What do you think?
Rate this book
Elizabeth I #1
The Poyson Garden
Fans of bestselling authors Anne Perry and Ellis Peters are sure to love Karen Harper's new historical mystery series, rich with period detail and featuring Elizabeth Tudor, the future queen of England, as its heroine.
Living in exile in the English countryside, the twenty-five-year-old Princess Elizabeth awaits her fate during the waning years of her ill and childless half sister's reign. Despite an occasional truce, there has always been bad blood between Queen Mary and the princess since Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, replaced Mary's mother, Catherine of Aragon, in the heart of King Henry VIII. Mary has already sent Elizabeth to the Tower of London when a group of Protestants raise a rebellion in her name, forcing Mary to release her, and the half sisters into an uneasy détente.
Little does Elizabeth know that in the autumn of 1558, she will be called upon to explore not only England's rural heartland, but also her own heart. At great risk to her person and her nation's future, she plunges herself into an investigation of a multiple murder where she might very well become a master poisoner's next victim.
Living in exile in the English countryside, the twenty-five-year-old Princess Elizabeth awaits her fate during the waning years of her ill and childless half sister's reign. Despite an occasional truce, there has always been bad blood between Queen Mary and the princess since Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, replaced Mary's mother, Catherine of Aragon, in the heart of King Henry VIII. Mary has already sent Elizabeth to the Tower of London when a group of Protestants raise a rebellion in her name, forcing Mary to release her, and the half sisters into an uneasy détente.
Little does Elizabeth know that in the autumn of 1558, she will be called upon to explore not only England's rural heartland, but also her own heart. At great risk to her person and her nation's future, she plunges herself into an investigation of a multiple murder where she might very well become a master poisoner's next victim.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
16 people are currently reading
1449 people want to read
About the author
Karen Harper
105 books1,500 followersA 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 Scottish and English roots run deep, and where she has set many of her historical Tudor-era mysteries and her historical novels about real and dynamic British women. Karen's books have been published in many foreign languages and she won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for 2005. Karen has given numerous talks to readers and writers across the county. Her most recent books include THE SOUTH SHORES TRILOGY (CHASING SHADOWS, DROWNING TIDES and FALLING DARKNESS.) Her latest historical is THE ROYAL NANNY. Please visit her website at www.KarenHarperAuthor and her fb page at www.facebook.com/KarenHarperAuthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
September 12, 2016
Finally got around to reading the first book in the Elizabethan Mysteries! And it's just as awesome as all the others. The first book takes place before Elizabeth becomes Queen, her half sister, Queen Mary is still on the throne, but she is dying. I'm not sorry I didn't read these books in order, but knowing how all her privy plot comes to be is a bonus for later books. The Poyson Garden revolves around, you guessed it, poison plots. Elizabeth realizes, at the age of 20, that not only does she have supporters, but she has a lot of enemies too. One of them being a woman from her past. Elizabeth must find who the mystery veiled herbalist is and stop her before she not only kills Elizabeth, but an entire town of supporters for the Boleyn family..I'm so glad I fell upon these books!
August 24, 2009
Elizabeth is living in the country under the constant observation of Queen Mary's loyal retainers, the Popes. Elizabeth has her own few personnel who are loyal but she must be very careful to keep far from any more plots so she is not returned to the Tower.
In this setting she learns that her Aunt Mary Boleyn has not died many years before but has been in quiet seclusion and is now on her death bed. Elizabeth escapes to meet the last of her mother's kin. Once there Elizabeth is told of the poison arrows meant for Mary's son Henry Carey and they find that even Mary's illness is the result of poison.
I like the way Edward Thompson whose acting alias is Ned Topside, introduces us to the culture of the middle class itinerant entertainers.
In this setting she learns that her Aunt Mary Boleyn has not died many years before but has been in quiet seclusion and is now on her death bed. Elizabeth escapes to meet the last of her mother's kin. Once there Elizabeth is told of the poison arrows meant for Mary's son Henry Carey and they find that even Mary's illness is the result of poison.
I like the way Edward Thompson whose acting alias is Ned Topside, introduces us to the culture of the middle class itinerant entertainers.
July 28, 2015
A very enjoyable murder mystery with Elizabeth I as amateur sleuth. I loved the historical setting.
February 28, 2008
I didn't care for this book. I was somewhat interested how some of the things would be resolved in later books in this series but not enough to plow through more by this author.
June 13, 2018
The story is very slow, with a lot of dialogue to say very little, and poorly written. It is quite predictable and boring in parts.
The language used in it is not great and kind of irritating, especially as it tries to have some Tudor period style language and "stereotypical" Irish speak in it but it is not well researched. Additionally, the author does not seem to have even looked up a map of England or actually what language spoken by the Irish in the story was called (It's a Gaelic language but it's called Gaeilge, but that is slightly pedantic). I was not looking for a masterpiece of accuracy in this historical fiction but it would have benefited from a little more research.
The language used in it is not great and kind of irritating, especially as it tries to have some Tudor period style language and "stereotypical" Irish speak in it but it is not well researched. Additionally, the author does not seem to have even looked up a map of England or actually what language spoken by the Irish in the story was called (It's a Gaelic language but it's called Gaeilge, but that is slightly pedantic). I was not looking for a masterpiece of accuracy in this historical fiction but it would have benefited from a little more research.
November 4, 2008
Elizabeth Tudor, effectively imprisoned on an estate in rural England, hears about a murder done by enemies of the Boelyn family and takes steps to investigate it both for the sake of her mother's family and also in order to ensure her own safety.
This was a quick read, an okay piece of historical fiction, and a pretty bad mystery (at least by my golden-age conditioned standards there *was* no mystery, for the identity of the villain was made clear to the reader long before the characters could figure it out -- leaving me with no mystery to speculate over!) I'm going to be reading the next one, though, because I have hopes that the things I disliked were early-novel faults rather than inherent to the author's work. Harper did a good job of integrating her research smoothly into the story, letting period details speak for themselves instead of explaining them. She also has a good sense for the dramatic tableaux; Harper introduces Elizabeth by showing her standing outside in the midst of a storm, seeking emotional release from her perpetual imprisonment by tilting her head back and losing herself in the rain -- a scene that will stay with me for a while.
Unfortunately, while Harper's attempt to give her dialogue a period feel is reasonably subtle, I found her occasional slips into modern idiom *incredibly* jarring. I also think her framing of the various lower-class characters who she brings in to work for Elizabeth is a little unrealistic; would they really have been that free & easy with a princess of the realm, even an imprisoned one who was at constant risk of being accused of treason? *Especially* an imprisoned one who was at so much risk? On the other hand, I like how she portrays Elizabeth as having a sense of power and a certain arbitrariness in her commands -- that seems quite realistic, so kudos to Harper for keeping those traits in her heroine.
This was a quick read, an okay piece of historical fiction, and a pretty bad mystery (at least by my golden-age conditioned standards there *was* no mystery, for the identity of the villain was made clear to the reader long before the characters could figure it out -- leaving me with no mystery to speculate over!) I'm going to be reading the next one, though, because I have hopes that the things I disliked were early-novel faults rather than inherent to the author's work. Harper did a good job of integrating her research smoothly into the story, letting period details speak for themselves instead of explaining them. She also has a good sense for the dramatic tableaux; Harper introduces Elizabeth by showing her standing outside in the midst of a storm, seeking emotional release from her perpetual imprisonment by tilting her head back and losing herself in the rain -- a scene that will stay with me for a while.
Unfortunately, while Harper's attempt to give her dialogue a period feel is reasonably subtle, I found her occasional slips into modern idiom *incredibly* jarring. I also think her framing of the various lower-class characters who she brings in to work for Elizabeth is a little unrealistic; would they really have been that free & easy with a princess of the realm, even an imprisoned one who was at constant risk of being accused of treason? *Especially* an imprisoned one who was at so much risk? On the other hand, I like how she portrays Elizabeth as having a sense of power and a certain arbitrariness in her commands -- that seems quite realistic, so kudos to Harper for keeping those traits in her heroine.
December 23, 2008
It took me a second try to actually make it all the way through Karen Harper's The Poyson Garden. This was not, I think, because the book was inherently bad--but rather, it struck me the first time I tried it as too much 'nobody in this cast of characters is interesting besides Elizabeth'. And let's face it, if you're telling a story about Queen Elizabeth I, whether or not she's actually queen yet, it's hard to come up with a cast of characters that can hold a candle to her. I was particularly rolling my eyes at a secondary character who looks so amazingly like Elizabeth that they can be mistaken for sisters, and of course this chick's got amnesia, too, so she doesn't know her own past. So of COURSE there's a side mystery involved with her.
However, the second time I tried to tackle the book, it went better. The bits and pieces of the actual mystery fell together more solidly, and that carried me through the middle part of the book to the latter better parts where Elizabeth and her royal Scooby Gang are actually going about figuring out who's trying to kill her.
So overall, not a bad book, though it didn't really engage me enough to make me go buy the second one. Ah well. It's a shame, I do like Elizabeth as a character. But I'll probably have more fun renting the movie where Cate Blanchett plays her, and re-watching that.
However, the second time I tried to tackle the book, it went better. The bits and pieces of the actual mystery fell together more solidly, and that carried me through the middle part of the book to the latter better parts where Elizabeth and her royal Scooby Gang are actually going about figuring out who's trying to kill her.
So overall, not a bad book, though it didn't really engage me enough to make me go buy the second one. Ah well. It's a shame, I do like Elizabeth as a character. But I'll probably have more fun renting the movie where Cate Blanchett plays her, and re-watching that.
May 21, 2017
I really don't get how people like this book. I expected it to be so much more than just her becoming Sherlock Holmes to find out who poisoned her aunt, Mary Boleyn. I like that she was cutthroat in her demeanor but I breezed through this book and not in a good way. I just had to get done with it. 2 stars was generous for me. Will not be continuing this series.
August 11, 2014
Meh. It was alright, not really very thrilling. I found it hard to stay interested at certain points. I may continue the series in case it gets better. I read The Queen's Governess (not a mystery, just good old historical fiction) by the same author and it was far more riveting.
August 24, 2018
It was okay. Not great but not awful? The characterization of Elizabeth was faulty at times, the historical accuracy was definitely lacking, though that was sometimes easy to ignore. There's a good dash of casual homophobia I didn't like, on top of some sexual assault stuff.
March 16, 2024
Excellent. So well written. Engaging and brings history to life. Can’t wait to read the rest in the series and then try some of the author’s more recent books
January 10, 2022
This is the first in the Elizabeth 1 Mystery series by Karen Harper. I am unacquainted with the history of the English monarchy so I found this an intriguing introduction.
Here Elizabeth is not yet the Queen and is under what amounts to house arrest by her sister Queen Mary at Elizabeth’s country house Hatfield where she is under the watch by Thomas and Bea Pope.
Her cousin Henry Carey and his man are ambushed on the way to visit his ailing mother Mary Boleyn at Wivenhoe. His companion is killed by a poisoned arrow which leads Elizabeth and her privy council of players to try to solve the mystery of who led this sinister attack.
I have to find the next book, The Tidal Poole, and more by Harper, as I do not want to leave her story.
Here Elizabeth is not yet the Queen and is under what amounts to house arrest by her sister Queen Mary at Elizabeth’s country house Hatfield where she is under the watch by Thomas and Bea Pope.
Her cousin Henry Carey and his man are ambushed on the way to visit his ailing mother Mary Boleyn at Wivenhoe. His companion is killed by a poisoned arrow which leads Elizabeth and her privy council of players to try to solve the mystery of who led this sinister attack.
I have to find the next book, The Tidal Poole, and more by Harper, as I do not want to leave her story.
January 6, 2021
I started the book in 2020 and it's the first book I finished in 2021. I've always enjoyed reading (and even watching) things from the Tudor period so I picked up this book rather eagerly. It was by no means a bad book but it didn't impress me as much as other Tudor period books I've read. Elizabeth, as heir to the throne of England, seemed to take so many risks and endangered herself rather frequently which, to me, seemed unrealistic but I suppose that is what fiction is. The narrative flowed smoothly and the characters were likeable enough but I doubt I'll start on the second book any time soon. I think in my mind Gloriana is glorious so a reckless princess didn't quite fit for me.
February 14, 2021
I have read many books about the Tudors, and I enjoyed that this was a different take on Queen Elizabeth's time before she became Queen. The main plot of the story was the mystery about who was trying to harm Princess Elizabeth and her family set against the backdrop of her time in exile waiting for Queen Mary to die. I like that the author makes Elizabeth a real person with flaws and not a perfect Princess waiting to be the perfect Queen. I liked the cast of characters she was surrounded with and her interactions with them. This is the first in a series and I will definitely be reading the second book. Really interested in seeing what happens next.
March 12, 2022
I love a good historical mystery and Tudor England to boot! Queen Elizabeth I (currently just Lady Elizabeth when we meet her) is always under the watchful, hateful eyes of her half-sister's supporters. There seems to be no real end to this, good or ill, until she is suddenly summoned to the deathbed of Mary Boleyn...who is supposed to already be dead. From there, Elizabeth is thrown into a mystery that threatens her life and the lives of those close to her.
The book itself is well written and goes quickly, though a lot of the actions near the end were very unbelievable and the resolution came so quickly, I wanted more! Still, it was great and I can't wait to continue the series.
The book itself is well written and goes quickly, though a lot of the actions near the end were very unbelievable and the resolution came so quickly, I wanted more! Still, it was great and I can't wait to continue the series.
November 10, 2019
This was a reread for me. Last time I read the series was in high school, and I enjoyed it then. I was Queen Elizabeth obsessed, and loved the idea of mystery novels centered around her.
I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the first time. It isn't grossly historically inaccurate or anything, and the characters are fairly well developed. I like more stories of Elizabeth as a badass, fairly self-sufficient woman. I'm not sure why I didn't like it as much as the first time. I would probably give it 3.5 stars if I could.
I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the first time. It isn't grossly historically inaccurate or anything, and the characters are fairly well developed. I like more stories of Elizabeth as a badass, fairly self-sufficient woman. I'm not sure why I didn't like it as much as the first time. I would probably give it 3.5 stars if I could.
June 21, 2018
I read this series years ago and decided to start it again since it's been awhile. Ms. Harper does an excellent job of describing Elizabethan England, which happens to be one of my favorite historical periods. I loved the way the Queen brought together her Privy Council, and how each character had multiple roles to play (it reminds me a lot of Shakespeare). I can't wait to revisit the rest of the books in this series.
April 17, 2023
This is the first book of Karen Harper that I had read. I have since re-read this and the entire series of the Elizabeth I books several times. Being an Anglophile, I was excited to read a story that involved my favorite time period in England. The story is one that didn't happen in history, but uses the actual people involved with Elizabeth and creates an exciting story that could have possibly happened. It was nice to read a historical fiction book that was completely different.
June 30, 2025
Far-fetched but enjoyable. Someone has killed a rider but missed his companion, a cousin of Princess Elizabeth (16th century). Thus we begin the saga of a poisoner determined to kill all Boleyn family still alive and do even worse to those who would support Elizabeth as Queen Mary's heir, thus undoing the Catholic return. Though closely guarded, Elizabeth and loyal members of her household investigate to find and stop the poisoner.
October 14, 2017
This was a charming little romp into utter fiction and I enjoyed it. Imagine Elizabeth II (before taking the throne) as a medieval Nancy Drew, trying to stop an assassin from poisoning her. Such fun! I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
July 20, 2019
This books has a lot going for it: The main characters are likable; the plot moved at a steady pace; the conflict felt real, etc. The only thing I would fault would be the poisoner. I didn't quite understand her motives, especially at this point in Elizabeth's story.
December 24, 2020
I was less than impressed. The whole plot seemed unlikely/unbelievable to me, and Elizabeth spent an awful lot of time dry-heaving or trying not to.
Oh, and it was Richard III, not Richard II, who was defeated at Bosworth Field.
Oh, and it was Richard III, not Richard II, who was defeated at Bosworth Field.
Read
July 18, 20173.5 stars
I love mysteries, I love all things Tudor. This was a fun summer read to marry the two.
I love mysteries, I love all things Tudor. This was a fun summer read to marry the two.
April 18, 2018
Loved this book! I could barely put it down. I love this time period and books about Elizabeth I. Can't wait to read the rest of the series
May 11, 2018
Not a bad historical mystery. Will read her other books.
March 21, 2019
The story itself rated maybe a 3.5, but it was rather too crude for my taste. So, that brought it down. I won't read more by this author. It was interesting, medieval poisons and all.
November 8, 2019
Great quick story. Easy read but great characters and plot.
April 11, 2021
Re-read: I wanted to reread this series after visiting England and going to Hampton court and other palaces and such. It’s a great first book to a great series.
April 11, 2022
Enjoyable, though rather farfetched with regards to history, but books like this are meant for indulging the imagination. I'm interested in where the rest of the series may go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews