Seduced by a Spy

February 1, 2008
The students at Mrs. Merlins Academy for Select Young Ladies are instructed intraditional womanly arts, such as needlework and dancing, as well asweaponry and warfare. Which is why graduates of the secret school prove to be such formidable intelligence agents, asRussian spy Alexandr discovers after he is outmaneuvered on a mission by Shannon, one of Merlins Maidens. When France sends its most skilled assassin to England to neutralize a Scottish scientist, Shannon and Alexandr areforced to work together again, with surprising consequences. Pickens exquisitely subtle sense of characterization ismatched by polished, witty prose inthe latest edition to her espionage-steeped Regency historical series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)