Synopses & Reviews
Praise for Karen Harper's Elizabeth I Mysteries"Karen Harper weaves a thrilling blend of historical detail and intriguing mystery. Her Queen Elizabeth I possesses the fine detective's instinct of Sherlock Holmes."
- Lisa Gardner, author of The Other Daughter
"A walk side by side with one of history's most dynamic characters."
- Anne Perry, author of Slaves of Obsession
The Queene's Christmas
"Lively, abundant historical color"
- Kirkus Reviews
"A real treat for those who enjoy historical mysteries."
- Booklist
The Thorne Maze
"Tudor England's answer to V. I. Warshawski"
- Publishers Weekly
"The novel's true pleasure is the re-creation of Elizabeth I's court, the manners of the day, the fetes, the sumptuous clothes, all of which Harper brings wonderfully alive."
- Miami Herald
"Harper is to be commended for keeping true to what we know of Tudor history and for making the factions of Elizabeth's court clearer than many history books have done."
- Chicago Tribune
The Queene's Cure
"Strong writing coupled with rich details and the suspense of a murder or two . . . Harper's portrayal is most intriguing, transporting readers to a time many know little about."
- The Columbus Dispatch
The Twylight Tower
"Exquisite mastery of the period, lively dialogue, energetic plot, devious characters, and excellent rendition of the willful queen"
- Library Journal
The Tidal Poole
"Harper delivers high drama and deadly intrigue . . . Elizabethan history has never been this appealing."
- Newsday
The Poyson Garden
"Impressively researched . . . the author has her poisons and her historical details down pat."
- Los Angeles Times
Review
"A walk side by side with one of history's most dynamic characters."
--Anne Perry, author of Slaves of Obsession
"A truly vibrant protagonist, thoroughly satisfying characterization, attention to detail, and credible plotting mark this as an outstanding historical."--Library Journal
"An appealingly courageous detective..."--Kirkus Reviews
"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
"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
"Harper's facility with historical figures is extraordinary."
--Los Angeles Times
"Karen Harper weaves a thrilling blend of historical detail and intriguing mystery. Her Queen Elizabeth I possesses the fine detective's instinct of Sherlock Holmes."
--Lisa Gardner, author of The Other Daughter
Review
"A truly vibrant protagonist, thoroughly satisfying characterization, attention to detail, and credible plotting mark this as an outstanding historical."
- Library Journal
"An appealingly courageous detective . . . "
- Kirkus Reviews
"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
"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
"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
Synopsis
In this seventh fiendishly clever caper starring the intrepid crowned sleuth, a new scientific concept, arson by mirror, catches fire in royal circles.
Synopsis
Elizabethan England comes alive as its young queen struggles to stop a serial killer who uses fire as a weapon in Karen Harper's acclaimed mystery series...
BURN A GLASS DARKLY...
Smitten with spring fever, Elizabeth Tudor escapes London for fantastical Nonsuch Palace in the sweet Surrey countryside. There she hopes to relax and pose for the official royal portrait for which she is holding a competition. But one of her artists is burned to death, and portraits of the queen are going up in flames. When she hears that her rival, the dangerous Mary, Queen of Scots, has been peering in mirrors and announcing, "I see the next queen of England!" Elizabeth summons her Privy Plot Council. Has the arsonist been sent by foreign foes or is it someone in her own court? Or is the "running boy" apparition really a ghost out to avenge a terrible past tragedy caused by the Tudors? Time is running out, because the enemy who stalks the queen means to destroy not only her portraits and artists, but her very life.
"Harper's facility with historical figures is extraordinary."
--Los Angeles Times
"Karen Harper weaves a thrilling blend of historical detail and intriguing mystery. Her Queen Elizabeth I possesses the fine detective's instinct of Sherlock Holmes."
--Lisa Gardner, author of The Other Daughter
Synopsis
Elizabethan England comes alive as its young queen struggles to stop a serialkiller who uses fire as a weapon.
Synopsis
Elizabethan England comes alive as its young queen struggles to stop a serial killer who uses fire as a weapon. From commoner to courtier, from the delights of rural England to the streets of teeming London, the queen and her coterie turn detectors in Karen Harper's acclaimed mystery series.Smitten with spring fever, Elizabeth Tudor escapes London for fantastical Nonsuch Palace in the sweet Surrey countryside. There she hopes to relax and pose for the official royal portrait for which she is holding a competition. Elizabeth is both delighted and dismayed when her young court artist, Gil Sharpe, returns early from schooling in Italy, where he has also been spying for the crown.
But one of her artists is burned to death, and portraits of the queen are going up in flames. When she hears that her rival, the dangerous Mary, Queen of Scots, has been peering in mirrors and announcing, "I see the next queen of England!" Elizabeth summons her Privy Plot Council.
Has the arsonist been sent by foreign foes or is it someone in her own court? Or is the "running boy" apparition really a ghost out to avenge a terrible past tragedy caused by the Tudors?
Time is running out, because the enemy who stalks the queen means to destroy not only her portraits and artists, but her very life.
Synopsis
Smitten with spring fever, Elizabeth Tudor escapes London for fantastical Nonsuch Palace in the sweet Surrey countryside. There she hopes to relax and pose for the official royal portrait for which she is holding a competition. But one of her artists is burned to death, and portraits of the queen are going up in flames. When she hears that her rival, the dangerous Mary, Queen of Scots, has been peering in mirrors and announcing, "I see the next queen of England!" Elizabeth summons her Privy Plot Council. Has the arsonist been sent by foreign foes or is it someone in her own court? Or is the "running boy" apparition really a ghost out to avenge a terrible past tragedy caused by the Tudors? Time is running out, because the enemy who stalks the queen means to destroy not only her portraits and artists, but her very life.
About the Author
KAREN HARPER is the author of six previous Elizabeth I mysteries:
The Poyson Garden,
The Tidal Poole,
The Twylight Tower,
The Queene's Cure,
The Thorne Maze, and
The Queene's Christmas. She also writes contemporary suspense novels, including the bestselling
The Falls. Karen Harper lives in Columbus, Ohio, and Naples, Florida.