Book 77: Watch the Lady by Elizabeth Fremantle
Book 77: Watch the Lady (Tudor Trilogy #3) .
Author: Elizabeth Fremantle, 2015.
Genre: Historical Fiction. England Elizabethan period.
Other Details: Hardback. 496 pages.
The daughter of the Queen’s nemesis, Penelope Devereux, arrives at court blithely unaware of its pitfalls and finds herself in love with one man, yet married off to another. Bestowed with beauty and charm she and her brother, The Earl of Essex, are drawn quickly into the aging Queen’s favour. But Penelope is saddled with a husband who loathes her and chooses to strike out, risking her reputation to seek satisfaction elsewhere. But life at the heart of the court is not only characterised by the highs and lows of romance, there are formidable factions at work who would like to see the Devereux family brought down. It seems The Earl of Essex can do no wrong in the eyes of the Queen but as his influence grows so his enemies gather and it is Penelope who must draw on all her political savvy to prevent the unthinkable from happening. - synopsis from author's website.
This novel is historical fiction at its finest. It is clear that Elizabeth Fremantle has done extensive research into the period as well as her main subjects. Her author's note made it clear where she had speculated and her reasons for this. I did appreciate this kind of candour.
I knew only a little about the Essex rebellion or the circle of family and friends around Penelope and her brother so this was illuminating as well as a gripping story about the politics and intrigues of Elizabeth I's court. As with Sisters of Treason, Elizabeth comes across as a very mercurial personality with deep insecurities that manifest as jealousy and paranoia.
I now plan to read her first novel as well to keep an eye out for future works by this excellent author.
Cross-posted to 50bookchallenge.