Veronica McCreedy Book 1
Veronica McCreedy is 85 years old; she is rich, and cranky. She lives in Scotland by the sea, and loves a cup of Darjeeling and nature documentaries. She has no family, as her only child who was adopted died many years ago. Her son didn’t have a family that she knew of. She gets her help Eileen to find someone to help her locate her next of kin, and learns she has a grandson. When she meets Patrick, she is completely underwhelmed about the young man, for one he’s as high as a kite and his bedsit is a mess.
After her unfortunate meeting with Patrick, Veronica takes up the idea of going to the Antarctic to visit a colony of Adélie penguins. The researchers who live near the colony try to dissuade Veronica from coming over but she flat out refuses to listen. She dangles her substantial inheritance over them and says she has to see if the project is worthy of her money.
The researchers are quite concerned when Veronica arrives, and they want her to leave on the first boat back. However, Veronica is intent on staying. As she missed the first boat back, she has to stay for three weeks. Two of the scientists are nice to her, especially Terry who takes Veronica under her wing and starts posting pictures of Veronica on their blog. Veronica is smitten with the Adélie penguins, and even adopts an orphaned little one – who she calls Patrick…
I loved this book. It’s upbeat, cute and funny. Veronica has brought her second favourite handbag to the Antarctic and always sports her signature red lipstick. She’s cantankerous but absolutely in love with the penguins. I highly recommend this!
Read for The 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2026
Prompt 29: Set in the Arctic or Antarctic
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️