The Perfect Poison is part of the Arcane Society series written by Amanda Quick. Since all of the novels under this particular nom de plum are historical romance, the Arcane Society novels stand out because of their admittance of the “psychical”, supernatural, or metaphysical into the storytelling, but also because these novels jump back and forth on the timeline. Thus, I have not read the entire series because I’ve only read the historical romance, and not the more modern novels of the Arcane Society series.

To me, this particular book stands out because not only does it include characters from the previous historial work, The Third Circle, but it also deviates more than usual from the forumlaic plot structure that I have come to expect (and commented upon) in the rest of Quick’s novels. Typically, each book has its own variation, but this gave more freedom than most.

First of all, though not a singular occurence, the plot held not only the story of the main characters’ romantic progress, but also the progress of a younger couple known to each of the primary characters. I noticed this in two previous and interrelated books, but it is not common enough for me to say it’s a typical trait.

Second of all, the heroine of the story just doesn’t need all that much saving. Usually, there is a scene or two where the hero needs to dash in and rescue the female main character. Admittedly, she also saves him right back so it evens out. In this case, our heroine faces the possibility of her own abduction and murder with quite a bit of resourcefulness and pizazz.

One thing that delighted me was the reappearance of familiar characters from The Third Circle. In fact, there may have been even more characters from other books, but I’ve gone a while without my “Quick fix” so I can’t be certain. This book also picks up a hanging plot line from the previous novel and expands it into something that could prove fascinating in later books.

But I haven’t told you anything about the story! I’m sorry. So, here it goes:

Lucinda Bromely calls in Caleb Jones, as the primary operator of the newly established Jones Agency in order to solve a murder. As fellow members of the Arcane Society they are forced to face the fact that the rules of so-called polite society is not so accepting as their own Society. Especially when Lucinda explains that she is the most likely culprit for a murder by poisoning. Mainly because an ingredient in the poison is a plant that, until recently, grew nowhere in Europe outside of Lucinda’s own conservatory.

Caleb, whose psychical talents aid him in finding and understanding patterns and probabilities, immediately senses a tie from Lucinda’s case to an older case. But, later there is also a tie to the case of Lucinda’s father’s and fiance’s murders – both of which were deaths by poisoning for which Lucinda was suspected. Deaths that society stills lays at Lucinda’s doorstpe, resulting in her ostracism from the society of former friends, peers, and colleagues.

The ostracism is a nuisance, but Lucinda finds solace in helping the police solve murder cases. Her own talent is the ability to sense poisons – especially those from natural origins. Which is, of course, how she comes across a poison with ingredients that only she should have possessed.

However, poisons and patterns involving murder and mayhem are not the only thing Caleb and Lucinda  have to deal with. Lucinda must look out for her younger cousin Patricia, who has come to London to find a compatible husband and Caleb must face the challenge of running the agency – which is requiring more funds, more employees, and the challenge of a potential naming disaster.

Not to mention Caleb and Lucinda are inexplicably, distractingly drawn to each other, despite the fact that Lady Milden – the psyhical/professionial matchmaker of the Jones tribe – has declared Caleb unsuitable for love.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Perfect Poison, not only for the comfort of the patterns in the story itself, but also for the genuine surprises it held for me. I have to admit that The Third Circle and The Perfect Poison are among my favorite Quick novels. I can’t wait for the next one to come out!

Tags: Amanda Quick, historical romance, Jane Ann Krentz, paranormal romance, psychic phenomena, psychic powers, romance novels, Series, the Arcane Society, The Third Circle, victorian era, victorian romance