Super Short Summary

A Curious Beginning follows Veronica Speedwell, a lepidopterist, in late 19th century England. After her guardian's funeral, Veronica finds herself entangled in a series of mysterious events starting with an attempted kidnapping. She teams up with the disgraced naturalist Stoker when the Baron Maximilian von Stauffenbach, who knew Veronica’s mother, is murdered. Together, they navigate threats, uncover secrets about Veronica’s heritage, and seek to clear their names while exploring complex relationships and evading danger. The book references ableist and racist rhetoric, violence, and sexism (including disparaging women for their sexual histories).