Date published: October 2005
ISBN 978-0061148446
Historical Mystery
Reviewed by Gina
In a class by herself with her historical suspense AND ONLY TO DECEIVE, Tasha Alexander weaves an incredibly fascinating story.
Ms. Alexander came to my attention when I received a copy of A POISONED SEASON for review and was so intrigued by the cover I quickly acquired her backlist, beginning with AND ONLY TO DECEIVE. I was immediately hooked. Set in Victorian England AND ONLY TO DECEIVE takes the reader on a marvelous tour of various museums, a discovery of antiques and through the poetry of Homer. Agreeing to marry Philip, Viscount Ashton more to escape her mother than for an affection for the man, Emily soon finds herself a widow. In far away Africa, Philip fell ill, never to recover. It is only when Emily begins to go through some of Philip’s belongings, his journey and time with his treasured antiques she comes to know the man and, sadly, it is only then she falls in love with him. So begins Emily’s own journey to self-discovery.
Ms. Alexander tells her story in a voice that feels more like someone sitting and telling you their tale than sitting and reading a book. The reader sees Emily’s life through her eyes and there is the feeling you are in the room with her. Each chapter is preceded by a passage from Phillip’s journal and as Emily comes to know him, so do we. AND ONLY TO DECEIVE is defined as a “Novel of Suspense.” It is so much more. It is a rich history, a philosophical discussion into Hector and Achilles, a journey of self-discovery, a mystery and an incredibly beautiful love story. If you pick up no other book this year, AND ONLY TO DECEIVE should be among your top choices.
In a class by herself with her historical suspense AND ONLY TO DECEIVE, Tasha Alexander weaves an incredibly fascinating story.
Ms. Alexander came to my attention when I received a copy of A POISONED SEASON for review and was so intrigued by the cover I quickly acquired her backlist, beginning with AND ONLY TO DECEIVE. I was immediately hooked. Set in Victorian England AND ONLY TO DECEIVE takes the reader on a marvelous tour of various museums, a discovery of antiques and through the poetry of Homer. Agreeing to marry Philip, Viscount Ashton more to escape her mother than for an affection for the man, Emily soon finds herself a widow. In far away Africa, Philip fell ill, never to recover. It is only when Emily begins to go through some of Philip’s belongings, his journey and time with his treasured antiques she comes to know the man and, sadly, it is only then she falls in love with him. So begins Emily’s own journey to self-discovery.
Ms. Alexander tells her story in a voice that feels more like someone sitting and telling you their tale than sitting and reading a book. The reader sees Emily’s life through her eyes and there is the feeling you are in the room with her. Each chapter is preceded by a passage from Phillip’s journal and as Emily comes to know him, so do we. AND ONLY TO DECEIVE is defined as a “Novel of Suspense.” It is so much more. It is a rich history, a philosophical discussion into Hector and Achilles, a journey of self-discovery, a mystery and an incredibly beautiful love story. If you pick up no other book this year, AND ONLY TO DECEIVE should be among your top choices.
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