I found The Perfect Poison to be yet another hit in Amanda Quick's series of arcane society novels. I've been a fan of Ms. Quick's for several years, and I generally enjoy anything she writes. But as someone who likes things with a paranormal side to them, I've found that I have a special preference for her arcane society novels. It's always interesting to pick up a book in the series and learn what paranormal "gift" Ms. Quick has masterfully thought out and created for the main character(s).

If you're also a fan of Amanda Quick's, you won't be disappointed by The Perfect Poison. Lucinda is another of Ms. Quick's strong, independent, "woman of the world" characters who has gone through some hard times in her life but always managed to get through them. And the thing I thought was great about Lucinda was that even though she is strong and can obviously take care of herself, she's not stubborn about it as many of the women in Ms. Quick's previous books are. By that, I mean that rather than just flat out refusing to accept any help from Caleb, such as when he insists that Lucinda and her cousin have a bodyguard, she listens to his concerns and his advice and actually considers what he has to say. And Caleb is loving and fiercely protective of Lucinda (just as women want their men to be), and he would obviously do anything to keep "his woman" safe. However, he isn't SO overly protective of her that she's made to feel like a child, and it's wonderful that he's able to balance his need to protect her with her need to be her own woman.

So it was nice to have a couple who could both recognize and acknowledge the weaknesses AND the strengths in their partner and develop a strong relationship based on them. I hope to see more characters like these two . . . or maybe even a sequel to this story. It definitely had a "Tobias March and Lavinia Lake" feeling to it (the characters in the trilogy starting with Slightly Shady). One can hope anyway.

Happy reading!

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Loved this latest Arcane Novel. The "mystery" aspect was a little weak and the "let's tie it up now" moment at the end was abrupt but overall an EXCELLENT read!

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I couldn't put this one down - a fun, speedy read from a delightful author. Caleb is the cousin of heroes from previous books in the series. Afraid he may go insane, he finds his rescue in Lucinda.

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This is by far my favorite Arcane Society novel. I just love Caleb and Lucinda. What a strong heroine who knows her own mind and to hell with what everyone thinks. Gotta love it especially in that time period. And Caleb was like the absent-minded professor except when he was around Lucinda - how cute! Oh and, the encounter in the drying shed was so sexy and hot enough to melt your brain.

Great book with fantastic characters and an ongoing conflict to keep you interested in subsequent books. The only dilemma was that the mystery was entertaining enough to want to rush right through to the conclusion but the romance was so sweet you didn't want it to end

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A good read, leaves you eagerly awaiting the next in the series. If you enjoyed the others in the series you'll enjoy this one.

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Historical romance readers will be very, very happy with Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle's newest 'Arcane Society' novel, "The Perfect Poison". This is the long awaited story of Caleb Jones, founder of Jones & Jones Investigations. As a long-time and fervent (rabid might be more truthful) fan of the author, I loved how she contrived connections, both written and implied, to her contemporary 'Arcane Society' books and her Jayne Castle Harmony/St Helens books. But even if you've not been following any of those books, "The Perfect Poison" is a perfect delight.

Lucinda lost her father, his business partner, and her fiance within two horrible months a year and a half ago. However, it was the fiance's death that caused Lucinda's infamous notoriety. You see, when the fiance of an expert botanist dies...well, rumors run rampant; and the ton loves nothing more than a good, juicy scandal! Lucinda is also a member of the Arcane Society and assists a certain local police inspector (also a Society member) in determining death by botanical means. So when she's called to assist in the inspector's latest case, and discovers the means of death was not only poison--but poison from an extremely rare plant that was recently stolen from her conservatory... well, she calls upon the unique services of Caleb Jones, psychical investigator.

Caleb has his hands full with his new agency. As a strategic and hunter 'talent', his skills make him uniquely qualified, and quite gratified, to do this type of work...if he just didn't have to deal with PEOPLE. Caleb also has another little problem. You see, he's pretty sure he's inherited the insanity that comes with his particular family talent and fears his descent into madness is closer than ever. But it only takes a few minutes in Lucinda's company for Caleb to realize something amazing...she calms his tension and invigorates his passion. And for a man who can't pass up a puzzle, she's the most interesting puzzle he's ever seen.

But there's trouble ahead for these two. A group of power hungry talents have created their own society within the Society. Their aim is to recreate a dangerous drug that can enhance psychic talents...but also kills. It's up to Caleb and Lucinda (despite Caleb's protests) to stop them.

There's so much I enjoy about Quick's writing. Her historical novels have lots of sensual tension, but the actual deeds themselves are few and mostly PG-rated. Not to say I'm averse to hotter, but it's still a fairly easy gauge for me...if it's a Quick novel, it's PG. Also, her wonderful and witty dialogue always lures me into another chapter...and another chapter...and another chapter...until I look up and find myself done with the book and wanting to go back and read it again! There's humor, passion, suspense, very little real violence, a tidy mystery, and always a happy ending. Who can resist?

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These are great books and the Arcane Society series is fun to read.

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Victorian botanist Lucinda Bromley gas 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 hire a fellow Arcane Society member. The founder of a psychical investigation agency, Caleb Jones is very good at protecting the Society's secret--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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