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The Crown (Crown #1)

by Nancy Bilyeau (Goodreads Author)

3.78 of 5 stars 3.78 · rating details · 1,591 ratings · 368 reviews

In this debut historical thriller, an aristocratic young nun must find a legendary crown in order to save her father’s life and preserve all she holds dear from Cromwell’s ruthless terror.

When novice nun Joanna Stafford learns her rebel cousin is condemned by King Henry VIII to be burned at the stake, she makes the decision to break the sacred rule of enclosure and run awa...more

Hardcover, 409 pages

Published January 10th 2012 by Touchstone

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May 05, 2012 Patricia Burroughs rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: british-isles, historical, mystery

A mystery set in the reign of Henry VIII (after he set aside Katharine of Aragon and off-with-her-headed Anne Boleyn, during his marriage to Jane Seymour). It is a cracking good tale with murder, blood, betrayal and crimes of passion, set amidst a world of religious peril, because the main character, Joanna, is a Catholic nun. (You might recall Henry VIII’s awkward relationship with Rome and the slight grudge he had against the Roman Church?)

I find the point of view of Sister Joanna quite compel...more

12 likes · like · see review

Jan 18, 2012 Jenny Q rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour, review-copy

When I picked up this book to start reading I was thinking, OK, how exciting can a book about a nun really be? Well the answer is: VERY! I was pleasantly surprised to discover this book was nothing like I was expecting and Joanna Stafford made for a great protagonist. I think that's mainly because she's really not cut out to be a nun, despite her fervent faith, but she hasn't quite figured that out yet. She's educated and she was raised to be a lady of the court, so she's wise in many ways that...more When I picked up this book to start reading I was thinking, OK, how exciting can a book about a nun really be? Well the answer is: VERY! I was pleasantly surprised to discover this book was nothing like I was expecting and Joanna Stafford made for a great protagonist. I think that's mainly because she's really not cut out to be a nun, despite her fervent faith, but she hasn't quite figured that out yet. She's educated and she was raised to be a lady of the court, so she's wise in many ways that her fellow sisters are not. She's opinionated, has a take charge attitude, stands up for what she believes in, and has a hard time keeping her mouth shut. Those qualities don't make for a very good nun, but they do make for an excellent heroine!

This is a mystery and the back cover copy does a good job of setting up the story, so I won't risk divulging any spoilers by describing the plot. But I will say that Nancy Bilyeau is an excellent writer. She really gets into some of the political intricacies of Henry VIII and his advisors, and seamlessly weaves them into a tale of blackmail and the search for a holy relic set amidst the lives of some of the people who have the most to lose from Thomas Cromwell's war against the Catholic Church. The narrative is perfect, the period details are just right, the characters are intriguing, and it really is a well-crafted novel.

But, there are two things that keep me from rating this higher. The story is exciting and takes some good twists and turns, but it also suffers from some very slow periods and I found myself skimming to get back to the action. And, as a hopeless romantic, I was disappointed in some choices Joanna made at the end of the story and I was left feeling a little dissatisfied. So I had to find out if Nancy is writing another Joanna Stafford book, and she is! After the way things played out in The Crown, Joanna should be in for some adventurous times in a dangerous environment and I'm looking forward to the continuation of her story.

Author Guest Post and Giveaway Jan. 16-24 at Let Them Read Books!(less)

9 likes · like · see review

May 07, 2012 Shruti rated it 3 of 5 stars

I picked up this book because it was supposed to be a mix of The Da Vinci Code and a Philippa Gregory novel. I would say that it was significantly more Philippa Gregory than Da Vinci Code.

The book is written in the time of King Henry VIII and told from Joanna's perspective. This is done moderately well, but lacks the detail and insight that Gregory weaves into her books. Moreover, it leaves out a a lot of thoughts that would have strengthened the characters. For example, (view spoiler)...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Christy English rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this one...lots of Tudor intrigue and a loveable heroine...it does my heart good to read a good book :)

5 likes · like · see review

Feb 27, 2013 Kathleen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nancy Bilyeau was gracious enough to forward me The Crown when I requested her book The Chalice.I would say that I was doubly lucky as The Crown introduced me to a unique interpretation of the suppression of religious houses.
Sister Joanna Stafford is born to royalty is a perilous time. Henry VIII was a threat to family and friends alike.Joanna's tale was a glimpse into what those threat were and how difficult it was to survive.
Joanna did survive using her contacts, her intellect and personal cou...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 30, 2013 McKerley & Schippers rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just like one of the main characters in the victorian chapters of my own 'Bloodlines Touch Not the Cat",
I tend to wonder past bookcases in libraries and bookstores to sense what is calling out for me, without looking for specific authors or titles.
Its how I found "The Crown" by Nancy Bilyeau in the relatively small library of Scheveningen (The Hague).

I dont read much fiction anymore being caught up in research for my own writings;
and I'm long past the "Marie Antoinette"- stage where historical...more

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Mar 09, 2013 Viviane Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Henry VIII and his supporters are busy eliminating opponents, those who opposed his annulment to the first Queen and those who maintain the "old ways" of the Catholic Church, including priests, monks, friars, professed nuns, and novices. Henry wants his Protestant Church (that name is used here, though it was really called Church of England by its adherents) to thrive, and the coffers of the monasteries will add to his dwindling wealth. This is the story of those who oppose Henry but out of diff...more Henry VIII and his supporters are busy eliminating opponents, those who opposed his annulment to the first Queen and those who maintain the "old ways" of the Catholic Church, including priests, monks, friars, professed nuns, and novices. Henry wants his Protestant Church (that name is used here, though it was really called Church of England by its adherents) to thrive, and the coffers of the monasteries will add to his dwindling wealth. This is the story of those who oppose Henry but out of different motives. For Joanna Stafford, the death of her cousin marks the beginning of a long journey of suffering, confusion, shocks, betrayals, and more; however, it's a journey that will deepen her faith and yet free her from its restrictive boundaries.

The protagonists are the nuns in her Dominican home, Dartford Priory, two Dominican friars, Brother Richard and Brother Edmund, various porters and servants, and Bishop Gardiner. The latter has freed her from the notorious Tower, where she has been imprisoned for attending her cousin's execution and as a member of the rebellious Stafford family. Gardiner holds her father hostage and will free him if she finds the secret crown that once belong to a medieval King, Athelstan. The Crown is said to hold a secret that may be a blessing to some, a curse to others, a mystery supposedly applying to those with pure or impure motives who wish to possess it. Is it the curse or coincidence that all who have possessed it have died very soon after briefly owning it?

This is a thriller containing constant surprises as the mystery of the hunt continues and vile acts of others comes to light. But there are unique qualities to Bilyeau's plot. While some may think this is a proverbial stereotypical plot with like characters, nothing could be farther from the truth. For some want to protect the Church which is gradually being exterminated by King Henry VIII, others want to turn the tides of political power with the inherent sacred power of this crown, and others turn to violence because of events that snap the mind in a frightening, life-threatening instant! Most, however, have mixed motives that only get sorted out as the story progresses!

Who will each character ultimately serve? Joanna Stafford is a feisty woman who exhibits incredible intelligence, a penchant for leadership and confrontation when necessary, but also a vulnerable woman acting outside of the confines of roles allowed for women at that time (outside of the seducers in Henry's court, that is) and knowing she yearns for more - and more as the mystery approaches an unexpected end. After what she has endured, how could she settle for a marriage planned by someone else, with a a shadow of existence under the shameful "Stafford" reputation? She can't and so the future remains an open question, and somehow the reader knows disappointment will not loom in the follow-up to this super story. And what of the other relics that are held and then hidden by the Benedictine monks?

The Crown is outstanding historical fiction, a ripping thriller, in short A GEM!!!!(less)

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Oct 23, 2012 Annette rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Crown is a historical fiction that fulfilled my need for a story about England in the 1500s. The atmosphere and politics of that time fascinate me.

Joanna, a Dominican novice in 1537, escapes from Dartford Priory when she discovers her cousin and dear friend is going to be burned at the stake in London for being a traitor to King Henry VIII. Joanna is surprised to find her father there, and both she and her father end up in the Tower of London as prisoners for interfering in the execution.

Joa...more The Crown is a historical fiction that fulfilled my need for a story about England in the 1500s. The atmosphere and politics of that time fascinate me.

Joanna, a Dominican novice in 1537, escapes from Dartford Priory when she discovers her cousin and dear friend is going to be burned at the stake in London for being a traitor to King Henry VIII. Joanna is surprised to find her father there, and both she and her father end up in the Tower of London as prisoners for interfering in the execution.

Joanna is eventually release back to her convent after promising Bishop Gardiner that she will secretly search for a mysterious crown with great powers that is supposedly hidden at Dartford. Gardiner is holding Joanna's father at the Tower until she finds the crown. Joanna returns to Dartfort with two displaced monks, Brother Edmond and Brother Richard. Joanna knows the crown was worn by King Athelstan in 937 but not much else.

The Crown becomes a mystery after a murder is committed at the Priory, and an adventure as Joanna, with the help of Brother Edmund, travels the country in search of clues about Athelstan and his crown. The plot weaves expertly from one situation to the next, never confusing, but with subtle complexities and several surprising twists. My only complaint is that too much time is spent on Joanna's internment at The Tower. Nothing that happens during this part has much significance for the rest of the plot, so some of that could have been edited.

All is not what it seems at Dartford. You would think nuns would be boring, but not these nuns! The Crown is further complicated by the fact that Cromwell's men are threatening to shutter the priory, as they have done throughout the country. Time is running out, and it seems there is no one Joanna can trust.

I liked Joanna and Brother Edmund. Joanna is clever and brave, but confused and understandably frustrated at times. She's so naive when it comes to the real world because she has been so sheltered. I haven't mentioned Geoffrey Scovill, but he's the "perfect" male character that you wish Joanna would be interested in. There's not much romance, but you definitely WISH there were.

I was excited to find out that The Crown is the first in a series about Joanna Stafford. The next book, The Chalice, is releasing in March of 2013, and it will be at the top of my list!

Fans of historical fiction, and in particular Tudor England, will enjoy The Crown. I would recommend this to teens as well as adults.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jun 07, 2012 Judith Starkston rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, strong-women

The Crown, set in 16th century England, follows a young nun as she tries to save her family, her priory and her faith, armed primarily with a stubborn streak and a good mind. There are a number of pleasures to reading this book.

One is watching the development of Joanna. When we meet her, we are struck by her naïveté and unpreparedness for the world that she has thrust herself into, but also by her determination and intelligence. She’s one of those rare people who gain a clearer, more cynical un...more The Crown, set in 16th century England, follows a young nun as she tries to save her family, her priory and her faith, armed primarily with a stubborn streak and a good mind. There are a number of pleasures to reading this book.

One is watching the development of Joanna. When we meet her, we are struck by her naïveté and unpreparedness for the world that she has thrust herself into, but also by her determination and intelligence. She’s one of those rare people who gain a clearer, more cynical understanding of the world without loosing her principles and religious devotion (but allowing them to grow more complex). Her choices don’t follow a predictable pattern. She’s more subtly portrayed than I would have guessed at the outset. Towards the end, characters sometimes heap more praise on Joanna than feels believable—she becomes almost a 16th century superwoman—but for the most part she’s persuasively done. Her limitations and strengths fit within the scope of a well-educated noblewoman who has taken religious vows.

Another delight of reading The Crown lies in its web of intrigue, politics and mysticism. Bilyeau has built a nonstop plot that keeps bringing you to new settings, new crises, and new sides of characters you thought you understood. The Crown reads as a thriller set within the 16th century—hard to put down, full of action. Generally you wouldn’t guess that a Dominican Priory would be so intense, but even the extended portion of the book set there twists with ever rising suspense. Much of the plot arises out of the politics of Henry the Eighth’s court and the upheavals following his split with the Catholic Church. Katherine’s divorce, the Boleyns, Cromwell, the Bishop of Winchester—familiar characters from history take part but not in their stereotypical ways. Added to these pages from history, Bilyeau interweaves a more mystical thread involving the crown of the title—King Athelstan’s crown, the first king of England. Powers beyond human understanding may or may not lie in this crown, but the actual crown is counterpointed against the mystical power of individuals’ beliefs. What sort of miracles are possible and why? Mixed into this theme are characters such as Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, who proclaim deeply held beliefs but who may have participated in pragmatic power plays to such an extent that their doctrines are only a screen behind which they have lost themselves. Deciphering who is trustworthy is a constant challenge in this book both for Joanna and for the reader.

I also enjoyed the 16th century life Bilyeau paints. Through Joanna we understand the quiet value of the life these cloistered women chose and the small graces of community she feels. We also see, smell, and hear castles and manor houses, lowly inns, hovels, and the Tower of London.

The book portrays great cruelty and viciousness, but the overarching sensibility is one of hope and a clear-eyed optimism even in the face of all that tries to crush the human soul. It’s both a fun, fast read you can’t put down and an insightful read about spirituality and endurance.
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Jun 06, 2012 Grace Elliot rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Crown tells the story of Joanna, a novice at Dartford Priory during a turbulent time in history. We join Joanna fighting through a crowd to be with her relative who is about to be burnt at the stake. Through no fault of her own she becomes embroiled in political events that lead her to be arrested and incarcerated in the Tower of London. Whilst there she falls under the power of the manipulative Bishop of Winchester, who frees Joanna on the condition that she seeks the mysterious Crown of At...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 19, 2012 Sandra de Helen rated it 5 of 5 stars

I first learned of The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau when I saw a tweet with a link to a teaser/trailer. This 60 second trailer made me want to know more about the book, and it made me want a trailer for my own book The Hounding. (It’s forthcoming.) I found the author’s blog, I went to amazon.com, and I knew for sure I wanted to read the book. Then an exciting thing happened. I won the book in a contest! Now, I have read it, so I want to tell you about it.
This is an historical novel set in Tudor times,...more

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Apr 19, 2012 Aaron rated it 5 of 5 stars

This incredible first novel brings readers to the months surrounding the birth of King Henry VIII son Edward. Readers are quickly drawn into the tale of Sister Joanna Stafford, the daughter of a fallen English house and a lady-in-waiting to deposed Queen Katherine of Aragon. In fact, Joanna had also served in that capacity in the final days of the Queen's life.

It is that service that led her to a life as a Dominican novice at the Priory of Dartford, an ancient structure that had been set up by K...more This incredible first novel brings readers to the months surrounding the birth of King Henry VIII son Edward. Readers are quickly drawn into the tale of Sister Joanna Stafford, the daughter of a fallen English house and a lady-in-waiting to deposed Queen Katherine of Aragon. In fact, Joanna had also served in that capacity in the final days of the Queen's life.

It is that service that led her to a life as a Dominican novice at the Priory of Dartford, an ancient structure that had been set up by King Edward IV many decades previous. Joanna finds herself sneaking out of the priory at the beginning of the novel to attend the execution (burning at the stake) of her beloved cousin, who is accused of treason against the King for her stance on his attacks on Catholic Church properties to despoil them of their riches and land.

It is during the execution and her father's attempt to bring about a quick end to her cousin that the worst happens. She and her father are arrested and held in the Tower of London for treason. While there, she is brought under the influence of Stephen Gardiner, the Bishop of Winchester. He uses the imprisonment of her father to force her to help him in a search. He believes that her priory holds an ancient relic: one crown worn by the Saxon King Athelstan with a mystic past that is rumored to bring strength and success to worthy leaders and death to those less deserving. The crown also has ties to the Black Prince, Richard the Lionhearted, and Prince Arthur, Queen Katherine's first husband Arthur. Joanna is sent back to her priory with orders for the prioress to take her and two monks into the order to search for the crown in secret.

This is just the start of an investigation that will include murder, political intrigue, rape, and a nation torn apart by the Catholic/Protestant dispute at the core of the Reformation. Fans of Philippa Gregory will be intrigued and not want to put this one down. It is like one of her novels mixed with the Ellis Peters' Brother Cadafael series. I would love to read more about Joanna's story!

It is clear that Bilyeau, a magazine editor, has done her share of research. The novel concludes with a list of strong resources. My only regret is a lack of an Author's Note that would talk more about the real people, places, and events that are woven throughout the tale and what liberties she might have taken with history as part of the drama she created! That doesn't detract from how great the story was, though!(less)

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Apr 05, 2012 Rosanne Lortz rated it 4 of 5 stars

I didn’t enter any historical fiction reading challenges this year, and consequently, the amount of historical fiction in my TBR pile has significantly declined from last year. The Crown, by Nancy Bilyeau is the first historical novel I’ve read, and I’m certainly glad I didn’t pass it up! It’s a historical whodunit that belongs right up there with Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael books and Lindsey Davis’ Falco novels–and if you know my penchant for Peters and Davis, that’s high praise indeed.

Set du...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, murder-mystery, political-espionage, religion

A decent debut novel which lacks the tension and finesse of a more accomplished writer, the book was entertaining and provided glimpses into Tudor England. Perhaps these glimpses are what prevented the book from being great instead of just decent. When I read historical fiction, I want to be immersed in the time period and the characters, but in this book, I found myself researching people and events who were only slightly mentioned so that I could paint the picture for myself. I know some have...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Alison rated it 4 of 5 stars

A perfect blend of historical fiction and mystery! If Dan Brown and Phillippa Gregory had a love child, she would be Nancy Bilyeau.

The year is 1537, King Henry VIII is on the throne next to his newest bride; the Church of England threatens the old ways of Christianity; and aristocrats and religious leaders alike are jockeying for power. Meanwhile, Joanna Stafford, a girl of noble blood and a Novice at Dartford Priory, breaks her vows and travels to the side of her beloved cousin, Lady Margaret...more A perfect blend of historical fiction and mystery! If Dan Brown and Phillippa Gregory had a love child, she would be Nancy Bilyeau.

The year is 1537, King Henry VIII is on the throne next to his newest bride; the Church of England threatens the old ways of Christianity; and aristocrats and religious leaders alike are jockeying for power. Meanwhile, Joanna Stafford, a girl of noble blood and a Novice at Dartford Priory, breaks her vows and travels to the side of her beloved cousin, Lady Margaret Bulmer, who is scheduled to burn at the stake for high treason and plotting against the King. Sister Joanna and her father, the 3rd Duke of Buckingham, caused a scene at the execution and were swiftly arrested, along with a mysterious, but helpful stranger, Geoffrey Scovill.

After several months locked in the Tower of London for her possible association with Margaret's crimes, Stephen Gardiner, the Bishop of Winchester, has a demand to make of Joanna - in order to save her father, she must find a holy relic hidden somewhere back in her priory. She travels back to the priory with two Friars, neither of which know her quest, or the consequences should she fail.

Well-researched, interesting, and suspenseful, THE CROWN was a very good, fast-paced read. There were so many layers to the story, both in regards to the crown, as well as the political story of the time. The story of the relic was fascinating, both in its holy significance, and its legendary mystical properties.

I must admit, there were several times I had to hit Google to refresh my memory on the history of King Henry VIII, as well as the other royal houses of the time. I tend to get a bit dizzy, especially with all of his wives, their family connections, and the men trying to get into the King's favor. Considering that all of my knowledge of 16th century England is from Shakespeare and historical fiction novels, it's always best to check with the facts.

I was also so intrigued by the idea of the Crown that Joanna was sent to find, I also spent some time researching other holy relics, their significance and where they are today. I am happy to report that author Nancy Bilyeau took her research seriously, which makes this story even more fascinating.

There were a few aspects of the novel that seemed a bit incongruent, or unnecessary - the twist with Joanna's father at the end of the story, and the constant threat of a romantic interest for Joanna. I could discuss these two points further, but they were not so significant as to ruin the novel for me. They were my own minor hiccups in what was, on the whole, a very good read.

I believe the ending left room for another book, if not a sequel, than definitely a companion piece. There were so many wonderful characters in THE CROWN, I could see a novel exploring the backgrounds and lives of any one of them!

If you are a fan of Phillippa Gregory or Dan Brown (or both!) you must read THE CROWN.

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Mar 07, 2012 Deborah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: english-setting, european-setting, hardback-i-own, historical-novel, latest-reads, new-author-for-me, reviewer-book, woman-writer

It was apparent immediately that I had the makings of a time-drifting adventure ahead of me when I opened the pages of "The Crown." Do you know what I mean when I talk about a writer's voice? Well, Nancy Bilyeau's voice rings out in storytelling definition from her first sentences, just listen:

" When a burning is announced, the taverns off Smithfield order extra barrels of ale, but when the person to be executed is a woman and one of noble birth, the ale comes by the cartload. I would ride in on...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-historical

C2012: An outstanding debut. In fact, it is difficult to believe that this is a first novel. The author must have meticulously researched the period but managed to blend this research so well into the plot that it was hard to say when fact blurs into fiction. Some of the plot seemed a little tenuous for credibility and I am thinking here of the tapestry section and how it was woven (ha ha – pun) into the story. But that is probably more down to me than the author. I do have to mention that this...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Erin Cashman rated it 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely adored this book! As a fan of historical fiction, I loved the setting: the raid and destruction of the abbeys and monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII, as he broke with the Catholic Church. The period details where richly painted by the immensely talented Nancy Bilyeau -- from the terror of the Tower of London, to the bloodthirsty crowds at the barbaric executions, to the beauty and serenity of the abbeys and monasteries. But it was the mystery of the Crown that riveted me, hi...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Luanne Ollivier rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nancy Bilyeau began work on her first novel - The Crown - in 2005. Her hard work definitely paid off - The Crown is an absolutely wonderful debut.

The Crown is set in Tudor England in 1537. Joanna Stafford is a novice nun at the Dartford Priory. She leaves without permission to attend the public death of her cousin Lady Margaret Bulmer. Her presence does not go unnoticed. She is found out and soon becomes the unwilling agent of a Bishop determined to find a sacred relic - the Crown of Athelstan....more

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Feb 09, 2012 Alice rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

Tudor period -- Cromwell Dismantling of the monastaries and nunneries. Aside from the religious confusion --dissolving Catholic church, the actions allowed great redistribution of wealth and changed the aristocracy's life pattern choices.
Bilyeau shows how members of church showed themselves as attempting piety or using the church for personal power/gain or both.
The book reminded me of the books I read by Elizabeth Jane Grey as a child and the historical biographies about Elizabeth I and her st...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Pamela Kramer rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau has been described as a cross between Philippa Gregory and Dan Brown (Library Journal) and that is not far off.

The protagonist, Joanna Stafford, is a novice Dominican nun during the turbulent times of King Henry VIII. His first divorce is history and the dissolution of many monasteries has begun. Those who oppose the new religion, thereby opposing the king, are branded as traitors.

Joanna's cousin, Margaret, is to be burned at the stake as a traitor, and Joanna leaves...more

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May 08, 2013 Rusty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery-thriller

Margaret Bulmer is to be burned alive as she has been identified by King Henry VIII as a traitor. She and her northern friends support the traditional church which Henry is disposing of throughout his reign. Joanna Stafford, her cousin, who has been a novice studying to be a nun leaves Dartford priory against her vows to support her cousin. Her father, too, is there and as the flames rise rushes to hurl an explosive to put a quick end to their kinsman. Joanna struggles to get to him. Both are ar...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nancy Bilyeau in her new book, “The Crown” Book One in the Joanna Stafford series published by Touchstone brings us into the life of Joanna Stafford.

From the back cover: Joanna Stafford, a Dominican nun, learns that her favorite cousin has been condemned by Henry VIII to be burned at the stake. Defying the rule of enclosure, Joanna leaves the priory to stand at her cousin’s side. Arrested for interfering with the king’s justice, Joanna, along with her father, is sent to the Tower of London.

While...more Nancy Bilyeau in her new book, “The Crown” Book One in the Joanna Stafford series published by Touchstone brings us into the life of Joanna Stafford.

From the back cover: Joanna Stafford, a Dominican nun, learns that her favorite cousin has been condemned by Henry VIII to be burned at the stake. Defying the rule of enclosure, Joanna leaves the priory to stand at her cousin’s side. Arrested for interfering with the king’s justice, Joanna, along with her father, is sent to the Tower of London.

While Joanna is in the Tower, the ruthless Bishop of Winchester forces her to spy for him: to save her father’s life she must find an ancient relic—a crown so powerful, it may possess the ability to end the Reformation.

With Cromwell’s troops threatening to shutter her priory, bright and bold Joanna must decide who she can trust so that she may save herself, her family, and her sacred way of life. This provocative story melds heart-stopping suspense with historical detail and brings to life the poignant dramas of women and men at a fascinating and critical moment in England’s past.

The quest is on! How much danger can a young novice get into? Well, the answer, according to Nancy Bilyeau, is a lot. Joanna sneaks away from the priory to be at the side of her cousin who is sentenced to death. She and her father are arrested and sent to the infamous Tower of London. There Joanna is blackmailed to return to the priory to find the missing crown of Saxon king Athelstan. History, danger, mystery, action, adventure and thrills abound in “The Crown” Certain characters are full of deceit so we know that there is much more tot he story than what has been told Joanna. However, we only know what Joanna knows as she finds out because the story is told in her first person viewpoint. Get ready for a page-turning, thrill ride. Ms. Bilyeau gets us caught up in the story and the characters lives to the point that we actually hate to say goodbye to them when the book ends. I liked this book very much and look forward to the next adventure from the pen of Nancy Bilyeau.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Touchstone. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Aug 05, 2012 Julia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

"The Crown" begins with Sister Joanna Stafford, a novice nun, running away from the convent to see the execution of her cousin Margaret Bulmer in Smithfield. Both Joanna and Margaret are pious Catholics in the time of Henry VIII. Joanna, whose mother was a Spanish lady-in-waiting to Katherine of Aragon, has chosen to become a Domincan nun, while Margaret and her husband became involved in an uprising against the king's confiscation of the monasteries and priories.

Joanna plans to return to the pr...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Sherry rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was received as a Goodreads Giveaway.

Review for The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau

If you’re looking for an elegant blending of Dan Brown and Philippa Gregory, this is it. The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau is an easy read, in spite of some frightfully historically accurate torture and execution scenes. Her descriptions are lyrical and compelling, which is surprising given her background as a screenwriter. Although it took me a couple chapters to become completely engrossed with the characters, I was...more

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Sep 10, 2012 K. Bird rated it 4 of 5 stars

We meet Dominican novice Joanna Stafford as she breaks the rule of enclosure at her nunnery and travels to see her cousin burned to death as a traitor.

She meets a sympathetic constable, gets imprisoned in the Tower of London, and sees her father tortured.

But that's just the start of her troubles. The King wants to get his greedy hands on the treasures of the nunneries and monasteries, and he's sending nobles to find reasons to close them down.

Joanna might be able to save her own nunnery, if she...more

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Mar 02, 2012 Marg rated it 4 of 5 stars

When a young novice nun sneaks out of her convent to go to London she sets off a change of events that she couldn't even begin to imagine. Sister Joanne Stafford is a member of the aristocratic, once mighty, Stafford family. Her cousin has been implicated in treason and has therefore been sentenced to burn. Joanne is determined that her beloved cousin will not die alone. Once she reaches London, she is caught up in a rough crowd and is only saved when a young constable named Geoffrey Scovill ste...more

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Feb 15, 2012 Lydia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: writers-i-know, book-pregnant

A novice Dominican nun stands beside the rack, in the Tower of London, watching her father as he's tortured at the hands of a power hungry Bishop. To save him, she must leave the safety and beauty of religious life to find a lost relic with connections to her priory, her aristocratic family, and her royal past.

Nancy Bilyeau has created something more subtle and affecting than your standard thriller, more fast-paced and heart-pounding than your standard painstakingly researched historical drama,...more

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Feb 29, 2012 Althea Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you are a fan of Margaret Frazer's Sister Frevisse mysteries - AND you are a fan of The Tudors (either the TV show or the historical time period in general) - there is no question: you should read this book immediately!

An intransigent novice leaves her cloistered order to be present at the execution of her cousin, whose family has fallen afoul of Henry VIII's religious policies. Regardless of the interference of a handsome young man, she is arrested and questioned - and blackmailed into becom...more

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Dec 08, 2011 Kristine rated it 2 of 5 stars

This was a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you!

I love historical fiction. I especially love Tudor England. I’ve read Margaret George, Philippa Gregory and Antonia Fraser. So I wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, I found the characters and the storyline to be a bit weak. It was hard to believe that novices and friars would find breaking their vows, sneaking around the Tower, manipulating people, and lying so easy. The author didn’t show us how difficult these decisions must have been. I could read...more

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About Nancy Bilyeau

Nancy is a writer and magazine editor. She attended the University of Michigan and has lived in Illinois, Michigan and Toronto, Ontario. She is currently the executive editor of "DuJour" magazine and lives in New York City with her husband and two children. "The Crown" took five years to research and write and is on sale in 10 countries.
Bestselling author and historian Alison Weir says of "The Cro...more

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Quotes from The Crown

“When a burning is announced, the taverns off Smithfield Square order extra barrels of ale, but when the person to be executed is a woman and one of noble birth, the ale comes by the cartload.” — 2 people liked it

“A faint acrid smell drifted in through the window, from the cannon fire. But through it all the walls of my prison cell never trembled. The walls of the Tower are the thickest in the land and they never, ever tremble” — 1 person liked it

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