The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

This book is about a grad student, Eloise, who moves to London to try and figure out the identity of the person behind the Pink Carnation and learn more about two other spies from past times, the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. She is in contact with a lady who lets her read the diaries and letter correspondence from past family members. The book gives you the story of Amy Balcourt and Richard Uppington and all the people they encounter and are related to. Amy's father is from Paris but her Mother is from England. When Amy is 5 she travels to England with her Mother to visit relatives only to be unable to return due to the French Revolution. 15 years pass before Amy can go back, her father was murdered and her mother has also died. Amy reads stories of the spies (named above) and dreams of being in league with them. She travels to Paris with her cousin and guardian on a mission to find the Purple Gentian and help him get rid of Napoleon and save others. On the boat ride over Amy meets Richard Uppington. It is love at first site - although neither one will admit it. The do however, keep running into each other as Richard soon finds that he loves Amy and Amy tries to find the Purple Gentian. Most chapters are about Amy and Richard and everything that happens to them but sometimes the author does switch back and has a chapter about Eloise and what is happening to her while reading these letters/diaries.

I thought this book was wonderful and will be sure to pick up the next one by the author. My review probably doesn't do it justice though. haha! The book was great because it was written about a time so long ago yet it was very easy to read. I love Amy and Richard and all the things that happen to them. I found the book funny at times and it was always hard to put it down. This book is a mystery, romance, and historical novel all rolled into one.

fiction/new author/428 pages