Synopses & Reviews
andlt;B andgt;From the internationally bestselling author, a lush and imaginative novel that crisscrosses time as passion and obsessions collideandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Florence, Italyand#8212;1533: andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;An orphan named Renand#233; le Florentin is plucked from poverty to become Catherine de Mediciand#8217;s perfumer. Traveling with the young duchessina from Italy to France, Renand#233; brings with him a cache of secret documents from the monastery where he was trained: recipes for exotic fraand#173;grances and potent medicinesand#8212;and a formula for an alchemic process said to have the potenand#173;tial to reanimate the dead. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;In France, Renand#233; becomes not only the greatest perfumer in the country, but also the most dangerous, creating deadly poisons for his Queen to use against her rivals. But while mixing herbs and essences under the light of flickering candles, Renand#233; doesnand#8217;t begin to imagand#173;ine the tragic and personal consequences for which his lethal potions will be responsible.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Paris, Franceand#8212;The Present:andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;A renowned mythologist, Jac Land#8217;Etoileand#8212;trying to recover from personal heartache by throwand#173;ing herself into her workand#8212;learns of the sixteenth-century perfumer who may have been working on an elixir that would unlock the secret to immortality. She becomesobsessed with Renand#233; le Florentinand#8217;s workand#8212;particularly when she discovers the dying breaths he had collected during his lifetime.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Jacand#8217;s efforts put her in the path of her estranged lover, Griffin North, a linguist who has already begun translating Renand#233; le Floand#173;rentinand#8217;s mysterious formula. Together they confront an eccentric heiress in possession of a world-class art collection, a woman who has her own dark purpose for the elixir . . . for which she believes the ends will justify her deadly means.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;This mesmerizing gothic tale zigzags from the violent days of Catherine de Mediciand#8217;s court to twenty-first-century France. Fiery and lush, set against deep, wild forests and dimly lit chaand#173;teaus, andlt;I andgt;The Collector of Dying Breaths andlt;/Iandgt;illuminates the true path to immortality: the legacies we leave behind.
Review
andlt;divandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Praise for THE BOOK OF LOST FRAGRANCES:andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; "Deliciously sensual...Rose imbues her characters with rich internal lives in a complex plot that races to a satisfying finish."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;"Readers will be enchanted by M.J. Rose's supernaturally charged novelandnbsp;andlt;Iandgt;Seductionandlt;/Iandgt;, inspired by Victor Hugo's self-imposed exile on the British island of Jersey in the 1850s.andnbsp;andnbsp;Great elements of suspense are present -- a remote, misty island teeming with century-old Celtic ruins, an unreliable narrator who may or may not be going crazy."andlt;/divandgt;
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"Rose's vivid imagination and beautiful writing make this a book to savor."
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andlt;divandgt;andlt;xmlandgt;andlt;/xmlandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;"Well-crafted paranormal novel of suspense. Rose is especially good at recreating Hugo's despair...making his abandonment of rationality all too plausible."andnbsp;andlt;Bandgt;andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"Rose's growing fan base will probably devour this one."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;andlt;xmlandgt;andlt;/xmlandgt;"The sensuality, and the pure and utter dreamlike state with which [Rose] writes is effortless and engaging, producing [a] story that's impossible to leave behind... drawing the reader into the depths of a sensual mystery that they will truly never forget! This deserves a standing ovation!"andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;"Full of well-researched history, the paranormal, and modern intrigue, this atmospheric tale of suspense is fully engrossing to those willing to suspend their disbelief."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;"Rose interweaves mythology, the supernatural, psychoanalysis and Evil Incarnate, creating an amazing amalgam of narrative wonder...andnbsp;will haunt you."andnbsp;andlt;/divandgt;
Review
andlt;divandgt;"Mysterious, haunting, and tragic,andnbsp;andlt;Iandgt;Seductionandlt;/Iandgt;andnbsp;emerges as a suspenseful alchemy of potent ingredients, beautifully blended, that ignites your senses and leaves you aching for more."andlt;/divandgt;
Review
andlt;divandgt;andlt;Iandgt;"Seductionandlt;/Iandgt;andnbsp;is an absolute pleasure to readandnbsp;--andnbsp;clever, suspenseful, exciting, mysterious, learned, andandnbsp;engrossing. andnbsp;Some of the best historical fiction I've read in quite some timeandnbsp;and just plain reading fun.andnbsp; M.J. Rose is at the top of her game, and that is saying something."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;"A sophisticated book that plunges you into a sensual, fascinatingandnbsp;world filled with secrets and dreams and ghosts. There's a sweeping, old-world feel to every page, and you'll want to stay here, spellbound, a very long time."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"A simmering brew that mingles the erotic sensuality of Patrick Suskind's andlt;iandgt;Perfumeandlt;/iandgt; with the dark and timeless obsessions of Rider Haggard's classic, andlt;iandgt;She. andlt;/iandgt;M.J. Rose has once again again dipped into the deep flask of history and brought those rich aromas of the past back to life through the eyes of Jac L'Etoile, a woman who has mastered the scent of conflict, passion and danger." --andlt;iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; bestselling author Katherine Nevilleandlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;andlt;iandgt;"The Book of Lost Fragrancesandlt;/iandgt; by M.J. Rose is an amazing novel, an utterly engrossing thriller that weaves together reincarnation, ancient Egypt, international intrigue, and a lost book of fragrances. Elegantly written, with unforgettable characters and flawlessly realized international settings, here is a novel that will keep you up all night--and leave you with powerful feelings of revelation, wonder, and the infinitude of human possibility." --andlt;iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; bestselling author Douglas Prestonandlt;/divandgt;
Review
andlt;divandgt;"A bewitching brew of history and suspense, as well as a deeply felt love story that transcends time, andlt;Iandgt;The Book of Lost Fragrances andlt;/Iandgt;had me spellbound from the very beginning, taking me from Ancient Egypt to Napoleonic France to the mordern day. This is a book full of delicious surprises, superb research, and brilliantly drawn characters that will live on in your heart long after you turn the last page." --Anne Fortier, author of andlt;Iandgt;Julietandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/divandgt;
Review
andlt;divandgt;"andlt;Iandgt;The Book of Lost Fragrancesandlt;/Iandgt; is one of those rare novels that reminds us of the beauty and enormous complexity of the human soul. The way Rose uses perfume's evocative power is both intelligent and intriguing - triggering her characters memories of their current lives as well as memories of their past lives. This novel is a marvelous discovery." --Javier Sierraandlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"andlt;iandgt;The Book of Lost Fragrancesandlt;/iandgt; resonates with spirit, blending myth with reality, tragedy with triumph, pain with joy. You'll find yourself questioning everything you believe--and wanting more." --andlt;iandgt;New York Times andlt;/iandgt;bestselling author Steve Berryandlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"Clever, with beguiling characters; a wonderful mixture of suspense and pace and good old fashioned storytelling, and the research never gets in the way of the plot." --Kate Mosse, author ofandlt;Iandgt; Labyrinthandlt;/Iandgt;, andlt;Iandgt;Sepulchreandlt;/Iandgt;, and andlt;Iandgt;The Winter Ghostsandlt;/Iandgt;andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"An absorbing and thrilling ride through the centuries."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"M. J. Rose's multi-stranded plot skillfully hits all the right buttons, blending exotic settings, romance, and paranormal fantasy with political intrigue into a colorful story that would be right at home as a Hollywood thriller."andlt;/divandgt;
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"Provocative...a sweeping sense of romance [and] history."
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andlt;divandgt;"A fascinating mystery with many twists and turns...combines intrigue with a touch of history and a lesson in the art of making exotic perfume, a bit of education mixed with the proverbial whodunit."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"Compelling... suspenseful tale. Once you catch a whiff, you will be enchanted."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"Rose has entered another realm and written what is bound to be one of this year's best books."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"Entertaining... working history, the science of scents and a mystery together with the aspects of a perfect thriller to create a perfect read."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"A time-defying journey filled with passion and danger...A kaleidoscope of memorable characters and exotic locales. Elements of both thriller and paranormal romance dominate, and the insights Rose offers on the methods and science of perfumery throughout history add a fascinating top note."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"Enthralling. A supple and elegant thriller. There is simply no more daring writer than MJ Rose, and her blisteringly original [novel] shows why."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;"Rose's vividandnbsp; imagination and beautiful writing make this a book to savor."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"Provocative...a sweeping sense of romance [and] history."andlt;/divandgt;
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"Mysterious, magical, and mythical…what a joy to read!" Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants
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“History, mystery, ambition, lust, love, death and the timeless quest for immortality…a riveting tale of suspense.” B.A.Shapiro, New York Times bestselling author of The Art Forger
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andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;and#8220;From the labyrinthine alleyways of 16th century Paris to the danger-infused woodlands of 21st century Fontainebleau, M.J. Rose has crafted a superb, mesmerizing tale of two people separated by centuries yet linked by a haunting secret. Poison, obsession and undying love have never been so enticingand#8212;or so lethal. I could not stop reading it!and#8221;
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andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;"With an alchemist's skill, M.J. Rose mixes present and past with the dark scent of love and an intricate mystery, creating a blend that is splendidly, spookily magical."
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andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;"M.J. Rose masterfully serves up suspense with generous sides of philosophy and intrigue.andnbsp;andnbsp;I devoured this fascinating tale about Catherine de Medici and her perfumer simmered with the compelling modern-day story of an intelligent woman in search of personal completion.andnbsp; Alchemy, mythology, and an exploration of reincarnation lace this tantalizing telling.andnbsp; A lavish and satisfying banquet of a book!" andnbsp;
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andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;"Mysterious, magical, and mythicaland#8230;what a joy to read!"
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"Rose masterfully combines romance, mystery, and dual timelinesand#8230;The storyline and extensive historical detailsand#8230;are fascinating.and#8221;andnbsp;
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andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;andlt;xmlandgt; andlt;/xmlandgt;and#8220;History, mystery, ambition, lust, love, death and the timeless quest for immortalityand#8230;a riveting tale of suspense.and#8221;
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"Roseand#8217;s latest venture into myth and reality is a page-turning, alluring concoction of fiction infused with fantastical yet actual history. Readers will be charmed by her well-drawn and memorable characters, and they will be mesmerized by her enchanting narrative, which takes them on a mystical and magical journey."
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and#8220;A suspenseful and enigmatic story, with gripping historical details and the paranormal subtext Rose has become famous for, which will please her many fans.and#8221;
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"A terrific piece of entertainment."
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"M.J. Rose's latest is breathtaking. andlt;Iandgt;The Collector of Dying Breathsandlt;/Iandgt; combines fascinating history, torrid romance and a compelling mystery into a marvelous package that will entice fans of Anne Rice and Diana Gabaldonand#8230;Rose has taken an interesting premise and uses history to tell her tale....an original reading experience.and#8221;
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"Crisp, evocative prose elevates this above other paranormal thrillers."
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"Wondrously original... elegantly written. Rose manages to utterly suspend our disbelief in a book that leaves us, appropriately enough, breathless."
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and#8220;What can I say; M.J. Rose has done it again. She presents a story so intricate and mesmerizing that the reader can get lost in the pagesand#8230;an excellent choice for avid book clubbers to discuss and debate.and#8221;
Synopsis
A lush and imaginative novel that crisscrosses time as a perfumer and a mythologist search for the fine line between potion and poison, poison and passion and past and present.
From the internationally bestselling author, a lush and imaginative novel that crisscrosses time as passion and obsessions collide
Florence, Italy 1533:
An orphan named Rene le Florentin is plucked from poverty to become Catherine de Medici s perfumer. Traveling with the young duchessina from Italy to France, Rene brings with him a cache of secret documents from the monastery where he was trained: recipes for exotic fragrances and potent medicines and a formula for an alchemic process said to have the potential to reanimate the dead.
In France, Rene becomes not only the greatest perfumer in the country, but also the most dangerous, creating deadly poisons for his Queen to use against her rivals. But while mixing herbs and essences under the light of flickering candles, Rene doesn t begin to imagine the tragic and personal consequences for which his lethal potions will be responsible.
Paris, France The Present:
A renowned mythologist, Jac L Etoile trying to recover from personal heartache by throwing herself into her work learns of the sixteenth-century perfumer who may have been working on an elixir that would unlock the secret to immortality. She becomesobsessed with Rene le Florentin s work particularly when she discovers the dying breaths he had collected during his lifetime.
Jac s efforts put her in the path of her estranged lover, Griffin North, a linguist who has already begun translating Rene le Florentin s mysterious formula. Together they confront an eccentric heiress in possession of a world-class art collection, a woman who has her own dark purpose for the elixir . . . for which she believes the ends will justify her deadly means.
This mesmerizing gothic tale zigzags from the violent days of Catherine de Medici s court to twenty-first-century France. Fiery and lush, set against deep, wild forests and dimly lit chateaus, The Collector of Dying Breaths illuminates the true path to immortality: the legacies we leave behind."
Synopsis
From one of Americaand#8217;s most imaginative storytellers comes a passionate tale of love and treachery, spanning the days of Catherine de Mediciand#8217;s court to the twenty-first century and starring a woman drawn back, time and again, to the past.andlt;brandgt;andlt;brandgt;In 1533, an Italian orphan with an uncanny knack for creating fragrance is plucked from poverty to become Catherine de Mediciand#8217;s perfumer. To repay his debt, over the years Renand#233; le Florentine is occasionally called upon to put his vast knowledge to a darker purpose: the creation of deadly poisons used to dispatch the Queen's rivals.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;But it's Renand#233;'s other passionand#8212;a desire to reanimate a human breath, to bring back the lives of the two people whose deaths have devastated himand#8212;that incites a dangerous treasure hunt five centuries later. That's when Jac Land#8217;Etoileand#8212;suffering from a heartache of her ownand#8212;becomes obsessed with the possibility of unlocking Rene's secret to immortality.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Soon Jacand#8217;s search reconnects her with Griffin North, a man sheand#8217;s loved her entire life. Together they confront an eccentric heiress whose art collection rivals many museums and who is determined to keep her treasures close at hand, not just in this life but in her next.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Set in the forest of Fontainebleau, crisscrossing the lines between the past and the present, M.J. Rose has written a mesmerizing tale of passion and obsession. This is a gothic tale perfect for fans of Anne Rice, Deborah Harkness, and Diana Galbadon.
About the Author
M.J. Rose grew up in New York City exploring the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum and the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Parkandmdash;and reading her motherandrsquo;s favorite books before she was allowed. She is the author of more than a dozen novels, the co-president and founding board member of International Thriller Writers, and the founder of the first marketing company for authors, AuthorBuzz.com. She lives in Greenwich, Connecticut. Visit her online at MJRose.com.