The Masque of the Black Tulip

A Novel

By: Lauren Willig

Narrated by: Kate Reading

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.

©2005 Lauren Willig (P)2005 Penguin Audio, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., and Books on Tape. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Many more will delight in this easy-to-read romp and line up for the next installment." (Publishers Weekly)

Excellent series!

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

So super surprisingly good!

awesome again!! I love the whole series...this is my third time around! all my sisters are into it...my husband secretly listens to them too!

Wonderful

The story of Eloise and Colin goes on. The second book of this series also has immediately dragged me into the spell. Kate Reading lets live the Charactere. Thanks.

each book in series getting better

Would you listen to The Masque of the Black Tulip again? Why?

Yes, Kate Reading brings so much to the characters and really knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat.

What did you like best about this story?

There are some brutal bloody parts, but that is war and it wouldn't be real with out it . It really makes you look at spying in a different light. Yes there is humor, but you must remember these stories are about England's war with France during the reign of Bonaparte

What about Kate Reading’s performance did you like?

Ms Reading is a true professional, and a great talent. I have listened to many of her narrations. She is able to switch characters and voices beautifully. She is class A narrator.

Loved it!

This is the second in this series and both of them are pure joy. Laugh out loud funny at times, an engaging love story and plenty of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. Something for everyone. Don't miss this or the first book in this series.

love

loved it couldn't stop listening. I found myself talking like she does. it was a great read.

A Tongue in Cheek Regency /Modern Day Romance

Another (book 2 in the series) lighthearted, fastpaced spy adventure and romance featuring two of the highly likeable Regency era characters, Henrietta and Miles, from book 1 "The Secret History of the Pink Carnation." More frustrating is the relationship of two modern day characters, Eloise, an American history graduate student, and Colin, a British descendant of a spy during the Napoleonic Wars. Their part of the story only covers three days, but stretches out for the length of the novel with only a tantalizing hint of possible advancement of their relationship! Maybe next book...

Marvelous fun

At first I wasn't sure about this novel. I was so used to my serious murder and spy stories that I began to think this was too frivolous. Wrong!!! While it is light hearted, Ms. Willing knows what she is doing. Her writing is styled to keep you interested, at times amused yet intrigued. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful book. And Kate Reading adds her special touch to make this a marvelous adventure. Enjoy!

Even better than the first - I'm caught

The characters were a little less silly in this second book, and the mystery a bit tighter. Kate Reading is a marvel - she has great voice/accent definition so all the voices stay consistent. She also has marvelous timing so the mystery is revealed properly and the comedy is effervescent.

Great story and characters in historical settings

History made it interesting and enjoyable. The story wraps history, romance, and time together.