Jinx Grave Cavendish
Huzzah for Lady Grace.
In this most excellent historical mystery, Grace and the other ladies are off to St. Bartholomew’s fair. While there, a tent burns down, killing a gypsy woman and severely burning Lady Sarah. Unfortunately, the apothecary that the Queen has brought in to treat Lady Sarah is a fraud. Grace knows this, but has to prove it.
An excellent look at health care, race relations, superstitions and omens at Court. Plus, a wonderful mystery story. I especially loved the humor of the Spanish delegation visiting court-- Grace’s complaints about the women and the Queen’s reactions to the men were great.
Love this series so much. I’m sad that the last few were never published in the States and even in England, it looks like publication stopped with
Loot. :(
Book Provided by... my wallet
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Haunted Grace Cavendish
Long time readers may remember how much
I adore the Lady Grace Mysteries. They are historical fiction done right-- lots of excellent detail that never gets in the way of a wicked good plot.
In this one, Elizabeth’s court is on progress for the summer. At one estate, the owner is building a new manor house, but a spooky figure keeps appearing, stopping work. Is it a murdered earl? Or is it another noble trying to shame a rival in front of the Queen?
I especially liked how this one takes place outside of London. We still don’t see the Elizabethan England that most of it’s citizens saw, but it’s nice to occasionally leave the walls of Whitehall and see the countryside, and not just because it’s summer, so London is full of plague.
Book Provided by... my wallet. It's not available in the US, but you can order from the link above for a good price with free international shipping.
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Hours Spent Reading: 30
Books Read: 9
Pages Read: 2532
Money Raised: $719.54
What I'm listening to: 2 Become 1
Please remember that I'm reading to raise money for Room to Read, which builds libraries, stocks them with books, and trains people to become their librarians.
Intrigue Grace Cavendish
Ok. We've reached the point of the night where I have to read the same page multiple times.
When the Queen finds out about a new play where the audience has to solve a murder mystery, she can't wait for the troupe to be summoned to court and instead has everyone go to the Inn to see it right away. But, when the play's murder victim is actually murdered, things change.
It seems pretty straight-forward, so the Queen doesn't think there's any further investigation needed, but something doesn't seem right to Grace, so she's on the case!
I especially loved the description of what London Bridge looked like.
I do love love love this series so much. I'm sad they didn't gain enough popularity in the States to keep publishing them here.
Book Provided by... my wallet
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
I
love the Lady Grace Mysteries. It appears it's going to be a 26-volume series (one for each letter of the alphabet) but, alas! after
Feud, they stopped being published in the US. When I was in London in April, I raided the bookstore for G-K. L is coming out soon, but only for British readers.
Lady Grace Cavendish
Big things are happening at court! Lady Penelope is getting married and the palace is a tizzy with preparations and celebrations. But, in the middle of it all, the gold that is part of the Queen's loan from France is stolen. Every witness has a different story and none of the clues match up. Can Lady Grace solve this one?
Yay for Lady Grace! I love this series so much and was so happy to find more of it in London. (Even though I could have ordered them from the Book Depository with free shipping. I'll have to do that for later volumes. The link above is so you can get them through there, too. If you want. I'm not affiliated with them, I just think they're a great place to buy books you can't get in the states and wanted to share the love.)
Grace is a headstrong girl that might be too independent for her time, but look at who her guardian is-- Queen Elizabeth I. Also I love the way the authors of this series work in so much historical detail so seamlessly. It never interferes with the actual story. There's also a great glossary and author's note.
An excellent addition to an excellent Middle Grade Mystery series.
Where I got the Book: Own copy.
When oh when is Gold going to published here in the US? I lust! I want! I can order it and wait 4-5 weeks (eep!) but I'd rather it come out in the nice US edition and then my library will buy it and I can read it there. BUT! WHEN?! Especially because Amazon is now taunting me also with Haunted! We need to get through the alphabet sooner people!
Y'all know I love this series. If you've forgotten or are new, Lady Grace is maid-of-honor to her majesty Queen Elizabeth (the first) and also her personal detective. The books are in diary form and chock-full of historical details and interesting facts, but without this information getting in way of the story. Not only that, but they are fun, rollicking adventures of Grace acting quite improperly and loving it. The Queen (not always the most proper woman) turns a blind eye as long as she saves the day and not many people find out.
One of my favorite parts of the series is the characterization of Queen Elizabeth. She is every bit regal, but also possesses a fantastic and wicked sense of humour.
I read
Exile this summer on a dark and stormy night. Banoo Yasmine of Sharakand is an exiled Princess. There are several rumours floating around the court about why she and her retinue are in London, but the Queen as told Grace the truth-- her family was the victim of a bloody coup in Sharakand. The giant Heart of Kings ruby that she wears around her neck is rumoured to have magical powers, but Grace knows it's really a gift to the Queen to guarantee that the Banoo and her people can stay and be safe in England.
Of course, the ruby gets stolen and Grace is afraid the Queen won't continue to give the Banoo sanctuary without the ruby as security. The ruby is found, but it's discovered in Ellie's laundry basket. Grace knows her friend didn't steal the ruby, but Ellie's about to be in serious trouble if Grace can't find out who
did steal it!
This book focuses a lot on the different customs of the people from Sharakand and how the English court reacts to these strangers. Unfortunately, Grace doesn't get to know any of these people really well-- there are language difficulties and she's trying to clear her best friend after all-- so they aren't very fleshed out and we don't get to know them very well. We just see Grace's perceptions as she observes them at dinner or passes them in the corridors. This isn't the strongest book in the series, but fans of Grace will not be disappointed.
I did a little happy dance when
Feud came in. The Queen is having her portrait painted, but the Queen has more important things to do than stand around all day while people paint her picture. Lady Sarah, who looks somewhat like the Queen, is standing for most of the portrait, and Grace has to sit and read to her. Grace would much rather watch the painters and learn their craft. While watching the artists, Grace learns quite a few things-- especially that certain paints are poisonous.
At the same time, an acting troupe has shown up and Lady Carmina is falling mysteriously ill. Grace suspects, but can't prove, she's being poisoned. Paints are being stolen from the work room-- if Grace can find the thief, will she find the poisoner? Who would want to harm Carmina?
The problem with this book is that a feud Carmina's family is involved in is the turning point of the plot, but it's hidden in the background. The pointers leading the the feud would have been very subtle foreshadowing and would make an almost-twist (and exciting) ending. But, alas, the book is named feud, so we know it's going to be important. The most interesting thing about this book is not the feud or the information presented about feuds. The most interesting thing is the information about the painting and artistic techniques of the Elizabethan age. This story contains more false leads than the previous mysteries and is one of the best.
Now, we just have to wait patently (ha! when I have I ever been patient?!) for
Gold, and then
Haunted. HURRY UP!
Also,
Assassin will be out in paperback in August!
I remember wanting to read these when the series first started, and forgot all about them. I'll have to see if the library has any. Isn't it great to know that a series will be around for many more volumes!
What? Why only in the UK? I call unfair!