The Masque of the Black Tulip

by Lauren Willig

In The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, Harvard grad student Eloise Kelly discovered the identities of the Pink Carnation and the Purple Gentian. In the second novel of this series, Eloise searches for the identity of the clever French spy, the Black Tulip. Her research will take during a weekend at the archives of the Selwick family. Of course, this means a weekend in the company of the handsome Colin Selwick.

Flash to the past. . .

Lady Henrietta Selwick, the younger sister of the Purple Gentian (Richard), is determined to capture and unmask that deadly French spy, the Black Tulip. With the help of her cousin (aka Pink Carnation), she might just do that. She might also fall in love with Miles Dorrington, Richard’s best friend. They do make quite a pair!

What I really liked about this novel was Willig’s willingness to lighten up the spy story with a bit of romance. Hen and Miles are great fun.

What I didn’t like was the flashing between the past and the present. There is nothing appealing about Eloise Kelly. Willig could easily skip the present and just tell a great story that takes place in the past. Luckily, the segments that take place in the present are brief.

I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.

12/31/10