Title:	A Perilous Undertaking (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery)
	Author:	Deanna Raybourne
	Published:	January 10, 2017, Berkley
	No. of Pages:	352
	Cover Price:	$26.00 Hardcover, $12.99 Kindle,

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A Perilous Undertaking is the second installment in the Veronica Speedwell Mystery series. The books are set in the late 1800s, and involve some extremely unique characters: Veronica Speedwell is an independent, brazen, adventuress as well as a butterfly hunter. Her partner and friend, Stoker, who is a natural historian is a part of the English aristocracy, but shuns it. When Veronica is invited to visit the Curiosity Club, a ladies only establishment, she is met by a woman who turns out to be one of the daughters of the Queen and is asked by her to find the murderer of Artemesia, an artist and mistress to several, because the man who has been accused, Miles Ramsforth, is innocent and is scheduled to be executed the next week.

Veronica gets her partner, Stoker, involved, and together they follow the clues to find who really murdered Artemesia. This novel takes readers into a new realm involving the art in early England mixed with royalty and the mores of the time. It seems Raybourne has done her research – at least things are believable – and the book is a fascinating read.

Veronica Speedwell is one of the most distinctive and interesting characters in the genre, and makes the book hard to put down. Her methods of detecting are a bit peculiar, but her conclusions come out right in the end. As the story goes on, the suspense builds, and there is danger for not only Veronica and Stoker, but other characters.

Much of the storyline involves adult situations – nothing graphic, but plenty of innuendo, so the book is probably not suitable for young adults; however, there is no graphic violence or language.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.