A POISONED SEASON - Tasha Alexander
Harper Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-06-117414-8
ISBN-10: 0-06-117414-9
January 2008
Historical Mystery

London, England, Victorian Times

London's social season is in full swing, and Lady Emily Ashton, who has just recently come out of mourning for her late husband Phillip, could care less. Lady Emily decides to turn down the countless invitations to parties, teas, and dances that are being sent to her, but her plan backfires. Instead of diminishing her popularity, it increases it, which is one of the reasons she finds herself at a garden party hosted by one of her mother's closest friends. There, Lady Emily meets Charles Berry, who is causing quite a stir. The London social season is also the time that London's aristocracy seek to marry off their daughters, and who is better husband material than a descendant of royalty? Mr. Berry claims to be the great-grandson of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Mr. Berry's financial situation is less than ideal, his manners deplorable, and he drinks too much, but Lady Emily can find no logical reason to doubt his claim.

A descendant of Marie Antoinette participating in the London Season is exciting enough, but newspapers report that homes of the aristocracy are being burglarized, and items once belonging to Marie Antoinette are being stolen. When an acquaintance of Lady Emily, Mr. David Francis, is killed after reporting the loss of a pink diamond that once belonged to Marie Antoinette, Lady Emily can't help but see a connection. Why was Mr. Francis reluctant to report the stolen diamond? What of Mr. Francis's wife, is she really a grieving widow? Finally, there is Colin Hargreaves, whom Lady Emily adores, but for the first time in her life, Emily is free to pursue her own interests. How long can Lady Emily refuse Colin's marriage proposals, and does she want to keep refusing them?

Lady Emily Ashton is an intelligent woman living in an era that does not understand or approve of intelligent women. She walks a fine line between following her pursuits and societal rules. A well thought out mystery, A POISONED SEASON is also a character study of Victorian women, who either conform to the rules, find a way around them, or who make a suitable compromise that allows them to follow their hearts without harming their reputations. The secondary characters are interesting and help reveal various aspects of Lady Emily's character. Colin Hargreaves, as Lady Emily's love interest, is divine. There is something to be said for restraint, and something incredibly erotic about only being allowed to kiss a lady's hand. Many readers will be able to relate to Lady Emily's relationship with her mother, who is as disapproving of her daughter's eccentricities as she is protective of her reputation.

A POISONED SEASON is the second book featuring Lady Emily Ashton. I did not read the first book, AND ONLY TO DECEIVE, but that did not diminish my enjoyment of the second book. The third book in the series, A FATAL WALTZ, comes out in May 2008.

A POISONED SEASON is a delightful and witty mystery that should not to be missed. Put it on your to do list, and get a copy today. I highly recommend it.

Nickole Yarbrough