This installment of the Veronica Speedwell series finds our main characters, Veronica and Stoker, safely back in London hard at work at their day job. 

Unfortunately (or fortunately), their benefactor’s latest acquisition is not entirely what it seems. The discovery of a perfectly preserved dead woman starts another Speedwell adventure. 

As Veronica and Stoker investigate they discover mad scientists, sibling betrayal, rescue a victim of domestic violence, reunite with old and make new friends, survive attacks and explosions, and (if a bit reluctantly at first) accept help. 

As a romance fan, I found this look at Veronica and Stoker’s relationship extremely satisfying. There are multiple, if brief, wildly romantic moments. Veronica and Stoker’s mutual respect and love is evident in every conversation. Their commitment leaps off the page. While there isn’t a wild gesture like book 4, the love story is crucial to the rest. 

Loved this.