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Rumored that she poisoned her fiancé, Lucinda Bromley manages to live on the fringes of polite society, tending her beloved plants - and occasionally consulting on murder investigations. Lucinda has a unique skill in that she can detect any type of poison if it has roots in the botanical kingdom. The latest case she has been asked to consult on has shaken Lucinda to the core, as the poison used has elements of a one-of- a-kind rare species of fern which was stolen from her conservatory in the last month. In order to keep herself safe from suspicion she hires Caleb Jones who runs a psychical investigation agency to help her discover who stole her fern. Caleb and Lucinda experience a strong attraction, and while finding a fern is not what has grabbed Caleb’s interest, he senses that more is at work here than the mere theft of a plant, but a clue leading to a dark conspiracy of evil men that threaten the very existence of the Arcane society. *** As always, author Amanda Quick sets off an exciting and mysterious tone to each of her Arcane series novels. As the sixth book in this extremely original and mesmerizing Victorian era series surrounding the beginnings of the 200 year old secret Arcane Society, she captivates her readers with new characters whose amazing psychical and paranormal gifts are found to be both a blessing and/or a curse. My only complaint is while the order of her publications does not follow a specific timeline, and although each story is purely stand-alone, I would have preferred them to follow a consecutive progression rather than bouncing back and forth from contemporary to historical. However, my silly nit-picking aside, new converts to this fabulous series now numbering six books, will find it easier to gather and read books in order. Lucinda is a wonderful new protagonist gifted by the author with another new and original psychical gift; she can sense and identify poisons, both before and/or after they’ve done their job. In her latest consultation Lucinda knew that the poison was derived from a plant she herself had discovered and was the only one in existence. If the constable discovered that fact, the finger of blame would have been planted directly on her, especially as she been the prime suspect of the poisoning of her own fiancé a year earlier. Right from the moment they met Caleb and Lucinda were drawn together both in purpose and sensual pull. What follows is pure fun, adventure and sizzling sensuality as Ms. Quick fills the pages with a splendid cast of secondary characters, intensely woven plots filled with danger and secrets, and plethora of witty and delectable dialogs that at times had me laughing out loud. Amanda Quick’s Arcane Society series is one of the most entertaining and creative set of novels I have ever read. Her characters are simply amazing with individual psychic gifts that are totally mesmerizing. If listening rather than reading then you get twice the entertainment by Ms. Anne Flosnik’s performance which is, as always, impeccable. Highly, highly recommended reading or listening!
Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau for CK2S Kwips and Kritiques |
arcane society book 6:
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