The Mischief of the Mistletoe
A Pink Carnation Christmas
Pink Carnation Series, No 7
Lauren Willig
Narrated by Kate Reading

Penguin Audio
October 28, 2010
Historical Mystery / Romance / /1803 / England / Holiday: Christmas
Amazon


Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks

The author first warns us The Mischief of the Mistletoe takes place after The Seduction of the Crimson Rose but before The Temptation of the Night Jasmine.

Miss Arabella Dempsey is good friends with Jane Austen. The story begins with Jane writing Arabella about Arabella's lack of inheritance, which means she must marry or seek employment. Arabella is interested in teaching at a Lady's seminary, which is wise because her three sisters are at the same seminary. So is Reginald "Turnip" Fitzhugh's sister, Sally. Turnip Fitzhugh has been mistaken for the Pink Carnation. When the two meet up they find espionage and intrigue in a Christmas pudding. Arabella ends up with a list of England's Spies and someone is determined to get it back. They turn her room upside down -- ruining some of her things and at one point hold her at sword point (sort of). In the midst of a celebration is a mystery of French and British Spies in High Society - spies of all shapes, sizes, ages and genders.

It's a mix of mystery, romance and humor. There's plenty ull of twists and turns and Christmas cheer. Kate Reading narrates the audio version. She actually narrated Pride and Prejudice at one point. Listeners will be drawn into Willig's regency era of intrigue and find it hard to leave.

Reviews of other titles in this series

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, No 1  [review 1] [review 2]
The Masque of the Black Tulip, No 2    [review]
Seduction of the Crimson Rose, No 4    [review]
The Temptation of the Night Jasmine, No 5  [review]
The Betrayal of the Blood Lily, No 6  [review]
The Mischief of the Mistletoe, No 7  [Audio]   [Book]
The Orchid Affair, No 8   [review]
The Garden Intrigue, No 9   [review]