Author: Tasha Alexander
Lady Emily Ashton, a widow, astounds her fellow socialites by drinking Port, studying Greek, resisting remarriage, and – perhaps most scandalous of all – reading in public.
A Poisoned Season is the second book in the Lady Emily series, and was a lot more enjoyable than the first for me. I felt that the plot/characters/setting/etc. were better laid out and easier to follow. In this novel, Emily competes with her romantic interest, Colin Hargreaves, to see who can unmask her secret admirer/solve two murders/denounce a pretender to the French throne/catch a jewel thief. If Emily wins the bet, Colin will spend some time in Greece with her, and if Colin wins, Emily must marry him (the latter being much less offensive than is sounds as Emily is quite in love with Colin and has just been maintaining her widowed status to retain her independence for a while). In case you haven’t guessed, this is an action-packed novel.
“It was true that I found most of society tedious, but I had never intended to make my casual acquaintances feel it so keenly.”
Presentation Style
I have to commend Tasha Alexander for writing in such an honest style. There are elements of Lady Emily that are quite unconventional (the scholarly interests, the port) and truly scandalous to society. As rumors continue to circulate about her throughout the book, and she estranges an increasing amount of people, Alexander gives us a clear picture of the conflict it created for Emily.
The above quote is a piece of how she’s torn between living her own lifestyle and maintaining the status quo for the sake of those around her. The only thing that’s slowing down her radical self is the fact that her reputation is harming those even remotely acquainted with her. We see this struggle, not described in fancy language or strong emotional words, but in plain speak that evokes emotion and lets the reader identify with the character.
Other scenarios in the book are similar in their honesty, and, to be fair, their reality. Instead of the more typical character who simply pushes negative thoughts out of their mind to focus on the task at hand, or constantly asks “what if..?,” Emily just does. She cries. She drinks. She reads. She puzzles. She does the important society things when required and doesn’t blow things off because her investigation is a priority. Alexander creates a heroine who actually knows how to balance her curiosity with her courtesy. Emily is rebellious-within-the-lines and I really appreciate that about her.
Emily and Colin
In historical mystery fiction, a female heroine would have to be naturally curious and somewhat intellectual, so it’s not a surprise that many main characters are fairly free-spirited. Alexander does a good job with Lady Emily as she’s a clear-headed female who’s definitely head-over-heels for Colin, but not so much so that we have to hear about it the entire book. The relationship between the two is a playful one, and their bet throughout the book is amusing to follow. Big things are at stake for both of them – but I think they both know the outcome of the wager, whether they win or lose. It is a pleasant touch by Alexander.
The detail of romance is nicely added, but it’s not what’s keeping me reading the book. Lady Emily and the mystery itself make you want to keep turning the pages. However, I think we do get fed enough information on the couples’ relationship, and I have no further questions about it at this time (which is very satisfactory!).
Wrapping Up?!?
It’s hard to believe that I don’t have a ton more thoughts on this book. I just really enjoyed reading it. It’s totally different than Lady Darby (even with the common themes of widow-turned-romantic, investigations, and societal pressure) (see “A Grave Matter” post), but no less entertaining. The writing is good, clean, and honest. The main character is easily identified with. The plot itself is intricate, and the secondary characters are charming (or irritating, depending on the character) and add a lot of life to the novel.
I don’t think I’m as enamored with Lady Emily as I am with Lady Darby, but I think it’s because Lady Emily is still in the process of finding herself, whereas LD did that fairly quickly. I look forward to who Emily becomes and what other crimes she may solve.