Would probably rather do a 2 and a half. The author’s misogyny was grating. She has no respect for the women of the time and how they lived their lives. She excoriates them for doing household accounts or being wives and mothers, then constantly has her character cook and clean for the token male. Liked the references to Natural history ( )

*3.5 ( )

Fun, feminist, but sometimes felt like it was trying to hard on the Victorian vocabulary ( )

This is the first in a historical fiction series set in Victorian London and featuring Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke “Stoker” Templeton-Vane. Victoria is a lepidopterist with an extensive knowledge of butterflies, and Stoker is a taxidermist for large animals. They meet improbably after a mysterious German baron who claims to have known Victoria’s mother takes her to seek sanctuary with this friend Stoker; the baron claims someone is trying to kill Victoria and she is in danger.

Before the baron can offer a full explanation, he is murdered, and Victoria throws her lot in with the handsome, curmudgeonly Stoker as they try to ascertain who killed the baron and who wants Victoria dead and why.

Victoria and Stoker embark on a series of adventures and misadventures, all the while not only battling villains but their growing attraction to one another.

Evaluation: I like some aspects of this book, although I find Veronica to be a bit annoying. Her confidence seems more like arrogance, and her aggressive sexuality with no inhibitions or discretion seems a little unlikely for Victorian England. Moreover, I find it hard to fathom that when she is obnoxious and stubborn, this just makes her all the more irresistible to Stoker. Nevertheless, the historical touches are of interest, and the pacing works well. ( )

3.5 stars ( )