The Queen's Secret

Feb 14, 2012 Lindsay (Little Reader Library) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

'I shall not be mastered by any man.'

A really entertaining historical novel with a gripping plot, 'The Queen's Secret' transports you back in time and puts you at the heart of the visit of Queen Elizabeth I to Kenilworth Castle in 1575. There is much pomp and ceremony as the Queen and her entourage arrives, with Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, having spared no expense to lay on a host of festivities for her majesty's visit to his home. Robert is a trusted ally of the Queen: 'With his innat...more 'I shall not be mastered by any man.'

A really entertaining historical novel with a gripping plot, 'The Queen's Secret' transports you back in time and puts you at the heart of the visit of Queen Elizabeth I to Kenilworth Castle in 1575. There is much pomp and ceremony as the Queen and her entourage arrives, with Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, having spared no expense to lay on a host of festivities for her majesty's visit to his home. Robert is a trusted ally of the Queen: 'With his innate intelligence and quick grasp of any political situation, Robert...was the man she turned to first in a crisis. Or when she needed a little wit and light relief...Robert had always made her laugh when no one else could.' Further, she loves him, would like to marry him, and yet she has refused his offers of marriage, as she fears how much power he would want, and take, if he were on the throne:

'Clever, clever. She could not help but admire his daring, the sheer audacity of a man who would take every opportunity to push himself forward, however many times he was rebuked and rejected...Yet how to restrain a man like Robert once he was on the throne? His charming audacity could only grow, given power and influence on that scale, until her own power became diminished.'

Although Robert desires this position greatly, he nevertheless persists in his illicit adulterous assignations with Lettice, wife of the Earl of Essex, and also the Queen's cousin; passionate meetings which the Queen is all too aware of, and which will not remain a secret amongst the gossiping court for long.

Lucy Morgan is merely a young black court entertainer when we first meet her, viewed with suspicion by some, but she is destined to become close to the Queen herself as she is singled out to sing for the Queen, and subsequently entrusted to spy for her, leaving Lucy in an awkward situation, having been asked by another in court to spy for them! Underlying all of this is the suspicion of a hidden potential assassin and a serious threat to the Queen's life, with Walsingham, the Queen's spymaster, trying to stay one step ahead of them all, ably assisted by the inimitable Master Goodluck, who is also Lucy's guardian.

I loved this novel. I really enjoyed reading it, and I felt that the intrigue and pace of the story was sustained throughout the whole book. There are some very amiable and entertaining characters, none more so than Master Goodluck with his many disguises and his band of accomplices; also young Lucy Morgan and her beautiful voice. The Queen herself is a fascinating character with so many side to her, the public and private face, the longing for a lover and a child, the fear of relinquishing power and of being thought of as like her father. The storyline has many interesting and engaging strands, and secrets abound, including the secret that the Queen hides.

It is only recently that I have begun reading more historical fiction, and I felt like I was in the very safe hands of a gifted storyteller whilst reading this thoroughly researched, compelling, and convincing debut novel. 4.5/5(less)

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May 24, 2013 Hannah (Jaedia) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, britain, tudors, fiction, received-for-review, 16th-century

Originally posted to my blog, Once Upon A Time.

Victoria Lamb has tackled a period of history with very little factual detail, Queen Elizabeth I’s visit to Kenilworth Castle in the Summer of 1575, and produced The Queen’s Secret. A novel that seeks to join the few facts there are with speculation and her own creations and she has done a fantastic job with it.

The Queen’s Secret is a novel of forbidden romance, an assassination plot, and the innocent young girl at the heart of it all, Lucy Morgan....more Originally posted to my blog, Once Upon A Time.

Victoria Lamb has tackled a period of history with very little factual detail, Queen Elizabeth I’s visit to Kenilworth Castle in the Summer of 1575, and produced The Queen’s Secret. A novel that seeks to join the few facts there are with speculation and her own creations and she has done a fantastic job with it.

The Queen’s Secret is a novel of forbidden romance, an assassination plot, and the innocent young girl at the heart of it all, Lucy Morgan. Lucy is a young black court entertainer who encounters much racism because of her skin colour, constantly pushed to the back and hidden so as not to ‘frighten her majesty’. This is in fact how she meets Tom, also black, one of Lord Leicester’s stable boys. They are fascinated by each other, and it is Tom she is with when Leicester asks her to sing for the Queen, to become a part of her inner circle.

I felt as though the novel had a slightly slow start but knowing me that could easily have been because I needed to get my head around the lack of werewolves and magic. It had been a long time since I had read a historical fiction novel and the last one I read was a Philippa Gregory which really lacked in flow. Well, once The Queen’s Secret got going, I couldn’t help but compare it. Victoria has none of those yawnworthy information dumps Philippa Gregory seems to love so much and has such a great flow to her prose that I barely noticed I was reading a novel with multiple perspectives. And her descriptions bring Kenilworth Castle to life and set the mood for the period perfectly.

One of these character perspectives we get access to, aside from Lucy’s of course, is Elizabeth’s. History has immortalised her as a great Queen, so it’s easy to forget that she was also human. Victoria reminds us that she was a woman with needs and wants, that she wasn’t heartless, she did love, but she was also jealous with a short temper just like her father even though she strived to be different from him. She has been painted here as a selfish, churlish character who was generally dislikeable and I really liked this way of looking at her.

Robert (Lord Leicester) and Lettice’s forbidden romance is very sweet, but I also found their sneaking around despite everybody else to be a bit selfish so it was a dilemma for me whether to side with Lettice or disregard her as a cheater. It took me a while to decide whether I thought Lettice was just a selfish piece of work or a woman in life looking for something good, but by the end I’d quite firmly landed on her side. Her husband mistreats her horribly and she’s desperately in love with Robert, while the Queen just comes across as insecure and spoiled. Maybe you’ll think differently when you read it. And then there’s Robert with his vastly extravagant and colourful royal welcome, inviting along top performers and putting on shows and fireworks displays in an attempt to woo the Queen once and for all to marry him, yet quite pompously, he continues sneaking around with Lettice Knollys and dragging poor Lucy in the middle. He’s quite the rogue.

Then of course we have the assassination plot afoot that Goodluck, Lucy’s delightful guardian and spy for the crown, is trying to help Elizabeth’s spymaster uncover and stop. This plays off the romance very nicely, giving the story more meat. Lucy finds herself involved in this too when she’s just trying to stay on everybody’s good side but becoming completely overwhelmed because there is so much more going on in the Tudor courts than she ever could have imagined, much of it quite dangerous when all she wanted to do was sing. She may be young, but she’s not stupid. While her decisions might not always be right, she believes in them. She’s a strong character that I’m eager to see more of.

If you enjoy a good historical novel, particularly you Tudor history lovers out there, I’m positive that The Queen’s Secret is one for you.(less)

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Mar 03, 2012 Katherine Pocock rated it 4 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book. Lamb has managed to do what very little writers manage to do - retell history in a fashion that draws you in from the very first page. Set in the midst of the royal court during the summer of 1575, we follow as young Lucy Morgan is drawn into a web of intrigue and death plots as a black entertainer for the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth is turned from a figure from my history lessons into a human being with very human problems. Surrounding all of this are the constant death...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Book Lovers Never Go to Bed Alone rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Queen's Secret by Victoria Lamb is a look into the inner circle of the Elizabethan Court. Unlike most historical novels however, Lamb has chosen to give us a peak into the Court during a specific event in history. The story centers on a trip Queen Elizabeth and her court took in July of 1575 to Kenilworth, home of Earl Robert Dudley, one of the Queen's long-time favorites. Using the Queen herself and a number of other observers, we get an inside look at the intrigue, romance, and folly of th...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Michelle Jayne rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Queens Secret by Victoria Lamb
(Transworld Publishers)

Queen Elizabeth’s court is a dangerous place. During the summer of 1575 the court arrives at Kenilworth Castle to be entertained with the lavish festivities organised by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, her ‘sweet Robin’. Intrigue is lurking around every corner and Elizabeth has learnt to not to trust those close to her. When the young Lucy Morgan, daughter of African slaves, is asked by the queen to spy on Robert and his lover Lettice Kn...more

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Jul 29, 2012 CuteBadger rated it 3 of 5 stars

During the hot summer of 1575 Queen’s Elizabeth’s annual Progress brings the monarch and her court to Kenilworth Castle, home of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. The Queen is wondering whether she should formalise her relationship with him, and though his ambition is to be King he is also interested in Lettice, the wife of the absent Earl of Essex. The Queen employs entertainer Lucy Morgan to keep an eye on Dudley and Lettice, little knowing that she will be only one of many spies working aroun...more During the hot summer of 1575 Queen’s Elizabeth’s annual Progress brings the monarch and her court to Kenilworth Castle, home of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. The Queen is wondering whether she should formalise her relationship with him, and though his ambition is to be King he is also interested in Lettice, the wife of the absent Earl of Essex. The Queen employs entertainer Lucy Morgan to keep an eye on Dudley and Lettice, little knowing that she will be only one of many spies working around the court. Exactly who is spying on who, and who will keep the Queen safe from danger?

This is a fast-paced novel containing a wealth of historical detail about the life of Queen Elizabeth and her court. Many small details add to the weight of the novel, for example descriptions of the meals provided for the Queen and the lavish entertainments laid on, as well as more personal details such as the length of time it took her ladies to undress her each evening. The book wears this research lightly and does not make the narrative slow or heavy, unlike some historical novels in which the author can’t bear to part with any of their research so crams in too much for the structure of the novel to bear.

The story moves along swiftly leaving the reader no time to get bored. There’s always something going on and something to appreciate, whether the twists and turns of the plot or the sometimes visceral descriptions of Tudor daily life for those from the lowest to the highest in the land.

I enjoyed the depiction of the ageing, vain Queen and her rivalry with Lettice, Countess of Essex over Robert Dudley, and found the man himself attractive, cold and manipulative in turn. My favourite character, however, was Lucy Morgan, the Moorish singer favoured by the Queen. She is to a great extent the eyes of the reader as she is an innocent new to court so stands in for us. She is warm, funny, loyal and brave – it’s a pleasure to spend time in her company.

I felt the more “domestic” storylines around the Queen’s love rivalry and Lucy’s life at court more interesting and more successful than the espionage aspects of the book. It seemed at times that there were too many spies all spying on each other and that this thread of the book was there in order to make the mechanics of the plot work, rather than as an integral element that sprang from the characters and story.

I found the presence of one character in the book (who shall remain nameless for spoiler reasons) a bit too twee – it seemed to cheapen the rest of the novel somehow. I assume that he will meet Lucy again in any sequel. A possible continuation of Lucy’s story is heavily hinted at in a couple of places in the book.

Another aspect of the novel I wasn’t keen on was the portrayal of the barbaric treatment of animals. I know that what is described is what really happened during the Elizabethan era (and regrettably in some places in the present day, but it’s not something I want to read about when reading for pleasure.

I would definitely recommend The Queen’s Secret to lovers of historical fiction, in particular readers who enjoy the books of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir.

I received this book as part of the Transworld Historical Fiction Challenge.
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Jul 13, 2012 Mieneke rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, 2012

The Tudor period is a historical period that's held a fascination for many people for a long time, me included. As such there have been many books written on it and films and even a TV show made about it. One of the most fascinating figures from this period is of course Elizabeth I of England. She's had her fair share of biographies, biopics and historical novels written about her, but people still love to discover more about her. But with the amount of works already devoted to Elizabeth and her...more The Tudor period is a historical period that's held a fascination for many people for a long time, me included. As such there have been many books written on it and films and even a TV show made about it. One of the most fascinating figures from this period is of course Elizabeth I of England. She's had her fair share of biographies, biopics and historical novels written about her, but people still love to discover more about her. But with the amount of works already devoted to Elizabeth and her reign, is it still possible to add something original to what's already out there? It's probably very difficult, but Victoria Lamb definitely gives it a good shot. And I'd dare to say that her look at the Elizabethan court and the love triangle between Elizabeth, Leicester and Lettice Knollys from the perspective of Shakespeare's 'Dark Lady', Lucy Morgan is pretty unique.

The Queen's Secret's story consists of two strands of conspiracy which are connected to each other by Lucy and Elizabeth, but beyond that are largely unconnected; the first being the affair between Elizabeth's favourite the Earl of Leicester and her cousin Lettice Knollys and the second one being the Italian assassination plot. While they are distinct and each divided over an equal number of viewpoints, I found them to be a little confusing at times, not in keeping them apart or figuring them out, but in switching between them. The pace between the two strands is quite different, the assassination plot is of necessity far more time-frame sensitive than Leicester and Lettice, as to fail to solve the former will result in the death of the queen. As a consequence, this storyline moves faster than the one dealing with the affair, which has been going on for a while and of which all players are seemingly aware, but which hasn't yet been discussed openly. While I enjoyed this half of the story more – I kept rooting for Elizabeth to send that awful Leicester off for good – I enjoyed the suspense of the assassination plot.

Lamb employs four viewpoints to tell the tale of The Queen's Secret: Elizabeth, Lettice, Lucy and Goodluck. Each of their voices is distinct and well done, leaving the reader in no doubt as to whose point of view we are reading at any given time. Of the four, Lettice is clearly an antagonist, as she comes across as very unlikeable. She's manipulative, over-ambitious, scheming and self-centred and I just couldn't find it in myself to empathise with her. Elizabeth, on the other hand, came across far less self-assured and iron-spined than she's often portrayed. She's definitely a strong monarch, Elizabeth Gloriana, but once the mask of the white face paint comes off and the wig has gone back on its standard, we are left with a surprisingly vulnerable human being, who doubts her ability to ever become a wife and mother, her ability to keep Leicester interested in her ageing body and who is tired and afraid of the constant vigilance needed against the numerous plots against her life. I rather liked this version of Elizabeth, especially as she isn't all sugar and light either, to her own mortification she's inherited a lot of her father's famous temper, throwing objects at offending ladies-in-waiting and screaming for people to attend her at the top of her voice. Despite this, she never becomes unsympathetic, a balance I thought Lamb achieved quite well.

Our main protagonist is Lucy, the orphaned daughter of African slaves, raised by one of Walsingham's spies. Gifted with a beautiful soprano voice, she is part of Elizabeth's band of court entertainers and is caught up in the greater doings of the court once she is noticed and brought to Elizabeth's attentions by the Earl of Leicester. I enjoyed Lucy's voice; she's an outsider, who simultaneously blends into the background and can't help but stand out. I also loved how she stood up to her guardian Goodluck, when he tries to control who she keeps company with. This brings us to my biggest annoyance with the book: the inevitable love interest for Lucy. I understand why she'd need an ally to help her outside of the higher echelons of the court, but I was a bit disappointed that she would need to fall in love with him and that he would be the only other black person in the book. That just felt unnecessary. Why not have them be friends because they are the only black people at court? Why couldn't she have fallen in love with a white stable hand? I realise that it would have been an impossible love, but why not? Goodluck is the only male point of view we get in the novel and his is the most action-filled, as he's our point of information on the search for the assassins. I liked this mysterious player, who can change his appearance at the drop of a hat. The only things that bugged me about him were the sometimes bordering on inappropriate thoughts he has regarding Lucy. He seems to be moving between seeing her as his daughter and seeing her as an attractive (to him) young woman. But other than that, I enjoyed his chapters and the interactions he had with Lucy and with Walsingham.

Lamb's love for the estate of Kenilworth oozes through the narrative in the detailed descriptions of the estate, the sumptuous descriptions of the feasts and the clothing worn by its inhabitants and visitors. These, together with the captivating characters of Lucy and Elizabeth and Lamb's easy writing style, make for a great read. I really enjoyed Lamb's debut novel and having heard lovely things about her YA novel Witchstruck, I'm hoping to read that as well. If you enjoy historical fiction set in the Tudor age or enjoy a tale of spies and derring-do, The Queen's Secret comes highly recommended.

This book was provided for review by the publisher as part of the Transworld Historical Fiction Reading Challenge (less)

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Aug 03, 2012 Peachyteachy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I just finished this historical fiction novel by Victoria Lamb. This book tells of intrigue, vicious plots, and nasty people all within the court of Elizabeth I. Lamb writes detailed descriptive passages in such a way that the senses are constantly engaged. You can smell the rankness of the unsanitary and unhygienic times of the late 16th century. You can feel the roughness of the fabrics worn and the sleeping places that were de rigeur of the time. You can see the splendor that was to be had an...more

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May 06, 2012 Yvann S rated it 3 of 5 stars

“Who would have thought the orphaned daughter of a Moorish slave could find such favour at the English court?”

Lucy Morgan, a young Moorish singer, finds herself catapulted into the Queen’s favour at a summer progress. She becomes a secret emissary between lovers and spies; with assassination plots abounding, it won’t be long before Lucy’s world comes crashing down around her ears…

I gave up on this after about 180 pages; I got fed up of the constant to-and-fro of the love triangle of Queen Elizab...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review -
4.5 Stars - Brilliant!
For me, 'The Queen's Secret' has absolutely everything you need in a good book:
Well drawn and contrasting characters including - the many faces of the 'Virgin' Queen Elizabeth I; the charming, ambitious Earl of Leicester with a jealous, married, 'secret' lover Lettice; spies, murderers, bear-tamers and the wonderful innocent, virtuous 'songbird' Lucy Morgan - the Queen's dark-skinned Moorish entertainer who soon becomes the Queen's favourite and unlikely heroine o...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

I received this book to read as part of the 2012 Transworld Historical Fiction Challenge and was originally featured on Two Little Birds .

I loved this book for several reasons. The first reason is the setting, it is set over a few weeks in 1575 when Elizabeth I visits Kenilworth Castle, home of her favourite the Earl of Leicester, on her summer progress. I have read quite a lot of Tudor-set novels and most of them take place over years, for example the adult life of a famous figure or for the d...more I received this book to read as part of the 2012 Transworld Historical Fiction Challenge and was originally featured on Two Little Birds .

I loved this book for several reasons. The first reason is the setting, it is set over a few weeks in 1575 when Elizabeth I visits Kenilworth Castle, home of her favourite the Earl of Leicester, on her summer progress. I have read quite a lot of Tudor-set novels and most of them take place over years, for example the adult life of a famous figure or for the duration of a relationship. To dip into the life of Elizabeth I over such a short time was refreshing. It meant there was more room for the descriptions of the more mundane events in her everyday life such as getting dressed, her meals etc which made great settings for the conversations and gossip that would have been so much the part of court life. It made the events, and characters, in the book seem much more real to me.

Oh and while I'm talking about it Kenilworth Castle is now on my list of places to go and see. Author Victoria Lamb lives nearby and her personal knowledge of the location is evident, particularly during the entertainment scenes.

The next reason I loved this book was that it was told from the points of view of three characters each based on a real person; Elizabeth I, Lettice Knollys (wife of Earl of Essex and cousin of the Queen) and Lucy Morgan. I felt Elizabeth I was portrayed in a realistic manner. At this point in time she was attempting to resist Leicester's final attempts at proposing and her internal conflict is played out well. Lettice Knollys was engaged in an affair with Leicester and instead of being simply a bored wife who gets on the wrong side of her cousin she is given real personality with doubts, fears and an inner strength to take matters into her own hands. I feel like I want to know more about Victoria Lamb's Lettice! Finally there is Lucy Morgan, the orphaned daughter of African slaves she was raised in London by a mysterious man who secretly works for the Queen. A talented singer she finds a place at court but is pushed into the limelight by the summer's events at Kenilworth Castle. Again she was a wonderfully three-dimensional character, not innocent and unassuming but also not so kick-ass it was unbelievable, she came across as a resourceful young woman and I look forward to reading more in future novels!

The last reason I loved this book was the Author's Notes at the back. I love Author's Notes in Historical Fiction. If you are anything like me when you finish reading a work of historical fiction you immediately want to go read something about the events in the book and know how much is real or not. This can involve hours on Wikipedia, but with Author's Notes it is all there for you. How much is based on real fact and to what extent fiction has crept in. Wonderfully satisfying!

I would recommend this book. It is part historical fiction with a bit of mystery to it. I feel the timescale the book is set over sets it apart from other historical fiction set in Tudor times and as such it would appeal to those who would not usually be interested in Tudor fiction. Tudor fans will of course lap this book up but this is one of the better books out there. It has clearly been well researched with first-hand knowledge of the main location. If this debut novel is anything to by Victoria Lamb will soon be another big name in the ever popular Tudor fiction market!(less)

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Aug 24, 2012 Lauraloves rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the Hardback Historical Challenge from the Transworld Publishers. I really had a craving to read a book from this time period and this book really fitted the bill for me.

This book is set in the time period of Queen Elizabeth I and is about Lucy, a girl in the courts. She starts off by being an entertainer in a big group, but ends up being one of the Queens favourites as the time goes on. There is also a big love triangle between the Queen, her cousin and a man, Robert...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Lisad rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Queen’s Secret by Victoria Lamb gives us an intriguing insight into the Elizabethan court during the spectacular and lavish visit to Kenilworth Castle; home of the Earl of Leicester in July 1575. This was a celebration which almost bankrupted the young Earl who was determined to impress and woo the Virgin Queen. The heroine of the novel is a young black singer and court entertainer; Lucy Morgan. An orphan, Lucy has grown up as a ward of one the great spies of the age; Master Goodluck and wit...more The Queen’s Secret by Victoria Lamb gives us an intriguing insight into the Elizabethan court during the spectacular and lavish visit to Kenilworth Castle; home of the Earl of Leicester in July 1575. This was a celebration which almost bankrupted the young Earl who was determined to impress and woo the Virgin Queen. The heroine of the novel is a young black singer and court entertainer; Lucy Morgan. An orphan, Lucy has grown up as a ward of one the great spies of the age; Master Goodluck and with her enchanting voice and striking looks it’s not long before she attracts the attention of others including the Earl of Leicester, and the Queen’s own spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham as well the Queen herself. As Lucy becomes aware of a dangerous plot against the Queen and pressed for information on all sides she finds deception and betrayal at every turn. As the danger grows not just for the Queen but for Lucy herself, she wonders who she can trust when every courtier seems to be looking after number one. Victoria has brought to life a perennially popular period in History; a time of intrigue and espionage and peopled her novel with a fascinating cast of characters some real some imagined, all of whom seem to leap from the page. The research and effort which have gone into recreating the period detail are apparent on every page as I could feel the sweltering July heat and smell the unwashed bodies of the thousands who made up the crowded royal court. Victoria has already released her first Young Adult novel Witchstruck which will be the first in a series and having loved that book I was delighted to get my hands on this one and it has certainly not disappointed. Romantic, political and full of danger The Queen’s Secret is a fantastic page turner. I hold true to my previous claim that Victoria Lamb has surpassed the reigning Queen of Tudor Fiction; Philippa Gregory as her plots are tighter and her storytelling more powerful. I look forward to more tales of thrilling espionage and romance with Lucy Morgan and more spells and secrets with Meg Lytton courtesy of Victoria Lamb.(less)

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Mar 21, 2012 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

I won this book in a FirstReads giveaway and I loved it! If you love historical novels with plenty of facts throughout the story, then you will really enjoy this book. The novel is about Queen Elizabeth visiting the Earl of Leicester's estate during the summer and all the goings on that he has prepared for her, in hopes of convincing the queen to marry him by the end of the year. However, Elizabeth knows he has been having an affair with one of her ladies, Lettice, wife of the Earl of Essex, and...more

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Feb 10, 2012 Sharon Goodwin rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have spent a couple of days journeying through the summer of 1575. The majority of the story is set at Kenilworth Castle and I just loved the descriptions of the different parts of the castle. The author creates this world in such a way that it’s easy to be there alongside the characters. When Lettice looks out of the apartment window to see the time on the clock – I looked out with her and remembered Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, had stopped it so that the Queen’s time there was symbo...more I have spent a couple of days journeying through the summer of 1575. The majority of the story is set at Kenilworth Castle and I just loved the descriptions of the different parts of the castle. The author creates this world in such a way that it’s easy to be there alongside the characters. When Lettice looks out of the apartment window to see the time on the clock – I looked out with her and remembered Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, had stopped it so that the Queen’s time there was symbolic of living outside of time itself.

The entertainment that the Earl of Leicester lays on from the very beginning has a purpose behind it – symbols of his desire to marry Elizabeth. These are all so very cleverly crafted and all relevant to the time in which they’re set. He is so devious I was never quite sure where his heart truly lay although of course the ultimate prize would be to rule beside Elizabeth, which may not have anything to do with love at all! I did feel extremely sorry for Lettice. At one point it is so clear how frustrating it was at that time in history to have your own home and children but having to please the Queen and her whims instead of living your life.

Elizabeth herself was a character I believed in. As a reader I could feel her wavering thoughts about whether she should accept the Earl’s proposal or not – being swayed by her feelings one moment and then at other times total refusal when her thoughts turned to how safe her crown would be. The perceptions of herself as having to be careful not to be seen as having the same predisposition as her father is also a part of her character. It is easy to identify with her as a woman as well as a ruler.

Lucy Morgan is a brilliant character. Used by the Queen and the Earl as a spy, her anxieties could be clearly felt. She is a heroine that acts without thinking. In the Author’s Note at the end of the book we find out that Lucy Morgan did exist and as part of the Queen’s attendants. I think there is more to ‘tell’ about Lucy’s life and would love the author to write another story that includes her!

The plotting and espionage intrigued me and I enjoyed how everything tied up, despite the sadness I felt for one of the characters.

It was great to see Will Shakespeare make an appearance and also John Dee mentioned.

And what about the Queen’s secret? It does have a bearing on her decision. You’ll have to read the book to find out what it is …

This is a story about Elizabeth’s ‘progress’ away from court for the summer of 1575. There is familial love, romance, deceit, espionage, intrigue and mortal danger.(less)

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Feb 25, 2012 Cath rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Earl of Leicester wants to marry Elizabeth I, Queen of England. He knows that it is his last chance to persuade her when the Queen stays at Kenilworth during the summer of 1575.
Meanwhile, he has fallen in love with the Earl of Essex and whispers of their relationship start spreading through the court. This reduces his chances that he will be able to marry Elizabeth.

Leicester employs Lucy Shaw, a young black singer and court entertainer, to bring his messages to the Earl of Essex, to hide the...more The Earl of Leicester wants to marry Elizabeth I, Queen of England. He knows that it is his last chance to persuade her when the Queen stays at Kenilworth during the summer of 1575.
Meanwhile, he has fallen in love with the Earl of Essex and whispers of their relationship start spreading through the court. This reduces his chances that he will be able to marry Elizabeth.

Leicester employs Lucy Shaw, a young black singer and court entertainer, to bring his messages to the Earl of Essex, to hide their affair. But Lucy is also employed by the queen to spy on the couple and this makes it very difficult for her. She doesn’t know if she has to lie or tell the truth.
While spying, she reveals some very dangerous secrets. The Queen is in danger and she’s not the only one. Lucy may be may be killed too…

This is an astonishing novel about love and power in the court of Elizabeth I.

When I began reading, I wasn’t convinced yet that I would like this book. The setting of time and place took too long for me, but after the first hundred pages, it became a real page-turner!
I loved the characters and especially Lucy, the black singer. She was discriminated, but she held her head up high.
I also see how hard it would have been to be a women in the 16th century. Lettice, the Earl of Essex was unhappy married and has an affair with the Earl of Leicester, but she hadn’t any certainty it would last.
All these information is really interesting and I think that it is the reason why I love historical fiction. This is a story about facts mixed with the fantasy of the author and this makes it more interesting than an ordinary non-fiction book! But it has a downside as well, because often I don’t know anymore what happened in the past and what not.

I was really curious whether the Queen would marry the Earl of Leicester or not and since I don’t know the history of the royal family of England, it stayed a secret until the last pages.
I really wanted to know how the story would end and I couldn’t put it down. Even in the last chapter happened something amazing which made the story even more perfect to me.
The spying of Goodluck, Lucy’s guardian, was exciting and I loved the alternation between conversation and action.

A fantastic story, which takes a slow start, but goes faster near the end! Love it!(less)

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Mar 04, 2012 Beverlee rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was very excited to win this book in the Goodreads Giveaway - my first! It was a great book to win because it is a blend of historical fiction and the author's imagination bringing the 19 days with Queen Elizabeth to life through the eyes of young Lucy Morgan.

I loved getting to know Lucy Morgan, a young black court entertainer, who becomes central to the story. She is talented, resourceful and on her own as she journeys with the queen to the country in order to escape the heat of London.

The ch...more

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Nov 05, 2012 Gail Mallin rated it 3 of 5 stars

I felt that this book was a bit of a curate's egg. Some parts are really good, there are vivid descriptions of Kenilworth Castle, interesting info on daily life and several strongly-drawn characters. Unfortunately, there's also a lot of head-hopping between too many characters who chip in to tell the story from their point of view and a lot repetition of the same type of scene which was rather boring. The plot moved too slowly, particularly in the first half of the book and the spy angle wasn't...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Robin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, royalty, first-reads-giveaway, 16th-century

I was interested in reading this and entered the Goodreads Giveaway for it because I had previously read two other books on Elizabeth’s life, one of her early life before she became queen (The Queen’s Governess) and the other of her much later life (Elizabeth I by Margaret George). This one is set during the rivalry between her and her cousin Lettice, who steals the love of her life, Robert Dudley, away from her. So I thought it would nest neatly in between the other two books I’ve read on her.

I...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Angela Lynn Holland rated it 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book as I am a fan of historical fiction especially the Tudor time period. I like how it picks a new character in history that I have never read about: Lucy Morgan. The queen picks Lucy to be a spy for her but she gets more than she bargains for. The author did a good job of bringing the characters alive and holding your interest throughout the whole book. Another thing I liked is how the author was very accurate in her use of history, to me this is an important thing in a histori...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: goodreads-first-reads, historical-fiction, favorites-of-2013

This gorgeously written historical novel was a great pleasure to read, and has sparked my interest in the Elizabethan Era, which I should think is the highest compliment to the author. I have watched several documentaries and while that hardly makes me an expert, it does give me more appreciation for how well the book was written. The time and key characters are rendered with perfection. So, whether you have an interest in the life of Queen Elizabeth 1, or just enjoy a great story, this is not...more

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Dustin You are most welcome! After reading your review, I just had to check it out, and have since added The Queen's Secret to my historical-fiction shelf. T...more
May 03, 2013 11:41am

Nicole No problem. :)
After reading this I wanted to double check that my information was correct, and it is, the site has contradictory information. Go to g...more
May 04, 2013 09:02pm

Dec 18, 2012 Jo at Jaffareadstoo rated it 4 of 5 stars

This Elizabethan historical mystery is set in 1585 when Queen Elizabeth I visits Kenilworth, home of her favourite, Robert Dudley. Robert is desperate to marry Elizabeth and hopes that by wooing her at Kenilworth she will finally consent to be his wife. However, Elizabeth is as capricious as she is beautiful and with flirtatious cynicism she is content to leave Robert waiting for her decision. However, waiting in the wings is one of Elizabeth’s beautiful ladies in waiting, Lettice Knollys, wife...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Alison Campbell rated it 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful, enjoyable piece of fast paced historical fiction, which left me feeling as if I'd been present, and included in Queen Elizabeth 1st entourage, on her visit to Kenilworth Castle in 1575.

I feel as if I got to know all the characters on a personal level, and was particularly drawn to the brave young Lucy Morgan, and her guardian Master Goodluck , with all his espionage work, and disguises.

Life in the Elizabethan era must have been extremely difficult, and with Victoria Lamb's vivid des...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Tricia Harding-smith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Got this as a free book and it was a really good read! The historical background was accurate and made the story believable. The story is centred on a young black entertainer in the court of Queen Elizabeth the First. Lucy Morgan becomes entangled in the love triangle of the Queen, the Earl of Leicester and the Queen's cousin and lady-in-waiting, Lettice Knollys. Apart from the pointless inclusion of the child Will Shakespeare I enjoyed the tale and would recommend it to lovers of this. genre

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Jul 18, 2012 Julie Andrews rated it 5 of 5 stars

I wasn't able to put this book down. I am really interested in the Tudor period and particularly the queen's relationship with Robert Dudley. This book went much further than that by introducing the character of Lucy Morgan at the queen's court. It demonstrates her loyalty to the queen and also the types of romantic intrigue, as well as sinister plots at the royal court. I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone but particularly fans of the Tudor period.

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Jul 14, 2012 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

This story is unusual in the fact that Queen Elizabeth I's court is only the setting for the main character, Lucy Morgan, who sings and dances for the queen and becomes one of the favoured few. However, this leads her into danger that she could not have anticipated.

I loved this book as its period detail was so vivid that it was hard to get back to the modern day when I put my book down. However, I was delighted to find that it is the first in a series. I can't wait for the next one!

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Apr 09, 2013 Mary Mccall rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

I enjoyed this book. I have read a lot about the court of Queen Elizabeth and I think this captured the life of a servant very well. The aspect of the intrigue and conspiracies was dealt with very well as was the living conditions of the ladies of the court. Nothing like as glamarous as you would think.I liked the way that real and fictional characters mixed together. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

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Feb 25, 2013 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I got this book free through Goodreads First Reads.

As soon as I received this book I knew I would either love it or hate it. I'd not read any historical fiction before so I had an open mind to begin with. After reading the first few pages I'd already decided that I would enjoy it, assuming it continued to be as good all the way through. It was.

The first thing I noticed was how vividly described the setting was. Despite being unfamiliar with this period in history, I found it easy to visualise th...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Laura Purcell rated it 3 of 5 stars

I visited the ruins of Kenilworth a few years ago and heard the tale of Elizabeth I's nineteen day stay. It's so great to see the place and the people brought vividly to life by Lamb.
The story gives us a full view of the court in carnival mode, taking the points of view of Elizabeth herself, her cousin Lettice, a spy Goodluck and the performer Lucy Morgan. I particularly enjoyed the Elizabeth parts, which I felt illustrated her character and contradictions perfectly.
Well worth reading.

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Mar 10, 2012 Gillian rated it 5 of 5 stars

i won this book on goodreads and what an excellent read it has been. It is such a wonderful way to learn a bit of history while being caght up a great story line. Really enjoyed this book gave the imagination a chance to run wild with the pompus of the queen in that era with all her entourage. A great read.

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