Introduction

A dangerous ring of spies, a game of mistaken identities, and a heartwarming romance of unlikely pairs come together in Lauren Willig's engaging and exciting third novel THE DECPTION OF THE EMERALD RING. Praised for the “cheerfully postmodern and energetic . . .romance-adventure hybrids [that] have escaped the clutches of niche fiction.” (The Onion A.V. Club), her Pink Carnation series is garnering her critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.

Lauren Willig's debut The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, appeared on retailer bestseller lists in hardcover and made a big splash in sales in trade paperback. Her second book, The Masque of the Black Tulip, was selected as a BookSense Pick for January 2006, and continue to rack up incredible reviews. Lauren Willig's passion for authentic historical detail coupled with her talent for enthralling love stories make her series the perfect read for lovers of romance, history and adventure.

The year is 1803 and England and France remain at odds. Hoping to break the English once and for all, Napoleon backs a ring of Irish rebels in uprisings against England and sends the Black Tulip, France's most deadly spy, to the Emerald Isle to help. What they don't know is that also in Ireland is England's top spy, the Pink Carnation, who is working to shut the rebels down. Meanwhile, back in England, Letty Alsworthy intercepts a note indicating that her sister, Mary, is about to make the very grave mistake of eloping with Geoffrey Pinghingdale-Snipe (second in command of the League of the Purple Gentian). In an attempt to save the family name, Letty tries to stop the elopement, but instead finds herself swept away in the midnight carriage meant for her sister and is accidentally compromised. Geoff and Letty, to each other's horror, find themselves forced into matrimony. Then, Geoff receives word that he is to travel to Ireland to help the Pink Carnation and disappears immediately after their wedding ceremony. Letty learns of Geoff's disappearance and, not to be outdone by her husband, steals away on a ship bound for Ireland, armed and ready to fight for her husband…and to learn a thing or two about spying for England.

As in her previous tales, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation and The Masque Of the Black tulip, our modern-day heroine and hero, Eloise Kelly and Colin Selwick, continue their budding romance in this captivating third novel in the series.

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

From Chapter Three...

The moment was everything Geoff had known it would be. After her an initial startled gasp, his intended bride dissolved into his arms, returning his kiss with more fervor than she had ever shown before. They were on the verge of being married, after all. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the Publisher:


1. What did you think of the author's use of dual settings—modern-day London and nineteenth-century England and Ireland—in The Deception of the Emerald Ring?

2. What was your opinion of Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe at the beginning of the book? How did it change as the novel progressed?

3. How are Eloise Kelly and Letty Alsworthy's stories similar? Does Eloise learn from LettyÕs experiences in any way?

4. "Every instinct he possessed screamed that Letty Alsworthy was lying" (page 39). What evidence led Geoff to his conclusion that Letty was trying to dupe him into marriage? Even though he felt this way, why did he stay with her?

5. "Geoff dragged his mind away from his own difficulties and onto England's" (page 60). What explains Geoff's vocation as a spy? Do you think he made a good one?

6. After Geoff treats her badly at their wedding reception, Letty still follows him as he abruptly leaves for Ireland. Why did she follow him?

7. When Jane's relationship with Lord Vaughn is revealed, did it come as a surprise? Did you believe he was on England's side? Do you think that Vaughn killed the Marquise?

8. Discuss the growing romances between Geoff and Letty, and Eloise and Colin Selwick. Are there any parallels between the two relationships?

9. In Chapter Eight, Eloise muses to herself, "There's nothing so attractive as a blank slate" (page 100). Do you agree with this sentiment?

10. What did you think of Geoff's cousin, Captain Jasper Pinchingdale? Did you consider him a buffoon at first, or a more sinister character? Did you think he would actually try to harm Letty?

11. Are there any similarities between Geoff and Eloise? Between Colin and Letty? If so, what are they?

12. What are some examples of the characters' deception of one another? How does deception serve a purpose in the novel?

13. Almost all the characters in the novel seem to be hiding something, whether it's their true identities, their genders, their real feelings, or something else. Discuss some examples of how different kinds of "disguises" are used throughout the book.

14. Of the many colorful characters in the book, which one or ones stood out for you? Why?

15. What does the book's title mean?

Weblinks

»	Publisher's Book Information
»	Publisher's Reading Group Guide
»	Author Lauren Willig's web site
»	Reviews: Harvard Ph.D. candidate Eloise Kelly continues her research of early 19th-century spies in the smart third book of the Pink Carnation series…. Willig—like Eloise, a Ph.D. candidate in history—draws on her knowledge of the period, filling the fast-paced narrative with mistaken identities, double agents and high stakes espionage… the historic action is taut and twisting. Fans of the series will clamor for more.” -- Publishers Weekly “Heaving bodices, embellished history and witty dialogue: What more could you ask for?” -- Kirkus Reviews

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