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Hardcover
Publisher: Putnam Adult
ISBN13: 9780399155802
Condition: NEW
Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Victorian London holds many secrets. But none are so closely guarded as those of the shadowy Arcane Society. In her suspenseful new novel, New York Times-bestselling author Amanda Quick delves into this underworld of passion, greed, and powers that lie beyond this realm . . .
P lagued by rumors that she poisoned her fiancé, Lucinda Bromley manages to live on the fringes of polite society, tending her beloved plants-and occasionally consulting on a murder investigation. For the notorious botanist possesses a unique talent: She can detect almost any type of poison, especially ones that have their origins in the botanical kingdom.
But the death of a lord has shaken Lucinda to her core. At the murder scene, she picks up traces of a poison containing a very rare species of fern. So rare, in fact, that only one specimen exists in all of England-and it was stolen from her conservatory just last month.
To keep her name out of the inquest and to find the murderer, Lucinda hires fellow Arcane Society member Caleb Jones who runs a psychical investigation agency. A descendant of the founder of the Society, Jones is very skillful at protecting its secrets-and frighteningly good getting at the truth. Immediately, Lucinda senses both a raw power and an undeniable intensity in the imposing man.
But as a nearly overwhelming desire blooms between Caleb and Lucinda, they are drawn into the dark heart of a deadly conspiracy that can be traced to the early days of the Arcane Society -and to a legacy of madness that could plunge Caleb into the depths of his own tortured soul. . . .
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| Magic, Poisons, Mystery, Madness--and Love |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Set in (paranormal)Victorian London, Lucinda Bromley is a member of the Arcane Society whose magical talent is for botany, is notorious in polite society where rumors are that she has poisoned her fiance. She tries to deal with it, contenting herself with her studies and her plants and occasionally consulting with the police since she can sense the source of any plant-based poisons, no matter how minimal or obscure. She is called on a case of suspected poisoning and discovers that the source of the poison is a rare plant that was stolen from her own collection. Fearful of being suspected in the murder, she hires Caleb Jones, who has opened a special inquiry agency specializing in occult matters.
Caleb Jones is totally absorbed in his work, also, and doesn't really have time for people, even though he has to deal with them in the course of the agency's business. However, Lucinda has an unusual effect on him. Apparently, their psychic abilities are in tune, something that is crucial in a relationship, according to the match-maker Lucinda's cousin Patricia hires in order to find a husband. Caleb is not on the market for marriage, however. He fears he may have inherited an ancestor's magical talent that will lead to insanity. So we have a mystery, a health problem, a social stigma problem, as well as several relationships to settle--which all add up to fun and easy read that is an Amada Quick hallmark.
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| Excellent and stimulating! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This is one of my favorite writers, in all three of her writer names, I can't get enough of her "Arcane" mysteries. They are so interesting I usually read the book, then buy and listen to the audio, too. There aren't many authors that interest me enough to do both. It's fun to go back and forth between her Amanda Quick books and her Jayne Ann Krentz books. If you really want to find something else interesting to read, try her books under the name "Jayne Castle"! They are my very favorite and they are all written by "Jayne Ann Krentz". Try them, you'll like them!
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| The Perfect Poison |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I'm on the sixth disc of eight and as usual it is a great story. I love all of Amanda Quick's books.
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| Another Arcane Hit , in my opinion |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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I was wondering when Caleb Jones and for that matter , Fallon Jones would meet the love of their lives . It seemed unfair to leave them hanging around so long . ( I am still waiting to know Fallon 's fate ) Caleb Jones has now met his wife and I must say , it was worth the wait . While some say the Arcane books all follow the same pattern , this one is better worked out , with more dept of character and some very entertaining verbal sparring . Agreed , there are some fairly strange coincidences at work here . A poison that works for ages and only on one type of talent ? I won't go on for I would spoil the read for others but it seems far fetched . But on the other hand , it works . More Arcane books please , on this level or even better ?
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| Quiet twisted ending |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I love when new stories can still surprise me. The Perfect Poison is a story that contains many small shifts and twists in the story that even I didn't guess the outcome. I am a fan of the arcane society series, but I do admit I prefer the victorian arcane society. It still makes me smile how the characters go about a "normal" exsistence and try to conform to the age's rules and restrictions. LOVED it!
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