ARC Review: A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn

A Grave Robbery
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Series: Veronica Speedwell (Book 9)
Publication: Berkley (March 12, 2024)

Description: Veronica and Stoker discover that not all fairy tales have happy endings, and some end in murder, in this latest historical mystery from New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

Lord Rosemorran has purchased a wax figure of a beautiful reclining woman and asks Stoker to incorporate a clockwork mechanism to give the Rosemorran Collection its own Sleeping Beauty in the style of Madame Tussaud’s. But when Stoker goes to cut the mannequin open to insert the mechanism, he makes a gruesome discovery: this is no wax figure. The mannequin is the beautifully preserved body of a young woman who was once very much alive. But who would do such a dreadful thing, and why?

Sleuthing out the answer to this question sets Veronica and Stoker on their wildest adventure yet. From the underground laboratories of scientists experimenting with electricity to resurrect the dead in the vein of Frankenstein to the traveling show where Stoker once toured as an attraction, the gaslit atmosphere of London in October is the perfect setting for this investigation into the unknown. Through it all, the intrepid pair is always one step behind the latest villain—a man who has killed once and will stop at nothing to recover the body of the woman he loved. Will they unmask him in time to save his next victim? Or will they become the latest figures to be immortalized in his collection of horrors?

My Thoughts: In this ninth historical mystery starring Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke Templeton-Baine the mystery comes to them in the form of a waxwork - an Anatomical Venus - purchased by Lord Rosemorran for his young daughter Lady Rose who wants Stoker to turn her into a clockwork waxwork.

Both Veronica and Stoker are fascinated by the waxwork, but secrets of a sinister nature are uncovered when Stoker opens to chest to make room for the device which it make it look like she's breathing. They find a perfectly preserved human body instead of a waxwork. Determined to find out who she was and who managed to preserve her in a way unknown to them. Stoker and Veronica begin a quest through the scientific underground of London.

Assisted by their friends journalist J. J. Butterworth and Metropolitan police officer Mornaday who have assisted on others of their investigations, they discover a shady undertaker's parlor and scientists who let their quest to bring the dead back to life overwhelm their lives. 

This was another exciting adventure for the crime-solving duo which, naturally, puts Veronica in danger from a particularly nasty villain. I love the Victorian setting. Veronica's modern and unfiltered opinions often put the more conservative Stoker to the blush which is particularly amusing since his visage is that of a pirate. 

I like that the author builds her plot around real things. Underground railroads to carry coffins and mourners to the cemetery and Anatomical Venuses really existed. And the Victorian interest in galvanism and other experiments with electricity was also real. 

All in all, this is a very engaging series especially as it is told from Veronica's journals which give us insight into her mind and her opinions. 

Favorite Quote:

No matter what he wore, he resembled a privateer who might have graced the court of Gloriana herself. It was a sight to thrill the heart of any susceptible maiden -- and a good many other of her parts as well. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.