Un assassin à la cour

Lady Grace Mysteries #1

by Grace Cavendish, Patricia Finney

Lady Grace Cavendish, 13 ans, demoiselle d'honneur de la reine Elisabeth Ire, tient un journal intime. Le soir de la Saint-Valentin, elle doit choisir un mari parmi trois prétendants et désigne Lord Robert. Mais l'un des deux autres prétendants est retrouvé assassiné et tout accuse Lord Robert. Lady Grace mène l'enquête.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Middle Grade

220 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2004

Reviews

[Grace*dnfing books since 2022* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having tried a whole host of these historical mysteries written from the viewpoint of some lady or another, I haven't, until this series, found one that I so thoroughly endorsed. There's the Lady Julia Grey, Lady Emily, Lady Arianna, Lady Rose Summer...well, there are simply endless numbers of these lady sleuths floating around the historical fiction archives, and they all blend together in one conglomerate of snobby, unlikable gals who are either casting eyes at their Sherlock Holmes counterpart or are "flouting conventions" because they are so incredibly original, despite being unbelievably beautiful and rich and etc., etc.

Lady Grace Cavendish is someone completely set apart from these other characters, given that she is 13 when the series commences and she is incredibly likable in first person narrative. I'm now on the fourth book of this series, and that should tell you how much I've enjoyed her adventures. The setting is rich of descriptions of food, clothing, events, and historical people, but never is it a boring laundry list. Lady Grace is a fairly plain beanpole of a Maid of Honour, who sets herself apart by being, realistically, uncaring of men. That is, she really is either too young to care about romance, but not in a way where the author tells you she doesn't care and she's always casting her eyes forlornly after some dude or another. She really has no idea when the other maids are talking about dresses and other men, and in fact, I didn't care that there was no romance in this story because it was simply so well done.

The mystery might be the best mystery I've read in the last five years. No, seriously, even though this is a book for pre-teens, it really is the best mystery I've read in recent memory. Lady Grace has three suitors set up for her by the Queen, and when one of them dies and her preferred suitor is the claimed culprit, she tries to figure out what happened. As it turns out, it isn't even that straightforward, but as with all REALLY GOOD MYSTERIES (which is sort of a mythical thing in literature as it usually doesn't exist), there are clues that should alert you to the actual villain, and there absolutely was! Amazing!

What I also really liked was how Queen Elizabeth was portrayed. I've read many a historical fiction piece with her in the background, and I think none of them have done justice to all the history we know about her. This was the only one in which I saw Queen Elizabeth as others must have seen her, temperamental, charismatic, caring, sharp, impatient, intelligent, talented, etc. I must say that I've seldom been so impressed with writing that manages to recreate history with such accuracy in so short a time.

It struck me that YA books are such low caliber because the content is so hormone-infused that it doesn't take much for the book to receive high ratings, and then after that, romantic fiction is so infused with repetitive and unnecessary sex scenes as to be, well, redundant. But this pre-teen genre of books is a veritable GOLDMINE of literary genius! It's succinct, well-researched, well-written, and even has great, admirable protagonists. To have an excellent mystery believably set in history with an underage and believable sleuth in under 200 pages--that's pretty genius. AND to have it be first person (not my preferred voice), well, this just goes to show how much I endorse this series.

[emilia borg · Rating 3 out of 5]

girls’ll be like “i needed this” and it’s just rereading a book they liked in elementary school

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: This is another book from the Random Bookshelf that I am reading from this year. This book interested me because of its similarity to the Dear Canada/Royal Diaries books with the added bonus of being a mystery.

Lady Grace Cavendish is 13 years old and one of Queen Elizabeth I's Maids of Honour (a step below a Lady-in-Waiting). She writes in her daybooke as if it were a diary about her day to day adventures which become quite exciting. Since the Queen is her godmother and promised her dead mother that she would acquire a suitable husband for Grace a party is to be celebrated this Valentine's. Here Grace will pick one of her three suitors to be handfasted to until she is sixteen and ready for betrothal. By the end of that night Grace has picked her future husband, a murder has been committed and her betrothed is locked up as the killer with evidence plainly in sight against him. Grace, with the Queen's approval, sets out to prove his innocence along with the help of her friends, a laundry girl, and a boy from the acrobatic troupe.

The mystery is fun, Grace is spunky, and the historical setting is quite realistic. All the characters, except Grace, behave and speak according to the period. Grace herself is a fictional character, but real life historical figures do take a part in the story. The atmosphere is very anti-Catholic, with quite a lot of rude prejudiced statements uttered but this is true to history as the time period *was* entirely anti-Catholic to the point of death and religious wars. The author's historical note does nothing to explain this bias, though, which is unfortunate. I didn't take to Grace herself as she acted and spoke as a modern girl would. She barely even cared that she was breaking very strict rules by cavorting around at nighttime on her own, and alas, her punishments were nothing as would have befallen a real girl of the 1500s. Grace's way of speaking is very modern, and the things she wrote in her daybooke would have been blasphemous at the time period, even for the new Church of England faith. As to the mystery, unfortunately, I had it solved before it even occurred! But of course, this is coming from my adult eyes and I do think because the historical setting, with the exception of Grace, is quite accurate that the series could be of some historical benefit and girls will probably enjoy spunky Grace's escapades around court, in hidden corners with the staff and nighttime derring-do.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read an edition with the first two Grace Mysteries printed together, but I want to review them separately. This was even a faster read than I thought. Grace is a spunky Maid of Honour (who is 13 or 14, but I can't quite figure it out) to Queen Elizabeth who solves a murder mystery amidst the very strict limitations of her gender and station in the 1600's. In the process, she also resolves her mother's dying wish that she be engaged soon and married at 16.

Grace's independent thinking may be a little unrealistic for the period, but maybe not. The author's note (which was after both books in the edition I read, but may be in the standalone first mystery) explains Queen Elizabeth's fiery and intelligent personality, and hopefully other females could have cultivated that sort of independence in those times. The moments when the queen swears in frustration and is very approachable when she is not in public are funny.

You have to enjoy the Jane Austen-type intrigues of whose dress is smudged and what veiled insult was passed via seemingly polite words to enjoy much of these mysteries.

[Lady Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great novel! This is a fantastic book to introduce those under ten to the world of mysteries and historical fiction. The story is intriguing while keeping the dialogue fairly simple. There is a handy glossary in the back for any words that are out of the ordinary. Lady Grace is spunky and likable and her deductions seem completely age appropriate and logical. Definitely one I'd recommend.

At the age of thirteen Lady Grace Cavendish is a maid of honour to Elizabeth I of England. She also happens to be getting engaged. She must pick between three suitors, and will marry her choice in a few years. She likes two of the three, but doesn't want to get married at all. But after being forced to make a choice, one of the suitors is murdered and it is up to Grace and her friends to try and clear her fiancé's name!

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh- not that great of a story.

[Wynter Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had always been a childhood favorite of mine. Rereading it as an adult, I was impressed how this book— which is veered for preteens— had a quality writing even adults can enjoy. A pleasant style and interesting characters, the mystery was fun and intriguing and even exciting, in no way cheap or predictable. A nice, light read I could even recommend to someone older who is looking for a pleasant, short-commitment story.

[Hallie]

I really wish I could figure these books out. They're such an odd mixture, with many, many real details of life in the Elizabethan court, sitting right beside things so ridiculously unlikely that they must be done intentionally. Mustn't they? Patricia Finney knows her history, from all I can gather about her writing. And some of the wildly unlikely happenings fit right in with the conventions of children's mysteries, which are never meant to be taken as actually realistic - but that isn't the convention of the children's historical novel. So, very confusing.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
This is the kind of book that I would have adored as an elementary school kid... it's how you grow little girls into big Elizabethan literary nerds. Ahem.
: )

[Chip (C.A.) Printup · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was strolling through memory lane when I remembered this series from my childhood. I never got past Feud as they stopped publication there in America. A friend of mine found the whole published English version.

I was really nervous reading this series, as I didn't think it would age that well. I'm specfically talking about the character of Masou. But I still have quite a few books to get through.

Overall it's a good mystery series similar to Nancy Drew but English. It's a good branch into discovering more grown-up mysteries.

[Lydia Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I just couldn’t stop reading.

[Jessie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a blast from the past, I really love this story, especially the immersive language and imagery from the time period. I’m really glad I reread it! I might try a couple more from this series.

[Autumn Maisy Raquet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading this book I think I've read it a thousand times or more good book to read very good mystery love it own it would love to own the rest very good book series for ages 13 and 19 and for 20 year olds and adults very good actually actually a lot good I like it a lot

[Peggyzbooksnmusic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3 stars. #1 Lady Grace YA historical mystery set in 16th century England during the reign of Elizabeth I. Author is AKA Patricia Finney & P. F. Chisholm. She writes one of my favorite adult mystery series: Sir Robert Carey also set during the 16th century.

This was an entertaining YA mystery which I would have loved as a teenager. Witty dialogue and a very likeable main character: 13 year old Lady Grace Cavendish. Unfortunately this is the only title in this series that's available through our library's Libby & Hoopla catalogue.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like reading something a bit nostalgic and I enjoyed it just as much as when I read it as a kid

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

*flinch* The Tutor Court? Uh, I suppose Elizabeth was a Tutor but I'm not used to hearing her reign thrown in like with the rest of the Tutors. If I do end up reading this, I'll have to tip toe carefully. I tend to avoid historical fiction like this becaues of how irritated I get with historical inacuracy



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you, Assassin for reminding me why I don't read historical fiction at the court of Queen Elizabeth. I spend to much time analyzing the historical accuracy and too little time attending to the plot.
It was an enjoyable novel though a tad juvenile. The ending? Well, I thought it would have been much neater if it were Lord Gerald who killed himself with poison he put in the cup for Robert and what is with that insane twin guy? Huh? I plan to lend it to my cousin and find the sequel. It wasn't something, though, I'd go out of my way to find. The novel reminded me of the books I enjoyed reading when I was younger - journals, historical fiction, etc - and so holds some pleasure for me but otherwise I can't imagine getting overly enthusiastic about it.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you need a historical novel that teaches about the court and times of Queen Elizabeth I, this series will provide you with delightful reading, purportedly from the “daybook” of Lady Grace Cavendish, 13-year-old (at the beginning of the series) maid of honor to the queen. This plucky modern-seeming heiress, orphaned and raised in the court, along with her friends, a young court acrobat/juggler and one of the laundry girls, investigate mysteries to aid their monarch, reveal the villains, and aid the victims. The mysteries are plotted engagingly, but the best part of the series is that it allows readers to learn details and sweeps of Renaissance English life painlessly. Positive and fun.

Assassin. (Book One) Though stretching credibility with identical twins who switch places, this mystery entertains while it paints a picture of life in the (dangerous) court of Elizabeth. Lady Grace must find out who killed one of her three suitors before the suitor she favors goes to the Tower, and his own death.

[Valerie Watson · Rating 2 out of 5]

In 1569, Lady Grace Cavendish is thirteen and a lady-in-waiting at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. As she prepares to choose a husband from her trio of suitors, Lady Grace discovers that one of them has been found murdered in his bed. Ever inquisitive, Lady Grace becomes determined to find out the truth of the murder, who is responsible, and how the guilty might be brought to justice. Lady Grace’s propensity for breaking the rules in her quest to solve the crime makes this a lighthearted, amusing mystery for adults. For younger teens, this story may carry more suspense, as Lady Grace seems to be a character that does not remain relative across great age gaps. In truth, the story seems a bit rushed; the intrigue barely begins to build before the mystery is solved. Overall, Assassin is a somewhat trivial and contrived attempt at an Elizabethan mystery.
This book is not recommended in general; however, it may hold some value for younger teens as light pleasure reading.

[May · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, light book that's a good start to a light series. It's staged in Elizabethan England, in the palace of Queen Elizabeth. Thirteen-year-old Lady Grace, one of Queen Elizabeth's maid-of-honors, and apparently her favorite, is supposed to choose a suitor for herself at a ball. One of her suitors ends up dead, and Lady Grace takes it upon herself to find out who did it. The author did a good job of capturing a thirteen-year-old girl of back then, who was not yet grown but no longer a child. However, in some places it gets predictable, and Lady Grace borders on a writing stereotype. The book is a good read if you're looking for something quick without a lot of depth, but not something you'd want to invest money on.

[Live the · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it because it reminded me of a Philippa Gregory-type historical fiction. I didn't guess the twist, but after the first twist, it seemed to get far-fetched with another. By the end, I felt like it was a Scooby Doo episode because the villan practically said, "And I would've gotten away with it too if it wasn't for that pesky kid." I highly doubt I will continue with the series, because it just got too cheesy for me by the end.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Very cute lighthearted read, and I really like Lady Grace. I think this book is written for young adults, and I think Lady Grace is a great role model for young women. I like her brave and independent spirit. I also love the artwork on the cover.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for a 'kids book'
simple enough for younger minds but not patronising in any way so works well for an adult reader in a slow slump like myself.

[Aimee Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved it as a kid

[Amelia G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book. I was surprised by the ending, but the reading level was lower than usual for me.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

*cringes*

I'm sorry but...this was extremely cringy for me. I could not read that long without being shocked by how poorly it was written.

First off, I do realize that people would get married at a young age-around the age of 16-just because everyone died a lot sooner. Second, I also realize that sometimes these matches would end up having huge age gaps between them. But I still think it's gross!! I'm not going to get married to some dude that could easily be my father just because he's got money!! So besides those two weird facts...

I really did not like Lady Grace at all. It's too bad, since she's the main character, but she's really immature. So are some of the other characters as well. For instance:

"The only good thing that happened was that when the serving man brought me the candied carrots, he had a very strained expression on his face. Then, when he leaned over to get the plate of fried-bread sippets, he farted very loudly—which made me and Mary Shelton giggle."

Like...the poor dude! Don't make fun of him! You should be a lady and not laugh at that.

Or then there is poor logic: "It’s the sleeves I’m worried about: they’re white, so any speck of ink will show."

If you need, you could possibly take those sleeves off like you suggest a few sentences later, orrrr you could even just put your writing away, or just not worry about it! You don't seem that worried since you don't stop anyway.

If Lady Grace is supposed to be "spunky," according to the book, is that why she says this? "Silly old moo, as if cows could run downstairs." Honestly, it just got on my nerves so much, that pretend attitude.

I could go on and on about the different things I don't like about it, but really, I just don't like this book at all. I'm sorry for such a harsh review. I just needed to vent.
Not to mention, the entire book, when I read it inside my head, is totally with an English accent, which may be a bit strange since I don't have an English accent myself.

Content:
Language: Takes God's name in vain a few times. Mentions that the Queen swears horribly but nothing is written down.

Violence: Off scene deaths, like poisoning and knife stabs. There's not even a mention of blood.

Romance: No romance, but it kept referring to women's breasts and how the men kept staring at them instead of their dancers' faces, and this was dumb.
"Not for me, though. My body hasn’t started to develop in that way yet."


1 star
Age recommended: None

[Richard Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I briefly started this when I first bought it but then set it aside. This time, I read on and enjoyed the whole thing. (Also, it comes in a beautiful hardcover volume that's a pleasure to handle.)

I'm not sure if this is meant to be MG or YA; it leans toward the former, IMO, but it may sorta fall in the crack between. Sometimes, it's a lot of fun to read such books, and that's how I felt about this novel. With a quick plot and quite a bit of action, it reads briskly and tells an entertaining story in 40,000 words or so, like a welcome visitor who drops by and then heads out again while you're still having a good time.

Grace, a maid of honor to Queen Elizabeth I, is getting pressed to get married, and in the course of meeting some suitors there is a murder in the castle. The way this young woman--with a few friends--goes about solving the murder while not having very much freedom of movement is quite realistic. The characters are round enough to suit the needs of the story and the genre, and the plot is reasonably complex while being straightforward enough for younger readers.

And entertaining enough for old ones, too.

Recommended for historical mystery readers who are open to MG or YA. (Fun people only, obviously.) :)

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copied from my brief 2010 Amazon review:

A nice book for teen girls

4 stars

I read this book because I love mysteries, and I love books set in various periods of England. I was able to predict who the murderer was, even though I am usually unsuccessful at doing so in the many murder mysteries I read. But I decided that was to be expected in a book geared toward a younger audience. I enjoyed the diary format and the relationship that the main character had with the queen. One reviewer wrote that the relationship seems unrealistic, but even if it is, it IS a fiction book, after all. I certainly recommend this book to young ladies.

[Sabrina T. T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lady Grace Mysteries Series combined two of my favorite things: mystery and history!

Follow Lady Grace solving mysteries at the court of Elizabeth I. - murder, kidnapping, conspiracies and more.
I really enjoyed the world, the crime stories and most of all Lady Grace.
Though young, she still is quite spirited and has some wit. I love a good, cool female character.
I think this can be easily read by adults as well as children and might be a nice book series to read together.

[Jason Todd's Unofficial Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know those books you pick up by accident? Those battered paperbacks with obscure title's, found on a rainy day in the corner of a bustling bookshop?

No one ever tells you that there's a step that comes after that, where you pick up that book one boring day, looking for something to entertain yourself with, and then fall head-over-heels in love with the writing.

This book was that for me.

[Ronah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book refers to breasts a lot for what I read as a child but I loved mystery books and this intrigued me and I loved the Elizabethan Era with all the courting and balls. However, Grace was 13 or 14 and she was being betrothed to men which was weird to me. She had 3 suitors and she picked one and then there was a murder and it was pinned to her betrothed. She ends up proving his innocence. I think I shipped her more with Masou then anyone.