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The Secret of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig (Find this book in our catalog)

I was intrigued with an author interview I was reading the other day - I think it was with Tasha Alexander. Asked if she had ever bought a book just for the cover, she said The Secret of the Pink Carnation. She ended up loving the book so much that she tried to emulate it in her own historical fiction. Anyway, I went right out to my local HCPL branch, scanned the shelves, and, finding the book with the lucious pink dress on the cover, I checked it out right away! I couldn't resist! (Incidentally, since I did my blog on historical novels a couple of days ago, I now know why the publisher cut off half the Pink Carnation's head in the cover picture.)

Once I had opened the covers of The Secret of the Pink Carnation I too could not put the book down. In the book are two stories. First is the story of American scholar Eloise who is in London to do research on the identity of an English Napoleonic wars spy called The Purple Gentian. Eloise outwits the irascible Colin Selwick to obtain access to a diary and letters among his aristocratic family's papers. As she reads them, the parallel story of Amy Balcourt and Lord Richard Selwick (aka The Purple Gentian) is revealed, along with the never-before suspected identity of another spy, The Pink Carnation. Colin resents Eloise delving into his family's secrets. Just as Amy Balcourt did in her quest to find and join forces with the Purple Gentian, Eloise falls prey to many misunderstandings in her relationship with Colin. But in this merry romp all is sorted out in both endings to the satisfaction of all parties. Just what those endings are you will have to read the book to find out!

Be warned that if you are an historical purist you will not find a lot to sink your teeth into in this romantic mystery in historical costume. If you are a fan of chick lit, however, you will find a lot to love in the feisty yet misguided, self-doubting yet determined heroines. If you were ever a fan of Georgette Heyer you will love the comedy of misunderstandings between the two pairs of lovers.

Labels: Historical Fiction, historical romance, Napoleonic Wars - fiction, Secret of the Pink Carnation