A Pawn for a Queen

Ursula Blanchard #6

by Fiona Buckley

A quiet life at Withysham with her young daughter is all that widowed Ursula Blanchard desires. But as the waiting woman and spy for Queen Elizabeth I, she forfeits her needs for the sake of those she is pledged to protect -- even at her own peril....
Ursula's relatives enlist her help when her cousin, Edward Faldene, heads to Scotland carrying a dangerous weapon: a secret list of families loyal to Elizabeth's rival, Mary, Queen of Scots. Desperate to stop the treasonous mission, Ursula rides north in haste to intercept her cousin. It is a journey made without royal permission, and one made in vain....Ursula arrives in Edinburgh too late -- and finds herself tracking a killer inside the Scottish queen's court. Whom can she trust? Mary, the enemy, who is in fact kind and charming? Her genial courtiers? The aristocrat who vies for Ursula's heart? Every player falls under suspicion in a sinister game in which, for a queen, everyone is a pawn.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, British Literature, Crime

335 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Valerie Anand is a British author of historical fiction. Under the pen name Fiona Buckley she writes the series of historical mysteries, set in the reign of Elizabeth I of England, featuring "Ursula Blanchard" (whose full name is Ursula Faldene Blanchard de la Roche Stannard). Under her own name she writes historical fiction based on the royalty of England and the Bridges over Time series which follows a family from the eleventh century through the nineteenth century.

Series:
* Ursula Blanchard

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should not have started this series with volume 6. The historic period is aptly and wonderfully drawn. While I could see the reveal coming, it does work. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't gripping.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the best things about books in a series is the development of characters. This is the sixth novel featuring Ursula Blanchard and I have seen little development from her. In the first novel the reader is promised a woman who is intelligent, full of wit, and determined to a fault. Ursula is determined to a fault but the intelligence and wit seem to fade with each passing novel.

I don't know if the "bad boy" complex existed in the 16th century but Ursula sure makes me think it did. Clearly Ursula is one of those people who never learn from their mistakes. She makes the same ones in every novel and they all seem to center around men. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Ursula makes me want to bang my head against a table. That would hurt so I'm not going to do it.

As far as the "huge twist" at the end of the novel? To quote my favorite radio/television personality, Tony Kornheiser, "I believe I had that". Sarcastic kudos to Buckley for being creative.

[Tess Philipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live these Ursula Blanchard mysteries. They are easy to read, combine some historical tidbits and contain very likable characters. When I want something light, short and enjoyable I pull one out! Can’t go wrong.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Pawn for a Queen by Fiona Buckley is the sixth book of the Ursula Blanchard mystery series set in England during the reign of Elizabeth I. Mistress Ursula Blanchard also goes by Madame de la Roche; it all depends on the situation. She's twice widowed. Gerald was her first husband, a love match that angered his family. Years after Gerald's death, Ursula met Catholic Frenchman Matthew de la Roche in the course of a secret mission for the Queen. Despite religious and political differences, they fell in love, eventually married. She briefly lived at Matthew's estate in France, until intense longing for her daughter Meg drew her back to England. Co-opted to serve the Queen again, she was still in England when Matthew became ill and died of plague.

Now Ursula is tired of being a pawn in the Queen's games, wishes only to live quietly in her beloved Withysham with Meg and her trusty servants/friends, Dale and Buckley. But family duty calls: the Faldenes, who treated her harshly growing up, desperately want her help. Her cousin Edward is off to Scotland, to bring a secret (treasonous) list to Mary, Queen of Scots - a list of her supporters in England. Edward was working for Matthew de la Roche, to put a Catholic Queen on the throne. Ursula regrets she must leave Meg behind once again, but she has a chance to stop Edward before he gets to Scotland, talk him out of treason.

Ursula, Dale and Buckley set off in pursuit. Weather interferes, and they discover Edward is a day or two ahead of them, at every house they visit. They reach Edinburgh only to find him murdered in his bed. No sign of the list. Now Ursula decides she must find his killer, for her own peace of mind.

Ursula (as Madame de la Roche, whom everyone assumes must be Catholic) meets Mary, Queen of Scots. To Ursula's dismay, she finds Mary quite likable (dismay since Mary is Elizabeth's enemy). Ursula's investigation isn't going well, she needs more information. She decides to travel to Stirling Castle where Rob Henderson is part of the entourage attending Mary. She knows Rob serves Elizabeth.

Along the way the trio is attacked: Brockley left for dead, Dale and Ursula captured and held in a fortress. Ursula makes a terrible, unthinkable deal to earn hers and Dale's freedom. But the deal was a trick; they're taken captive again. A glimmer of hope: Buckley survived. Her secret message to Brockley reveals the killer.

Her last chance at freedom is if her captor loses a duel. Ursula plots. She must summon all her courage, all her dignity to create a "presence" (as Queen Elizabeth does) for a ceremony prior to the duel.

Plenty of plot twists and surprises make this one of the best yet in the series.

[J. Kirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pawn for a Queen is definitely the most unpredictable, adventurous, and darkest yet of the Ursula Blanchard mysteries set in Elizabethan England. Now let me hasten to add, when I say 'darkest' I mean that in a good way. There are some truly harrowing moments, and one thing the author does so well is shift deftly from Ursula's sleuthing, navigating the perils of Mary Stuart's Scottish court, to moments of high adventure and action-packed danger (including a kidnapping incident!). The book showcases some eye-opening differences between 16th century Scottish and English culture too.

Yes, you heard right - notice I said 'Scottish court' earlier. For the first time in the entire series, Ursula must travel northwards to Scotland to try to save her cousin - in mortal danger - before it's too late. Naturally not all goes as planned, and one thing leads to another. Soon Ursula finds that her cousin's plight is the least of her problems...

Why is this book such a gem even above the previous 5 books in the series?? Because unlike all the others, in this one Ursula chooses to go rogue. She hastens north to save a known traitor without permission of her own Queen (Elizabeth) or her spymaster employer (Sir William Cecil). It is a book that shows Ursula at her boldest and most reckless but also most sympathetic, coming to the aid of despised relatives despite everything because, well, family is family.

In A Pawn for a Queen, Ursula faces her toughest challenges of the entire series. The question is, will she live to tell about them?

*One additional note: the author deftly writes each book so that you don't need to read any of the previous books in the series to be able to appreciate the current book. Key essential info is slipped into the first couple chapters. This book reads just as well as a standalone novel even if you want to jump right into the series at this point (and why wouldn't you, because who doesn't like Scotland and want to hear more tales about Mary Stuart?)

[Barbara Howe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the authentic feel of this mystery/spy novel set during the reign of Elizabeth I. There's good stuff here about shifting loyalties and faiths during the Catholic vs. Protestant civil wars, the tenuousness of the grips the two queens (Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots) had on their thrones, and Elizabeth's political astuteness vs. Mary's naivety. Also about the difficulties of everyday life: the hardships of traveling in winter; cold, damp, draughty Scottish dwellings; women's fear of childbirth and the crude, limited means of birth control.

Unfortunately I never quite warmed to the main character, and the situation in the last 100 pages (attempted marriage by abduction) made my skin crawl. Plus the initial plot driver was shaky: when her cousin's family--father, mother, and wife--couldn't talk him out of his dangerous errand to Scotland, how did they expect her to persuade him to drop it when he didn't even like or respect her? Clock him over the head and bring him back tied to his horse?

I have not read any of the other books in this series. Maybe I would have liked it better if I have read the series in order.

[Randal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very slow-moving historical fiction in which a murder is the key plot-driver. Not so much a mystery in any traditional sense.

Ursula and her loyal servants -- a married couple -- travel to Edinburgh to intercept a letter outlining where there were supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots, in northern England. A very large portion of the book discusses how they traveled, where they stopped, who slept in which bed (literally, who got the four-poster and who got the medieval version of the folding bed), what was served to eat. All the elements of a social history. The book is very strong on that.

The murder is almost a subplot, and there's never any sense that Ursula or her servants' lives are in danger. Because there aren't any other fully realized characters, there's a certain lack of tension while the plot unfolds around Ursula. There's a little court intrigue, but it's a pale shadow of the masterpieces of the genre.

I think the success of the book depends on reading the series so you are invested in the characters by the time you pick this one up.

Tepid. 2.5-3 stars.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ursula ventures into Scotland and learns of their rough ways first hand when she attempts to waylay her treasonous cousin. I enjoyed this episode very much and find myself not only able to vividly picture the scenes but also anticipating the next installment. This time I learned about medieval box beds apparently much in use in Scotland at the time. A little search on the internet and now I know!

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found it impossible to care "who dunnit". I'm not a big fan of this series, and this book was my least favorite. I'm also tired of the author constantly using the "salt spoon" nickname for Ursula!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living again in England, Ursula journeys to Scotland, to help a cousin and recover a list of potential traitors.

[Kristi Cope · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Volare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series gets better and better!

[Cheri Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started Aug. 11, 2022

[Kristina Deluise · Rating 4 out of 5]

please see the deluise book series you tube channel for my review of this book

[Guorju · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolet amazing

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) The sixth book in the series closely follows the events in the fifth book, but starts with a snapshot from near the end of the book with Ursula at a wedding ceremony. Going back, Ursula meets with her aunt and uncle and agrees to go to Scotland to try to get her cousin Edward back before he commits an act that would be considered treason to England, by providing Mary, Queen of Scots a list of families that are loyal to her cause. She goes without notifying either Queen Elizabeth or her spymaster, William Cecil. Along with her maid, Fran, and trusted manservant, Roger Brockley, they make the journey north, using her family's Catholic connections to follow along the route in hopes of catching Edward. When they eventually do catch up with him, they are shocked to find out that he has been murdered and the list is missing. Ursula decides to stay and try to find out both the murderer and what happened to the list. In her mission, she meets Mary Queen of Scots, and a dangerous Scottish lord who takes a fancy to her. Ursula must make some difficult choices to find what she seeks, and the knowledge that she gains may change her forever. The plot takes an unexpected twist or two at the end, setting up some intriguing possibilities for the remainder of the series.

[Richard Stueber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ursula Faldene Blanchard de la Roche sets of to Scotland without royal permission. Her first cousin Edward Faldene is carrying a list of English supporters to Mary Queen of Scots. Before she catches up with him he is murdered. Much of the novel is about tracking down the guilty party, but Ursula is also fending off the amorous advances of Sir Brian Dormbois who wants to marry Ursula by any means, fair or foul.
In the meantime Ursula gets to meet Mary Queen of Scots who makes a wonderful impression on Ursula, being such a lovely person. Ursula also meets the members of the royal court and the fearsome Scottish preacher John Knox.
At very end, back in England Ursula receives a number of surprises.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ursula Blanchard's Catholic cousin, Edward Faldene, has ridden off to Scotland and his parents and young wife enlist Ursula to follow and convince him to return home. He carries a list of English nobles who have pledged support for Mary, Queen of Scots. They believe that Mary is the true queen and may wish to cause an uprising to put her on the English throne. Such actions are treasonous if discovered by Queen Elizabeth and Ursula must keep her efforts secret and work with only her tiring woman, Dale, and her manservant, Brockley. But someone has gotten to Edward before her...

[Lalla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is part of the series that features Ursula Blanchard, a lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth. The plot involves intrigue that sends Ursula to Scotland and a meeting with Mary, Queen of Scots. The reader is brought up to speed on the political climate of this historical period through the story. The author describes the settings of the story very well and leaves the reader looking foroward to the next adventure in the series.

[Moonmomie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Elizabethan Historical Fiction, which is what brought me to this series. I had never been interested in any kind of mysteries up until reading these books. They were a complete surprise to me. The plots in all of the Ursula Blanchard Mysteries are rich and fun, the characters are interesting and complex. I really loved this entire series of books.

[Charlotte Osborn-bensaada · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series set in Queen Elizabeth's court. Buckley takes several real historical mysteries and asks what if... Worth reading for a strong interesting heroine that while sometimes needing rescue is rather good at figuring out her own options given the limited options available to women of the time.

[Angelique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second favorite book of the series...somehow I think there will be a sequel. Finally Ursula begins to understand the importance of family and her connection to Elizabeth in spite of her current actions. Lovely views of Northumberland and the border castles.

[Kathie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy the Ursula Blanchard mysteries so much! This was just great. I loved the ending! I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series. I daydream about being at Queen Elizabeth I's court after reading Fiona Buckley's books.

[Valerie K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, I'm just ripping through these! This one may be the best yet, it's full of suspense and intrigue. They all are, but this one amps it up a even more. I'm not going to type any more because I want to start reading book #7. I'm more than hooked, I'm addicted.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, but it did seem a bit repetitive of the basic elements of the other Ursula Blanchard mysteries. At the end two new characters were introduced, who I hope will replace Brockley and Dale in the next books.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

good series

[Alexandra]

6th in the series.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and fun jaunt into Elizabethan England.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great medieval mystery series.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good - I do love Eliz I