REVIEW: The Tudor Conspiracy by C. W. Gortner
Title: The Tudor Conspiracy
Author: C.W. Gortner
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Age Group & Genre: Historical Thriller for Adults
Reviewer: Kate Forsyth
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The Blurb:
Winter 1554. Brendan Prescott, spymaster to the Princess Elizabeth, has discovered that he is connected to the Tudors by blood as well as allegiance. Though his secret is known only by a few, it could be his downfall as he is called to London to protect the princess.
Accompanied by his young squire Peregrine, he reluctantly leaves his sweetheart Kate behind - but in the city he discovers that no one is quite what they seem. What fate does Queen Mary intend for her sister? Is Robert Dudley somehow manipulating the princess, even though he is locked in the Tower? And should Brendan trust the alluring Sybilla, Mary's lady-in-waiting, who professes to be on his side?
As he tries to unravel the mysteries of the Tudor court Brendan's life will be put in danger many times, and along the way he learns more about his own past
What I Thought:
Christopher Gornter is one of my absolute favourite historical novelists – I pounce on his books as soon as they hit the shops and generally devour them in a single sitting. He is best known for writing biographical novels about strong, fascinating and often maligned women such as Catherine de Medici and Juana the Mad, but has also written a series of fast-paced, action-packed historical thrillers set in the days of Princess Elizabeth’s youth. The first in the series was THE TUDOR SECRET which I absolutely loved – lots of twists and turns, intrigue, drama, romance, and a vivid portrayal of the young, soon-to-be Virgin Queen.
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THE TUDOR CONSPIRACY is the second book in the series, and is as fresh and brilliant and beautifully written as the first.
Here is my review I posted on Goodreads:
The Tudor period was a time of turmoil, danger, and intrigue … and this means spies. Brendan Prescott works in the shadows on behalf of a young Princess Elizabeth, risking his life to save her from a dark conspiracy that could make her queen … or send her to her death. Not knowing who to trust, surrounded by peril on all sides, Brendan must race against time to retrieve treasonous letters before Queen Mary’s suspicions of her half-sister harden into murderous intent.
THE TUDOR CONSPIRACY is a fast-paced, action-packed historical thriller, filled with suspense and switchback reversals, that also manages to bring the corrupt and claustrophobic atmosphere of the Tudor court thrillingly to life. It follows on from C.W. Gortner’s earlier novel, THE TUDOR SECRET, but can be read on its own (though I really recommend reading Book 1 first – it was great too).
If you love historical fiction but haven’t discovered Christopher’s work yet, I’d urge you strongly to give him a whirl. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Christopher's website
Christopher's blog
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT – I LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
Author: C.W. Gortner
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Age Group & Genre: Historical Thriller for Adults
Reviewer: Kate Forsyth
[image error]
The Blurb:
Winter 1554. Brendan Prescott, spymaster to the Princess Elizabeth, has discovered that he is connected to the Tudors by blood as well as allegiance. Though his secret is known only by a few, it could be his downfall as he is called to London to protect the princess.
Accompanied by his young squire Peregrine, he reluctantly leaves his sweetheart Kate behind - but in the city he discovers that no one is quite what they seem. What fate does Queen Mary intend for her sister? Is Robert Dudley somehow manipulating the princess, even though he is locked in the Tower? And should Brendan trust the alluring Sybilla, Mary's lady-in-waiting, who professes to be on his side?
As he tries to unravel the mysteries of the Tudor court Brendan's life will be put in danger many times, and along the way he learns more about his own past
What I Thought:
Christopher Gornter is one of my absolute favourite historical novelists – I pounce on his books as soon as they hit the shops and generally devour them in a single sitting. He is best known for writing biographical novels about strong, fascinating and often maligned women such as Catherine de Medici and Juana the Mad, but has also written a series of fast-paced, action-packed historical thrillers set in the days of Princess Elizabeth’s youth. The first in the series was THE TUDOR SECRET which I absolutely loved – lots of twists and turns, intrigue, drama, romance, and a vivid portrayal of the young, soon-to-be Virgin Queen.
[image error]
THE TUDOR CONSPIRACY is the second book in the series, and is as fresh and brilliant and beautifully written as the first.
Here is my review I posted on Goodreads:
The Tudor period was a time of turmoil, danger, and intrigue … and this means spies. Brendan Prescott works in the shadows on behalf of a young Princess Elizabeth, risking his life to save her from a dark conspiracy that could make her queen … or send her to her death. Not knowing who to trust, surrounded by peril on all sides, Brendan must race against time to retrieve treasonous letters before Queen Mary’s suspicions of her half-sister harden into murderous intent.
THE TUDOR CONSPIRACY is a fast-paced, action-packed historical thriller, filled with suspense and switchback reversals, that also manages to bring the corrupt and claustrophobic atmosphere of the Tudor court thrillingly to life. It follows on from C.W. Gortner’s earlier novel, THE TUDOR SECRET, but can be read on its own (though I really recommend reading Book 1 first – it was great too).
If you love historical fiction but haven’t discovered Christopher’s work yet, I’d urge you strongly to give him a whirl. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Christopher's website
Christopher's blog
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT – I LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
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