Blessop's Wife

Historical Mysteries Collection, Book 1

He's a spy for the king. She's a fighter who barely survived a treacherous relationship. Can they try their hand at uncovering one of England's biggest conspiracies?

In 1483 London, Andrew works as a spy for the king’s brother Richard. Through necessity, he has lived life in the shadows. When tragedy points to regicide, Andrew delves deeper into a maze of dangerous duplicity.

When young Tyballis discovers her husband has been arrested for murder, she is delighted. As a young orphan coerced to marry her abusive neighbor, she was horribly used. Now is her chance to be rid of him for good and find the confidence she never had.

When Tyballis joins forces with the motley network of Andrew’s informers and thieves, they are lured into the dark and dangerous world of medieval London’s political intrigue and back alley slums. It’s not long before Tyballis is accused of murder herself…

Blessop’s Wife is a thought-provoking mystery that fuses fact and fiction to stunning effect and explores what it means to be human.

©2015 Barbara Gaskell Denvil (P)2023 Podium Audio

Absolutely loved this book

I loved the readers voice. I could listen to him all day. I loved the characters and the developed relationships.

Wonderful Story

The story has lots of twist and turns, through the descriptions and painted personalities the characters came to life. The illustration of London with words was incredible, I could smell the Thames at low tide. The book is long enough to explain a crowning of a King of England in the 1400's, unveiling the story from many angles. I enjoyed it very much, and hope there is a book 2 soon to come.

Intriguing, racy, and very well narrated

Lord Feighton (?) made me think of a Thomas Cromwell sort of figure - at least as described by Hillary Mantel- and “Tibs” was spunky (she reminded me a little of Eowyn in Lord of the rings). My history being mainly formed from literature, I did not understand that what was happening (aside from some suspicions regarding the nephews being locked in the tower for safekeeping) was the rise of Richard the third. Now I’m feeling confused and have to go check out the “true” history to see what really happened. Could our Shakespeare have been so misinformed? Or was he influenced by the “wretch” of Henry’s Tudor line? I would’ve really appreciated an afterward, but I guess I’m being pushed to do my own investigation. I really liked the rag tag band of merry criminals staying in Lord Feighton’s crumbling estate, and how they all worked together. And I absolutely love the reader, which is how I found this book to begin with. I shall read more of them!

Exceeded expectations

I enjoyed this book so much. Charming characters, intriguing mysteries, and unexpected turns. This is one I would definitely recommend.

Loved it!

This story/book should be a Masterpiece Theater TV series, and what a superb narrator. Thoroughly enjoyed it!