Review: A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn

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Title: A Sinister Revenge

Author: Deanna Raybourn

Publisher: Berkley Books

Published: March 7, 2023

Pages: 336

Format: e-arc, via Netgalley

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Goodreads Blurb

“Veronica must find and stop a devious killer when a group of old friends is targeted for death in this new adventure from the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

Veronica’s natural-historian beau, Stoker, has been away in Bavaria for months and their relationship is at an impasse. But when Veronica shows up before him with his brother, Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, he is lured back home by an intriguing job offer: preparing an iguanodon for a very special dinner party.

Tiberius has received a cryptic message—along with the obituaries of two recently deceased members of his old group of friends, the Seven Sinners—that he too should get his affairs in order. Realizing he is in grave danger but not knowing why, he plans a reunion party for the remaining Sinners at his family estate to lure the killer out while Veronica and Stoker investigate.

As the guests arrive and settle in, the evening’s events turn deadly. More clues come to light, leading Veronica, Stoker, and Tiberius to uncover a shared past among the Sinners that has led to the fatal present. But the truth might be far more sinister than what they were prepared for.”

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My Review

I was shocked when I was approved for this ARC. Thank you so much to Berkley for an e-arc!! I also want to thank Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Veronica Speedwell series. I’ve read books 2-8 in the last two months and I have really enjoyed them. Veronica and Stoker are such a fun duo and they are why I keep going. The mysteries and adventures are also a great aspect of the series but in this book, it was a little calmer than normal. I don’t think it was as intense and dangerous as they normally are.

With that being said, I think that the growth with Veronica was done well. She has to face a lot of her past in the previous book, An Impossible Imposter, and it was not easy. She’s not on the best terms with Stoker for most of this book. I think it was smart of Stoker to make her think and face what their relationship means to her.

I loved seeing Tiberius make a comeback in this one! He is such a breath of fresh air and the banter is great. I do think I missed some of the normal banter in the second half of the book. I love that he and Stoker are starting to get along and treat each other like family. These characters have come a long way. It’s really hard to do an in-depth review of the 8th book in a series without spoilers.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Veronica and Stoker! This installment was less intense and thrilling than some of her previous books. I loved having Tiberius back and I think Veronica had a lot of important growth. J.J. was also a great addition and I’m glad to see that Veronica might be opening up to others more. I can’t wait for the next adventure! Excelsior!