Curtsies & Conspiracies

“When did life become so complicated?” she wondered to Dimity.
“Boys,” said Dimity succinctly. ”

Boys have come to Madame Geraldine’s and it is not all that one might have hoped.  Sophronia and her friends have had their initial examinations and Sophronia has gotten the highest marks.  Unfortunately, that has put her at odds with all the other students, including her dearest friends.  Only Soap and Veve are sticking with her.  The boys of Brunson’s Academy for Evil Geniuses are accompanying the Madame Geraldine’s girls on a trip to London.  What could be more exciting than a trip to the capital?
Well:    Dimity is the target of a kidnapping scheme
Monique is having her coming out ball
The anti-supernatural forces are clashing with the vampires
Professor Shripdittle of Brunson’s and Professor Lefoux are working on a mysterious project together despite being at odds
Felix, Lord Mumsey seems to be interested in courting Sophronia

It’s really all too much for one young intelligencer in training.  Fortunately, Sophornia is not your average Madame Geraldine’s girl.

I was thrilled when I managed to get an ARC of Curtsies & Conspiracies.  This is book 2 in Gail Carriger’s Finishing School series.  They take place 25 years before the Parasol Protectorate books, but have many familiar characters.  Genevive Lefoux, our intrepid milliner cum inventor is a scamp of eleven known fondly as Veve.  In the latest volume we also see some of our vampire acquaintances from previous books.

It is very confusing when one is dealing with prequels.  One feels that  one knows the characters, but since it is actually the past for them, one has not been properly introduced.  Perhaps I should ask Lord Akeldama what the proper form of address is when encountering an acquaintance I  don’t officially know yet.

Curtsies & Conspiracies will be out on November 5 from Little Brown Books for Young Readers.