Customer Reviews

Royal Escape (Five Star First Edition Mystery)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first heard about Royal Escape, the description intrigued me. It basically said that readers looking for a less tragic fate for Diana, Princess of Wales, would probably enjoy this book. I'm not one for royal mania, but I just watched a PBS special on The Windsors, so I was in a royal family mindset.

Let me make this clear right from the start: if you are a fan of the Windsors, this book is probably not for you. The Wyndhams, as they are referred to in Royal Escape, aren't portrayed in the best light. If I were to have to guess at Froetschel's political leanings, I would say she is for the monarchy being abolished in Britain. Elena (Diana) is, of course, the most sympathetic of the characters in the book, a victim of both the royal family and their staff. Her concern for her sons was touching, but I didn't do much in terms of character analysis because it was obvious who each character was supposed to represent in the royal family.

The most interesting part of the book was how the royal family is handled by their staff. While I don't know if it is true or not, I thought it was very intriguing. The mystery of what really is going on behind the scenes is captivating and propels the story forward.

Basically, this book is pure escapism: if you are looking for a fun, mindless read, this is a great book to choose. There isn't too much substance, but it is fun and keeps the reader hooked. There are some unresolved issues at the end of the book and some large plot holes, but if you aren't in the mood to care about that sort of thing (as I wasn't when I read the novel), then Royal Escape is for you. As long as you don't take yourself or it too seriously, you will enjoy this book.

One afternoon as a harried day of work was approaching an end, I surreptitiously checked my personal email in the hopes of a word from a friend or joke from a relative. The first message that caught my eye announced an Author Talk that evening at one of the local libraries. The author was Susan Froetschel who would be discussing her new book The Royal Escape. Though exhausted I found my interest peaked by the fact this evidently wasn't just an author trying to sell her latest book but was more of a mystery writing workshop to help aspiring mystery writers such as myself with those unavoidable tricky spots and problem areas. The author briefly discussed her book, gave a short reading, then launched into the workshop.

Sometimes at such workshops you hear a preponderance of generalities that while well meaning, don't really help much with any of the specific problems a writer frequently faces. Not this time. The author provided detailed suggestions for how to hook the reader in the first few pages, character development, point of view (my personal weak spot), motivation, plot and endings that work. She gave out worksheets and exercises some of which we completed on the spot and went over with her feedback and comments, and a number of others she gave us to take home. Though not one for exercises or lots of pre-development, I completed each one and later found myself incorporating much of what I'd worked out during those activities into my manuscript as well as changing parts that I didn't realize weren't working prior to the workshop. All I know is that my arrogant psychologist who's life is being ruined, though he has no idea by whom, began to develop characteristics which made him seem a little more worthy of compassion and my lunatic who's carrying out all the crimes against said Psychologist develop characteristic that made him seem a little less worthy of understanding due to his horrifically abusive childhood and far more sinister. After completing several worksheets, suddenly, my characters were becoming three-dimensional!

Yet that wasn't all I got out of the evening. When at an Author Talk while some feel obligated to buy a book, I do so only when it seems like something I'd truly enjoy reading. To be honest, I wasn't entirely certain at first of this book, generally not liking narratives that follow real life, famous story lines too closely and let's face it, you don't get more famous than the British Royal Family and Princess Diana. Still, from the description it seemed as if it could be a unique spin on even such well known events so I bought a copy mostly out of curiosity as to how the author

Striking personalities enrich this tale of the royals in their misguided approach to life and living. We are drawn to admire and despise the deep characters portrayed as the plot unfolds.

I shouldn't have gotten as interested as I did in Royal Escape because I'm not a fan of mysteries and I'm not much interested in the British Royals. But I got sucked in because of the strong inner voice and maternal dignity of Princess Elena, who resembles Princess Di in a lot of ways - except she doesn't seem at all self-destructive. Still, she is rejected by the Queen and the Prince of Wales. Elena is a devoted mother of two boys - a future king and "the other" (more about "the other" later.) What Elena fears for most is her boys' happiness - which she thinks is being snuffed in the stifling atmosphere surrounding the Royals. But she has a lot more to fear because a bunch of her most trusted confidantes keep turning up dead.

Froestchel writes convincingly, both of Elena's inner dialogue and of the minutiae of details of British Royalty. The tension she creates builds right up to the very end of the book My criticisms of the book are that Elena is too nice - you want her to lash out more. Also "the other" son is extremely precocious for his 10 years on earth and makes one wonder if he isn't the author in disguise. I have to admit I laughed out loud a few time despite the mayhem, when this pint-sized princeling tartly put the adults in their place or set major plot elements into motion.

Having read Froetschel's earlier books, both set in Alaska, I was eager to read Royal Escape, such a departure in setting and character. This book offers what seems like an inside story, almost as if the author worked as an au pair for the family. Maybe she di have an inside source.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable "what if." The author starts at the point the royal fairytale is going south and puts an interesting twist to it. At the same time she gives us some insight to the downside of being born royal and the dark side of security. It moves along quickly with action and human interest, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a fun read with a bit of depth.

When I first heard about Royal Escape, the description intrigued me. It basically said that readers looking for a less tragic fate for Diana, Princess of Wales, would probably enjoy this book. I'm not one for royal mania, but I just watched a PBS special on The Windsors, so I was in a royal family mindset.

Let me make this clear right from the start: if you are a fan of the Windsors, this book is probably not for you. The Wyndhams, as they are referred to in Royal Escape, aren't portrayed in the best light. If I were to have to guess at Froetschel's political leanings, I would say she is for the monarchy being abolished in Britain. Elena (Diana) is, of course, the most sympathetic of the characters in the book, a victim of both the royal family and their staff. Her concern for her sons was touching, but I didn't do much in terms of character analysis because it was obvious who each character was supposed to represent in the royal family.

The most interesting part of the book was how the royal family is handled by their staff. While I don't know if it is true or not, I thought it was very intriguing. The mystery of what really is going on behind the scenes is captivating and propels the story forward.

Basically, this book is pure escapism: if you are looking for a fun, mindless read, this is a great book to choose. There isn't too much substance, but it is fun and keeps the reader hooked. There are some unresolved issues at the end of the book and some large plot holes, but if you aren't in the mood to care about that sort of thing (as I wasn't when I read the novel), then Royal Escape is for you. As long as you don't take yourself or it too seriously, you will enjoy this book.

I shouldn't have gotten as interested as I did in Royal Escape because I'm not a fan of mysteries and I'm not much interested in the British Royals. But I got sucked in because of the strong inner voice and maternal dignity of Princess Elena, who resembles Princess Di in a lot of ways - except she doesn't seem at all self-destructive. Still, she is rejected by the Queen and the Prince of Wales. Elena is a devoted mother of two boys - a future king and "the other" (more about "the other" later.) What Elena fears for most is her boys' happiness - which she thinks is being snuffed in the stifling atmosphere surrounding the Royals. But she has a lot more to fear because a bunch of her most trusted confidantes keep turning up dead.

Froestchel writes convincingly, both of Elena's inner dialogue and of the minutiae of details of British Royalty. The tension she creates builds right up to the very end of the book My criticisms of the book are that Elena is too nice - you want her to lash out more. Also "the other" son is extremely precocious for his 10 years on earth and makes one wonder if he isn't the author in disguise. I have to admit I laughed out loud a few time despite the mayhem, when this pint-sized princeling tartly put the adults in their place or set major plot elements into motion.

Having read Froetschel's earlier books, both set in Alaska, I was eager to read Royal Escape, such a departure in setting and character. This book offers what seems like an inside story, almost as if the author worked as an au pair for the family. Maybe she di have an inside source.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable "what if." The author starts at the point the royal fairytale is going south and puts an interesting twist to it. At the same time she gives us some insight to the downside of being born royal and the dark side of security. It moves along quickly with action and human interest, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a fun read with a bit of depth.