The Lady Flirts with Death

Simon & Elizabeth #3

by Peg Herring

In this third book of the Simon & Elizabeth Mysteries‚ Elizabeth Tudor is declared a traitor and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Visiting the princess secretly‚ her friend Simon Maldon discovers another cause for worry. His friend Peto the Pope has been arrested for a murder he swears he did not commit.

As Simon frets over Elizabeth’s peril and Peto’s certain execution‚ his wife Hannah deals with her own mystery after taking in a frightened pregnant girl who‚ she later learns‚ is not as she first seemed. Neither Simon nor Hannah pays attention to the other’s problems‚ although they should. Matters spin quickly into grave danger‚ and they both might die as they try their best to save the lives of others.

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

245 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2013

About the author

Peg is author of
the award-winning Dead Detective Mysteries,
the unusual Loser Mysteries,
the critically-acclaimed Simon & Elizabeth (Tudor) Mysteries,
the Kidnap Capers,
and others.
Her writing focuses on strong women, and Peg believes every book needs a central character that readers can admire, a little bit of humor, a suspenseful core, and an ending that satisfies our souls.

Peg's more recent work (DECEIVING ELVERA, SISTER SAINT, SISTER SINNER) is more mainstream fiction, though there is always a mystery to be solved.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Tudor is now Queen, and Elizabeth is in the Tower waiting. Meanwhile Simon Maldon visits her in the disguise of a priest. On one such visit he meets old friend and criminal Peto the Pope. He is accused of a murder, one that he insists he did not commit. Simon offers to help not realising the danger that will come to him and his wife Hannah.
A bit more of an adventure than a mystery story, though still an enjoyable read

[Beverle Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

How much sleuthing can a princess imprisoned in the Tower of London actually accomplish? Not a lot, as it turns out, but she can put her brilliant mind to work and advise her old friend how he might save an unjustly accused rogue from execution. In The Lady Flirts with Death, the third outing in the Simon and Elizabeth mystery series, author Peg Herring places Elizabeth in the background and brings Simon and his wife to the fore. Simon has acquired an apothecary shop of his own and a smart, loving helpmate in Hannah. While Simon frets about young Elizabeth’s future under her sister’s pious, but bloody rule, Hannah longs for a baby to make their family complete. On one of Simon’s visits to Elizabeth in the guise of a priest, he chances on another old friend, Peto the Pope. Peto is a thief with a heart, a sort of Elizabethan Robin Hood. Though popular in the seedy district of Southwark, Peto has been cunningly framed for the murder of another underworld character and Simon just might be his only way out of the Tower. Meanwhile, at the home behind the apothecary shop, Hannah gives shelter to a homeless, very pregnant young woman who seems to know a great deal more about Peto’s activities than she is telling. As in the first two books in the series, Herring has created likable, credible characters whose story unfolds against the backdrop of a well-researched Elizabethan setting. Southwark and its denizens come alive with energy, color, and drama to spare, and through Elizabeth and her fellow prisoner, Robert Dudley, Herring puts a human face on an aristocracy whipsawed by dynastic strife and religious tyranny. The mystery plot, neatly juxtaposed with historical facts, gives Simon and Hannah a chance to shine and rollicks along to a surprising conclusion. Highly recommended.

[Laurel Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 blue stars

Elizabeth is imprisoned in the Tower of London by her sister Mary, now Queen of England. So she has a backseat role in helping Simon find a way to save his friend Peto the Pope. Unbeknownst to Simon and his wife Hannah, the young pregnant girl seeking help from them is Peto's girlfriend. Hannah helps to deliver the baby and becomes utterly smitten. Frances cares nothing for her own daughter, mostly because she thinks Peto will reject her, the child not being his. Simon uses his skills at disguise, both in navigating the Tower of London, and in looking for answers in Southwark, a rather dangerous part of London. He befriends a young homeless boy, Henry, and I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say that Simon and Hannah, will have not one, but two, children by the end of the book. But how they get there is full of danger and drama. Can't wait to read the 4th book in the series, and I wish there were more.

Description: Elizabeth Tudor is accused of treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Loyal to a fault, Simon manages to get in to see her, determined to find a way to help her escape. Leaving the Tower, Simon discovers another cause for worry. His friend Peto the Pope has been arrested for a murder he swears he did not commit. At the same time, Simon's wife Hannah takes in a frightened pregnant girl who refuses to identify herself. Hannah is captivated when her guest has a baby girl. Childless herself, she's determined to help this mother and child get a start in life. Distracted by his desire to help Elizabeth and prove Peto's innocence, Simon pays little attention to what's happening at home. Neither he nor Hannah realizes they should be listening to each other. In trying to help others, they have put themselves in deadly danger.

[Judith Mehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical mystery!
This fast-paced journey through 16th Century England reintroduces characters well-developed in earlier novels, providing Lady Elizabeth with credible detective reasoning, even while in prison. Her loyal friend, Simon Maldon, with an apothecary’s scientific curiosity, not only attempts to help her escape, but explores helping a friend framed for murder. The two plots intertwine with vivid imagery and meticulous details to bring the time period to life.
This historical amateur sleuth mystery includes enough suspects to keep the reader intrigued, but it’s the characters that especially hold you in their grip. One falls in love with Hannah, while not knowing whether to sympathize with the pregnant woman or despise her. The ending is not only plausible but satisfying.

[Lupe Dominguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always funny with these books. I have read the first two written and now this one...and as always, I have the hardest time getting into them, when all of a sudden WHAM I can't stop reading. Peg Herring certainly has a way with words and making you feel like you are walking the streets with Simon. The only thing I didn't care for this time around was the lack of Her Highness, Elizabeth. The title is Her Highness Flirts with Death, yet the story barely deals with anything to do with Elizabeth Tudor. Very disappointing. But the mystery was still good, although I did figure all of it out by the time the "bad guy" was introduced. I think I liked the first book the best, so far. It kept me on my toes through the whole thing. This one gave away all the secrets before it was barely through.

[Argum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its been a while again. Mary has become queen, the whole interlude of Jane Grey only mentioned to explain the current situation. Elizabeth is in the Tower as is Robin Dudley. Simon wearing the cassock gained in the first book and using a modified pass written by the long dead Henry, sneaks in to hear confession aka visit his friend. While there he runs into the recently arrested Peto the Pope. Peto was framed for the particular crime and so Simon tries to help them both. Venturing into Southwark may be equally dangerous as his forays into the Tower. Meanwhile, Hannah has a pregnant stowaway who attaches herself to the household. Craziness ensues.

[Ann Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the Simon & Elizabeth series. Princess Elizabeth is being held in the Tower of London because she is just too threatening to the current regime. Simon is her clever employee who discovers that a friend Pepo has been arrested for a murder he did not commit. In the meantime, his wife Hannah has rescued a pregnant orphan girl with her own issues. There may be a few too many coincidences in resolving the plot. I couldn't decide. Well written, however.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick pleasant read. Third in a series, but you could read it as a stand-alone. One drawback: parts of words are blurry/illegible on some interior page margins. You can figure out what they are but hey...sloppy publishing company quality control?

[Shiela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was my favorite in the series by far. Love Queen E's character even though she played a minor role in this book compared to the others.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoy this series. This one did not have so much Elizabeth in it, however the story was really good. Really hoping there are more to come.

[Susan Ash hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little read