Book Review: Mistress of the Sea by Jenny Barden

Synopsis: 

Plymouth 1570; Ellyn Cooksley fears for her elderly father's health when he declares his intention to sail with Drake on an expedition he has been backing. Already yearning for escape from the loveless marriage planned for her, Ellyn boards the expedition ship as a stowaway.

Also aboard the Swan is Will Doonan, Ellyn's charming but socially inferior neighbour. Will has courted Ellyn playfully without any real hope of winning her, but when she is discovered aboard ship, dressed in the garb of a cabin boy, he is furious.

To Will's mind, Drake's secret plot to attack the Spanish bullion supply in the New World is a means to the kind of wealth with which he might win a girl like Ellyn, but first and foremost it is an opportunity to avenge his brother Kit, taken hostage and likely tortured to death by the Spanish. For the sake of the mission he supports Drake's plan to abandon Ellyn and her father on an island in the Caribbean until their mission is completed. But will love prove more important than revenge or gold?

Mistress of the Sea is an epic romantic adventure set against the backdrop of Francis Drake's first great enterprise - the attack on the Spanish 'Silver Train' on the isthmus of Panama.

Ebury Press | August 2012

My Review

4 Stars

Jenny Barden's debut novel, Mistress of the Sea, is a tale of high-seas and New World adventure set during the Age of Exploration.  When Ellyn Cooksley's merchant father decides to accompany Francis Drake on a voyage for which he is providing financial backing, she worries he isn't strong enough to handle such an excursion.  Faced with the possibility of marrying one of her father's unappealing business associates, and knowing her sweetheart Will Doonan will also be travelling with Drake, Ellyn's feels her future to be bleak.  On the day Drake's ship is set to sail, Ellyn makes a fateful decision that will change the course of her future - she disguises herself as a boy and stows away on Drake's ship.   What follows is the adventure of a lifetime. 

Mistress of the Sea moves at a steady pace, has sympathetic characters and an engaging plot.  The novel's heroine, Ellyn, is characterized as a smart, resourceful and determined young woman who will do whatever is necessary to protect her father and ensure her own survival.  One of the novel's greatest strengths is that Barden is practical about her fictional characters, particularly Ellyn, who are rarely placed in improbable situations.  As an example, although Ellyn stows away by disguising herself as a boy, once she is discovered both her true gender and identify are almost immediately revealed.  Given Ellyn's disguise is described as lackluster, it would have been unrealistic to expect her to hide her gender for any great length of time, especially given the close confines of a ship.

While Ellyn and Will are fictional characters, much of the foundation for this novel is based on actual historical events involving Francis Drake, a figure who rarely features prominently in historical fiction.   I enjoyed Barden's depiction of Drake, whose strong desire to wrestle New World riches from the Spanish is clearly conveyed.  As a fan of nautical fiction, much of which is set during the Napoleonic Wars, it is refreshing to read a novel set partly on the high-seas before England was a global maritime power.  My only issue with the novel, and it isn't a big one, is that I wish more pages had been devoted to Ellyn's experiences on board ship. 

Overall, Mistress of the Seas is an enjoyable read and should appeal to fans of historical fiction interested in seafaring tales and the Age of Discovery.    I'm looking forward to reading more from Jenny Barden. 

Note: This novel comes from my own personal collection.  

Book Review: The Lincoln Conspiracy by Timothy L. O'Brien

Synopsis

A nation shattered by its president’s murder. Two diaries that reveal the true scope of an American conspiracy. A detective determined to bring the truth to light, no matter what it costs him

.

From award-winning journalist Timothy L. O’Brien comes a gripping historical thriller that poses a provocative question: What if the plot to assassinate President Lincoln was wider and more sinister than we ever imagined?



In late spring of 1865, as America mourns the death of its leader, Washington, D.C., police detective Temple McFadden makes a startling discovery. Strapped to the body of a dead man at the B&O Railroad station are two diaries, two documents that together reveal the true depth of the Lincoln conspiracy. Securing the diaries will put Temple’s life in jeopardy—and will endanger the fragile peace of a nation still torn by war.



Temple’s quest to bring the conspirators to justice takes him on a perilous journey through the gaslit streets of the Civil War–era capital, into bawdy houses and back alleys where ruthless enemies await him in every shadowed corner. Aided by an underground network of friends—and by his wife, Fiona, a nurse who possesses a formidable arsenal of medicinal potions—Temple must stay one step ahead of Lafayette Baker, head of the Union Army’s spy service. Along the way, he’ll run from or rely on Edwin Stanton, Lincoln’s fearsome secretary of war; the legendary Scottish spymaster Allan Pinkerton; abolitionist Sojourner Truth; the photographer Alexander Gardner; and many others.



Bristling with twists and building to a climax that will leave readers gasping, The Lincoln Conspiracy offers a riveting new account of what truly motivated the assassination of one of America’s most beloved presidents—and who participated in the plot to derail the train of liberty that Lincoln set in motion.


Ballantine Books | September 2012

My Review

3.5 Stars

When Washington D.C. detective Temple McFadden arrives at the B&O railroad station to meet an associate, he has no idea that he is about to become embroiled in a conspiracy surrounding the death of President Lincoln.  After witnessing the murder of his associate, Detective McFadden makes a quick search of his body and uncovers a set of diaries related to Abraham Lincoln.  These diaries, which are sought by two rival factions who will do anything to retrieve them, contain information that indicate that there was more to President Lincoln's assassination than meets the eye.  Although holding onto the diaries puts Temple's life, as well as the lives of his wife and friends, in jeopardy, he boldly commits himself to finding out the truth behind the President's death.  

The greatest strength of The Lincoln Conspiracy is its diverse cast of characters, although it is, at times, a bit of a challenge keeping everyone straight.  The novel's principal characters, Temple McFadden and his wife Fiona, are well-drawn and easy to like.  Many of the book's supporting characters, whether they be fictional or straight from the pages of history, prove to be memorable.  I particularly enjoyed the scenes featuring Mary Todd Lincoln.  Although the unraveling of the conspiracy theory underlying this novel's plot isn't as thrilling as it could have been, Timothy L. O'Brien has done a masterful job of bringing post-Civil War era Washington D.C. and its residents to life.  As a result, it has sparked an interest in me to read more about this particular era, which is one that prior to reading this novel held little appeal to me. 

While I don't know if Timothy L. O'Brien intends this book to be the first in a series or if he has written it as a stand alone, I would be interested in reading another novel that features Temple and Fiona McFadden. 

The Lincoln Conspiracy should appeal to fans of historical thrillers, as well as to readers of historical fiction interested in novels about President Lincoln and/or the post-Civil War era. 

Note: An e-copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review as part of the novel's Virtual Book Tour. 

About the Author

Timothy L. O’Brien is the Executive Editor of The Huffington Post, where he edited the 2012 Pulitzer Prize–winning series about wounded war veterans, “Beyond the Battlefield.” Previously, he was an editor and reporter at The New York Times. There, he helped to lead a team of Times reporters that was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in Public Service in 2009 for coverage of the financial crisis. O’Brien, a graduate of Georgetown University, holds three master's degrees -- in US History, Business and Journalism -- all from Columbia University. He lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with his wife and two children.

www.timothylobrien.com

Book Review: A Dangerous Inheritance by Alison Weir

Synopsis

In this engrossing novel of historical suspense, New York Times bestselling author Alison Weir tells the dramatic intertwined stories of two women—Katherine Grey and Kate Plantagenet—separated by time but linked by twin destinies . . . . involving the mysterious tragic fate of the young Princes in the Tower.

When her older sister, Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days’ Queen, is executed in 1554 for unlawfully accepting the English crown, Lady Katherine Grey’s world falls apart. Barely recovered from this tragic loss she risks all for love, only to incur the wrath of her formidable cousin Queen Elizabeth I, who sees Katherine as a rival for her insecure throne.

Interlaced with Katherine’s story is that of her distant kinswoman Kate Plantagenet, the bastard daughter of Richard III, the last Plantagenet king. In 1483, Kate travels to London for Richard’s coronation, and her world changes forever.

Kate loves her father, but before long she hears terrible rumors about him that threaten all she holds dear. Like Katherine Grey, she falls in love with a man who is forbidden to her. Then Kate embarks on what will become a perilous quest, covertly seeking the truth about what befell her cousins the Princes in the Tower, who may have been victims of Richard III’s lust for power. But time is not on Kate’s side, or on Katherine’s.

Katherine finds herself a prisoner in the Tower of London, the sinister fortress that overshadowed the lives of so many royal figures, including the boy princes. Will Elizabeth demand the full penalty for treason? And what secrets will Katherine find hidden within the Tower walls?

Alison Weir’s new novel is a page-turning story set within a framework of fascinating historical authenticity. In this rich and layered tapestry, Katherine and Kate discover that possessing royal blood can prove to be a dangerous inheritance.

Ballantine Books (Random House Publishing Group) | October 2012

My Review

3.5 Stars 

Alison Weir's latest work of historical fiction, A Dangerous Inheritance, chronicles the lives of two young woman - Katherine 'Kate' Plantagenet, illegitimate daughter of Richard III, and Katherine Grey, younger sister of Lady Jane Grey.  Although they lived in different eras, the lives of both Katherines share several similarities.  Not only must they both survive in royal courts where enemies intent on bringing down either them or their families lurk around every corner, but they are also denied the opportunity to be with the men they love.  

In the case of Kate Plantagenet, once her father comes to England's throne rumours begin to swirl about the evil deeds he undertook or supported in order to attain and keep the crown, including those that claim he had his two nephews - the Princes in the Tower - killed.   Kate has trouble believing that her beloved father, who has always been kind to her, could possibly be responsible for such a  reprehensible act.  When she is forced to marry one of her father's most ardent supporters and move to Wales, Kate decides to investigate the mystery surrounding the young princes, hoping to prove once and for all that her father is innocent of having them killed. 

For Katherine Grey having royal blood proves to be more of a curse than a blessing.   By converting back to the Catholic faith, Katherine is able to successfully navigate through the court of her cousin, Queen Mary, without drawing too much attention to herself.   But when Queen Elizabeth I comes to the throne many of her opponents covertly rally around Katherine, seeking to depose Elizabeth and install Katherine on the throne in her place.  Although Katherine sees herself as the logical successor to Elizabeth, she recognizes that with the monarch keeping close watch over her actions one wrong move could place her very life in jeopardy.   Despite the risk, Katherine secretly weds Edward Seymour without Elizabeth's consent.  When the truth of the marriage comes out, Katherine is separated from her husband and imprisoned in the Tower where she begins to hear voices calling out for help.  Convinced that the voices are those of the two princes imprisoned by their Uncle Richard, Katherine joins forces with her kindly jailer to discover the truth about what happened to them.

Overall, A Dangerous Inheritance is an enjoyable and interesting novel.  While very little is known about the life of Kate Plantagenet, Weir does a good job of plausibly bringing this young woman sympathetically to life.  Weir's characterization of Katherine Grey, whose history is better known, is also well done, although given many of the ordeals faced by Katherine under Elizabeth I were caused by her own poor decisions, readers may understandably find it difficult to feel sorry for her.  Although I do not believe Richard III to be the evil king history has made him out to be, the fact that he comes across negatively in this book didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the story.  While I enjoyed both Kate and Katherine's story lines in and of themselves, the constant switch in narrative from one Katherine to the other does interrupt the book's flow.  In addition, the common thread linking the two story lines together, the women's investigation of the fate of the princes in the tower, seemed forced.  As a result, I would have preferred their stories to have been told in separate novels.  

Note: An e-copy of this novel was provided to me by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  

Book Review: The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

Synopsis:

From the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Distant Hours, The Forgotten Garden, and The House at Riverton, a spellbinding new novel filled with mystery, thievery, murder, and enduring love.

During a summer party at the family farm in the English countryside, sixteen-year-old Laurel Nicolson has escaped to her childhood tree house and is happily dreaming of the future. She spies a stranger coming up the long road to the farm and watches as her mother speaks to him. Before the afternoon is over, Laurel will witness a shocking crime. A crime that challenges everything she knows about her family and especially her mother, Dorothy-her vivacious, loving, nearly perfect mother.

Now, fifty years later, Laurel is a successful and well-regarded actress living in London. The family is gathering at Greenacres farm for Dorothy's ninetieth birthday. Realizing that this may be her last chance, Laurel searches for answers to the questions that still haunt her from that long-ago day, answers that can only be found in Dorothy's past.

Dorothy's story takes the reader from pre-WWII England through the blitz, to the '60s and beyond. It is the secret history of three strangers from vastly different worlds-Dorothy, Vivien, and Jimmy-who meet by chance in wartime London and whose lives are forever entwined. The Secret Keeper explores longings and dreams and the unexpected consequences they sometimes bring. It is an unforgettable story of lovers and friends, deception and passion that is told-in Morton's signature style-against a backdrop of events that changed the world. 

Atria Books | October 2012

My Review

4.5 Stars

Kate Morton's latest novel, The Secret Keeper, is a richly imagined tale of love. lies and long-buried secrets.   After bearing witness to a horrific crime involving her mother, Laurel Nicolson's view of her beloved parent was forever changed.   Now, many years later, gathering together with her sisters and brother to celebrate what will likely be their dying mother's final birthday, Laurel decides it's time to delve deeper into Dorothy Nicolson's past in an effort to uncover the truth behind her mother's actions on that day.

Morton's narrative unfolds in a deliberately measured manner, taking the reader on a journey back in time to pre-World War II England, through to the Blitz and the early 1960s, revealing in bits and pieces Dorothy's early life and the decisions and events that shaped the woman she was to become.   Through her always eloquent prose, Morton is able to effectively convey the hopes, fears and overall emotions of each of her characters, successfully drawing the reader completely into their stories.  She is also able to evoke a strong sense of time and at no point is this more evident than when the narrative is set during the Blitz.   Much like she has done in her other novels, Kate Morton has once again created a memorable cast of characters that readers can empathize with and become invested in.  

Although I found the opening of this novel to be somewhat slow, once the narrative starts to focus on Dorothy's life I found The Secret Keeper difficult to put down.  Although this book does not feature the Gothic elements that are a hallmark of Morton's previous releases, I nevertheless found this story to be every bit as captivating.  

The Secret Keeper is a must read for every Kate Morton fan.  

Note: The novel comes from my own personal collection.

Book Review: Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow by Juliet Grey

SYNOPSIS

A captivating novel of rich spectacle and royal scandal, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow spans fifteen years in the fateful reign of Marie Antoinette, France’s most legendary and notorious queen.

Paris, 1774. At the tender age of eighteen, Marie Antoinette ascends to the French throne alongside her husband, Louis XVI. But behind the extravagance of the young queen’s elaborate silk gowns and dizzyingly high coiffures, she harbors deeper fears for her future and that of the Bourbon dynasty.

From the early growing pains of marriage to the joy of conceiving a child, from her passion for Swedish military attaché Axel von Fersen to the devastating Affair of the Diamond Necklace, Marie Antoinette tries to rise above the gossip and rivalries that encircle her. But as revolution blossoms in America, a much larger threat looms beyond the gilded gates of Versailles—one that could sweep away the French monarchy forever.

Publication Date: May 15, 2012 | Ballantine Books | 448p

My Review

4 Stars

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is the second novel in Juliet Grey's Marie Antoinette trilogy.   While the first novel in the trilogy, Becoming Marie Antoinette, follows Marie's early life from her late childhood in Austria to her days as Dauphine of France, this latest novel focuses on Marie's reign as Louis XVI's Queen.

Much like the first novel in the trilogy, Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is full of rich historical detail.   This detail brings the French court and all of its magnificence vividly to life.   It also showcases just how much of Marie Antoinette's daily life was governed by strict and often stifling protocol.  Although the historical detail was, at times, somewhat overdone in the trilogy's first installment, this isn't the case with the second novel.  It is apparent that Grey undertook a great deal of research while writing this book, but rather than overpowering the narrative, the information gleaned from this research is used to complement it.  As a result, the story flows smoothly and moves quickly.    

Told from Marie Antoinette's perspective, one of this novel's greatest strengths is the characterization of Marie herself.   History has not been kind to Marie Antoinette, and it is not difficult to understand why considering much of the French court and citizenry were against her.  Highlighting Marie's strengths and her weaknesses, Grey paints a sympathetic portrait of France's last queen, successfully  showcasing how she matured as both a person and a monarch.  Grey's characterization of Louis XVI is also well-drawn, showing an uncertain monarch who very much wanted to do what was right for his people but who lacked the respect and support needed to bring about change. 

Although this novel is the second in a trilogy, it can be read as a stand-alone.  Recommended to fans of historical fiction interested in French history. 

Marie Antoinette's story continues in The Last October Sky, which will be released in 2013.  

Note: The novel comes from my own collection as I had purchased the book prior to agreeing to take part in the tour.

About the Author

Juliet Grey is the author of Becoming Marie Antoinette. She has extensively researched European royalty and is a particular devotee of Marie Antoinette, as well as a classically trained professional actress with numerous portrayals of virgins, vixens, and villainesses to her credit. She and her husband divide their time between New York City and southern Vermont.  






Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow is currently on tour.   You can check out all the tour stops here: http://www.hfvirtualbooktours.com/2012/09/juliet-grey-on-tour-for-days-of.html

Book Review: A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick

Sometimes keeping your honour means breaking your word . . .

The early twelfth century is a time for ambitious men to prosper - and royal servant John FitzGilbert is one of them. But when the old king dies and his successor is appointed, John's position at court is weakened and his wife, the pious, pliant Aline, is hopelessly unequipped to deal with a life lived on the edge.

John knows the only way to protect his lands and his children is to divorce Aline. He meets his match in new wife Sybilla, daughter of his enemy Patrick of Salisbury, as she possesses a strength and courage that equals his own.  But when Sybilla's son, William, is seized by the king, John is forced to make a terrible sacrifice . . .

Synopsis courtesy of amazon.co.uk

My Review

4.5 Stars

A Place Beyond Courage tells the story of John FitzGilbert, marshal to England's King Henry II and father to William Marshall, who is himself the subject of an Elizabeth Chadwick novel titled The Greatest Knight.  In his years of dedicated service to his king, John's loyalty has never been questioned, but when Henry II dies and his nephew Stephen claims the throne, John finds his position at court no longer secure and is forced to make a decision about where to place his loyalties.   But committing himself to Empress Matilda's cause puts John's life and lands under constant threat from the King and his supporters.  After several years of conflict, John forms an alliance with one of his enemies in an effort to keep his lands safe.  This alliance, however, means John must divorce his wife, Aline, a woman better suited for life in a convent, and marry Sybilla, the daughter of his enemy.  Although initially wed for purely strategic purposes, John and Sybilla's marriage turns into a love match, and together they meet head on the challenges that face both them and their country. 

One of the things I like best about Chadwick's novels is the rich historical detail woven into each story.  This detail vividly brings to life the eras in which Chadwick's novels are set.  I also appreciate how Chadwick is able to strike the right balance between the character-driven aspects of her plot and those aspects that, along with rich historical detail, create a strong sense of time and place.  As a result, readers become intimately familiar not only with Chadwick's characters, but also with the personalities and events that shaped the world they lived in.  A Place Beyond Courage is no exception, painting vibrant portraits of both John FitzGilbert and Sybilla of Salisbury, while also chronicling King Stephen and Empress Matilda's war for the English crown that permeated virtually every aspect of their lives.   

Highly recommended to all readers of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in the medieval era and English history. 

Note:  This novel comes from my own personal collection. 

Book Review: Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey

Why must it be me? I wondered. When I am so clearly inadequate to my destiny?

Raised alongside her numerous brothers and sisters by the formidable empress of Austria, ten-year-old Maria Antonia knew that her idyllic existence would one day be sacrificed to her mother's political ambitions. What she never anticipated was that the day in question would come so soon.

Before she can journey from sunlit picnics with her sisters in Vienna to the glitter, glamour, and gossip of Versailles, Antonia must change everything about herself in order to be accepted as dauphine of France and the wife of the awkward teenage boy who will one day be Louis XVI. Yet nothing can prepare her for the ingenuity and influence it will take to become queen.

Filled with smart history, treacherous rivalries, lavish clothes, and sparkling jewels, Becoming Marie Antoinette will utterly captivate fiction and history lovers alike.

Synopsis courtesy of chapters.indigo.ca

My Review

3 Stars

Becoming Marie Antoinette, the first novel in a planned trilogy about the infamous French Queen, follows the life of the title character from her late childhood in her native Austria to the day of her accession to the French throne as the consort Louis XVI.  

It is evident right from outset that a significant amount of research went into the writing of this novel, and that the author took great care to ensure historical accuracy.  This research, in combination with Juliet Grey's often eloquent prose, results in the Austrian and French courts coming vividly to life for the reader.  It also serves to highlight the incredible differences between life in an Austrian palace and that of life at Versailles.  Indeed, the presentation of life at Versailles in particular is one of the novel's greatest strengths.  Another strength is Grey's sympathetic  characterization of Marie Antoinette, who is portrayed as a charming young woman who, in spite of years of preparation for her role as dauphine, is quite unprepared for life within the Bourbon court.   I also enjoyed the brief glimpses into the mind of Empress Maria Therese of Austria, which were showcased through the letters she wrote to her daughter. 

While acknowledging that many of the reviews I have read for this novel have found little if anything to criticize, I had a number of issues with it.  While I generally prefer detailed works of historical fiction to more cursory novels, I don't overly enjoy books that contain exhaustive amounts of detail that add little to a story.  Unfortunately, Becoming Marie Antoinette is an example of a novel containing too much detail.   In fact, there were several instances were it seemed Grey was simply trying to fit in every last piece of her research (the scene in which Marie Antoinette is having her braces affixed immediately comes to mind).   As a result, even though I liked Grey's writing style, this book failed to captivate me.   I think the book would have been better if Grey had spent more time detailing the goings on of the day and less on extensive accounts of what the characters were wearing or how they arranged their hair.   It is my hope that the second novel in the trilogy (Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow -- check back here on October 24th to read my review) will better suit my tastes. 

Recommended to fans of historical fiction interested in the early life of Marie Antoinette and those who enjoy considerable historical detail. 

Note: This novel comes from my own personal collection.

Book Review: Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear

Jacqueline Winspear's marvelous and inspired debut, Maisie Dobbs, won her fans from coast to coast and raised her intuitive, intelligent, and resourceful heroine to the ranks of literature's favorite sleuths. Birds of a Feather finds Maisie Dobbs on another dangerously intriguing adventure in London "between the wars." It is the spring of 1930, and Maisie has been hired to find a runaway heiress. But what seems a simple case at the outset soon becomes increasingly complicated when three of the heiress's old friends are found dead. Is there a connection between the woman's mysterious disappearance and the murders? Who would want to kill three seemingly respectable young women? As Maisie investigates, she discovers that the answers lie in the unforgettable agony of the Great War.

Synopsis courtesy of Chapters.indigo.ca

My Review

3 Stars

Birds of a Feather is the second novel in Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs mystery series.  Set in late 1920s England, the series features a young private detective, Maisie Dobbs, as the heroine.   In this novel Maisie is recruited by a wealthy businessman to locate his runaway daughter.   While the case initially seems straightforward, it soon becomes complicated by the deaths of three former school friends of the runaway woman.   While it seems that the three deaths are unrelated, Maisie investigates them in the hopes they will help solve her case.  What she uncovers leads her back to events of the Great War, which turns her case into one much larger than that of simply locating a runaway woman.

While the mystery component of the series' first novel (titled Maisie Dobbs) wasn't all that mysterious, nor was it the focal point of the book (click here to read my review), in Birds of a Feather the mystery serves as the foundation for the story.  Winspear does a good job of subtlety linking Maisie's case to that of the deaths of three women so that the connection between them does not become obvious until the novel's conclusion.  Winspear also excels, much like she did in her first novel, at illustrating the impact of the lingering effects of the Great War on those whose lived through it.   Ultimately, however, I didn't enjoy Birds of Feather nearly as much as I did the first novel in the series.   My lack of enthusiasm for this book comes down to the simple fact that for much of the novel Maisie, who is clearly an intelligent and independent woman, comes across as cold and detached.   While this is understandable given everything Maisie has been through, it makes it quite difficult for the reader to connect with the heroine.  This begins to change towards the novel's end, which makes me hopeful that Maisie will continue to grow as the series progresses, but not enough to improve my rating.  Nevertheless, I will continue with this series. 

Recommended to fans of the first Maisie Dobbs novel, as well as to those interested in reading books set in the period between the two World Wars.

Note: The novel comes from my own personal collection. 

Book Review: Daughters of Fire by Barbare Erskine

Two thousand years ago, as the Romans invade Britannia, the princess who will become the powerful queen of the great tribe of the Brigantes, watches the enemies of her people come ever closer. Cartimandua's world is, from the start, a maelstrom of love and conflict; revenge and retribution.

In the present day, Edinburgh-based historian, Viv Lloyd Rees, has immersed herself in the legends surrounding the Celtic queen. She has written a book and is working on a dramatisation of the young queen's life with the help of actress, Pat Hebden.

Cartimandua's life takes one unexpected turn after another as tragedy changes the course of her future. But the young queen has formidable enemies - among them Venutios, her childhood sparring partner, and Medb, a woman whose jealousy threatens not only her happiness but her life.

Viv's Head of Department, Hugh Graham, hounds her as she struggles to hide her visions of Cartimandua and her conviction that they are real. Her obsession grows ever more persistent and threatening as she takes possession of an ancient brooch that carries a curse. Both Pat and Hugh are drawn into this dual existence of bitter rivalry and overwhelming love as past envelopes present and the trio find themselves facing the greatest danger of their lives.

My Review

4 Stars

In Barbara Erskine's novel Daughters of Fire, protaganist Viv Lloyd Rees is about to realize a dream with the publication of her scholarly work on Cartimandua, a little known British tribal queen remembered only for betraying Britain to Imperial Rome.  Although her book includes information on Cartimandua never before known, it is generating much advanced buzz mainly for the severe criticism leveled against it by Viv's friend and Department Head, Dr. Hugh Graham.   Hugh, also a Celtic expert, argues that much of the information contained in the book is nothing more than supposition, saying there is no historical evidence to back up many of Viv's claims.   Unbeknownst to Hugh, Viv has formed a "connection" with the Iron Age queen, a connection that revealed much of the information in her book; and which Viv is also using to develop a radio dramatization on the life of Cartimandua.   When Hugh and Viv's behaviours start to alter, followed soon after by that of Viv's dramatization partner, Pat, it becomes apparent that there is much more to Viv's 'connection' with Cartimandua than meets the eye, and that it relates, in some way, to an ancient Celtic broach believed to have once belonged to the Brigantine queen.   Viv, Hugh and Pat soon find themselves completely entangled in events of the past.  While this situation brings to light people, events and motivations that have been lost to history, they also place Viv, Hugh and Pat's very lives in grave danger.   

Daughters of Fire is a richly atmospheric novel, one in which events of the past and present become so intertwined that it is difficult to separate them.  Although a huge fan of time slip novels, I sometimes find that narrative transitions between past and present story lines can be rough and inconsistent.   This is not an issue in Daughters of Fire, as the ongoing shifts between the modern day and historical story lines are well executed.  I also found the continual narrative shifts, which are often suspenseful, helped to move the novel along quickly and kept the book, at over 550 pages, from feeling too long.   While I enjoyed the novel overall, I did have one issue with it - I didn't connect with any of the principal characters.  While it is unusual for me to enjoy a novel when ambivalent towards the main characters, my lack of connection to Viv, Hugh or Pat didn't in any way detract from my fascination with the story itself.   

Daughters of Fire is recommended to fans of historical time slip novels.   In fact, fans of time slip novels who haven't already done so are encouraged to check out novelist Barbara Erskine's works in general. 

Note: This book comes from my own personal collection.

Book Review: The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Blending archaeological fact and legend, the myths of the gods and the feats of heroes, Marion Zimmer Bradley breathes new life into the classic tale of the Trojan War-reinventing larger-than-life figures as living people engaged in a desperate struggle that dooms both the victors and the vanquished, their fate seen through the eyes of Kassandra-priestess, princess, and passionate woman with the spirit of a warrior.

Synopsis courtesy of chapters.indigo.ca



My Review

4 Stars

Set in ancient Troy in the years immediately before and during the Trojan War, The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley brings the classical world to life from the perspective of one young woman, Kassandra, daughter of Troy's King Priam and twin sister to Paris. 

In an age when Trojan noblewomen were expected to do nothing more than make a good marriage and bring forth heirs, Trojan princess Kassandra is anything but ordinary.   While called to serve the gods at an early age and given the gift of prophecy, Kassandra is sent by her mother, Hecuba, to spend her formative years with the legendary Amazon warriors.  Under the tutelage of Amazon leader Penthesilea, Kassandra trains as a warrior and learns the art of war.  As a Trojan princess, however, Kassandra is not destined to permanently join the ranks of the Amazons and, after spending some time in the city of Colchis, returns to Troy.  Once she arrives home Kassandra dedicates her life to Apollo by serving as one of his priestesses.  While all seems well in Troy, one of the greatest cities in the classical world, Kassandra is subject to horrifying visions of the city's destruction.  Although Kassandra hopes these visions are not what they seem, when Paris returns home from a diplomatic mission with Helen of Sparta, the wife of Menelaus and sister-in-law of the great Agamemnon, by his side, Kassandra knows that Helen's coming will result in the fall of the city.   Kassandra tries to warn her father and brothers, including heroic Hector, but her warnings fall on deaf ears.   Even when Agamemnon, Menelaus, Odysseus, the great warrior Achilles and their thousands of ships filled with their armies land on the shores of Troy, only Kassandra has any sense of doom.   As Kassandra's visions continue to plague her, she tries again and again to convince her family to heed her warnings.   Will Priam, Hector and Paris take Kassandra's words to heart and do whatever it takes to save themselves and their beloved city?

For readers familiar with the legend of the Trojan War, many aspects of story presented in The Firebrand will be recognizable.  What separates this novel from the multitude of others set during the Trojan War is that it is told not from the perspective of one of the key figures of the War such as Hector, Paris, Helen or Achilles, but rather from the perspective of the lesser known Kassandra.  While I was already familiar with the legend of the Trojan War before reading this novel, I did enjoy reading about it from Kassandra's perspective.  I even found myself growing increasingly frustrated right along with Kassandra as her constant warnings of Troy's coming destruction failed to be taken seriously.   The greatest strength of this novel lies in the characters, all of whom are well drawn by the author.  Kassandra is a smart, independent heroine who is willing to fight for what she believes in.  Nevertheless, she fails to change her approach to communicating her visions even after it is apparent no one believes her.   For Trojan hero Hector, honour is everything.  While determined to keep his city safe, Hector's willingness to die for Troy causes him to continually put his life in jeopardy even though it is his masterful leadership that is most needed.  Helen of Sparta, used as the primary excuse for the start of the War, fails to heed Kassandra's warnings of her role in Troy's destruction and is adamant about staying in Troy with Paris.  But Helen also possesses a remarkable strength of character that draws Kassandra to her.  Achilles is famed for his prowess in battle, but his blood lust makes him difficult to feel any sympathy towards.   These characters, along with a multitude of others, including Odysseus, Andromache, Aeneas and Hecuba, are what make the The Firebrand truly come alive. 

An enjoyable novel overall, the only aspect of the book I have an issue with is the length.  Coming in at just under 600 pages, this book is not a quick read.  I don't mind lengthy novels so long as they are well-paced, but at times, especially early in the book, I felt the story dragged.   While I thought the novel moved along nicely once Helen arrived on the scene, there were a few plot points concerning Kassandra that I don't feel added value to the overall tale.  While this didn't detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the book, it did have an impact on my final rating.  

The Firebrand is recommended to readers who enjoy fiction with strong female leads and those interested in reading about the Trojan War.  

Note: The novel comes from my own personal collection.

Mini Book Reviews

I hope this post finds everyone enjoying their summer (or winter for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere).  While I've managed to get a lot of reading done so far this summer, I admit that I haven't been all that inspired to write lengthy reviews. Nevertheless, as I would still like to share my thoughts on a number of the books I've read over the past few months, I have prepared mini reviews for them. 

Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

4.5 Stars

Historical author Michelle Moran's first novel, Nefertiti, is a fictionalized account of the life of the infamous Egyptian Queen.  Told from the perspective of Nefertiti's younger sister, Mutnodjmet, Moran's lovely prose brings ancient Egypt to life and evokes a strong sense of time and place.   It also features fabulous characters, a strong plot and great historical detail, all of which are necessary for me to consider a novel a great work of historical fiction.   Given that Nefertiti's behaviour, attitude and actions make her a hard character to amass any sympathy for, the decision to use her sister as the means through which to recount Nefertiti's life was the right one.    
 

Hereward by James Wilde

3.5 Stars

The focus of this novel authored by James Wilde is on the title character, an English outlaw and hero, and his companion, a young monk named Alric.  The novel takes place primarily in England in the years immediately before and after the Norman Conquest.  Although an outlaw, Hereward fights first to prevent, and then to end, Norman occupation of England.  Although it took me the better part of the novel before I warmed towards Hereward, who is portrayed as rather violent and angry, by the story's end I at least started to appreciate why he is considered an English hero.  While Hereward's narrative is the principal focus of this book, the story does alternate between Hereward's life and that of life at the courts of English King's Edward Wessex and Harold Godwinson.  While I found the narrative switches to, at times, interrupt the flow of the story, I nevertheless appreciated the inclusion of life at court as it was used to help explain the political situation of the time period in which the novel is set.   Although at times a little too violent for my tastes, I did enjoy the novel overall and would recommend it to historical fiction readers interested in the Conquest period of English history.   Hereward's journey continues in Hereward: The Devil's Army. 

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

2.5 Stars

While this novel started out strongly, my enjoyment of it lessened the further I advanced in the story.   Set a few years after the end of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, Death Comes to Pemberley features a murder on the grounds of the Pemberley estate; a murder that involves Elizabeth Darcy's sister Lydia and brother-in-law, Wickham.   While I think P.D. James does an admirable job of capturing Austen's voice and tone, especially early in the novel, the endless repetition of plot points becomes tedious even before the novel's half-way mark.   Furthermore, even though the accused murderer is believed innocent by the Darcy's, their family and their acquaintances, for a novel billed as a mystery I found it odd that there is absolutely no effort made by the key characters to determine who the actual murderer is.   Rather, the focus seems to be on how the accused murderer's link to the Darcy's will forever change their lives and reputation, essentially destroying their idyllic life.  If this was the case, why didn't the Darcy's do whatever they could to solve the murder and absolve the accused?  Their lack of interest in doing so, combined with their increasingly morose and melancholy moods neither felt right, nor felt consistent with the original characterizations of Austen's beloved hero and heroine. 


Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan

4.5 Stars

Theft of Swords, the first installment in Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Revelations fantasy series, is a must read for fans of the fantasy genre.  At the centre of the story are thief Royce Melborn and mercenary Hadrian Blackwater, who, while in the process of trying to steal a sword, are accused of murdering a king.  Lured into a trap in order to cover up treachery at the highest levels, Royce and Hadrian receive help from a most unexpected source and, as a result, set off on an adventure quite unlike any they have experienced before. With a relatively straightforward plot and a manageable cast of characters that doesn't leave the reader wondering who's who, Theft of Swords is a highly readable and entertaining fantasy novel, one that I found difficult to put down.  Sullivan has created not only an interesting world, but also a fabulous cast of characters.  In fact, it took only the first few chapters for Royce and Hadrian to become two of my favourite characters in all of fiction.   When I finished the novel I immediately picked up the second installment in the series, Rise of Empire, as I  had to know what happened next.   On the whole I think this novel will appeal to fans of both simple and more complex epic fantasy. 

Book Review: The Thing About Thugs by Tabish Khair

In a small Bihari village, Captain William T. Meadows finds just the man to further his phrenological research back home: Amir Ali, confessed member of the infamous Thugee cult. With tales of a murderous youth redeemed, Ali gains passage to England, his villainously shaped skull there to be studied. Only Ali knows just how embroidered his story is, so when a killer begins depriving London’s underclass of their heads, suspicion naturally falls on the “thug.” With help from fellow immigrants led by a shrewd Punjabi woman, Ali journeys deep into a hostile city in an attempt to save himself and end the gruesome murders.

Ranging from skull-lined mansions to underground tunnels a ghostly people call home, The Thing about Thugs is a feat of imagination to rival Wilkie Collins or Michael Chabon. Short-listed for the 2010 Man Asian Literary Prize, this sly Victorian role reversal marks the arrival of a compelling new Indian novelist to North America.

My Review

3 Stars

Tabish Khair's The Thing About Thugs is a fast-moving tale set predominantly in Victorian England.   The novel's protaganist is a young Indian man, Amir Ali, who spins tales of his involvement with India's notorious Thugee cult to a British scientist, Captain Meadows, who is recovering from illness in Amir's village.  Fascinated by both Amir's tale and his claim to now being reformed, Captain Meadows invites Amir back to England so he can write about his experiences.  While in England, Amir becomes engaged not only in Captain Meadows' world, but also those of the English working class and various other colonials who find themselves in England.   When a wave of grisly beheadings grips London, suspicion quickly falls on Amir, whose supposed involvement with the Thugee cult has citizens - who don't believe he is reformed - assuming he is capable of committing horrific crimes.   Can Amir and his friends convince London that, contrary to popular belief, he is not responsible for the murders? 

I have mixed feelings about this novel.  While I found both the story and the characters fascinating, the narrative technique employed by Khair to tell this tale did not work for me and had a significant impact on my rating.   Told from several different perspectives, including that of a man in the modern day, the constant shifts in perspective interrupted the story's flow and were often times, especially early in the novel, confusing.  Nevertheless, Khair has created some memorable characters in this novel and, through his often eloquent prose, he vividly brings to life some of the seedier aspects of Victorian London.  In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed how Khair wove the 'science' of phrenology, which was quite popular during the Victorian era, into the narrative.  Despite my difficulty with the style in which this novel is written, it will not deter me from reading other novels by this author.   

Note: I received a copy of The Thing About Thugs from the publisher as part of the novel's TLC book tour.  This in no way influenced my views on the novel. 

About the Author

Tabish Khair is an award-winning poet, journalist, critic, educator and novelist. A citizen of India, he lives in Denmark and teaches literature at Aarhus University.

You can visit the author's webpage by clicking on this link: http://www.tabishkhair.co.uk/





 
The Thing About Thugs is currently on tour with TLC.   Click here to check out the tour schedule and find links to other reviews.

Review Bundle: Charles Todd's Bess Crawford Mysteries

My Review:

After having read the fourth novel in Charles Todd's Bess Crawford mystery series, An Unmarked Grave (click here to read my review), I then proceeded to read the first three novels in the series - A Duty to the Dead, An Impartial Witness, and A Bitter Truth.  Given the similarities between each of the three novels I've decided to bundle them together into one review. 

Set in England and at various casualty clearing stations near the front lines during the Great War, the heroine of this series is young English battlefield nurse Bess Crawford.  The only child of a famed British Army Colonel, Bess becomes a nursing sister in an effort to do her part to help the war effort.  But nursing is not the only thing Bess finds herself engaged in during the War, as she also becomes involved in trying to solve the mysterious deaths of several people whose lives, in one way or another, intersect with her own. 

In A Duty to the Dead, Bess is entrusted with delivering Lieutenant Arthur Graham's last message to his family.  While the young officer was administered to by Bess on the hospital ship Britannic, the two became close.  After recovering from injuries sustained during the sinking of the Britannic, Bess is finally able to deliver Lieutenant Graham's message.  As Lieutenant Graham had impressed upon Bess that the message was of the utmost importance to convey, she is surprised by his family's indifferent reaction.  Disappointed and curious at the family's reaction, Bess sets out to discover the message's full meaning by delving into the lives of the Graham family.   In so doing she unearths long buried family secrets, placing her own life in jeopardy in the process. 

In the series second novel, An Impartial Witness, Bess finds herself caught up in another family drama when she witnesses the wife of one of her recent patients tearfully embracing another man at a train station.  When the woman is found murdered the following day, Bess realizes she might be one of the last people to have seen the woman alive and thereby becomes involved with the investigation; a situation that once again puts her life in danger.  

In the series' third novel, A Bitter Truth, Bess finds herself helping an unknown young woman who shows up on her London doorstep after having been abused by her husband.   In her attempt to help the young woman, however, Bess ends up getting pulled into a murder investigation involving the woman's family, an investigation in which everyone is a possible suspect, including Bess herself.  

One of the series' greatest strengths is the Todd's (a mother/son writing team) ability to create a strong sense of time and place.  As a result, the books are able to successfully convey the experiences of the nursing sisters stationed near the front lines at various casualty clearing centres, as well as both the anxieties and carry-on attitudes of those back home.  Bess Crawford is a well-drawn heroine, one for whom it is easy for readers to like.   She's smart, determined and committed to helping others, even if it is not always in her own best interest to do so.  Along the way she is helped by both her father, retired Colonel Crawford, and longtime family friend Simon Brandon, a man who started out his army career as Colonel Crawford's batman before rising through the ranks to become the Regimental Sergeant Major.   It is to Simon that Bess most often turns when she needs advice, support and information to help her solve the investigations she becomes involved in.  While Simon is not a romantic interest for Bess, the way Todd develops their relationship over the course of the series has me wondering if, ultimately, this is where their relationship is headed.  I for one hope this to be the case.  As for the mystery featured in each of three novels, I found them to be both well-developed and plausible.   Further, for this reader at least, their ultimate resolutions were not obvious until the closing pages. 
  
Overall, the first three Bess Crawford mysteries are well thought out and engaging novels.  I recommend them to all fans of the historical mystery genre, as well as to readers interested in historical fiction set during World War I. 

Note: The first two Bess Crawford mysteries come from my own personal collection.   The third was provided to me by the publisher as a thank you for reviewing An Unmarked Grave and I was not under any obligation to review it.  

Book Review: The King's Concubine by Anne O'Brien

One marriage.  Three people.  Proud king.  Loving wife.  Infamous mistress.  1362.  Philippa of Hainault selects a young orphan from a convent. Alice Perrers, a girl born with nothing but ambition. The Queen has a role waiting for her at court. 

‘I have lifted you from nothing Alice. Now you repay me.’ 

Led down the corridors of the royal palace, the young virgin is secretly delivered to King Edward III – to perform the wifely duties of which ailing Philippa is no longer capable.  Power has a price, and Alice Perrers will pay it. 

Mistress to the King.  Confidante of the Queen.  Whore to the court. Her fate is double edged; loved by the majesties, ostracised by her peers. Alice must balance her future with care as her star begins to rise – the despised concubine is not untouchable. 

Politics and pillow talk are dangerous bedfellows.  The fading great King wants her in his bed. Her enemies want her banished.  One mistake and Alice will face a threat worse than any malicious whispers of the past.

Synopsis courtesy of amazon.co.uk

My Review

4.5 Stars

Infamous mistress Alice Perrers is best known for being the long-time lover of England's King Edward III.  Reviled by her contemporaries for being too ambitious and over-stepping her station, history has not been kind to Alice.  Despite her notorious reputation, little is actually known about Alice's life, or about how she managed to catch and keep the eye of a king.

In The King's Concubine, historical novelist Anne O'Brien vividly brings Alice Perrers and the era in which she lived to life.  Rather than being portrayed as a manipulative, power-hungry schemer,  O'Brien's Alice Perrers is a fiercely loyal, able and determined young woman who puts the needs of her monarchs above her own, even if her reputation could suffer for it.  Although I'm not usually a fan of first-person narratives, the use of Alice as narrator of her own tale works brilliantly for The King's Concubine.  This choice of narrative technique enables the reader to really come to know Alice and understand the reasons behind the choices she made.  Through Alice's eyes the reader sees how Queen Philippa, stricken with illness, struggles to come to terms with both her physical condition and her decision to purposely place Alice in the path of the king.  Throughout the novel the reader is able to witness firsthand the gradual physical and mental decline of the once great King Edward III, a man whose later years were marked not only by the loss of his beloved wife, but by the illness and eventual death of his son and heir, Edward the Black Prince, and the significant loss of English territories in France.  While always considerate of her own future, the Alice Perrers of this novel consistently demonstrates her willingness to protect the king during his decline and, though surrounded by enemies, she stays devoted to the him until his death. 

In addition to O'Brien's wonderfully sympathetic characterization of Alice, what makes this novel such a worthwhile read is that this fictionalized account of Alice's life comes across as entirely plausible.   While it is likely that we'll never know who the real Alice Perrers was, I would like to believe that her true character is consistent with her portrayal in this novel. 

I highly recommend The King's Concubine to fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in reading about the medieval period and those who enjoy books with strong female protagonists.

Note: The book comes from my own personal collection.

 

Book Review: The Stolen Crown by Susan Higginbotham

When six-year-old Kate Woodville’s beautiful sister Elizabeth makes a shocking—and secret—marriage to King Edward IV in 1464, Kate and her large family are whisked to the king’s court. Soon a bedazzled Kate becomes one of the greatest ladies in the land when she marries young Harry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. But Kate’s fairy-tale existence as a duchess is shattered when the ongoing conflict between the houses of Lancaster and York engulfs the Woodville family.

As Edward IV fights to keep his crown, Harry’s relatives become hopelessly divided between Lancaster and York. Forced constantly to struggle with his own allegiances, Harry faces his defining moment when his dear friend Richard, Duke of Gloucester, determines to seize the throne for himself as Richard III. With lives in jeopardy and nothing less than a dynasty at stake, Harry’s loyalties—and his conscience—will be put to the ultimate test.

Synopsis courtesy of SusanHigginbotham.com

My Review

4 Stars

Set at the end of the Wars of the Roses and spanning the reigns of Kings Edward IV and Richard III, The Stolen Crown brings to life a tumultuous period in English history from the perspectives of two of the people who witnessed many of its defining moments first hand - Katherine Woodville, younger sister of Elizabeth Woodville, Edward IV's Queen, and Harry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, one of England's preeminent noblemen.   When her sister marries the king, Kate goes from being the mere daughter of a knight to the sister-in-law of the king, a situation that greatly improves her marital prospects.   As a result, it is not long before Kate is married to the young Duke of Buckingham, a ward of the Queen's whose family has ties to the Lancasters.  Although married very young, Kate and Harry's union is a successful and, despite a somewhat rocky start, loving one.  When Edward IV suddenly dies, leaving a young son as his heir, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, takes the governing of England into his own hands and names himself king.  When Harry, who has idolized the Richard since childhood, joins Richard's cause, it tears his relationship with Kate apart.  In the end, Kate must fight not only to save her marriage, but also to help bring down the man who stole the crown from her nephew.

Higginbotham's attention to historical detail is one of the greatest strengths of The Stolen Crown.   As a result, the reader is immersed in a novel that gives a great sense of both time and place, two elements very important to the success of a work of historical fiction.  Higginbotham's attention to historical detail is complemented by her well-drawn characters.  I particularly enjoyed the development of both Kate and Harry, not only as individuals but also as a couple.  Elizabeth Woodville, who is often vilified in fiction, comes across in a positive light and I liked how Higginbotham chose to portray her.   I also enjoyed her characterization of the formidable Margaret Beaufort, whose appearances in the novel are brief but memorable.   The only issue I have with The Stolen Crown lies with Higginbotham's depiction of Richard III.  While there is much debate over Richard's character, his rise to the throne and the fate of the princes in the tower (Edward IV's sons), my views of the much maligned monarch do not mesh with how he is characterized in this novel.  As such, I was a little put off by his portrayal, at least in the second half of the book, as nothing but a power hungry tyrant willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his own ends.  Although I take issue with Higginbotham's portrayal of Richard III, this fact did not diminish my enjoyment of the novel.   Higginbotham's excellent Author's Note presents the case for her portrayal of all the characters featured in the book.    

Overall, The Stolen Crown is a great novel and is highly recommended to fans of historical fiction, especially those set in England. 

Note: The novel comes from my own personal collection. 

Book Review: An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd

World War I nurse and amateur sleuth Bess Crawford matches wits with a devious killer in this exciting and suspenseful adventure from New York Times bestselling author Charles Todd.

In the spring of 1918, the Spanish flu epidemic spreads, killing millions of soldiers and civilians across the globe. Overwhelmed by the constant flow of wounded soldiers coming from the French front, battlefield nurse Bess Crawford must now contend with hundreds of influenza patients as well.
 
However, war and disease are not the only killers to strike. Bess discovers, concealed among the dead waiting for burial, the body of an officer who has been murdered. Though she is devoted to all her patients, this soldier's death touches her deeply. Not only did the man serve in her father's former regiment, he was also a family friend.

Before she can report the terrible news, Bess falls ill, the latest victim of the flu. By the time she recovers, the murdered officer has been buried, and the only other person who saw the body has hanged himself. Or did he?

Working her father's connections in the military, Bess begins to piece together what little evidence she can find to unmask the elusive killer and see justice served. But she must be as vigilant as she is tenacious. With a determined killer on her heels, each move Bess makes could be her last.

Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.com

My Review

4 Stars

An Unmarked Grave is the fourth entry in Charles Todd's Bess Crawford mystery series.   This novel opens with the heroine, British nurse Bess Crawford, working tirelessly in a field hospital full of soldiers wounded at the front, as well as those suffering from the flu, which is reeking havoc all across Europe.   When secretly called upon to view the body of a man whose death an orderly believes suspicious, Bess discovers that the body belongs to a close family friend and officer within her father's regiment.  Determined to get to the bottom of the apparent murder, Bess makes plans to discuss her findings with her nursing superior at the earliest opportunity.  Unfortunately, Bess almost immediately falls ill with the flu herself, and it is weeks before she's recovered enough to investigate further.   Moving between the French front and the English countryside, Bess never gives up on her quest to uncover the truth.  Yet, with a number of new murders, it appears the killer is one step ahead of Bess.   More dire is that Bess herself has become a target.   Will Bess be able to solve the murders before she becomes a victim herself?

Overall, I enjoyed this novel immensely.  Bess is a strong heroine who is easy to relate to and her attitudes and actions are consistent with the time period in which she lived.   The secondary characters, including Bess' parents and friend, Simon, are also wonderfully drawn and interesting.  The mystery itself is intriguing and left me guessing as to the killer's identify until the very end.  I especially like the fact that this novel is set against the backdrop of World War I, a period in which becoming increasingly interested.   Todd's descriptions of life in a field hospital are especially vivid.

Not having read any of the previous novels in the Bess Crawford mystery series, I was a little worried that my unfamiliarity with the events of earlier books might make it difficult for me to understand some of the back story included in this one.  It turns out that this wasn't an issue and, as a result, the novel stands well on its own.   Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to going back to the beginning of the series to read the books I've missed.   I highly recommend this novel to fans of historical mysteries.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



An Unmarked Grave is currently on tour with TLC Book Tours.   Click here to view the tour schedule.  You can also check out the author's webpage by clicking here. 

Book Review: The Queen's Vow by C.W. Gortner

No one believed I was destined for greatness.

So begins Isabella's story, in this evocative, vividly imagined novel about one of history's most famous and controversial queens-the warrior who united a fractured country, the champion of the faith whose reign gave rise to the Inquisition, and the visionary who sent Columbus to discover a New World. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner envisages the turbulent early years of a woman whose mythic rise to power would go on to transform a monarchy, a nation, and the world.

Young Isabella is barely a teenager when she and her brother are taken from their mother's home to live under the watchful eye of their half-brother, King Enrique, and his sultry, conniving queen. There Isabella is thrust into danger when she becomes an unwitting pawn in a plot to dethrone Enrique. Suspected of treason and held captive, she treads a perilous path, torn between loyalties, until at age seventeen she suddenly finds herself heiress of Castile, the largest kingdom in Spain. Plunged into a deadly conflict to secure her crown, she is determined to wed the one man she loves yet who is forbidden to her-Fernando, prince of Aragon.

As they unite their two realms under "one crown, one country, one faith," Isabella and Fernando face an impoverished Spain beset by enemies. With the future of her throne at stake, Isabella resists the zealous demands of the inquisitor Torquemada even as she is seduced by the dreams of an enigmatic navigator named Columbus. But when the Moors of the southern domain of Granada declare war, a violent, treacherous battle against an ancient adversary erupts, one that will test all of Isabella's resolve, her courage, and her tenacious belief in her destiny.

From the glorious palaces of Segovia to the battlefields of Granada and the intrigue-laden gardens of Seville, The Queen's Vow sweeps us into the tumultuous forging of a nation and the complex, fascinating heart of the woman who overcame all odds to become Isabella of Castile.

Click here to view the book trailer on YouTube.  

My Review

4.5 Stars

Historical novelist C.W. Gortner's latest release, The Queen's Vow, is a biographical novel about one of history's most famous female monarchs, Isabella of Castile.   While the novel doesn't follow Isabella's life and reign in their entirety, it does cover their most significant aspects, including her early years with her mother and brother in Arevalo, her tumultuous days at the court of her half-brother King Enrique, her marriage to Fernando of Aragon and fight for her crown, and her reign as Queen of Castile up until her decision to sponsor Christopher Columbus on his journey to the New World.  

Gortner does an admirable job of bringing Isabella of Castile to life and this is complemented by his lovely, descriptive prose.  I particularly enjoyed how Gortner chose to characterize Isabella, who is portrayed as an intelligent, loyal and determined woman, one whose chosen courses of action are always made in consideration of what she feels is best for Castile, even if they are actions she doesn't necessarily agree with.   While Isabella is often praised for the many reforms she instituted within her Kingdom, including her support for women's education, as well as for her efforts, along with her husband Fernando, towards the unification of Castile and Aragon, she is also much criticized for her agreement to establish the Spanish Inquisition and subsequent expulsion of the Jews.  Although Gortner paints Isabella in a positive light throughout most of the novel, he doesn't try to diminish her role in the Inquisition or her decision to expel the Jews.  He does however, portray Isabella as a woman who thought long and hard before making such momentous decisions, one who understood what her decisions would mean for those they directly impacted.  As Gortner notes in his author's afterword, little to nothing is known about Isabella's true feelings on the Inquisition and expulsion of the Jews, so Gortner used what is known about her personality to craft the views she espouses in this novel.  While we'll never know if Gortner's interpretation accurately reflects Isabella's actual beliefs, they are consistent with how she is portrayed in the rest of the novel and thus make them plausible.

One of the things I love about reading historical fiction is that it provides the opportunity to not only be entertained, but also informed.   Prior to reading this novel my knowledge of Isabella of Castile did not extend much beyond her marriage to Fernando, her sponsorship of Christopher Columbus and the fact that she was the mother of Catherine of Aragon and Juana of Castile.  I had no idea she had such a turbulent upbringing, that her marriage to Fernando was arranged at her request, nor that many of the decisions about the rule of Castile were hers to make alone.   Thanks to The Queen's Vow I now have a much greater appreciation for Queen Isabella, as well as a desire to learn even more about her.

If you've not read any of C.W. Gortner's novels I highly recommend you do so and The Queen's Vow would be a great place to start.     

Note: I received a copy of The Queen's Vow from the publisher as part of the blog tour for the novel. 

You can check out the tour schedule by clicking here.  
You can also follow the tour on twitter by using the hash tag: #QueensVowVirtualTour


Be sure to stop by on June 22 when I'll feature an interview with C.W. Gortner.