The Book of Lost Fragrances by M J Rose

I found this suspenseful book fascinating to read.

Of exotic perfumes, an adventure story and ancient

history all combined to make a wonderful compelling

and mystical tale.

The heroine of the story, Jac or (Jacinthe as she was known by her father)

followed myths and

legends around the world and determined the truth of

many of these ancient legends.

I loved the settings of Paris and New York and the exquisite

nature of the tale with ancient perfumes deriving from ancient

Egypt.

Descriptions of the furniture of the home of the old work shop in Paris

where there were so many memories of earlier times were quite wonderful

and seemed so authentic. The atmosphere of an old fashioned home was

recreated from earlier eras with art works and decorative design of beauty

and majesty.

I enjoyed the re-telling of so many of the stories from the

past. Romances, the flower gardens and perfumes of Queen Cleopatra which provided

exotic and fascinating settings. It was almost as though past and future would mingle.

There were other exotic elements in the story which weaved

together, as for example, the Tibetan lore and the story of a

Tibetan boy who had been kidnapped and taken to China and

became a renowned artist in the field of the beautiful art of calligraphy and whose

works were finally presented in Paris.

A lost fragrance which could also recall past lives? This story has

all the elements of excitement and expectation of a grand finale.

This story is writing at its best and well recommended for people

with scope and imagination. Anything is possible and I found the

tale to be quite magical.