The Tidal Poole (Elizabeth I Mysteries, Book 2) [Hardcover]

Karen Harper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2000

January 13, 1559, London. On the eve of the celebrations heralding her coronation as Queen of England, twenty-five-year-old Elizabeth Tudor kneels alone, inside the haunted walls of the Tower of London. Here, beneath the cold paving stones of the Tower's chapel, lie the bones of her mother, Anne Boleyn, and of otbhers, long lost in the deadly conspiracies surrounding the crown. Now the power will be Elizabeth's, to hold or to lose. Solitary, rapt, she dedicates herself to the memory of her mother and to the future of England.

Then, in the shadows behind her, something stirs...

Karen Harper's enthralling Elizabeth I mystery series, which debuted to widespread critical and popular acclaim with The Poyson Garden, moves into high gear with The Tidal Poole, as Bess Tudor comes into her own as Queen of England. The Tidal Poole opens as Elizabeth's triumphant procession to Westminster Palace is marred by the brutal murder of a high-born, high-living lady of the court. Abetted by her irresistible band of loyal retainers, the young queen is soon spearheading a sub rosa investigation of the crime--an investigation that leads inexorably to a sinister plot against Elizabeth herself.

Populated with fascinating historical figures, rich in the details of a vibrant, violent era, The Tidal Poole is an intoxicating Elizabethan brew of high drama and deadly intrigue played out as the fate of a realm hangs in the balance. Climaxing in a midnight voyage through the murderous tidal pools swirling under London Bridge and highlighting a magnificent queen in the first full flush of her power, it is essential reading for lovers of romantic mystery, history, and regal adventure.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Feisty young Bess tackles her second investigation with a single-minded thoroughness and toughness that would suit any gumshoe. Indeed, those qualities served Bess throughout her long reign, for she is none other than Bess Tudor, aka Queen Elizabeth I, the Tudor descendant destined to govern unruly England for 45 years. On the eve of her tortuous ascension to the throne, Bess looks forward to the conclusion of her stay at the Tower of London (where monarchs traditionally spend the week before their coronation) and the opportunity to end the plotting and infighting that have bedeviled the country since her father's death. Instead, the murder of a young woman along Bess's triumphal procession to Westminster Abbey casts suspicion on several trusted friends and causes her to undertake her own investigation, aided by a strange but effective cast of helpers. A nice mix of historical and fictional characters, deft twists and a plucky, engaging young heroine enhance this welcome sequel to The Poyson Garden. Harper's 16th-century England may not rival the beautifully woven tapestries of Ellis Peters or match the elegant atmospherics of Anne Perry, but her version of Elizabeth's England seethes with enough jealousies, feuds and plotters to furnish many more entertaining adventures. Author tour.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In London but two months, the newly crowned Elizabeth I and her "Privy Plot Council" of four (groom, nurse, actor/fool, herbalist) begin investigating the murder/rape of the promiscuous sister of Isabella Harrington, a longtime friend and supporter of the queen. Mutual enemies slanderously implicate the Harringtons' foster son, whose real father (a Seymour) was beheaded for treason. Fans of Elizabethan historical mysteries will find ample sustenance here: a fiercely independent young queen, a loyal but feisty band of assistants, a plethora of historical characters, and an all-encompassing knowledge of the times. An excellent sequel to The Poyson Garden (LJ 2/1/99). [A Mystery Guild featured alternate.]
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 306 pages
• Publisher: Wheeler Publishing (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568958943
• ISBN-13: 978-1568958941
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,211,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun historical mystery, January 5, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tidal Poole (Elizabeth I Mysteries, Book 2) (Hardcover)

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

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, perhaps disjointed, November 9, 2008

By 

Charlene Vickers (Winnipeg, Manitoba) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Mystery, Interesting History, May 24, 2000

By 

John T. Farrell (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tidal Poole (Elizabeth I Mysteries, Book 2) (Hardcover)

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.