Fifth-year graduate student Eloise Kelly has arrived in London from the U.S. intent on completing her dissertation and unmasking the Pink Carnation. Mrs. Selwick-Alderly has given Eloise permission to study the many papers stored in her home, Selwick Hall, relating to the history of the "flower" generation -- spies that include the Pink Carnation and the Black Tulip.

In the 1800s, Mary Alsworthy, a shapely black-haired beauty, is residing with her sister Letty, who's stolen Mary's intended for her own husband. Mary has struck a bargain with the devil, Sebastian, also known as Lord Vaughn, to spy for him and the Pink Carnation in an effort to uncover the identity of the Black Tulip. Falling in love with Sebastian, Mary is confronted by a wife, supposedly dead, and eludes the attempts of assassination. Mary becomes involved in risky scenarios and invites danger by playing both sides at the same time. Her initial reason for becoming involved was the money she'd be paid, but that soon becomes her least concern.

THE SEDUCTION OF THE CRIMSON ROSE, Lauren Willig's fourth novel in the Pink Carnation series, is packed with history of the Napoleonic wars and spy activity. The reader will find the story packed with action, adventure and passion. This novel would be especially interesting to readers with a genuine love of historical events and espionage.