The Black Orchid Mystery

It's an intense dark maroon, with a touch of white and dark purple on the labellum. Don't expect to see it while strolling along a forest path though. The Cymbidium canaliculatun var Sparkesil loves heights. It grows high in the trees of Australia, in hollow branches and crevices. The popular and original "Black Orchid," the Trichoglottis brachiata or philippinense var brachiata , is an entirely different type of orchid. It likes to climb to great heights.

More red to dark purple, it's not anywhere near what one would call black, but it's still referred to by the name, "Black Orchid.

Black Orchid (comics)

Each flower is up to 5 cm across. The color tends towards a rich velvety dark maroon, with a prominently marked purple lip.

The color is dark, bu the fragrance is not. This dark flower has a lovely smell and a long-lived life. There are others, ranging in color from the deep chocolate of a coffee bean to the purple of an evening sky, but Mother Nature, for whatever reason she may have, has decided there is no reason to grace the world with licorice-colored blooms. Whether you're simply curious about black flowers in general, or black orchids in particular, the news is the same.

The Black Orchid

There is no such creature. And if there is? I won't be following this series Oct 26, Deborah Gebhardt rated it liked it.

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was my introduction to Lady Jane.

The story starts with a maid's walk and murder upon the Cornish moors and Jane's subsequent receipt of letter from a dear friend, entreating her aid in solving the mysterious events occurring at Winton Hall. And Jane being Jane apparently departs forthwith, to aid her friend and investigate.

Meanwhile, her husband joins an invest This was my introduction to Lady Jane.

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Meanwhile, her husband joins an investigation in London, with occasional jaunts to check-in on his wife and I presume, is par for the course the cases end up joining together. Feb 04, Deborah rated it it was amazing Shelves: A new historical mystery series to enjoy, should appeal to readers of Anne Perry and Victoria Thompson. The society of England in the 's with its obsession about discovering new species of flowers, and class distinctions, along with the role of women in society.

Lady Jane is not the typical wife of the time, but very independent to her husband's dismay. Nov 28, Judith Favia rated it it was ok. Skimmed It Between the long useless letters from the orchid hunter and the inconsistent behavior of most of the characters, this was a confusing and disappointing book. The plot meandered and more and more sub plots were introduced until I simply quit caring. Two stars because I like Lady Jane, so I hope that later novels about her are better. Jul 10, Jo rated it it was amazing. Deathly beauty An aristocratic orchid enthusiast, his mad wife, her pregnant cousin, and Lady Jane.

Dark deeds solved by a genteel but determined lady. Very enjoyable This novel is very well written and the characters are fascinating. I had a hard time putting it down. May 31, Pamela Holt rated it liked it. Good Easy read interesting story Jane is a great character hope This series will be continued love historical thrillers one on. Mar 19, Rock Chick rated it liked it. I enjoyed the relationship between Jane and David, they had their differences but knew how to combine the love they had for each other, David's protectiveness and Jane's independence.

Oct 26, Linda Baker rated it really liked it Shelves: It is London and the newly married Lady Jane has just received a letter from her best friend, Alison. Alison is visiting her cousin Charlotte at her home in northern England. Alison is stranded because of her own advancing pregnancy, but she is very worried about her cousin. Charlotte seems to be suffering from some sort of wasting illness and her husband, Lord Frederick, is not only unconcerned but unsympathetic.

Lord Frederick seems to be caught in his own obsession, the growing and impor It is London and the newly married Lady Jane has just received a letter from her best friend, Alison. Lord Frederick seems to be caught in his own obsession, the growing and importing of rare orchids. Alison wants Lady Jane to come and investigate. Lady Jane's new husband, Captain David Westcott, is against the journey, fearing the winter weather in the north. Having been in Northumberland in the winter, I can certainly understand his concerns.

Lady Jane, however, has other ideas and goes anyway.

• The Black Orchid (A Lady Jane Mystery Book 2) by Annis Bell.
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Upon her arrival, she discovers a missing servant, a housekeeper who is still loyal to her former mistress, a seemingly mentally disturbed young son, a secretive governess and a husband who is verbally abusive. The mystery only deepens as Charlotte sinks into hysteria and manic behavior. The Black Orchid is an entertaining historical mystery that blends social commentary and a look at the beginnings of the orchid obsession in England and Europe.

I particularly enjoyed the letters from South America written by his orchid hunter. Orchid obsession is nothing new and continues with some gardeners even today, I was somewhat troubled by anachronisms in the novel but it was meant more as entertainment rather than education. Her descriptions of Captain Westcott's investigations in the infamous slums of London are vivid and true to the history of the city and the poverty of the people in them. Lady Jane, David, and the supporting characters are appealing. I intend to remedy that as soon as possible. Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing for an advance digital copy in return for an honest review.

Feb 11, E rated it it was amazing. The Black Orchid is an excellent example of a good mystery; intriguing characters, the richness of the English country scenery, the best and worst of human nature and of course a who done it — what more do you want. This is the second book of the Lady Jane Mysteries.

One can only hope there are many more to come. There are actually two stories being told, one involving a murder at the prestigious manor of Sir Fredrick Halston and the other about the almost impossible quest to find a rare black o The Black Orchid is an excellent example of a good mystery; intriguing characters, the richness of the English country scenery, the best and worst of human nature and of course a who done it — what more do you want.

There are actually two stories being told, one involving a murder at the prestigious manor of Sir Fredrick Halston and the other about the almost impossible quest to find a rare black orchid in the jungles of South America. Obsession, greed, power hunger, and the need for justice are all weaved into a remarkable story. All the characters seem to have their own secrets which add to the suspense. Oh, there is more than one murder. Lady Jane and her husband the Captain have their hands full in this mystery.

I won this e-book from Goodreads. Wenn mich die Grippe erwischt bin ich sauer und unausstehlich. Mit meinem reader lag ich auf dem Sofa und habe mir den zweiten Teil von Lady Jane heruntergeladen, der mich einfach nicht mehr losgelassen hat. Ich bin durch die Seiten dieser spannenden und kurzweiligen Geschichte geflogen. Sehr gelungen fand ich die Briefe de Wenn mich die Grippe erwischt bin ich sauer und unausstehlich.

The Black Orchid (Lady Jane Mystery, book 2) by Annis Bell

Der Autorin ist ein stimmiges Zeitbild gelungen. Dec 07, Ann rated it really liked it Shelves: This is the second in the series. The main female character is a smart and determined woman during a time when women were supposed to be meek and subservient. Of course, her husband, while being totally exasperated with her a lot of the time, kind of gets it, so they are a good match -- even if, originally, the marriage was purely a legal contract.

Sometimes these sorts of books try too har This is the second in the series. Sometimes these sorts of books try too hard to put a modern women in the 18th or 19th century and it rings totally false. But that's not what happens here. Plus, she's an astute investigator and her made is a game companion. Bottom line, the mystery is complex without confusion and the characters are likable.

And, the mystery is solved -- what more could you want in recreational reading. Nov 27, Jeanne rated it really liked it Shelves: I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

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The time is Lady Jane is a very independent, intelligent woman who not only fights the constraints on women in her time but fights crime as well. Her friend Aly is confined to bed in a cousins house due to unexpected complications of her pregnancy. While there, a house maid goes missing and Aly senses her cousin and the family are in grave danger.

She request that Jane come to check things o I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. She request that Jane come to check things out. This is not only a good mystery with many layers but provides a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in England at the time. Descriptions of the disease and the poverty that they faced due to unsanitary conditions and inner city crime is fascinating.

The obsessive search for rare orchards and plants that swept Europe during that era is also a good historical read. I would enjoy reading the next book in this series. Hat mich sehr gut unterhalten dieser zweite Teil. Interessante Hauptfiguren mit viel Herz und Charakter. Wann kommt Teil 3??? Nov 14, Donna Bresnak rated it really liked it. I received this book for free for a review. I enjoyed this book very much. However the author fills one in just fine and it seems not to matter that they have that history. I would recommend it to historical mystery fans. Oct 31, Carol rated it really liked it Shelves: Received as a GoodReads Kindle giveaway.

A well-written historical mystery. The characters, settings and plot all worked well together, and I learned a bit about orchid hunting and collecting in mids England.