14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fun historical mystery, January 5, 2000
The history books depict Elizabeth I as a strong monarch who refused to share her power with anyone. That influenced her decision to remain single. However, rarely is it mentioned that Elizabeth occasionally dressed as a common herb woman to play detective.
Her second investigation (her first is chronicled in THE POYSON GARDEN) begins on the day that Elizabeth left the Tower to march in a London procession to take up residence in Westminster. However, during the walk, someone murders one of her retinue. Elizabeth begins to investigate a murder that ties into a plot to kill the Queen.
Karen Harper is renowned for her meticulously researched historical novels that allow the reader to visualize the era being described. THE TIDAL POOL is an enthralling work that conveys a unique look at Elizabeth as well as conveying a feel for the period. Ms. Harper is a powerful storyteller who turns Elizabeth I into a believable amateur sleuth.
Harriet Klausner
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad, perhaps disjointed, November 9, 2008
This review is from: The Tidal Poole (Elizabeth I Mysteries, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
The Tidal Poole is a mystery set during the time of Elizabeth I's coronation. One woman is shot while another is raped and strangled: it lies to Elizabeth I and her Privy Plot Council, a group of her courtiers, bodyguards, and servants, to unravel the mystery.
The mystery itself wasn't bad, and Elizabeth's unravelling of the plot against her is well-handled. Harper also portrays the historical figures reasonably - her Dudley is as unctuous and self-serving as he is known to have been in real life, yet we understand what Elizabeth saw in him; her Cecil is perhaps more altruistic than the real Cecil, but otherwise is a very real, rounded character. Unfortunately, she does not handle the large number of characters she creates with the same deftness, nor does she introduce these characters properly to the new reader.
This is I think a fatal mistake many series writers make - they assume the reader is with them from the first novel and are spare with characterization in later books which would allow the reader to know who was who. Often, though, the first novel is not as well-distributed as later ones, so many readers are only able to begin at the second novel and are confused by characters which are written as if the reader should know more about them than they can. This is especially troubling in Harper's case, as she creates so many characters that it's difficult for even a reader who's already read the first book to keep up. It also doesn't help that the character Harper seems to think the most sympathetic, the Herb Strewing Mistress, comes across as a dull, bland quack with little between her ears.
I'd recommend this book for the interesting plot, for Harper's sympathetic comprehension of Elizabeth I's position, and for her portrayal of historical characters such as Cecil and Dudley. The original characters are far less satisfying.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Mystery, Interesting History, May 24, 2000
Karen Harper's The Tidal Poole is vastly superior to the first effort of her Elizabeth I Mystery series -- and I liked The Poyson Garden well enough to have bought this second one. Immediately after her coronation in 1559 the young Queen Elizabeth is again convening her Privy Plot Council, a ragtag kitchen cabinet of trusted court officials and loyal servants. This time their task is to find the murderer of Penelope Whyte, Lady Maldon, a loose woman of fashion and sister of valued friends. Lady Whyte's sordid murder leads to the uncovering of an unexpected plot against the Queen herself.
I recommend this book. Harper's characters are engaging; her Elizabeth is credible and sympathetic; and her recreation of Tudor London is fascinating. I especially appreciate her knowledge of herbal medicines and cosmetics.
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