An Impossible Impostor: A Veronica Speedwell Mystery, Book 7

FINAL DECISION: This was a challenging book to read because the expectations I had were disturbed. I enjoyed that the author refuses to fall into an expected template of what these books should be. Readers might be disturbed from their comfortable expectations, but that makes the series more exciting to me.THE STORY: Veronica Speedwell and her lover/partner Stoker are asked by Sir Hugo, head of the Special Branch, to investigate whether a long-lost relative of his goddaughter is a fraud. Jonathan Hathaway was believed dead after the eruption of Krakatoa. Sir Hugo has come to Veronica and Stoker because she knew Jonathan so he hopes that she will know whether the newly reappeared Jonathan is an imposter or not. Complicating the matter is that the man has no memory of his identity and has been injured, but meets the description of Jonathan. Veronica and Stoker go to the family estate to confront the possible imposter, but she also has to confront secrets from her past.OPINION: This is a difficult book to review without giving spoilers because all the significant parts of the book depend upon the information that is revealed during the book. Because of this, I decided to just write a list of what I loved about this book:*Veronica is personally challenged in this book as never depicted before.*A new villain is born.*This mystery has plenty of drama and twists and turns.*Stoker and Veronica have some great relationship moments here -- not all of them are good.*I was surprised as my opinions of different characters changed and evolved throughout the book. The complexity of the characters in this book was well done.*This book bothered me in many ways which I enjoyed as the author is challenging the readers' expectations.WORTH MENTIONING: Upon finishing this book, I immediately wanted to read the next. The book doesn't end on a true cliffhanger, but the overarching storyline is at a significant point.CONNECTED BOOKS: AN IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTER is the seventh book in the Veronica Speedwell series. The mystery here is self-contained, and thus the book can be read as a standalone. However, overarching character development depends upon the continuing relationship between Stoker and Veronica, and this book is so much better if read in order.STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

4 stars - It was really goodAfter returning from their last adventure, Veronica and Stoker are tasked by Sir Hugo Montgomerie to help determine if his goddaughter’s brother has returned from the dead or if it is an imposter. Veronica knew Jonathan Hathaway because he was one of her travel companions during the explosion of Krakatoa. In this adventure Veronica finds herself coming face to face with her past and the secrets she has been hiding from everyone.I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed it but this is the first time I have gotten angry with Veronica’s actions. Veronica has been keeping a huge secret from Stoker and it is one that hurts him, and their relationship. Veronica is dealing with a lot of uncomfortable feelings from her youth in this and I hate that she didn’t handle the situation like the mature woman she is, instead she continues to hide.Stoker is a saint. I adore him and he continues to prove why he is such a good partner for Veronica. I hate seeing him hurt by this situation and I hope we see some progress in the next book because I can’t take the tension.The mystery in this one starts out as trying to determine if this Jonathan Hathaway is an imposter but ends up solving the mystery stolen “Eye of Dawn '' diamond from India. I enjoyed the mystery of the diamond and the villainess who was trying to steal the diamond for herself. I really enjoyed that the villain was a female in this one and how Veronica reacted to her.While I did enjoy this book, I hate that we are seeing conflict in Veronica and Stoker’s relationship. I hope we see them working through this in the next book because these two are perfect for each other.

I did not love this one, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm still very excited to read the next book. I still loved the technical aspects of this book, the writing style is so fun and the unique way in which the story is told is still fantastic, but the story itself was just not was I've come to expect from a Veronica Speedwell book. The mystery of this one wasn't as intriguing as the previous books and I was just left a little unsatisfied in that regard.I did really like getting to learn more about Veronica in this one though. I really liked getting to see her internal explorations of herself throughout this book and I loved getting to see her deeper feelings for Stoker within those internal monologues. And Stoker in this book, oh boy, I feel even more in love with him in this book which doesn't shock me at all. I am very intrigued by what will be happening in the next book and I can't wait to start it.

So much fun and discovery with a surprise ending. I’m am eagerly beginning the next book in the series Excelsior

Thank you Deanna, yet again you did not disappoint. I love this series, strong characters, intrigue, twists and turns that keep you turning the pages. I often laughed out loud. Can’t wait to read book 8!

Histoire charmante, avec des personnages toujours aussi attachants et hauts en couleur.C'est toujours un plaisir de retrouver Veronica et Stoker.