Death by design!

An Unexpected Peril (Veronica Speedwell #6) by Deanna Raybourn 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lepidopterist, Veronica Speedwell is dealing with issues of commitment. Her relationship with Stoker (the Honorable Revelstoke Templeton-Vane) has undergone change. Although blissful it has her deeply worried. She’s dreading he might want the full thing. Marriage is too much like being strangled for her. Not that Stoker has suggested this. However Veronica is full on into panic mode. Just as well that their newly embarked on physical relationship is wonderful. Veronica’s emotions impact their interactions to the extent that Veronica appears petulant to the point of churlishness—most un Veronica!

However the two suddenly find themselves in the midst of a political landmine. Veronica has been asked to put together an exhibition as a tribute to a female mountaineer from the tiny kingdom of Alpenwal who tragically died in a fall. Having previously met the intrepid climber Alice Baker-Greene, Veronica was honored to do this. Amazingly it seems Veronica eerily resembles the hereditary Princess, Her Serene Highness, Gisela Frederica Victoria Helena, ruler of Alpenwal, which later becomes a huge problem. Meanwhile after inspecting some of the items for the exhibition, Stoker and Veronica are convinced Baker-Greene was murdered. However after disclosing this to the princess she disappears, something she apparently does this from time to time, and her entourage ask Veronica to masquerade as Gisela. This could become complicated politically as Veronica is secretly the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Wales. However she’s assured that this would only be for a short period. Of course things don’t go according to plan. 

A different type of case, a different dynamic between Stocker and Veronica, and  a rather special moment for Veronica despite all the twisted happenings. The resolution of the mystery was a huge surprise to me.

Another fabulous read about this duo, that I so adore.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley