This is a Victorian cozy mystery with modern characters, language and, mostly, sensibilities. It goes quite well on a shelf with Amelia Peabody, Kathryn Ardleigh, Charlotte Pitt, and others in that vein. I love that genre (Victorian cozy mysteries with plucky modern heroines?). I don't think many would argue that a big pot of Earl Grey tea, a wet and wintry afternoon and a fully charged kindle loaded with modern Victorian mysteries is a guaranteed recipe for bliss.
Other reviewers have done a stellar job of summarizing the plot. I'll just add that the pacing is well done and though the book is relatively long, at 352 pages, it doesn't drag. The story is cleverly written and even though the dialogue is fairly snarky in places, I didn't feel tempted to roll my eyes much at all.
I like that Veronica is a lepidopterist and naturalist. I also enjoyed the romantic tension between her and her colleague Stoker. Even though it seems inevitable that they will wind up together, I hope Ms. Raybourn delays the inevitable as long as possible. The book is well written and the scene descriptions are wrought with care and technical expertise.
The cover art for this series is beautiful and intricate.
Four stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
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