Plagued by rumours that she poisoned her fiance, Lucinda Bromley manages to live on the fringes of polite society, tending her beloved plants - and...
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Apr 21, 2009
Julie (jjmachshev)
rated it: 
Historical romance readers will be very, very happy with Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle's newest 'Arcane Society' novel, "The Perfect Poison". This is the long awaited story of Caleb Jones, founder of Jones & Jones Investigations. As a long-time and fervent (rabid might be more truthful) fan of the author, I loved how she contrived connections, both written and implied, to her contemporary 'Arcane Society' books and her Jayne Castle Harmony/St Helens books. But even if y
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Apr 06, 2009
Anne
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I think it's interesting how Amanda Quick / Jayne Ann Krentz goes back and forth between the late Victorian era in England to contemporary US West Coast in the Arcane Society novels. I found the origins of J&J and presumably arcanematch.com in this novel interesting and also gave a better understanding of several of the things that happen in the contemporary novels. I also appreciated the opportunity for characters from two of the former novels to make appearances in this book, as well as a po
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Apr 15, 2009
Carol
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This is another great entry in the Arcane Society series. I love these books. In this one, the heroine has a botany talent that's pretty interesting and helpful in solving crimes. The hero is a Jones, but they fit together well, and she actually realizes it. They don't spend three-fourths of the book fighting the connection like sometimes happens. It also talks about the founding of the Jones & Jones investigation agency.
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Sep 03, 2011
Michelle
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If a book was written by Amanda Quick, then chances are high that I liked it. I discovered her work many years ago, and read just about everything I could get my hands on. Then she started writing the Arcane Society Novels, and I liked them even better, if that is possible! So knowing this was an Arcane Society Novel and one written by Amanda Quick, I was all over it.
I first read this about a year or so back, then last week at the library I was looking for more Arcane Society books, More...
I first read this about a year or so back, then last week at the library I was looking for more Arcane Society books, More...
Oct 15, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
I found The Perfect Poison to be yet another hit in Amanda Quick's series of arcane society novels. I've been a fan of Ms. Quick's for several years, and I generally enjoy anything she writes. But as someone who likes things with a paranormal side to them, I've found that I have a special preference for her arcane society novels. It's always interesting to pick up a book in the series and learn what paranormal "gift" Ms. Quick has masterfully thought out and created for the main charac
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Jun 23, 2010
Cindy
rated it:
Krentz/Quick/Castle did her usual outstanding job with the latest Arcane Society novel. We learn more about things mentioned as institutions in the contemporary novels - Jones and Jones and Arcane style matchmaking in particular.
Although extensive references are made to other books in the series - reading this out of order is doable. Books below are in chronological order - numbers refer to publication order... [Yeah, it's as convoluted as some of her plots!:]
This More...
Although extensive references are made to other books in the series - reading this out of order is doable. Books below are in chronological order - numbers refer to publication order... [Yeah, it's as convoluted as some of her plots!:]
This More...
Apr 19, 2010
Nicole
rated it:
Am I going to give up on Jayne Ann Krentz? Probably not, but I'm just not as satisfied with her writing as I used to be, although admittedly having collected over 130 books by Krentz I guess my expectations are biased. Maybe my preferences have evolved or maybe I've just been exposed to too much great fiction and have higher standards now. The Perfect Poison's book jacket looks pretty and promising with purple flowers and ferns and a hot pink spine. The books feel nice and weighty, so I was ex
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Mar 19, 2010
Penny
rated it:
The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick
Penelope has two great passions in her life (aside, of course, from her fly-fishing addicted husband and two rocking kids)...romantic fiction and plants. Yes, along time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) Penelope earned a degree in plant science from an ivy league university, and her obsession with plants continues to this day. So, just imagine my delight to discover a book that combines these two obsessions! The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick is so r More...
Penelope has two great passions in her life (aside, of course, from her fly-fishing addicted husband and two rocking kids)...romantic fiction and plants. Yes, along time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) Penelope earned a degree in plant science from an ivy league university, and her obsession with plants continues to this day. So, just imagine my delight to discover a book that combines these two obsessions! The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick is so r More...
Jun 26, 2009
Gail
rated it:
Lucinda Bromley is a notorious woman in this historical-and-psychic-romance-mystery. The Arcane Society novels span two authors -- Quick-- and her contemporary counterpart Jayne Ann Krentz. Lucinda has a talent for detecting poisons and for botany. She's an expert in healing and herbal tinctures but her noteriety is because of the unresolved poisoning murders of her fiance and her father's friend as well as her father's murder by a gun. Society views her as extremely suspect.
As s More...
As s More...
Apr 16, 2009
Barbara
rated it:
Ah, the Arcane Society series finally brings us the story of Caleb Jones and the founding of Jones and Jones. Another delightful romp.
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Nov 22, 2010
Belinda
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Ever wonder what would have happened if Sherlock Holmes, the master of dispassionate problem-solving, found his equal? Yeah, me too! Especially since the BBC’s most recent incarnation of Sherlock came out and boy do I have a mind crush on him.
Back to the point, Belinda. Why should you read this book? Because it’s about a woman who knows she has a talent and isn’t afraid to use it. It’s about a man who recognizes that talent and respects her for it, even if he doesn’t understand it. It’ More...
Back to the point, Belinda. Why should you read this book? Because it’s about a woman who knows she has a talent and isn’t afraid to use it. It’s about a man who recognizes that talent and respects her for it, even if he doesn’t understand it. It’ More...
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Oct 10, 2010
Debbie
rated it:
I really enjoyed this light read and will have to go back and find the first six in the series!
Lucinda Bromley lives in Victorian London and is a member of the Arcane Society - a secretive group of people with psychical powers.
Lucinda's power is the ability to detect poison, particularly poisons of a botanical nature. Because of her ability, a policeman, Inspector Spellar, calls on Lucinda's services to help him solve crimes. These occasions are one of the few times that More...
Lucinda Bromley lives in Victorian London and is a member of the Arcane Society - a secretive group of people with psychical powers.
Lucinda's power is the ability to detect poison, particularly poisons of a botanical nature. Because of her ability, a policeman, Inspector Spellar, calls on Lucinda's services to help him solve crimes. These occasions are one of the few times that More...
Apr 22, 2009
E.
rated it:
Another excellent addition to the Arcane Society saga,back to the Victorian inception of the Jones and Jones Investigative Society. Caleb Jones is an intense investigator who seems to be oblivious of Polite Society's dictates in his singleminded pursuit of truth. He struggles with the legacy of his ancestors, including an inheritance of madness that he is destined to fulfill and encounters Lucinda Bromley, a spinster with her own onerous legacy. Lucinda's talent allows her to analyze botanica
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May 31, 2010
Stacie
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This is one of Amanda Quick’s Arcane Society books. This is a story about Lucinda Bromley, who sensational press has rivaled over the last year and a half. She is concerned, because her talent makes her realize that there is a poison out there that is from a plant that has been stolen from her conservatory. She hires Caleb Jones to track down who stole the plant and to keep her out of jail. Caleb is an intense man that has recently started a company called Jones and Company. He is intertwin
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May 13, 2010
Ashley
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 30, 2011
Deirdre
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Lucinda Bromley has a rare talent, she can detect almost any kind of poison. Her reputation is soiled by the fact that her finance died from what appeared to be poisoning. However her skills are used by the police. In the latest case she discovers that the poisoning subject was poisoned by a recently stolen fern from her collection. She hires Caleb Jones, part of a psychical investigation agency, to investigate for her. He can see patterns and sense when things ar going well in an investigation.
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Jun 07, 2010
Kathi
rated it:
After two disappointments ("The River Knows" and "The Third Circle") it was reassuring to read a quality Amanda Quick book again. Lucinda and Caleb are not quite as well written as say Tobias and Lavinia or Emily and Simon from Scandal or Concordia and Ambrose from Lie by Moonlight but they're interesting and fun.
The plot was complicated enough to keep my attention and fits perfectly into the Arcane Society mythology. I'd love to read more adventures with this cou More...
The plot was complicated enough to keep my attention and fits perfectly into the Arcane Society mythology. I'd love to read more adventures with this cou More...
Feb 10, 2012
Lauren
rated it:
The Perfect Poison
4 Stars
Synopsis
Lucinda Bromley is a botanist with the unique ability to detect any poison but she also has a notorious reputation following the suspicious death of her fiance. When a man is poisoned by a rare fern, Lucinda fears becoming the prime suspect and requests the help of Caleb Jones, a man known for being able to decipher any clue. Soon Lucinda and Caleb are immersed in a case of murder and conspiracy and must stop a relentless scientist and a deran More...
4 Stars
Synopsis
Lucinda Bromley is a botanist with the unique ability to detect any poison but she also has a notorious reputation following the suspicious death of her fiance. When a man is poisoned by a rare fern, Lucinda fears becoming the prime suspect and requests the help of Caleb Jones, a man known for being able to decipher any clue. Soon Lucinda and Caleb are immersed in a case of murder and conspiracy and must stop a relentless scientist and a deran More...
Dec 05, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
Another enjoyable Arcane Society novel. I have to say this is by far my favorite in the series if only because Caleb Jones is the kind of tortured hero I love. The story, as all the others before, is very formula, the reader knows from page one who will end up happily ever after but knowing that does not in any way take away from the story. Even though I know the minute I open the book how the story will end, it's the fun of getting to happily ever after that I enjoy.
Nice easy read, More...
Nice easy read, More...
Dec 27, 2009
Ana T.
rated it:
I must confess that I hadn't picked up one of Amanda Quick's books in a long time and I was a bit undecided about reading one in the middle of a series. But Rosario's review intrigued me and the book was available so I decided to give it a go. And I am very glad that I did. I'm not sure if I will pick up the others in the series but this was a book I enjoyed.
I had no trouble with the paranormal aspects of the story and the characters' talents, they didn't over More...
I had no trouble with the paranormal aspects of the story and the characters' talents, they didn't over More...
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Jul 19, 2009
Donna
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Lucinda Bromley is a herbologist who is consulted by the police when they question if a death resulted from poison. Much to her surprise, the most recent case was not only a poisoning but the victim was poisoned by an extract of a plant that had recently been stolen from her conservatory. She hires Caleb Jones to investigate. Caleb and Lucinda tend to conflict but they predictable are drawn to each other.
Although the tale is a bit predictable, this is a good victorian romace and fits we More...
Although the tale is a bit predictable, this is a good victorian romace and fits we More...
Apr 30, 2009
Deborah
rated it:
Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle/Jayne Ann Krentz is one of my guilty pleasures. Her dialogue is witty, her characters are likeable and her plots are generally well thought out. The Perfect Poison is another in the continuing saga of the Jones Family & the Arcane Society. Both the men & the women in this series are wounded, needing to find trust as well as love, which makes them much easier for me to like. Her side characters are also developed beyond the stereotypes and it's always fun to have earlier
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Jun 03, 2009
Crystie
rated it:
If I could give this book four and a half stars I would! Four stars just doesn’t seem like enough but at the same time I hesitate to give it five stars. It was one of the better books from the Arcane series by Quick/Krentz that I have read. I have enjoyed all of them but this one I enjoyed more.
The characters were very interesting. I usually enjoy reading Amanda Quick’s novels because her heroines are usually quite entertaining. Lucinda was no disappointment. Her psychic powe More...
The characters were very interesting. I usually enjoy reading Amanda Quick’s novels because her heroines are usually quite entertaining. Lucinda was no disappointment. Her psychic powe More...
Apr 10, 2010
Mojca
rated it:
As leader of the newly-founded paranormal investigative agency Jones & Company, Caleb Jones has his hands full. But that doesn't prevent him from taking on another assignment. A peculiar one, not really in league with what his agency deals with. This is a case of a fern-napping. Someone stole a precious, rare fern from a lady's conservatory and said lady wants the plant back. Quickly. Before she is thrown in jail because of a poison derived from her fern.
Not that Lucinda concocted that poi More...
Not that Lucinda concocted that poi More...
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Aug 04, 2009
Cheryl
rated it:
Amanda Quick offers what you've been expecting - creativity, paranormal skills, a love affair, and an interesting and complicated mystery digging up past events and tying things together.
I don't want to give you too much information. This is a quick and enjoyable read after all. This time we see one of the founders of the Jones Detective Agency tied to a psychic botanist who becomes involved because one of her plants is stolen. It quickly turns into a roller coaster of odd events. More...
I don't want to give you too much information. This is a quick and enjoyable read after all. This time we see one of the founders of the Jones Detective Agency tied to a psychic botanist who becomes involved because one of her plants is stolen. It quickly turns into a roller coaster of odd events. More...
Nov 13, 2011
Helle
rated it:
The overall idea is good, and the ingredients bode well: London in the Victorian age, a botanist heroine with heightened psychical abilities, mysterious characters who are members of the Arcane Society and other elusive consortia, and of course x number of murders for the plot. However, the story never becomes urgent, the characters aren't developed beyond a few obvious (and minor) twists, and - worse - the Americanism abound in what is meant to sound British English - in dialogue that is often
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Aug 21, 2011
Marya
rated it:
The victorian Arcane Society novel that explains how Caleb Jones met and fell in love with Lucinda, his wife, and how Jones and Jones got their name.
I like the Arcane Society novels. They're formulaic, but quirky enough to be interesting, and the women are very strong characters. I enjoy going forward and backward in time to meet and revisit characters that engage my interest and make me want more.
Not a challenge by any means, but a guaranteed comfy afternoon with a good stor More...
I like the Arcane Society novels. They're formulaic, but quirky enough to be interesting, and the women are very strong characters. I enjoy going forward and backward in time to meet and revisit characters that engage my interest and make me want more.
Not a challenge by any means, but a guaranteed comfy afternoon with a good stor More...
Sep 10, 2010
Poppy
rated it:
A typical Amanda Quick book with it's amusing references to the ton and risks of ruined reputations. This one is part of the Arcane Society series and has a cool botanical twist. Caleb and Lucinda are gifted with psychical abilities and destined to live solitary lives until their paths cross. Lucinda hires Caleb to find out who stole a unique poisonous fern from her conservatory that is a key ingredient in a poison used in a homicide Scotland yard is investigating. The plot becomes much more tw
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Jun 27, 2009
Nicole
rated it:
I was skeptical after reading Quick's last historical book in the Arcane series because I do prefer Jayne Anne Krentz's modern day books in the series. Having said that, I was very surprised by this story in the series. Very well written and the storyline moved at a fast pace; keeping you very interested from page to page. The characters of both the hero and heroine were likable; and their paranormal "gifts" weren't over the top. Diffently a very good mystery/romance novel.
Apr 10, 2010
Stefanie
rated it:
This may be my favorite Amanda Quick Arcane Society novel. I like the characters Lucinda and Caleb and the energy they have between them. However, I am starting to fell like this Arcane Society novels are just the same thing over and over again. You have a strong psychic matched with another strong psychic who somehow work together to figure out a mystery which usually involves the founder's formula. One of these psychics always have a strong connection to the infamous Jones family.
