A Curious Beginning
Veronica Speedwell
Lepidopterist Veronica Speedwell is rescued from a would-be abductor and stashed with a brilliant, prickly naturalist. Banter and a murder investigation follow; the couple resolves later in the series.
At a glance
- Genre
- Historical
- Trope
- Opposites Attract
- Heat
- Mild
- Published
- 2015
- Length
- 368 pages
Reading Options
A Curious Beginning
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- When intrepid lepidopterist Veronica Speedwell is rescued from an abduction, she finds herself entangled in a murder investigation alongside a prickly naturalist.
- Historical mystery lovers
- Fans of banter-heavy romantic suspense
- Curious
- Features Opposites Attract
This may not be ideal if…
- Readers seeking instant romantic gratification
- Readers looking for high-heat content
- Slow romantic progression may deter some readers
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Historical Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Equal, based on intellectual rivalry and mutual professional competence.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate tension, moderate humor.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: Adult historical fiction and romance readers.
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Veronica Speedwell has spent her life defying societal expectations, but a sudden kidnapping attempt forces her to seek shelter. She is hidden away with a brilliant but deeply curmudgeonly naturalist. Their forced proximity leads to snappy dialogue and a dangerous murder mystery that tests their compatibility and patience.
Central Conflict
The protagonists must navigate their clashing personalities and forced proximity while attempting to solve a murder case.
Setting
Victorian England
Strengths
- Strong character contrast
- Witty banter
- Well-defined setting
Consider before reading
- Slow romantic progression may deter some readers
- Murder plot may overshadow the romance
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Deanna Raybourn
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Berkley
- Published
- 2015
- Length
- 368 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9780451476029
- ISBN-10
- 0451476026
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inReading Options
A Curious Beginning
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
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