Synopses & Reviews
Someone in the Queen's Court has a deadly sense of style. . . .
In 1566, Elizabeth Tudor faces tremendous opposition from Parliament for ruling England without the help of a husband. Instead, she turns to her Privy Plot Council for help, only to discover from her royal herbalist that a woman has drowned in a tub of starch. Soon another garment worker meets the same rigid fate. Elizabeth becomes unbending in her attempts to solve the murders, as well as iron out the problems of her kingdom. But with her list of suspects growing--and firm evidence pointing to those she trusts the most--Elizabeth must hang the murderer out to dry or risk losing her reign... or her life.
"Harper is Tudor England's answer to V.I. Warshawski."
--Publishers Weekly
"[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, author of The Other Daughter
"Historical-mystery lovers...should rejoice at [Harper's] latest installment."
--Booklist
Review
"Harper's facility with historical figures is extraordinary."
--Los Angeles Times "Harper is Tudor England's answer to V.I. Warshawski."
--Publishers Weekly
"[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, author of The Other Daughter
"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 solve 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
Synopsis
The invention of starch has a profound influence on the fashion styles of Elizabethan England, but the lucrative commodity also leads to the murder of the royal starcher, followed by the killings of two other women and intrigue that could threaten the life of Queen Elizabeth I herself. Reprint.
Synopsis
Someone in the Queen's Court has a deadly sense of style. . . .
In 1566, Elizabeth Tudor faces tremendous opposition from Parliament for ruling England without the help of a husband. Instead, she turns to her Privy Plot Council for help, only to discover from her royal herbalist that a woman has drowned in a tub of starch. Soon another garment worker meets the same rigid fate. Elizabeth becomes unbending in her attempts to solve the murders, as well as iron out the problems of her kingdom. But with her list of suspects growing--and firm evidence pointing to those she trusts the most--Elizabeth must hang the murderer out to dry or risk losing her reign' or her life.
"Harper is Tudor England's answer to V.I. Warshawski."
--Publishers Weekly
"[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, author of The Other Daughter
"Historical-mystery lovers'should rejoice at [Harper's] latest installment."
--Booklist
Synopsis
In 1566, Elizabeth Tudor faces tremendous opposition from Parliament for ruling England without the help of a husband. Instead, she turns to her Privy Plot Council for help, only to discover from her royal herbalist that a woman has drowned in a tub of starch. Soon another garment worker meets the same rigid fate. Elizabeth becomes unbending in her attempts to solve the murders, as well as iron out the problems of her kingdom. But with her list of suspects growing--and firm evidence pointing to those she trusts the most--Elizabeth must hang the murderer out to dry or risk losing her reign... or her life.
About the Author
KAREN HARPER is the author of seven previous Elizabeth I mysteries, The Poyson Garden, The Tidal Poole, The Twylight Tower, The Queen's Cure, The Thorne Maze, The Queene's Christmas, and The Fyre Mirror. She also writes bestselling contemporary suspense novels. Karen lives in Columbus, Ohio, and Naples, Florida.