The Mischief of the Mistletoe

A Pink Carnation Christmas

By: Lauren Willig

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

'Tis the season to get Pink! Lauren Willig's beloved Pink Carnation series gets into the holiday spirit with this irresistible Regency Christmas caper.

Arabella Dempsey's dear friend Jane Austen warned her against teaching. But Miss Climpson's Select Seminary for Young Ladies seems the perfect place for Arabella to claim her independence while keeping an eye on her younger sisters nearby. Just before Christmas, she accepts a position at the quiet girls' school in Bath, expecting to face nothing more exciting than conducting the annual Christmas recital. She hardly imagines coming face to face with French aristocrats and international spies...

Reginald "Turnip" Fitzhugh - often mistaken for the elusive spy known as the Pink Carnation - has blundered into danger before. But when he blunders into Miss Arabella Dempsey, it never occurs to him that she might be trouble. When Turnip and Arabella stumble upon a beautifully wrapped Christmas pudding with a cryptic message written in French, "Meet me at Farley Castle", the unlikely vehicle for intrigue launches the pair on a Yuletide adventure that ranges from the Austens' modest drawing room to the awe-inspiring estate of the Dukes of Dovedale, where the Dowager Duchess is hosting the most anticipated event of the year: An elaborate 12-day Christmas celebration. Will they find poinsettias or peril, dancing or danger? Is it possible that the fate of the British Empire rests in Arabella's and Turnip's hands, in the form of a festive Christmas pudding?

©2010 Lauren Willig (P)2010 Penguin Audio

romantic

If you’ve listened to books by Lauren Willig before, how does this one compare?

fits in very well, funny, exciting and sweet

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

yes, very well. I think this narrator matches the whole series very well. I was disappointed that she was changed for one of the books

LOVED IT!

A wonderful story, brilliantly performed by Kate Reading. Haven't read all the pink carnation books but I now plan to read them all. This is definitely going to be a Christmas favorite. Please don't hesitate! 12-18-19. And a Christmas favorite it is! Just re-read it. Loved it even more. Go Turnip! 12-10-20. Re-read again! Love it more each time! Don't miss this one!

Love the Pink Carnation books!

First, I should note that I love Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation books. Getting a chance to see inside the head of "Turnip" Fitzhugh was priceless. I loved all of the actions revolving around fruitcake. I will certainly listen to this one again.

Sweet and entertaining!

The narrator brought the characters to life for me. I listened to this while walking my dogs. it made me laugh out loud a number of times - finding me looking around to see if anyone was near by!

Perfect Christmas Story

I have read or listened to many Christmas stories. This one really hit the mark.

A smashing good time!

I wasn't sure how I felt about Turnip being the hero of his own story. Turns out, I absolutely adored him! He sort of bumbles and fumbles about, but he is so genuinely caring that one does not care. Arabella was a perfect match for him, overlooking his faults and accepting Turnip as is. In turn, Turnip overlooks status and class and loves Arabella for the spunky yet pragmatic woman she is.

Kate Reading is, as always, a fabulous narrator, easily transporting us to the time and place. We also get a visit from none other than Jane Austen herself, who is unassuming and witty. Eloise and Collin do not make an appearance in this story, due to the fact that it takes place between Crimson Rose and Night Jasmine. I missed them, but completely understand their absence. Mistletoe is a fantastic addition to the Pink Carnation series and a must read for any fan!

(My only complaint would be to the producers of the audiobook and not the book itself. A bit of the music from the beginning is inserted absolutely randomly throughout the book. I could almost understand if it happened only once or in between scene changes. But it happened at least half a dozen times and in completely bizarre places. One would think that a producer or editor would have noticed that.)

Who knew?

Did not expect to love Turnip as the leading man but Lauren Willig somehow managed it! Throughly charming story and Kate Reading’s performance is lovely as always!!

Loved It!

Surprise! Turnip isn't as stupid as you think he is :) In this book he's still not exactly smart, but he's sweet and kind. He and Arabella make a perfect match. I loved Turnip in this novel. He's a hilarious and lovable character. And Willig gives us yet another strong-minded heroine that’s easy to sympathize with. Kate Reading continues to do a wonderful job bringing all of Willig's characters to life.

Also, if you're like me and grew up reading Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, but now enjoy contemporary novels, this might be the perfect book for you. It's sort of a revamped “Jane Eyre.” Plus, Jane Austen appears in this novel as Arabella's dear friend. What's not to love?

My only complaint—a very minor one—is that the musical interludes were unnecessary and awkward. They really didn't add anything to the audiobook.

P.S. I think this book appeared in print as "Ivy and Intrigue."

Five stars well earned!!!!!!

Loved this story. Have played it many times. Really enjoyed the whole series. This one my favorite.......

So good!

I read/listen to this book every Christmas. I absolutely adore Turnip, and I laugh out loud every time I read about the school play. Sweet, funny, well-written, and worth spending your credit on. :)