The Wolf's Shadow

The Tudor Rose Murders #2

by G.J. Williams

1558: The body of Thomas Seymour is found hanging naked in an oak tree at Hatfield House, the home of Elizabeth Tudor, the Queen’s sister. But Thomas Seymour was supposedly beheaded nine years to the day on Tower Hill. How did he return from the dead, only to die again?

Doctor John Dee and Margaretta, assisted by his pupil Christopher, are charged with unravelling the mystery. But then there is a kidnapping, a ransom threat and more bodies appear.

Amongst secrets and rumours, the scandal of the Seymour Affair threatens to resurface. Elizabeth’s road to the throne could be ruined and with that comes the fall of the Tudor Dynasty.

Can John Dee keep Elizabeth’s secret before it casts a shadow over them all?

Genres: Historical Fiction

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2024

Reviews

[Maddy McGlynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of a grisly murder in Tudor England, Williams fills the C.J. Sansom hole.

There are murders, political plots, kidnappings, secret messages and blackmail, all mysteries which Margarita and Doctor Dee must solve. They’re gory, cleverly spun out and intricate, providing a strong hook that you will join John and Margarita to solve whilst trying to play detective as the reader.

There’s a strong thread of Welsh identity throughout, connecting the author to Dee, and it is a bond he shares with Margarita, as they use the Welsh language as a secret code. It’s rare to come across the Welsh language so entwined into historical fiction, so it stood out as both a bonding device for the characters and a representation of the author’s own identity.

The second in a really enjoyable, addictive crime series set in Tudor England.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black as his name

In the reign of Bloody Queen Mary, Thomas Seymour, brother of Jane (Henry VIII’s third wife and mother of his only son Edward) was executed for treason in 1549. But his freshly murdered body is found, with the potential to harm the Princess Elizabeth. William Cecil (later the 1st Baron Burghley) calls on Sir John Dee to investigate. Dr Williams uses historical record to summon a believable picture of the era, with stinking refuse and ordure in the streets and the rivers, the widest gap between the ruling classes and the starving and impoverished masses.

Dee (from the Welsh word ‘du’ meaning black) was indeed a learned man of his time who delved increasingly into the ‘dark arts’. His medium here, the Welsh psychic Margaretta Morgan, is a fictional creation. In reality Dee was known to use an Irishman named Kelley as a medium for his scrying. Many of the courtiers connected to the Tudors were themselves of Welsh origin (as were Cecil and Dee, albeit with Anglicised names) and Margaretta is able to use another secret weapon, her native tongue, Cymraeg (Welsh) to converse privately with Dee and other Welsh people.

Margaretta is the hero of this story, her senses and intuition giving Dee the clues needed to find an explanation for murders and blackmail attempts. Dee is portrayed as intelligent but vain and cruel, forever forcing Margaretta into situations that cause her discomfort and actual sickness, then pretending her revelations are his own. Dee’s strategy is to benefit from his investigations for Cecil by wangling a return to court, with the favour of the coming Queen.

It’s a fanciful tale, dependent on the contemporary rumour that something inappropriate occurred to Princess Elizabeth in Seymour’s household. Seymour had married Henry VIII’s wealthy widow Katherine Parr but was reputed to be profligate and lustful. The Seymour family seat was Wolf Hall which fell into disrepair as the family lost power and favour.

[Chloe Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set 3 years after the first book. Thomas Seymour is found hanging from a tree in Lady Elizabeth’s home, 9 years after he was killed, how has he come back from the dead? There is also a rumour that he has a child with Princess Elizabeth. Dr John Dee, Margaretta and Christopher must investigate. Margaretta can see and feel other people’s emotions. Lord Cecil’s son is also kidnapped by a bunch of mummers (entertainers). It turns out that Thomas Seymour had a secret bastard brother Gabriel (from his father) that he had grown up with and who disappeared to France when Thomas was beheaded. He then wrote letters to princess Elizabeth pretending to be him. Princess Elizabeth’s cousin Henry knew he was coming back to England so paid a bunch of mummers to deal with it - using Lord Cecil’s son as payment for ransom. Tommy Cecil is returned to his father safely when they trick the mummers and scare them off. Margaretta and Christopher confess their love for each other but Christopher has gotten his landlady’s daughter pregnant and has to marry her instead.

[Judy Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the first in the series. This is an author to watch, the pacing and characters are good, the plot is complex and interesting. The only quibble I have is that the denouement seemed unnecessary complicated. I won’t say more so as not to spoil it for anyone.
The details take you back to the time of Mary I, the squalor and political machinations, the fear and uncertainty. The everyday joys and troubles of people just trying to get by. The characters development from the first book is interesting, and I look forward to more maturing of people, and more plotting and subterfuge. I love the way the author mixes historical figures and fictitious ones, and the way her stories nestle in the gaps of the historical record.

If you enjoy CJ Samson, you will also love this intelligent
author. I will be watching for more in this series, and from this writer.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wolf's Shadow is the second in the Tudor Rose Murder Series, the first of which, The Conjuror's Apprentice, I really loved.

The dynamic between John Dee and Margaretta continues in The Wolf's Shadow, where this time they investigate the death of Thomas Seymour, which is unusual bearing in mind he was supposed to have been beheaded nine years earlier. Together, John and Margaretta try to find out the truth - John as detective, and Margaretta using her almost psychic abilities to pick up on people's anxieties and concerns. Eventually, they discover the sinister truth which is not for the faint-hearted.

Again, I really enjoyed GJ Williams' writing. She writes with great historical context, which is clearly well researched, and I really like the use of some words I had never heard of, but were clearly in much use at the time. I shall very much be looking forward to book three!

[Jane Watkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book of The Tudor Rose trilogy, and GJ Williams has really hit her stride now. This book becomes a pacy page-turner from about halfway through, and is impeccably researched from a historical record that has enough gaps for the creation of a juicy mystery relating to Elizabeth 1st and Thomas Seymour and his family.
The character of Margaretta continues to develop and endear the reader, and Dr John Dee remains as fascinating and frustrating as ever.
I look forward to the third book, and finding out Margaretta’s next steps - so good to have a story with a strong female protagonist.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read the first book in the series and loved it. I was excited to hear the next book had hit the shelves and I have to say it exceeded all of my expectations. The twists and turns and strong plot had me hooked, I struggled to believe I was reading a book of fiction. The sights, sounds, and expressive writing made the characters come to life. You really need to read this book!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second novel of the series, Margarette and Dr Dee are called in when the body of a man previously executed nine years previously is seemingly killed again. More plotting appears to be afoot. Another fantastic book with lots of twists and turns that will make you dizzy.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant thriller as as good as book one loved it

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed my 'fix' of Margaretta

[Liz Bryne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reconnecting with these characters. The writing was again superb and conjured up all the suspicion, intrigue and mysticism of the period. Loved it.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great historical murder mystery. I love that the characters were real people and the story intertwines their lives with the fictional elements so perfectly.

[Thomas McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good read.

Captures the sounds and smells of 16th century England as well as the politics. I’ve just bought the next book.

[Phil Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page-turner

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Murder mystery very good but disliked the constant references to cards, crystals and mind reading. Appreciate some people like that kind of thing, but not me!

[Ashwini Aishling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A harmonious blend of witty prose, murder mystery, tudor era court intrigues, tragedy and paranormal elements.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait for the next one! so I preorded!
exciting drama following two- three main characters as they look for the truth.
Steeped in history this book allows your imagination to run wild while curiously questioning what might have been.

The back of the book describes what was happening at the time and the history of the characters. Many of whom are real people from the Tudor times.