The Smile of the Stranger

By Joan Aiken

Book Overview

The Paget family's adventures begin in this Gothic Regency period romance reissue from legendary author Joan Aiken

When danger forces expatriate English gentlewoman Juliana Paget to flee her home in Italy, she embarks on a journey full of thrilling adventure. Nothing could have prepared her for outwitting a French mob, crossing the Channel in a hot air balloon, or fending off the advances of the fascinating Count Welcker.

Arriving in London just in time for her very first Season, Juliana is going to find all her ideals challenged and the truth of her heart finally revealed.

What readers say:

"A Regency romp with Gothic overtones, and a lot of fun."

"Full of thrills and chills."

"Classic Aiken--abductions, mysterious strangers and terrible betrayals."

"I stayed up late to find out what would happen next ."

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1492641278
• ISBN13: 9781492641278
• Release Date: September 2016
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Joan Aikens is a favorite!

I recently lost my copy of this book, "The Smile of the Stranger," so I ordered another. I love nearly all of Joan Aiken's books!

Another great work from Aiken

This novel starts off as a romantic fiction, but becomes more of a typical Joan Aiken mystery and adventure as you read on through it. You see the story from Juliana's point, little realising the plots and schemes being devised by the other characters. The book starts slowly, I felt, but like many of Aiken's works, builds up to a nail-biting climax. Not quite as good as its (sort of) sequel, The Lightning Tree (aka The Weeping Ash), but nonetheless, a great read if you like Aiken's other books.

I thought this was a great book

I thought this book was really sweet. I can't believe I was rooting for Captain Davenport, Count Van Weckler is much better. I thought it was nice that her Grandfather showed her he loved her. I also thought that the balloon ride was delightful this was a great book!