Red-Haired Ash Reads

Veronica and Stoker’s newest mystery involves a wax figure purchased by Lord Rosemorran for his daughter. He requests Stoker to incorporate a clockwork mechanism to give the Rosemorran Collection its own Sleeping Beauty in the style of Madame Tussaud’s, but Stoker quickly discovers that this is no wax figure but a beautifully preserved body of a young woman. Now Veronica and Stoker have to figure out who this young woman is and what happened to her. 

As someone who is interested in medical history, I found this mystery very interesting because I have seen images of anatomical venuses and thought the premise of this mystery was great. From the beginning, I was hooked on the mystery of this perfectly preserved woman and the investigation that followed. This investigation had a very Frankenstein vibe with underground laboratories with scientists experimenting with electricity to resurrect the dead, which personally just made it even more enjoyable for me. Another bonus with this investigation, J.J. and Mornaday actually participate.

“…I want you—in all your intrepid and audacious glory. I want you just as you are, the entirety of your chaos and your wildness. You are the whirlwind I did not know I needed, but now that you are here, I will not be the one to ask you to be anything different than exactly as you are.”

My favorite aspect of this book was that we are finally seeing Stoker and Veronica as a couple and they solved the case together, which was my issue with the previous book. I adored seeing these two finally as a couple and solving mysteries together again. These two know each other so well and I just love the interactions between them and how they know what the other will do before they even say anything. It was just such a wonderful adventure and I really loved seeing Stoker let Veronica do dangerous things even though he hated it. He really understands her and accepts her for who she is. 

Overall, this was a wonderful mystery and a great continuation of Veronica and Stoker’s story. I can’t wait to read their next adventure. 

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

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Previous books and reviews for the series:

1. A Curious Beginning
2. A Perilous Undertaking 
3. A Treacherous Curse
4. A Dangerous Collaboration
5. A Murderous Relation
6. A Unexpected Peril
7. An Impossible Imposter
8. A Sinister Revenge