A Poisoned Season

Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries #2

by Tasha Alexander

London's social season is in full swing, and Victorian aristocracy is atwitter over a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Adding to their fascination with all things French, an audacious cat burglar is systematically stealing valuable items that once belonged to the ill–fated queen.

But things take a dark turn. The owner of one of the pilfered treasures is found murdered after the theft is reported in the newspapers, and the mysterious thief develops a twisted obsession with Lady Emily Ashton. It takes all of Lady Emily's wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, while faced with a brewing scandal that threatens both her reputation and her romance with the dashing Colin Hargreaves.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Victorian

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2007

About the author

The daughter of two philosophy professors, I grew up surrounded by books. I was convinced from an early age that I was born in the wrong century and spent much of my childhood under the dining room table pretending it was a covered wagon. Even there, I was never without a book in hand and loved reading and history more than anything. I studied English Literature and Medieval History at the University of Notre Dame. Writing is a natural offshoot of reading, and my first novel, And Only to Deceive, was published in 2005. I'm the author of the long-running Lady Emily Series as well as the novel Elizabeth: The Golden Age. One of the best parts of being an author is seeing your books translated, and I'm currently in love with the Japanese editions of the Emily books.

I played nomad for a long time, living in Indiana, Amsterdam, London, Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut, and Tennessee before settling down. My husband, the brilliant British novelist Andrew Grant (I may be biased but that doesn't mean I'm wrong) and I live in southeastern Wyoming. I still don't have a covered wagon, but a log house goes a long way toward fulfilling my pioneer fantasies. Andrew makes sure I get my English characters right, and I make sure his American ones sound American.

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve decided I like Lady Emily after all! Reading the first book, I wasn’t sure - but that was because I couldn’t help comparing her to Lady Julia Grey, my favorite Victorian widow sleuth and my first love of the genre.

But now I’ve had some time without a lot of new Lady Julia material to read, and was able to find some space in my heart for Emily. She’s another heroine who can’t quite live within the strictures of Victorian society, and finds freedom as a widow that she never could have had as a wife - although her scandalous habit of drinking port still makes her rather suspect to many, not to mention her newly discovered love of Ancient Greek and antiquities, and her reluctance to re-marry.

In this second installment of the series, Emily discovers that being a widow is not a complete protection for her reputation now that she's out of mourning. She gets herself into some serious trouble with her social carelessness while investigating a murder. I have to say she won me over by the end, and I enjoyed the mystery as well - I didn't figure out what was going on right away.

As far as the complementary leading male is concerned, I suppose I do like Colin too, even though so far he seems a bit too… good and honorable. Not even a whiff of the rogue on this one, and the only mysterious thing about him is the question of what exactly he does for the government. The fact that he’s most likely a spy does make him a bit interesting, but Lady Julia's Brisbane wins this contest for sure as one of my favorite male leads of all time.

I enjoyed this for the many reasons that I love mysteries set in this time period - the social comedy, the relationships, the mishaps and scandals (or bluestocking tendencies) that shock high society, all mixed in with a bit of a mystery to make it more interesting and add a flare of danger and intrigue. The Lady Julia series is my first love of this genre, but that doesn't mean I can't learn to love others as well. Let's have some more Emily.

[Lisa Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite paintings, “Marie Antoinette with the Rose,” by Louise-Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun (female prodigy and a favorite of the queen). The rose is the symbolic flower of Austria.


★★★★ ½ Oh, I think I liked this one even more than the first in the Lady Emily Mysteries. It has plenty of intrigue, witty dialogue, and plot twists. There is a cat burglar stealing mementos of Marie Antoinette; there is a man claiming to be her heir; there is a ‘overzealous suitor’ stalking Lady Emily; and there is a murderer on the loose. Could it all be the same person?

I got a little excited doing the Discussion Questions (DQs) for my “buddy read” of A Poisoned Season, as you can see by my rambling inquiry below:

DQ#8. Lady Emily’s home is broken into twice. Was it the same person each time? Or was one home invasion by the Marie Antoinette Belongings Thief and the other by Lady Emily’s ‘overzealous suitor’? Are either of them Mr. Berry? Cécile doesn’t think he has it in him to be the thief? Could he be? If there were two different people that snuck in Lady Emily’s home, are they in league with one another? Is it a forgone conclusion that the person leaving the notes in Greek is the same one who left the rose and the note in her bed? Could two people be leaving her Greek notes? I hope this isn’t a dumb question, but are they love notes? Or something else altogether?

See what I mean? Poor Sandy, my “buddy read” partner. Her response?

“Dang, Lisa Kay.”

LOL!

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely discovery! I’m very impressed with Tasha Alexander on the basis of this book. She will be a key-note guest at a writers’ conference that I’m attending next month and I try to read a little something by each guest before the event to help me know who I want to hear more from. Our public library didn’t have the first volume of her Lady Emily series, but this second book managed to allude to enough of the plot of the first book to get me into the loop and able to appreciate A Poisoned Season.

This is a historical mystery with a good splash of romance. Unlike so many current Victorian lady detective books, there are no paranormal events in this one, although Lady Emily does end up with one rather mysterious admirer. Her mother is still a thorn in her side—Emily thinks that, as a widow, she had the social license to remain single for a while and carve out her own place in society. Her mother could not agree less, and is already determinedly pushing her widowed daughter towards a second marriage. Thankfully, Colin Hargreaves seems like just the man for the job—now he must convince the independent Emily of that.

I will definitely be continuing on with this series—I even hope to read the next book before attending the conference in mid-August. Fingers crossed that the public library delivers it in a timely fashion!

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one so much more than the first in the Lady Emily series! After I read the first, I didn't think I would be too interested to continue but I was willing to give the series a second shot. I'm so glad that I did because I thought this was great. It had it all for me: the 1800's (one of my favorite era's), mystery, romance, witty dialogue, etc. Lady Emily and Colin are a wonderful couple, I can't wait to see their relationship flourish!

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one looks to be a sort of chick-lit from the Victorian age.
There is some panache, but the story is too long, the characters far too many, the plot somehow childish. Not to mention the "pudibondery" in excess, quite in opposition with the coarse rudeness of some servants...

[Eva Müller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was...OK...I guess. It's not that I didn't enjoy it. Emily was as great a character as in the first book and the mystery was actually better. However I had trouble with two of the the sub-plots. At first we have the Emily has a stalker-subplot. And it is a stalker, not just a secret admirer who sends flowers now and then. He breaks into her house to leaver her "presents" and he sends angry notes and wilted flowers after he saw her with another man. Neither Emily nor the book itself treat that subject with the seriousness it deserves. That whole plotline and the resolution just didn't sit right with me.

Another one was just plain stupid. Ivy, one of Emily's closest friends is newly married but doesn't get pregnant. Not for any medical reasons but because Robert, her husband, never sleeps with her. He always comes home late and if Ivy is still awake by then he suggests she should take sleeping-powders because staying up so late must be bad for her health. Still he also joins the chorus of people nagging Ivy about when she will have an heir. I am not sure how Robert thinks babies are made. The resolution to that subplot also seemed far to rushed, as if a few pages before the end the author suddenly remembered that she also needed to do something about it. I have no clue what that I was supposed to think about that part. Was it a comic relief plot? It wasn't funny. Was it a commentary on Victorian sex-morals? If yes what was the author trying to say with it? Because apart from 'men are stupid' I didn't get anything out of it.

After so much complaining I feel that I have to point out again that overall I enjoyed the book. As said, the mystery was better than in the first book and not as easy to see through.
Emily's character-development also continues to be interesting. She is still trying to figure out how far she is willing to go and what consequences of her actions she is willing to accept. In that aspect the series is one of the most realistic historical mysteries I know. The research that has been done for the book and the attention to detail is also amazing. But all that can't hide that I wasn't that overwhelmed by some parts of the book.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A POISONED SEASON (Amateur Sleuth-Emily Ashton-England-Victorian) – VG
Alexander, Tasha – 2nd in series
Wm. Morrow, 2007, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780061174148
First Sentence: There are several things one can depend upon during the London Season: an overwhelming barrage of invitations, friends whose loyalties turn suspect, and at least one overzealous suitor.
*** Lady Emily Ashton is through the period of mourning for her husband in time to join London’s social season. A new face on the scene is Charles Berry who claims to be heir to the French throne in this post-revolutionary time. Although he is courting a friend of Emily’s to be his future Queen, he wants Emily as his mistress. Is he the one sending Emily anonymous poems written in Greek? And who is stealing treasures of the late Marie-Antoinette? But most important, who poisoned society member David Francis? Although her maid has been arrested, Mrs. Francis asks Emily to prove her maid innocent.
*** Ms Alexander combines history, society and a dash of romance into a first-rate read. She has taken three threads; who committed the murder, who is the thief and who is trying to ruin Emily’s reputation, and combines them into one very interesting, intriguing story. Emily is a great character; smart, independent and resourceful. There is a romance, but she doesn’t depend on him to save her. Her depiction of Victorian England is delightful, while very much the upper class. It does show the intrigues and intricacies of live among the social elite. The plot kept me going and I didn’t expect the ending at all. While it didn’t have the emotional pull of her first book, “And Only to Deceive.” this was a very good read.

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A re read and still love it. Continuing a reread of the series. Outstanding narration. Highly recommend if this is a genre you enjoy.

[Tiziana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful reading !! I love it so much !

The read is easy and flowing ( I'm from Italy and I read it in English, not my mother tongue, so if I find it flowing, it really is ), the plot starts off interesting and after few chapters it becomes so addictive that when I was partway through the book I just couldn't put it down and as I got closer to the end I felt the suspense take over of me, I couldn't help to feel so thrilled by finally getting to find out "who, how and why".

-----> THE PLOT :
England, 1891 - The season has just begun and all of good society is taken by the succession of social events, made even more interesting by the presence of Charles Berry, an enigmatic character who claims to be the predominant heir of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. His arrival in London coincides with a series of unexplained thefts of objects that belonged to the last French queen, culminating in a double, heinous crime.
Lady Emily Ashton ( our heroine ) finds herself at the center of the mystery and decides to solve the case, investigating the numerous characters involved, without knowing what risks await her in this difficult path and what lies behind the glittering facade of the London nobility. Forced to extricate herself from scandals and backbiting, however, she will be able to count on the support of her faithful friend and suitor Colin, more than ever determined to win her heart.
----------------------

This is the second book in the LADY EMILY series, but it's not the second one to me, since I started from book 12 then continuing in random order because each adventure is perfectly enjoyable as a "stand alone" and even if the private stories of the characters have a beginning and a progress, the author is very skilled at describing the past's character in each book.

However, if you like to become attached to a series and intend to read more or all of the books, then I strongly recommend that you read them in order of publication, because the charm of these novels lies not just in the well-articulated mysteries, but also in the plot of private life of the main character (a modern and independent woman of the Victorian era, a lover of culture and eager to establish herself as a person, thanks to her skills and not as someone's wife in high society) and of the characters around her.

Some characters are constant in the series and others are recurring. Each main character is skillfully described in his way of being, in his vocal expressions and gestures, on how one is perceived by society and how one likes to fit into or detach from the society of the time.

The characters are believable and it's really easy to become attached to them and experience the pathos of what is about to happen with them.

The dialogues are realistic and brilliant, the places and the clothes well described, I was able to visualize every scene, while reading, just like watching a movie.

The mystery is well thought out and the author manages to shift suspicions from one character to another so much that until the end you really can't imagine the "real" culprit.
Even after the discovery of the culprit there is still one last dangerous situation to be resolved and I can say that the novel kept me in suspense until the end.

IMPORTANT : the book is a cozy-mystery because it has clean language, no sex or violence scenes, however the plot of this book, as well as that of the other books in the series, manages to remain original (not the usual murder on ship, at the manor, on the train ... I read many cozies, they are adorable but they all look a bit alike ), moreover it is a fictional historical mystery, but which cleverly intertwines with true history and at the end of the book it is very interesting to read the author's notes which tell the reader how the facts actually took place.
This book takes place in England, but many others in the series are set in other countries of which the author describes places, uses and customs and this is one of the reasons why the plots are able to diversify from the usual cozies.

5 stars well deserved and I can't wait to read the next one !

( A LITTLE NOTE _ as I often write in my posts: sorry for my bad english, but it's not my mother tongue, I'm from Italy )

[CarolG · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a copy of Book 15 in this series in a Goodreads giveaway so I thought I'd read one of the earlier books to get a feel for the author's writing and the characters. The first book in the series didn't appeal to me so I got the second one from the library. I enjoyed the book and anything I may have missed in the first one was recapped satisfactorily. Unfortunately I had too many books on the go once again so it took me a while to finish this one but the book was easy to read with interesting characters. I especially enjoyed reading about "the season" in London during those times; so many unwritten rules and so many dresses required! I was interested to learn about steganography, the practice of concealing a message within another message, a practice which is still in use today according to Wikipedia, most notably in the world of cybersecurity. Lady Emily is quite the non-conformist and I'm looking forward to seeing the changes in her character by the 15th book.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where I got the book: purchased at an author event. Signed. I know the author.

This is the second book in Alexander’s Lady Emily mystery series. I’m very slowly working my way through it, having enjoyed the first book enough that I was willling to give the second a try. I have three or four historical mystery series I dip into from time to time when I need some relaxation reading—I expect plausibility rather than painstaking historical accuracy, perhaps a little bit of a continuing romance story, and enough fun and fluff to keep me turning the page. I also like such books not to insult my intelligence, and they get higher points if they pique my interest in one or more aspect of history.

And A Poisoned Season did well on all counts. It continues Lady Emily’s interest in all things Greek and her obsession with getting Greek artifacts out of private possession and into museums, although naturally she’s not progressive enough to insist they actually be returned to Greece. The Greek theme is worked into the plot via the messages (containing classical Greek quotations) that Emily receives from her stalker, but on the whole it’s downplayed as the main mystery plot involves artifacts belonging to Marie Antoinette and a Bourbon claimant who turns up in London. Yes, the Greek and the French do sit a little awkwardly together, which is the problem of giving your heroine a very specific interest early on in a series.

The background for the mystery is the London Season, the marriage market for the aristocracy. This was the matter on which Alexander piqued my historical interest, as she has some interesting points to make about the whole love vs. strategy dilemma of Victorian aristocratic matchmaking and also develops Emily’s relationship with her mother. The post-dénouement ending (not spoiling it for you) came a bit too abruptly for me, but I’m hoping this will be one of those series where spanners will be thrown into the emotional works with satisfying regularity.

My verdict is that I’m engaged in this series and will continue with it when the urge to relax with a historical mystery arises.

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

.
A Poisoned Season (Lady Emily Mysteries, Book 2)
Kindle Edition
Author: Tasha Alexander
Narrator: Nic Frances
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ASIN: B000OI0E0Y
Publication Date: October 13, 2009
Pages: 336
Genre: Historical Romance, European Regency, Mystery and Suspense
Book Type: Audible

I listened to this audiobook through Hoopla via my local public library. The narrator was Nic Frances which is different from the first book in the installment. However, I actually preferred this rendition much more!

Tasha Alexander delivers a Regency based novel of historical suspense set in Victorian England. There are numerous twists and turns that reveal stolen antiquities, betrayal, and murder. It is told by pov of the main character, a recent widow, Emily, that barely knew her departed husband, Philip, Viscount Ashton. She really experienced little grief, since she barely knew the man, due to her single-minded reason for accepting his proposal was to escape her mother's control over her life. In her new role, she becomes more strong-minded and assertive in ways she never had before.

As a wealthy widow, Lady Emily quite literally became most grateful for the freedom and independence she was afforded as a widow, that she could never have experienced as a married woman. She uses her resources and freedom to begin a socially unorthodox pursuit of her interest in the field of academia, studying ancient Greek art and literature.

Lady Emily finds her reputation being tarnished by spiteful rumors from ill-natured gossips. Could they be related to the murder investigation she has inserted herself into? Thankfully, her mother worked diligently to help her restore here standing, going so far as to get her invited to tea with the Queen. The Queen's advice was:

It is essential that you guard your reputation as if it were your greatest treasure. And do not forget that we women require male protection and it is that, that you need.

Consequently, the queen judiciously ordered Lady Emily to wed her long-time suitor, because she refused to save her reputation again. Lady Emily travels extensively trying to solve the current mystery and experiences many doubts before basking in any triumphs.

Many books are so compelling, engrossing the reader's full attention, and you hope they will never end. However, this book does not qualify for that type of experience. The content in this installment was less intensely related to the unknown, as had been in the first with all the artwork and such. The content and execution were still a bit tedious trail on the way toward the conclusion. The storyline is still interesting, but not overly compelling.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic effort from Tasha Alexander.
I love Lady Emily.

I REALLY love Colin Hargreaves.

Although I think this mid-to-late Victorian period in which the books are set would have been far too silly for me (I feel the same way about meetings, so it's possible that I need to adjust my standards), I enjoy seeing Emily romp all over it.

This particular mystery has so many Georgette Heyer themes, but written by a contemporary author: the London season, arranged marriages, nobility, and a royal who-dun-it. Two thumbs way way up.



*******SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT********


And if you read this book and try to say you didn't instantly fall in love with Sebastian Capet, you're a dirty liar. ;-)

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am definitely a Lady Emily fan and look forward to reading more in her series. She is an independent spirit and very smart. Having her move in high society circles and travel to glamorous locations also makes her stories more interesting. This one had more than a few plot twists that kept me from guessing the answer to the biggest mystery until the very last part of the book.

[Lizzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contrary to prevailing opinion, I did not enjoy the second installment of Lady Emily’s adventures as much as the first one. Still, good enough just for the entertainment.

Tasha Alexander provides us with a plot more akin to a traditional historical romance story in a A Poisoned Season. Lady Ashton is a widow; therefore she can do without a husband and thrive on her independence. Of course, as she is still very young she faces the pressure of her peers to marry. But Lady Emily deals well with that limitation and keeps going forward as she intended all along.

I found And Only to Deceive a more elaborate novel, mainly because its protagonist is a woman on the road to self-discovery. Besides that, she falls in love with the husband she had just lost. It is a more touching story. Everything she does focus on herself, as her discovery of how her independence is essential for her happiness. Even her constant quest to solve the mystery of the fake antiquities. I thought the overall deeper feelings that prevail in the first is not as strong in the second novel. I found A Poisoned Season much more a mystery historical-romance, more superficial if you want. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the reading, although it was an inferior reading experience for me.

I enjoyed her relationship with Colin evolves and how he supports her investigation efforts as well as her desire for self-reliance. They make a great couple; together they remind me somewhat of a modern relationship, this singularly enhances the reading experience.

A good 3 stars story. Recommended.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Poisoned Season
4 Stars

Emily's sleuthing abilities as well as the development of her relationship with Colin Hargreaves are both significantly improved in this installment.

The mystery revolving around the theft of several artifacts related to Marie Antionette and the subsequent murder of the owner of one of the stolen treasures is very intriguing, especially the inclusion of the Lost Dauphin storyline. Moreover, Emily puts her detecting skills to much better use rather than just stumbling around in the dark, and the ultimate revelation of the culprit provides quite a twist to the story.

Emily and Colin's romance, which was sorely lacking in detail in the first book, finally gets sufficient page time. Colin with is quiet sincerity and profound sense of honor is a clear case of still waters running deep, and he provides an excellent companion to Emily's more forthright personality.

All in all, an enjoyable historical mystery.

On a side note, it is unfortunate that the 4th and 5th books are not available in audiobook format, which is problematic as audio is the only option for me when it comes to 1st person narration. Hopefully, these books will be recorded soon so that I can continue with the series.

Update: The entire series is now on audio, so I can continue with it!

[Jude: The Epic Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the characters of these books but the main lady is kind of frustrating. I believe she is just trying too hard to be feminist and deny all things involving societal expectations, all well and good if she wasn't so judgemental of her friends and influencing them to be unhappy in the life they have. She has an annoying habit of not doing things just because someone asks her to do it. I'm still excited for the other book and I believe that her personality in that regard will calm down or evolve in a way that I can get more behind. This still felt more of just a historic fiction than a mystery.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 3.5 STARS

Alexander still is a bit heavy-handed with the rah rah women but I am getting used to it and am loving the characters so much I forget. Emily is out of mourning and her mother is ready for her to remarry but Emily has other plans...to solve a murder. A man is poisoned and his wife does not believe her maid is the killer. With the aid of her new friends Margaret and Cecile and Colin she decides to take the case as her mother, Ivy and Robert look from the sidelines with disapproval.

[Nidofito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if the first book didn't, A Poisoned Season certainly has convinced me that Alexander's future books will be delightful mystery reads.

I'd advise reading them with attention though because the cast of characters tends to be long and two or three subplots all wind up together, somehow leaving the original conflict behind. However they have both common and unique HR mystery tropes making it altogether very pleasant.

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Lady Emily and her pluckiness! She was an intriguing bluestocking in her scholarly pursuit of all things Greek. The dialogue was occasionally a bit choppy and there were some abrupt scene changes, but overall, I enjoyed the mystery. It was rich in detail, with an intricate cast of colorful characters.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect book to distract from the Brexit disaster and escape into Lady Emily's world. Book 3, 4, 5, 6 reserved at the library

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining second installment of the series.

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stelle e mezza (questo mese sto dando i voti con lo stampino...)
Un presunto pretendente al trono di Francia, un ladro che ruba oggetti appartenuti a Maria Antonietta, un misterioso spasimante e un'omicidio. Direi che la protagonista ha abbastanza sul piatto senza contare le attese, soprattutto della madre, affinché si risposi presto. Una bella storia e alla fine non avevo capito chi fosse l'assassino. Mi è piaciuto come l'autrice ha sviluppato l'idea che il figlio di Maria Antonietta possa essere scappato dalla prigione, anche se ora sappiamo con certezza che non è successo nella realtà. Devo decidermi a leggere più spesso questa serie, magari seguendo l'ordine dei libri perché finora ne ho letti uno qua e uno là.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second installment in the Lady Emily Ashton mystery series definitely exceeded my expectations. I ended up rather underwhelmed by the first book. Nevertheless, I was willing to move forward, hoping things would pick up substantially in the second. And by "things" I mean plotline, character development, chemistry between principals...pretty much the whole shebang. Good news is--they did. Quite a bit, in fact. And I'm still trying to decide whether I adjusted to the world and writing style or if they gussied up a bit. Either way A POISONED SEASON was a very enjoyable read.

Emily leaves her beloved Greece reluctantly, returning home to England for the dreaded Season. Now that she's a couple of years into her widowhood, Emily couldn't possibly care less about the endless winings and dinings, myriad marriage brokerings, and insipid social maneuverings that consume the London aristocracy for months on end. The string of cards and parties is spiced up a bit, however, by a series of burglaries--all of them items once owned by the late Marie Antoinette. When her friend Cecile's diamond earrings are stolen from Emily's own home, she becomes interested in investigating. Matters become a little more personal when the thief reveals a tendresse for Emily herself, stealing in and out of her home at will, leaving love letters and fragments of poems penned in ancient Greek. Meanwhile, Margaret has taken up with a duke, Colin is involved investigating a pretender to the defunct throne of France, and Emily's mother is determined to see Emily married again before the Season's end.

I thought things came together much more seamlessly in this story than in the first. Emily is more sure of herself and less and less interested in what others think of her. It was a pleasure to watch her flaunt stuffy society matrons and their catty gossip in favor of learning Greek, investigating crime, and deepening her friendship with the ever-openminded agent of the crown--Colin Hargreaves. I like how Colin never once forces Emily to do anything. I like how Emily very sensibly waits to make any permanent changes to her life before she knows her own mind on the matter. Where And Only to Deceive made me want to pull out my copy of The Iliad and settle in, A POISONED SEASON sent me into a French Revolution phase, digging out my battered A Tale of Two Cities, as the mystery centers around the exiled French royal family, the life of Marie Antoinette, and the political machinations of the beleaguered Republic. This one had a delicious ending and left me eager for the next one.

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book of the series, Lady Emily Ashton finds herself embroiled in events surrounding a mysterious cat burgler and a pretender to the French throne. The theft of diamond earrings once belonging to Marie Antoinette and currently owned by her French friend, Cecile, while a guest in her home, alarms the entire household. Charles Berry, claiming to be a descendant of Louis XVI's son, the lost Dauphin, is charming London society and claiming that he will soon be installed as King of France as works are underway to restore the monarchy. These two events become connected when it is revealed that the cat burgler is only stealing items that once belonged to Marie Antoinette. When Lady Emily finds out gentleman David Francis has also been the victim of this burgler, she encourages him to report the theft of a large pink diamond to the police. Days later, Francis is found dead. Believing herself somehow responsible, Lady Emily is determined to find justice. And thus the game is afoot.

Colin Hargreaves reappears as Emily's love interest, and their relationship advances as he supports her investigation while admonishing her to avoid risks. Since he has been employed by the British government to become close to and watch Berry, Colin and Emily find their paths crossing in this mystery. I really liked watching Emily and Colin become closer as they navigate the dictates of London society which is much opposed to Emily's streak of independence. Alexander also brings to light more about her ensemble cast of characters. There is the ever indomitable Lady Bromley, Emily's mother, constantly encouraging her to avoid scandal and remarry; Davis the astute and faithful butler; Cecile, Emily's French friend who is a houseguest and knowledgeable about French Royalty; American friend Margaret Seward, also an independent intellectual; and Ivy Brandon, Emily's friend from childhood, who is experiencing problems in her new married life. All play a part in the story as Lady Emily seeks to uncover a thief and murderer.

I find Tasha Alexander's use of historical events intriguing, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Poisoned Season (Lady Emily, # 2) By Tasha Alexander

Set in the Victorian Era, a burglar is stealing items that belonged to the Queen. Then a murder occurs, one of the owners of stolen items turns up dead. Lady Emily Ashton is determined to find out who the culprit is. Also it appears that Lady Emily has a stalker, and (she is) beginning a romance with Colin Hargreaves.

The perfect who-done-it. The plot is fast paced, with a lot of twists turns and secrets. The cast of characters is large, each one has their part in the story. I really Liked Lady Emily, and some of her friends. Murder, mystery, suspense, secrets, and a splash of romance makes for the perfect read. I highly recommend A Poisoned Season to those who enjoy Historical-Mystery.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for this genre: 19th Century England/high society/mystery/historical fiction/romance.

Truth be told, it's not THAT great of a book, but like I said, I'm a sucker for the genre. The reason it is not THAT great is because I don't automatically find myself making the same leaps of judgement about some of the 'suspects' as the main character, Emily Ashton, does. So, I suppose that if the author made the motives more clear or the descriptions more detailed, I may make the same conclusions. Some things are left pretty vague to the reader, it seems, whereas the character, whom we are supposed to be journeying along with, seems to have more of the facts or back history. In any case, it entertained me.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

An utter delight! The suspense was intriguing, the female empowerment was emboldening; and the romance was divine.

A well written mystery with brilliant characters who you cannot help but love and want to read more of.

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex plots, wonderful setting, and intriguing characters keep me coming back for more books in the Lady Emily series!

[Bookish Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful read and cast of characters- fun mystery. If I could wish for one thing I’d love more descriptions of the dress and manners of the time.