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2nd out of 14 books
—
5 voters
The Tidal Poole (Elizabeth I Mysteries #2)
by
Karen Harper (Goodreads Author)
It is the crowning day of twenty-five-year-old Bess Tudor's life as she returns from exile to become England's queen. But even as her magnificent procession wends its way to Westminster Palace, a shot rings out, muffled by the jostling crowd.
Within moments of becoming England's ruler, Elizabeth learns of the brutal murder of a highborn lady of the court, the sister of one...more
Within moments of becoming England's ruler, Elizabeth learns of the brutal murder of a highborn lady of the court, the sister of one...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
February 6th 2001
by Dell
(first published January 11th 2000)
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Book #2 in the Elizabeth I mystery series by Karen Harper. The queen has been crowned and blessed with the holy oil. She's had her coronation and a triumphal procession in the streets of London. But there are dangerous plots going on close to her golden crown and her new reign has barely begun before it may abruptly end!
My favorite person in this book was Gil, the mute lad who was traumatized by an explosion at a saltpeter factory that nearly took his life. Firearms were an infant industry at th...more
My favorite person in this book was Gil, the mute lad who was traumatized by an explosion at a saltpeter factory that nearly took his life. Firearms were an infant industry at th...more
I started this series with book #2 as I could not lay my hands on book #1. I think that reading the first book would have helped with understanding the characters and I might have missed a lot by skipping it. The story really felt like I had jumped into a book halfway through. That said, I was not intrigued enough by this book to consider going back and starting at the beginning.
We meet Elizabeth I right as she is being crowned queen. During her procession a lady is murdered and Elizabeth, alon...more
We meet Elizabeth I right as she is being crowned queen. During her procession a lady is murdered and Elizabeth, alon...more
The previous volume of this series introduces us to Queen Elizabeth I of England who solves mysteries or murders that may or may not be connected to her royal self. It wasn't the best books I've read this year and this one follows its footsteps. Yes, in this volume one can feel himself in the sixteenth century, but the characters continue to be a real bore. Queen Elizabeth I, the main character, still leaves much to be desired, and believe me when I say it does not improve in the following book...more
Dec 18, 2011
Marfita
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Marfita by:
An author in SL recommended this author to me.
Shelves:
period-mystery,
mysteries
Again, Harper shows us that it's not all fun and games to be royalty. Elizabeth is finally crowned Queen of England, but her woes aren't over. There are many other Tudors about, not to mention the Seymours, so she must be on the watch for those plotting to overthrow her. Because of this, she cannot have anyone near her whom she cannot trust. Even those who suffered with her during her rural exile must not give her any cause for suspicion.
The reader is in for some highly unbelievable races agains...more
The reader is in for some highly unbelievable races agains...more
This is the second in the series and the second one I've read. I still can't decide if I really like the books or not. They're not bad but I feel they're too long. It seems as though there's not much action for several chapters and then it's helter skelter activity for 10 pages. I've started reading another of the series (not in order b/c my library didn't have book 3 at the time - really annoying) and I'm sure I'll finish it but I don't know that I'll seek out anymore.
The second in a series featuring Queen Elizabeth I this book is set shortly after she becomes queen. During her coronation procession a woman is killed. Queen Elizabeth wants to determine if the murder had anything to do with her. Her double, Meg, finds out some more information about who she really is. A man from Queen Elizabeth's past comes back and she learns the hard way not to trust someone because of who his or her parents are.
Well, this was an OK book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book in the series. Also read a Xmas mystery about the first Queen Elizabeth by this same author. Perhaps I am just getting tired of the series. It is a bit of a stretch having the queen be the detective. Interesting because of the time period, and the historical figures that are in the book.
I would have given this book a 2 and 1/2 if I could have. Lively writing. Fairly good suspense. Author did a good job of describing the time & place. But I found the villain unconvincing at the end. He seemed one way in most of the book, then lost it at the end. I might read another in this series. It was entertaining and generally a good read.
Often the second in a mystery series gets kind of old and boring. I found the second installment in these Elizabeth murder mysteries really didn't get old for me. I still like the characters and though, okay, a little less plausible that the Queen of England is solving mysteries, still quite enjoyable.
Well, ummm...how to begin. This book is mildly interesting and the story is paced like person running a marathon (slow yet steady), but I really don't think I'll continue reading the rest of the books in this series anytime soon. Found myself having minor bouts of narcolepsy while reading it. Those who prefer prolonged whodoneit stories might find these books more enjoyable. Am, regretfully, vaguely interested in finding out what happens in the future with some of the characters.
Aug 11, 2011
Erin
added it
I almost never put a book down before the end, but I did with this one. Didn't engage me, didn't buy the premise, not even a little bit. Clearly, not the series for me :-)
This is the second book in the Elizabeth I mystery series. It is the continuing story of Elizabeth Tudor, who has just been crowned queen of England, and her loyal companions as they solve another mystery. This time, a woman close to the queen is murdered during her coronation procession through London, and Elizabeth vows to find the killer. This novel will have you guessing until the end. One interesting twist is when Meg finds her mother living in London and a few other people she didn't know...more
I'm biased because I adore this particular genre and time period, and I thoroughly enjoyed this entire series of books by Karen Harper. They are written very similarly to Fiona Buckley's Ursla Blanchard Mysteries.... almost confusingly so. This series focuses on Queen Elizabeth I, herself, solving the murders of her subjects. Absolutely fictitious activities frequent the books (Elizabeth leaving the castle in disguise to chase down clues and criminals). But, this is why it is Historical "Fiction...more
Apr 26, 2010
Kelly Grossmann
added it
Good classic mystery book. Not so accurate considering most of the characters are real, but still a good book. Will continue to read the series.
A better mystery than the first novel, although the detection is still quite mushy. Better writing than the first novel, although still not great -- but if this is as good as it gets, well, I'll put up with it. The characterisation of Elizabeth was a little less interesting -- the author only knows how to talk about desire in 21st century ways -- but she does try, and as the historical scene gets more complicated, my patience for her challenges increases. Good characterisation of the secondary c...more
Feb 11, 2009
Slone
added it
Based on Elizabeth I; interesting ... but not something I'm interested in continuing to read
The Tidal Poole (Elizabeth I Mysteries, Book 2) by Karen Harper (2001)
The Tidal Poole (Elizabeth I Mysteries, Book 2) by Karen Harper (2001)
Elizabeth is crowned but not yet easy on her throne.
so-so. Will not continue with the series as there are too many other books I want to read!
Not the most plausible series, but it is entertaining and that's why it's called fiction. I did enjoy the first book better, but The Tidal Poole kept me reading and the mystery was well-done. If you're a history buff, better skip it, but if you enjoy reading just for the sake of reading, I recommend the series. :)
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
I don't know if this book is part of a series or if I am just dense, but I was not following it at all. Couldn't get past page seven.
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book two of a fun series of historical mysteries. sometimes reading just has to be pure fun!
May 14, 2013
Carla
marked it as to-read
May 09, 2013
Courtney
marked it as short-list
May 05, 2013
Melissa Crady
marked it as to-read
May 04, 2013
Hj
marked it as to-read
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A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scott...more
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