The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla: Pink Carnation, Book 11

"They say he's a vampire." With a bang this opening sentence throws open the doors on what I dub as "Thriller # 11." Part Sherlock Holmes, part Northanger Abbey and all Pink Carnation, The author subjects the unsuspecting reader to a regency murder mystery/romance that includes all of the classic gothic elements for a tale steeped in superstition.This is Miss Sally Fitzhugh's story and her entanglement with the sinister Lucien, Duke of Belliston. Sally's initial encounter with the menacing duke is the author at her best in setting a suitably `horrid' mood. Bored at her latest ball, she learns the reclusive duke inhabits the neglected townhouse next door. Being Sally, with her penchant for curiosity and daring, she snoops onto the Duke's property and comes upon a fearsome spector....."Show yourself." A man swept aside the fronds of a weeping willow tree. "Show myself?" The man's voice was well-bred, and distinctly incredulous. "I should ask the same of you." For a moment Sally froze, wildly recalling all the tales Agnes had recounted. The man's face was marble pale against the dark leaves, his features chiseled as if from stone, beautiful and stern. The only sign of color was the single splotch of blood that marred the snowy whiteness of his cravat.Due to the wild popularity of The Convent of Orsino, a gothic novel written by none other than Mrs. Gwendolyn Reid, (nee Meadows) fear strikes the ton who speculate whether Lucien is actually human. Rumors reach hysterical proportions at the next ball where a dead woman is discovered on a balcony bench with blood streaks on her gown and what look like fang marks on her neck.In Sally Fitzhugh, the author has fashioned a lovely heroine who is charming, engaging, curious, and always there to help her family and friends. The all-too-reclusive Lucien would otherwise find Sally nosey and controlling. In Lucien, Sally discovers a secretive, refined, protective individual with latent erotic sexuality that attracts her like no other man.It seems the duke's late parents were both murdered on the family estate many years ago and because of his sudden disappearance he has been implicated in that crime. Now, once again, someone is trying to frame him for the mysterious woman's death as well. The duke has returned to reclaim rightful ownership of his ancestral estate and clear his tarnished reputation. Against his will, Sally stubbornly refuses to abandon him and the duke misinterprets her kind, non-judgmental nature for being just plain snoopy.Cameo appearances by several Pink Carnation favorites from past episodes are featured as they try to help Sally discover the murderer and restore Lucien's reputation. In contrast to her buttoned-down sister Sally, we are treated to loveable brother Turnip's inappropriate comments, a prickly Mrs. Gwen, Lord and Lady Vaughn, schoolmates Agnes and Lizzy, and Sally's pet stoat Lady Florence. It is this close relative to a ferret that plays a pivotal role in the climactic events to follow.I found the story of Lucien and Sally so absorbing that the current day romance of Eloise and Colin became almost a distraction. That is until the conclusion when the author finally drops the other shoe and unveils a shocking zinger in their relationship!After 11 Pink Carnations and 2 stand-alone novels, what are the superlatives about Lauren Willing that draw this reader back to her every written word? Here are just a few: Her brilliant shuttling back and forth between "then" and "now" which is the hallmark of her literary technique. As a former attorney, her impeccable historical research. Her ability to swing between wild humor and teary-eyed sentiment at a moment's notice. Her unparalleled mastery of the English language. (More than once I was grateful for my Kindle's instant dictionary application as I struggled to comprehend many of her fifty dollar words.)Not many authors appreciate and enjoy their readers as much as does Lauren Willig. So, along with her novel, she includes an interview with herself, historical notes, reading group study notes and a brief but riveting preview from "Pink 12, Miss Jane Wooliston's (AKA The Pink Carnation) own story due in 2015. Bring it on!

Yes! Eloise and Colin are getting engaged! Yes!(Probably)This whole series I have been hoping and waiting for them to get together and they finally did it!For those of you who don't know, The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla is the latest book in the Pink Carnation series. In each book we see the story of Colin and Eloise (our modern day H/h) interspersed with the story of the agents, friends and relatives of the Pink Carnation in Regency England. While each Regency couple gets their HEA, we have been waiting it seems like <b>forever</b> for Colin and Eloise.And what an awesome story we have this time!! I'd have to give it a massive, massive 10++++++I see a lot of books that claim to be a "romp" or "madcap" and they never live up to the hype. The story of Sally and Lucien is a madcap, hilarious, laugh-out-loud romp all the way. Vampires, ghosts, spies (or the lack of them), not-so-secret passages, and stoats. This book has impossible situations enlivened by witty, sparkling writing. Don't believe me? Here a few samples:"Leaning her elbows on the balustrade, she said with relish, "They say he sucks the blood of unwary maidens."Agnes considered this. "I imagine they're less trouble than wary ones."[Lucien thinking about Sally's actions] Unless she was merely off her bean. That would explain a great deal."Don't worry," said Miss Fitzhugh reassuringly. "I have a very high tolerance for insanity. It runs in my family."Abigale Dimsdale had spent a week in the infirmary after being lobbed in the head by Juliet's tower, which, it turned out, was not designed to be taken topically.Ah, memories.Sally indulged in a brief, vengeful fantasy of Lucien encountering her in Hyde Park. "How blue your eyes are," he would say--only he wouldn't say nonsense like that, and why she was even bothering herself trying to impress him, when it was obvious that he was an ungrateful boor and she certainly didn't care in the slightest and, besides, she had only kissed him out of pity anyway, if she was thinking about that kiss, which she wasn't. And, even if she was, the nasty things he had said that morning ought to have made it quite clear that there were no tender feelings between them.Goodness, it was exhausting living in her head.Can you tell how much I loved this book? Highly, highly recommended. You don't have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this one, but you ought to because they are wonderful as well!Would I read it again? Absolutely, positively YES!

Very well written, looking forward to the l a st in the series. Only thing I find is the huge difference in the cost of each individual book for a download. Perhaps this should be reviewed with the publishers.

I own all the previous volumes, and eagerly opened this one when it arrived. But - to my dismay - the first twenty pages or so were missing in the book! How is that possible in a traditionally published novel? Fortunately I also have a Kindle and read the sample there, which covered the missing pages.If I was not as enthralled with this volume as some of the previous ones, it was the hero who did not entirely convince me, and the family's horrible backstory was a bit disturbing and darkened the mood. I liked the brash heroine, though.

Great read.

Love this series