Reviews with content warning for Murder - A Curious Beginning

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

29 reviews

_marycappiello3's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

sophiab27's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

gemin1reader's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous

I really enjoyed this. An adventurous Victorian mystery with the faintest hint of romance featuring a very charming FMC.

Ever so slightly ridiculous plot but a lot of fun to read!

Content Warnings

bessadams's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

yourbookishbff's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was such a fun series start and a delight on audio (narrator: Angele Masters). I've always assumed the Veronica Speedwell series would feel tonally similar to Lady Sherlock, and I'm so happy to be incorrect, because these series feel so distinctly different that I now won't hesitate to dive into this one (I'll admit Lady Sherlock occupies an exclusive corner of my heart). Told in first-person by our female main character, Veronica, this is lighthearted, witty and adventurous. The twists in this one are predictable but still fun, and I'm excited to continue the series!

Content Warnings

emilywemily6's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! If you like witty banter, a clever FMC who strays from the stereotypical, and a historical mystery, this book is for you. I found that I really liked the writing style and was sucked in to these characters. The only thing I didn’t like was the pacing of this book, which made many of the dramatic moments in the book feel inconsequential. I guess I expected more drama in the writing considering how much their lives were threatened, but we breezed through a lot of perilous scenes. I adore Veronica and found her relatable yet refreshingly distinct, and while she would be considered an odd duck in this time period it felt like her characterization fit in with the story and felt realistic. Though she was overly stubborn when Stoker thought she was connected to the murder (which she was!). I loved the direction this book went and I definitely did not see the major plot line going the direction it went, which was so fun to read. I’m looking forward to reading the next one!

Content Warnings

jhbandcats's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I am in a distinct minority in that I was not bowled over by this book. It’s a feather-light trifle, fairly bloodless, without much tension.

The two main characters are fun, both outsiders in Victorian society. I enjoyed them a lot but the plot was so-so. Veronica, the heroine, is noted for her cleverness but she seems astonishingly dense for about the first half of the book. I *never* can figure out mysteries but even I knew what was happening from almost the beginning - though the circus was a surprise.

I’m not intrigued enough to read the next eight in the series. It just felt like the author was trying too hard. I don’t know how to explain it better. I read her Killers of a Certain Age and thought it was delightful. This was merely okay.

Content Warnings