The Butterfly Conspiracy by Vivian Conroy
Kindle edition, 299 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery,Adult,Fiction
Published August 7th 2018 by Crooked Lane Books
Book Summary
Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell mysteries comes the enchanting series debut from Vivian Conroy, The Butterfly Conspiracy. In late Victorian times, when new inventions cause both excitement and terror, a mysterious death at a zoological lecture brings together two unlikely allies in a quest through London's upper crust and underbelly to unravel the ingenious murder method and killer behind it. Miss Merula Merriweather is not like other women her age: instead of hunting for a husband at balls and soirees she spends her time in a conservatory hatching exotic creatures. As the Royal Zoological Society won't accept a woman's accomplishments, she has her uncle Rupert take credit for her achievements. But at a zoological lecture, the guest of honor dies after contact with one of Merula's butterflies, and Merula's uncle is arrested for murder. In an attempt to safeguard evidence to prove his innocence, Merula almost gets killed but for the timely interference of enigmatic Lord Raven Royston. Viewing natural history as a last resort to regain respectability lost by too many dubious business investments, Raven didn't expect his first lecture to take a murderous turn. Feeling partially responsible because he encouraged Merula to release the gigantic butterfly from the glass case in which it was kept, Raven suggests they solve the puzzle of Lady Sophia's sudden death together by looking closer at her relations with estranged friends, long suffering staff and the man groomed to be her heir, so close to her money and yet unable to touch any of it. With the police looking for them, and every new discovery raising more questions than answers, especially about the murder method which left no traces of foul play on the body, Merula will have to risk her own life to get at the truth and save her uncle from the gallows in The Butterfly Conspiracy, Vivian Conroy’s enchanting series debut.
My Review
This is the first book I've read by this author. I don't read many mystery books but this one really captured my attention. My daughter also collects and studies butterflies and I saw many similarities between the work Miss Merula Merriweather, the main character and my daughter do. Merula is an unconventional young lady for her Victorian time period. She is not the usual female at balls simpering behind her fan,batting her eyelashes at gentlemen, no she does fascinating stuff, like raise butterflies. The Royal Zoological Society will not accept that a female can be accomplished in this field so she has her uncle Rupert take credit for her work. When the guest of honor dies suddenly at a zoological lecture after one of Merula's butterflies lands on her arm, who is arrested but her uncle. Much action,adventure,suspense and excitement as Merula sets out to prove her uncle's innocence but at what cost to her own safety? With the police hot on their trail and around every corner will they be able to stay one step ahead of the law and still prove her uncle's innocence? There were a lot of characters introduced in the book but the author does it in a skillful way and seamlessly blends all the personalities into a smooth reading suspense. Enchanting start to a new series that I highly recommend. Pub Date 07 Aug 2018 I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.