Deanna Raybourn Books Novels & Stories

After checking the usual spots, it looks like the next Veronica Speedwell installment is slated for this fall. The title's supposed to be 'A Sinister Revenge', which picks up after the last book's rather intense ending with Stoker and his brother. Raybourn’s website and her publisher’s page have it listed for a late September release, with the audiobook narrated by Angele Masters coming out the same day, which is a relief—I can’t imagine switching narrators at this point. Pre-orders are up at the major retailers.

Honestly, the release pace for this series has been incredibly steady, almost like clockwork every year. It's a comfort, really, knowing there's a new historical mystery adventure with those two to look forward to. The snippets suggest we're delving deeper into Stoker’s family secrets, which always brings out his brooding best. I’m just hoping for more of their sharp banter; that’s half the charm for me. I’ve already got my library hold placed, though the waitlist is predictably long.

Deanna Raybourn has this incredible knack for blending mystery with historical vibes, and her books are like time machines. Her first novel, 'Silent in the Grave', dropped in 2007 and introduced us to Lady Julia Grey—total Victorian-era sleuth goals. Then came 'Silent in the Sanctuary' (2008) and 'Silent on the Moor' (2009), rounding out the trilogy. After that, she pivoted to standalone novels like 'The Dead Travel Fast' (2010), a Gothic romp through Transylvania, and 'Dark Road to Darjeeling' (2010), which actually brought back Lady Julia for a fourth adventure.

Her Veronica Speedwell series kicked off in 2015 with 'A Curious Beginning', featuring a lepidopterist-turned-detective in 1887 London—so much witty banter and intrigue! The series has since grown with titles like 'A Perilous Undertaking' (2017) and 'An Unexpected Peril' (2021). She also wrote 'Killers of a Certain Age' (2022), a modern twist about retired assassins, proving her range is wild. If you love historical depth with a side of sass, her bibliography is a treasure trove.

I often see this question pop up in reader groups. If you're new to her work, I'd suggest starting with the first Veronica Speedwell mystery, 'A Curious Beginning'. It throws you right into the world of a fiercely independent lepidopterist in Victorian London who finds her life upended after her last relative dies. The dynamic between Veronica and the brooding natural historian Stoker is electric from the get-go—full of witty banter, reluctant partnership, and a slow-burn tension that really anchors the series. The plot is a fun mix of historical detail and adventurous mystery, but it’s the character voices that make it such a memorable entry point. You get a complete story while the groundwork is laid for their longer personal arcs.

Her stand-alone novel 'The Dark Enquiry' is another solid starting point, though it’s technically later in the Lady Julia Grey series. I mention it because it showcases her ability to write a complex, Gothic-tinged mystery within a single volume, featuring a married couple who investigate together. It gives you a feel for her richer, more atmospheric historical settings without the commitment of reading several books in order. That said, the chronological start of the Lady Julia series, 'Silent in the Grave', is wonderful if you’re in the mood for a slower, more atmospheric burn with a pronounced Gothic romance influence. The pacing is deliberate as it builds Julia’s world, so it depends on whether you want immediate action or a moodier immersion. Either way, you're getting a signature blend of sharp dialogue and intricate puzzles set against vividly drawn historical backdrops.