A Fatal Waltz (Lady Emily Series #3)

Superb!

I adore this series. Alexander has done a splendid job gradually letting Lady Emily's character grow. She began as a realistically naive and rash young woman in And Only to Deceive and is properly slowly maturing. In fact, all of the characters in the series 'ring true'. This is one reason the Lady Emily novels are so compelling. The other is Alexander's apparently effortless way of naturally and accurately portraying the period. Fatal Waltz kept me reading. I was lost to everyone and everything else. When, oh when, will Alexander's next book be published?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

exciting late Victorian amateur sleuth

At the request of her friend Ivy Brandon, Lady Emily Ashton attends a party at the country manor of odious advisor to the Queen Lord Basil Fortescue, a toad Emily loathes. Making what would be an evening of torturous boredom worse is Austrian Countess Kristiana von Lange who is also attending. She allegedly has had her moments with Emily¿s fiancé, royal investigator of potential embarrassing situations Colin Hargreaves. ---- However, ennui is the last thing that occurs that night as someone kills the host. Ivy¿s spouse Robert is the prime suspect as he had motive, means and opportunity being the repulsive Basil¿s political follower. For Ivy¿s sake and believing Robert is innocent though an aristocratic traditionalist throwback, Emily investigates the homicide. Her only potential clue is a letter describing an assassination in Austria. Emily leaves London for Vienna, where Colin is stationed. In Vienna, Emily and Colin enjoy their reunion, but she places both of them in danger as spies and anarchists without conscience are everywhere and eliminating a nosy English lady is fine as far as all these agents are concerned. --- This is an exciting late Victorian amateur sleuth tale that uses famous Austrians like Klim to anchor time and place. The story line is fast-paced and filled with plenty of twists especially since double agents abound one spin in particular is wonderful as Emily teams up with her rival the Countess. Although thoroughly modern Emily seems more twenty first century than late nienteenth, fans will enjoy her spunk and courage as she investigates in Austria, an English country murder (see AND ONLY TO DECEIVE and THE POISONED SEASON for her previous sleuthing). --- Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Must read in the series. Loved it!

Loved it

if you love the Lady Emily series, this third installment doesn't disappoint. when i finished, the only let down was that there was only one more book in the series. i hope the author writes more.

this book takes lady emily away from London for most of it. very interesting, suspensful and fun!

to save a man...

I must admit that going into the third book of the lady emily series, I had not expected the plot to follow the path that it did. It was a little slow catching one's attention at first, but as soon as the story begins to play out, you really get caught up in the mystery. I was thoroughly enamored with Lady Emily's determination to free Robert of his convictions. The lengths that she went through, including the pain she suffered, both physically and emotionally had me on edge through the last quarter of the book. Lord Bainbridge's unrequited love from Lady Emily was a very nice addition to the storyline, yet also sad in its own way as well. I'm very glad I stumbled upon this series and am looking forward to reading Tears of Pearl next, as well as the upcoming 5th addition to the Lady Emily Series (Dangerous To Know). All in all, this book out of the three was my favorite, not only because the leading and supporting characters end up the way they do, but because it was truly a touching love story amidst all the suspense.

Too Much Romance, Too Little Mystery

This is a series I have enjoyed until the most recent installment. An intelligent, well written series of thoughtful mysteries tripped into an out of character (for Emily) sappy romance. It seems Emily's marriage lowered her IQ by thirty points.

A reviewer

I have always been a fan of victorian mysteries, but was pleasantly surprised to find that Tasha Alexander has taken this genre to a whole new level. I bought her first novel, 'And Only to Decieve', on a whim. I quickly ordered her next novel, 'A Poisoned Season'. It was even better than the first! I just finished 'Fatal Waltz', and I have to say it is my favorite so far. I have passed these books along to my gal pals, and we are quickly forming our own little book club. Tasha Alexander writes a beautifully entertaining story that is rich in history and antiquities. The story is never slow or tedious. There is just the right amount of tasteful and dignified romance (never lowering itself to the smutty romance novel status). I would recommend reading all three in the 'Lady Ashton' series. You will love these novels. My friends and I couldn't put them down, and even with our hectic schedules we all managed to read each book in about two days! (A hint: check out Tasha Alexander's official websites to links of photos related to the locations and museum pieces mentioned in her novels!)

Very entertaining book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have read the two previous books in the series which were excellent. This is a nice Victorian cozy that has it all -- a little mystery, romance, travel to exotic locales and a happy ending. The main characters, Emily and Colin are extremely likeable, as are the more minor characters in the book. As someone who reads alot of books, I also have to comment on how well written this author's books are. Though it would be nice to have a new book from her more than once a year, it's worth the wait to get an entertaining, well executed and well written book like this one.

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