after they said their vows. Now Romilly has reunited everyone who was there that fateful day, and Veronica and Stoker must find the murderer before the murderer finds them.This was such a fun book! Veronica and Stoker are fantastic characters, who were surrounded by a strong and unique supporting cast. There were so many revelations, twists, and turns, and I loved the use of the isolated island to up the tension level. I also didn't see the solution to the mystery coming at all, which is always fun.Honestly, there wasn't anything not to like. This book just flew by, and was so much fun to read.I will definitely be needing to read the rest of this series!
    • 4/5
      I had a fabulous time with this book! I can't even tell you which book from this series is my favorite because they have all be consistently good. I think that my favorite just ends up being whichever book I am reading at the time or just finished. After finishing the previous book in the series, I was pretty eager to get started with this installment and I was not disappointed. The book grabbed me from the beginning and held me until the final page had been turned. I really enjoyed the time that I spent with this wonderful story.This book is the fourth book in the Veronica Speedwell series. While this book does focus on its own mystery, I do recommend reading this series in order since the relationships between the characters are an important part of the story and have progressed throughout the series. This book picks up shortly after the events of the previous book and quickly finds the characters dealing with a new situation.I really liked the fact that the bulk of this book takes place on a small island. There are a limited number of characters but the characters that do play a role were all really interesting and sometimes colorful characters. Most of the story occurs in a castle on the island which really made things interesting. The castle had a lot of great features such as a poison garden. I enjoyed discovering all of the things the castle had hidden right along with Veronica and Stoker.I thought that the mystery in this book was really well done and kept me guessing which is always a big plus. The mystery was very complex and I was quite impressed by how everything ended coming together. I think that Veronica and Stoker make a wonderful team when they are working together on a crime. I also really liked the developments in their relationship in this installment. There were some really great moments between these two that has left me eager to read more as soon as I can.I would highly recommend this series to others. This is a series with fantastic characters who are smart and able to solve any puzzle thrown at them. I found this to be quite the page-turner and I cannot wait to read more of this wonderful series.I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
    • 4/5
      Mystery island hides its secrets well!The dance between Stoker and Veronica Speedwell continues. Stocker is miffed with Veronica for disappearing to Madeira for six months. Stocker's brother Tiberius (Lord Templeton-Vane) calls on Veronica to persuade her to visit an old friend of his who lives on a wind torn Cornish Island. The carrot is a rare butterfly. How can Veronica resist that. Besides Stocker is being deliberately obtuse or provocative. I can't decide, and neither can Veronica.Tiberius' request is a ruse for something more sinister from the past, and it turns out, complicated. Apparently his friend Malcolm Romilly was to be married but the bride, Rosamund, went missing and to this day no-one has discovered any trace of her.The island has all the required sinister trappings that one would wish for and a village woman who has "the sight!" Veronica comes in for some foretelling that she recognizes when it's nearly too late.I love the repartee and smoldering, unsung relationship between Stocker and Veronica. And smolder it does in this story. Really the sexual tension is almost too much to bear but it does make for some wonderful scenes.I have read all of the series thus far and would say that this one is not the place to start first up.Of course I enjoyed this offering. I always do, and I wasn't let down.A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley
    • 4/5
      Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke Templeton-Vane have come to an impasse in their relationship--each realizing their feelings for the other, and each believing the other is still too grieving and damaged by past events to act on such feelings. Hence Veronica heads for Madeira with Lady Cordelia for several months while Stoker continues cataloging and restoring the taxidermied creatures of Lord Rosemorran's proposed museum. When she returns, she finds she's still not ready to return to her previous, comfortable relationship with Stoker, and she leaps at the chance to go off with Stoker's elder brother, Tiberius, a.k.a. Viscount Templeton-Vane, to visit an old friend of his and acquire larvae of the rare Romilly glasswing butterfly.While the butterflies and the offer of larvae is real, it's really just bait to get Veronica to accompany him, and to lure Stoker to follow them, thinking he's defying rather than accommodating his older brother.The real reason is that their host, Malcolm Romilly, wants to investigate the disappearance, and possible death, of his his bride, Rosamund, on their wedding day three years earlier.Malcolm wants Tiberius there. Tiberius wants Veronica and Stoker there. They are, after all, the ones who keep getting involved in quite dangerous investigations. Also present are Malcolm's sister Mertensia; Helen Romilly, widow of Malcolm and Mertensia's brother Lucian; Helen and Lucian's son Caspian; Mrs. Trengrouse the housekeeper, who started out ans the nursery maid when Malcolm and his siblings were infants; and assorted other servants.Nobody, of course, is telling the whole truth. Tiberius was in love with Rosamund, and wasn't present for the wedding because he decided he couldn't stand it and went to Russia with his hated father, who has since died. Malcolm thinks it's very likely Rosamund ran away to be with Tiberius, or perhaps tried to and drowned, trying to get off the island. Helen and Caspian had reason to fear a marriage to Rosamund would produce an heir that would cut out Caspian as heir. Both Mertensia and Mrs. Trengrouse had quarreled with Rosamund the day before the wedding, because she had plans for the castle that would have eliminated their roles there.Really, everyone had a potential motive for killing Rosamund and hiding her body. Of those present, only Veronica and the Templeton-Vane brothers couldn't have done it.That means, of course, the murderer is among them. Unless it was an accident, but then where's the body? Or perhaps it was the mermaids or the piskies...at least some of the islanders believe that's a possibility.It's a complicated mystery with not a lot to go on. Along the way, we learn interesting revelations about Stoker and Tiberius, especially Tiberius, and there are hints dropped from Lady Wellie that the next case Veronica and Stoker will tackle may be the case of Jack the Ripper.Good characters, good story. Recommended.I received a free electronic galley from the publisher via NetGalley, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
    • 4/5
      It's March 1888, and Heroine Veronica Speedwell and her business and adventure partner Revelstoke Templeton-Vane, "Stoker", are in London cataloguing the family natural history collection of the Earl of Rosemorran. Veronica had apparently come dangerously close to revealing her heart to Stoker which unsettled her greatly. They've been at this cat and mouse game for some time. But given her background, she is steadfast in her commitment to never marry - she'll be the chattel of no man. So off to Madeira she goes with friend, Lady Cordelia, the Earl's sister, in search of her precious Lampides boeticus (butterfly) to allow her heart to settle.Soon upon her return to London, Stoker's eldest brother, Lord (Tiberius) Templeton-Vane asks Veronica to accompany him to his childhood friend's castle on the isle of St. Maddern with the promise of procuring specimens of the believed to be extinct Oleria romillia (Romilly Glasswing butterfly). What Tiberius had neglected to share with her is that Lord Malcolm Romilly had requested Tiberius' attendance at the family's island estate to help solve the mystery of his beloved's disappearance on their wedding day, three year's prior. Of course Stoker shows up uninvited but that turns out to be for the best as they unravel the whereabouts of Lady Romilly. Did she get cold feet and leave the island without notice? Was there foul play involved? If murdered, where's the body?There's a lot more to this story than I should let on. So, I'll stop right here. I adore this heroine and her independence, fearlessness, and love of adventure. The writing is delicious and the clever cheeky banter between Veronica, Stoker and Tiberius is brilliant. Don't be fooled (as I initially was) by the charming and mystical artwork on the cover of the Veronica Speedwell mystery series. It is not young adult fiction. It is an historical fiction mystery series with a touch of romance, innuendo and is definitely fodder for the adult mind.Even though this book is fourth in series, it can easily stand alone. But as good as it is, you'll probably want to read them all. I certainly will be catching up on the earlier installments of this fun series.I am grateful to publisher Berkely and Netgalley for having provided a free uncorrected proof e-book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.Synopsis (from author's website):Lured by the promise of a rare and elusive butterfly, the intrepid Veronica Speedwell is persuaded by Lord Templeton-Vane, the brother of her colleague Stoker, to pose as his fiancée at a house party on a Cornish isle owned by his oldest friend, Malcolm Romilly.But Veronica soon learns that one question hangs over the party: What happened to Rosamund? Three years ago, Malcolm Romilly's bride vanished on their wedding day, and no trace of her has ever been found. Now those who were closest to her have gathered, each a possible suspect in her disappearance.From the poison garden kept by Malcolm's sister to the high towers of the family castle, the island's atmosphere is full of shadows, and danger lurks around every corner.Determined to discover Rosamund's fate, Veronica and Stoker match wits with a murderer who has already struck once and will not hesitate to kill again....
    • 4/5
      Another rollicking good time spent with Veronica and Stoker! This series is so much fun! Comes out in March.