The Garden Intrigue (Pink Carnation, #9)

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The Garden Intrigue (Pink Carnation #9)

by Lauren Willig (Goodreads Author)

3.8 of 5 stars 3.80 · rating details · 1,800 ratings · 269 reviews

In the ninth installment of Lauren Willig's bestselling Pink Carnation series, an atrocious poet teams up with an American widow to prevent Napoleon's invasion of England.

Secret agent Augustus Whittlesby has spent a decade undercover in France, posing as an insufferably bad poet. The French surveillance officers can't bear to read his work closely enough to recognize the...more

Hardcover, 388 pages

Published February 16th 2012 by Dutton Adult

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Mar 04, 2013 Shruti rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This series is my favorite guilty pleasure read.

Willig's writing is getting considerably better as the series goes on, in my opinion. Or, perhaps, it is just that her goofy characters turn out better than the classic dashing heroes. Turnip's story in The Mischief of the Mistletoe and Augustus' story in this book were entertaining - much more so for Turnip's bumbling and Augustus' intentionally awful poetry. Emma has a much better backstory than any previous characters except perhaps Lord Vaughn...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Diana rated it 3 of 5 stars

I can't wait for this to come out. This is one of the rare series that seems to get better the further along it gets. :)

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Mar 08, 2013 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, historical

My overall reaction to this one is "meh" and only partly because it took me forever to actually get through it, since I was bored with most of it. Although I was happy to see Jane (but for hell's sake, give her something to do!), I really didn't care for any of the characters. The whole Augustus Whittlesby character was too on-the-"Scarlet Pimpernel" nose for me; an annoying effeminate, superficial character who is actually manly and brave is too trite for words. And, don't get me started on Emm...more

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Apr 17, 2012 Bookshelf Banter rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Garden Intrigue is the ninth installment in Lauren Willig’s Pink Carnation Series. In this story we meet an American, Emma Delagardie, and follow her as she gets to know Jane Wooliston and Augustus Whittlesby. Emma’s childhood friendship with Hortense Bonaparte, Napolean’s stepdaughter, has put her in place to be present for the testing of a new French weapon. Whittlesby must maneuver his way into Emma’s life, so that he can be invited to the demonstration, and in turn warn the British.

I cou...more

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Apr 17, 2012 Jeffrey rated it 5 of 5 stars

It is all about bad poetry isn’t it? Thus, shamelessly pressing on……

Augustus Whittlesby
has nothing on me.
When it comes to verse
I’m considerably worse.

Dear readers and fans I bring good news
Lauren Willig has shown her muse
in Pink Carnation number nine:
The Garden Intrigue, most divine.

A poet-spy takes a risky chance
deep inside of Bonaparte’s France
to love a girl from a distant shore
not knowing who she’s working for.

They do a Masque with a nautical theme
but a secret weapon is part of the scheme.
Wha...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Linda Baker rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

I have enjoyed all of the Pink Carnation series, even though I found the first one, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, much more fluff than substance. I think the series has improved with each book and The Garden Intrigue is the best yet.

Augustus Whittlesby has been in France for more than 10 years, posing as an affected poet who writes perfectly execrable poetry and goes about declaiming it. The poetry is indeed so bad that Augustus can send intelligence back to England through his poet...more I have enjoyed all of the Pink Carnation series, even though I found the first one, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, much more fluff than substance. I think the series has improved with each book and The Garden Intrigue is the best yet.

Augustus Whittlesby has been in France for more than 10 years, posing as an affected poet who writes perfectly execrable poetry and goes about declaiming it. The poetry is indeed so bad that Augustus can send intelligence back to England through his poetry and have no fear that French Intelligence will stick with it long enough to crack the code. However, Augustus is feeling the loneliness of his exile harder to bear than ever. When he is told by another agent that Napoleon is having a "secret device" demonstrated at Maimaison, Josephine's country home, he knows he must wrangle an invitation somehow. Jane Wooleston, the Pink Carnation, teams him up with Emma Delagardie, who has been commissioned by Josephine to write a Masque for the gathering. Emma is an American, niece to the American Envoy, a very fashionable widow and close friend of both Josephine and her daughter, Hortense. Emma is far from a favorite of Augustus, as she makes fun of his poetry unmercifully. Besides, Augustus has fallen in love with Jane herself.

One of the things I have enjoyed the most about the series is the way that Willig can take a character who appears unlikable like Lord Vaughn or as comic relief like "Turnip" Fitzhugh and develop them into characters who are well rounded and human. While we may not love Lord Vaughn, we at least understand him and "Turnip" turns into a real romantic hero--even though still not the brightest bulb! With Emma and Augustus, we have two characters whose lives are all pretense. They are both lonely and and feel unanchored. The dialogue between Emma and Augustus is witty and charming throughout. Now one has to wonder when Jane is going to "crack"!

I can't say enough good things about Kate Reading's performance of all the Pink Carnation books. I enjoy them so much that this series is a "must" in audio book form for me. The secondary, present-day story of Eloise and Colin is a nice addition and does not drag on the action. I have to say though, I personally would run from Colin's family baggage. It appears that the action may pick up on that story line in the next book. Highly recommended, especially the audio books, but I would start at the first book and stick with the reading order.

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Mar 12, 2012 Eva rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is my favorite of the Pink Carnation books. Emma Delagardie is best friends with Hortense, Napoleon Bonaparte's step-daughter. Emma, American by birth, eloped with a Frenchman while attending a select school for girls in France. He inconveniently died just as they were getting comfortable with each other, leaving Emma determined to drown her grief in champagne and the gay life of the naughty French court.

Napoleon has just become Emperor and is getting ready to invade England. Rumor abound o...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Sandra Olshaski rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig
ISBN: 978-0-525-95254-1
Dutton
Published: February 16, 2012
Hardcover, 388 pages

This is not typically the kind of historical fiction that I read, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Garden Intrigue and learned some historical facts along the way!

The years surrounding 1804 were critical ones for Napoleon Bonaparte, who, after having invaded countries in Europe sets his sights on England. He commissions the building of a top-secret prototype of a submarine to blow up the...more The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig
ISBN: 978-0-525-95254-1
Dutton
Published: February 16, 2012
Hardcover, 388 pages

This is not typically the kind of historical fiction that I read, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Garden Intrigue and learned some historical facts along the way!

The years surrounding 1804 were critical ones for Napoleon Bonaparte, who, after having invaded countries in Europe sets his sights on England. He commissions the building of a top-secret prototype of a submarine to blow up the English ships in the Channel. Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamship has designed and named it Nautilus (the name of the submarine from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea fame!) So that’s the historical setting.

Fast-forward to 2004. Post-graduate student, Eloise, is researching the “Pink Carnation” (aka Jane Wooliston) a British spy living in France in the early 1800’s, when she discovers silly poetry written by Augustus Whittlesby for his muse, Jane, whom he imagines himself in love with. Augustus calls her “the Princess of the Pulchritudinous Toes.” Who could write such drivel? And why? The answers to these two questions are at the heart of the story.

Enter Emma Delagardie, a young American widow living in France, seemingly intent on nothing more than drinking champagne, dressing up, partying and generally having a good time. Her friendship with Bonaparte’s family attracts Augustus and he wrangles an invitation to Malmaison, Josephine Bonaparte’s favorite country home in order to discover the plans for the submarine. Augustus realizes that there is much more to Emma than he imagines and gradually falls in love with her.

This book is funny and fun to read. At one point Augustus says “….what makes you think Madame Delagardie would accept the help of a man guilty of perpetrating unspeakable crimes against unsuspecting adverbs?” Or quoting Miss Gwen, “one flirts with poets…., one doesn’t fall in love with them. And one certainly doesn’t marry them.” The narrator says, “She made it sound like an inalterable law. Somewhere in the Napoleonic Code was buried a provision banning matrimony for all purveyors of verse, to be defined under subsection 62(a)(iii), not to be confused with subsection 62()a)(iv) – minstrels, traveling.”

Lauren Willig’s descriptive powers are amazing! “She could smell ulterior motives on me like cheap cologne.” “Against the fronds of the willows, the woman drifting towards the bridge seemed almost a specter herself, her long gown a whisper of white in the shadow of the trees. She stepped up onto the blue-painted bridge, and the last rays of the setting sun lit upon her, embracing her with the ardor of a lover.” These are but two of her many descriptions.

The Garden Intrigue has all the elements of an interesting story - love, romance, espionage, mystery, history, intrigue, and real people. And a beautiful cover!

There are a couple of sexual scenes as well as religious epithets in the book that the reader should be aware of.

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Mar 06, 2012 Bookworm rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Garden Intrigue is the ninth installment in Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series.

Modern day grad student Eloise Kelly is living in England while working on her dissertation on Aristocratic espionage during the Napoleonic wars. Eloise is researching a spy from that historic time known as the Pink Carnation. Eloise is from America but has fallen in love with what she refers to 'the land of Mr.Darcy' and she plans on staying in England. Her love interest is Colin Selwick, whose ancestors happ...more

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Feb 22, 2012 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: EVERYONE!

Recommended to Molly by: TLC Book Tours

Shelves: book-review

I'm strongly addicted to Lauren Willig's work. She's super talented and each of her Pink Carnation books holds something new and excited that will keep the reader hooked from start to finish. Having read all her other Pink Carnation books, I totally could not wait for this book to release. So, when the chance came up to read it, WOW! I was definitely NOT disappointed and swept away once again to the land of Lauren Willig's fantabulous characters and plot lines. This is most definitely one of the...more I'm strongly addicted to Lauren Willig's work. She's super talented and each of her Pink Carnation books holds something new and excited that will keep the reader hooked from start to finish. Having read all her other Pink Carnation books, I totally could not wait for this book to release. So, when the chance came up to read it, WOW! I was definitely NOT disappointed and swept away once again to the land of Lauren Willig's fantabulous characters and plot lines. This is most definitely one of the BEST historical novels that is blended with the PERFECT amount of spies and adventure!

I loved Emma's character. She's a widow living in France, and her friends are Jane and Hortense (oh the poor dear! LoL!). Hortense's father, rather step-father-none other than the famed Napolean Bonaparte, enlists Emma in a job.....a job of writing a masque for Napolean's party. So, Emma's on a hunt for help, and she crosses paths with none of the fabulous Augustus Whittlesby.

Now, Augustus Whittlesby has a teensie little problem....he's the world's WORST poet! Oy vay! The indignity of it! The poor man should NOT be allowed to construct poems! But, you see, he has an ulterior motive. He's a spy....a secret spy with the Pink Carnations, and he's out to catch what Napolean Bonaparte is TRULY up to with this party. And what a wonderful spy he is!

Watching Emma and Augustus's growing attraction for each other was awesome! There were laugh out loud moments and few, "are you kidding me?!" moments that will not be forgotten! The wonderful characters from the Pink Carnation series are back in this wonderful new installment I loved seeing Jane Wooliston again (poor Augustus has pined for her-until Ms. Emma Delgardie enters his life!) and Gwen Meadows.

I definitely recommend this newest installment with the highest of 5 Books ratings! It's worthy, of course, of more, however. Ms. Willig created this novel with wit, charm, and suspense, leaving the reader a little breathless at the end, as another Pink Carnation case comes to an end. Like her others, however, she leaves the reader hanging just enough to know that the Carnations WILL be back with yet another fabulous story and I absolutely can NOT wait!!! If you're new to this series, do despair! This can be read as a stand alone as Ms. Willig does a greatastic job at keeping the reader up to date on the past points of the series. And, if you're familiar with the Pink Carnations, well, don't just sit there! GRAB YOUR COPY NOW!!! Well done, Ms. Willig!

This review originated at Reviews By Molly in part with a blog tour. (less)

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Feb 12, 2012 Sharon Redfern rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, mystery

Emma Delagardie is an American living in France during the Napoleonic era. She is a longtime friend of the emperor’s stepdaughter, Hortense and has entrée to the court. Augustus Whittlesby is an excruciatingly bad poet who is also an agent in the Pink Carnation’s network. He and the Pink Carnation have a mission to discover what the newest plot of Napoleon’s is to attack Britain. It apparently involves some sort of new mechanical weaponry and it is essential that they find out. Whittlesby must i...more Emma Delagardie is an American living in France during the Napoleonic era. She is a longtime friend of the emperor’s stepdaughter, Hortense and has entrée to the court. Augustus Whittlesby is an excruciatingly bad poet who is also an agent in the Pink Carnation’s network. He and the Pink Carnation have a mission to discover what the newest plot of Napoleon’s is to attack Britain. It apparently involves some sort of new mechanical weaponry and it is essential that they find out. Whittlesby must ingratiate himself into Emma’s circle so he can have access to the right people. Emma is not happy about having to work with Augustus when she becomes responsible for a masque to celebrate Napoleon’s rumored ascension from First Consul to Emperor. Gradually the two discover that they have more than the masque in common and feelings change. There is added stress to the relationship from Emma’s American relatives trying to pressure her to come back home and a French rogue who is pressuring her to marry him. Augustus has his work cut out for him both in the spy game and in his budding romance.
One of the interesting plot devices that Ms. Willig uses in this series is the going back and forth from the time of the Pink Carnation to modern day England. By having American researcher Eloise Kelly doing research on the fabled Pink Carnation and having access to the historical papers of the Selwick family, you get to see another perspective on the main couple of the story. I enjoy the story between Eloise and Colin Selwick which has worked its way through all nine books. While the main story has a resolution, the relationship between Eloise and Colin remains in flux.
I enjoyed the introduction of some American history in this book with Fulton’s steam engine making an appearance. Emma and Augustus have a view of the turmoil that was going on during this particular time in French history and as always Ms. Willig weaves accurate historical facts into a wonderful romance with a hint of mystery. When I finish each book in the series I can’t wait for the next one to come out!
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Jun 10, 2012 liz rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fun-slash-junk, historical

Having read all* of the other Pink Carnation books, I was super-excited when I saw this one at the library. However, I think Willig may be losing her mojo. I always preferred the historical plotlines to the contemporary ones, but I thought this latest installment got off to a particularly clunky start. There was an overabundance of backstory for the sake of newcomers to the series, which mostly served to remind me how little of the books are devoted to the contemporary plotlines, as not very muc...more

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Mar 03, 2012 kris rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Well. I can say with absolute certainty that I didn't enjoy this book as much as others in the Carnation series. I was looking forward to Augustus Whittleby's moment of Epic Glory, and instead I feel like I got handed half a book and some plot devices.

My first major issue (documented in my status updates) was the prose: it was sloppy, repetitious and (sometimes) flat. I found several instances of almost word for word reiterations of explanations throughout the book, which seemed lazy.

In additi...more Well. I can say with absolute certainty that I didn't enjoy this book as much as others in the Carnation series. I was looking forward to Augustus Whittleby's moment of Epic Glory, and instead I feel like I got handed half a book and some plot devices.

My first major issue (documented in my status updates) was the prose: it was sloppy, repetitious and (sometimes) flat. I found several instances of almost word for word reiterations of explanations throughout the book, which seemed lazy.

In addition: the romance plot. As several other (wiser, more articulate) individuals have mentioned--it felt rushed. They go from hating one another, to forming a tenuous partnership, to bffs, to being in love--all in the course of 3 weeks? Riiight. Also, the transitioning of ~deep feelings from one woman to another is always going to be gross. Even if the ~deep feelings aren't "real" for the first individual: it's cheapening, and it mars the realization of actual feelings for the second individual.

I'm not sure how I feel on the Jane front. She is definitely ice cold and hard to esteem, but I can't help but think (a) She knows Augustus didn't truly love her, and how in goodness's name do you divert a man's passions sweetly? (b) She wants to protect Emma from the truth of Augustus's profession as best she can--replace "poet" with "spy" and see her entire conversation with Emma in the theater. (c) She's frustrated and (somewhat) disgusted with Augustus near the end because he is no longer behaving in a rational or intelligent matter, putting a lot of lives at risk.

Which brings me to Augustus's crisis of faith. God, how much did I want this to be explored properly? Instead, his decision to stop spying is crammed into one chapter and without any proper exploration of the thought-process.

Basically: IF THE PROSE WAS BETTER THIS WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. A solid editing could have addressed so many of these issues and created a much more solid book exploring the dynamics of a spy / spy-master relationship, the realization of a falsely assumed love, and the coming to terms with a career that is no longer fulfilling.

Overall: an uneven read. Enjoyable enough, and I'll be reading the next book, but no where near what I've come to expect from this series. Now, I'm going to write all the angsty Jane war-centric POV and get lambasted for poor historical accuracy. (less)

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Feb 24, 2012 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Emma Delagardie is an Amercian widow living in France. She disappointed her family by eloping when she was very young and after losing her husband has found refuge in the salons of Paris and is close friends with Napolean's stepdaughter Hortense. She spends her days gossiping and her nights drinking champagne. She also enjoys critiquing Augustus Whittlesby, the very wordy and bad poet who has been trying to win her friend Jane's affections. What Emma does not know is that Augustus is really an E...more Emma Delagardie is an Amercian widow living in France. She disappointed her family by eloping when she was very young and after losing her husband has found refuge in the salons of Paris and is close friends with Napolean's stepdaughter Hortense. She spends her days gossiping and her nights drinking champagne. She also enjoys critiquing Augustus Whittlesby, the very wordy and bad poet who has been trying to win her friend Jane's affections. What Emma does not know is that Augustus is really an English spy who hides his information in the poetry he writes. Emma and Augustus begin with little appreciation for the other, but when they begin working together on a masque to be performed for Napolean they realise that they enjoy each others company much more than they thought they would.

Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation books are becoming a must read for me. This is the fourth one that I have read and I have enjoyed them all. This one is a delightful read. The characters in this one are so much fun, the banter between Emma and Augustus being the best parts of the book for me. Willig does a wonderful job with both the main characters, we see both of them at the best and their worst. Emma can be flighty and silly, but she is also a very compassionate woman who has seen her share of pain and disappointment. Augustus can be annoying with his awful poetry and impatient, but he is also very brave and intelligent when he lets his guard down. I really felt like I got to know both of them and they definitely had chemistry.

There is also some great history thrown in this one dealing with Napolean and his rise to power. There is also, of course, the Pink Carnation and the spies that do their best to find out what Napolean's latest schemes are. All of this added some real excitement to the story.

There is also a continuation of the story of Eloise and Colin who are from the present time. Eloise is an American researching the Pink Carnation and Colin is her very English boyfriend. These two are absolutely adorable and I love reading about all of the drama with Colin's family. The Garden Intrigue can be read as a stand alone but I think the reader would enjoy it more if they have read some of the other Pink Carnation books. The Garden Intrigue combines romance, mystery, and history into an entertaining book that I would highly recommend.(less)

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Jun 26, 2012 Paul Lunger rated it 3 of 5 stars

Lauren Willig's "The Garden Intrigue" is the 9th book in the Red Carnation series. This is a frame story around Emma & Colin 2 friends/lovers in England in 2004 where Emma is researching a piece of story for a paper in the Napoleonic era. The main story involves agents August Whittlesby & Emma Delagardie who end up together in the court of Napoleon as he prepares for a naval invasion of England. The story in England is pretty much run of the mill as Emma learns about the characters in th...more

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May 18, 2013 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

Another charming, if slight, spy romance from Willig. The double plot thing—in which there are parallel storylines between historical spies and a modern historian researching them—is becoming slightly less grating as she spends less and less time with the modern author-insert researcher. The spies are so much more charming, you always hate to go back to the rather silly problems of the Bridget Jonesy historian.

In this case, we have two people who each (for moderately good reasons) pretend to be...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Susan Marie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Once again, I really enjoyed the historical narrative, and wished that the contemporary framing narrative wasn't there. I just find Eloise so boring. There's at least an attempt this time (unlike in the previous installment) to put some kind of real conflict in Eloise's story, in that her travel fellowship is almost up and she has to decide whether to return to Harvard and her normal grad-student life or to stay on in Britain with her boyfriend. But it never feels like much of a conflict--it's n...more

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May 14, 2012 Lauren rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, series-books

I have been reading Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series for quite awhile. I feel like the last few books have all been rather disappointing, but I found this one to be especially awful. Usually I can dive right into Lauren Willig's novels, but with this, I found myself really having to work to stay interested. Neither the frame story nor the one inside could capture my attention.

Like the 8 preceding books in the series, The Garden Intrigue consisted of the Eloise/Colin frame story (a Cambridge...more I have been reading Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series for quite awhile. I feel like the last few books have all been rather disappointing, but I found this one to be especially awful. Usually I can dive right into Lauren Willig's novels, but with this, I found myself really having to work to stay interested. Neither the frame story nor the one inside could capture my attention.

Like the 8 preceding books in the series, The Garden Intrigue consisted of the Eloise/Colin frame story (a Cambridge academic writing her dissertation in England and living with her beau, Colin, a rich British hunk) and the continuation of the Pink Carnation's daring espionage in Napoleonic France. This book focused on the love story between Augustus Whittlesby, the poet-posing-spy, and Emma Delagardie, an American socialite living in Paris. Augustus has been a pretty consistent figure in past books, and finally, in the 9th book in the series, he gets his own story. While I was glad he was finally recognized, I was disappointed that his book wasn't more interesting.

Emma and Augustus are corralled into writing a play together, and over the course of their work, they end up becoming very close friends. Augustus has the hots for another girl, and widowed Emma is, well, not really looking for anyone. Eventually, though, they realize that they love each other in the most convincing of ways.

The characters were very dull and uncaptivating. There is nothing in Emma to arouse any interest; she's just a society girl who is completely content with her frivolous life. Augustus, meanwhile, has the most tiresome dialogue, continually speaking in enough rhymes and alliterations to drive a reader mad. This book also featured a close-up look at the Bonapartes, and even they seemed to be lacking. Eloise and Colin, meanwhile, are in an uncomfortable situation, and their resolution at the end of the book was really unbelievable. Altogether, this book was awkward and boring. There wasn't even a good action scene! Or any pulse-quickening romantic ones!

Altogether, this was the worst book in the series. Lauren Willig, pull yourself together!(less)

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Feb 25, 2012 Mandolin rated it 5 of 5 stars

As she pursues her research of the Pink Carnation ring of spies, Eloise Kelly faces a big decision. She's just been offered a once-in-a-graduate-students-lifetime teaching opportunity back home in Cambridge. Taking it will mean leaving England and, more importantly, her new boyfriend Colin behind. Colin, whose family archives are the primary source of Eloise's research, has become an important part of her life since she first moved to England but their relationship is still in its early days. Is...more As she pursues her research of the Pink Carnation ring of spies, Eloise Kelly faces a big decision. She's just been offered a once-in-a-graduate-students-lifetime teaching opportunity back home in Cambridge. Taking it will mean leaving England and, more importantly, her new boyfriend Colin behind. Colin, whose family archives are the primary source of Eloise's research, has become an important part of her life since she first moved to England but their relationship is still in its early days. Is it permanent enough for her to sacrifice her career? Or should they just try to stay together in a long-distance relationship? Eloise is hesitant to broach the matter with Colin, who is currently quite upset due to the presence of an intrusive filming crew at his ancestral home - compliments of his hateful stepfather and his traitorious sister.

Eloise's current focus of research faced a similar life-altering decision. Having lived as an ex-patriot in France since her early teenage years, Emma Delagardie has experienced a great deal during a short period: an elopement that angered her family, an estranged marriage, widowhood, dangerous liaisons, glittering balls and all that Paris and a close relationship with Napoleon's stepdaughter has to offer. As the whispers regarding Napoleon's plans for invading England grow louder, Emma realizes that she must make a decision regarding her loyalty. Should she return to America, as her mother would have her do? Remain in Paris and face the risk of a marriage arranged by Napoleon? Or flee to England where she knows no one?

Augustus Whittlesby, on the other hand, knows exactly what he must do. A spy disguised as a terrible poet, he must infiltrate the ranks surrounding Napoleon and uncover the plans for the machine that rumors say is Napoleon's great secret weapon. His way in? The one woman in the world who doesn't swoon at his poetry: Emma. Can he win his way into her life soon enough to find the plans and avert disaster for England? When he offers his services to help Emma write a masque for an upcoming weekend at Napoleon's country home, he expects to be turned down flat...but Emma grabs at the chance to postpone her decision and gladly accepts his help.

Though Augustus is secretly a talented, sensitive man, he hides behind a masque of trite and over-ornate phrases and a passion for a woman who is all but unattainable. Emma, too, hides behind a masque of frivolity and flirtation. As the two work together to write the masque, they come to see each other as they truly are....and are quite surprised at the result. Is their blossoming relationship full of promise for things to come and an answer to Emma's questions? Or will Augustus' mission come between them in the end?

This was certainly one of the better books in this series. I found the balance between the current story of Eloise and Colin and the historical narrative of Emma and Augustus to be just right. The similarities between both stories cause the whole book to flow well and, though Emma and Augustus' decision marks an end to their tale, Eloise and Colin's future remains nicely unsure, promising for more books to come. Lauren Willig shines once again in this book, which I highly recommend!(less)

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Apr 02, 2013 Kiirsten rated it 3 of 5 stars

"The Garden Intrigue" although flowery in title, has nothing flowery about its storyline. And I must say, I'm glad of it.

After the accolades of "The Secret History of the Pink Carnation" and the terrific follow-up, "The Masque of the Black Tulip", I found Willig's floral ring of spies less then appealing. They wilted into simpering women looking for love with dashing and harried men as they wafted about pretending to participate in what could only be read as the barest of espionage tales. Even w...more "The Garden Intrigue" although flowery in title, has nothing flowery about its storyline. And I must say, I'm glad of it.

After the accolades of "The Secret History of the Pink Carnation" and the terrific follow-up, "The Masque of the Black Tulip", I found Willig's floral ring of spies less then appealing. They wilted into simpering women looking for love with dashing and harried men as they wafted about pretending to participate in what could only be read as the barest of espionage tales. Even worse for the wear, the character that started it all, The Pink Carnation, hardly made an appearance or failed to appear at all in the last four novels all together. And who could forget, the utter lapse of a flowery spy when we read "The Betrayal of the Blood Lily?"

Willig has pulled herself together and pulled her ring of spies back from the brink. It started with her little side tangent, "The Mischief of the Mistletoe" and continued on into "The Orchid Affair.

"The Garden Intrigue" has only furthered the stronger direction that Willig seems to be taking. To begin, we notice that Willig has decidedly left out of her title the promise of a flowery agent; and for the better I might add. We are following the trail of one flowery poet, Augustus Whittlesby; whom, one might remember from previous Carnation intrigues, has been entrenched in his persona for nearly a decade while Paris tumulted.

Here, he is no less flowery in his use of adverbs as he dedicates his poetry and subtley conveys information to his muse, Miss Jane Wooliston; better known to us now as The Pink Carnation. His cantos, verbiose as they might seem, have couched in them direct information that the War Office deems worthy of note. However as we soon learn, Augustus has been harboring more then the traditional 'love' a poet has for his muse. He fancies himself in love with Jane.

Enter on the scene Madame Emma Delgardie. She is a widowed American who has the favor of not only Hortense Baueharnais-Bonaparte (whom she attended school with) but also with Madame Bonaparte herself. This curious position that she finds herself in will lead to some trouble with a former lover in the form of one Colonel Georges Marston, her American cousin fresh from New York, Mr. Kortwright Livingston as well as several others.

The main plot point of "TGI" is a secret weapon that Napoleon is developing and the ever expanding rumours that he intendes to invade England. The Pink Carnation, who has a key presence in the story but is not in every scene, works with Whitlesby to find out just what this device may be. As a means to an end, Jane urges Augustus to impose upon Emma to assist her in the writing of a masque; a masque she has been asked to write by Mme. Bonaparte, one with a nautical theme, as it were.

Ivory towers come crashing down for both Augustus and Emma during the course of the novel and we are privy to internal dialogues that cut to the chase in a refreshingly blunt manner. There are few floral effusions of mind other then those meant to decieve in meaning. There are double agents, devices, and some passionate moments in the story.

The romance, again, takes a back seat but is ever present at the same time. I find this much more enjoyable and intriguing then when Willig put it so forthcoming in her story. It isn't overly romantic in that sickly way with the previous novels either; it is raw, real, and at the same time, poetic.

At the same time, Willig has stepped up her portions of modern love and espionage with Eloise and Colin. We already had the reveal that Colins mothers husband, Jeremy, is also a cousin to he and his sister Serena. Now too, we see him for the money grubbing brown-noser that he really is. Turning Serena against Colin in an underhanded victory, Jeremy has invaded Selwick Hall with a movie crew much to Colin's consternation. Eloise is trying desperately to hold onto her sanity as well when an opportunity comes to her that she is having a hard time dealing with. Enter in Nigel Dempster, the curator of the Vaughn Collection whom we met several novels ago and who also just happens to be Serena's ex-boyfriend; the ex who tried to use Serena to get to the Pink Carnation papers. There are mysteries afoot in modern times as we suddenly discover just what Jeremy is after in Selwick Hall, and it's going to be a grand chase now that Colin and Eloise have decided to go after it as well.

I enjoyed reading "The Garden Intrigue" and look forward to reading "The Passion of the Purple Plumeria."(less)

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Feb 25, 2012 Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: rhfl-challenge-2012

Lately, I've been reading lots of historical fiction and romances and as I've sampled a bit more of the field, I find that Ms. Willig's stories have improved in my opinion. And while that may be a bit of a backhanded compliment, it does mean that I liked the latest installment of Pink better than many of the previous books.

The dual story used throughout the series keeps things moving at a nice clip. While the Regency spies Emma and Augustus are risking their lives to foil Bonaparte's latest pla...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Denise rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lauren Willig has done it again! Her latest novel, “The Garden Intrigue” is a continuation of the popular Pink Carnation series. And, it's one of her best!

This adventurous spy tale is set in 1804. Our heroine is New York born Emma Delgardie and she is living in Paris, France. As a young widow, Emma enjoys the Paris salons and an intimacy with Napoleon Bonaparte’s inner circle. Her two best friends include Hortense,(Napoleon’s step daughter) and Jane (who is the Pink Carnation). Emma is commissio...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Alexis rated it 3 of 5 stars

Generally I like this series and look forward to the next one but this latest book didn't live up to expectations for me. The premise for the series is the story of Eloise Kelly, an American graduate student, who has come to England to research some elusive Napoleonic spies. The storyline of each book alternates between Eloise, her research and relationship with the owner of the papers and the story of the spy she's currently working on, with most of the story taking place in the past. "The Gard...more

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Feb 16, 2012 Laura de Leon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, romance, review-copy

4.5 stars

I love this series, and I think this book is an example of everything the series does well.

What the cover blurb (and description above) miss is the framing contemporary story line, which continues through the series. American graduate student Eloise is living in England researching spies in Napoleon's time. She discovers that this is harder than she expects, gets tied up in some intrigue of her own, and along the way, finds her own romance, one that doesn't wrap up quite as tidily as th...more 4.5 stars

I love this series, and I think this book is an example of everything the series does well.

What the cover blurb (and description above) miss is the framing contemporary story line, which continues through the series. American graduate student Eloise is living in England researching spies in Napoleon's time. She discovers that this is harder than she expects, gets tied up in some intrigue of her own, and along the way, finds her own romance, one that doesn't wrap up quite as tidily as those in the spy stories she's encountering in her research.

I admit that as of the last installment, I thought the contemporary storyline was getting pushed further and further into the shadow of the historical. As the historical stories were becoming even stronger, I didn't exactly mind, but I was happy to see it back with some real oomph here. It had real relationship questions mixed in with an absolutely goofy movie set plot, and I found it delightful.

I didn't like the historical story quite as well as the last few, but that's a high standard to hold. Certainly, it still stands up well to the genre as a whole.

As is typical for a Lauren Willig heroine, Emma is not your run of the mill society miss, and isn't afraid to stand out in society. Her links to the Bonaparte family put her in an situation of interest to the network of spies these books center around, but her flirty personality and interest in her late husband's mechanical endeavors make her interesting to read about.

I wasn't enamored with her love interest, but he didn't pose a problem for me either. Between the fun and frivolity of the masque the two teamed up to put on, the excitement of the spy story, and the interesting historical details, I was well entertained.

I always appreciate Lauren Willig's notes from her historical research-- the most unlikely seeming characters and events turn out to be those pulled from the past.

The big question when reviewing book 8 of a series is whether this is a good place to start reading. This book would be fine as a standalone, but the series is worth starting at the beginning, and watching the plot build and the characters come and go.(less)

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Mar 27, 2013 Jay rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, for-review, hard-copy

The Garden Intrigue is the ninth book in Lauren Willig’s Pink Carnation series. This book takes a look at the ascension of Napoleon from an Amercian’s point of view, Emma Delaguardie, who is best friends with Napoleon’s step-daughter. A young widow, Emma has been “adopted” into Napoleon’s inner circle by virtue of her friendship with Hortense. Augustus Whittlesby is a secret agent working under cover in Paris posing as a poet who is in love with Jane, the Pink Carnation. Through a series of even...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Knitme23 rated it 2 of 5 stars

The fact that I checked this out of our library yesterday and finished it today is testimony to Willig's increasing predictability: I skimmed a LOT. The characters, the predicaments, and the action were wooden, and I found the tone of the 1805 story a little too glaringly modern, although the earlier books certainly approached historical realism in a breezy way as well. Somehow, though, a character named "Kort" seemed too reminiscent of the Kodies and Kourtneys of today, and too many of the situ...more

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Mar 12, 2012 Brett rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Ah, historical romance fiction. It's ridiculously absurd & completely unrealistic, but sometimes it's just so damned much fun to read, & Lauren Willig's series really is at the top of the genre as far as I'm concerned. Curling up with the newest Pink Carnation novel & a box of chocolates - it doesn't get more self-indulgent than that. This one focuses on the love life of longtime peripheral character Augustus Whittlesby, famed throughout Napoleonic Paris as the world's worst poet - l...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Nadine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, regency, napoleanic-wars-and-spies

One of my "can't wait" reads of 2012. I might have to skip my book club this month, I've got too many other books to read ...

*

Took me a while, but I'm finally finished! Don't know why, but I was only able to read one or two chapters a night before I'd fall asleep. Can't tell if I was just exceptionally tired, or if the book was slow. I THINK I liked it. I THINK I liked the characters. But my slow pace kind of reduced my enjoyment, probably no fault of the book itself.

This one, the (geez, I don't...more

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Mar 04, 2012 Natalie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Out of all the leading men in this series, I think Augustus Whittlesby had the most potential. He seemed likeable, witty, attractive and smart. I was rooting for him. Emma was ok. I thought her "issues" and backstory were weak, at best. The most interesting character in The Garden Intrigue was the Pink Carnation herself. That girl's gonna break soon. Or get married. It's a toss up. I thought Emma was pretty naive for someone who's had so much life experience. I liked Emma and Augustus's interact...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Lori McD rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-book, own, 2012_read, british-lit, chick-lit, easy-read, historical-fiction, regency, romance, series, spies, suspense, favorite-author

4+ stars

I love all the books in this series, but I was so happy to interact with The Pink Carnation again! Don't get me wrong, I love all the couples in the series, especially Turnip and Arabella! And while Jane isn't the focus of this book, it's Emma and Augustus, Jane is certainly the impetus. (Or is that catalyst?) And having Miss Gwen around again... *sigh*

I never thought I could like Augustus Whittlesby. His bad poetry, bad dressing, and barely-there personality just made him seem... well,...more 4+ stars

I love all the books in this series, but I was so happy to interact with The Pink Carnation again! Don't get me wrong, I love all the couples in the series, especially Turnip and Arabella! And while Jane isn't the focus of this book, it's Emma and Augustus, Jane is certainly the impetus. (Or is that catalyst?) And having Miss Gwen around again... *sigh*

I never thought I could like Augustus Whittlesby. His bad poetry, bad dressing, and barely-there personality just made him seem... well, a dud. How wrong could I be? For hiding under all that outward persona is a dashing, intelligent, and jaded man. A man who could barely acknowledge his "love" for Jane; but was it really love or was it just having someone with whom he could be himself with completely? And that's why the attraction for Emma begins. Emma is American and has that very American way of saying exactly what she thinks; but she's been in French society just enough to know how to say it couched in the sweetest or wittiest of phrases. Emma just about undoes Augustus, because she's able to fire back snarkiness at his bad poetry; and it frustrates Augustus to not be able to swing back. But to do so would be to risk revealing his identity as a spy.

I love the way that Emma and Augustus get to know one another. Their courier-delivered messages back and forth are delightful. They play off one another so well, each seeing the other for who he or she is, but kindly.

But each manages to take the rose-colored glasses from the other. Emma helps Augustus to see that Jane simply isn't that into him. Augustus helps Emma to see what's really going on around her politically. It's not that either is dumb, it's simply that they don't wish to see what's right in front of them. Both have been disillusioned by life and love; both feel out of place; both feel they've been the user and the used. And yet they're just different enough to pull one another from his or her doldrums - to inject life and hope and joy back into the other.

Other than a few anachronistic sayings, the historical part of the book is enjoyable and fun. The "current day" part of the book is almost maddening, though, because we get such small, rare glimpses in this book of Colin and Eloise. And just enough glimpses of Jeremy and Dempsey to last a lifetime!

A Can't Miss!(less)

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About Lauren Willig

Lauren Willig is the New York Times bestselling author of eleven works of historical fiction. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages, awarded the RITA, Booksellers Best and Golden Leaf awards, and chosen for the American Library Association's annual list of the best genre fiction. After graduating from Yale University, she embarked on a PhD in English History at Harvard before...more

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Books by Lauren Willig

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (Pink Carnation, #1)

The Masque of the Black Tulip (Pink Carnation, #2)

The Deception of the Emerald Ring (Pink Carnation, #3)

The Seduction of the Crimson Rose (Pink Carnation, #4)

The Temptation of the Night Jasmine (Pink Carnation, #5)

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Quotes from The Garden Intrigue

“There is, I have heard, a little thing called sunrise, in which the sun reverses the process we all viewed the night before. You might assume such a thing as mythical as those beasts that guard the corners of the earth, but I have it on the finest authority, and have, indeed, from time to time, regarded it with my own eyes.” — 5 people liked it

“[He] had insisted that inanimate objects couldn't have malignant motivations, but Emma had extensive proof to the contrary.” — 3 people liked it

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The Garden Intrigue (Pink Carnation #9)

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