In this suspenseful Arcane Society novel, New York Times bestselling author Amanda Quick delves into the underworld of passion, greed, and powers that lie beyond this realm.
Victorian botanist Lucinda Bromley has a rare talent: the ability to detect almost any type of poison. She also tends many rare plants, including a species of fern that was stolen from her conservatory just last month—and which turns up in a poison that was used in a nobleman's murder.
To keep her name out of the investigation and to find the killer, Lucinda hires a fellow Arcane Society member. The founder of a psychical investigation agency, Caleb Jones is very good at protecting the Society's secrets—and frighteningly good at getting the truth.
As a nearly overwhelming desire blooms between Caleb and Lucinda, they are drawn into the dark heart of a deadly conspiracy—and into a legacy of madness that could plunge Caleb into the depths of his own tortured soul . . .
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"This is my favorite of the Arcane Society series...and the beginning of Jones and Jones. Caleb and Lucinda. I have offically read all the Series now (at least all so far) and the J&J's win in my book. A psychic detective agency woot...got to love it. "
— Ginger (5 out of 5 stars)
" A book in the Arcane Series. Typical Amanda Quick. Enjoyable. "
— Toni, 2/15/2014" Pleasant and fluffy, but I'd kind of like a bit more. It feels short. The minor characters are interesting, but their development seems desultry. "
— Heather, 2/14/2014" This was a good one and I liked the premise. There's just something about this particular narrator though that doens't work for me. I always have a hard time getting into any book she narrates. "
— Kelley, 1/30/2014" Another in the Arcane Society series. Here Lucinda Bromley is a fallen woman, having been accused of poisoning her fiance. Caleb Jones helps her untangle several other mysteries. A very quick read. Similar to others in the series but an enjoyable read nonetheless. "
— Susan, 1/29/2014" The author is re-visting the very beginnings of the Arcane Society and how it came to be structured et al. The mystery was decent as well. Botanical in nature, quite fitting, as I was digging in the garden as I listened. "
— Christa, 1/27/2014" Obviously predictable and kind of boring "
— Cara, 1/26/2014" I was bored reading this. Practically 80% of the book consists of someone explaining their thought processes from A to B to someone else (mostly the h/h), reciting what they did and why they did it in excruciating detail. I was skimming most of the dialogue by the end, and this book is made up mostly of dialogue too. "
— Brenda, 1/17/2014" My favorite of the Arcane Society books so far, though I can't really explain why. "
— Chris, 1/15/2014" I loved this book. Both the main characters were quite interesting people and I loved their "professions". The romance was a little too predictable, but otherwise it was a fun story. "
— Dawn, 1/15/2014" I love everything this writer puts out, and this book was a hit with me. Caleb and Lucinda spar with each other and team up to form the legendary Jones and Jones, though I thought Bromley and Jones had a very nice ring to it! "
— Maggie, 1/14/2014" HFBC Book: It was okay but I really wanted to finish so I could read something else. "
— Sandy, 1/8/2014" Despite these books having mystery, murder and mayhem they do not get my blood pumping when I read them. They are romance novels. And every romanace is basically the same. "
— Laurie, 1/5/2014" I liked this one a lot ! This series is just amazingg . (: "
— Ariel, 12/8/2013" I liked this book. A Victorian era romance by Amanda Quick (who is also Jayne Anne Krentz, and Jayne Castle) -part of the Arcane Society series. "
— Deborah, 12/3/2013" Murder, botany, romance...I will probably another from this series. "
— Dee, 12/2/2013" This book started out realy slow for me. It did get a little better but I didn't love it. I don't know if that has something to do with reading out of sequence or not. I didn't feel like I was missing anything. The characters are likable but I probably will not search out another in the series. "
— Katherine, 11/19/2013" Amanda Quick is one of my guilty pleasures and Perfect Poison was a great read. I was glad to see Quick wrote a story centered around Caleb Jones. These books are fun and not so series. Maybe I should add a shelve called guilty pleasures. "
— Mary, 11/19/2013" Victorian? "
— Sylvia, 11/2/2013" More adventure with the Arcane Society. I like how this series crosses back and forth with both pen names (Krentz and Quick), contemporary and historical settings, with each book standing alone well. As always, a solid read. "
— Charlene, 8/5/2013" it is a slow start, but seems interesting. "
— Niccy, 3/11/2013" Note to self: Stop reading her romances that have a supernatural element, you don't enjoy them. "
— Dodie, 2/13/2013" light and frothy diversion for steamy summer nights "
— Kelly, 2/9/2013" Setting reflects the Victorian psycic craze with a Victorian romance style. Some what interesting but no depth "
— Jane, 12/1/2012" I like the books in this series. I also like the main characters. It kept me guessing a long while before I figured out the killer. A very good read..if you like strong characters including female and historical mystery. I do ! "
— Pamela, 11/17/2012" Fluffy paranormal romance candy. "
— Zazzu, 11/1/2012" Loved the premise and Ms. Quick's writing is superb. It's been awhile since I've read historical fiction I enjoyed this much. "
— Misty, 9/8/2012" I loved this one in the Arcane series. Hope there is more. "
— Cassandra, 8/30/2012" Convoluted yet boring - never really got engaged with this one. "
— Lindsay, 7/4/2012" I really do like the Victorian Arcane Society books. They are fun and the characters are likeable. "
— Lorie, 3/5/2012" I makes me smile to find out that he marryed Lucinda :D "
— Tabitha, 6/20/2011" was my first book i have read of hers and it was very good like the story characters etc.. was ify at first then i really got into the book "
— Caliea, 6/5/2011" An enjoyable installment of The Arcane Society series. "
— Melanie, 4/24/2011" I might have first read this when it was published but clearly didn't remember that first time until opening the book for a second time. "
— Lyn, 4/5/2011" I'm really enjoying the Arcane Society books, and hope to pick up the rest of them soon. "
— Carlene, 2/20/2011" For a chic book this was pretty good. I don't read much of them but this one kept me amused. I liked that the main characters were not Mr. & Mrs. Perfect but slightly odd eccentrics. The actual "mystery" was not very captivating, but overall a quick fun little read. "
— Emily, 1/30/2011" Borrowed this from my grandmother, but lost interest fairly quickly and never finished it. I tend to reserve 1-star ratings for books I loathe, so am sticking with my 2-star rating for this one. "
— Susann, 1/12/2011" This is a very fun read, with lots of sparks between the protagonists and an intriguing paranormal mystery. A good escape read. "
— Carla, 1/4/2011" She is great at what she does - historical romance with a psychic vibe. Fun to read. "
— H.s., 12/23/2010" It was entertaining but the writing was average and I hate harlequinesque romances. It was on the thriller/police shelf of the library otherwise I would never have borrowed it. If you like predictable dialogues and cheesy romance, it is better then most out there. "
— Shyama, 12/20/2010" good before sleep read -- kept my attention. "
— Angelica, 12/16/2010Amanda Quick, the author of numerous historical romances, is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, the author of many New York Times bestsellers. She writes contemporary romantic suspense novels under the Krentz name, as well as futuristic romance novels under the pseudonym Jayne Castle. There are nearly thirty million copies of her books in print.