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Overview
The era of the Tudors was one of danger, intrigue, conspiracy, and, above all, spies.
Summer 1553: A time of danger and deceit. Brendan Prescott, an orphan, is reared in the household of the powerful Dudley family. Brought to court, Prescott finds himself sent on an illicit mission to the king’s brilliant but enigmatic sister, Princess Elizabeth. But Brendan is soon compelled to work as a double agent by Elizabeth’s protector, William Cecil, who promises in exchange to help him unravel the secret of his own mysterious past.
A dark plot swirls around Elizabeth’s quest to unravel the truth about the ominous disappearance of her seriously ill brother, King Edward VI. With only a bold stable boy and an audacious lady-in-waiting at his side, Brendan plunges into a ruthless gambit of half-truths, lies, and murder. Filled with the intrigue and pageantry of Tudor England, The Tudor Secret is the first book in The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles.
Synopsis
The era of the Tudors was one of danger, intrigue, conspiracy and, above all, spies. Summer 1553 A time of danger and deceit. Brendan Prescott, an orphan, is reared in the ...
Publishers Weekly
In Gortner's latest riveting historical (after The Last Queen), the influential Dudley family sends orphan servant Brendan Prescott to serve their cruel son, Lord Robert, at King Edward's court, and the young man is soon caught up in intrigue, suspicion, and shifting loyalties. Young King Edward is under the thumb of the Dudleys, but illness is greatly affecting his influence. Then the lion-eyed Princess Elizabeth, whom the Dudleys view as a threat, arrives and Prescott becomes a spy for her protector, William Cecil. Deeper involvement in the conspiracies surrounding the throne makes Prescott increasingly uncertain of loyalties, including his own, and he begins to question his fate and identity. In Gortner's capable hands, Prescott is a believable and enjoyable hero, a man of strong loyalties but naïve enough to be exploited. And while the Dudleys are mostly broadly drawn villains, Robert has depth, and though readers familiar with the Tudor era will know the key players, they may be surprised by their depiction here. Gortner handles action with aplomb, adding a riveting, fast-paced thriller to the crowded genre of Tudor fiction. (Feb.)
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
In Gortner's latest riveting historical (after The Last Queen), the influential Dudley family sends orphan servant Brendan Prescott to serve their cruel son, Lord Robert, at King Edward's court, and the young man is soon caught up in intrigue, suspicion, and shifting loyalties. Young King Edward is under the thumb of the Dudleys, but illness is greatly affecting his influence. Then the lion-eyed Princess Elizabeth, whom the Dudleys view as a threat, arrives and Prescott becomes a spy for her protector, William Cecil. Deeper involvement in the conspiracies surrounding the throne makes Prescott increasingly uncertain of loyalties, including his own, and he begins to question his fate and identity. In Gortner's capable hands, Prescott is a believable and enjoyable hero, a man of strong loyalties but naïve enough to be exploited. And while the Dudleys are mostly broadly drawn villains, Robert has depth, and though readers familiar with the Tudor era will know the key players, they may be surprised by their depiction here. Gortner handles action with aplomb, adding a riveting, fast-paced thriller to the crowded genre of Tudor fiction. (Feb.)Library Journal
Gortner's (Confessions of Catherine de Medici; The Last Queen) third historical novel and the first in his "Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles" details the rivalries struggling for power during the demise of the young King Edward VI. Narrator Brendan Prescott, a lowly page in the employ of the once powerful Dudley family who saved him as a foundling, takes readers into the Tudor court as he is sent on a secret mission to protect the king's sister, the Princess Elizabeth, from the scheming of King Edward's uncles. Opening with great promise, the novel begins to disappoint after the first few chapters. Gortner breaks one of the unspoken rules of historical fiction: if it's not true, it must at least be believable. There is nothing plausible about Brendan being the royal personage he is later discovered to be or his many escapes from danger. Most problematic, though, is the lack of emotion behind Brendan's supposed love of Elizabeth, who is portrayed as without intelligence or wit. Overall, Gortner's uninteresting plot goes nowhere, in an unfortunate contrast to his acclaimed previous novels. VERDICT Not worth the money, but as it is part of a series, this title may need to be reconsidered should the second book prove more entertaining. Strictly for the author's most ardent readers and Tudor fiction fans.—Audrey Johnson, Arlington, VAFrom the Publisher
Praise for C. W. Gortner
“Riveting . . . In Gortner’s capable hands, Prescott is a believable and enjoyable hero, a man of strong loyalties but naïve enough to be exploited. And while the Dudleys are mostly broadly drawn villains, Robert has depth, and though readers familiar with the Tudor era will know the key players, they may be surprised by their depiction here. Gortner handles action with aplomb, adding a riveting, fast-paced thriller to the crowded genre of Tudor fiction.”—Publishers Weekly on The Tudor Secret
“Even Tudor fans who know all the key players and historical backdrop will be captivated by Gortner’s storytelling and his engaging hero. He juxtaposes his naïve and loyal hero with the cruel Robert Dudley, enhancing the plot and grabbing reader interest as much as the quick pace and lush historical references. The novel is both entertaining and thoughtful.”—RT Book Review on The Tudor Secret
“Dazzling cast of characters . . . at its heart, the brilliant and enigmatic Elizabeth. Never have spy and counterspy been more challenged, villains more duplicitous, and life for those in power—or hoping to be—more dangerous. . . . Fast-moving tale of espionage and suspense . . . The velvet peril of Tudor England comes alive in this haunting look at Elizabeth I’s secret spy.”—Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of The Autobiography of Henry VIII on The Tudor Secret
“A brilliantly executed plot and three-dimensional characters . . . this is historical fiction, and very well done at that; very highly recommended.”—Historical Novels Review, editors’ choice
“An intriguing and provocative book about one of history’s most controversial queens and the turbulent world of sixteenth-century France.”––Sharon Kay Penman, New York Times bestselling author of Devil’s Brood on The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
“A dramatic, epic novel . . . Meticulously researched, this engrossing novel offers a fresh portrait of a queen who has too often been portrayed as a villain.”––Sandra Gulland, bestselling author of The Josephine B. Trilogy, on The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
“A can’t-put-it-down novel. . . . Gortner is a brilliant new star in historical fiction!”—Robin Maxwell, author of The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, on The Last Queen
“A sparkling historical . . . Disturbing royal secrets and court manipulations wickedly twist this enthralling story, brilliantly told.”— Publishers Weekly on The Last Queen
“Meticulously researched . . . Gortner breathes life into his queen.”—Library Journal on The Confessions of Catherine de Medici