SEDUCTION

SEDUCTION ( The Reincarnationist # 5)
M. J. Rose
Atria Books
May 2013

Seduction is a follow-up to last year's The Book of Lost Fragrances and continues the story of Jaq L'etoile, heir along with her brother to one of the most famous fragrance houses in Europe. Jaq has long ago given up any involvement with the day-to-day operations of the fragrance house and making fragrances of her own. She has become a mythologist and in fact has a TV show in which she explores and often debunks myths. Plagued by hallucinations and visions her entire life, visions that seem to be triggered by fragrances, she has finally decided to try to get to the bottom of her problems.  Could reincarnation be the answer? Jaq refuses to entertain the idea but a long-time mentor, therapist and reincarnationist thinks she can prove all his theories.

Seduction weaves four story lines; that of Jaq, Theo Gaspard, with whom Jaq formed a bond  when they were both institutionalized briefly as teenagers, Victor Hugo during his exile on the Isle of Jersey, and Owain, an ancient Druid Priest.  History tells us that Hugo was exiled for his political views and formed an interest in spiritualism during that time. He was grieving the loss of his much loved daughter, Didine, in a boating accident and was trying to communicate with her. From this historical truth comes a story of obsession and danger for Hugo. Theo Gaspard is looking for the secret journals of Hugo, believed to be hidden somewhere on Jersey. Owain was a Druid priest called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice for his people.

All the parallel storylines in Seduction require a delicate balancing act, one in which Rose is partly successful. The most successful story for me was that of Hugo, blending fact and pure fiction, and the most emotionally involving that of Owain, riveting in it's pure tragedy. But as in The Book of Lost Fragrances, Jaq's story was the least interesting, at least for me. I can't seem to form any sort of emotional bond with her or drum up any empathy for her dilemmas, which  invalidates any suspense, a problem with a novel billed as "a novel of suspense".

Lushly written and more intriguing than not, Seduction will be a hit for M.J. Rose's legions of fans. Thanks to Atria Books and netgalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

RATING-3 Stars