The Orchid Affair / Lauen Willig / 405 pages / R. T. Reviewer's Choice Award

This is tale of spies, mystery, and intrigue set in France just after the Revolution.  Laura takes a position as governess in the home of high-ranking official in order to feed information the the Pink Carnation, a famous female operative.  She falls in love with the master of the house and he with her.  Together they foil the plot and plans of a French offical intent on torture and murder.  Counterpoint to this tale is the story of an American in France researching the Pink Carnation