Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

I read A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn for week 47, a past suggestion that didn't win. I chose "a title with an adjective." This is the first in the series "Veronica Speedwell." At first the main character grated on my nerves because she seemed just "too plucky." But she grew on me and I enjoyed the story, especially her relationship with Stoker, a fellow curmudgeonly traveler on Veronica's adventures. 3.5 stars

Goodreads summary:
London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.

But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker—a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant, wary partners in search of the villainous truth.

Sarah wrote: "Kathy wrote: "I read A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn for week 47, a past suggestion that didn't win. I chose "a title with an adjective." This is the first in the series "Ver..."

Sarah, I'll definitely continue with the series. Also, I have the first Julia Grey book, Silent in the Grave on my list for this challenge also.

If anyone is still reading this series, Deanna Raybourn is doing a book tour this month (spring 2019). I'll be going next week to get the fourth book, A Dangerous Collaboration signed.