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Arcane Society #6
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U SVOM NOVOM, UZBUDLJIVOM ROMANU, AMANDA KVIK ZALAZI U SVET STRASTI, POHLEPE I MOĆI.
Viktorijanska botaničarka Lusinda Bromli ima veoma redak dar: sposobnost da otkrije skoro svaku vrstu otrova. U isto vreme gaji mnogo retkih i neobičnih vrsta, uključujući i paprat koja je nedavno ukradena iz njene staklene bašte – i kojom je, kako se ispostavilo, ubijen čovek iz visokih društvenih krugova.
Da bi pronašla ubicu, Lusinda angažuje člana Volšebnog društva, Kejleba Džounsa. Markantni osnivač detektivske agencije ume da čuva tajne tog društva i odličan je u otkrivanju istine.
Dok među njima sevaju varnice, Kejleb i Lusinda biće uvučeni u strašnu zaveru, a mračno nasleđe moglo bi odvući Kejleba u najveće dubine njegove izmučene duše…
Viktorijanska botaničarka Lusinda Bromli ima veoma redak dar: sposobnost da otkrije skoro svaku vrstu otrova. U isto vreme gaji mnogo retkih i neobičnih vrsta, uključujući i paprat koja je nedavno ukradena iz njene staklene bašte – i kojom je, kako se ispostavilo, ubijen čovek iz visokih društvenih krugova.
Da bi pronašla ubicu, Lusinda angažuje člana Volšebnog društva, Kejleba Džounsa. Markantni osnivač detektivske agencije ume da čuva tajne tog društva i odličan je u otkrivanju istine.
Dok među njima sevaju varnice, Kejleb i Lusinda biće uvučeni u strašnu zaveru, a mračno nasleđe moglo bi odvući Kejleba u najveće dubine njegove izmučene duše…
280 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
416 people are currently reading
3056 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Quick
93 books5,493 followersPseudonym of Jayne Ann Krentz
The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonym(s):
Jayne Ann Krentz
Jayne Castle
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonym(s):
Jayne Ann Krentz
Jayne Castle
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 573 reviews
June 17, 2015
I haven’t read this series in reading order…but having read most of the contemporary ones, which I have really enjoyed, I decided to read the ones I missed….even though I am not a great lover of historical romance.
But I am so surprised by how much I am enjoying the books set in the Victorian Era, which begins with book #1, Second Sight https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... The author’s vivid imagery brings living in that era to life - You are transported to Victorian London……
One of the things I like in this series is how the heroines are portrayed. These are independent, talented and smart women who are not afraid to face danger and adventure.
The Perfect Poison is the 6th book in Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle’s (yes, I am also confused by the three names used by one author!!!!) Arcane Society Series.
Lucinda Bromley is a botanist and member of the Arcane Society and has the psychic gift for detecting poisons. When she’s wrongly suspected of poisoning her fiancé, she seeks the help of fellow Arcane Society member Caleb Jones, who was introduced in Second Sight.
Great and well-paced plot. Interesting and likeable characters. Romance. Suspense. Murder. Paranormal. Twists and turns and a great and many surprises.
And loved discovering how the Jones & Jones Investigations began.
But I am so surprised by how much I am enjoying the books set in the Victorian Era, which begins with book #1, Second Sight https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... The author’s vivid imagery brings living in that era to life - You are transported to Victorian London……
One of the things I like in this series is how the heroines are portrayed. These are independent, talented and smart women who are not afraid to face danger and adventure.
The Perfect Poison is the 6th book in Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle’s (yes, I am also confused by the three names used by one author!!!!) Arcane Society Series.
Lucinda Bromley is a botanist and member of the Arcane Society and has the psychic gift for detecting poisons. When she’s wrongly suspected of poisoning her fiancé, she seeks the help of fellow Arcane Society member Caleb Jones, who was introduced in Second Sight.
This is their story.
Great and well-paced plot. Interesting and likeable characters. Romance. Suspense. Murder. Paranormal. Twists and turns and a great and many surprises.
And loved discovering how the Jones & Jones Investigations began.
April 22, 2009
Historical romance readers will be very, very happy with Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle's newest 'Arcane Society' novel, "The Perfect Poison". This is the long awaited story of Caleb Jones, founder of Jones & Jones Investigations. As a long-time and fervent (rabid might be more truthful) fan of the author, I loved how she contrived connections, both written and implied, to her contemporary 'Arcane Society' books and her Jayne Castle Harmony/St Helens books. But even if you've not been following any of those books, "The Perfect Poison" is a perfect delight.
Lucinda lost her father, his business partner, and her fiance within two horrible months a year and a half ago. However, it was the fiance's death that caused Lucinda's infamous notoriety. You see, when the fiance of an expert botanist dies...well, rumors run rampant; and the ton loves nothing more than a good, juicy scandal! Lucinda is also a member of the Arcane Society and assists a certain local police inspector (also a Society member) in determining death by botanical means. So when she's called to assist in the inspector's latest case, and discovers the means of death was not only poison--but poison from an extremely rare plant that was recently stolen from her conservatory... well, she calls upon the unique services of Caleb Jones, psychical investigator.
Caleb has his hands full with his new agency. As a strategic and hunter 'talent', his skills make him uniquely qualified, and quite gratified, to do this type of work...if he just didn't have to deal with PEOPLE. Caleb also has another little problem. You see, he's pretty sure he's inherited the insanity that comes with his particular family talent and fears his descent into madness is closer than ever. But it only takes a few minutes in Lucinda's company for Caleb to realize something amazing...she calms his tension and invigorates his passion. And for a man who can't pass up a puzzle, she's the most interesting puzzle he's ever seen.
But there's trouble ahead for these two. A group of power hungry talents have created their own society within the Society. Their aim is to recreate a dangerous drug that can enhance psychic talents...but also kills. It's up to Caleb and Lucinda (despite Caleb's protests) to stop them.
There's so much I enjoy about Quick's writing. Her historical novels have lots of sensual tension, but the actual deeds themselves are few and mostly PG-rated. Not to say I'm averse to hotter, but it's still a fairly easy gauge for me...if it's a Quick novel, it's PG. Also, her wonderful and witty dialogue always lures me into another chapter...and another chapter...and another chapter...until I look up and find myself done with the book and wanting to go back and read it again! There's humor, passion, suspense, very little real violence, a tidy mystery, and always a happy ending. Who can resist?
Lucinda lost her father, his business partner, and her fiance within two horrible months a year and a half ago. However, it was the fiance's death that caused Lucinda's infamous notoriety. You see, when the fiance of an expert botanist dies...well, rumors run rampant; and the ton loves nothing more than a good, juicy scandal! Lucinda is also a member of the Arcane Society and assists a certain local police inspector (also a Society member) in determining death by botanical means. So when she's called to assist in the inspector's latest case, and discovers the means of death was not only poison--but poison from an extremely rare plant that was recently stolen from her conservatory... well, she calls upon the unique services of Caleb Jones, psychical investigator.
Caleb has his hands full with his new agency. As a strategic and hunter 'talent', his skills make him uniquely qualified, and quite gratified, to do this type of work...if he just didn't have to deal with PEOPLE. Caleb also has another little problem. You see, he's pretty sure he's inherited the insanity that comes with his particular family talent and fears his descent into madness is closer than ever. But it only takes a few minutes in Lucinda's company for Caleb to realize something amazing...she calms his tension and invigorates his passion. And for a man who can't pass up a puzzle, she's the most interesting puzzle he's ever seen.
But there's trouble ahead for these two. A group of power hungry talents have created their own society within the Society. Their aim is to recreate a dangerous drug that can enhance psychic talents...but also kills. It's up to Caleb and Lucinda (despite Caleb's protests) to stop them.
There's so much I enjoy about Quick's writing. Her historical novels have lots of sensual tension, but the actual deeds themselves are few and mostly PG-rated. Not to say I'm averse to hotter, but it's still a fairly easy gauge for me...if it's a Quick novel, it's PG. Also, her wonderful and witty dialogue always lures me into another chapter...and another chapter...and another chapter...until I look up and find myself done with the book and wanting to go back and read it again! There's humor, passion, suspense, very little real violence, a tidy mystery, and always a happy ending. Who can resist?
September 30, 2017
❝...some people could actually commit murder without leaving any clues or evidence. ... The perfect poison, she said softly. Undetectable and untraceable. ❞
A quick summary of this book: Sherlock Holmes meets the X-Men meets Emma.
What I Liked:
-The style and pacing of the story took me back to that time in middle school when we had to read The Hound of the Baskervilles. I loved the mood and suspense of that story as much as this one - although The Perfect Poison wasn't nearly as creepy.
-I liked the characters - for the most part.
-I liked that it was a streamlined, unfussy, weekend read.
What I Didn't Like:
-There were certain times when the MCs spent too much time stating and restating the obvious.
-The end left us dangling on one of the key relationships in the book. Didn't it? Guess the next book in the series will solve that.
What I Wanted More Of:
-Lucinda's notoriously gossipy neighbors are mentioned several times. I wanted to know more about them - who they are and why they are so interested in Lucinda and her other houseguests.
**And with this review, I clear yet another book off of my dusty bookshelf (Gives myself a high-five)!
A quick summary of this book: Sherlock Holmes meets the X-Men meets Emma.
What I Liked:
-The style and pacing of the story took me back to that time in middle school when we had to read The Hound of the Baskervilles. I loved the mood and suspense of that story as much as this one - although The Perfect Poison wasn't nearly as creepy.
-I liked the characters - for the most part.
-I liked that it was a streamlined, unfussy, weekend read.
What I Didn't Like:
-There were certain times when the MCs spent too much time stating and restating the obvious.
-The end left us dangling on one of the key relationships in the book. Didn't it? Guess the next book in the series will solve that.
What I Wanted More Of:
-Lucinda's notoriously gossipy neighbors are mentioned several times. I wanted to know more about them - who they are and why they are so interested in Lucinda and her other houseguests.
**And with this review, I clear yet another book off of my dusty bookshelf (Gives myself a high-five)!
August 13, 2021
2021 Reread
Reread this when I was looking for something easy and entertaining. It is definitely one of my favourite AQs. I really like Lucinda and Caleb as a couple, and the Arcane Society books are among my favourite AQs. Mainly because I like the mythology - it helps flesh out the world.
Entertaining and fun. As expected.
2018
3.5 stars, but I rounded up because I enjoyed this one so much more than the last one of these I read. Really bought into Lucinda and Caleb is a couple. I may have been influenced by her talent, which manages to combine botany and crime-fighting. Also really enjoyed how Jones & Jones came to be named. Also enjoyed seeing the fledgling matchmaking agency in action, but other than that did find that the secondary romance between the cousin and the magician dude was somewhat superfluous.
Oh, except that this book does feature the heroine's younger cousin (who is completely charming and conveniently scandal-free) coming to London to try and find a husband, meeting the hero, finding him/his talents intriguing and asking the heroine about him, BUT AT NO POINT IS THERE A JEALOUSY-BAIT PLOTLINE. Seriously. At no point is there even a hint that the younger cousin or the dude might be interested in each other, or that the heroine is concerned about same. I WAS ASTOUNDED. Quite frankly, that alone is enough to merit a rounding up to four stars.
As a final aside, it seems that we can add "bachelor dude stops by at his lady-love's house every day for breakfast, essentially uninvited" to the list of AQ plot elements.
OH,
Reread this when I was looking for something easy and entertaining. It is definitely one of my favourite AQs. I really like Lucinda and Caleb as a couple, and the Arcane Society books are among my favourite AQs. Mainly because I like the mythology - it helps flesh out the world.
Entertaining and fun. As expected.
2018
3.5 stars, but I rounded up because I enjoyed this one so much more than the last one of these I read. Really bought into Lucinda and Caleb is a couple. I may have been influenced by her talent, which manages to combine botany and crime-fighting. Also really enjoyed how Jones & Jones came to be named. Also enjoyed seeing the fledgling matchmaking agency in action, but other than that did find that the secondary romance between the cousin and the magician dude was somewhat superfluous.
Oh, except that this book does feature the heroine's younger cousin (who is completely charming and conveniently scandal-free) coming to London to try and find a husband, meeting the hero, finding him/his talents intriguing and asking the heroine about him, BUT AT NO POINT IS THERE A JEALOUSY-BAIT PLOTLINE. Seriously. At no point is there even a hint that the younger cousin or the dude might be interested in each other, or that the heroine is concerned about same. I WAS ASTOUNDED. Quite frankly, that alone is enough to merit a rounding up to four stars.
As a final aside, it seems that we can add "bachelor dude stops by at his lady-love's house every day for breakfast, essentially uninvited" to the list of AQ plot elements.
OH,
May 9, 2016
Long story short, I liked this one much better than "The Third Circle." I am still not thrilled about the lack of a true ending with these books though. The way that Amanda Quick/Jayne Anne Krentz, etc. wrote these, is that you have to read contemporary and regency books in order to follow this series. I tried to read one of the contemporary novels before, and I was not a fan. So I just tend to stick to the Amanda Quick titles.
This book follows Lucinda Bromley and Caleb Jones. Readers should be familiar with Caleb by this point since he has appeared in the previous Arcane Society books written by Amanda Quick. I have to say that I liked his character in those books, gruff, and didn't seem to be about any nonsense that I could see.
Lucinda is still weathering the gossip that says that she poisoned her father and fiancee. Lucinda is a member of the Arcane Society and has the psychical power to know what poisons if any were used on a living being. She is also gifted with plants. So I guess you can think of her like Poison Ivy.
Caleb was discussing setting up a psychical investigation agency after the events in "The Third Circle" and appears to have done so now. He is called upon to work for Lucinda when she realizes that a recent poisoning by a high member of Society is linked to one of her rare plants.
The mystery aspect of the book really didn't appeal to me. If you have read these books you already for the most part know who the bad guys are, and Ms. Quick always includes chapters/sections that show you who the bad guys are, so you as a reader are waiting for the hero/heroine to catch up and catch the bad guys. I read these for the romance aspect of it. I think that Ms. Quick did a better job of setting up the romance between Lucinda and Caleb. It was a definite slow burn and I loved it. Probably because Lucinda is a woman of independent means, she really didn't need Caleb for anything. And I liked that she didn't let him keep her from investigating and still doing what she did. I hate it in romance books when the hero tells the heroine to stay out of trouble and then she is kidnapped and he has to save the day. I loved the fact that Lucinda saves herself in the book over and over again.
There is a secondary romance included in this book, but I don't think that Ms. Quick did a great job of setting it up. I wish she had and excerpted the sections dealing with the villains.
We also get some glimpses of former characters. I really hate though that we only get the men interacting with the main characters in this book for the most part.
The ending though we do get our Happily Ever After (HEA) just sets up another cliffhanger/chase that I am not sure I am going to keep reading. I do know from a friend that there should only be two more books for me to complete the Arcane Society Historical books so I may get back to them eventually.
This book follows Lucinda Bromley and Caleb Jones. Readers should be familiar with Caleb by this point since he has appeared in the previous Arcane Society books written by Amanda Quick. I have to say that I liked his character in those books, gruff, and didn't seem to be about any nonsense that I could see.
Lucinda is still weathering the gossip that says that she poisoned her father and fiancee. Lucinda is a member of the Arcane Society and has the psychical power to know what poisons if any were used on a living being. She is also gifted with plants. So I guess you can think of her like Poison Ivy.
Caleb was discussing setting up a psychical investigation agency after the events in "The Third Circle" and appears to have done so now. He is called upon to work for Lucinda when she realizes that a recent poisoning by a high member of Society is linked to one of her rare plants.
The mystery aspect of the book really didn't appeal to me. If you have read these books you already for the most part know who the bad guys are, and Ms. Quick always includes chapters/sections that show you who the bad guys are, so you as a reader are waiting for the hero/heroine to catch up and catch the bad guys. I read these for the romance aspect of it. I think that Ms. Quick did a better job of setting up the romance between Lucinda and Caleb. It was a definite slow burn and I loved it. Probably because Lucinda is a woman of independent means, she really didn't need Caleb for anything. And I liked that she didn't let him keep her from investigating and still doing what she did. I hate it in romance books when the hero tells the heroine to stay out of trouble and then she is kidnapped and he has to save the day. I loved the fact that Lucinda saves herself in the book over and over again.
There is a secondary romance included in this book, but I don't think that Ms. Quick did a great job of setting it up. I wish she had and excerpted the sections dealing with the villains.
We also get some glimpses of former characters. I really hate though that we only get the men interacting with the main characters in this book for the most part.
The ending though we do get our Happily Ever After (HEA) just sets up another cliffhanger/chase that I am not sure I am going to keep reading. I do know from a friend that there should only be two more books for me to complete the Arcane Society Historical books so I may get back to them eventually.
March 21, 2013
Oh, man, this book. Let's say 2.5 stars. I should start by saying that it was definitely engaging enough to make the extensive driving that I do for tutoring less onerous. At the same time, it was kind of a mess.
I have read my fair share (or maybe more?) of romance novels, and I get how the general plot goes. They meet, they fight, they fall in love, etc. The way this book was laid out made no sense to me, though. They meet, they have sex almost immediately, they kind of fight, then in the next scene they're not fighting, then he kind of proposes and she maybe misses it, or she got it and is being coy, and on and on. What? The execution of the romance component was a bit inexplicable. At no point did the characters seem like real people having feelings. They did things because the plot required it, not because they made sense.
The mystery plot line was better, though some of the pieces there were odd as well. In one scene, the evil cabal is all "We have to make sure people don't find out about us!" and a few scenes later, the good guys are having a conversation about the cabal as though their existence is common knowledge. What? How did they find out? And also when? It felt like this book was cut down by about half, and lots of actually important information got left out.
Overall, though, it was a decent way to pass the time behind the wheel, and I did enjoy some parts of it quite a bit. Which is why I rounded up to three stars. I will say that there is a big difference between reading a sex scene, and having a very fancy-sounding British woman read it to you. I giggled like a damn twelve-year-old every time anyone got close to getting naked. Sigh.
I have read my fair share (or maybe more?) of romance novels, and I get how the general plot goes. They meet, they fight, they fall in love, etc. The way this book was laid out made no sense to me, though. They meet, they have sex almost immediately, they kind of fight, then in the next scene they're not fighting, then he kind of proposes and she maybe misses it, or she got it and is being coy, and on and on. What? The execution of the romance component was a bit inexplicable. At no point did the characters seem like real people having feelings. They did things because the plot required it, not because they made sense.
The mystery plot line was better, though some of the pieces there were odd as well. In one scene, the evil cabal is all "We have to make sure people don't find out about us!" and a few scenes later, the good guys are having a conversation about the cabal as though their existence is common knowledge. What? How did they find out? And also when? It felt like this book was cut down by about half, and lots of actually important information got left out.
Overall, though, it was a decent way to pass the time behind the wheel, and I did enjoy some parts of it quite a bit. Which is why I rounded up to three stars. I will say that there is a big difference between reading a sex scene, and having a very fancy-sounding British woman read it to you. I giggled like a damn twelve-year-old every time anyone got close to getting naked. Sigh.
October 27, 2018
A most unusual couple. But, I liked them a great deal. These Arcane Society books are so good.
January 7, 2016
The sixth addition to the Arcane Socirty series by Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz. Lucinda Bromley assists the police occasionally to determine if poison is involved in deaths. She assists on one that has her concerned because the poison used contained a plant that was stolen from her. In the past she was suspected of poisoning her fiancé so she consults with Caleb Jones to help her discover who the thief was.
I grabbed this from my TBR because I needed a title that began with a P for a reading challenge. So obviously I missed several books in this series. But truly it didn't matter too much to me. I was able to follow it quite well. I imagine I would have gotten more out of it had I read the books in sequence but I didn't. Anyway, it was a good read and I did enjoy it. I usually do enjoy Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz.
I grabbed this from my TBR because I needed a title that began with a P for a reading challenge. So obviously I missed several books in this series. But truly it didn't matter too much to me. I was able to follow it quite well. I imagine I would have gotten more out of it had I read the books in sequence but I didn't. Anyway, it was a good read and I did enjoy it. I usually do enjoy Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz.
June 30, 2020
Lucinda Bromley, botanist talent, hires Caleb Jones, new inquiries investigator for the Arcane Society, to track down the person who stole a rare fern from her greenhouse a month ago. This is mostly because that fern was used to create a poison that killed a man and if it gets tied back to her, she could end up in jail. The two get off to a slightly rocky start as Caleb doesn't exactly observe the social niceties and Lucinda is a bit prickly since she's been the subject of multiple scandals. But the two start to work as a team and Caleb's investigation leads him to the missing scientist, Hulsey, from the last book who was (and still is) attempting to re-create the founder's formula. It also leads him to a dead botanist/poison-dealer who apparently died of fright...but Caleb's talent tells him it was murder. While investigating, Caleb is also dealing with the possibility of his going insane because of his talent, but he can't deny how Lucinda and their love helps maintain his sanity.
Nother good story. It's still an easy, fluffy suspense (little bit of murder and mayhem). I liked this one better than the previous book, maybe because of Caleb who is geeky but also gruff and socially awkward (usually intentionally). He's a bit on the tortured side what with his fears of going insane. I also appreciated the fact that he addressed the fact that he'd taken Lucinda's virginity and although he understood the import of it he couldn't offer marriage even though he should (because he was going insane and all). Lucinda is your classic independent spinster who doesn't fear further ruin and believes there's no reason she can't conduct an affair. (I don't know why any of these people don't think about pregnancy...but that's just a thing in this world.) She gets Caleb and defends him in a way that nobody else does...and I mean nobody. They all also believe he's bound for the nut house at some point. There's also a secondary romance in here with Lucinda's cousin Patricia and Caleb's assistant on the case, Edmund. It's pretty cute too as they hate each other on sight and he meets none of her requirements in a potential husband but they apparently resonate on the same wavelength anyway.
The suspense plot here again is pretty solid. Hulsey the scientist is working with another circle within the order, but he's kind of a side villain... The main villain are the 3 members of the 7th circle, one of whom is the madman killing people with his talent of invoking fear. There's plenty of abduction attempts and confrontations with villains that risk the characters lives. It ends up being a nice, fast-paced suspense plot.
Nother good story. It's still an easy, fluffy suspense (little bit of murder and mayhem). I liked this one better than the previous book, maybe because of Caleb who is geeky but also gruff and socially awkward (usually intentionally). He's a bit on the tortured side what with his fears of going insane. I also appreciated the fact that he addressed the fact that he'd taken Lucinda's virginity and although he understood the import of it he couldn't offer marriage even though he should (because he was going insane and all). Lucinda is your classic independent spinster who doesn't fear further ruin and believes there's no reason she can't conduct an affair. (I don't know why any of these people don't think about pregnancy...but that's just a thing in this world.) She gets Caleb and defends him in a way that nobody else does...and I mean nobody. They all also believe he's bound for the nut house at some point. There's also a secondary romance in here with Lucinda's cousin Patricia and Caleb's assistant on the case, Edmund. It's pretty cute too as they hate each other on sight and he meets none of her requirements in a potential husband but they apparently resonate on the same wavelength anyway.
The suspense plot here again is pretty solid. Hulsey the scientist is working with another circle within the order, but he's kind of a side villain... The main villain are the 3 members of the 7th circle, one of whom is the madman killing people with his talent of invoking fear. There's plenty of abduction attempts and confrontations with villains that risk the characters lives. It ends up being a nice, fast-paced suspense plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2010
The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick
Penelope has two great passions in her life (aside, of course, from her fly-fishing addicted husband and two rocking kids)...romantic fiction and plants. Yes, along time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) Penelope earned a degree in plant science from an ivy league university, and her obsession with plants continues to this day. So, just imagine my delight to discover a book that combines these two obsessions! The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick is so right up my alley, it's ridiculous. A heroine who knows the Latin names for all things botanical (and wears glasses). A hero who is a psychically enhanced, socially-inept, intensely single-minded investigator obsessed with finding mathematical patterns in everything (did I mention that my hubbie was a valedictorian?) Quick's latest addition to the Arcane Society series is my perfect cup of (hopefully non-poisoned) tea. I have been intrigued by Caleb Jones since the commencement of this series, and Quick did not disappoint with his story. Lucinda Bromley, botanical genius and a fellow member of the Arcane Society (her "gift" is determining if someone has been poisoned by a botanical substance...love it!) is the perfect complement to Jones. She frees him from his self-imposed jail of numbers, patterns and a fear of imminent insanity with her no-nonsense approach to life (and love). I especially like how Quick incorporates the psychic aspect into the love scenes of these novels...the sex is not only emotionally and physically satisfying, but also psychically satsifying...top that! I must say that their first love scene in the drying shed is one of the most romantic scenarios I could imagine...Caleb makes a fragrant "bed" of dried flowers and herbs on the ground, covers them with his coat, and makes love to Lucinda. Sigh. As usual, the humorous dialogue is excellent, secondary characters intriguing, and the villains shady and mysterious. Quick may have these historicals down to a certain formula, but it's a great formula. Don't mess with perfection, in my not so humble opinion.
Grade: A
Penelope
Penelope has two great passions in her life (aside, of course, from her fly-fishing addicted husband and two rocking kids)...romantic fiction and plants. Yes, along time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) Penelope earned a degree in plant science from an ivy league university, and her obsession with plants continues to this day. So, just imagine my delight to discover a book that combines these two obsessions! The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick is so right up my alley, it's ridiculous. A heroine who knows the Latin names for all things botanical (and wears glasses). A hero who is a psychically enhanced, socially-inept, intensely single-minded investigator obsessed with finding mathematical patterns in everything (did I mention that my hubbie was a valedictorian?) Quick's latest addition to the Arcane Society series is my perfect cup of (hopefully non-poisoned) tea. I have been intrigued by Caleb Jones since the commencement of this series, and Quick did not disappoint with his story. Lucinda Bromley, botanical genius and a fellow member of the Arcane Society (her "gift" is determining if someone has been poisoned by a botanical substance...love it!) is the perfect complement to Jones. She frees him from his self-imposed jail of numbers, patterns and a fear of imminent insanity with her no-nonsense approach to life (and love). I especially like how Quick incorporates the psychic aspect into the love scenes of these novels...the sex is not only emotionally and physically satisfying, but also psychically satsifying...top that! I must say that their first love scene in the drying shed is one of the most romantic scenarios I could imagine...Caleb makes a fragrant "bed" of dried flowers and herbs on the ground, covers them with his coat, and makes love to Lucinda. Sigh. As usual, the humorous dialogue is excellent, secondary characters intriguing, and the villains shady and mysterious. Quick may have these historicals down to a certain formula, but it's a great formula. Don't mess with perfection, in my not so humble opinion.
Grade: A
Penelope
January 20, 2021
I’m finally getting around to reviewing this. I’d definitely not classify this as a romance. It was definitely more of a mystery. It has sex scenes which were completely unnecessary as the characters had no chemistry. That aside, I enjoyed each of the characters on their own and I enjoyed the mystery, the setting, and the writing style. It just epically failed in the romance department.
Still, if you’re looking for a fun story with botany, spooky settings, crazy villains, and a paranormal mystery, all written in a breezy prose, this is your ticket. If you want romance from AQ, other books of Quick’s are better (e.g., Ravished, Seduction, or Dangerous). This is the first I’d read of this series so it could be that this has a different tone closer to her Jayne Anne Krentz style.
Still, if you’re looking for a fun story with botany, spooky settings, crazy villains, and a paranormal mystery, all written in a breezy prose, this is your ticket. If you want romance from AQ, other books of Quick’s are better (e.g., Ravished, Seduction, or Dangerous). This is the first I’d read of this series so it could be that this has a different tone closer to her Jayne Anne Krentz style.
September 28, 2017
Me gusto. Es cierto que Amanda se va de mambo (un poco de exceso) con lo paranormal, pero me encantó el personaje de Lucinda.
Y el de Caleb también. Porqué: no es libertino, las normas sociales le importan nada, es apasionado de su trabajo (y en lo otro también), solitario, distraído, no le duran las amas de llaves, etc. etc.. También es cierto que romántico no es.
Pero me encanta cómo la atracción que le produce Lucinda lo perturba...
En realidad, como le dice el, lo distrae:
Y el de Caleb también. Porqué: no es libertino, las normas sociales le importan nada, es apasionado de su trabajo (y en lo otro también), solitario, distraído, no le duran las amas de llaves, etc. etc.. También es cierto que romántico no es.
Pero me encanta cómo la atracción que le produce Lucinda lo perturba...
En realidad, como le dice el, lo distrae:
June 23, 2010
Krentz/Quick/Castle did her usual outstanding job with the latest Arcane Society novel. We learn more about things mentioned as institutions in the contemporary novels - Jones and Jones and Arcane style matchmaking in particular.
Although extensive references are made to other books in the series - reading this out of order is doable. Books below are in chronological order - numbers refer to publication order... [Yeah, it's as convoluted as some of her plots!:]
This is romantic suspense - it has sexual tension but not a whole lot of sex - and what occurs is not detailed. Great plot, enjoyable characters and a richness of setting I've always loved in her work. The Victorian era never was a personal interest of mine but she makes it breathe...
As Quick: Arcane Society Historical
1. Second Sight (2006)
4. The Third Circle (2008)
6. The Perfect Poison (2009)
8. Burning Lamp (2010)
As Krentz: Arcane Society Contemporary
2. White Lies (2007)
3. Sizzle and Burn (2007)
5. Running Hot (2008)
7. Fired Up (2009)
10.In Too Deep (2011)
As Castle: Dreamlight Trilogy
9. Midnight Crystal (2010)
Although extensive references are made to other books in the series - reading this out of order is doable. Books below are in chronological order - numbers refer to publication order... [Yeah, it's as convoluted as some of her plots!:]
This is romantic suspense - it has sexual tension but not a whole lot of sex - and what occurs is not detailed. Great plot, enjoyable characters and a richness of setting I've always loved in her work. The Victorian era never was a personal interest of mine but she makes it breathe...
As Quick: Arcane Society Historical
1. Second Sight (2006)
4. The Third Circle (2008)
6. The Perfect Poison (2009)
8. Burning Lamp (2010)
As Krentz: Arcane Society Contemporary
2. White Lies (2007)
3. Sizzle and Burn (2007)
5. Running Hot (2008)
7. Fired Up (2009)
10.In Too Deep (2011)
As Castle: Dreamlight Trilogy
9. Midnight Crystal (2010)
July 11, 2012
In the abstract, this book ticks boxes for me - botany; feisty, independent ladies in a historical setting; decent preamble to the existence of paranormal abilities in this fictional universe - all good. But then the two leads first meet each other for the first time - for a business meeting - and proceed to snog each other silly. Really? Really? I thought my suspension of disbelief was strong enough to thoroughly enjoy this story, but that shattered it for me. It was like watching someone play with the characters as dolls, putting them in the same room and then smashing them together while shouting, "Now kiss!"
Sorry, Ms Quick, but I need more of a warm-up before your Victorian-era characters start getting it on. This book is going back to the library unread beyond the first smooch. DNF.
Sorry, Ms Quick, but I need more of a warm-up before your Victorian-era characters start getting it on. This book is going back to the library unread beyond the first smooch. DNF.
April 10, 2017
Primera vez que leo algo de Amanda Quick y de momento me llevo una buena experiencia. Es romántica histórica, pero se inclina más hacia el misterio paranormal que a la romántica. Aún así, las dosis son precisas y he disfrutado mucho de esta historia (y solo al terminar me di cuenta que era la número 6 de la serie).
January 18, 2025
I thought I had read most historical romances by Amanda Quick, but have lately discovered I skipped a good many, this being one of them. This is part of the author’s lengthy Arcane Society series that crossed over between the author’s historical (Amanda Quick), contemporary (Jayne Ann Krentz), and futuristic (Jayne Castle) books. I definitely haven’t read the books in order, as I seem to have skipped many, but that didn’t seem to matter for this book. The book features a typical Quick hero and heroine, both with strong paranormal talents. I liked both Caleb and Lucinda and found the mystery they pursued interesting.
March 2, 2019
I enjoy a good murder mystery and enjoy reading stories set in different historical settings. However, I had to put this new-ageish book set in Victorian times aside very quickly. When the consultant is supposed to be able to determine what poison killed a person by touching their forehead and feeling the energy left in the room by a specific, rare poison, that is too nonsensical for my taste.
January 4, 2015
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Amanda Quick
First published: 2009
Length: 340 pages
Setting: London. Late Victorian.
Sex: Reasonably explicit but infrequent.
Hero: Arcane Society high ranking and member of Jones family. Sees patterns in chaos.
Heroine: thought to have killed her fiancé. ParaBotanist - can sense poisons.
Starting to get a Warehouse 13 feel, hunting for artifacts and Secret Inner Groups with Hidden Plots, the Arcane Society Victorian series continues to satisfy.
They may be pulp and derivative, formulaic and repetitive... all those adverbs used to dismiss enjoyable, well written novels that fit firmly in a genre niche... but that shouldn't be allowed to detract from what this is. Enjoyable. Satisfying. Comfortable.
It's a good book. It's fun. It's formulaic but the formula works. It's derivative but well worn paths are safe.
And I did enjoy it.
Arcane Society:
The Arcance Society novels are published under 3 pen-names, each name highlighting setting and/or subgenre. As a rule-of-thumb, Jayne Ann Krentz is for contemporary romantic-suspense, Amanda Quick historical romantic-suspense and Jayne Castle publishes futuristic/paranormal romantic-suspense.
Book 1 Second Sight (Amanda Quick) - Venetia Milton and Gabriel Jones
Book 2 White Lies (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Clare Lancaster and Jake Salter
Book 3 Sizzle and Burn (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Raine Tallentyre and Zack Jones
Book 4 The Third Circle (Amanda Quick) - Leona Hewitt and Thaddeus Ware
Book 5 Running Hot (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Luther Malone and Grace Renquist
Book 6 The Perfect Poison (Amanda Quick) - Lucinda Bromley and Caleb Jones
Book 7 Fired Up (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Jack Winters and Chloe Harper; Book 1 of the Dreamlight Series.
Book 8 Burning Lamp (Amanda Quick) - Griffin Winters and Adelaide Pyne; Book 2 of the Dreamlight Series.
Book 9 Midnight Crystal (Jayne Castle) - Adam Winters and Marlowe Jones; Book 3 of the Dreamlight Series.
Book 9.5 The Scargill Cove Case Files (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Fallon Jones; Book .5 of the Looking Glass Series.
Book 10 In Too Deep (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Fallon Jones and Isabella Valdez; Book 1 of the Looking Glass Series.
Book 11 Quicksilver (Amanda Quick) - Virginia Dean and Owen Sweetwater; Book 2 of the Looking Glass Series.
Book 12 Canyons of Night (Jayne Castle) - Charlotte Enright and Slade Attridge; Book 3 of the Looking Glass Series.
References:
Author's website: http://jayneannkrentz.com/tag/arcane-...
(ISBN 9780399155802)
-CR-
First published: 2009
Length: 340 pages
Setting: London. Late Victorian.
Sex: Reasonably explicit but infrequent.
Hero: Arcane Society high ranking and member of Jones family. Sees patterns in chaos.
Heroine: thought to have killed her fiancé. ParaBotanist - can sense poisons.
Starting to get a Warehouse 13 feel, hunting for artifacts and Secret Inner Groups with Hidden Plots, the Arcane Society Victorian series continues to satisfy.
They may be pulp and derivative, formulaic and repetitive... all those adverbs used to dismiss enjoyable, well written novels that fit firmly in a genre niche... but that shouldn't be allowed to detract from what this is. Enjoyable. Satisfying. Comfortable.
It's a good book. It's fun. It's formulaic but the formula works. It's derivative but well worn paths are safe.
And I did enjoy it.
Arcane Society:
The Arcance Society novels are published under 3 pen-names, each name highlighting setting and/or subgenre. As a rule-of-thumb, Jayne Ann Krentz is for contemporary romantic-suspense, Amanda Quick historical romantic-suspense and Jayne Castle publishes futuristic/paranormal romantic-suspense.
Book 1 Second Sight (Amanda Quick) - Venetia Milton and Gabriel Jones
Book 2 White Lies (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Clare Lancaster and Jake Salter
Book 3 Sizzle and Burn (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Raine Tallentyre and Zack Jones
Book 4 The Third Circle (Amanda Quick) - Leona Hewitt and Thaddeus Ware
Book 5 Running Hot (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Luther Malone and Grace Renquist
Book 6 The Perfect Poison (Amanda Quick) - Lucinda Bromley and Caleb Jones
Book 7 Fired Up (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Jack Winters and Chloe Harper; Book 1 of the Dreamlight Series.
Book 8 Burning Lamp (Amanda Quick) - Griffin Winters and Adelaide Pyne; Book 2 of the Dreamlight Series.
Book 9 Midnight Crystal (Jayne Castle) - Adam Winters and Marlowe Jones; Book 3 of the Dreamlight Series.
Book 9.5 The Scargill Cove Case Files (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Fallon Jones; Book .5 of the Looking Glass Series.
Book 10 In Too Deep (Jayne Ann Krentz) - Fallon Jones and Isabella Valdez; Book 1 of the Looking Glass Series.
Book 11 Quicksilver (Amanda Quick) - Virginia Dean and Owen Sweetwater; Book 2 of the Looking Glass Series.
Book 12 Canyons of Night (Jayne Castle) - Charlotte Enright and Slade Attridge; Book 3 of the Looking Glass Series.
References:
Author's website: http://jayneannkrentz.com/tag/arcane-...
(ISBN 9780399155802)
-CR-
April 10, 2010
As leader of the newly-founded paranormal investigative agency Jones & Company, Caleb Jones has his hands full. But that doesn't prevent him from taking on another assignment. A peculiar one, not really in league with what his agency deals with. This is a case of a fern-napping. Someone stole a precious, rare fern from a lady's conservatory and said lady wants the plant back. Quickly. Before she is thrown in jail because of a poison derived from her fern.
Not that Lucinda concocted that poison. No way. But with her father and his partner dead from poisoning and her fiancé dropping dead for drinking the tea she poured it's obvious what conclusion the authorities will come up with.
So now it's up to Caleb Jones to find the fern for Lucinda, clear her reputation somewhat, maybe plunge headfirst into a passionate affair with her, provide a matchmaker for her cousin, and—most important of all—stay alive to tell the tale.
Whew. What a relief this book didn't follow in the previous one's footsteps.
Ms. Quick created yet another thrilling, exciting, fast-paced, intriguing, hot, and steamy romantic suspense story set in the late Victorian period. Though I sometimes missed the modern procedures of investigation, this was still a great fun to read, also thanks to the two most unlikely compatible characters in my recent reading history. I couldn't say a bad thing about Caleb and Lucinda if I tried, because they were fun together, fun apart, and the sparks they emanated were palpable.
The suspense subplot was of the at-the-edge-of-the-seat, slightly-nail-biting variety with enough clues to give the reader a good impression of what was really going on, but not enough to plunge things into the realm of boring.
Still, I'm finding the details about the cabal too few and too sparse throughout the books, which I know is deliberate to move the series forward (and allow space for much more books in the future), but slowly these few details are really starting to bug me.
Though the stories are interesting and rather diverse plot-wise, the main arc mystery is getting a little old.
Not that Lucinda concocted that poison. No way. But with her father and his partner dead from poisoning and her fiancé dropping dead for drinking the tea she poured it's obvious what conclusion the authorities will come up with.
So now it's up to Caleb Jones to find the fern for Lucinda, clear her reputation somewhat, maybe plunge headfirst into a passionate affair with her, provide a matchmaker for her cousin, and—most important of all—stay alive to tell the tale.
Whew. What a relief this book didn't follow in the previous one's footsteps.
Ms. Quick created yet another thrilling, exciting, fast-paced, intriguing, hot, and steamy romantic suspense story set in the late Victorian period. Though I sometimes missed the modern procedures of investigation, this was still a great fun to read, also thanks to the two most unlikely compatible characters in my recent reading history. I couldn't say a bad thing about Caleb and Lucinda if I tried, because they were fun together, fun apart, and the sparks they emanated were palpable.
The suspense subplot was of the at-the-edge-of-the-seat, slightly-nail-biting variety with enough clues to give the reader a good impression of what was really going on, but not enough to plunge things into the realm of boring.
Still, I'm finding the details about the cabal too few and too sparse throughout the books, which I know is deliberate to move the series forward (and allow space for much more books in the future), but slowly these few details are really starting to bug me.
Though the stories are interesting and rather diverse plot-wise, the main arc mystery is getting a little old.
December 14, 2012
The Perfect Poison
4 Stars
Synopsis
Lucinda Bromley is a botanist with the unique ability to detect any poison but she also has a notorious reputation following the suspicious death of her fiance. When a man is poisoned by a rare fern, Lucinda fears becoming the prime suspect and requests the help of Caleb Jones, a man known for being able to decipher any clue. Soon Lucinda and Caleb are immersed in a case of murder and conspiracy and must stop a relentless scientist and a deranged madman in their quest to perfect the deadly Founder's Formula.
Review
On the whole, the Arcane series has been a mixed bag for me but The Perfect Poison is more of a hit than a miss. This part of the series comes full circle with explanations for several ideas found in the contemporary books, such as the origins of Jones & Jones and the society's matchmaking service as well as the true nature of Caleb's ability (and by extension that of his descendent, Fallon Jones).
Caleb and Lucinda are wonderful together and their romance is passionate and powerful. Lucinda is the most compelling of the three historical heroines in the series - her intelligence, charm and wit are appealing on many levels, and the fact that she accepts her attraction to Caleb so completely only adds to their chemistry. Caleb has the darkest temperament and struggles to cope with the true nature of his abilities but he brings this intensity to his relationship with Lucinda, which makes it absolutely perfect. One a side note, the explanation of Caleb's mental anguish is particularly fulfilling, especially for fans of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose - just love the intertextuality.
The mystery is where the book falls short as it lacks the intrigue and intensity of previous installments. The plot itself is contrived and there is no atmosphere of urgency or excitement. Moreover, the climax is predictable and uninspired.
Overall, an easy and entertaining read with a gorgeous tortured hero and a spirited heroine. The series continues with the Dreamlight trilogy and I look forward to continuing with it.
4 Stars
Synopsis
Lucinda Bromley is a botanist with the unique ability to detect any poison but she also has a notorious reputation following the suspicious death of her fiance. When a man is poisoned by a rare fern, Lucinda fears becoming the prime suspect and requests the help of Caleb Jones, a man known for being able to decipher any clue. Soon Lucinda and Caleb are immersed in a case of murder and conspiracy and must stop a relentless scientist and a deranged madman in their quest to perfect the deadly Founder's Formula.
Review
On the whole, the Arcane series has been a mixed bag for me but The Perfect Poison is more of a hit than a miss. This part of the series comes full circle with explanations for several ideas found in the contemporary books, such as the origins of Jones & Jones and the society's matchmaking service as well as the true nature of Caleb's ability (and by extension that of his descendent, Fallon Jones).
Caleb and Lucinda are wonderful together and their romance is passionate and powerful. Lucinda is the most compelling of the three historical heroines in the series - her intelligence, charm and wit are appealing on many levels, and the fact that she accepts her attraction to Caleb so completely only adds to their chemistry. Caleb has the darkest temperament and struggles to cope with the true nature of his abilities but he brings this intensity to his relationship with Lucinda, which makes it absolutely perfect. One a side note, the explanation of Caleb's mental anguish is particularly fulfilling, especially for fans of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose - just love the intertextuality.
The mystery is where the book falls short as it lacks the intrigue and intensity of previous installments. The plot itself is contrived and there is no atmosphere of urgency or excitement. Moreover, the climax is predictable and uninspired.
Overall, an easy and entertaining read with a gorgeous tortured hero and a spirited heroine. The series continues with the Dreamlight trilogy and I look forward to continuing with it.
June 30, 2020
Fantasic Cross-Genre Book
THE PERFECT POISON is the sixth book in the Arcane Society series. The Arcane series is about a society of those with paranormal talents. The books span historicals (Amanda Quick), contemporaries (Jayne Ann Krentz) and futuristic (Jayne Castle). Arcane has a secret...there is a formula created by its founder that can enhance paranormal talents. There is a secret cabal within Arcane that is plotting to perfect and use the formula for criminal purposes.
THE PERFECT POISON takes place in the late 1800s. Caleb Jones has started a private detective agency to investigate paranormal crimes. Caleb has a talent for putting pieces of a mystery together in other words, he is able to uncover conspiracies but fears that he will go insane the way others in his family with the same talent have. He is called to the house of Lucinda Bromley who is a paranormal botanist and is believed to have poisoned her fiance. Lucinda believes that a plant that was stolen from her has been used in a murder. The two end up working together to solve the mystery which also is connected to the overarching story of the cabal within Arcane.
Loved, loved, loved this story between Lucinda and Caleb. Caleb is more surly than the other heroes in the series. He is always working on his theories and he sees the world differently than others. The repartee between Caleb and Lucinda is witty and very sexy. The two have a deep interaction from the beginning. Neither of them are silly people. They both have dark spaces that end up resonating with one another. I think it is beautiful how these two people who don't expect to find love end up being the perfect couple.
I always love how strong the women in these books are. Lucinda is independent and is not threatened by Caleb. She meets him as an equal and he ends up with a deep respect for her.
This book is tied for my favorite of the series. My other favorite is IN TOO DEEP which is the story of Caleb and Lucinda's descendant Fallon Jones.
THE PERFECT POISON is the sixth book in the Arcane Society series. The Arcane series is about a society of those with paranormal talents. The books span historicals (Amanda Quick), contemporaries (Jayne Ann Krentz) and futuristic (Jayne Castle). Arcane has a secret...there is a formula created by its founder that can enhance paranormal talents. There is a secret cabal within Arcane that is plotting to perfect and use the formula for criminal purposes.
THE PERFECT POISON takes place in the late 1800s. Caleb Jones has started a private detective agency to investigate paranormal crimes. Caleb has a talent for putting pieces of a mystery together in other words, he is able to uncover conspiracies but fears that he will go insane the way others in his family with the same talent have. He is called to the house of Lucinda Bromley who is a paranormal botanist and is believed to have poisoned her fiance. Lucinda believes that a plant that was stolen from her has been used in a murder. The two end up working together to solve the mystery which also is connected to the overarching story of the cabal within Arcane.
Loved, loved, loved this story between Lucinda and Caleb. Caleb is more surly than the other heroes in the series. He is always working on his theories and he sees the world differently than others. The repartee between Caleb and Lucinda is witty and very sexy. The two have a deep interaction from the beginning. Neither of them are silly people. They both have dark spaces that end up resonating with one another. I think it is beautiful how these two people who don't expect to find love end up being the perfect couple.
I always love how strong the women in these books are. Lucinda is independent and is not threatened by Caleb. She meets him as an equal and he ends up with a deep respect for her.
This book is tied for my favorite of the series. My other favorite is IN TOO DEEP which is the story of Caleb and Lucinda's descendant Fallon Jones.
April 9, 2017
Me gusto mucho este libro y me sorprendió bastante. Pensé que sería super romántico y toda esa cosa pero la verdad es que la historia se centra más en resolver los misterios que se plantean a lo largo del libro más que en el aspecto romántico en sí, quiero decir, no hay nada muy empalagoso en ningún momento, ni siquiera algo demasiado dramático, a pesar de que todo e tempo se ven rodeados de peligros y asesinatos.
Además me gustaron mucho los protagonistas y hasta me dieron gracia en ciertos momentos. En general es una lectura entretenida y atrapante incluso por lo que para mí merece un 3,5 e incluso estoy cómoda dándole 4 estrellas aunque me faltó encariñarme con los personajes de todas formas, como ya dije, todos me cayeron muy bien.
Me parece un libro recomendable para pasar la tarde y aunque al parecer es el sexto libro de una saga no tuve problemas en entender todo lo que estaba pasando, si los consigo, probablemente lea los demás aunque como tiene un buen final tampoco es que me quedé muy intrigada para ver como continua. Fin.
Además me gustaron mucho los protagonistas y hasta me dieron gracia en ciertos momentos. En general es una lectura entretenida y atrapante incluso por lo que para mí merece un 3,5 e incluso estoy cómoda dándole 4 estrellas aunque me faltó encariñarme con los personajes de todas formas, como ya dije, todos me cayeron muy bien.
Me parece un libro recomendable para pasar la tarde y aunque al parecer es el sexto libro de una saga no tuve problemas en entender todo lo que estaba pasando, si los consigo, probablemente lea los demás aunque como tiene un buen final tampoco es que me quedé muy intrigada para ver como continua. Fin.
April 6, 2009
I think it's interesting how Amanda Quick / Jayne Ann Krentz goes back and forth between the late Victorian era in England to contemporary US West Coast in the Arcane Society novels. I found the origins of J&J and presumably arcanematch.com in this novel interesting and also gave a better understanding of several of the things that happen in the contemporary novels. I also appreciated the opportunity for characters from two of the former novels to make appearances in this book, as well as a possible partial profile of Fallon Jones's talent.
February 18, 2019
Loved it
I consider this book as the best of Ms. Quick's Arcane Society series. And Caleb and Lucinda are the best pair. Intelligent, sensible and mature. The best thing about this book is that it's not like the typical romance genre where the focus is solely on the relationship and graphic bedroom scenes. It has mystery and thrillers that keep you turning the pages. And it's one of those rare romance novels
which title, cover and story content don't embarrass you when reading it in public. I could even recommend this to friends (including males) who don't normally read romance. I know they would enjoy it too.
I consider this book as the best of Ms. Quick's Arcane Society series. And Caleb and Lucinda are the best pair. Intelligent, sensible and mature. The best thing about this book is that it's not like the typical romance genre where the focus is solely on the relationship and graphic bedroom scenes. It has mystery and thrillers that keep you turning the pages. And it's one of those rare romance novels
which title, cover and story content don't embarrass you when reading it in public. I could even recommend this to friends (including males) who don't normally read romance. I know they would enjoy it too.
August 7, 2011
This is part of the Arcane Society Mystery of Amanda Quick. Lucinda Bromley, is a botanist with psychical talent who can sense any poison and can tell what kind of poison it is, she teamed with Caleb Jones, of the Jones Agency, a man from Arcane society also, sparks fly while they investigated the theft of Ms Bromley's fern which can induce strange dreams and affect the minds if used. This fern sounds familiar these days :-) I enjoyed unraveling the mysteries. What i didn't like is the repetitive word "psychical" which is almost in every page..It's a light and fast read.
April 15, 2009
This is another great entry in the Arcane Society series. I love these books. In this one, the heroine has a botany talent that's pretty interesting and helpful in solving crimes. The hero is a Jones, but they fit together well, and she actually realizes it. They don't spend three-fourths of the book fighting the connection like sometimes happens. It also talks about the founding of the Jones & Jones investigation agency.
March 27, 2021
OK, I think this has become my favorite book in the series! Great MCs, good tight plot and plenty of action. The heroine is intelligent, strong, and quick-thinking, and the hero just may be worthy of her. ;) There are some excellent minor characters, too, who had me smiling. All in all a satisfying if too-quick read. 4 very entertained stars
June 15, 2023
Starting Audio. I've never read the book.
Writing is not good. Stilted, no emotion. Where are the feels??????????
Writing is not good. Stilted, no emotion. Where are the feels??????????
March 22, 2021
Caleb reminds me a little of Sherlock Holmes.
May 31, 2017
The Perfect Poison is probably the first historical in Jayne Ann Krentz's Arcane Society that I actually, really, really liked. For whatever reason, I'm not entirely certain, since it doesn't stray far from the story lines of the previous two historical installments in this series. Could be that, while I didn't really have any problem with the previous two books' characters, I didn't really care for them all that much either--I think it was the romances that didn't do it for me, even though I did like the characters as individuals. This made them kind of 'meh' books.
But in this installment, the characters were great and I DID find that I really liked both. Caleb Jones was not the typical, broody, alpha lord type, and he had a few moments that might have endeared him to me. Lucinda was the typical strong, and independent, and eccentric heroine, but I also loved how readily she just stands up to Caleb in spite of his intimidating glowering all the time.
And also, the romance actually developed a little bit more ideally--it was definitely not a typical Amanda Quick formula, I'll give it that.
Meanwhile, the story line felt more substantial, rather than just being another add-on to the ongoing background conflict between the Arcane Society and that mysterious, secret cabal of rogue psychics.
As per usual, the book was addictive and easy to read; the side characters were also great. And aside from some typical romance cliches here and there, I really didn't have a whole lot of objections pertaining to this book.
I DO like how we continue to see certain parallels between the contemporary books in this series, as well as connections to JAK's futuristic Harmony series. It just gets me all excited!
***
Booklikes-opoly
In celebration of Memorial Day Weekend, the Booklikes-opoly Prison Library is accepting donations of up to 100 pages.
I read and donated 100 pages from this book to the Prison Library.
But in this installment, the characters were great and I DID find that I really liked both. Caleb Jones was not the typical, broody, alpha lord type, and he had a few moments that might have endeared him to me. Lucinda was the typical strong, and independent, and eccentric heroine, but I also loved how readily she just stands up to Caleb in spite of his intimidating glowering all the time.
And also, the romance actually developed a little bit more ideally--it was definitely not a typical Amanda Quick formula, I'll give it that.
Meanwhile, the story line felt more substantial, rather than just being another add-on to the ongoing background conflict between the Arcane Society and that mysterious, secret cabal of rogue psychics.
As per usual, the book was addictive and easy to read; the side characters were also great. And aside from some typical romance cliches here and there, I really didn't have a whole lot of objections pertaining to this book.
I DO like how we continue to see certain parallels between the contemporary books in this series, as well as connections to JAK's futuristic Harmony series. It just gets me all excited!
***
Booklikes-opoly
In celebration of Memorial Day Weekend, the Booklikes-opoly Prison Library is accepting donations of up to 100 pages.
I read and donated 100 pages from this book to the Prison Library.
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