"Blending romance and historical mystery, Alexander has delightful fun with both genres...engaging mystery and a deliciously flirtatious romance...makes for entertaining reading for those who like historical mysteries that don’t take themselves all that seriously." --Booklist

"...one of those rare treats you stumble across from time to time. An exciting mixture of romance and suspense ...with a strong voice and a superb wit." --Roses and Thorns

"...an amusing, diverting story and one of the best books of the year so far."

--New Mystery Reader

"Alexander manages her casts of characters with the virtuosity of a world class choreographer, without losing hold of the central mystery or social commentary. While maintaining a Victorian awareness, A Poisoned Season uses a hint of modern voice with an old-fashioned awareness, making the tale delightfully accessible...mainly character-driven, the story does not stint on atmosphere or pacing, maintaining a satisfying balance that leaves the reader wondering what will happen next and where Emily Ashton’s next adventure will take her."

--Celebrity Cafe

"An absolute delight of a late Victorian mystery with Lady Emily Ashton as the beautiful, young widowed heroine who divides her time between collecting rare Greek artifacts for the British Museum, warding off suitors so that she can live an independent life (though one man is so alluring the reader hopes she will tell him yes), and helping her friends with their problems. Quite unexpectedly, she becomes involved in a plot of stolen jewelry and letters belonging to the long dead Marie Antoinette and is introduced to the dislikable man who claims to be the heir to the French throne. In the midst of trying to solve a double murder, the intelligent and resourceful Emily is brought by her domineering mother to tea with the ancient queen Victoria who urges Emily towards marriage. The plot is delightfully complex with a cast of upper and lower class characters and the sudden appearance of one particularly captivating blue-eyed stranger at a masked ball who has his own secrets to reveal." --Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award winner, author of The Physician of London and Marrying Mozart

"A delightful Victorian cozy with a charming heroine devotees of the genre will want to meet again."

--C.S. Harris, author of What Angels Fear and When Gods Die

"Tasha Alexander's Emily Ashton is a heroine for the ages: Her own and ours. She stretches the boundaries of both worlds and fits comfortably into neither—and therein lies her considerable charm."

--Jon Clinch, author of Finn

"A Poisoned Season draws the reader into the glittering Victorian age with its society balls, Worth gowns, hansom cabs and proper manners. Throw in a complex mystery with several intriguing twists and you have the ingredients for a charming historical cozy with a clever heroine readers won't soon forget. "

--BookPage

"Immediately engrossing and thoroughly entertaining...Alexander writes with a fullness and richness that leaves the reader extremely satisfied." --Crimespree

"One first-rate history mystery, A POISONED SEASON mixes spot-on dialogue, manners and mores, with a splash of erotic friction in a lively, delightful tale.  Alexander’s sweetly choreographed plot dances between her wonderfully drawn sleuth, Lady Emily Ashton, and Victorian high society." --Julia Spencer-Fleming, Edgar finalist and author of ALL MORTAL FLESH

"Alexander has fashioned another mystery for Lady Emily Ashton and her cohorts to solve, and it's a dandy. Sometimes touching, sometimes funny and always absorbing, this Victorian-era mystery hits all the right notes."

--Romantic Times

"Lady Emily Ashton is clever, lovely, and throughly entertaining...I couldn't put down A POISONED SEASON and look forward to many more of Lady Emily's adventures."

--Sujata Massey, Agatha-winning author of GIRL IN A BOX

"Historical mystery at its best. Ms. Alexander has delivered an amazing sequel to her debut novel." --Fresh Fiction

"...highly enjoyable...readers looking for a lighter version of Anne Perry will be well rewarded."

--Publisher's Weekly

"The vivacious and well-read Emily is back in rare form...Alexander has vividly captured Victorian mores, and the society intrigues are fascinating."

--The Tennessean

"Tasha Alexander's exciting and cleverly-plotted new novel transports us to late nineteenth-century London and a world of hansom cabs, glittering society balls, brazen theft and murder. Emily Ashton is undoubtedly one of the most spirited and fascinating heroines to appear in years, and we cannot help but cheer her on as she cleverly unravels the twists and turns of a bold and determined killer. Romance, suspense and remarkable historical detail add to the richness of Alexander's tale. A POISONED SEASON is pure delight!"

--Shirley Tallman, author of The Russian Hill Murders

"Solving the artfully developed mystery at the heart of THE POISONED SEASON is only a small part of the pleasure it affords. The clopping of horses through Hyde Park, the swish and swirl of taffeta skirts to the strains of a waltz, a play of light against white shoulders and pink diamonds--all delight the senses, transporting the reader to the crowded ballrooms, and promenades, and elegant drawing rooms of Victorian England. And what fun to see the hypocrisies and scandals and petty ambitions of nineteenth century London society through the eyes of Lady Emily Ashton. I feel as though we are old friends, and I can hardly wait until the next time she comes "calling" with a new adventure." --Brenda Rickman Vantrease, author of The Illuminator and The Mercy Seller

"Lady Ashton would be an amazing woman in any era.  You’ll be rooting for her all the way as she outwits a clever thief, a ruthless killer, a boorish would-be king, and a scheming mother determined to see her daughter claimed in the Marriage Mart. I was sorry to see the Season end!" --Victoria Thompson, author of Murder in Little Italy

"An appealing, historically exacting and noteworthy story makes A Poisoned Season readable and enjoyable." --Nashville City Paper

"A Poisoned Season is a rollicking romp through Victorian London's high society, encompassing romance, scandal, thievery and murder most foul. It all comes right at the end, and is loads of fun to read."

--Judith Koll Healy, author of The Canterbury Papers