The Perfect Poison (Arcane Society Book 6)

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...

From Publishers Weekly

Quick (aka Jayne Ann Krentz) delivers her reliable blend of sex and suspense in her latest Arcane Society novel. In Victorian London, spinster botanist and psychic Lucinda Bromley meets her match in Caleb Jones, a member of the Arcane Society and descendant of an alchemist family that makes him the stuff of myth and legend. Together, this paranormal pair of snoops sets out to track down a thief who made off with a dangerous plant implicated in the death of a wealthy lord, but wind up uncovering a sinister secret order. Quick invents two dazzling 19th-century sleuths who combine paranormal prowess and raw sexual heat. But if they excel at fooling Mother Nature, it's their all too human nature that brings this uncommon Victorian duo to life. (Apr.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

If Lucinda Bromley doesn’t discover who stole her fern, she could end up being charged with murder. Lucinda frequently used her unusual psychic gift to discern death by poisoning to help the London police, but when a nobleman is poisoned by a compound containing elements of a rare fern, one that can only be found in her conservatory, Lucinda knows she better act quickly. To help her find the real murderer, she hires Caleb Jones, a “psychical investigator.” Believing there is a connection between Lucinda’s fern thief and a deadly dangerous secret society, Caleb agrees to take the case, but he never expected to become so distracted by his new partner in detection or to find himself flummoxed on so many fronts. New York Times best-seller Quick delivers another fascinating addition to her original and spellbinding Victorian-era series about the Arcane Society, a 200-year-old secret organization founded by an alchemist and devoted to paranormal research. Once again, Quick (one of Jayne Ann Krentz’s alternative identities) expertly, even magically, dispenses delectably witty dialogue, simmering sexual chemistry, and a plot laced with secrets, dangers, and surprises. --John Charles

The Seattle Times

“A fast-paced Victorian-era novel of paranormal romantic suspense.”

Booklist

“Fascinating...Once again, Quick expertly, even magically, dispenses delectably witty dialogue, simmering sexual chemistry and a plot laced with secrets, dangers and surprises.”

Library Journal

“Seductiveness and clever plotting combine with Quick’s classic zingy wit to produce a funny, fast-paced romp that will please readers.”

Publishers Weekly

“Quick invents two dazzling nineteenth-century sleuths who combine paranormal prowess and raw sexual heat. But if they excel at fooling Mother Nature, it’s their all-too-human nature that brings this uncommon Victorian duo to life.”

Midwest Book Review

“An exhilarating historical romantic suspense that is filled with a strong cast, terrific twisting plots and a sense of time running out that grips the audience with a need to know the outcome in one sitting...a great Victorian sleuthing duet.”

From the Back Cover

In her suspenseful novel, New York Times bestselling author Amanda Quick delves into this underworld of passion, greed, and powers that lie beyond this realm

From AudioFile

In this elegant and well-paced Arcane Society novel, lovely Lucinda Brombley is gifted with the psychic ability to detect poisons. She is dubbed "Lucrezia" (as in Borgia) after her fiancé dies while drinking poisoned tea. Enter handsome Caleb Jones, whose extraordinary psychic powers make him a master at solving problems but less than masterful at dealing with Lucinda. Together they must learn who is killing people and leaving a trail leading to Lucinda. Anne Flosnik's talents are well showcased in this Victorian mystery, and her ability to portray various characters--from the upper crust of London to the lowest Cockneys--makes for delightful listening. A.C.P. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

About the Author

Amanda Quick is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. She writes historical romance novels under the Quick name, contemporary romantic suspense novels under the Krentz name, and futuristic romance novels under the pseudonym Jayne Castle. There are more than 35 million copies of her books in print.

Reviews

News