Gloria

In my opinion this book was not up to Patricia Cornwell's usual high standard. The first chapters contained very wordy self-reflective narration which was not supported by the sudden seemingly unplanned ending. In the final moments Cornwell seemed to run out of steam and just found a quick and unsatisfying conclusion. It left many questions unanswered and despite the over use of self-reflective musings gave no indication of a thought process that led Scarpetta to her discovery of the perpetrator.

Penelope Freeman's interpretation of the Australian accent is terrible - even in the 1970's we never spoke with such a twang. We have never pronounced Melbourne as MelBOURNE rather Melburn with the emphasis on the 'MEL' and in 68 years I have NEVER hear Leichhardt pronounced the way Ms Freeman does in this book. It was grating on the ears and the sensibilities and for me spoiled a good story.

This book is historically incorrect on many fronts but the most obvious is to suggest Anne Neville wife of Richard III was in any way instrumental in bringing about the disappearance or death of Edward V and Richard Duke of York - whether you believe their deaths were due to Richard III or not is one thing to suggest Anne had anything to do with it is to deny all historical knowledge and evidence. According to chroniclers of the time Robert Brackenbury was under strict orders from the king that anything to do with the Princes could only have been done on receipt of a royal warrant from King Richard himself to suggest he took it on himself at a mere suggestion from Anne is to defame the man's character.

Also Ms Gregory really needs to decide if she is writing an historical novel or a fantasy piece as it is doubtful any person interested in this period of history today would believe Elizabeth Wydville capable of witchcraft.

Furthermore the book is badly written the same points are made again and again and again it is repetitive and tedious in the extreme. There are several instances of use of the present day vernacular which strikes a discordant note in the narrative. I would suggest this book was written to appeal to a young audience who would not know or care about historical detail.

All in all I would not recommend this book.

I enjoy time travel books and can enter quite happily into the spirit of the genre unfortunately this book is rubbish and in my opinion is not for adults.

Not a great King fan but like the premise of time travel so thought I would give it a try. Thoroughly enjoyed it and was sorry when it finished. Have recommended it to friends.