The Queen's Secret

Lucy Morgan #1

by Victoria Lamb

July 1575

Elizabeth I, Queen of England, arrives at Kenilworth Castle amid pomp, fanfare and a wealth of lavish festivities, laid on by the Earl of Leicester. The hopeful Earl knows this is his very last chance to persuade the Queen to marry him.

But despite his attachment to the Queen and his driving ambition to be her King, Leicester is unable to resist the seductive wiles of Lettice, wife of the Earl of Essex. And soon whispers of their relationship start spreading through the court.

Enraged by the adulterous lovers growing intimacy, Elizabeth employs Lucy Morgan, a young black singer and court entertainer, to spy on the couple. But Lucy, who was raised by a spy in London, uncovers far more than she bargains for.

For someone at Kenilworth that summer is plotting to kill the queen. No longer able to tell friend from foe, it is soon not only the queen who is in mortal danger - but Lucy herself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Tudor Period, Fiction, 16th Century, British Literature

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Victoria Lamb lives in a farmhouse on the wild fringes of Bodmin Moor with her husband, five kids, two cats and a crazed Irish Red Setter. She is addicted to social media, and on dark nights has been known to sneak out and howl at the moon.

She also writes as Elizabeth Moss, Beth Good and Jane Holland, all listed on Goodreads.

Chat with Victoria on Twitter: @VictoriaLamb1

Reviews

[Andrei Bădică · Rating 5 out of 5]

"-.... Walsingham studie costumul extravagant al lui Goodluck pentru o clipă. Oamenii nu vorbesc niciodată în largul lor de față cu un martor, în special cu unul care arată și miroase dezagreabil."
"Dar de ce continua să facă acest lucru? Lucy crescuse acum, se maturizase și ieșise de sub tutela lui. Avea proprii ei prieteni și o viață bună la curte. Această teamă continuă ca ea să nu pățească ceva îi distrăgea atenția și îl făcea vulnerabil. Trebuia să se desprindă de ea. "

[Connie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Elizabeth I enjoyed escaping the heat and sewage of London in the summer, and visited the castles of her wealthier subjects in the English countryside. The queen traveled with so many people that it often impoverished the owners of the country homes to feed, lodge, and entertain the huge crowd. It was 1575 when she stayed at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire. It was the home of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, the ambitious man who tried to convince Elizabeth to marry him. He was also carrying on an affair with a married cousin of Elizabeth.

The story revolves around a plot to assassinate Protestant Queen Elizabeth by outside Catholic forces who wished to restore England to Catholicism. Lucy Morgan, a young black entertainer with the voice of a songbird, gets involved in the intrigue and wants to protect the Queen. Her guardian works for the spymaster in Elizabeth's court. Although the assassination attempt at Kenilworth is fictional, there were numerous times that Elizabeth's life really was in danger.

The book is a combination of historical fiction and historical romance with colorful characters. The emphasis of the book was on the relationships among the fictional and historical figures. 3.5 stars.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I shall not be mastered by any man.'

A really entertaining historical novel with a gripping plot, 'The Queen's Secret' transports you back in time and puts you at the heart of the visit of Queen Elizabeth I to Kenilworth Castle in 1575. There is much pomp and ceremony as the Queen and her entourage arrives, with Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, having spared no expense to lay on a host of festivities for her majesty's visit to his home. Robert is a trusted ally of the Queen: 'With his innate intelligence and quick grasp of any political situation, Robert...was the man she turned to first in a crisis. Or when she needed a little wit and light relief...Robert had always made her laugh when no one else could.' Further, she loves him, would like to marry him, and yet she has refused his offers of marriage, as she fears how much power he would want, and take, if he were on the throne:

'Clever, clever. She could not help but admire his daring, the sheer audacity of a man who would take every opportunity to push himself forward, however many times he was rebuked and rejected...Yet how to restrain a man like Robert once he was on the throne? His charming audacity could only grow, given power and influence on that scale, until her own power became diminished.'

Although Robert desires this position greatly, he nevertheless persists in his illicit adulterous assignations with Lettice, wife of the Earl of Essex, and also the Queen's cousin; passionate meetings which the Queen is all too aware of, and which will not remain a secret amongst the gossiping court for long.

Lucy Morgan is merely a young black court entertainer when we first meet her, viewed with suspicion by some, but she is destined to become close to the Queen herself as she is singled out to sing for the Queen, and subsequently entrusted to spy for her, leaving Lucy in an awkward situation, having been asked by another in court to spy for them! Underlying all of this is the suspicion of a hidden potential assassin and a serious threat to the Queen's life, with Walsingham, the Queen's spymaster, trying to stay one step ahead of them all, ably assisted by the inimitable Master Goodluck, who is also Lucy's guardian.

I loved this novel. I really enjoyed reading it, and I felt that the intrigue and pace of the story was sustained throughout the whole book. There are some very amiable and entertaining characters, none more so than Master Goodluck with his many disguises and his band of accomplices; also young Lucy Morgan and her beautiful voice. The Queen herself is a fascinating character with so many side to her, the public and private face, the longing for a lover and a child, the fear of relinquishing power and of being thought of as like her father. The storyline has many interesting and engaging strands, and secrets abound, including the secret that the Queen hides.

It is only recently that I have begun reading more historical fiction, and I felt like I was in the very safe hands of a gifted storyteller whilst reading this thoroughly researched, compelling, and convincing debut novel. 4.5/5

[Hannah ⚔️ Jaedia]

Originally posted to my blog, Once Upon A Time.


Victoria Lamb has tackled a period of history with very little factual detail, Queen Elizabeth I’s visit to Kenilworth Castle in the Summer of 1575, and produced The Queen’s Secret. A novel that seeks to join the few facts there are with speculation and her own creations and she has done a fantastic job with it.

The Queen’s Secret is a novel of forbidden romance, an assassination plot, and the innocent young girl at the heart of it all, Lucy Morgan. Lucy is a young black court entertainer who encounters much racism because of her skin colour, constantly pushed to the back and hidden so as not to ‘frighten her majesty’. This is in fact how she meets Tom, also black, one of Lord Leicester’s stable boys. They are fascinated by each other, and it is Tom she is with when Leicester asks her to sing for the Queen, to become a part of her inner circle.

I felt as though the novel had a slightly slow start but knowing me that could easily have been because I needed to get my head around the lack of werewolves and magic. It had been a long time since I had read a historical fiction novel and the last one I read was a Philippa Gregory which really lacked in flow. Well, once The Queen’s Secret got going, I couldn’t help but compare it. Victoria has none of those yawnworthy information dumps Philippa Gregory seems to love so much and has such a great flow to her prose that I barely noticed I was reading a novel with multiple perspectives. And her descriptions bring Kenilworth Castle to life and set the mood for the period perfectly.

One of these character perspectives we get access to, aside from Lucy’s of course, is Elizabeth’s. History has immortalised her as a great Queen, so it’s easy to forget that she was also human. Victoria reminds us that she was a woman with needs and wants, that she wasn’t heartless, she did love, but she was also jealous with a short temper just like her father even though she strived to be different from him. She has been painted here as a selfish, churlish character who was generally dislikeable and I really liked this way of looking at her.

Robert (Lord Leicester) and Lettice’s forbidden romance is very sweet, but I also found their sneaking around despite everybody else to be a bit selfish so it was a dilemma for me whether to side with Lettice or disregard her as a cheater. It took me a while to decide whether I thought Lettice was just a selfish piece of work or a woman in life looking for something good, but by the end I’d quite firmly landed on her side. Her husband mistreats her horribly and she’s desperately in love with Robert, while the Queen just comes across as insecure and spoiled. Maybe you’ll think differently when you read it. And then there’s Robert with his vastly extravagant and colourful royal welcome, inviting along top performers and putting on shows and fireworks displays in an attempt to woo the Queen once and for all to marry him, yet quite pompously, he continues sneaking around with Lettice Knollys and dragging poor Lucy in the middle. He’s quite the rogue.

Then of course we have the assassination plot afoot that Goodluck, Lucy’s delightful guardian and spy for the crown, is trying to help Elizabeth’s spymaster uncover and stop. This plays off the romance very nicely, giving the story more meat. Lucy finds herself involved in this too when she’s just trying to stay on everybody’s good side but becoming completely overwhelmed because there is so much more going on in the Tudor courts than she ever could have imagined, much of it quite dangerous when all she wanted to do was sing. She may be young, but she’s not stupid. While her decisions might not always be right, she believes in them. She’s a strong character that I’m eager to see more of.

If you enjoy a good historical novel, particularly you Tudor history lovers out there, I’m positive that The Queen’s Secret is one for you.

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first review of 2019.

I'll admit it, the depiction of Elizabeth in this series of novels is rather jarring, but it's also human. This Elizabeth is older, fallible, quick to anger, suffering from debilitating toothaches, super jealous of her younger ladies in waiting, and paranoid (though the paranoia has good cause, with countless Catholic plots against her throne). She is a woman struggling to hold the reins of power in the face of the shifting power politics of the day.

However, this novel isn't just about her, and what makes it stand out amongst the plethora of Elizabeth/Tudor themed historical fiction books. This is also the story of an Afro-British woman named Lucy Morgan. Yes, you read that correctly, an Afro-British woman singer in Elizabeth's court. A woman whom evidence suggests did indeed exist, and who may have been the inspiration for William Shakespeare's "Dark Lady". Ever since I read Alyssa Cole's Agnes Moor's Wild Knight, I've wanted to read a historical fiction novel with Black people that isn't centered around American chattel slavery (ironically Ms. Cole's Loyal League series is set during the Civil War, though it's one of the rare books that doesn't make me want to hurl my Kindle against the wall - in fact, I LOVE the series).

Lucy is an interesting character and my feelings towards her were mixed, but I realized my feelings were based on what I wanted her to be, so I kind of had to get out of my own way. There were instances I thought she behaved foolishly, yet after ruminating on it after each chapter, I had to remind myself that hers was indeed a tenuous position, especially given the fact that she was a dark-skinned Afro-British woman in an era where Afro-British people DID exist (read Miranda Kauffman's Black Tudors: The Untold Story). Between being the servant (and spy) for a tempestuous and mercurial queen, the unwilling go-between of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (and Elizabeth's favorite) and Lettice Knollys, the queen's cousin, all the while struggling to negotiate the dangerous maze of Tudor politics and dealing with thinly-veiled bigotry because of her ethnicity.

With that in mind, Lucy really started to grow on me and I started to feel invested in her as a person, not just a character. She still made mistakes and errors of judgment, but also stood up for herself.

Of course, what's a Tudor themed novel without an appearance by The Bard, William Shakespeare. However, we meet him as a young, adventurous boy who's smitten with Lucy.

As an Elizabethan re-enactor, my persona was based on Lucy as Shakespeare's muse, but also on several other Afro-British people I'd read hints of. It never not occurred to me that Africans were NOT in England at this time. In fact, it makes me laugh when people act as if this is a radical idea or some form of "forced diversity" (and I'm certain the author has probably come across faux-historical critics who've accused her of such).

By the way, it was also cool that Victoria Lamb is the daughter of romance novelist Charlotte Lamb. If you're a fan of classic Harlequin and Harlequin Presents, you'll recognize the name.

[Rodica Bacain · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Secretul reginei ” are în plin plan pe Elisabeta I, regina Angliei sau Regina Fecioara așa cum este cunoscută în istorie. Acțiunea însă nu are loc în Londra ci la reședința contelui Robert Dudley, pretendentul reginei, cel dispus să îi facă toate plăcerile acesteia în speranța că într-un final îl va accepta ca soț. Dar Elisabeta nu este atât de ușor de convins, și în nici un caz o femeie ușor de păcălit după cum singură se descrie: „ Era o descendentă a dinastiei Rudirilor, tăioasă ca o piatră în dragoste, dar cu inimă de leu în luptă. " Conștientă că vârsta nu o ajută, ba mai mult, acest lucru devenind o presiune în plus, e prinsă la mijloc între dorința de a avea pe cineva alături și de a asigura succesiunea tronului cu un copil și teama de a împărți puterea cu un bărbat. „ Însă cum ar fi putut să stăpânească un bărbat ca Robert odată ce acesta ajunge pe tron? Îndrăzneala lui fermecătoare nu ar fi făcut decât să se intensifice, odată ce obținea puterea și evolua de o asemenea anvergură încât propria ei putere ar fi ajuns să scadă. ”
Autoarea a încercat să surprindă firea schimbătoare a reginei, dilema ei constantă și gelozia pe care nu reușea să și-o stăpânească, bănuind o relație între Robert și una din doamnele ei de onoare, lăsându-ne să fim spectatori ai intrigilor de curte, trădărilor și primejdiei ce urmărește din umbră.

Trebuie să recunosc că îmi plac mult poveștile istorice, și pe tot parcursul cărții mi-am adus aminte de un documentar despre viața Elisabetei. Autoarea a reușit să o creioneze foarte realist, fizic, cu față albă datorită pastei cu care își acoperea ridurile și semnele vărsatului, coafurile înalte și împodobite de nestemate, rochile imense construite din piese foarte elaborate. Dar în același timp, i-a surprins comportamentul explosiv care alterna cu o retragere taciturnă, toate acestea venind din încorsetarea ei în rigorile rolului ei de regină. Pe cât de puternică era în fața supușilor pe atât de temătoare era în întunericul iatacului! Pe cât de mult condamna desfrâul doamnelor ei pe atât de mult își dorea să simtă libertatea de a se lăsa pradă pasiunii. Pe cât de mult îl iubea pe Robert, cu atât mai mult îi era teamă de el și de felul în care ar fi acționat atunci când ar fi avut puterea. Și putem oare să o condamnăm când a fost martoră acțiunilor tatălui ei, Henric? De fapt, umbra fostului rege i-a urmărit pașii constant: „Oare curtea considera că nu era cu nimic mai bună decât tiranul și bătrânul rege Henric, că mânia ei era la fel de periculoasă și de nestăpânit atunci când o supăra ceva?
A fost o lectură plăcută și mi-a adus aminte cât de mult iubesc poveștile istorice.

[Peachyteachy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this historical fiction novel by Victoria Lamb. This book tells of intrigue, vicious plots, and nasty people all within the court of Elizabeth I. Lamb writes detailed descriptive passages in such a way that the senses are constantly engaged. You can smell the rankness of the unsanitary and unhygienic times of the late 16th century. You can feel the roughness of the fabrics worn and the sleeping places that were de rigeur of the time. You can see the splendor that was to be had and hear the cacophony of crowd noise, due to Lamb’s ability to bring her imagination to literary fruition. Lamb lives near Kenilworth, the setting for the novel and her research into this time period is quite impressive. I would read more of this author’s work, because I enjoyed her writing and her way of storytelling. I have to say, I am very happy to NOT live during this historical time period – give me mondernity any day!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book free through Goodreads First Reads.

As soon as I received this book I knew I would either love it or hate it. I'd not read any historical fiction before so I had an open mind to begin with. After reading the first few pages I'd already decided that I would enjoy it, assuming it continued to be as good all the way through. It was.

The first thing I noticed was how vividly described the setting was. Despite being unfamiliar with this period in history, I found it easy to visualise the locations and the living conditions as the story unfolded. I also enjoyed all the characters, but especially Lucy Morgan.

There really are no negatives to mention. It's a superb book that I would recommend to anyone. I'm also pleased that the author gave a brief explanation of the real history behind the story.
So I'm looking forward to the sequel.

[Robert Borg · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lover of history I couldn't resist this book especially after glancing at the blurb. The story line appealed so much [the Tudor period is one of my favorites] that I had to read it.

You don't have to go too far into the story to appreciate the immense amount of research the author would have conducted, as the attention to detail, in every aspect, of the time frame is meticulously related.

Every author has his/her own voice, and although Victoria Lamb's style is obviously unique, I still found myself thinking 'this is similar to something Philippa Gregory would write'. That aside, the story was well told and it drew me in, to the point, that it was difficult to put down to get on with other things.

The story had the right mixture of danger, intrigue, desire, jealousy, and romance.

If, like me, you enjoy a good historical novel, then this book is definitely worth a read.

[Tanzanite · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. The cattiness between Elizabeth and Lettice could be straight out of "The Real Housewives of Tudor England". Loved the descriptions of Kenilworth though.

http://shelfandstuff.blogspot.com/201...

[Jessie Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am thinking a 4.5 for this one! Nearly perfect, very detailed, and full of lies, suspicion, secrets, conspiracies, and intrigue.

Review to come!

[Natasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read from this author and I eagerly anticipate more. I recommend it to all Tudor enthusiasts. You can find full review on my blog: https://poetryofreading.blogspot.com

[Mieneke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tudor period is a historical period that's held a fascination for many people for a long time, me included. As such there have been many books written on it and films and even a TV show made about it. One of the most fascinating figures from this period is of course Elizabeth I of England. She's had her fair share of biographies, biopics and historical novels written about her, but people still love to discover more about her. But with the amount of works already devoted to Elizabeth and her reign, is it still possible to add something original to what's already out there? It's probably very difficult, but Victoria Lamb definitely gives it a good shot. And I'd dare to say that her look at the Elizabethan court and the love triangle between Elizabeth, Leicester and Lettice Knollys from the perspective of Shakespeare's 'Dark Lady', Lucy Morgan is pretty unique.

The Queen's Secret's story consists of two strands of conspiracy which are connected to each other by Lucy and Elizabeth, but beyond that are largely unconnected; the first being the affair between Elizabeth's favourite the Earl of Leicester and her cousin Lettice Knollys and the second one being the Italian assassination plot. While they are distinct and each divided over an equal number of viewpoints, I found them to be a little confusing at times, not in keeping them apart or figuring them out, but in switching between them. The pace between the two strands is quite different, the assassination plot is of necessity far more time-frame sensitive than Leicester and Lettice, as to fail to solve the former will result in the death of the queen. As a consequence, this storyline moves faster than the one dealing with the affair, which has been going on for a while and of which all players are seemingly aware, but which hasn't yet been discussed openly. While I enjoyed this half of the story more – I kept rooting for Elizabeth to send that awful Leicester off for good – I enjoyed the suspense of the assassination plot.

Lamb employs four viewpoints to tell the tale of The Queen's Secret: Elizabeth, Lettice, Lucy and Goodluck. Each of their voices is distinct and well done, leaving the reader in no doubt as to whose point of view we are reading at any given time. Of the four, Lettice is clearly an antagonist, as she comes across as very unlikeable. She's manipulative, over-ambitious, scheming and self-centred and I just couldn't find it in myself to empathise with her. Elizabeth, on the other hand, came across far less self-assured and iron-spined than she's often portrayed. She's definitely a strong monarch, Elizabeth Gloriana, but once the mask of the white face paint comes off and the wig has gone back on its standard, we are left with a surprisingly vulnerable human being, who doubts her ability to ever become a wife and mother, her ability to keep Leicester interested in her ageing body and who is tired and afraid of the constant vigilance needed against the numerous plots against her life. I rather liked this version of Elizabeth, especially as she isn't all sugar and light either, to her own mortification she's inherited a lot of her father's famous temper, throwing objects at offending ladies-in-waiting and screaming for people to attend her at the top of her voice. Despite this, she never becomes unsympathetic, a balance I thought Lamb achieved quite well.

Our main protagonist is Lucy, the orphaned daughter of African slaves, raised by one of Walsingham's spies. Gifted with a beautiful soprano voice, she is part of Elizabeth's band of court entertainers and is caught up in the greater doings of the court once she is noticed and brought to Elizabeth's attentions by the Earl of Leicester. I enjoyed Lucy's voice; she's an outsider, who simultaneously blends into the background and can't help but stand out. I also loved how she stood up to her guardian Goodluck, when he tries to control who she keeps company with. This brings us to my biggest annoyance with the book: the inevitable love interest for Lucy. I understand why she'd need an ally to help her outside of the higher echelons of the court, but I was a bit disappointed that she would need to fall in love with him and that he would be the only other black person in the book. That just felt unnecessary. Why not have them be friends because they are the only black people at court? Why couldn't she have fallen in love with a white stable hand? I realise that it would have been an impossible love, but why not? Goodluck is the only male point of view we get in the novel and his is the most action-filled, as he's our point of information on the search for the assassins. I liked this mysterious player, who can change his appearance at the drop of a hat. The only things that bugged me about him were the sometimes bordering on inappropriate thoughts he has regarding Lucy. He seems to be moving between seeing her as his daughter and seeing her as an attractive (to him) young woman. But other than that, I enjoyed his chapters and the interactions he had with Lucy and with Walsingham.

Lamb's love for the estate of Kenilworth oozes through the narrative in the detailed descriptions of the estate, the sumptuous descriptions of the feasts and the clothing worn by its inhabitants and visitors. These, together with the captivating characters of Lucy and Elizabeth and Lamb's easy writing style, make for a great read. I really enjoyed Lamb's debut novel and having heard lovely things about her YA novel Witchstruck, I'm hoping to read that as well. If you enjoy historical fiction set in the Tudor age or enjoy a tale of spies and derring-do, The Queen's Secret comes highly recommended.

This book was provided for review by the publisher as part of the Transworld Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

[Sharon Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have spent a couple of days journeying through the summer of 1575. The majority of the story is set at Kenilworth Castle and I just loved the descriptions of the different parts of the castle. The author creates this world in such a way that it’s easy to be there alongside the characters. When Lettice looks out of the apartment window to see the time on the clock – I looked out with her and remembered Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, had stopped it so that the Queen’s time there was symbolic of living outside of time itself.

The entertainment that the Earl of Leicester lays on from the very beginning has a purpose behind it – symbols of his desire to marry Elizabeth. These are all so very cleverly crafted and all relevant to the time in which they’re set. He is so devious I was never quite sure where his heart truly lay although of course the ultimate prize would be to rule beside Elizabeth, which may not have anything to do with love at all! I did feel extremely sorry for Lettice. At one point it is so clear how frustrating it was at that time in history to have your own home and children but having to please the Queen and her whims instead of living your life.

Elizabeth herself was a character I believed in. As a reader I could feel her wavering thoughts about whether she should accept the Earl’s proposal or not – being swayed by her feelings one moment and then at other times total refusal when her thoughts turned to how safe her crown would be. The perceptions of herself as having to be careful not to be seen as having the same predisposition as her father is also a part of her character. It is easy to identify with her as a woman as well as a ruler.

Lucy Morgan is a brilliant character. Used by the Queen and the Earl as a spy, her anxieties could be clearly felt. She is a heroine that acts without thinking. In the Author’s Note at the end of the book we find out that Lucy Morgan did exist and as part of the Queen’s attendants. I think there is more to ‘tell’ about Lucy’s life and would love the author to write another story that includes her!

The plotting and espionage intrigued me and I enjoyed how everything tied up, despite the sadness I felt for one of the characters.

It was great to see Will Shakespeare make an appearance and also John Dee mentioned.

And what about the Queen’s secret? It does have a bearing on her decision. You’ll have to read the book to find out what it is …

This is a story about Elizabeth’s ‘progress’ away from court for the summer of 1575. There is familial love, romance, deceit, espionage, intrigue and mortal danger.

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had been on my to-read list for a good number of years, and when I went to the local library they had a copy so I borrowed it.
It is a very compelling, pacy read with a lot of historical research behind it and follows on well from a lot of historical fiction about Henry VIII that I had previously read. There is an interesting mix of fact and fiction, with an underlying thread about Africans in England in the 16th century.
I've just had a look at the existing reviews of this novel and would suggest that Mieneke's review is excellent, and could not be bettered.
I had not realised this is a debut novel, and am most impressed at the fluency of the writing for a first novel. Nowhere does it feel slow or padded, and the descriptions of Kenilworth make one want to visit it.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeously written historical novel was a great pleasure to read, and has sparked my interest in the Elizabethan Era, which I should think is the highest compliment to the author. I have watched several documentaries and while that hardly makes me an expert, it does give me more appreciation for how well the book was written. The time and key characters are rendered with perfection. So, whether you have an interest in the life of Queen Elizabeth 1, or just enjoy a great story, this is not a book you want to pass up.
I have received a free copy of this book through a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is unusual in the fact that Queen Elizabeth I's court is only the setting for the main character, Lucy Morgan, who sings and dances for the queen and becomes one of the favoured few. However, this leads her into danger that she could not have anticipated.

I loved this book as its period detail was so vivid that it was hard to get back to the modern day when I put my book down. However, I was delighted to find that it is the first in a series. I can't wait for the next one!

[Julie Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't able to put this book down. I am really interested in the Tudor period and particularly the queen's relationship with Robert Dudley. This book went much further than that by introducing the character of Lucy Morgan at the queen's court. It demonstrates her loyalty to the queen and also the types of romantic intrigue, as well as sinister plots at the royal court. I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone but particularly fans of the Tudor period.

[Mary Mccall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I have read a lot about the court of Queen Elizabeth and I think this captured the life of a servant very well. The aspect of the intrigue and conspiracies was dealt with very well as was the living conditions of the ladies of the court. Nothing like as glamarous as you would think.I liked the way that real and fictional characters mixed together. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

i won this book on goodreads and what an excellent read it has been. It is such a wonderful way to learn a bit of history while being caght up a great story line. Really enjoyed this book gave the imagination a chance to run wild with the pompus of the queen in that era with all her entourage. A great read.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one thoroughly. In the ilk of Philippa Gregory. The author's description of Kenilworth Castle brought everything to life. Elizabeth's bitterness and insecurities shone through and one could almost feel her dislike for her younger cousin.

Will definitely be looking for other offerings from this author.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! One of the best historical fiction books of this period I've read, & I've read most of them ;)

[Laurel Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Setting: England, mainly at Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Time: 1575

Main characters: Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley - Earl of Leicester, Lettice Knollys (grand-daughter of Mary Boleyn) - wife of the Earl of Essex, Lucy Morgan - a young African singer and court entertainer, William Shakespeare - age 11.

First paragraph, Prologue: "Lucy Morgan peered over the high wooden side of the swaying cart. A group of soldiers trotted past, sunlight glinting off their helmets, their dusty blue livery announcing their allegiance to Lord Leicester. Staring back down the road, she could no longer see the distant towers of Richmond Palace, their bright pennants fluttering in the breeze off the River Thames, but only wooded hills and high green hedgerows as the road deepened into countryside."

Favorite lines: "She had heard of Walsingham. He was the Queen's spymaster and one of the most dangerous men at court. Some said he had strangled men with his bare hands and could sniff out a lie at a thousand paces. She could well believe his reputation. He had thin, papery eyelids that barely seemed to move, his dark gaze steady and unblinking, like that of a watchful snake. She lowered her own eyes, focusing instead on his immaculate hands resting on the parchment-strewn desk, the vast gold ring glinting on his finger. She could imagine those hands about her neck, squeezing the life out of her." p. 162-163.

"The mirror in Elizabeth's hand showed a pale, pockmarked face, stripped now of her whitening paint, the short spiked hair on her head like that of a demented baby. She stared down at herself, her dry lips trembling, her eyes wide - still alert, with the watchful gaze of the young woman she remembered. Without her bright wigs, her potions, her jewelled gowns, the trappings of princedom, what was she but an aging hag, a foul-breathed creature any man would pass by in the marketplace and shudder to imagine beside him at night?" p. 243.

"Sunshine burned on her closed lids. Opening them, she danced on, dazzled but alive. Her hands strong, graceful. Her feet pointed thus. Immaculate. The ring of their faces blurred slowly. A tree, shaken: white petals, blossom drifting on the air. Lucy turned, arms wide and spinning, into the last movement." p. 297.

Given that I had to include three favorite passages, I love Victoria Lamb's ability to paint with words. Her descriptions are marvelous. The setting is based on Elizabeth's visit to Kenilworth Castle in 1575, described in marvelous detail in Robert Laneham's Letter. Even the character of Lucy Morgan is based on one or more persons mentioned in historical documents. Certainly there were black musicians and entertainers at court. That gives this novel a point of view that is quite unique among the plethora of Tudor fiction. We have an appearance from the 11-year-old William Shakespeare and can speculate that Lucy is the inspiration for the "Dark Lady" (especially given the working title of book #2) which I think is just brilliant. I loved everything about this book and eagerly wait for the sequels to be published.

Description: July, 1575: Elizabeth I, Queen of England, arrives at Kenilworth Castle—home of Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester. Leicester, who has long had ambitions to marry the Queen, knows this may be his very last chance to persuade her to marry him. Toward this end, the hopeful earl has organized a lavish week of music, dancing, and fireworks. Despite his attachment to the Queen and his driving ambition to be her King, Leicester is unable to resist the seductive wiles of Lettice, wife of the Earl of Essex—and the queen’s own cousin. Soon whispers of their relationship start spreading through the court. Enraged by their growing intimacy, Elizabeth employs Lucy Morgan, a young African singer and court entertainer, to spy on the adulterous lovers. But Lucy, who was raised by a spy in London, uncovers far more than she bargains for. For someone at Kenilworth is plotting to kill the queen. No longer able to tell friend from foe, it is soon not only the queen who is in mortal danger—but Lucy herself…

About the author: Victoria Lamb grew up in the peaceful Isle of Man, benefiting from a vast library of books and a family of writers from which to take inspiration. (Victoria is the daughter of the acclaimed and prolific historical novelist Charlotte Lamb.) She lives in Warwickshire, England. The Queen's Secret is her fiction debut, and the first in a planned trilogy of novels set in the court of Elizabeth I.

Series info:
#1 The Queen's Secret
---------------------------
#2 His Dark Lady
#3 Her Last Assassin

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book to read as part of the 2012 Transworld Historical Fiction Challenge and was originally featured on Two Little Birds .

I loved this book for several reasons. The first reason is the setting, it is set over a few weeks in 1575 when Elizabeth I visits Kenilworth Castle, home of her favourite the Earl of Leicester, on her summer progress. I have read quite a lot of Tudor-set novels and most of them take place over years, for example the adult life of a famous figure or for the duration of a relationship. To dip into the life of Elizabeth I over such a short time was refreshing. It meant there was more room for the descriptions of the more mundane events in her everyday life such as getting dressed, her meals etc which made great settings for the conversations and gossip that would have been so much the part of court life. It made the events, and characters, in the book seem much more real to me.

Oh and while I'm talking about it Kenilworth Castle is now on my list of places to go and see. Author Victoria Lamb lives nearby and her personal knowledge of the location is evident, particularly during the entertainment scenes.

The next reason I loved this book was that it was told from the points of view of three characters each based on a real person; Elizabeth I, Lettice Knollys (wife of Earl of Essex and cousin of the Queen) and Lucy Morgan. I felt Elizabeth I was portrayed in a realistic manner. At this point in time she was attempting to resist Leicester's final attempts at proposing and her internal conflict is played out well. Lettice Knollys was engaged in an affair with Leicester and instead of being simply a bored wife who gets on the wrong side of her cousin she is given real personality with doubts, fears and an inner strength to take matters into her own hands. I feel like I want to know more about Victoria Lamb's Lettice! Finally there is Lucy Morgan, the orphaned daughter of African slaves she was raised in London by a mysterious man who secretly works for the Queen. A talented singer she finds a place at court but is pushed into the limelight by the summer's events at Kenilworth Castle. Again she was a wonderfully three-dimensional character, not innocent and unassuming but also not so kick-ass it was unbelievable, she came across as a resourceful young woman and I look forward to reading more in future novels!

The last reason I loved this book was the Author's Notes at the back. I love Author's Notes in Historical Fiction. If you are anything like me when you finish reading a work of historical fiction you immediately want to go read something about the events in the book and know how much is real or not. This can involve hours on Wikipedia, but with Author's Notes it is all there for you. How much is based on real fact and to what extent fiction has crept in. Wonderfully satisfying!

I would recommend this book. It is part historical fiction with a bit of mystery to it. I feel the timescale the book is set over sets it apart from other historical fiction set in Tudor times and as such it would appeal to those who would not usually be interested in Tudor fiction. Tudor fans will of course lap this book up but this is one of the better books out there. It has clearly been well researched with first-hand knowledge of the main location. If this debut novel is anything to by Victoria Lamb will soon be another big name in the ever popular Tudor fiction market!

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Earl of Leicester wants to marry Elizabeth I, Queen of England. He knows that it is his last chance to persuade her when the Queen stays at Kenilworth during the summer of 1575.
Meanwhile, he has fallen in love with the Earl of Essex and whispers of their relationship start spreading through the court. This reduces his chances that he will be able to marry Elizabeth.

Leicester employs Lucy Shaw, a young black singer and court entertainer, to bring his messages to the Earl of Essex, to hide their affair. But Lucy is also employed by the queen to spy on the couple and this makes it very difficult for her. She doesn’t know if she has to lie or tell the truth.
While spying, she reveals some very dangerous secrets. The Queen is in danger and she’s not the only one. Lucy may be may be killed too…

This is an astonishing novel about love and power in the court of Elizabeth I.

When I began reading, I wasn’t convinced yet that I would like this book. The setting of time and place took too long for me, but after the first hundred pages, it became a real page-turner!
I loved the characters and especially Lucy, the black singer. She was discriminated, but she held her head up high.
I also see how hard it would have been to be a women in the 16th century. Lettice, the Earl of Essex was unhappy married and has an affair with the Earl of Leicester, but she hadn’t any certainty it would last.
All these information is really interesting and I think that it is the reason why I love historical fiction. This is a story about facts mixed with the fantasy of the author and this makes it more interesting than an ordinary non-fiction book! But it has a downside as well, because often I don’t know anymore what happened in the past and what not.

I was really curious whether the Queen would marry the Earl of Leicester or not and since I don’t know the history of the royal family of England, it stayed a secret until the last pages.
I really wanted to know how the story would end and I couldn’t put it down. Even in the last chapter happened something amazing which made the story even more perfect to me.
The spying of Goodluck, Lucy’s guardian, was exciting and I loved the alternation between conversation and action.

A fantastic story, which takes a slow start, but goes faster near the end! Love it!

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Elizabethan historical mystery is set in 1585 when Queen Elizabeth I visits Kenilworth, home of her favourite, Robert Dudley. Robert is desperate to marry Elizabeth and hopes that by wooing her at Kenilworth she will finally consent to be his wife. However, Elizabeth is as capricious as she is beautiful and with flirtatious cynicism she is content to leave Robert waiting for her decision. However, waiting in the wings is one of Elizabeth’s beautiful ladies in waiting, Lettice Knollys, wife of the Duke of Essex, who is more than happy to accommodate Robert Dudley’s attentions. Elizabeth is incensed by the growing attraction between Robert and Lettice, and undertakes the services of Lucy Morgan, a young singer in her entourage, to spy on the couple. Combined with the ostentatious portrayal of life in the Elizabethan court, is the story of Lucy Morgan, a young woman who is well used to the world of espionage.Gradually,she uncovers a plot that will have devastating consequences, not just on on Elizabeth’s court, but also on Lucy herself.

The story is well written with a compelling and intricate plot. The twists and turns are well explored and it soon becomes a fascinating dialogue between the main characters. The Elizabethan court is portrayed as a hotchpotch of scheming skulduggery, but it is the skilful inclusion of an intricate mystery at the heart of the novel which really makes for fascinating reading.

It is reassuring to note that The Queen’s Secret is the first book in a proposed series of stories about Lucy Morgan.

[Michelle Heatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Queens Secret by Victoria Lamb
(Transworld Publishers)

Queen Elizabeth’s court is a dangerous place. During the summer of 1575 the court arrives at Kenilworth Castle to be entertained with the lavish festivities organised by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, her ‘sweet Robin’. Intrigue is lurking around every corner and Elizabeth has learnt to not to trust those close to her. When the young Lucy Morgan, daughter of African slaves, is asked by the queen to spy on Robert and his lover Lettice Knollys, the girl is torn in her loyalty to the queen and the charismatic Earl.

The Queens Secret is a very well written and researched historical novel. The story of the attempted assassination of Queen Elizabeth moves at a fast and gripping pace. The character of Lucy Morgan, a black girl in constant fear of not knowing who to trust or confide in, draws you into the story. We are taken into the darker and sometimes sensual corners of Kenilworth Castle. Will Lucy survive long enough to save the Queen?

The other character in this novel is Kenilworth Castle itself. This is one place I know well, having grown up in Kenilworth, the Castle was my playground. Victoria Lamb brings the Castle to life and describes the life of Elizabeth’s court with intelligence and accuracy which gives this novel authenticity.

The Queens Secret lived up to and exceeded my expectations and would recommend it to anyone who loves a well told story which will keep you turning each thrilling page.

[Lauraloves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of the Hardback Historical Challenge from the Transworld Publishers. I really had a craving to read a book from this time period and this book really fitted the bill for me.

This book is set in the time period of Queen Elizabeth I and is about Lucy, a girl in the courts. She starts off by being an entertainer in a big group, but ends up being one of the Queens favourites as the time goes on. There is also a big love triangle between the Queen, her cousin and a man, Robert. Along with spying and lots of other things this book had the premise to be a very good book.

I really enjoyed this book, especially the part where a young Will Shakespeare makes an appearance. As her is part of the climax of the book i was really surprised to see him in there, however this really made the book a lot more enjoyable for me.

I also enjoyed the big love triangle. This for me was really good and I couldn't help but think how long it would be before they all got caught and it all became unraveled.

I'm not sure how historically accurate the book was as this time period is not my strongest, but i really enjoyed reading about it. I really want to learn more about this time period and read more books set in it.

I loved this authors writing and having a look there is a follow-up book to this one, due out next year and i will definitely be wanting to read that when it is released.

A great book that is highly recommended by me

[Book Lovers Never Go to Bed Alone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Queen's Secret by Victoria Lamb is a look into the inner circle of the Elizabethan Court. Unlike most historical novels however, Lamb has chosen to give us a peak into the Court during a specific event in history. The story centers on a trip Queen Elizabeth and her court took in July of 1575 to Kenilworth, home of Earl Robert Dudley, one of the Queen's long-time favorites. Using the Queen herself and a number of other observers, we get an inside look at the intrigue, romance, and folly of this much-recounted period in history.

The narrative is dramatic and full of intrigue. Lucy, a young court entertainer, uncovers a plot against the Queen. The dashing Earl nearly bankrupts his estate in order to impress his Queen. As the betrayal and deception mounts, so too does the romance. But who can be trusted? No one it seems is as he or she appears as the backstabbing of the court escalates.

The novel was very well researched and rich with detail. I could hear the rustle of garments on stairs, the breathless whispers during clandestine meetings, and the hooves of horses on packed earth. The smells, sounds, and sights of the 1500s come to life and Lamb's skilled writing style handles each one with grace. Like most romance stories, the plot becomes a little too thick in places. I found myself suppressing laughter at the absurdity of the mounting intrigue. Let the melodrama flow into the grandness of the story however, and this is a wonderful read.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Lamb has managed to do what very little writers manage to do - retell history in a fashion that draws you in from the very first page. Set in the midst of the royal court during the summer of 1575, we follow as young Lucy Morgan is drawn into a web of intrigue and death plots as a black entertainer for the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth is turned from a figure from my history lessons into a human being with very human problems. Surrounding all of this are the constant death threats and the ever present court controversies. Lamb makes the infamous queen come alive, allowing us to see the problems she would have faced as both a woman and the monarch - a woman that longs for what most people get without question yet she would have to sacrifice everything to make it possible for to be a wife would be to hand over her kingdom to her husband.

Lucy Morgan is an interesting contrast. She is unwittingly drawn into the middle of the court controversies through chance and you can't help but love her innocence as she finds herself stepping the awkward line of her concience and her duty to her queen.

I will definitely be look of for the next book by Lamb as she has managed to bring alive the courts of Queen Elizabeth and I cannot wait to see where she takes the books next.