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The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (Pink Carnation, #1)

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (Pink Carnation, #1) book cover
TS
Historical Fiction Romance Mystery & Thriller Fiction Chick-lit

by Lauren Willig

starstarstarstar_halfstar
3.69 (17.4K ratings)
calendar_today 2004
description 428 pages

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig holds a well received rating of 3.69 out of 5, based on 17.4K reader ratings. First published in 2004. The book spans 428 pages.

About The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

Deciding that true romantic heroes are a thing of the past, Eloise Kelly, an intelligent American who always manages to wear her Jimmy Choo suede boots on the day it rains, leaves Harvard's Widener Library bound for England to finish her dissertation on the dashing pair of spies the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. What she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: a secret history that begins with a letter dated 1803. Eloise has found the secret history of the Pink Carnation the most elusive spy of all time, the spy who single-handedly saved England from Napoleon's invasion.The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, a wildly imaginative and highly adventurous debut, opens with the story of a modern-day heroine but soon becomes a book within a book. Eloise Kelly settles in to read the secret history hoping to unmask the Pink Carnation's identity, but before she can make this discovery, she uncovers a passionate romance within the pages of the secret history that almost threw off the course of world events. How did the Pink Carnation save England? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly find a hero of her own?

Detail Value
Author Lauren Willig
Published 2004
Pages 428
Genres Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery & Thriller, Fiction, Chick-lit
Average Rating 3.69 / 5.00
Total Ratings 17,367

Reader Ratings & Analysis

Rating Overview

3.7
starstarstarstar_halfstar
17.4K ratings
With a rating of 3.69, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation is rated below the global average of 4.17. Compared to its genre average of 3.95, it performs below the genre benchmark.

How It Compares

3.69
This Book
3.95
Mystery & Thriller Average
4.17
Global Average

Frequently Asked Questions

What genre is The Secret History of the Pink Carnation?

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation is categorized as Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery & Thriller, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.

Is The Secret History of the Pink Carnation worth reading?

Based on 17.4K reader ratings, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation has an average score of 3.69 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."

How many pages is The Secret History of the Pink Carnation?

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation has 428 pages.

Who wrote The Secret History of the Pink Carnation?

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation was written by Lauren Willig. It was first published in 2004.

What is the ISBN for The Secret History of the Pink Carnation?

The ISBN-13 for The Secret History of the Pink Carnation is 9780451217420.0.

Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026