A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica and Stoker are practically dying for a new adventure but when their wish is granted, they find themselves up against a secret society and a darkly seductive duo.

When the corpse of an entitled young man is found entirely drained of blood in a carriage next to Highgate Cemetery, Veronica’s interest is piqued. And then a second victim is found, his death made to look like a suicide, and Veronica and her intrepid beau, Stoker, know the hunt is on. The two men share one link: they were both members of a society so secretive that only a singular mention of it can be found anywhere.

Thirsty for more clues, Veronica and Stoker hear that a young Roma boy may know more about their first victim, but the only way to the boy is through an old acquaintance of Stoker’s, Lady Julia Brisbane. Lady Julia and her dashing husband, Nicholas, occasionally track down murderers and are only too happy to help. But as it becomes clear the secret society is a dangerous sect looking to entice immortality seekers, Veronica and Stoker find themselves ensnared by a decidedly more sinister couple.

The professed leader of the society claims to be a creature of the night; his partner practices witchcraft and they both fancy themselves emissaries of the otherworldly. Just as Veronica and Stoker get closer to learning the true purpose of the society and unraveling this macabre mystery, another body turns up, and they quickly discover they’ve gone from being the hunters to the hunted. . . .

Kindle Edition, 330 pages

Published March 3, 2026 

by Berkley

3.5/5 stars

Deanna Raybourn is back with another installment into the adventures of Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke Templeton-Vane (aka Stoker), it felt a bit like catching up with old friends. A Ghastly Catastrophe marks the 10th installment in this series, Veronica and Stoker remain one of my all-time favorite fictional couples. 

This time around, Veronica and Stoker are drawn into a particularly strange case that begins with a suspicious death near Highgate Cemetery. As they begin digging for answers, the trail leads them toward a secretive society with some very unusual beliefs. The deeper they look, the clearer it becomes that this mystery is far more complicated and of course dangerous than it first appeared.  

  

It had a unique plot,  a tad slow on the uptake but once the action started it was a captivating read.  The appearance of Lady Julia Brisbane and her husband Nicholas, characters longtime Raybourn readers will recognize, was a great addition. Their involvement added an extra layer of fun to the story and created some entertaining dynamics as the two investigative couples cross paths. Would be great to see them again.

Even ten books into the series, Raybourn still manages to keep Veronica and Stoker’s adventures feeling fresh. The mystery leans toward the macabre and occasionally borders on the theatrical, but Veronica’s sharp narration, Stoker’s steadfast presence and their clever banter continue to keep me entertained...and guessing.

My thanks to Berkley for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Spotlight: The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble

The Sisters of Book Row

by Shelley Noble

 

A thrilling and timely historical novel of books, banning, and the women who helped save New York’s famed Book Row, from bestselling author Shelley Noble.

1915: Manhattan’s Book Row, an eclectic jumble of forty bookshops along Fourth Avenue, is the mecca for rare book buyers from around the world, and the haunt of locals looking for a bargain. It is also the target of the most vicious censor in American history—Anthony Comstock.

And home to three sisters who vow to stop him.

For the three Applebaum sisters, the narrow, four-storied Arcadia Rare Bookshop is the only home they’ve ever known. Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, oversees the retail shop and is a favorite with their customers. Celia, the youngest, is left to dust and catalogue, but often sneaks out to do heaven knows what. Little do her sisters know, Celia has joined a group of young people who secretly print and distribute articles on women’s health by hiding them within the pages of ordinary cookbooks, household hints, and sewing patterns, despite the personal risk.

Meanwhile, the Comstock Laws threaten anybody who owns or circulates “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” publications. Even classic literature or fine art could send a person to jail. In the face of such oppression, Celia and the booksellers of Book Row band together. But secrets and a mysterious stranger mean the fate of the famed Book Row is anything but secure.

Paperback, 384 pages 

Publication March 3, 2026 

by William Morrow Paperbacks