Customer Reviews

The Scarlet Spy

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sofia feels the loneliness of being the only one still staying at Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Ladies. Why hasn't she received a mission yet when her two roommates already have? Is she not as qualified as the two others. Sofia is interrupted from these reveries when Lord Lynlsey arrives at the academy, with an assignment more vague, and therefore potentially more dangerous, than any the others faced.

Disguised as a widowed contessa from Italy, Sofia's task is to infiltrate the Society of Town in order to discover who killed the grandson of Duke Sterling and why-and what other nefarious deeds The Scarlet Knights are guilty of. In order to enter into Society and receive the right invitations, Lord Osborne-a friend of Lord Lynsley who doesn't know about his work for the academy¬-is asked to take "Contessa Sofia" under his wing and make the proper introductions. However, it doesn't take long for either to realize that there's more to the other than meets the eye, and if Sofia is to survive this mission, she may have to forget that "Merlins always work alone" and trust this man, as well as her feelings for him.

The Scarlet Spy takes the reader back to 18th century England with all the strict rules of the Society of that time, as well as the ever-shadowing threat of Napoleon's advancements towards England and Russia. The atmosphere is consistently depicted and the characters true to their time.

As the third book in the series of the lady spies from Mrs. Merlin's Academy, The Scarlet Spy offers the same tone as the two previous books, and just as eloquently combines the action of a spy novel with the love and intrigue of a regency romance. It is in no way necessary to have any knowledge of the earlier books though, as each one has a different "Merlin" as the main character and references are well explained.

While I enjoyed her previous books, there can be no doubt that Andrea Pickens has surpassed herself in The Scarlet Spy. She is now well on her way to becoming the 21st century's Georgette Heyer.

Armchair Interviews says: If you love historical fiction, you must read this.

The Scarlet Spy by Andrea Pickens

The Merlin's are a group of orphans that were trained for years, by the best of the best to be stealth thieves, killers, and in a way the word Detective seems to fit. Sophia knows nothing of her family, save the locket she has bearing the portrait of a lady that shares some of the same features. She is most skilled in all the arts to be a trained assassin as well as those arts needed to be a lady to easily fit in with Polite Society. Sophia has no last name, and probably doesn't remember the name she used to go by on the streets, all she knows is that she is a Merlin, and as a Merlin she will have to earn her wings by going undercover to solve the mystery of the key she holds in her possession. But the task will not be so simple, she must keep a hardened heart even though Lord Deverill Osborne is quite the flatterer and something she can see as a distraction... Dangerous.

Deverill Osborne had a reputation for knowing everyone in town as well as being quite the ladies' man. When asked by a trusted friend to show the widow, Sophia, into Polite Society, he accepted the task he just had no idea how difficult it was going to be. He did not expect to be left with such a spitfire who had such a mysterious demeanor with immeasurable beauty. A man that has never professed love is now matched with a woman that tries all of his senses, as well as his heart. Once he finds out that Sophia is up to something and trying to hide things, not to mention fighting off a couple of men in the alleyway, and being his match, he can't help falling under the Contessa's spell. He must find out the hidden truths before it is too late, and Sophia meets her death for digging too deep.

The Scarlet Spy by Andrea Pickens is the third novel in the Merlin Spies series as I call it, having not read the first two novels I feel like I have missed a lot that I need to back track up on. Based on The Scarlet Spy alone, it was a well written historical romance with twists, turns, and flare. The beginning was a little slow for me to get into, but after the first few chapters the adventure quickly peaked holding my attention the rest of the way through. Pickens does an impeccable job in portraying her characters and the time period. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446618012

Sofia will take on a very dangerous mission that will cause her to go undercover and even risk her life in order to bring justice to some powerful aristocrats here in London. It will take everything Sofia has both mentally as well as physically. Sofia though will have to keep on her toes if she doesn't want to be caught. The handsome and dashing, Lord Deverill Osborne is keeping his eyes on Sofia. Lord Osborne finds himself enamored by Lady Sofia's beauty in addition to what sinful secrets Sofia has hiding under her dress. Boy this is going to get interesting quickly between Sofia and Lord Osborne.

I loved Sofia. She had this mysterious aire about her that made her intriguing and fun to read about. Usually in my opinion Lords are stuck up arrogant guys but Lord Osborne surprised me. He turned out to be a good guy. I found myself liking him. The Scarlet Spy is what historical romances are supposed to be like. Andrea Pickens love for writing historical novels shows as The Scarlet Spy turned out to be a great book with lots of heart. I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of beautiful romance stories to pick up a copy of The Scarlet Spy and start reading it today.

Perhaps my standards have been raised TOO high by the previous books in this series. I found the last story to be somewhat disappointing with disjointed storyline, a romance that didn't quite make sense, and an irritating pain in the butt "hero" for our heroine. Compared to other historical romances, it's still alot of fun but not the same pace, hilarity or heart as the other books. My favorite would be book 2 (Shannon's story). For fans of this series, it's great fun seeing Marco the fencing teacher with a bigger role than in past books.

I had a hard time getting into this book. I felt that the characters were not well developed for a long time into the story and the connection between the hero and heroine seemed forced and unbelievable. This was more suspense novel than romance and most of it was very predictable. The suspense and romance picked up in the end and was much better. However, there were several times early on when I found myself struggling to get through. I wish I had seen more of the relationship develop earlier and more of the characters personalities that did not just seem generic. Sometimes I think an author doesn't get a feel for the characters themselves until later, and maybe that was the case here...what that specific person would do, say and feel...not just any generic person in that set of circumstances. I will read more from this author...the plot was good, just overall it was a bit lacking to make it a must read in my opinion.

Taken from the slums, Sofia receives her specialized training as a charming aristocratic lady and in all types of combat at Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Women. Deemed ready for her first consignment, Sofia is assigned the difficult job of exposing traitors amongst the elite of the Ton. She arrives in London posing as an Italian countess.

Sofia believes her undercover assignment will prove easy until she meets Lord Deverill Osborne. He suspects her motives while she knows he is observing her every move. However, neither is aware they are working the same mission. Complicating their spy vs. spy activity is their unwanted desire for one another; which could leave both exposed to the seditious group they need to expose.

The latest marvelous Merlin's Maidens' spy Regency romantic spy suspense thriller (see SEDUCED BY A SPY and THE SPY WORE SILK) is an excellent entry as Sofia proves you can take the girl out of the London's slums and turn her into My Fair spy. Fans will enjoy this fine caper as the two espionage agents are on to one another in several ways. Andrea Pickens is a sure pick for anyone who enjoys an action-packed historical suspense.

Harriet Klausner

There was lots to like about this book: strong female characters, spies, intrigue, and a palatable attraction between the two leads.

The Scarlet Spy is the third book in a trilogy dealing with the missions and romantic foibles of a trio of Merlin's Maidens (a.k.a., orphans who were handpicked to attend a school for spies).

The star of this book is Sofia, who is charged by the school's benefactor, Lord Lynsley, with entering the Ton, posing as a widowed countess from Italy. Her mission: uncover a conspiracy which is not only undermining England's war effort, but led to the death of one of Lord Lynsley's friend's grandsons.

Sofia's escort, the popular Lord Deverill Osborne, was handpicked by Lynsley because he knows everyone, is welcome at every party, and avoids forming lasting attachments with the women of his acquaintance. But even he is hard-pressed to ignore Sofia's charms.

I haven't read the other books in this trilogy, so I can't speak to how well this book ties up the series, but I can say that you don't need to have read the other books to enjoy this story. It was a very modern feeling regency, though -- perhaps because I'm used to the Georgette Heyer brand of regency rather than, well, this brand of regency -- and as such, required a bit of suspension of disbelief. But it was a fun book, light and fluffy, with enough intrigue to keep me entertained.

This is the third in a series about young orphan girls who are rescued by the British government to be trained as spies at Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Ladies. They learn everything from riding, weapons and seduction though all apparently are virgins. I read this one first. It's Sophia's story. I liked it and enjoyed the give and take between Sofia and the reluctant suitor, Lord Deverill Osborne, who is tasked with bringing Sophia out into society. This tale takes place in London and with much of the ton's life in view. I read Seduced by a Spy (Shannon's story) after this one and found it to be disappointing and rated it 3 stars. Though I enjoyed the Scarlet Spy, the best spy romance novels I've read are those in the Spymaster series by Joanna Burke.

"Andrea Pickens has built an excellent romantic suspense set in the time of Napoleon Bonaparte's attempt to rule the world. There are many great characters woven throughout the book. Sofia is rather like an olden day Wonder Woman as her honesty, integrity and skills make her a humble but lovable heroine. Deverill becomes stronger and more likable as he gives up his playboy persona in his desire to help and protect Sofia. Lord Lynsley is a driving force of the storyline but mostly stays in the background as a good director should. Many other players enhance the plot whether for a few pages or throughout the book."

"The author does a great job weaving little one line hints about things to come into the story without spoiling the fun of discovery as the plot unfolds. The romance between Sofia and Deverill weaves around and through the storyline in a great way. I admire the fact that the author doesn't let Sofia get overpowered by romance as she keeps her job as her first priority. Ms. Pickens attention to the strength and consistency of her characters is part of what makes what would be a really good story even better." - Dee Dailey

This is a great series. Be sure to read all three of them in order. I loved them.