This one started off a little slow for me but I quickly got into the story and enjoyed learning more about the characters. I actually enjoyed reading Henrietta's story (the historical girl) better than Eloise's (the modern girl) this time. Henrietta is funny and witty and gets her man in the end. I actually thought Miles made a horrible 'spy' but he was quite funny in a clueless sort of way. Willig does have a habit of wrapping up the conflict a little too nicely but I could stretch my imagination a little since I was enjoying all the witty dialogue too much.Enjoyable series that is light and not too deep. I'll enjoy reading the rest of the series to discover more of Eloise's story.A little rant: Willig is a respectable author with a good sense of comedic timing and easily blends literature references into her books. That said, she has an annoying habit of starting a chapter/section with a thought or something this happening and then going all the way back to show you how they got there. I found myself constantly having to go back to see if I missed something -- only to find out I haven't and that the story is continued several pages later. A little bothersome. ( )

Cute 2nd book in the series, though it didn't have the same oomph and joy as the first. But, this is still a good one!

http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2009/12/m... ( )

Miles Dorrington and Henrietta Selwick realize, after 18 years as friends, that they are in love with each other. Much to Richard Selwick (Purple Gentian, Miles best friend, and Henrietta's older brother) dismay. It devastates Richard and Miles friendship.

Meanwhile, Miles tries to find the Black Tulip, France's most prominent spy, for the war department. And Henrietta tries to find the Black Tulip for her friend and cousin Jane Wooliston, the Pink Carnation. She wants to prove to Richard and Jane that she would be a valuable ally in espionage. The Black Tulip turns out to also be a female spy, the Marquise de Montval. While in the custody of Lord Sebastian Vaughn, the Black Tulip escapes.

Eloise gets to see the Pink Carnation letters in the archive. She feels jealous, without reason/right, as she meets Joan, a long time neighbor of Collins. ( )

Another fun Regency romance/spy romp, with bonus contemporary romance.

The Black Tulip is a French master spy, now in London. Misunderstandings and mistaken identities abound. ( )

Loved, loved, loved this book much more than the first installment The Secret History of the Pink Carnation. The Masque Of the Black Tulip was full of characters that did not irk me. I already loved Henrietta and Miles from the first book, along with the modern day heroine Eloise, but I even loved the smaller characters like Geoff and even Turnip; he was hilarious.

Some of the romantic bits made me want to gag, but there wasn't really a whole lot of them. This book was full of mystery that had me guessing until the end. Brava! I expect the series to continue to get better as I go. ( )