Book Review: A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn

Posted March 7, 2023 by WendyW in Book Review, bookblogger / 31 Comments

A Sinister Revenge
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

Series: Veronica Speedwell #8
by Deanna Raybourn
Publication Date March 7, 2023
Published by Penguin
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Genres: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Historical, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Reading Challenges: Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2023

***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***


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.


A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn is the eighth book in her popular Veronica Speedwell series, this can be read as a standalone.  However, reading the series in order will give a better character background that would increase your enjoyment of the story. 

Story Recap:

Veronica must help her friend, Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, find a murderer before he becomes the target.  Tiberius is the brother of Veronica’s partner, Stoker.  But before she investigates the murder, she must find her partner, Stoker, who has been working in Bavaria since their romantic relationship came to an impasse.  

Tiberius invites all remaining members of his old group of friends, The Seven Sinners to his home, to try and flush out the murder.  Veronica and Stoker are on hand to aid the investigation.  Someone is trying to kill off the members of the Seven Sinners and they need to find out who it is before Tiberius becomes one of the victims. 

My Thoughts: 

I always enjoy going back into Veronica’s world, and Sinister Revenge is no exception.  I missed Veronica’s and Stoker’s interactions at the beginning of the book as they weren’t speaking to each other much, but that was rectified later in the book, as we got back to their delightful banter.  

I loved seeing Tiberius again, and I like that he knows exactly how to push his brother’s buttons!  The three of them together make for some terrific banter and humor. 

The mystery was interesting, and I didn’t figure it out until Veronica did.  I enjoyed getting to know more of Stoker’s family too.  

Recommendation: 

I highly recommend A Sinister Revenge to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.  I received a complimentary copy of this book.  The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About Deanna Raybourn

New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn is a 6th-generation Texan with a degree in English and history from UTSA. Her novels have been nominated for numerous awards including the Edgar, RT Reviewers’ Choice, the Agatha, two Dilys Winns, and the Last Laugh. She launched a Victorian mystery series featuring intrepid butterfly-hunter Veronica Speedwell in 2015. This Edgar-nominated series is ongoing. Her first contemporary thriller, KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, chronicles the adventures of four female assassins who must band together against the organization that would rather see them dead than let them retire.

Book Challenges:

A Sinister Revenge counts towards my Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2023.

Have you read A Sinister Revenge? Or any books in the Veronica Speedwell series?

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2023

31 responses to “Book Review: A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn

  1. This was such a good read! I do love the interaction between the brothers – I think it was my favorite part of this book!

  2. This sounds like a fun series, Wendy. I have not read any in this series, but have read and enjoyed others by Deanna Raybourn. I may try it one of these days.

  3. Great review. I’m glad you enjoyed it too! I’m posting my review tomorrow bc I have 3 arcs and TTT… too much for one day~ haha. I was really glad to see Tiberius back!! I did miss a lot of the Veronica and Stoker banter to but I get it. I did think the mystery wasn’t as dangerous/thrilling as past books. It was really enjoyable though!

  4. I think I would enjoy this series. How many books are in it so far? Now, to just find the time. Excellent review!

  5. The cover is really beautiful! 😍 I love a good murder mystery so this book sounds really good to me. I think I’d love to jump into this series sometime. I’ll have to check out the other books. Thanks for sharing, Wendy!

  6. Janette

    I’m glad that the series continues to be good although I have a few books to read before I reach this one.

  7. I need to start this series as I too have this book but haven’t read any previous books. I might start next month and read one of the series every month. I hope I can find someone to buddy read with. Amazing review!