The Fatal Fashione

Elizabeth I #8

by Karen Harper

In 1566, Elizabeth Tudor faces tremendous opposition from Parliament for ruling England without the help of a husband. Instead, she turns to her Privy Plot Council for help, only to discover from her royal herbalist that a woman has drowned in a tub of starch. Soon another garment worker meets the same rigid fate. Elizabeth becomes unbending in her attempts to solve the murders, as well as iron out the problems of her kingdom. But with her list of suspects growing―and firm evidence pointing to those she trusts the most―Elizabeth must hang the murderer out to dry or risk losing her reign… or her life, in The Fatal Fashione, the eighth book in Karen Harper's Elizabeth I mystery series.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Tudor Period, Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Royalty

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Karen Harper is a former college English instructor (The Ohio State University) and high school literature and writing teacher. A lifelong Ohioan, Karen and her husband Don divide their time between the midwest and the southeast, both locations she has used in her books. Besides her American settings, Karen loves the British Isles, where her Scottish and English roots run deep, and where she has set many of her historical Tudor-era mysteries and her historical novels about real and dynamic British women. Karen's books have been published in many foreign languages and she won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for 2005. Karen has given numerous talks to readers and writers across the county. Her most recent books include THE SOUTH SHORES TRILOGY (CHASING SHADOWS, DROWNING TIDES and FALLING DARKNESS.) Her latest historical is THE ROYAL NANNY. Please visit her website at www.KarenHarperAuthor and her fb page at www.facebook.com/KarenHarperAuthor

Reviews

[Judi Rohrig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrifically told story that I enjoyed very much. I loved all the Elizabeth I mysteries by Karen Harper. I don't believe she's writing them any more, which is sad. She really drove me into seeking more about Elizabeth I.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series from the beginning, and this was the last one I had to read. Another great read, loved every second of it. I tell you what, the scene with the young girls on the river was totally book gripping, can't put this down, oh no, what's gonna happen next. Harper keeps you guessing on who the killer is.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Elizabeth is at it again. This time someone is killing off people who have something to do with the new fashions, the starched collars. Instead of leaving it for the professionals, she has to get involved and risk her life. It's fascinating how even fashions were controversial to the church now and still can be today.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and learned more about different professions during the reign of Elizabeth I, you have to suspend belief to finish this mystery. Certainly, learned more about starching and the early introduction of chocolate to England. But, even an adventurist queen would not do a couple of the dangerous stunts found near the end of this book.

[emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

karen harper dared to ask: what if elizabeth i was a girlboss who solved murder mysteries with a quirky mystery solving crew of characters? and i answered: How did this book get in my house

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading book this is number eight in the series very interesting learning more about Elisabeth in history and Shakespeare

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

#8 in Karen Harper's Elizabeth I Mysteries Series. This book deals with the introduction of starched neck ruffs in the Queen's kingdom. She sets the fashion with her outfits and clothing designs and her court (and eventually her subjects) adopt her fashion trends. But with the introduction of starch (to make the ruffs' curves stand firmly on their own), has come cutthroat competition in that industry. That, and the drowning of a young woman in her own starch vat, brings the Queen's amateur sleuthing abilities into action. Harrowing misadventures nearly cost the Queen (and some members of her Privy Plot Council) their lives.

NOTE: The series is MUCH better if you start with book #1 and read them in order! Doing so helps "flesh out" the individual characters and create an ongoing story line. (less)

[Moonmomie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm biased because I adore this particular genre and time period, and I thoroughly enjoyed this entire series of books by Karen Harper. They are written very similarly to Fiona Buckley's Ursla Blanchard Mysteries.... almost confusingly so. This series focuses on Queen Elizabeth I, herself, solving the murders of her subjects. Absolutely fictitious activities frequent the books (Elizabeth leaving the castle in disguise to chase down clues and criminals). But, this is why it is Historical "Fiction". Although not historically accurate, they did hold my interest with their depth of character, plot, and historical abundance.

[Orsolya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before I became fully immersed in history, I was a historical-fiction buff (and still read such books from time-to-time). Karen Harper's books tend to keep me entertained while still learning factual information, but sadly: not this time. The Elizabeth Mystery series is slightly to elementary and hardly provides a Tudor insight. Basically, it is more of a "regular, old fiction" book but merely with Elizabeth cast as the lead role. Think of this as mindless entertainment: good to read if you want an escape, but not if you are actually seeking intelligent material.

[Rebalioness · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't brand new, and I'm working through the series. If you like strong characters in history as detectives, this is a good series and well researched.

[Beth Levitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, not nearly as good as her earlier books. Hoping for more with her next.

[Tessa in Mid-Michigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strains believability sometimes, all the things the Queen gets up to...

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mystery set in Elizabethan England with Elizabeth I as the "detective". Right. If you can get over that you may like the book.

[Ashlea (plotdriven.com) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the historical detail, but the mystery was a bit lackluster.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining. I'd like to read more in this series.

Enjoyed learning about 'fashione.'

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been very impressed with this series by Karen Harper. This was another good mystery with history woven in skillfully.

[Janice · Rating 1 out of 5]

ugh