The Scarlet Spy: Number 3 in series (Merlin's Maidens) [Mass Market Paperback]

Sofia feels the loneliness of being the only one still staying at Mrs. Merlin's Academy for Select Young Ladies. Why hasn't she received a mission yet when her two roommates already have? Is she not as qualified as the two others. Sofia is interrupted from these reveries when Lord Lynlsey arrives at the academy, with an assignment more vague, and therefore potentially more dangerous, than any the others faced.

Disguised as a widowed contessa from Italy, Sofia's task is to infiltrate the Society of Town in order to discover who killed the grandson of Duke Sterling and why-and what other nefarious deeds The Scarlet Knights are guilty of. In order to enter into Society and receive the right invitations, Lord Osborne-a friend of Lord Lynsley who doesn't know about his work for the academy¬-is asked to take "Contessa Sofia" under his wing and make the proper introductions. However, it doesn't take long for either to realize that there's more to the other than meets the eye, and if Sofia is to survive this mission, she may have to forget that "Merlins always work alone" and trust this man, as well as her feelings for him.

The Scarlet Spy takes the reader back to 18th century England with all the strict rules of the Society of that time, as well as the ever-shadowing threat of Napoleon's advancements towards England and Russia. The atmosphere is consistently depicted and the characters true to their time.

As the third book in the series of the lady spies from Mrs. Merlin's Academy, The Scarlet Spy offers the same tone as the two previous books, and just as eloquently combines the action of a spy novel with the love and intrigue of a regency romance. It is in no way necessary to have any knowledge of the earlier books though, as each one has a different "Merlin" as the main character and references are well explained.

While I enjoyed her previous books, there can be no doubt that Andrea Pickens has surpassed herself in The Scarlet Spy. She is now well on her way to becoming the 21st century's Georgette Heyer.

Armchair Interviews says: If you love historical fiction, you must read this.

The Scarlet Spy by Andrea Pickens

The Merlin's are a group of orphans that were trained for years, by the best of the best to be stealth thieves, killers, and in a way the word Detective seems to fit. Sophia knows nothing of her family, save the locket she has bearing the portrait of a lady that shares some of the same features. She is most skilled in all the arts to be a trained assassin as well as those arts needed to be a lady to easily fit in with Polite Society. Sophia has no last name, and probably doesn't remember the name she used to go by on the streets, all she knows is that she is a Merlin, and as a Merlin she will have to earn her wings by going undercover to solve the mystery of the key she holds in her possession. But the task will not be so simple, she must keep a hardened heart even though Lord Deverill Osborne is quite the flatterer and something she can see as a distraction... Dangerous.

Deverill Osborne had a reputation for knowing everyone in town as well as being quite the ladies' man. When asked by a trusted friend to show the widow, Sophia, into Polite Society, he accepted the task he just had no idea how difficult it was going to be. He did not expect to be left with such a spitfire who had such a mysterious demeanor with immeasurable beauty. A man that has never professed love is now matched with a woman that tries all of his senses, as well as his heart. Once he finds out that Sophia is up to something and trying to hide things, not to mention fighting off a couple of men in the alleyway, and being his match, he can't help falling under the Contessa's spell. He must find out the hidden truths before it is too late, and Sophia meets her death for digging too deep.

The Scarlet Spy by Andrea Pickens is the third novel in the Merlin Spies series as I call it, having not read the first two novels I feel like I have missed a lot that I need to back track up on. Based on The Scarlet Spy alone, it was a well written historical romance with twists, turns, and flare. The beginning was a little slow for me to get into, but after the first few chapters the adventure quickly peaked holding my attention the rest of the way through. Pickens does an impeccable job in portraying her characters and the time period. 4 Hearts

Hachette Book Group
ISBN# 0446618012

Sofia will take on a very dangerous mission that will cause her to go undercover and even risk her life in order to bring justice to some powerful aristocrats here in London. It will take everything Sofia has both mentally as well as physically. Sofia though will have to keep on her toes if she doesn't want to be caught. The handsome and dashing, Lord Deverill Osborne is keeping his eyes on Sofia. Lord Osborne finds himself enamored by Lady Sofia's beauty in addition to what sinful secrets Sofia has hiding under her dress. Boy this is going to get interesting quickly between Sofia and Lord Osborne.

I loved Sofia. She had this mysterious aire about her that made her intriguing and fun to read about. Usually in my opinion Lords are stuck up arrogant guys but Lord Osborne surprised me. He turned out to be a good guy. I found myself liking him. The Scarlet Spy is what historical romances are supposed to be like. Andrea Pickens love for writing historical novels shows as The Scarlet Spy turned out to be a great book with lots of heart. I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of beautiful romance stories to pick up a copy of The Scarlet Spy and start reading it today.