by Karen Harper
“And so, as ever, we understand, trust, and support each other perfectly, my Cecil.”
Pointing up at the diving hawk, she turned and shouted to everyone, “Look, Swift has already flushed something!” Lifting her skirts, with the others in pursuit, she set off at a run toward where the bird had plunged to earth for its kill.
For look! The wicked bend their bow,
They make ready their arrow on the string,
That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.
—PSALM 11:2
Every heart with thought disloyal
Will I dislodge from my court royal;
The bad will find no welcome here,
And no good cheer.
My eyes will be most sharp to find
Dwellers on earth of faithful mind
To me; for he who has true sight
Will serve me right.
He who takes pains to use deceit
Within my house will find no seat;
Never from me will liar or babbler
Get gift or favor.
—FROM A POEM BY CLÉMENT MAROT, QUOTED BY ELIZABETH TUDOR IN HER JOURNAL, 1569
Genealogical Tree
EARLIER EVENTS AFFECTING ELIZABETH
1533 Henry VIII marries Anne Boleyn, January 25. Elizabeth born at Greenwich Palace, September 7.
1536 Anne Boleyn executed in Tower of London. Elizabeth disinherited from crown. Henry marries Jane Seymour.
1537 Prince Edward born. Queen Jane dies of childbed fever.
1538 Francis Drake born in Tavistock, England.
or
1539
1542 Execution of Katherine Howard, Henry’s fifth queen. Birth in Scotland of Mary Stewart, who becomes Queen of Scots as an infant at death of James V of Scotland this year.
1544 Act of Succession and Henry’s will establish Mary Tudor and Elizabeth in line to throne.
1547 Henry VIII dies. Edward VI crowned.
1553 Queen Mary (Tudor) I crowned. She tries to force England back to Catholicism. Weds Philip of Spain.
1558 Queen Mary dies; Elizabeth succeeds to throne. Elizabeth appoints William Cecil principal secretary of state; Robert Dudley made master of the queen’s horse.
1560 Death of Francis II of France makes his young wife, Mary Stuart, a widow. Mary soon returns home to Scot land.
1565 Mary of Scots weds Lord Darnley.
1566 Mary bears son James, later James VI of Scotland and James I of England.
1567 Murder of Lord Darnley; scandalous marriage of Mary and Earl of Bothwell. Mary’s forced abdication.
1568 Mary flees to England; Drake’s ship Judith in Battle of San Juan d’Ulua off the coast of Mexico.
1569 The Rebellion of Northern Lords.
I started to write this ninth novel in the series, which begins in Elizabethan London, on the very morning terrorists bombed modern London, July 7, 2005. Ironically, this novel is about early terrorism in the queen’s realm.
London and Londoners have been through many dangers and deadly assaults, but like their current Queen Elizabeth—and the brilliant and bold first Queen Elizabeth—the English not only survive but thrive.
The names of several of the sites bombed, such as Aldgate and King’s Cross, would have been familiar to the English of the Tudor age, such is the living history in that place.
I love London, where my husband and I have often visited, and dedicate this book to the people of that vital city, beloved also of Her Majesty Elizabeth I, who may be my amateur sleuth but who, during her long reign, was a very professional queen.
—Karen Harper
PREVIOUS ELIZABETH I MYSTERIES
The Fatal Fashione
The Fyre Mirror
The Queene’s Christmas
The Thorne Maze
The Queene’s Cure
The Twylight Tower
The Tidal Poole
The Poyson Garden
AVAILABLE FROM ST. MARTIN’S PAPERBACKS
Praise for KAREN HARPER and her ELIZABETH I MYSTERY NOVELS
THE HOODED HAWKE
“Deftly integrates its appealing historical detail with a neatly turned mystery.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Historical sophistication blends well with all the necessary elements of good mystery storytelling.”
—Booklist
“Elizabeth is a lively heroine, if a rather unlikely sleuth, and you’ll have great fun traveling the countryside and dodging arrows with her and her entourage. There’s enough history and mystery to keep lovers of both genres entertained.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Fast-paced, suspenseful … readers will find themselves spellbound by the characters, plotting and plausible period detail.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Exciting … fascinating … a deep look at Elizabethan England inside a cleverly devised whodunit with suspects galore.”
—Midwest Book Review
THE FATAL FASHIONE
“Historical-mystery lovers … should rejoice at [Harper’s] latest installment.”
—Booklist
“Entertaining … . Harper skillfully interweaves fact and fiction, presenting a heroine who is as intelligent and gutsy a crime solver as she was a real-life monarch.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Harper brings the period vividly to life, develops characters from the earlier tales, and makes the Virgin Queen a sympathetic, ambitious, and patriotic woman … . [O]ne soon is swept up in the rush of events in a turbulent time skillfully described. Recommended for all collections.”
—Library Journal
“Cleverly written … . Readers receive a deep look at life in the court to include those who are employed by the Queen and her retinue.”
—Midwest Book Review
“The Elizabeth I series is always good for a heady mix of political machinations, multiple plotlines, action, and historical detail, and The Fatal Fashione does not disappoint. Several overlapping plots are all juggled for the maximum of suspense, with the action-filled climax you always get from a Harper book. Recommended for all fans of [the Tudor] era in history.”
—Reviewing the Evidence
THE FYRE MIRROR
“An appealingly courageous detective.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A truly vibrant protagonist, thoroughly satisfying characterization, attention to detail, and credible plotting mark this as an outstanding historical.”
—Library Journal
“Fabulous … a thrilling reading experience … . Fans of the Ursula Blanches series by Fiona Buckley will definitely love this glimpse into a bygone era.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Enjoyable … actual historical figures as the dour Sir William Cecil, the queen’s secretary, and alchemist Dr. John Dee add color to this well-researched mystery.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Certain to please fans of historical mysteries. Harper’s careful plotting and keen historical eye render this a true delight to read. Best of all, though, is Harper’s characterization of Elizabeth and her detecting acumen … . what better way to spend wintry weekends than in catching up on the previous novels in this series, starting with The Poyson Garden.”
—Mystery Lovers Bookstore
THE QUEENE’S CHRISTMAS
“Wonderful historical detail mixed with intrigue … a real treat for those who enjoy historical mysteries.”
—Booklist
“Nicely blends intrigue, humor, and period detail.”
—The Wall Street Journal
“16th-century holiday fun.”
—Publishers Weekly
“An excellent historical series.”
—Library Journal
“Lively, abundant historical color makes Harper’s latest regal caper another standout.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Harper immerses the reader in the monarch’s 16th-century world with a realism that brings the c
haracters to life.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
“Karen Harper brings England alive.”
—Rendezvous Reviews
THE THORNE MAZE
“Harper is Tudor England’s answer to V. I. Warshawski … a well-researched, intrigue-filled historical.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Another brilliantly plotted and authentically detailed entry in a series celebrated for its vigorous characterization of the Virgin Queen.”
—Booklist
“The novel’s true pleasure is the re-creation of Elizabeth I’s court, the manners of the day, the fêtes, the sumptuous clothes, all of which Harper brings wonderfully alive.”
—Miami Herald
“Harper is to be commended for keeping to what we know about Tudor history … and for making the factions of Elizabeth’s court clearer than many history books have done.”
—Chicago Tribune
“A wonderful web of drama and deceit that would make Shakespeare envious … this is great stuff.”
—The Toronto Globe and Mail
“Brisk, energetic writing and terrific historical color.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A fine historical.”
—Library Journal
THE QUEENE’S CURE
“A neatly plotted mystery with genuinely terrifying scenes.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Fully rounded, sometimes baroque, but always engaging … the plot quickens to the very end.”
—Booklist
“Superb … a winner.”
—Amazon.com
“[A]n Elizabethan fan’s delight … [with] several red herrings that will delight the heart of mystery lovers.”
—Romantic Times
“[A] thrilling blend of historical detail and intriguing mystery. [Harper’s] Queen Elizabeth I possesses the fine detective’s instinct of Sherlock Holmes.”
—Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author
“Fascinating … a fine work for all collections.”
—Library Journal
“Engaging … Harper makes clever use of historical data.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Strong writing coupled with rich details … and the suspense of a murder or two … You can’t get to the end of the book fast enough. Harper’s portrayal is most intriguing … transporting readers to a time many know little about.”
—The Columbus Dispatch
THE TWYLIGHT TOWER
“Harper’s exquisite mastery of the period, lively dialogue, energetic plot, devious characters, and excellent rendition of the willful queen make this a pleasure for fans of historical mysteries.”
—Library Journal
“The sleuthing is fun, but what makes The Twylight Tower comparable to the fine works of Allison Weir is the strong writing of the author.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Exciting … and as cleverly crafted as only Karen Harper can be … a hugely appealing and fast-paced tale that keeps the reader satisfied and yearning for more.”
—Romancereviewstoday.com
“Conspiracies and lies within lies take the story through twists and turns … Harper’s attention to the details of the Elizabethan court—dress, food, pomp and circumstance—works very well.”
—Booklist
“Interesting … Harper has done her research well. Fans of historicals as well as mysteries will enjoy this book.”
—Romantic Times
“An exciting Elizabethan mystery that contains meticulous research and detail … interweaving historical tidbits into a powerful story line.”
—Internet Book Watch
THE TIDAL POOLE
“A nice mix of historical and fictional characters, deft twists and a plucky, engaging young heroine enhance this welcome sequel.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Harper delivers high drama and deadly intrigue … she masterfully captures the Elizabethan tone in both language and setting … Elizabethan history has never been this appealing.”
—Newsday
“Harper’s facility with historical figures such as William Cecil, Robert Dudley, and the treacherous Duchess of Suffolk is extraordinary.”
—Los Angeles Times
“Fans of Elizabethan historical mysteries will find ample sustenance here: a fiercely independent young queen, a loyal but feisty band of assistants, a plethora of historical characters, and an all-encompassing knowledge of the times. Excellent.”
—Library Journal
“A page-turner … Readers will welcome Elizabeth I and her colorful supporters. This well-researched volume puts readers in the midst of sixteenth-century England. They will enjoy the trip immensely.”
—Booklist
“Peopled with historical figures and bounding with intrigue and mystery, The Tidal Poole is a triumphant read. Harper does a masterful job at recreating the era and her portrait of the young queen is brilliant. The intricate plot will immediately carry readers away to Elizabethan times.”
—Romantic Times
“An enjoyable read … The author excels at weaving historical details into an intricately patterned plot, painting a vibrant picture of the Elizabethan world. Recommend this royal detective story to older teens, especially those who enjoy historical fiction or who like other Elizabethan mysteries by authors such as Fiona Buckley, Edward Marston, or Kathy Lynn Emerson.”
—VOYA
THE POYSON GARDEN
“Impressively researched … the author has her poisons and her historical details down pat.”
—Los Angeles Times
“Intoxicating … whether you love history, romance, adventure, or mystery, you will be intrigued by this view of Elizabeth as queen and as a brilliant detective.”
—Romantic Times
“A walk side by side with one of history’s most dynamic characters.”
—Anne Perry, author of Dark Assassin
“Lively action and well-tempered prose make The Poyson Garden a winner.”
—Library Journal
“An entertaining cross between a swashbuckling historical romance and a mystery novel. The heroine is spunky, the courtiers scheme and truckle, capes swirl, daggers flash and horses gallop.”
—Portland Oregonian
Afterword
APRIL 1, 1581
A rise, Sir Francis Drake,” the queen commanded, and smiled at her friend as he rose from his knees.
Cheers swelled from his crew, her courtiers, and the townfolk of Deptford, into which Drake had sailed his ship, the Golden Hind. Over the years, he’d fought the Spanish and returned to England with booty from their great galleons and exotic gifts from afar. They called him El Draco now, the Dragon. He had just returned from a three-year voyage, far beyond the Indian Ocean, for he’d circumnavigated the globe, which announced to allies and enemies alike that Elizabeth’s England was a power to be reckoned with.
“You may keep the sword,” she told Drake with a smile, “for you may yet need a supply of them in your queen’s service.”
“I have never run from a fight since you took me on, Your Grace, and never shall, even if King Philip sends that armada as he’s been threatening. We shall put it down just as you did that Northern Rebellion years ago—and the threat of the Hooded Hawk.”
“Sometimes I yet regret signing Norfolk’s death warrant, but he never ceased plotting as often as I pardoned him.”
“Some say if you could be convinced to have one cousin executed, the warrant for Queen Mary could also—”
“No! However much she yet tries to connive against me, I cannot have her beheaded. A woman beheaded—after my mother was—Do not speak of it if we are to be friends.”
“I would be your friend forever, Your Grace.”
“We shall survive and thrive together,” she promised, looking into his eyes, then turning away toward the others. Drake’s proud but shy wife, Mary, was here, beaming. They had no child
ren, either, something else he and the queen shared.
Sim Naseby, Drake’s cabin boy for nearly ten years and now a full-fledged sailor, stood amidships with his brother. Piers was going out soon from Ned’s troupe with his own company, the Queen’s Countryside Players. Meg was sad for that, though her eleven-year-old twin daughters, somehow conceived on that perilous summer progress to Hampshire, kept her busy.