• The Deception of the Emerald Ring

  • By: Lauren Willig
  • Narrated by: Kate Reading
  • Length: 13 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (564 ratings)

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The Deception of the Emerald Ring  By  cover art

The Deception of the Emerald Ring

By: Lauren Willig
Narrated by: Kate Reading
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Publisher's summary

The year is 1803, and England and France remain at odds. Hoping to break the English once and for all, Napoleon backs a ring of Irish rebels in uprisings against England and sends the Black Tulip, France's most deadly spy, to the Emerald Isle to help. What they don't know is that England's top spy is also in Ireland: the Pink Carnation, who is working to shut the rebels down.

Meanwhile, back in England, Letty Alsworthy intercepts a note indicating that her sister, Mary, is about to make the very grave mistake of eloping with Geoffrey Pinghingdale-Snipe (second in command of the League of the Purple Gentian). In an attempt to save the family name, Letty tries to stop the elopement, but instead finds herself swept away in the midnight carriage meant for her sister and is accidentally compromised. Geoff and Letty, to each other's horror, find themselves forced into matrimony. Then Geoff receives word that he is to travel to Ireland to help the Pink Carnation; he disappears immediately after their ceremony. Letty learns of Geoff's disappearance and, not to be outdone by her husband, Letty Alsworthy steals away on a ship bound for Ireland, armed and ready to fight for her spouse and to learn a thing or two about spying for England.

As in her previous tales, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation and The Masque Of the Black Tulip, a modern-day heroine and hero, Eloise Kelly and Colin Selwick, continue their budding romance in this captivating third novel in the series.

Don't miss the first two books in this series: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation and The Masque of the Black Tulip.
©2006 Lauren Willig (P)2006 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., and Books on Tape. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Heaving bodices, embellished history, and witty dialogue: What more could you ask for?” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Smart...[a] fast-paced narrative with mistaken identities, double agents, and high-stakes espionage....The historic action is taut and twisting.” (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about The Deception of the Emerald Ring

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

More, more, more!

This is chick lit at its finest and most fun. While the 1st in the series remains my favorite, I wouldn't have missed any of them and have listened to each 3 times. Kate Reading's narration is invaluable to the success of these stories and the author's wit and literary style are wonderful. There is another in the series coming out soon. Here's hoping Audible will get it for us quickly.

If you like this series, don't miss Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody and the Vickie Bliss series, also available on Audible, but be sure to get the ones with Barbara Rosenblat as the narrator.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Worth a listen.

Considerably less entertaining than the first two books, both of which were absolutely smashing. Both leading characters are less well-developed than in previous books: Letty Alsworthy is a country mouse with some little charm, it's true, but Geoffrey Pinghingdale-Snipe remains as quiet and unassuming as a leading man as he was as a backgrounf figure in previous books. Still, it's entertaining enough, especially the bits in between involving the modern day Eloise and Colin. Worth a listen.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent series!

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

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another Success

If you could sum up The Deception of the Emerald Ring in three words, what would they be?

She's got it

What did you like best about this story?

I loved Leety's tenacity. Though not in love with her newlywed husband at the time, she finds love and her own sense of self achievement.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I made it in just a few sittings. Like the other books in this series, the story flows beautifully between the historical plot and the modern day happenings the books are set in.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

wonderful series until almost

I read this book first only because it was the one I saw first, then I went back and read one and two. The first is steamy but improbable, also covers knowledge that makes the rest of the series more enjoyable. The '' Emerald Ring I have read and listened to many times and maybe there is still some nugget of story I have missed. It is still one of my favorites of the series, has a strong storyline, a witty heroine and a positively beautiful confession of love.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Kate is amazing. Lauren is even more!

I picked up the pink carnation book as a suggestion from a friend and I've read the first three and they are amazing. I love the characters and the intertwining relationships. I also love the narrator Eloise, she is so fun to follow and her relationship with Colin is so fun to read.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Hero Makes Up for It

A favorite theme of mine is the hero making up to the heroine for his misjudgment and poor treatment of her; this book delivered on that premise. However, though I was emotionally invested in this “misunderstandings are the plot” installment of the series, the writing niggles (e.g. repeated words, excessive use of adverbs and details) that bothered me in the first book, not in the second, bugged me again. The present-day portions annoyed me more too, but I really did love Letty and Jeffrey. The brief appearances of Lord Vaughn were a treat too. Kate Reading was, of course, wonderful.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I LOVE ALL THESE BOOKS

Ok so I am so in love with all these books I get so excited about the next. And all have been soo good and soo well written not to mention the narrator Kate. She is soooo fabulous. Reading this book myself would be great but having someone like her reading it is even better. I can’t wait every month for my credit. I hope I can wait lol !! And the author Lauren I wish I could just tell her how amazing she is. It’s the best books series I have ever read/listened to! And all the books are soo adventurist and fun and romantic. The best kind !!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Extremely enjoyable

I am thoroughly enjoying this series!! The story line is interesting and entertaining. I always enjoy a good historical novel and these are great! Kate Reading’s voice is perfect! The different characters are very easy to discern with her different inflections.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Female Lethal-Weapon Fun!!

Individually entertaining Willig's Pink Carnation spy team are a frolicking good time! Can't wait to read (hear) the next one!

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