I really enjoyed this book. I am not by any stretch of the imagination an Early Modern history so I do need something to keep me hooked when reading aI really enjoyed this book. I am not by any stretch of the imagination an Early Modern history so I do need something to keep me hooked when reading about the period. I enjoyed how accessible it made Tudor London and seeing the insight into the Royal Court. I loved that we were back with Tom who popped up in Clare's previous book and I loved that he was the main focus on the novel because he is deaf and mute. All too often we do not see disabled characters in historical fiction as if they never existed in the past and if they are they are seen as someone to pity and not a main character worth following. I loved that he was the main character driving the story and not just someone in the background.
I also enjoyed the modern story included in this book and what that part of the story had to say about immigrants and how they are treated in our country...more
I did enjoy this mostly because it taught me about someone from history I've never come across before and included some time travel elements which I'mI did enjoy this mostly because it taught me about someone from history I've never come across before and included some time travel elements which I'm a real sucker for....more
I really enjoyed it and seeing the royal court during Henry VIII's reign from Mary's point of viewI really enjoyed it and seeing the royal court during Henry VIII's reign from Mary's point of view...more
I loved this book. I was really excited when it first arrived as I had loved the previous two books and wanted to know whee it was going to go next. TI loved this book. I was really excited when it first arrived as I had loved the previous two books and wanted to know whee it was going to go next. This book starts as Mercia arrives back in England immediately after the events of Book two where she was in America on a mission for the King. It gets straight back into the action as Mercia is summoned to the king and given another assignment. This time she is to go to the Royal Court and try and uncover who the female spy is within court.
I loved catching up with Mercia again. She's such a brilliant character and I love how she breaks away from the Stuart era stereotype of what a woman should be and is willing to stand up for herself and take on challenges that women would not have been expected to have been involved with.
I really enjoyed the setting of this book and getting to see the working of the Royal Court complete with its mix of glamour, scandal and political manoeuvrings. The story itself unfolds as a mystery as Mercia tries to work out who the spy is by getting close to other women in court and trying to find out more about them.
As a side note the story also looks at the role Britain played in the slave trade by looking at the Stuart fashion of women having a Black African Slave as almost an accessory to accompany them to show off their status and wealth. This fascinated me because the racist ideas behind it are so awful but equally one of the reasons why Britain managed to gain such wealth as its Empire grew.
All in all a story I thoroughly enjoyed and a series I have loved and would thoroughly recommend....more
I liked the insight into london during the great plague. Looking forward to reading Mary's other books set in the same time period nowI liked the insight into london during the great plague. Looking forward to reading Mary's other books set in the same time period now...more
Fabulous historical fiction. I loved the detail which made the time period come alive. I loved the main character. It was brilliant to have a really aFabulous historical fiction. I loved the detail which made the time period come alive. I loved the main character. It was brilliant to have a really awesome female lead. I also loved the mystery element to the story. ...more
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