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At the end of her first unsuccessful season out in society, Lady Georgiana has all but given up on attracting a suitable man - until she receives an invitation to a masked Halloween ball at Broxley Manor. Georgie is uncertain why she was invited, until she learns that the royal family intends to marry her off to a foreign prince, one reputed to be mad.
India Steele is desperate. Her father is dead, her fiancé took her inheritance, and no one will employ her, despite years working for her watchmaker father. Indeed, the other London watchmakers seem frightened of her. Alone, poor, and at the end of her tether, India takes employment with the only person who'll accept her - an enigmatic and mysterious man from America, a man who possesses a strange watch that rejuvenates him when he's ill.
This is your life Penny Nichols...Penny Nichols is a historical researcher working on a big-budget film in the south of France when she gets an urgent call. Her Aunt Penelope has just died, and Penny's presence is required in London for the reading of the will. With only a slim recollection of her eccentric aunt, Penny is astonished to learn that not only is she the bona fide heiress - but she's also been invited to put her research skills to work.
It's 1811, and the threat of revolution haunts the upper classes of King George III's England. Then a beautiful young woman is found savagely murdered on the altar steps of an ancient church near Westminster Abbey. A dueling pistol found at the scene and the damning testimony of a witness both point to one man - Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, a brilliant young nobleman shattered by his experience in the Napoleonic Wars.
Oxford, Spring 1353. When young bookseller Nicholas Elyot discovers the body of student William Farringdon floating in the river Cherwell, it looks like a drowning. Soon, however, Nicholas finds evidence of murder. Who could have wanted to kill this promising student? As Nicholas and his scholar friend Jordain try to unravel what lies behind William's death, they learn that he was innocently caught up in a criminal plot.
As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry - and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.
At the end of her first unsuccessful season out in society, Lady Georgiana has all but given up on attracting a suitable man - until she receives an invitation to a masked Halloween ball at Broxley Manor. Georgie is uncertain why she was invited, until she learns that the royal family intends to marry her off to a foreign prince, one reputed to be mad.
India Steele is desperate. Her father is dead, her fiancé took her inheritance, and no one will employ her, despite years working for her watchmaker father. Indeed, the other London watchmakers seem frightened of her. Alone, poor, and at the end of her tether, India takes employment with the only person who'll accept her - an enigmatic and mysterious man from America, a man who possesses a strange watch that rejuvenates him when he's ill.
This is your life Penny Nichols...Penny Nichols is a historical researcher working on a big-budget film in the south of France when she gets an urgent call. Her Aunt Penelope has just died, and Penny's presence is required in London for the reading of the will. With only a slim recollection of her eccentric aunt, Penny is astonished to learn that not only is she the bona fide heiress - but she's also been invited to put her research skills to work.
It's 1811, and the threat of revolution haunts the upper classes of King George III's England. Then a beautiful young woman is found savagely murdered on the altar steps of an ancient church near Westminster Abbey. A dueling pistol found at the scene and the damning testimony of a witness both point to one man - Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, a brilliant young nobleman shattered by his experience in the Napoleonic Wars.
Oxford, Spring 1353. When young bookseller Nicholas Elyot discovers the body of student William Farringdon floating in the river Cherwell, it looks like a drowning. Soon, however, Nicholas finds evidence of murder. Who could have wanted to kill this promising student? As Nicholas and his scholar friend Jordain try to unravel what lies behind William's death, they learn that he was innocently caught up in a criminal plot.
As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry - and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.
The daughter of a baronet and minor heiress, Rosalind Thorne was nearly ruined after her father abandoned the family. To survive in the only world she knew, she began to manage the affairs of some of London society's most influential women, who rely on her wit and discretion. So when artistocratic wastrel Jasper Aimesworth is found dead in London's most exclusive ballroom, Almack's, Rosalind must use her skills and connections to uncover the killer.
To escape from a life of petticoats and politeness, Hilary answers a curious advertisement for a pirate crew and suddenly finds herself swept up in a seafaring adventure that may or may not involve a map without an X, a magical treasure that likely doesn't exist, a rogue governess who insists on propriety, a crew of misfit scallywags, and the most treacherous - and unexpected - villain on the High Seas. Will Hilary find the treasure in time? Will she become a true pirate after all? And what will become of the gargoyle?
It's Christmas 1909, and for once Lady Hardcastle - respectable gentlewoman, amateur spy - and her lady's maid, Florence Armstrong, are setting sleuthing aside. They are invited to the festivities up at The Grange, as guests of Sir Hector and Lady Farley-Stroud. But barely have corks been popped and parlour games played when a mysterious crime comes to light.
When magistrate Patrick Colquhoun orders a habitual thief and ne'er-do-well transported to Botany Bay, he doesn't realize a 14-year-old boy has been left behind to follow in his father's footsteps - not until young John Pickett is hauled into Bow Street for stealing an apple from the produce market at Covent Garden. Feeling to some extent responsible for the boy, Mr. Colquhoun prevails upon Elias Granger, a prosperous coal merchant, to take him on as an apprentice.
The year is 1920: Flying in the face of convention, legendary American adventuress Beryl Helliwell never fails to surprise and shock. The last thing her adoring public would expect is that she craves some peace and quiet. The humdrum hamlet of Walmsley Parva in the English countryside seems just the ticket. And, honestly, until America comes to its senses and repeals Prohibition, Beryl has no intention of returning stateside and subjecting herself to bathtub gin.
In 1944, British bomber pilot Hugo Langley parachuted from his stricken plane into the verdant fields of German-occupied Tuscany. Badly wounded, he found refuge in a ruined monastery and in the arms of Sofia Bartoli. But the love that kindled between them was shaken by an irreversible betrayal. Nearly 30 years later, Hugo's estranged daughter, Joanna, has returned home to the English countryside to arrange her father's funeral. Among his personal effects is an unopened letter addressed to Sofia. In it is a startling revelation.
Lady Emily Hardcastle is an eccentric widow with a secret past. Florence Armstrong, her maid and confidante, is an expert in martial arts. The year is 1908 and they've just moved from London to the country, hoping for a quiet life. But it is not long before Lady Hardcastle is forced out of her self-imposed retirement. There's a dead body in the woods, and the police are on the wrong scent. Lady Hardcastle makes some enquiries of her own, and it seems she knows a surprising amount about crime investigation...
This riveting debut set in 1534 England secured C. J. Sansom’s place “among the most distinguished of modern historical novelists” (P. D. James). When Henry VIII’s emissary is beheaded at an English monastery, hunchbacked lawyer Matthew Shardlake is dispatched to solve the crime. But as he uncovers a cesspool of sin, three more murders occur - and Matthew may be the next target.
Bill Vokes has played Santa at the children's Christmas show for years. But with the show just hours away, he vanishes with no explanation. The whole village is baffled. Did something bad happen to loveable Bill, upstanding citizen, churchgoer, life and soul of the party and the holiday season? Jack and Sarah are on the case - and soon discover there are secrets about this Santa that no one could have imagined.
At 16, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren't for Jane to worry about. Jane gets to be queen of England. Like that could go wrong.
As the Great Blizzard of 1888 cripples the vast machinery that is New York City, heiress Prudence MacKenzie sits anxiously within her palatial Fifth Avenue home waiting for her fiance's safe return. But the fearsome storm rages through the night. With daylight, more than 200 people are found to have perished in the icy winds and treacherous snowdrifts. Among them is Prudence's fiancé - his body frozen, his head crushed by a heavy branch, his fingers clutching a single playing card, the ace of spades.
It's 1923 and young war widow fashionista Ginger Gold makes a cross-Atlantic journey with her companion Haley Higgins to London, England, to settle her father's estate. When the ship's captain is found dead, Ginger is only too happy to lend her assistance to the handsome Chief Inspector Basil Reed.
The letter came in secret, with a pearl eardrop from an aunt long thought dead, resurrecting the forbidden past. Banished by her spiteful half sister, Queen Mary, to Hatfield House in the English countryside, 25-year-old Princess Elizabeth cannot refuse the summons. The Boleyns are in grave danger. And Elizabeth, daughter of Anne Boleyn, is marked for death by a master poisoner whose reign of terror may have royal sanction.
With her few loyal retainers, Elizabeth escapes to Kent. Here, in her ancestral Hever Castle, now held by the Queen's loyalists, Elizabeth seeks to unravel the plot against her. And here, in the embrace of intrigue and betrayal, the princess must find a brilliant, powerfully connected killer - before the killer finds her....
If you could sum up The Poyson Garden in three words, what would they be?
Exciting, Educational, Provocative
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Poyson Garden?
There are several, but I love the end where just as she feels that all is lost, her beloved friends and supporters come to bend down before her and declare her the Queen.
Have you listened to any of Katherine Kellgren’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Yes, she is absolutely my favorite performer. I began reading Her Royal Spyness novels last year and was extremely sad to finish all of the current books in the series. This year I was looking for a Christmas book and read The Queen's Christmas. I look forward to the rest of the books in this series, mainly because of Katherine Kellgren.
Who was the most memorable character of The Poyson Garden and why?
Every character is memorable, but aside from the Queen, I loved Ned Topside. He is an unlikely ally, but shows throughout the book how his many talents can be used to help the Privy Council. Also, he is not afraid to tease the Queen or say what he thinks.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Katherine Kellgren is my favorite narrator. When I am looking for a new book to listen to, I often check out her work. I love how Katherine brings the characters to life with her different accents so I can visualize each person as they speak. It is because of Ms. Kellgren that I discovered this series by Karen Harper. I really like historical fiction, so this seemed like a good fit.
Queen Elizabeth I is very spunky and resourceful in this book. She is not queen when the book begins, but as a plot to kill her is thwarted, she becomes queen by the end. There were some steamy parts that I could have done without, but they did not get explicit.
Now I want to listen to book 2.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Expertly crafted story, Elizabeth I and all characters come alive in this first novel of the Elizabeth I series. Narration was exciting and kept me totally entranced. Will read all in series and do some historical research into this period.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
loved it great book wish there were more of them . The characters were great. also
I was engrossed by this novel, despite my initial tinge of skepticism about Elizabeth I as amateur sleuth... But it was written well, with great characters and gripping plot of conspiracy and murder. And it was still in a way a cozy, history mystery. Not too verbose or profound, but with just enough names and places to set it firmly in its proper historical and political place without overwhelming. And I loved the portrayal of Princess Elizabeth - already a strong leader, and standing up for herself and doing what needs to be done, sometimes risking everything, despite her exile and spy-watchdogs surrounding her. She has got mettle and so much strength - in more ways than one.
Narration was fantastic, in fact it was Kellgren's name which lead me to pick out this title to begin with, and I was not disappointed. Her many accents are wonderful, and she carries the emotions out of every scene. I was holding my breath confronting the villainess, right along with them.
I look forward to reading more in this series.
What made the experience of listening to The Poyson Garden the most enjoyable?
I enjoy listening to Katherine Kellgren's narrations and found the story intriguing, though I do not know my British history as I should to fully understand the backdrop of this story.
What did you like best about this story?
The characterization of Elizabeth is charming and still regal.
What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?
Everything. I really don't have complaints. I saw a negative review about her narration and do not understand. I have heard her read to other series and chose this series because she was the narrator.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I found myself smiling and chuckling a few times listening to this book on my drive to and from work.
Any additional comments?
I plan on continuing the series and have already finished book 2 and purchased book 3.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
What disappointed you about The Poyson Garden?
couldn't listen to more than a chapter b/c the narration was way too dramatic.
What didn’t you like about Katherine Kellgren’s performance?
too hyper
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I enjoyed Karen Harper's writing style and her grasp of this period of English history. The story and character development were engaging. But I agree with another reviewer's observation that Katherine Kellgren wasn't the right person to narrate. (I do have another series narrated by Ms. Kellgren for which she was better suited.)
The story held my interest enough for me to finish, but would love to experience it in the future with a better narrator. I believe this series by Karen Harper deserves the skill set of someone like Nadia May, Kate Reading or Davina Porter.
4 of 16 people found this review helpful
Good story gives an authentic view of the precarious early life of Elizabeth. Recommended for lovers of historical mysteries.