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cheesygiraffe's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyable read. I loved learning about Marie Antoinette and Louis Charles. This mystery was harder for me to figure out than the first book. Hopefully the next book is even better.
ktaylor1164's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid installment in the Lady Emily series--well written and plotted, with bonus character development across the board.
lifeand100books's review against another edition
5.0
The second installment in the Lady Emily mystery series, A Poisoned Season begins with Lady Emily Ashton at the tail end of mourning for her husband. (We learn of his death in And Only To Deceive) As a fresh start, she decides to re-join the London social scene on her own terms. Newcomer to the social scene, is a Charles Berry who claims that he is the direct descendant of Louie XVI and Marie Antoinette. Not only this, but he intends to take Lady Emily as his mistress (although she won’t have any of it!) Additionally, it appears that someone has been stealing items that belonged to Marie Antoinette, and just as the mystery appears to deepen with this new development, the owner of one of the items is murdered, deepening it further. It is up to Lady Emily to find the true burglar and murderer before he or she finds her, as it seems that the thief is becoming exceptionally interested in Lady Emily. She must work quickly as her own life is at stake! Will she be able to make it in time?
Alexander does a fantastic job with A Poisoned Season. Just like her first novel, I was hanging on the edge of my seat from cover to cover. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the new characters that we’re introduced to. Lady Emily’s childhood friend Jeremy, Duke of Bainbridge was a perfectly added dose of comedic relief. We’re also treated to more of the romantic tete-a-tete between Colin Hargreaves and Lady Emily, as Colin continues to try to convince Emily to marry him.
As I stated in my review of the And Only To Deceive, had Jane Austen and Agatha Christie been writing partners, Tasha Alexander’s books would have been the outcome. The mystery that Alexander sets up for us is wonderful. I had my thoughts on who the culprits could have been from the beginning, and was shocked to find out how wrong I was by the end. The ending completely blew me away, as I was not expecting it AT ALL. Throw into the investigation some background on Marie Antoinette, fine art, and literary discussions, and you have a mystery that you actually learn things from. This is probably one of my favorite things about the Lady Emily series (I’m currently reading book #4). They’re intelligent mysteries that make comments about the social/intellectual restraints of the Victorian time period, while at the same time providing characters and story lines that encourage you, the reader, to further your own knowledge of the events/people/places mentioned.
I cannot recommend Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily series enough. It’s literally all I’ve been talking about for the past two weeks, and I have been recommending it to everyone. They’re engaging, intellectual, funny, and sophisticated reads that are sure to please mystery, adventure, and historical fiction fans abound.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-JJ
Alexander does a fantastic job with A Poisoned Season. Just like her first novel, I was hanging on the edge of my seat from cover to cover. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the new characters that we’re introduced to. Lady Emily’s childhood friend Jeremy, Duke of Bainbridge was a perfectly added dose of comedic relief. We’re also treated to more of the romantic tete-a-tete between Colin Hargreaves and Lady Emily, as Colin continues to try to convince Emily to marry him.
As I stated in my review of the And Only To Deceive, had Jane Austen and Agatha Christie been writing partners, Tasha Alexander’s books would have been the outcome. The mystery that Alexander sets up for us is wonderful. I had my thoughts on who the culprits could have been from the beginning, and was shocked to find out how wrong I was by the end. The ending completely blew me away, as I was not expecting it AT ALL. Throw into the investigation some background on Marie Antoinette, fine art, and literary discussions, and you have a mystery that you actually learn things from. This is probably one of my favorite things about the Lady Emily series (I’m currently reading book #4). They’re intelligent mysteries that make comments about the social/intellectual restraints of the Victorian time period, while at the same time providing characters and story lines that encourage you, the reader, to further your own knowledge of the events/people/places mentioned.
I cannot recommend Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily series enough. It’s literally all I’ve been talking about for the past two weeks, and I have been recommending it to everyone. They’re engaging, intellectual, funny, and sophisticated reads that are sure to please mystery, adventure, and historical fiction fans abound.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-JJ
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Much more streamlined plot in this book. Bainbridge is annoying tho.
garnetofeden's review against another edition
4.0
In Lady Emily’s second time out, the mystery is framed around the theft of objects once belonging to Marie Antoinette, keeping the art and history themes prevalent in the first book. On a more big-picture level exploration of Victorian aristocratic society, Lady Emily’s continued desire for independence is threatened when she runs afoul of gossip and is in danger of becoming a social outcast. There are no journal entries like there were in the first volume, and this lack is definitely felt.
Rating reviewed 12/26/2022.
Rating reviewed 12/26/2022.
seshat59's review against another edition
4.0
It’s so rare when a second book actually surpasses the first, and A Poisoned Season does exactly that.
Now an established widow and out of her mandatory mourning period, Lady Emily has rejoined Society. Amidst the new Season in London, a cat burglar has started stealing all items related to Marie Antoinette just as a Mr. Charles Berry has claimed to be the Bourbon heir, relative to the Dauphin who apparently escaped his imprisonment. And of course there is a murder to be investigated. Naturally, Emily is swept into the melee.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel is how it explores the limits between eccentricity and ruin for a widow. Yes, Emily has far more freedom as a widow than she had when she wasn’t married, but even so, a woman could only go so far. Emily realizes that she cannot completely shun societal standards and norms, and I found that refreshing for a book to address, despite of course the ridiculous Victorian standards.
Alexander also truly found her voice in this installment of the series. The Amelia Peabody similarities continue — in all the best possible ways. The dialogue is witty and fun, and there’s plenty of farce and comedy within Emily’s society interactions. (Charles Berry is ridiculous on so many levels.) Emily’s romance with Colin is fun, but he is rather the weakest point of the novel. Other than being male perfection personified, there’s not much else to him. Oh, yes, other than being a spy.
All in all, A Poisoned Season is an incredibly fun read.
Now an established widow and out of her mandatory mourning period, Lady Emily has rejoined Society. Amidst the new Season in London, a cat burglar has started stealing all items related to Marie Antoinette just as a Mr. Charles Berry has claimed to be the Bourbon heir, relative to the Dauphin who apparently escaped his imprisonment. And of course there is a murder to be investigated. Naturally, Emily is swept into the melee.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel is how it explores the limits between eccentricity and ruin for a widow. Yes, Emily has far more freedom as a widow than she had when she wasn’t married, but even so, a woman could only go so far. Emily realizes that she cannot completely shun societal standards and norms, and I found that refreshing for a book to address, despite of course the ridiculous Victorian standards.
Alexander also truly found her voice in this installment of the series. The Amelia Peabody similarities continue — in all the best possible ways. The dialogue is witty and fun, and there’s plenty of farce and comedy within Emily’s society interactions. (Charles Berry is ridiculous on so many levels.) Emily’s romance with Colin is fun, but he is rather the weakest point of the novel. Other than being male perfection personified, there’s not much else to him. Oh, yes, other than being a spy.
All in all, A Poisoned Season is an incredibly fun read.
britks's review against another edition
4.0
Better than the first book! I think I found a great new series. This book had twists, turns, and Lady Emily is a female lead not to be messed with. Loved this book and did not see the murderer being the murderer at all! Excited to read the next book in the series.
rachel_anne_krauz95's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
dawnkelleyslifer's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5