Synopses & Reviews
The Real Crime: Hans Holbein, King Henry VIII's portrait painter, died in the autumn of 1543. A century later a chronicler reported that the artist had succumbed to plague, yet there is no contemporary evidence to support this. Suspicions have been raised over the centuries, but the mystery of what actually happened remains unsolved to this day. Our Story: Young London goldsmith Thomas Treviot is awaiting a design for a very important jewelry commission from Hans Holbein. When the design fails to turn up, Thomas sends a servant to track Holbein down, only to discover that the painter has disappeared. In his hunt for Holbein and the lost design, Thomas is led into a morass of dangerous political intrigue, Spanish spies and courtiers that is more treacherous than he could ever have anticipated . . .
Review
"A useful and stimulating book about Britain's most important dynasty." Antonia Fraser, internationally bestselling author of 'Marie Antoinette'
Review
"Wilson interrelates the personal and political with an effectiveness that few other biographers have matched." The Sunday Telegraph
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"Masterful and lively. Wilson writes with great conviction and a breathtaking attention to the kind of personal detail that makes his books such compelling reading." Alison Weir, #1 New York Times bestselling author
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"In this exciting, scholarly book, the reader sees England and its religion being remade as men fight for office and power under an increasingly sour, unbalanced monarch." The Dallas Morning News
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"With encyclopedic complexity, the prolific Wilson traces the political webs of the period 1499-1559--the sixty most creative and, therefore, most destructive--years in England's history. Devotees of Tudor history will find much that is provocative and fresh." Publishers Weekly
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"Wilson displays an impressive command of early Tudor history and an even more impressive ability to interweave so many separate stands of the great story. Remarkable research, a masterful synthesis." Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
Based on the true story of the unsolved disappearance of Hans Holbein--famed portrait-painter of Henry VIII--this atmospheric historical novel plunges into an underworld of Tudor politics and intrigue.
Synopsis
Our Story: Young London goldsmith Thomas Treviot is awaiting a design for a very important jewelry commission from Hans Holbein. When the design fails to turn up, Thomas sends a servant to track Holbein down, only to discover that the painter has disappeared. In his hunt for Holbein and the lost design, Thomas is led into a morass of dangerous political intrigue, Spanish spies and courtiers that is more treacherous than he could ever have anticipated . . .
Synopsis
Crime; Historical Crime; Historical Fiction; Thriller; Mystery; Portrait Painter; Missing Person; Political Intrigue; Spies; King Henry VIII; Unsolved Mystery; Derek K. Wilson; Tudor Period; 16th Century
The Real Crime: Hans Holbein, King Henry VIII's portrait painter, died in the autumn of 1543. A century later a chronicler reported that the artist had succumbed to plague, yet there is no contemporary evidence to support this. Suspicions have been raised over the centuries, but the mystery of what actually happened remains unsolved to this day.Our Story: Young London goldsmith Thomas Treviot is awaiting a design for a very important jewelry commission from Hans Holbein. When the design fails to turn up, Thomas sends a servant to track Holbein down, only to discover that the painter has disappeared. In his hunt for Holbein and the lost design, Thomas is led into a morass of dangerous political intrigue, Spanish spies and courtiers that is more treacherous than he could ever have anticipated . . .
About the Author
D. K. Wilson is one of Britain's leading popular historians and is a highly regarded expert on the Tudor period. His previous history books include Charlemagne (Doubleday), The Uncrowned Kings of England (Basic Books), and Peter the Great (St. Martin's). This is his first novel to be published in America. He lives in England.