The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

By: Lauren Willig

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Deciding that true romantic heroes are a thing of the past, Eloise Kelly, an intelligent American who always manages to wear her Jimmy Choo suede boots on the day it rains, leaves Harvard's Widener Library bound for England to finish her dissertation on the dashing pair of spies the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. What she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: a secret history that begins with a letter dated 1803. Eloise has found the secret history of the Pink Carnation�the most elusive spy of all time, the spy who single-handedly saved England from Napoleon's invasion.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, a wildly imaginative and highly adventurous debut, opens with the story of a modern-day heroine but soon becomes a book within a book. Eloise Kelly settles in to read the secret history hoping to unmask the Pink Carnation's identity, but before she can make this discovery, she uncovers a passionate romance within the pages of the secret history that almost threw off the course of world events. How did the Pink Carnation save England? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly find a hero of her own?

©2005 Lauren Willig (P)2005 Penguin Audiobooks and Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Lauren Willig balances her knowledge of English history with a veritable passion for English spies, turning out a deftly hilarious, sexy novel." (Eloisa James, author of Kiss Me, Annabel)

"In her swashbuckling debut...Willig reimagines France under Napoleon besieged by a whole bouquet of spying floral foes.... Bad news for the Bonapartes but barrels of good-natured fun for the rest of us." (Library Journal)

"A juicy mystery...Chick-lit never had it so good!" (Complete Woman)

read previously- wonderful listen!

I have most of the series in paperback firm r, but just wanted to revisit the stories. now i have little time to actually sit and read, so this was perfect. I enjoy the bits of real history in addition to the novel idea of a group of like-minded spies to the scarlet pimpernel. if you like romance, adventure and mystery - read this series. I'm glad I stumbled upon them....

Hard to follow the story in the beginning

The story was hard to follow in the beginning. There were many names told and a British accent. Once the story got underway, it got easier. Most of the book is told in the past, which is what I prefer. It was good and entertaining, but I won't be listening to it a second time.

I read this because I really enjoyed Last Summer. To me, Last Summer was much better.

Great Narrator

I started with this book not sure if I would like it, but the series is so well narrated that I am listening to all of them. It's an easy, fun listen - good for relaxing. The plots keep the stories going and some books appeal to me more than others but I'll be listening to them all and hope Lauren Willig and Kate Reading create more!

Not that great

This book was mediocre at best. I was just not turned on by the story or the characters, or the writing. I do not recommend it.

Nice Page Turner

A good novel that encompasses the past and current events.. Love all the characters and Kate Reading is the best,

Excellent series!

This is an amusing, intelligent series of historical romance and intrigue....Read the whole series!

Couldn’t stop listening!

What a great story! Much better than expected. The narrator was excellent!!! I’m going to start listening to the next book in the series right away!

Entertaining

I found this book to be entertaining and it held my interest all the way through. I almost didn't buy it because someone, in the reviews, made it sound like it was just full of sex scenes or something. But it only had about 2. If you're looking for a book that is deep and thoughtful - this isn't it. But if you want to be entertained - you should definitely buy. I am going to get the next book in the series, for sure

great read

the narrator was vivid and had great voice characters. the story was predictable but happy

Best Charactor Development I've Ever Read

What did you love best about The Secret History of the Pink Carnation?

Like my title says, Lauren Willig is an expert at character development. Though the book is written from a female perspective, the male and female personas are both so carefully brought to life that I could not tell the author is female.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't have a

Which scene was your favorite?

Again, the whole book is just so intriguing to me that I can???t pick just one scene. And besides, I???d hate to be a spoiler in a review.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to download the next book.