This novel is a well-wrought anesthesia. Perhaps some historian's attempt at fiction, it is so weighted down by dry information and so bereft of character and a well-conceived story that I could NOT stay with it. But I DID listen to it in bed to help me sleep. I would suggest that the author read WOLF HALL: now THAT is a great piece of fiction about real historical characters.

Had great expectations. Liked almost all of George's Inspector Linley. Respect her academic skills. Was disappointed in spite of the glowing reviews around the Net. Dreary and a dreary reader.

I have loved Tudor England since I was 12 years old. This book no more captures the essence of Elizabeth ... well, I gave up after 6 chapters.

This is a great example of how a book that is historical in nature can be enjoyed while listening to it.

The history of the subject. You could smell the body odors from how it was written. One tends to forget running water wasn't available always.

This book was well spoken, enjoyed and understood.

Catherine, the Queen's cousin. Would like to hear her side.

long story, and worth the time. I learned from this book.

The detail, covering every aspect of Elizabeth's life at that time. More than most biographies do.

That Elizabeth was not always perfect, or right in her decisions.

Nothing. Characters always distinguishable.

Elizabeth's reactions when her friend/servant died.

If you want something zippy and simple, watch a movie. This is a book and acts like it. It takes its time to develop characters and scenes and incidents, as it should. This is history, not an action-action-action thriller.

I was disappointed in one aspect of the book. I didn't read the description closely enough, and expected a full-length biographical novel. This book begins at the time of the Spanish armada, well into Elizabeth's reign. So be ready.

Kate Reading is one World Class Wonderful Reader. (Yes, I do think she's that good. Thank you for asking.)
Try her reading "Revenge of the Blood Lilly."
Here she's held prisoner by an overwhelmingly repetitious, repetitive story that also keeps saying the same things nearly endlessly.
Oh. yes. by the way. It repeats a lot.
I started it on audio, gave up. On an extended trip I took it along as a sleeping pill and it was too dull - being annoyed with a book does not put this reader to sleep.
"It's not your fault, Kate!" Even the best reader may be a victim to a l - o - n - g and boring novel.

a plot
a totally pointless mess
an insult to a dead person
every woman is bad or stupid
every man is ancient or sensual

very cautiosly

she did not much

tough question none serve any purpose or generate sympathy

also very L-O-N-G