I enjoy some of the trappings of the steampunk world -- Victorian style with a fair amount of science and adventure -- so I had great hopes for A CURIOUS BEGINNING. Indeed, Deanna Raybourn starts the story of Veronica Speedwell, butterfly collector, with a bang. On the day of her aunt's burial, Veronica's home is ransacked and she herself is attacked. A mysterious stranger comes to her rescue, and thus begins a fascinating and dangerous journey to discover the truth of her origins.

Veronica's partner through most of this rollicking mystery is Stoker, a natural historian and reluctant protector. He has enough troubles of his own without Veronica bringing him more. Still, he's intrigued by her connection to his mentor and by her own strength and courage.

The trouble with A CURIOUS BEGINNING is that for all Veronica's world-traveling experience, her bluster and the aforementioned courage, she is stupidly naïve -- or perhaps just plain stupid -- when confronted with evidence that her life is in danger. The plot seems to be driven by one idiotic decision after another, which is sad, because the mystery at the heart of the book is fairly well set up. Having her blissfully ignore the fact that someone is trying to kidnap her, or worse, cheapens the whole story.

I feel like the characters of Veronica, with her notions of free love, and Stoker, decorated with tattoos and an eye patch, will appeal to many fans of the steampunk genre. If you enjoy steampunk stories, the Victorian period, a decent mystery -- and you don't mind a heroine making dumb decisions -- you will likely enjoy A CURIOUS BEGINNING, the first in a series of Veronica Speedwell mysteries.

Book Summary

In her thrilling new series, Deanna Raybourn, the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries, returns once more to Victorian England...and introduces intrepid adventuress Veronica Speedwell.

London, 1887. After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.

But fate has other plans when Veronica thwarts her own attempted abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron, who offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. But before the baron can reveal what he knows of the plot against her, he is found murdered—leaving Veronica and Stoker on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth.

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