A Poisoned Season (Lady Emily Mysteries Book 2)

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.

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Return to Book Page. The o 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. Hardcover , pages. Published April 10th by William Morrow first published To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about A Poisoned Season , please sign up.

Patrice I always read books like this is order. There might be one main story per book but there is so much character development that it would be hard to go …more I always read books like this is order. There might be one main story per book but there is so much character development that it would be hard to go ahead and skip one of the books. I requested the second one from my library and they didn't have it but got it for me from a library nearby.

See 1 question about A Poisoned Season…. Lists with This Book. The rose is the symbolic flower of Austria. It has plenty of intrigue, witty dialogue, and plot twists. Could it all be the same person? Was it the same person each time? Are either of them Mr. 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? Or something else altogether? See what I mean? Jul 21, Wanda rated it really liked it Shelves: What a lovely discovery!

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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! 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.

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. Feb 04, Holly rated it it was amazing Shelves: 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: Lady Emily and Colin are a wonderful couple, I can't wait to see their relationship flourish! View all 3 comments. Apr 22, Jane rated it really liked it Shelves: Where I got the book: I know the author.

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, Where I got the book: 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. 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.

View all 9 comments. Aug 10, LJ rated it really liked it Shelves: There are several things one can depend upon during the London Season: A new face on the scene is Charles Berry who claims to be heir to the French throne in this post-revolutionary time. Is he the one sending Emily anonymous poems written in Greek?

A Poisoned Season

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. Emily is a great character; smart, independent and resourceful. 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. 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. 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 tre This book was 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.

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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? 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.

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But all that can't hide that I wasn't that overwhelmed by some parts of the book. View all 4 comments.

Nov 08, Lizzy rated it it was ok Shelves: 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.

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. 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 view spoiler [Lost Dauphin storyline hide spoiler ]. Moreover, Emily puts her detecting skills to much better use 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.

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. Another fantastic effort from Tasha Alexander. I love Lady Emily. 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: Two thumbs way way up. Mar 20, Laurie rated it really liked it. I'm a sucker for this 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 I'm a sucker for this genre: 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. View all 5 comments. Nov 20, Nancy Haddock rated it it was amazing. Complex plots, wonderful setting, and intriguing characters keep me coming back for more books in the Lady Emily series! Mar 26, Angie rated it really liked it Shelves: 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 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 This second installment in the Lady Emily Ashton mystery series definitely exceeded my expectations.

And I'm still trying to decide whether I adjusted to the world and writing style or if they gussied up a bit. 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. This one had a delicious ending and left me eager for the next one. Aug 08, Sheri rated it it was amazing.

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 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.

At the same time, Emily faces a personal mystery of her own. She seems to have acquired an admirer. The admirer obviously knows of her love for all things Greek, because he leaves her message after message in Greek. Colin continues to court her, with each gesture revealing how much he knows about her and loves her. Alexander has an ability to subtly tie in historical references and norms without itfeeling forced or out of place.

Emily continues to shine as we witness her personal journey. Lady Emily, despite her existence being two centuries in the past, remains a good role model for the strong female. Tasha Alexander, stays true to her fascination with European history and strong female leads,bywritingElizabeth: Queen Elizabeth I is an inspirationalleader who refuses to back down.

Unafraid to face war in order to stand up for what she believes in, she prepares to fight against King Phillip of Spain and his powerful army. He wishes to forcefully convert the entire nation of England to Catholicism. What makes this tale truly relatable are the notions of love and betrayal. As she prepares for war, the Queen falls deeply in love with Sir Walter Raleigh, but as Queen, she cannot pursue romance, as her allegiance is to her country before all else.

Despite this devotion, the Queen discovers that her most trusted advisors and family members have been plotting against her. Her strength in the face of all of these obstacles is what makes her character lovable, strong and influential. The mystery aspect makes them impossible to put down and educates the reader at the same time. If you see one missing just send me an e-mail below. Our author of the month is Canadian author Opal Carew who writes erotic romance novels.

Opal has written over novels with multiple book series such as the Dirty Talk series and the Abducted series. Tasha Alexander Books In Order. Jack Reacher is back! Personally I thought this was the 2nd best Reacher book yet. Family secrets come back to haunt Reacher when he decides to visit the town his father was born in. Because when he visits there he finds out no-one with the last name of Reacher has ever lived there.

It leaves him wondering - did his father ever live there? Every 2 weeks we send out an e-mail with Book Recommendations.