The Masque of the Black Tulip: A Novel [Hardcover]

Lauren Willig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2005

The author of The Secret History of the Pink Carnation continues the romantic adventures of England’s greatest spy with a newly arrived adversary from France, the murderous Black Tulip

The Pink Carnation, history’s most elusive spy and England’s only hope for preventing a Napoleonic invasion, returns in Lauren Willig’s dazzling imaginative new historical romance. The Masque of the Black Tulip opens with the murder of a courier from the London War Office, his confidential dispatch for the Pink Carnation stolen. Meanwhile, the Black Tulip, France’s deadliest spy, is in England with instructions to track down and kill the Pink Carnation. Only Henrietta Uppington and Miles Dorrington know where the Pink Carnation is stationed. Using a secret code book, Henrietta has deciphered a message detailing the threat of the Black Tulip. Meanwhile, the War Office has enlisted Miles to track down the notorious French spy before he (or she) can finish the deadly mission. But what Henrietta and Miles don’t know is that while they are trying to find the Black Tulip (and possibly falling in love), the Black Tulip is watching them.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Willig picks up where she left readers breathlessly hanging with 2005's The Secret History of the Pink Carnation. After discovering the identity of the Pink Carnation, one of England's most successful spies during the Napoleonic wars, modern-day graduate student Eloise Kelly is hot on the trail of the Black Tulip, the Pink Carnation's French counterpart. While researching the archives of dashing-but-grumpy Colin Selwick (a descendant of the Selwick spy family), Eloise learns that spy Purple Gentian (Richard Selwick) safely retired to the countryside; meanwhile, the Pink Carnation continues her mission with the help of Richard's younger sister. Spirited Henrietta Selwick discovers that the Black Tulip has resurfaced after a 10-year silence with the intent of eliminating the Pink Carnation. Miles Dorrington (Richard's best friend) works for the War Office and is directed to unearth the deadly spy. As he and Henrietta investigate, they try to deny their attraction for each other—and avoid becoming the Black Tulip's next victims. Hero and heroine can be quite silly, and there are overlong ballroom shenanigans aplenty; like last time, Eloise and Colin's will-they-won't-they dance isn't nearly as interesting as what takes place in 1803. No matter. Willig knows her audience; Regency purists may gnash their teeth in frustration, but many more will delight in this easy-to-read romp and line up for the next installment. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

'Romance, mystery, and adventure. Pure fun!' Meg Cabot --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; 1ST edition (December 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525949208
• ISBN-13: 978-0525949206
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #806,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lauren Willig is the author of nine Pink Carnation novels. A graduate of Yale University, she has a graduate degree in English history from Harvard and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, though she now writes full time. Willig lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Continuation of a Fun, Clever Series, May 25, 2006

By 

Nicholas' Mom (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Masque of the Black Tulip: A Novel (Hardcover)

The Masque of the Black Tulip is the second in what I hope will be a long series. I know a few reviewers thought this installment was weaker than the first novel (The Secret History of the Pink Carnation), but I don't agree. The only thing the first book offered that this one doesn't is the benefit of being the first. Everything was new and exciting and interesting about the writing and the story precisely because it was new. But to my mind, The Masque of the Black Tulip is just as enjoyable a read as The Secret History.

Just as with the first book, this novel is a blend of regency romance, humor, history, clever allusions to popular culture and historical events, and spy intrigue. As the order of those descriptions suggest, this is primarily a romance novel, and a wonderful one at that. I see Lauren Willig as a cross between Julia Quinn and Helen Fielding and the result is a very readable book that rises above the mediocre romance novels and chick lit that's published every year.

This installment follows Miles and Henrietta, two friends who suddenly find themselves attracted to each other. There's a little less of the heavy-duty spy stuff than in the first, but that was fine with me. The plot rolls along, the romance unfolds, the Eloise/Colin interludes break up the story here and there (but in an enjoyable way, I thought) and it's all a joy to read. Lauren Willig has a distinctive, truly witty voice and knows how to deliver a satisfying read.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys regency romances, chick lit, or fun beach reads with a historical twist.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite as good as Carnation (the first book) but far above average, March 6, 2006

By 

Alena "alenabean" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Masque of the Black Tulip: A Novel (Hardcover)

These books (The Masque of the Black Tulip and The Pink Carnation) are great books. I love fiction and romance, so I am very impressed with Willig's witty novels. Her characters are actually funny yet interesting and the books are long enough to develop the characters as well.

This is the second installment of the series. This is the story of Harriet and Miles who find love while trying to stop the Napoleonic invasion of England by France. They are both out to find the elusive and dangerous Black Tulip. This book is great for those of you who love historical romance, but will also have some fiction fans as well.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars worth reading, March 19, 2006

By 

Prosy on Toast "wrote this" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Masque of the Black Tulip: A Novel (Hardcover)

If you like slightly silly romantic historical fiction (as I do) then you will probably be very satisfied by this book. It's not the kind of book you're going to brag about reading at a party; yet it is a quick read. I read it in a few hours; and enjoyed it just as much as the first one. The parallel story with the narrator is slightly better than in the first book; but can still be an unwanted interruption. Overall- a guilty pleasure.