The Deception of the Emerald Ring
by Lauren Willig

List Price: $21.95
Pages:
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 0525949771
Publisher: Dutton Adult

The year is 1803 and England and France remain at odds. Hoping to break the English once and for all, Napoleon backs a ring of Irish rebels in uprisings against England and sends the Black Tulip, France’s most deadly spy, to the Emerald Isle to help. What the French don’t know is that England’s top spy, the Pink Carnation, is also in Ireland, working to shut the rebels down.

Meanwhile, back in England, Letty Alsworthy intercepts a note indicating that her sister, Mary, is about to make the very grave mistake of eloping with Geoffrey Pinghingdale-Snipe (second in command of the League of the Purple Gentian). In an attempt to save the family name, Letty tries to stop the elopement, but instead finds herself swept away in the midnight carriage meant for her sister. To each other’s horror, Geoff and Letty are found in a compromising situation and are forced into matrimony.  Then Geoff receives word that he must travel to Ireland to help the Pink Carnation, and he disappears immediately after the wedding ceremony. Letty learns of Geoff’s disappearance and, not to be outdone, steals away on a ship bound for Ireland, armed and ready to fight for her husband . . . and to learn a thing or two about spying for England.

top of the page

1. What did you think of the author’s use of dual settings—modern-day London and nineteenth-century England and Ireland—in The Deception of the Emerald Ring?

2. What was your opinion of Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe at the beginning of the book? How did it change as the novel progressed?

3. How are Eloise Kelly and Letty Alsworthy’s stories similar? Does Eloise learn from Letty’s experiences in any way?

4. “Every instinct he possessed screamed that Letty Alsworthy was lying” (page 39). What evidence led Geoff to his conclusion that Letty was trying to dupe him into marriage? Even though he felt this way, why did he stay with her?

5. “Geoff dragged his mind away from his own difficulties and onto England’s” (page 60). What explains Geoff’s vocation as a spy? Do you think he made a good one?

6. After Geoff treats her badly at their wedding reception, Letty still follows him as he abruptly leaves for Ireland. Why did she follow him?

7. When Jane’s relationship with Lord Vaughn is revealed, did it come as a surprise? Did you believe he was on England’s side? Do you think that Vaughn killed the Marquise?

8. Discuss the growing romances between Geoff and Letty, and Eloise and Colin Selwick. Are there any parallels between the two relationships?

9. In Chapter Eight, Eloise muses to herself, “There’s nothing so attractive as a blank slate” (page 100). Do you agree with this sentiment?

10. What did you think of Geoff’s cousin, Captain Jasper Pinchingdale? Did you consider him a buffoon at first, or a more sinister character? Did you think he would actually try to harm Letty?

11. Are there any similarities between Geoff and Eloise? Between Colin and Letty? If so, what are they?

12. What are some examples of the characters’ deception of one another? How does deception serve a purpose in the novel?

13. Almost all the characters in the novel seem to be hiding something, whether it’s their true identities, their genders, their real feelings, or something else. Discuss some examples of how different kinds of “disguises” are used throughout the book.

14. Of the many colorful characters in the book, which one or ones stood out for you? Why?

15. What does the book’s title mean?

top of the page