The usual fun. Some well-done character development, Veronica just can't completely open up to Stoker and he is frustrated. They get caught up helping Stoker's older brother unravel what appear to be murders from his group of friends 'the seven sinners' from long ago Grand Tour days. This too leads to some changes in the relationship between the brothers. I did figure out fairly early on who dunnit, but I didn't really care, the characters are where all the real fun is. The narrator is perfect. **** ( )

This book was much more satisfying than the last installment, especially when it came to the ending. I did miss the easy, witty repartee that I associated with Veronica and Stoker in earlier books. Still, I'm left with the hope that in future books (provided that there are more to come), their romantic entanglement will cement into something more permanent. Perhaps not marriage, but I wouldn't mind seeing it. I'd especially like to see the two of them becoming parents, mainly because they would both try to give their own child(ren) a happy childhood to make up for the shortcomings of their own parents. I doubt that will happen, but one can dream, right? ( )

A good entry in this quite interesting series. Some sordid past history for Stoker's older brother causes him to receive, among others, a death threat. His Lordship hosts a reunion for all the suspects, still alive, at his country estate. Another death occurs which requires the Veronica/Stoker team to rejoin to resolve. ( )

Veronica and Stoker seem to be hitting a rough patch in their relationship but when Stoker’s older brother, Tiberius, approaches Veronica with a threatening letter against his life they go in search of Stoker for help. They return to Tiberius’ estate and plan a house party inviting the other members from his school days who have received letters to flush out the sender. It’s typical Veronica and Stoker with his great expressions of everything holy when she does something he considers exasperating. Younger brother Merriwell along with Veronica’s new friend JJ Butterworth help out. ( )

Oh, how installment #7 in this delightful series had left us all on a cliff fearing the future of the Veronica/Stoker detecting duo. Much of that chill carries into this 8th story. However, their shared concern for Stoker's older brother, Tiberius, forces them to work toward shared ends, even if not side by side. Circling in each others orbit does bring us the delightful dialogue we have come to enjoy from these two. But only time will tell whether the egocentric bruising can be overcome and our duo reunited and working as one.

Veronica and Tiberius have been off on a chaste travel adventure together. Suddenly, Tiberius announces that he must see his brother, Stoker, who is off in the Bavarian hinterlands in search of his precious wolpertinger specimen. As it turns out, a couple of Tiberius' school chums have met their end and Tiberius has received a cryptic note with the clippings regarding the deaths, suggesting that he should get his affairs in order. Tiberius decides to hold a country affair at the Templeton-Vane estate and invites the surviving school chums who may also be targeted. Knowing well that he'll need the assistance of both Veronica and Stoker to ferret out the perpetrator, he entices Stoker with a pet project which Stoker just cannot refuse. But will our chilled duo catch the perpetrator in time? You, dear reader, must discover this for yourself.

There's so much more to this story. Yet, I shan't go any further. I adore this heroine and her independence, fearlessness, and love of adventure. The writing is delicious and the clever cheeky banter between Veronica and Stoker 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 eighth in series, it can easily stand alone. But as good as it is, you'll probably want to read them all. ( )