Pink Carnation Series, No 9
Lauren Willig
Dutton
February 16, 2012 / ISBN: 0525952543
Historical Romance / France 1804 / Contemporary flash-forwards to
2004
Amazon
Reviewed
by Brenda Weeaks
The Garden Intrigue begins in Sussex, England (2004) with
contemporary characters, Eloise and Colin. Eloise continues to research
the Pink Carnation, who is actually rumored to be Colin's relative.
The twist in this storyline is Colin's sister has disappeared, but
the sister's hated ex-boyfriend has reappeared. He is employed by
a company shooting movie scenes at the Selwick Manor. In the brief
flashes to 2004 Eloise is usually reading the historical accounts
of scenes the readers are actually reading. Readers are also able
to catch up on Colin and Eloise's relationship.
France 1804. During this chapter of the Pink Carnation, Bonaparte
is crowned Emperor and a message is received concerning a mechanical
device and invading England. Readers are introduced to Augustus
Whittlesby, seasoned spy trapped in the persona of a terrible poet.
Augustus, the spy, is sent to observe and relay. He's in love with
the cold and aloof Jane Wooliston. Jane introduces Augustus, the
poet, to Emma Delagardie, an American widow with a past. Augustus
discovers Emma knows the Bonaparts. She was recently invited to
Malmaison, to write a Masque for Josephine. His strategy is to approach
Emma as a fellow writer and go with her to Malmaison. The problem
is Emma dislikes Augustus -- and his awful poetry. The two make
it to Malmaison, along with some historical figures and a variety
of spies. The stage is set and the garden is the scene of interest
.
The Garden Intrigue is written with a variety of readers
in mind. Humor is at the forefront, followed by romance and a bit
of spying
The characters are delightful; my favorite being
Augustus, the spy. The Bonapartes as well as Robert Livingston,
Robert Fulton, make an appearance. It's an entertaining read but
if you really want to get to know the main characters, it's best
to start at beginning of this series.
I've noticed The Pink Carnation series has been multi-listed over
the years - historical fiction, historical romance and historical
mystery. The author refers to herself as an historical romance author.
I've read some of this series and found romance leads even in the
spying scenes. There is plenty of historical intrigue, true, but
with the constant return of the 2004 couple it can't be considered
a true historical mystery. But no matter the label The Pink Carnation
series has something for everyone.
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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]
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