Deanna Raybourn
Deanna Raybourn is an American author of historical fiction and mystery novels, best known for her Veronica Speedwell and Julia Grey series. With a focus on Victorian and Edwardian settings, her novels combine historical detail with engaging mysteries and romantic elements.
Biography
Raybourn was born in Texas and now lives in Virginia. Before becoming a full-time novelist, she worked in various jobs while pursuing her writing. Her debut novel, Silent in the Grave, launched the Julia Grey series and won critical acclaim, including the RITA Award for Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements.
Raybourn has continued writing both historical mysteries and historical romances, developing a reputation for creating intelligent, independent female protagonists who challenge the conventions of their times. Her Veronica Speedwell series, about a Victorian lepidopterist, has been another major success.
Writing Style
Raybourn’s writing features witty dialogue, rich historical detail, and complex characters who defy traditional gender roles of their eras. Her protagonists are often educated, independently-minded women pursuing careers or unconventional lifestyles despite societal constraints.
The novels balance mystery-solving with character development and often include elements of romance, though the relationships unfold naturally over the course of series. Raybourn’s research into the Victorian era brings period-appropriate details to life without overwhelming the storytelling.
Major Series
Veronica Speedwell Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| A Curious Beginning | 2015 | Buy |
| A Perilous Undertaking | 2017 | Buy |
| A Treacherous Curse | 2018 | Buy |
| A Dangerous Collaboration | 2019 | Buy |
| A Murderous Relation | 2020 | Buy |
| An Unexpected Peril | 2021 | Buy |
| An Impossible Impostor | 2022 | Buy |
| A Sinister Revenge | 2023 | Buy |
| A Grave Robbery | 2024 | Buy |