The Orchid Affair

By: Lauren Willig

Narrated by: Kate Reading

"Pride and Prejudice lives on" (USA Today) in Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series, which has been hailed for its addictive blend of history, romance, and adventure. In The Orchid Affair, Willig introduces her strongest heroine yet.

Laura Grey, a veteran governess, joins the Selwick Spy School expecting to find elaborate disguises and thrilling exploits in service to the spy known as the Pink Carnation. She hardly expects her first assignment to be serving as governess for the children of Andre Jaouen, right-hand man to Bonaparte's minister of police. Jaouen and his arch rival, Gaston Delaroche, are investigating a suspected Royalist plot to unseat Bonaparte, and Laura's mission is to report any suspicious findings.

At first, the job is as lively as Latin textbooks and knitting, but Laura begins to notice strange behavior from Jaouen: secret meetings and odd comings and goings. As Laura edges herself closer to her employer, she makes a shocking discovery and is surprised to learn that she has far more in common with Jaouen than she originally thought.

As their plots begin to unravel, Laura and Jaouen are forced on the run with the children, and with the help of the Pink Carnation, they escape to the countryside, traveling as husband and wife. But Delaroche will stop at nothing to take down his nemesis. With his men hot on their trail, can Laura and Jaouen seal the fate of Europe before it's too late?

©2010 Lauren Willig (P)2011 Penguin

Ok entry

The story was enough to keep me interested but there wasn't much mystery to it as there was in the first books in this series. The plot was fast paced and good but I was expecting more of a mystery. As always, Kate Reading was a fabulous narrator. She always does an excellant job. I'm looking forward to listening to the next book in the series.

a great Lauren WIlling series

Where does The Orchid Affair rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very enjoyable

What did you like best about this story?

the story kept me interested

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Love Kate Reading as a narrator, she brings the story to life

Loved it

I really like the series, but I think this one was my favorite. That being said, the current story with Collin and Elly is getting labored and uninteresting.

Love the historical story...

1/2 way through the book but so far I’m loving the historical story and Kate Reading’s performance is wonderful as always. The modern story is getting a bit on my nerves though. Eloise is getting a bit obnoxious. Did you know she has a boyfriend? Don’t worry, she’ll tell you... constantly. Also her treatment of Colin’s sister is really starting to get irritating. Just seems incredibly insincere and kinda condescending towards her in my opinion... hopefully, the rest of the book will change my mind

Back in Paris!

After two installments that did not deal with the Pink Carnation and France, Lauren Willig brings her readers back to Paris with the Pink Carnation and the Silver Orchid, a graduate of the Selwick's spy school. The plot from the past is satisfying. And the Eloise's personal story takes on surprising turns. Fans of the Pink Carnation series will enjoy this.

love

I loved the story of Laura and Andre. what a fun storyline. I didn't want it to end.

My First meeting of the Pink Carnation

If you could sum up The Orchid Affair in three words, what would they be?

I truly enjoyed learning about the Pink Carnation and the back and forth from Modern Day to the past is smooth and well done. This is a enthralling story that grabs you and won't let you go. Slightly slow at the start but then gallops on to its ending. I found I had to just finish it because I couldn't wait to see how it all turned out.

So fare best of the series

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved the main character Laura Gray, mature and strong character, she's smart enough to handle rough situations and even work her way out of them.

What does Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kate Reading is a brilliant narrator. I have listened to many of her audio books. She is wonderful at doing mens and womens voices and terrific at accents.

Any additional comments?

I loved the ending how Laura dealt with the villainous Gaston Delaroche, it was marvelous. Laura was one of the strongest female's in this series in my opinion. Looking forward to reading the next book

I adored this book

I have been really enjoying this series. The historical detail is great but even more appreciated is the quality of the writing and the fully three dimensional characters. Reference to some of the author's sources is something I always enjoy too.

Laura Willig is brilliant in this series

kate Reading as always is a great reader ...dont love her american accent but to be fair no one can bring a book to life as well as she does.
my very favorite of these books so far is the affair crimson Rose.