Deanna Raybourn’s A Grave Robbery is the ninth book in the Veronica Speedwell series, but I fear it may be the last I read. While this series has interesting characters and strong personalities directing the plot, it seems to lack the depth and complexities of everyday life that I enjoy seeing in these historical fiction books.

The plot in A Grave Robbery feels empty, not due to a lack of interesting scenes, but because the murder mystery feels lacklustre in the grand scheme of the story world. With so little murder in this mystery, it feels inconsequential to centre the story around such a plot. Perhaps that’s putting it a little harshly, the plot doesn’t do much for the depths and possibilities of the story world. What little engagement there was, by my tastes, was quickly spoiled by the narrative style and constant pulling out of the story. These novels are in past tense, but more so, they are “written” after the day’s events, as is noted in this novel between the main characters. That passage alone felt out of place, not to mention the breaking of the fourth wall with the meta-commentary about what is in the notes for the books.

Unfortunately, and again, let me state that this is purely my opinion of this book and the series, the characters aren’t nearly compelling enough to withstand the hollow plot and report-style narrative perspective. I need to feel the emotions of the characters. I need to get immersed in the plot, the frantic search for answers and the pressure to seek justice. I need to feel a tug at my heartstrings when the plans go awry, characters are injured, and the villains may very well escape. There has to be an emotional investment on my part to enjoy a historical fiction murder mystery, and I don’t feel that from A Grave Robbery or the Veronica Speedwell series as a whole.

I don’t want my review to put you off reading A Grave Robbery or the Veronica Speedwell series. I want you to make your own opinions about the series, the characters and the elements of the writing and story world. There are some great details within this series and the description across the board is fun and colourful. It leans into a more adult humour at times, which can be entertaining. There is also a treading of the line concerning what is deemed socially acceptable – a topic teased out in scenes for the same lighthearted amusement.

The Veronica Speedwell series is a historical fiction mystery series I will be saying goodbye to now for I find myself bored with each new release. It doesn’t grab my attention the same was A Curious Beginning did. Compared to other such series, I find myself forgetting the plot to many of the novels and that is as much an indicator as many that this series isn’t for me.