The Lure of the Moonflower

August 1, 2015
A decade after The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (2005) hit shelves, Willig brings her charming, swashbuckling series to a close with this novel in which the Pink Carnation herself, Jane Wooliston, takes center stage. It's 1807, and Jane is on a mission to save the Portuguese queen from invading French forces and must seek the help of Jack Reid, a dashing spy known as the Moonflower, about whose allegiance and character Jane has serious doubts. Sparks fly the minute the two meet, and fans of the series won't be surprised in the least when the tension turns romantic. Several familiar faces turn up at the climax to help rescue the queen, and Jane must match wits with a deadly spy who just happens to be her former lover. Meanwhile, in modern-day England, Eloise Kelly, whose investigations into the Pink Carnation launched the series, prepares for her wedding to Colin Selwick, a descendant of one of the spies. Readers who have followed the series since its launch won't want to miss the Pink Carnation enjoying her happy ending.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

Starred review from July 1, 2015

In Sussex of 2005, Colin and Eloise's wedding day is fast approaching and brings family disasters at a more rapid pace than usual. In Lisbon of 1807, Jack Reid, aka the Moonflower, is meeting his new contact, who turns out to be The Pink Carnation (Jane Wooliston). Separately Jack and Jane are dealing with complicated personal issues but together their mission is to find and return the missing Queen of Portugal. Series fans have been dreading the end of this series, but Willig's top-notch satisfying conclusion will ease the pain. Strategically revealing the truth surrounding those curious activities of Mrs. Selwick-Alderly and of Jane Wooliston creates suspenseful tension while personal relationships become more secure, allowing for humorous moments and touches of romance. Favorite characters from previous installments make brief appearances and the result is a little slice of reading heaven. VERDICT Anyone looking for a well-crafted historical mystery series will want to start at the beginning for full enjoyment and will give thanks for the suggestion. [See Prepub Alert, 2/9/15.]--Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2015

Alas, dear readers, the award-winning, New York Times best-selling series begun in 2005 with The Secret History of the Pink Carnation is coming to a close, having carried us all the way to 1807 Portugal. With Lisbon about to be overrun by Napoleonic troops, the royal family is reportedly dispatched to Brazil, but Jane Wooliston (our Pink Carnation) knows differently. Aging, mad Queen Maria has been hidden away, and Jane must find and protect her. For help, she turns to the Moonflower, a British agent as mercurial as he's brilliant. With a 40,000-copy first printing; note the paperback original format. (LJ Romance editor Bette-Lee Fox is already over the moon about Moonflower; see "Editors' Spring Picks," LJ 2/15/15, p. 31.)

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015

In Sussex of 2005, Colin and Eloise's wedding day is fast approaching and brings family disasters at a more rapid pace than usual. In Lisbon of 1807, Jack Reid, aka the Moonflower, is meeting his new contact, who turns out to be The Pink Carnation (Jane Wooliston). Separately Jack and Jane are dealing with complicated personal issues but together their mission is to find and return the missing Queen of Portugal. Series fans have been dreading the end of this series, but Willig's top-notch satisfying conclusion will ease the pain. Strategically revealing the truth surrounding those curious activities of Mrs. Selwick-Alderly and of Jane Wooliston creates suspenseful tension while personal relationships become more secure, allowing for humorous moments and touches of romance. Favorite characters from previous installments make brief appearances and the result is a little slice of reading heaven. VERDICT Anyone looking for a well-crafted historical mystery series will want to start at the beginning for full enjoyment and will give thanks for the suggestion. [See Prepub Alert, 2/9/15.]--Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.