The Masque of the Black Tulip

Reader reviewed by Ria

Eloise, the Harvard grad student, who uncovered the identity of the Pink Carnation, is set to discover a new mysterious identity, the Black Tulip. As she does some more research at the home of Colin Selwick, descendent of Henrietta and Richard Selwick, she discovers more than history when her feelings for Colin begin to change.

The Pink Carnation is still the most elusive spy yet and is getting help from Lady Henrietta Selwick, the sister of the Purple Gentian. While Richard Selwick hasnt received any spying missions, Hen is still being watched carefully. Instead, Richards best friend, Miles Dorrington has been given 2 tasks, to watch over Hen while he enjoys marital bliss and find the most dangerous French spy, The Black Tulip.

As Miles and Hen enjoy the everyday joys of Regency London, such as attending balls, they cannot forget that someone out there is looking for them. When Lord Vaughn, a notorious rake returns to London, he sets his attentions to Henrietta, causing them to be in awkward yet suspicious situations. And a mysterious, but beautiful woman, a marquise, has targeted Miles. Even through these distractions, Miles and Hen fall in love, and when caught in a compromising situation by Hens angry brother, they get married.

But married life isnt all that its set out to be. While returning home from their hasty wedding, Miles and Hen are shot at from another carriage. They suspect that the Black Tulip has found them. While Miles checks in with the War Ministry, Hen decides to do some snooping of her own and finds herself in the deadliest situation of all.

I cant even begin to say how much I loved this book, along with its predecessor, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation. I was really happy to find out that the author, Lauren Willig, is writing a 3rd carnation book, and there may, in fact, be others. I tried to read this as slow as I could, but I still managed to finish this in 1 day. The Masque of the Black Tulip has everything, from romance to mystery to historical fiction. This book will appeal to anyone. I love how the novel is set in London in the 1800s, yet has a bit of a modern story too. If you havent read these books yet, you are missing out on a lot. I cant wait until the next Carnation book comes out!