Customer Reviews

Betrayal (The Grace Mysteries)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the second book in the Lady Grace Mysteries series, about Lady Grace Cavendish, a thirteen-year-old Maid of Honour at the court of Queen Elizabeth I.

When Lady Sarah, a fellow Maid of Honor to Queen Elizabeth I, disappears, apparently having eloped with the dashing young Captain Drake, thirteen-year-old Lady Grace Cavendish takes it upon herself to discover the truth of Lady Sarah's whereabouts. Her discoveries lead her to believe that rather than leaving of her own free will, Lady Sarah may have been kidnapped. Grace decides to disguise herself as a boy, and along with her friend Masou, a tumbler at the court, stows away aboard Captain Drake's ship in the hope of rescuing her, and finds herself facing a dangerous adventure.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoyed the first Lady Grace Mystery, as well as to new readers who enjoy reading a blend of historical fiction and mystery. I also really love the historical setting. I look forward to reading more of Grace's adventures in upcoming books in this series.

Imagine my surprise when, upon reading a book set in medieval England recommended for grades 4 -7, that the accuracy of the prose, style, mannerisms, dress - nearly everything - was fairly on par with the inestimable Sharon Kay Penman, writer of medieval historical fiction, and considered the best in her field. I loved that it was written in diary form, for that added a sense of immediacy to the work.

Quite honestly, I did not expect to enjoy this book. I couldn't imagine a book written for young readers that took the time period seriously, and gave it it's full measure. But this book does. It even includes a glossary at the end, something that is invaluable to those unfamiliar with the times, as well as a briefing on the real history behind the fiction.

I read this book straight through, starting it at midnight, and finishing around 1:30am. I had expected to read perhaps ten pages, and then pick it up the next day, but I was so surprised at how realistic the story was, how aptly the author painted the period - in other words, completely enthralled - that I couldn't put it down. I kept making excuses to continue reading, and finally when there were only forty pages left, I just said to heck with it, and finished it.

The only concern I have regarding the book was that the mystery didn't start until page 50 or so. Generally, an author needs to hook their readers in within the first two pages or they've lost them. I hope this didn't cause the author to lose any readers - it certainly didn't lose me. I'm looking forward to reading more of these mysteries.

The year is 1569, and thirteen-year-old Lady Grace Cavendish, Queen Elizabeth's favorite Maid of Honor, as well as Her Majesty's Lady Pursuivant, has just wrapped up one case, and is itching for another. However, she never knew that it would come so soon.

When Lady Sarah, a buxom red-headed Maid of Honor to Queen Elizabeth I, disappears, thought to have eloped with Captain Drake, a dashing young sea captain whom is way below Lady Sarah's social standing, Lady Grace takes the matter into her hands, determined to find out the truth. After all, while Lady Sarah may be giving Captain Drake goo-goo eyes, she would never disgrace her parents or family by marrying someone with as little money as him. Deciding that Lady Sarah has been kidnapped, Grace, along with her friend, and a professional tumbler at the Court, Masou, stowaway on Captain Drake's ship, in the hope of rescuing Lady Sarah before the ship sets sail. But Lady Grace's plans quickly go awry, and soon she and Masou are facing quite the dangerous high seas adventure.

I adored Lady Grace Cavendish's first adventure ASSASSIN very much when I read it earlier in the year. So I was skeptical of thinking that BETRAYAL could match ASSASSIN in its depiction of a marvelous adventure story. Luckily, my hopes were far exceeded in this marvelous addition to the series. BETRAYAL combines a wonderful mix of royals, sleuthing, and high seas hijinks that will please even the pickiest reader. Lady Grace has once again proved herself as a fabulous Lady Pursuivant, and I cannot wait to read about her next adventure. Fans of ASSASSIN must run out and buy BETRAYAL today, for it is an adventure-filled sequel that will please all.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

When Lady Sarah, one of Lady Grace's fellow Maids-of-Honor, is kidnapped, she secretly sets out in disguise to rescue her before her reputation is ruined. Grace stows away on a ship with her friend Masou, but when they are discovered by the ship's crew, they are put to work on the ship. Grace has to find and rescue Sarah without revealing her identity or it will be her reputation destroyed.

The Court of England, a new era under the most magnificent Queen ever, Queen Elizabeth the first! A new ship has been designed, and the Queen and her ladies go to the docks to see it. Lady Sarah flirts constantly with the dashing Captians. But when she leaves a forged note, saying she has eloped with one of them, Lady Grace thinks she has surely lost her head! She also thinks that it is very suspicous. So she sets sail as a boy to rescue her!

I thought this book was really good! (Although I liked the first one better, only because it was about a murder and this one is about a kidnapping and ships.)
In this book, Lady Sarah (a Maid of Honor), has disappeared and Lady Grace tries to find her along with her friend, Masou. They go aboard the ship of the #1 suspect for Lady Sarah's kidnapping. It's very exciting!

What a great series! Grace, Maid of Honor to Elizabeth I, is believable and gutsy while still staying true to her Renaissance period. Here Lady Grace saves her fellow Lady in Waiting (a nasty, vain girl anyone who went to High School will recognize) from a kidnapper--is Captain Drake the bad guy?

The glossary at the back is wonderful, as is the true story behind the novel, and those who like to read a series in order will be delighted to learn that the titles are alphabetical.