The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

Read: December 31 - January 5
Format: Audio - 12 CDs 14.5 hrs. equivalent 464 pages
Source: Public Library
Subject: 19th century espionage, Purple Gentian - English Spy
Category: Blind dates: Will I like them? - New series / new authors
Genre: Mystery
Challenges: 11 in 11, 75 Book, TIOLI, SYLL, AUDIO
Stars: 3½

We've all heard of the Scarlet Pimpernel, and very much along the lines of the his adventures, we are treated to the story of the end of the career of the Purple Gentian (a friend of the Scarlet Pimpernel) and how he was unmasked and the circumstances which lead to the birth of the Pink Carnation in his stead.

The story is woven around the research of a Harvard Doctoral candidate (Eloise Kelly) searching for the identity of the Pink Carnation - an English spy during the Napoleonic era whose true identity has never been revealed. Having searched numerous archives in the British library and universities, Eloise makes a last ditch effort and contacts the family members of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian asking if they have any information that could be helpful. The story that evolves is delightfully entertaining and mysterious.

This is the first in the series and I'm definitely looking forward to continuing this series - the characters were fun and amusing and the style was refreshing.