reviewed by BarbUK
The story revolves around three main characters, The Earl of Shrewsbury, his wife Bess (of Hardwick) and Mary, Queen of Scots.
Mary lost control in Scotland, fled to England, hoping for the protection of her cousin Queen Elizabeth. She was placed in the protective custody of the Earl until such time as a way could be found to restore her to her throne.
Then political intrigue takes over and Mary spends many years in custody and plotting her freedom, to be ultimately thwarted. The Shrewsburys once so in love and so loyal to Elizabeth find their world turned upside down and their loyalty questioned – which in Elizabethan times frequently led to the gallows. Bess finds her personal fortune being whittled away and the Earl finds his honour being doubted – in a time when honour was all.
Really an excellent tale brought to life by means of each chapter being written by one of the three main characters and from their viewpoint. It brings history alive to hear the story as someone may have thought it and it had me reading from chapter to chapter so fascinating it was.
I really didn’t want to put the book down, though I knew the ultimate end.
Could the book have been improved?
Possibly – but only if it had another book as a sequel for the years after Mary left the custody of the Shrewsburys and to her final end. As it was the separation of the Shrewsburys, Bess building Hardwick Hall and Mary meeting her end were dealt with in one final chapter, which did feel far too brief. That aside, I think its a book anyone would enjoy.
Set aside a weekend for it, I really did not want to put it down.
For more information about Philippa Gregory, click on the link below:
http://phillipagregory.com/
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