Murder Most Royal [Unknown Binding]

Jean Plaidy aka Eleanor Hibbert (Author)

Product Details

• Unknown Binding
• Publisher: Pan, 1967 (January 1, 1967)
• ASIN: B000H7TGQU
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good historical read, August 22, 2008

By 

M. Hudgens "mhleigh" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder Most Royal (Mass Market Paperback)

The book tells the story of two English queens with tragic fates, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. We begin with Henry VIII, depressed with the inability of his wife to produce an heir. When Henry sees Anne as a yong woman there is a quality about her which attracts him instantly and irrevocably. Anne refuses to become Henry's mistress, having seen how short Henry's attention span is and knowing that her position of power and being love with another man. However Anne is unable to hold onto Henry's devotion, especially when she is also unable to produce a male heir speedily. Henry moves quickly through his next two marriages, bringing

Quote: "Tears were in the eyes of many who beheld her, for she had none of that haughtiness which had characterized her tragic cousin. In her black velvet gown she looked what she was, a very young girl, innocent of any crime, whose tragedy was that she had had the absolute misfortune to be desired by a ruthless man whose power was absolute."

As usual, Plaidy writes an intriguing novel with fascinating characters. Her portrayal of Anne is slightly different than some other works I have read on this subject - she is not inherently ambitious or desirous for queenship. Rather, she is in love with another man and when she refuses to become the king's mistress initially she is not just being coy, she truly is trying to (gently) spurn his advances. She has no desire to displace Katherine. However as time paces it is clear that Henry's infatuation shows no hopes of diminishing and, as her love is now married to another man, Anne is powerless to refuse Henry's advances and the plans that come with them. Once in a position of power. of course, Anne will do anything to maintain it - something which becomes increasingly desperate. Catherine Howard, Anne's cousin, is also sought after Henry with single mindedness. She seems Anne's opposite - just 19, unassuming and just eager to please. None of this saves her, however, when rumors of her scandalous past pop up, shattering Henry's image of her as the perfect woman.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good historical read, August 22, 2008

By 

M. Hudgens "mhleigh" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder Most Royal (Hardcover)

The book tells the story of two English queens with tragic fates, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. We begin with Henry VIII, depressed with the inability of his wife to produce an heir. When Henry sees Anne as a yong woman there is a quality about her which attracts him instantly and irrevocably. Anne refuses to become Henry's mistress, having seen how short Henry's attention span is and knowing that her position of power and being love with another man. However Anne is unable to hold onto Henry's devotion, especially when she is also unable to produce a male heir speedily. Henry moves quickly through his next two marriages, bringing

Quote: "Tears were in the eyes of many who beheld her, for she had none of that haughtiness which had characterized her tragic cousin. In her black velvet gown she looked what she was, a very young girl, innocent of any crime, whose tragedy was that she had had the absolute misfortune to be desired by a ruthless man whose power was absolute."

As usual, Plaidy writes an intriguing novel with fascinating characters. Her portrayal of Anne is slightly different than some other works I have read on this subject - she is not inherently ambitious or desirous for queenship. Rather, she is in love with another man and when she refuses to become the king's mistress initially she is not just being coy, she truly is trying to (gently) spurn his advances. She has no desire to displace Katherine. However as time paces it is clear that Henry's infatuation shows no hopes of diminishing and, as her love is now married to another man, Anne is powerless to refuse Henry's advances and the plans that come with them. Once in a position of power. of course, Anne will do anything to maintain it - something which becomes increasingly desperate. Catherine Howard, Anne's cousin, is also sought after Henry with single mindedness. She seems Anne's opposite - just 19, unassuming and just eager to please. None of this saves her, however, when rumors of her scandalous past pop up, shattering Henry's image of her as the perfect woman.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good historical read, August 22, 2008

By 

M. Hudgens "mhleigh" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder Most Royal (Mass Market Paperback)

The book tells the story of two English queens with tragic fates, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. We begin with Henry VIII, depressed with the inability of his wife to produce an heir. When Henry sees Anne as a yong woman there is a quality about her which attracts him instantly and irrevocably. Anne refuses to become Henry's mistress, having seen how short Henry's attention span is and knowing that her position of power and being love with another man. However Anne is unable to hold onto Henry's devotion, especially when she is also unable to produce a male heir speedily. Henry moves quickly through his next two marriages, bringing

Quote: "Tears were in the eyes of many who beheld her, for she had none of that haughtiness which had characterized her tragic cousin. In her black velvet gown she looked what she was, a very young girl, innocent of any crime, whose tragedy was that she had had the absolute misfortune to be desired by a ruthless man whose power was absolute."

As usual, Plaidy writes an intriguing novel with fascinating characters. Her portrayal of Anne is slightly different than some other works I have read on this subject - she is not inherently ambitious or desirous for queenship. Rather, she is in love with another man and when she refuses to become the king's mistress initially she is not just being coy, she truly is trying to (gently) spurn his advances. She has no desire to displace Katherine. However as time paces it is clear that Henry's infatuation shows no hopes of diminishing and, as her love is now married to another man, Anne is powerless to refuse Henry's advances and the plans that come with them. Once in a position of power. of course, Anne will do anything to maintain it - something which becomes increasingly desperate. Catherine Howard, Anne's cousin, is also sought after Henry with single mindedness. She seems Anne's opposite - just 19, unassuming and just eager to please. None of this saves her, however, when rumors of her scandalous past pop up, shattering Henry's image of her as the perfect woman.