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Tasha Alexander

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A Fatal Waltz (Lady Emily Mysteries, Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Tasha Alexander (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.4 1,387 ratings

Book 3 of 18: Lady Emily Mysteries

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From New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander, a spectacular novel of historical suspense featuring the strong-minded and spirited Lady Emily Ashton

At her friend Ivy's behest, Lady Emily Ashton reluctantly agrees to attend a party at the sprawling English country estate of a man she finds odious. But the despised Lord Fortescue is not to be her greatest problem. Kristiana von Lange, an Austrian countess once linked romantically with Emily's fiancé, the debonair Colin Hargreaves, is a guest also. And a tedious evening turns deadly when their host is found murdered, and his protégé, Robert Brandon—Ivy's husband—is arrested for the crime.

Determined to right a terrible wrong, Emily embarks on a quest that will lead her from London's glittering ballrooms to Vienna's sordid backstreets—and into a game of wits with a notorious anarchist. But putting Colin in deadly peril may be the price for exonerating Robert—forcing the intrepid Emily to bargain with her nemesis, the Countess von Lange, for the life of her fiancé.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Alexander's charming third novel of romantic suspense set in late Victorian England (after The Poisoned Season), Lady Emily Ashton is at a country house party when someone shoots her noxious host, Lord Basil Fortescue, with a dueling pistol. After the husband of a good friend is accused of the murder, Emily determines to find the real killer. The only clue, a threatening letter promising a political assassination, drives Emily to Vienna, where she meets the painter Gustav Klimt and shares stolen moments with her fiancé, diplomat Colin Hargreaves. But Emily never forgets her urgent mission—in the service of which she must match wits with double agents and anarchists as well as ally herself temporarily with Colin's former lover, the sexually sophisticated Kristiana von Lange. The appealing Emily at times comes across as too modern for even the most unconventional Victorian character, and the plot sags in mid-story despite several clever subplots. Still, the book's entertaining voice and accurate period detail will seduce most readers. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Lady Emily Ashton is back in her third episode of romantic suspense set in the Victorian world of mannerly gentlemen, conniving mothers, and scandals behind closed doors. Forced to join a group of socialites at the home of formidable and odious Lord Fortescue, whom she loathes (and whose daughter covets Emily’s fiancé, Colin Hargreaves), Emily and others in the party feel little regret when Fortescue is murdered. Unfortunately, her best friend’s husband, Robert, is arrested and imprisoned in the Tower, after witnesses confirm his fight with the victim. Resolved to exonerate Robert, Emily heads for Vienna on the killer’s trail. Austria proves rich with intrigue, and this portion of the story really shines as readers take a tour of nineteenth-century Vienna—its parties and its cafés—in the wintertime, shadowed by decidedly evil characters. Emily’s sparkling wit makes up for the somewhat convoluted plot and large cast of characters who move from England to the Continent and back at the slightest provocation. This is a captivating addition to the adventures of an irresistible Victorian iconoclast. --Jen Baker

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000YJ67TK
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books; Reprint edition (July 1, 2008)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 1, 2008
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 600 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 308 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #452,033 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #3,778 in Historical Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- #4,947 in Amateur Sleuth Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- #10,803 in Amateur Sleuths

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4.4 1,387 ratings

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Tasha Alexander

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The daughter of two philosophy professors, I grew up surrounded by books. I was convinced from an early age that I was born in the wrong century and spent much of my childhood under the dining room table pretending it was a covered wagon. Even there, I was never without a book in hand and loved reading and history more than anything. I studied English Literature and Medieval History at the University of Notre Dame. Writing is a natural offshoot of reading, and my first novel, And Only to Deceive, was published in 2005. I'm the author of the long-running Lady Emily Series as well as the novel Elizabeth: The Golden Age. One of the best parts of being an author is seeing your books translated, and I'm currently in love with the Japanese editions of the Emily books.

I played nomad for a long time, living in Indiana, Amsterdam, London, Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut, and Tennessee before settling down. My husband, the brilliant British novelist Andrew Grant (I may be biased but that doesn't mean I'm wrong) and I now divide our time between Chicago and Wyoming. He makes sure I get my English characters right, and I make sure his American ones sound American.

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4.4 out of 5

1,387 global ratings

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Lilly Flora

This complex mystery-by far the best in the series to date-seems to demand a long and detailed review

Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2008

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I could not be more pleased that Tasha Alexander is the kind of prolific author who comes out with one book a year seeing as her Lady Emily mystery series is just soooo good that waiting any longer for the next installment would be simply intolerable. To answer the obvious question-yes that means this novel, the third in the series aptly titled "A Fatal Waltz" is just as good, if not better than its predecessors. And far more dangerous...

We join Lady Emily Ashton for a shooting weekend at the hideously decorated country estate of Lord Fortescue, one of the most powerful men in England who has taken a great dislike to Emily because of her pursuit of the scholarly arts and her engagement to Colin Hargreaves, who often investigates matters for the Empire that demand a certain amount of discretion (in other words, he's a beautiful spy). The terrible man has decided to make the party hideously uncomfortable for Emily by pointing out one of the guests, a beautiful Austrian countess, was once involved with Colin in a way that no fiancé could be happy about. But Emily's distress over the Countess is put on hold when Fortescue is found murdered and out of all the people in the party it is Robert Brandon, Emily's best friends Ivy's husband, who is charged with the crime because of a rather public argument with his political mentor, Fortescue.

Charged by Robert to find proof of a warning of a plot for the Lord's death sent from Vienna to the departed Lord shortly before his death Emily, Cecil Du Lac and Jeremy Sheffield Duke of Bainbridge head to Vienna to find out what they can to help Brandon, where they are shortly joined by Colin. But help is lacking from the Countess, who wants Colin back, and so Lady Emily soon finds herself dealing with anarchists and uncovering plots to send England to war with Austria and Germany-and all the while a man (also at the shooting party) stalks Emily through the snowy streets of Venice, reminding her with bullets in her rooms, pockets and purses that neither she nor Colin are safe in the course they peruse...

As Emily delves deeper into the underworld of Viennese society and the complex word of political spying and manipulations she comes to realize what Colin's job really entails-and how dangerous-and invaluable- the work he does truly is. Can Emily, amateur as she is, find a way to exonerate Robert? Can she do so without putting herself or Coin in mortal danger? Can she unwind the mysterious web of suicides and ancient scandals which seem to have led to the Lord's death while trying to thwart a plot to plunge the world into war? And can she accomplish all of this while dodging Bainbridge's obviously growing feelings for her without losing his friendship?

Well, if this Mary Elizabeth Braddon reading, Worth wearing, port drinking, crime solving lady of society can't do it then there is no hope for the world at all.

Lady Emily is one of the most original, charming and fascinating characters I have come across in ages. Her narration is charming (for once I have no feelings at all that this book would be bettered by a change to third person) completely absorbing and will keep you with your nose buried in the pages of this book until you have reached the most satisfying end. I recommend this book as highly as I can. There's mystery, history, intrigue, danger, humor and a great deal of romance. Something for everyone.

Five stars and more. I cannot wait for the next in the series and look forward to the changes that the fourth Lady Emily novel must encompass.

45 people found this helpful

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P. Morris

What Can I Say? It’s Enjoyable.

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2019

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Is there such a genre as Period Romantic Mystery”? If so, Tasha Alexander is one of its best authors. As a reader, one just gets caught up in the book’s meanderings. And..., do I worship and love Lady Ashton? You bet!

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2008

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This is the third book of Tasha Alexander's with her new heroin Lady Emily Ashton. Just like the first two, it was impossible to put down! This is a fabulous tale of mystery and intrigue.

With the death of the hated Lord Fortescue, Lady Ashton is thrown into a danger infested investigation of her own, to free her dear friend Ivy's husband Robert, who was accused and arrested for the murder.

With her childhood friend, Jeremy, who is madly in love with her, and her best friend, Cecile from Paris, Emily searches through Vienna for the answers to the puzzling murder. Of course, her beloved Colin Hargreaves is in Vienna on a mission of his own and is unable to help her much.

You will love this sequel and will not want to put it down. It will leave you hungry for the next book by Tasha! I'd love to hear more about Jeremy, Cecile, Margaret, and Robert's career.

Tasha Alexander captured my attention when I accidentally stumbled upon her first book, 'And Only To Deceive'. I was very pleasantly surprised at how easily I was drawn into the story line. Being it was her first book, I eagerly anticipated her second, 'A Poisoned Season', which I read immediately. Looking forward to seeing how the life of Lady Emily unfolded made me long for her third book, 'A Fatal Waltz'. It did not disappoint!

This series of books takes you on a journey with Lady Emily Ashton, beginning with the death of her husband. After discovering who he 'really' was, and falling in love with him after his death, she had to learn to 'let him go' all over again, but really for the first time. She is aided in this by a close friend of her late husband. As the story progresses, a gentle sense of 'something happening' between them starts to build.

The second book is more about her growing into a new relationship with the dashing, but mysterious Colin Hargreaves, while still solving another mystery, full of murder, conspiracy, and treachery. It leaves you wanting more!

And "A Fatal Waltz" does not disappoint either. Unraveling more than one mystery, Tasha Alexander met all our expectations and more. Who is the bad person or persons? Who will Lady Emily end up with, Jeremy Sheffield or Colin Hargreaves? Who is Colin Hargreaves and what was his relationship with the beautiful Natasha? Does the jewel thief love Lady Emily or is her life in dager? Who is he? Tasha efficiently wraps up all these questions in a fantastic, and romantic ending!

They are all great reads, but this is the best one yet! I do recommend you read the series in order so you can follow the stories.

Now, I am eagerly awaiting her fourth book with Lady Emily Ashton, due to release on September 1! I think it is called "Tears Of A Pearl"?.

I highly recommend this series to everyone! They are clean and very intelligently written.

5 people found this helpful

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A. L. Secondino

Vienna in Winter

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2022

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This book, like the two before it, was delightful to read. It is by turns funny, sad, serious, and shocking. Once I get into one of the Lady Emily books, I just can’t put it down I’m so enthralled.

In this story, Lady Emily is at a country house party when a murder happens and her best friend, Ivy’s husband is accused of the killing. Following the clues, she goes to Vienna to investigate but put both her and Colin’s lives in danger. It is exciting to read of how she figures out how to clear Robert’s name.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

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picky one

Great read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2022

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I .like the historical accuracy of the b a background, and the fun of the story, plus all the balls and dressing up needed in those days. .

One person found this helpful

Anita Dee

Good mystery.

Reviewed in Canada on May 26, 2015

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It has a murder mystery, romance & is a period piece. I wanted to read more. The series of books is all about the same protagonist and I plan on reading them all.

One person found this helpful

Brenda wallwork

Four Stars

Reviewed in Australia on September 19, 2016

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Love the whole series.

Fuchs Joan

Trashy

Reviewed in Germany on July 2, 2009

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Nachdem mir die ersten beiden Bände sehr gut gefallen hatten, habe ich mit Spannung auf den 3. gewartet. Was für eine Enttäuschung. Die Geschichte wirkt konstruiert, ist echt zur Schmonzette verkommen und vor allem hat mich gestört, dass die Autorin nicht von einem der deutschen Sprache Kundigen hat gegenlesen lassen, denn sie übersetzt zum Teil wortwörtlich, was dann völlig unverständlich wird. Sehr schade.

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

fun and intrigue as usual

Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2014

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Wonderful light read. Kept me interested and entertained. Tasha Alexander's books are always a delight. I love her character development and weaving of historical figures.

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