To Shield the Queen

I always enjoy historical fiction for the little nuggets of history that often aren't even part of the general plot line, and was not disappointed by A Traitor's Tears by Fiona Buckley, with its back story of the changes to the weaving industry in Elizabethan times. As for the murder mystery, I figured it out about half way into the book, but it was a good plot with several potential killers and a couple of twists. This is the latest in a 12 book series, and I got it through my library for the Kindle. I had read mixed reviews on this book, with people either loving or really disliking it; several people said

it was difficult to follow because they hadn't read any other books in the series. I then got To Shield the Queen, the first book in the series and really liked it also. I definitely recommend reading them in order, because it helps understand the relationships in future books, and it seems like the books take place over several years. The main character is Ursula Blanchard, a widow with a young daughter in the first book who is married with a child in Book 12. Due to Ursula's tightened purse strings, and connections through her dead husband, she is offered a place at Court as a Lady in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. This is early in Elizabeth's rein, and all of the world is waiting to see who she will marry. It is rumored that she has taken a lover, Lord Robert Dudley, who is constantly with Elizabeth at Court, while his sickly young wife is stuck in the

country. Those of us familiar with Elizabethan history know what happens next. Lady Amy falls down the stairs and breaks her neck on a day when no one, not even servants are in the house. It is still a mystery to this day what actually happened. Author Fiona Buckley has made Ursula a witness to this important event. The Queen and Sir Robert ask Ursula to go and stay with his wife while she is dying to be sure she is not mistreated by those caring for her. One cannot refuse the Queen, making Ursula one of those who should have been in the house with Amy that day. With everyone else assuming it was an accident, Ursula feverishly races around the countryside following clues about a small group of men who have been seen in the area having secret meetings. Eventually she learns much valuable information, forever in-debting herself to the Queen and her advisers, setting up the book series for Ursula to be the eyes of the Court when questionable events are happening. These 2 books are part of my Snagged at the Library Challenge and Historical Fiction Challenge.