Date published: May 2008
ISBN 978-0-06-117422-3
Historical Mystery
Reviewed by Gina
On the brink of Lady Emily Ashton’s marriage to Colin Hargreaves, the dashing agent of the Crown is sent away on a mission. He returns unscathed, but the date of the wedding has passed. Now, at a hunting weekend given by the dastardly Lord Fortescue Emily becomes aware of another woman in Colin’s life. Lord Fortescue takes no time in gloating to Emily that the woman, Kristiana, was a great love of Colin’s. He also makes certain that Emily knows he engineered the assignment that took Colin away from their wedding plans. He cruelly informs Emily that he will continue to keep the marriage from happening. Before the weekend is but half over, Lord Fortescue is murdered and it is not Emily who finds herself in prison but her dear friend Ivy’s husband, Robert Brandon. Determined to prove Robert’s innocence, Emily embarks on perhaps the most dangerous investigation yet.
Colin once again proves his love for Emily by supporting her decision to ferret out the true killer while he himself departs on a mission for the Crown. The investigation takes Emily to Vienna where she finds she must appeal to Kristiana for assistance. Kristiana plays the game of intrigue most cruelly by taunting Emily with her past relationship with Colin and her unspoken promise to never let him go. Little frightens Emily, however when one of her suspects leaves a bullet for her to find at every turn, for the first time she fears for her life. However, it is when Colin’s life is threatened her world feels as it if will irreparably crumble.
A FATAL WALTZ is by far my favorite of Tasha Alexander’s Lady Ashton suspense stories. While I have thoroughly enjoyed Emily’s forays into the museums and antiquities, A FATAL WALTZ takes Emily and her readers into another level of art, this time artists such as Klimt who populated the cafes of Vienna. Ms. Alexander weaves her tale, through Emily’s voice in such a manner that the reader feels he or she is there with her. When the famed tortes of Vienna are served, one can taste the rich chocolate on her tongue. When Emily ventures into the snowy streets of Vienna one feels the chill of winter. More than so than the prior books I felt more a part of the action. That is, perhaps, because I have so enjoyed the prior books and eagerly look forward to the next.
When Kristiana taunts Emily with her prior relationship with Colin I wanted to scratch her eyes out for Emily. I hope in future books more about that doomed relationship will become known. Kristiana is the woman we all love to hate. Each of the characters has an added dimension in A FATAL WALTZ and each becomes more intriguing.
As with the other books in this series, I just couldn’t put it down. It is like spending time with a good friend and there is a moment of sadness when it is time to say goodbye. I hope Lady Ashton will continue to solve crimes for many years to come.
Tasha Alexander is a do not miss. She is a breath of fresh air and a truly distinctive and welcome voice
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