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A Defiant Woman: A Modern Tudor Mystery
Kate Tudor’s marriage to billionaire Hank Tudor continues to fray when his ex-wife resurfaces in the wake of their daughter’s kidnapping, in the latest novel in this genre-defying crime series.
Eight years ago, Nan Tudor escaped her husband, billionaire businessman Hank Tudor, afraid for her life and leaving a dead body behind—but in doing so, she abandoned her three-year-old daughter, Lizzie. Still wracked with guilt for that decision, she is living a quiet life as a restaurant cook in France with her son when she receives a mysterious “We have your daughter.”
Lured back to the scene of the crime on Martha’s Vineyard by a threat against Lizzie’s life, Nan believes the kidnapper is exacting revenge against her, stopping at nothing to do so—and discovers that she and her daughter may not be the only targets. Kate Parker—Hank’s sixth and latest wife—is also on the island and drawn into the kidnapper’s elaborate web of retaliation.
Keeping their alliance secret from Hank, Hank’s fixer Thomas Cromwell, investigator Steve Gardiner, and reporter Tom Seymour, the two women find themselves in a race against time to rescue Lizzie—and to make sure they both stay alive.
Eight years ago, Nan Tudor escaped her husband, billionaire businessman Hank Tudor, afraid for her life and leaving a dead body behind—but in doing so, she abandoned her three-year-old daughter, Lizzie. Still wracked with guilt for that decision, she is living a quiet life as a restaurant cook in France with her son when she receives a mysterious “We have your daughter.”
Lured back to the scene of the crime on Martha’s Vineyard by a threat against Lizzie’s life, Nan believes the kidnapper is exacting revenge against her, stopping at nothing to do so—and discovers that she and her daughter may not be the only targets. Kate Parker—Hank’s sixth and latest wife—is also on the island and drawn into the kidnapper’s elaborate web of retaliation.
Keeping their alliance secret from Hank, Hank’s fixer Thomas Cromwell, investigator Steve Gardiner, and reporter Tom Seymour, the two women find themselves in a race against time to rescue Lizzie—and to make sure they both stay alive.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published March 3, 2026
About the author
Karen E. Olson
22 books299 followersI am the author of the Black Hat Thrillers and the Annie Seymour and Tattoo Shop mystery series. My new book AN INCONVENIENT WIFE, a Modern Tudor Mystery, is a modern retelling of Henry VIII and his wives as a crime novel. The sequel, A DEFIANT WOMAN, will be published in March 2026.
My first book, SACRED COWS, won the Sara Ann Freed Award for best first mystery and my fourth book, SHOT GIRL, was shortlisted for a Shamus Award.
My first book, SACRED COWS, won the Sara Ann Freed Award for best first mystery and my fourth book, SHOT GIRL, was shortlisted for a Shamus Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 15, 2026
This one was just… eh.
There’s a lot going on, but none of it felt fully developed. The characters were lacking depth, and I never really connected to anyone or cared what happened to them.
The story itself felt messy. It jumps around, things happen, but it doesn’t come together in a way that feels tight or intentional. There were moments where it could’ve been more interesting, but it just never got there.
I kept reading because I wanted it to click at some point, but it never really did.
Overall, not terrible, but not memorable either.
There’s a lot going on, but none of it felt fully developed. The characters were lacking depth, and I never really connected to anyone or cared what happened to them.
The story itself felt messy. It jumps around, things happen, but it doesn’t come together in a way that feels tight or intentional. There were moments where it could’ve been more interesting, but it just never got there.
I kept reading because I wanted it to click at some point, but it never really did.
Overall, not terrible, but not memorable either.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In my opinion, I didn’t like this audiobook at all. I really tried, but I just couldn’t get into it.
The storyline sounded interesting at first, with the kidnapping and complicated family dynamics, but it never fully pulled me in. The pacing felt slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The plot became confusing at times, and I didn’t feel emotionally connected to the characters.
Unfortunately, the narration didn’t help either. It made the story feel even more flat, which made it harder to stay interested.
Overall, this just wasn’t for me. I was expecting more suspense and excitement, but it fell short. While others may enjoy it, I didn’t find it memorable or enjoyable.
The storyline sounded interesting at first, with the kidnapping and complicated family dynamics, but it never fully pulled me in. The pacing felt slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The plot became confusing at times, and I didn’t feel emotionally connected to the characters.
Unfortunately, the narration didn’t help either. It made the story feel even more flat, which made it harder to stay interested.
Overall, this just wasn’t for me. I was expecting more suspense and excitement, but it fell short. While others may enjoy it, I didn’t find it memorable or enjoyable.
April 2, 2026
Full of complexity!
March 25, 2026
Part two in the Modern Tudor Mystery series. Olson cleverly creates a modern "retelling " of Henry VIII - some details have changed and the names have been tweaked but overall it's the story of a very rich man who keeps going after new wives. The plot swirls around kidnapping, murder, and double crossing associates. Great fun to read.
I would highly recommend reading the first book to get acquainted with all the characters and the story line. There are a lot of people to keep track of.
I would highly recommend reading the first book to get acquainted with all the characters and the story line. There are a lot of people to keep track of.
March 13, 2026
The plot of this book should have pulled me in. Nan ran from her husband but she left her daughter behind. She’s been living with the guilt of that decision ever since until she gets a message from someone claiming they have her daughter. Nan is forced back into her old life which is nothing but crime and chaos. How will she handle this wicked chaos in order to save her daughter? The elements for a great thriller were all there but unfortunately for me they never connected. The narration was dull and the characters fell flat. The plot never matters and I never rooted for Nan or anyone else in this story. In order for me to want to continue to read this book I have to want to the characters to succeed but I didn’t care about them. I hope other people connect with this story but for me it just didn’t work.
March 6, 2026
This had such a compelling setup—a modern Tudor-style drama with a powerful billionaire standing in for Henry VIII—but the story never fully lives up to the concept. The central kidnapping plot strangely lacks urgency, and the characters often behave in ways that feel more convenient for the plot than believable. Nan repeatedly ignores the kidnappers’ instructions and somehow keeps lucking into being ahead of them, while Kate is framed as a savvy player but ends up doing surprisingly little.
The biggest issue for me, though, was Nan’s backstory and motivation. We’re told she fakes her own death and flees because she’s terrified Hank will destroy her financially and take her daughter away from her. But disappearing guarantees exactly that outcome: she loses custody, abandons her child, and gives Hank total control of the narrative. The book treats this as a tragic but necessary sacrifice, yet the logic never quite holds up—the drastic choice she makes essentially produces the very result she was trying to avoid.
There are moments of intrigue, but overall the plot felt muddled and the emotional stakes never quite came through.
The biggest issue for me, though, was Nan’s backstory and motivation. We’re told she fakes her own death and flees because she’s terrified Hank will destroy her financially and take her daughter away from her. But disappearing guarantees exactly that outcome: she loses custody, abandons her child, and gives Hank total control of the narrative. The book treats this as a tragic but necessary sacrifice, yet the logic never quite holds up—the drastic choice she makes essentially produces the very result she was trying to avoid.
There are moments of intrigue, but overall the plot felt muddled and the emotional stakes never quite came through.
May 19, 2026
A Defiant Woman: A Modern Tudor Mystery was such a fun read of rich people behaving badly! I loved the modern Tudor-inspired setup and Hank Tudor’s tangled relationships mirroring Henry VIII’s court drama without feeling gimmicky. Nan and Kate were both compelling characters in very different ways, and the kidnapping plot kept the tension high from the very first message: “We have your daughter.” The mix of wealth, power, betrayal, and family secrets made intriguing In the perfect atmosphere. A smart, twisty mystery with plenty of drama and crazy female characters. Solid 4 star read!
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced audiobook!
All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced audiobook!
All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 3, 2026
Terrific mystery that moves Henry VIII and his murderous adventures to contemporary America. Henry Tudor is a super rich mogul in the Jeff Bezos vein with a turbulent bunch of ex wives and a current bride One of the exes is the homicidal Catherine. Set on Martha’s Vineyard and Coastal Connecticut, the fast-paced plotting will keep you turning pages as we wonder which wife might lose her head next.
March 14, 2026
I just binge read the 1st 2 books in this series and can't wait to find out what happens next. The author has set such an intriguing and twisty storyline and I love that she leaves each book on a cliffhanger so you're looking forward to the next part. This book picked up a few ~8 weeks after the last book ended. I hope the next book does that as well.
March 10, 2026
3.5 stars from me. I really enjoyed the historical nods woven throughout the book. The side characters and their connections to Tudor history are clever, and the way those elements are worked into the modern-day setting is genuinely fun if you are a history fan.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
March 12, 2026
Somewhere in the universe there is a support group for women who have been married to Hank Tudor, and honestly I would read that book too because this man is out here collecting wives like he’s completing a historical side quest.
Because yes, A Defiant Woman is essentially a modern Tudor drama where billionaire Hank Tudor is the walking embodiment of Henry VIII energy, except instead of castles and beheadings we get private planes, Martha’s Vineyard real estate, and a rotating lineup of ex-wives who probably deserve financial compensation for emotional damages.
The book kicks off with a genuinely great thriller hook. Nan Tudor, wife number two, has been living quietly in France for eight years after fleeing Hank and leaving behind a dead body and her three-year-old daughter, Lizzie. Which is already a lot. That is a lot of baggage for a single backstory.
Then Nan gets a text that basically says: we have your daughter. Which is the kind of message that immediately launches your nervous system into the stratosphere. And Nan, to her credit, does not waste time spiraling into existential dread. She gets on a plane and flies straight back to Martha’s Vineyard, the island where her life imploded the first time.
Now here is where the story gets juicy. Because Lizzie is now living in the world of Hank Tudor, who is currently on wife number six. Six. At that point the wedding registry should just be a loyalty program.
Enter Kate Parker, the current Mrs. Tudor, who is already eyeing the exit door of this marriage when Lizzie’s kidnapping drops into everyone’s lap like the world’s most stressful family reunion invitation. Suddenly Kate and Nan are reluctantly teaming up to find this kid while trying very hard not to alert Hank, his extremely unsettling fixer, or half the orbit of people circling this man’s money.
And honestly? The uneasy alliance between Nan and Kate is the best part of the whole book. These two women have every reason to distrust each other, but they are also tied together by the same child and the same extremely problematic man. Watching them circle each other, cautiously cooperate, and navigate this minefield of secrets is where the story actually sparks.
But let me tell you something about this audiobook experience. There are a lot of characters. And when I say a lot, I mean Tudor family tree levels of chaos. Multiple wives, multiple kids, investigators, reporters, fixers, and enough side players that at one point my brain genuinely felt like the conspiracy board meme from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. You know the one. Charlie in front of the corkboard screaming about Pepe Silvia.
That was me. Walking my dog. Rewinding the audiobook. Whispering, “Wait… which ex-wife is this again?”
Now Nikki Thomas does a solid job with the narration. She delivers the emotional beats well, especially Nan’s guilt and the tension of being dragged back into a life she escaped. The production is clean and easy to listen to, which matters when you’re juggling this many perspectives.
But with so many characters rotating through the story, the voices can blur together a little. There were definitely moments where my brain had to catch up and go, “Okay hold on, whose trauma are we unpacking right now?”
And pacing-wise, the book has that classic thriller curve where the beginning grabs you immediately, then the middle slows down while everyone untangles the web of relationships and motives. The tension never fully disappears, but there are stretches where the kidnapping plot loses some urgency because we’re busy navigating the extremely complicated Hank Tudor Cinematic Universe.
Which, to be fair, is a deeply messy universe. But the premise itself is undeniably fun. A modern reimagining of the Henry VIII wife dynamic where the women are all still alive and forced to deal with each other? That is a reality show I would watch immediately and probably scream about on the internet.
And the book is at its best when it leans into that idea, when the focus is less about Hank and more about the women surviving the gravitational pull of his terrible decisions. By the end I landed at a solid three stars. I was entertained, occasionally confused, occasionally invested, and constantly thinking that Hank Tudor might be the most exhausting man alive.
Whodunity Award: For Most Chaotic Billionaire Family Tree That Definitely Requires a Whiteboard
And a big thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC, because nothing spices up my daily walks like unraveling a kidnapping plot while trying to remember which Tudor wife is currently in the room.
Because yes, A Defiant Woman is essentially a modern Tudor drama where billionaire Hank Tudor is the walking embodiment of Henry VIII energy, except instead of castles and beheadings we get private planes, Martha’s Vineyard real estate, and a rotating lineup of ex-wives who probably deserve financial compensation for emotional damages.
The book kicks off with a genuinely great thriller hook. Nan Tudor, wife number two, has been living quietly in France for eight years after fleeing Hank and leaving behind a dead body and her three-year-old daughter, Lizzie. Which is already a lot. That is a lot of baggage for a single backstory.
Then Nan gets a text that basically says: we have your daughter. Which is the kind of message that immediately launches your nervous system into the stratosphere. And Nan, to her credit, does not waste time spiraling into existential dread. She gets on a plane and flies straight back to Martha’s Vineyard, the island where her life imploded the first time.
Now here is where the story gets juicy. Because Lizzie is now living in the world of Hank Tudor, who is currently on wife number six. Six. At that point the wedding registry should just be a loyalty program.
Enter Kate Parker, the current Mrs. Tudor, who is already eyeing the exit door of this marriage when Lizzie’s kidnapping drops into everyone’s lap like the world’s most stressful family reunion invitation. Suddenly Kate and Nan are reluctantly teaming up to find this kid while trying very hard not to alert Hank, his extremely unsettling fixer, or half the orbit of people circling this man’s money.
And honestly? The uneasy alliance between Nan and Kate is the best part of the whole book. These two women have every reason to distrust each other, but they are also tied together by the same child and the same extremely problematic man. Watching them circle each other, cautiously cooperate, and navigate this minefield of secrets is where the story actually sparks.
But let me tell you something about this audiobook experience. There are a lot of characters. And when I say a lot, I mean Tudor family tree levels of chaos. Multiple wives, multiple kids, investigators, reporters, fixers, and enough side players that at one point my brain genuinely felt like the conspiracy board meme from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. You know the one. Charlie in front of the corkboard screaming about Pepe Silvia.
That was me. Walking my dog. Rewinding the audiobook. Whispering, “Wait… which ex-wife is this again?”
Now Nikki Thomas does a solid job with the narration. She delivers the emotional beats well, especially Nan’s guilt and the tension of being dragged back into a life she escaped. The production is clean and easy to listen to, which matters when you’re juggling this many perspectives.
But with so many characters rotating through the story, the voices can blur together a little. There were definitely moments where my brain had to catch up and go, “Okay hold on, whose trauma are we unpacking right now?”
And pacing-wise, the book has that classic thriller curve where the beginning grabs you immediately, then the middle slows down while everyone untangles the web of relationships and motives. The tension never fully disappears, but there are stretches where the kidnapping plot loses some urgency because we’re busy navigating the extremely complicated Hank Tudor Cinematic Universe.
Which, to be fair, is a deeply messy universe. But the premise itself is undeniably fun. A modern reimagining of the Henry VIII wife dynamic where the women are all still alive and forced to deal with each other? That is a reality show I would watch immediately and probably scream about on the internet.
And the book is at its best when it leans into that idea, when the focus is less about Hank and more about the women surviving the gravitational pull of his terrible decisions. By the end I landed at a solid three stars. I was entertained, occasionally confused, occasionally invested, and constantly thinking that Hank Tudor might be the most exhausting man alive.
Whodunity Award: For Most Chaotic Billionaire Family Tree That Definitely Requires a Whiteboard
And a big thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC, because nothing spices up my daily walks like unraveling a kidnapping plot while trying to remember which Tudor wife is currently in the room.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Have you ever wondered what the Tudors might be like in the modern day? What kind of life would they live, and would they all survive? What if King Henry VIII were a billionaire and most of his wives were still alive, including Anne Boleyn? Anne Boleyn is living but is in hiding from the rest of the Tudor clan and is separated from her daughter. When her daughter is kidnapped, Anne has to come back to her old life and team up with Henry’s latest wife to save her daughter. Can they save Anne’s daughter before it's too late? Karen E. Olson brings the Tudors to the modern age in her latest novel, “A Defiant Woman.”
I would like to thank Pegasus Crime and Edelweiss for sending me a copy of this novel. I have read a few novels that featured the Tudors in the modern age, so I had an idea of what to expect, but I loved the cover, and I wanted to see what another author could bring to this sub-genre of historical fiction.
So, like other novels that put the Tudors in the modern age, the names of the historical figures have been changed, so Henry is Hank, Anne Boleyn is Nan, Elizabeth is Lizzie, and so on and so forth. Since this is book two in the series, we pick up where the previous book left off. Nan Tudor, who many believed died eight years ago, is living her best life in France with her son, Harry, when she gets a text message that the daughter she left behind, Lizzie, has been kidnapped. The kidnappers ask her to return to Boston and save her daughter.
We then get the perspective of Hank’s latest wife, Kate Parker Tudor, who is seeking a divorce from Hank. She runs into an old fling named Tommy Seymour around the same time that she finds out that her step-daughter, Lizzie, has been kidnapped. While Anna Klein, Hank’s fourth wife, is taking care of Hank’s son Teddy, she is also concerned about the missing Lizzie and her own wife, Joan Carey, who is also missing. We also get to see Hank’s first wife, Catherine, and their daughter, Maril, interacting with Hank’s other wives. While the wives are not supposed to interact with one another, Nan, Kate, and Anna make an alliance to find Lizzie, no matter what, even if it means encountering danger along the way.
It has been a long time since I properly binged a book, but I could not stop reading this novel. This was just a fantastic, fun read that had me gripped from beginning to end. Now, I want to read the first book in the series as I patiently wait for the next book. If you want a novel that’s so thrilling about the Tudors reimagined in the modern world, I highly suggest you read “A Defiant Woman” by Karen E. Olson.
I would like to thank Pegasus Crime and Edelweiss for sending me a copy of this novel. I have read a few novels that featured the Tudors in the modern age, so I had an idea of what to expect, but I loved the cover, and I wanted to see what another author could bring to this sub-genre of historical fiction.
So, like other novels that put the Tudors in the modern age, the names of the historical figures have been changed, so Henry is Hank, Anne Boleyn is Nan, Elizabeth is Lizzie, and so on and so forth. Since this is book two in the series, we pick up where the previous book left off. Nan Tudor, who many believed died eight years ago, is living her best life in France with her son, Harry, when she gets a text message that the daughter she left behind, Lizzie, has been kidnapped. The kidnappers ask her to return to Boston and save her daughter.
We then get the perspective of Hank’s latest wife, Kate Parker Tudor, who is seeking a divorce from Hank. She runs into an old fling named Tommy Seymour around the same time that she finds out that her step-daughter, Lizzie, has been kidnapped. While Anna Klein, Hank’s fourth wife, is taking care of Hank’s son Teddy, she is also concerned about the missing Lizzie and her own wife, Joan Carey, who is also missing. We also get to see Hank’s first wife, Catherine, and their daughter, Maril, interacting with Hank’s other wives. While the wives are not supposed to interact with one another, Nan, Kate, and Anna make an alliance to find Lizzie, no matter what, even if it means encountering danger along the way.
It has been a long time since I properly binged a book, but I could not stop reading this novel. This was just a fantastic, fun read that had me gripped from beginning to end. Now, I want to read the first book in the series as I patiently wait for the next book. If you want a novel that’s so thrilling about the Tudors reimagined in the modern world, I highly suggest you read “A Defiant Woman” by Karen E. Olson.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Karen E. Olson has created something I didn’t realize I’d been longing for: a mystery series that brings real Tudor figures into the 21st century without losing the essence of who they were. A Defiant Woman is speculative history, contemporary mystery, and emotional wish‑fulfillment all woven together — and somehow it works so seamlessly that I kept stopping to marvel at it.
I was lucky enough to receive a free advanced copy from Pegasus Books and the author, and I’m so grateful, because this book absolutely swept me away.
From the moment Robert Dudley appears, I was cheering. Olson manages to honor his historical relationship with Elizabeth I while giving him a modern presence that feels believable and emotionally grounded. Their meeting in this book echoes their time in the Tower in a way that made my Tudorphile heart ache in the best way.
And then there’s Thomas Wyatt.
Olson keeps him a poet — of course she does — and she lets him drop lines like “Noli me tangere, for Caesar’s I am.” When she wove in his heartbreaking poem for Anne, “And wilt thou leave me thus?” I had to pause and breathe. That poem melts me every time, no matter the century. And their time in the book felt authentic to what I always imagined their feeling were for each other when I read the historical facts.
Even the secondary characters shine. Tommy Seymour as a disgraced reporter is such a clever, historically resonant touch. If you know your Tudor history — or even if you’ve only watched Showtime’s The Tudors — these names will ring bells and summon all the gowns, doublets, intrigue, and family dysfunction you expect. But Olson does more than retell. She asks why these people might act the way they do now, and who they might have become if history had given them more time.
This is a why‑dunnit as much as a whodunnit, with the character‑driven emotional intelligence of a Louise Penny or Tana French mystery — but with a Tudor twist that is entirely Olson’s own.
You can read this as a standalone, but honestly, why miss the joy of Book One (An Inconvenient Wife) and the time spent with Hank Tudor, his four wives, Lizzie, and Teddy. The emotional payoff is richer when you’ve lived with them from the beginning.
A brilliant, clever, heartfelt blend of past and present. Tudorphiles, mystery lovers, and speculative‑history fans will all find something to adore here.
I was lucky enough to receive a free advanced copy from Pegasus Books and the author, and I’m so grateful, because this book absolutely swept me away.
From the moment Robert Dudley appears, I was cheering. Olson manages to honor his historical relationship with Elizabeth I while giving him a modern presence that feels believable and emotionally grounded. Their meeting in this book echoes their time in the Tower in a way that made my Tudorphile heart ache in the best way.
And then there’s Thomas Wyatt.
Olson keeps him a poet — of course she does — and she lets him drop lines like “Noli me tangere, for Caesar’s I am.” When she wove in his heartbreaking poem for Anne, “And wilt thou leave me thus?” I had to pause and breathe. That poem melts me every time, no matter the century. And their time in the book felt authentic to what I always imagined their feeling were for each other when I read the historical facts.
Even the secondary characters shine. Tommy Seymour as a disgraced reporter is such a clever, historically resonant touch. If you know your Tudor history — or even if you’ve only watched Showtime’s The Tudors — these names will ring bells and summon all the gowns, doublets, intrigue, and family dysfunction you expect. But Olson does more than retell. She asks why these people might act the way they do now, and who they might have become if history had given them more time.
This is a why‑dunnit as much as a whodunnit, with the character‑driven emotional intelligence of a Louise Penny or Tana French mystery — but with a Tudor twist that is entirely Olson’s own.
You can read this as a standalone, but honestly, why miss the joy of Book One (An Inconvenient Wife) and the time spent with Hank Tudor, his four wives, Lizzie, and Teddy. The emotional payoff is richer when you’ve lived with them from the beginning.
A brilliant, clever, heartfelt blend of past and present. Tudorphiles, mystery lovers, and speculative‑history fans will all find something to adore here.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Defiant Woman is a smart, gripping novl hat raises the stakes both emotionally and psychologically. Karen E. Olson once again proves she knows how to weave power, privilege, and danger into a suspenseful story that feels both contemporary and timeless.
The novel opens with a haunting premise: eight years after fleeing her powerful husband and leaving behind a shattered past, Nan Tudor is forced back into the world she escaped when she receives a chilling message: “We have your daughter.” That single line propels the story into high gear. The tension is immediate, and the emotional weight of Nan’s guilt over abandoning Lizzie adds a compelling layer of depth to the mystery.
What makes this book particularly engaging is the uneasy alliance between Nan and Kate Tudor. Kate, Hank’s sixth wife, is no passive bystander. Drawn into the web of revenge surrounding Lizzie’s kidnapping, she proves to be perceptive, determined, and far stronger than the role of “billionaire’s wife” might suggest. Watching these two women navigate suspicion, secrets, and shifting loyalties, while keeping their collaboration hidden from Hank and his inner circle, adds a rich, character-driven dimension to the suspense.
Olson masterfully uses Martha’s Vineyard as both an idyllic backdrop and a pressure cooker. Beneath the beauty lies a simmering threat, and the island setting amplifies the claustrophobic feeling that no one can truly escape their past. The plot unfolds with steady pacing, delivering twists and revelations that feel earned rather than forced.
Beyond the kidnapping mystery, A Defiant Woman explores themes of survival, motherhood, control, and reinvention. It’s a crime novel, yes, but it’s also a story about resilience and the complicated bonds between women tied to the same powerful man.
For readers who enjoy intelligent suspense with layered female protagonists and a touch of high-society intrigue, this novel is a compelling and satisfying read. Karen E. Olson continues to elevate the series with sharp storytelling and emotionally grounded stakes.
The novel opens with a haunting premise: eight years after fleeing her powerful husband and leaving behind a shattered past, Nan Tudor is forced back into the world she escaped when she receives a chilling message: “We have your daughter.” That single line propels the story into high gear. The tension is immediate, and the emotional weight of Nan’s guilt over abandoning Lizzie adds a compelling layer of depth to the mystery.
What makes this book particularly engaging is the uneasy alliance between Nan and Kate Tudor. Kate, Hank’s sixth wife, is no passive bystander. Drawn into the web of revenge surrounding Lizzie’s kidnapping, she proves to be perceptive, determined, and far stronger than the role of “billionaire’s wife” might suggest. Watching these two women navigate suspicion, secrets, and shifting loyalties, while keeping their collaboration hidden from Hank and his inner circle, adds a rich, character-driven dimension to the suspense.
Olson masterfully uses Martha’s Vineyard as both an idyllic backdrop and a pressure cooker. Beneath the beauty lies a simmering threat, and the island setting amplifies the claustrophobic feeling that no one can truly escape their past. The plot unfolds with steady pacing, delivering twists and revelations that feel earned rather than forced.
Beyond the kidnapping mystery, A Defiant Woman explores themes of survival, motherhood, control, and reinvention. It’s a crime novel, yes, but it’s also a story about resilience and the complicated bonds between women tied to the same powerful man.
For readers who enjoy intelligent suspense with layered female protagonists and a touch of high-society intrigue, this novel is a compelling and satisfying read. Karen E. Olson continues to elevate the series with sharp storytelling and emotionally grounded stakes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
| A modern-day Tudor-inspired tale of survival, revenge, and resilience
As a reader who loves historical fiction with strong female protagonists, A Defiant Woman by Karen E. Olson immediately caught my attention. And honestly--who can resist a title like that?
🙏 Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance audio copy. Publication date: March 3, 2026.
💭 What if the wives of Henry VIII were reimagined in a modern-day power struggle?
The story opens with a chilling message: Nan Tudor, the second wife of billionaire Hank Tudor, learns that her daughter has been kidnapped. To see her alive again, she must return to a life she escaped eight years ago.
✈️ Living quietly in France under the assumption that she is dead, Nan is forced to reemerge, risking everything to save the child she was once forced to leave behind.
👑 Hank Tudor, now on wife number six, reaches out to his former wives to help find his daughter. As the narrative unfolds, the focus shifts among these women, with particular emphasis on Nan, while also exploring the dynamics of the other wives, especially Catherine, the first wife, and her daughter Maril.
📚 While the novel draws inspiration from the wives of Henry VIII, the historical parallels feel more thematic than essential. Prior knowledge of Tudor history is not necessary to enjoy the story, which ultimately reads as a twisty, contemporary tale of survival and revenge.
🎧 Nikki Thomas delivers a solid narration, maintaining the tension and pacing throughout the audiobook.
✨ An engaging and entertaining mystery, especially for readers who enjoy strong female characters navigating power, betrayal, and survival.
As a reader who loves historical fiction with strong female protagonists, A Defiant Woman by Karen E. Olson immediately caught my attention. And honestly--who can resist a title like that?
🙏 Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance audio copy. Publication date: March 3, 2026.
💭 What if the wives of Henry VIII were reimagined in a modern-day power struggle?
The story opens with a chilling message: Nan Tudor, the second wife of billionaire Hank Tudor, learns that her daughter has been kidnapped. To see her alive again, she must return to a life she escaped eight years ago.
✈️ Living quietly in France under the assumption that she is dead, Nan is forced to reemerge, risking everything to save the child she was once forced to leave behind.
👑 Hank Tudor, now on wife number six, reaches out to his former wives to help find his daughter. As the narrative unfolds, the focus shifts among these women, with particular emphasis on Nan, while also exploring the dynamics of the other wives, especially Catherine, the first wife, and her daughter Maril.
📚 While the novel draws inspiration from the wives of Henry VIII, the historical parallels feel more thematic than essential. Prior knowledge of Tudor history is not necessary to enjoy the story, which ultimately reads as a twisty, contemporary tale of survival and revenge.
🎧 Nikki Thomas delivers a solid narration, maintaining the tension and pacing throughout the audiobook.
✨ An engaging and entertaining mystery, especially for readers who enjoy strong female characters navigating power, betrayal, and survival.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Defiant Woman by Karen E. Olson centers around billionaire Hank Tudor and the many women connected to his life. With multiple wives and children across marriages, it definitely takes a minute to sort out who is who, especially in audiobook format. Once I had the relationships straight, it became an easy story to follow.
For reference, here’s the core family web:
• Hank Tudor, billionaire patriarch
• First wife: Catherine (daughter Maril)
• Second wife: Nan (daughter Lizzie, son Henry?)
• Third wife: ?
• Fourth wife: Anna (wife Joan; looks after Lizzie and Teddy, can't recall who Teddy's mother is)
• Fifth wife: Caitlyn (deceased - 1st book?)
• Sixth and current wife: Kate
I didn’t realize going in that this is a sequel to An Inconvenient Wife, but I never felt lost and was able to keep up with the storyline without having read the first book. That said, because so many characters lead chapters, I think the audiobook could have benefited from multiple narrators or more distinct character voices to help differentiate perspectives. Nikki Thomas did a solid job narrating, but the number of players made it a bit challenging at times.
Overall, this was a fine story. I didn’t feel deeply connected to any particular character, though there were a few I definitely had disdain for. If you enjoy family drama with complicated relationships and shifting loyalties, this may work well for you.
For reference, here’s the core family web:
• Hank Tudor, billionaire patriarch
• First wife: Catherine (daughter Maril)
• Second wife: Nan (daughter Lizzie, son Henry?)
• Third wife: ?
• Fourth wife: Anna (wife Joan; looks after Lizzie and Teddy, can't recall who Teddy's mother is)
• Fifth wife: Caitlyn (deceased - 1st book?)
• Sixth and current wife: Kate
I didn’t realize going in that this is a sequel to An Inconvenient Wife, but I never felt lost and was able to keep up with the storyline without having read the first book. That said, because so many characters lead chapters, I think the audiobook could have benefited from multiple narrators or more distinct character voices to help differentiate perspectives. Nikki Thomas did a solid job narrating, but the number of players made it a bit challenging at times.
Overall, this was a fine story. I didn’t feel deeply connected to any particular character, though there were a few I definitely had disdain for. If you enjoy family drama with complicated relationships and shifting loyalties, this may work well for you.
April 25, 2026
This book is messy in the best way—secrets, revenge, complicated marriages, and a kidnapping that pulls everything into chaos.
We’re following two women—Nan and Kate—both tied to the same powerful (and very questionable) man, Hank Tudor. What I loved most is how this story leans into morally gray territory. Nan isn’t a perfect victim—she’s running from a past that includes violence and abandonment—and Kate isn’t just the naïve new wife. Watching these two women navigate trust, survival, and their shared connection to Hank was easily the strongest part of the book.
The tension builds steadily as the kidnapping plot unfolds, and I really liked how layered the danger feels. It’s not just about rescuing Lizzie—it’s about uncovering who’s pulling the strings and why, and whether either woman can truly escape Hank’s orbit. The Martha’s Vineyard setting adds that quiet, eerie contrast to all the chaos happening underneath.
That said, the story can feel a bit crowded at times with all the players involved (fixers, investigators, reporters), and I wanted a little more punch in some of the big reveals. But the character dynamics—especially the uneasy alliance between Nan and Kate—kept me locked in.
Overall: A twisty, character-driven crime thriller with complicated women, high stakes, and just enough drama to keep you flipping pages.
We’re following two women—Nan and Kate—both tied to the same powerful (and very questionable) man, Hank Tudor. What I loved most is how this story leans into morally gray territory. Nan isn’t a perfect victim—she’s running from a past that includes violence and abandonment—and Kate isn’t just the naïve new wife. Watching these two women navigate trust, survival, and their shared connection to Hank was easily the strongest part of the book.
The tension builds steadily as the kidnapping plot unfolds, and I really liked how layered the danger feels. It’s not just about rescuing Lizzie—it’s about uncovering who’s pulling the strings and why, and whether either woman can truly escape Hank’s orbit. The Martha’s Vineyard setting adds that quiet, eerie contrast to all the chaos happening underneath.
That said, the story can feel a bit crowded at times with all the players involved (fixers, investigators, reporters), and I wanted a little more punch in some of the big reveals. But the character dynamics—especially the uneasy alliance between Nan and Kate—kept me locked in.
Overall: A twisty, character-driven crime thriller with complicated women, high stakes, and just enough drama to keep you flipping pages.
March 26, 2026
I received a free Audio book from Net Galley for an honest review.
I did not realize this was the second book of a series. I think that if I had read the first one before things would have made more sense in this book. Because I did not know that it took me a minute to figure out how everyone fit into the story. That being said though, this book was delightful. As a teenager I was obsessed with Henry VIII and his wives and watched Anne of A Thousand Days so many times I lost count, and this book really fed that obsession once again now that I'm in my 40's. This author is doing a fun and imaginative job of bringing these people into the modern world and giving them fresh stories. Every time I thought I had it wrapped up in my head a new twist would be revealed, definitely keeping me engaged.
I had a copy of the audio book and the narration was top notch, she did a great job of giving each woman their own distinct voice and I had no trouble figuring out who was talking. The book definitely ends with you wanting more. Does Lizzy ever get to see her mom? How does Anna move on? Will Hank ever learn and is he really redeemable? AND for the love of God, does Catherine ever get what's coming to her?
I'm hooked, will be anxiously awaiting the next one, and already have the first one on hold at my library so I can read that one. And I am checking out other books by Karen Olson as I enjoyed her writing.
I did not realize this was the second book of a series. I think that if I had read the first one before things would have made more sense in this book. Because I did not know that it took me a minute to figure out how everyone fit into the story. That being said though, this book was delightful. As a teenager I was obsessed with Henry VIII and his wives and watched Anne of A Thousand Days so many times I lost count, and this book really fed that obsession once again now that I'm in my 40's. This author is doing a fun and imaginative job of bringing these people into the modern world and giving them fresh stories. Every time I thought I had it wrapped up in my head a new twist would be revealed, definitely keeping me engaged.
I had a copy of the audio book and the narration was top notch, she did a great job of giving each woman their own distinct voice and I had no trouble figuring out who was talking. The book definitely ends with you wanting more. Does Lizzy ever get to see her mom? How does Anna move on? Will Hank ever learn and is he really redeemable? AND for the love of God, does Catherine ever get what's coming to her?
I'm hooked, will be anxiously awaiting the next one, and already have the first one on hold at my library so I can read that one. And I am checking out other books by Karen Olson as I enjoyed her writing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
At first I was excited about this book. It started off strong straight from the beginning with the abduction/ransom, providing intrigue and drawing the reader right in. More and more layers are added until you get a grasp of how all of the characters are tied together through their relationship with one man and the abducted girl, but each still are hiding secrets.
As the story went on however, I found myself losing interest more and more. The family dynamics were unnecessarily complicated and hard to follow making it difficult for me to stay engaged. There were too many characters and shifting POVs to keep track of and this combined with slow pacing just made this book a chore to try to finish.
I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator's performance fell a bit flat. She didn't make an effort to differentiate between the voices in the different POVs. Maybe if I had physically read it, I would have had an easier time keeping track of everything.
Overall, this book was a let down and lacked the suspense and excitement I look for in this type of book.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the Advanced Listener's Copy!
As the story went on however, I found myself losing interest more and more. The family dynamics were unnecessarily complicated and hard to follow making it difficult for me to stay engaged. There were too many characters and shifting POVs to keep track of and this combined with slow pacing just made this book a chore to try to finish.
I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator's performance fell a bit flat. She didn't make an effort to differentiate between the voices in the different POVs. Maybe if I had physically read it, I would have had an easier time keeping track of everything.
Overall, this book was a let down and lacked the suspense and excitement I look for in this type of book.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the Advanced Listener's Copy!
Read
March 4, 2026Sorry to say that this was a ‘miss’ for me.
I didn’t enjoy any of the characters, and didn’t identify with them at all.
Way too many ex-wives. Way too much testosterone from the very wealthy husband… who just seemed like a guy that wasn’t nice…. And his ever present guards.
And, very confusing all-around.
Although the story had a solid premise, it just wasn’t executed to my liking… but I’m sure there are many out there who will love it!
A Defiant Woman by Karen Olson and narrated by Nikki Thomas.
3 stars for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was released today, 3/3/26, so if it sounds like something you’d enjoy, look for it on shelves now.
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @DreamscapeAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
I didn’t enjoy any of the characters, and didn’t identify with them at all.
Way too many ex-wives. Way too much testosterone from the very wealthy husband… who just seemed like a guy that wasn’t nice…. And his ever present guards.
And, very confusing all-around.
Although the story had a solid premise, it just wasn’t executed to my liking… but I’m sure there are many out there who will love it!
A Defiant Woman by Karen Olson and narrated by Nikki Thomas.
3 stars for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was released today, 3/3/26, so if it sounds like something you’d enjoy, look for it on shelves now.
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @DreamscapeAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, thanks to NetGalley, Karen E. Olson and dreamscape media for this audiobook ARC of A Defiant Woman.
The book: first, I did not realize this was part of a series when I requested it. It is the second book. However, many details are in the book to where I don’t think reading book one would be necessary. It could be read as a standalone.
Overall, the book was ok. There were a lot of characters. That made it confusing to follow at times. But that could just be a me problem, honestly 😅 and yes, they are all necessary characters, too. I had the “who done it” figured out pretty early on. But I was still able to stay engaged in the story enough to want to stay until the end.
The narrator: this book is narrated by Nikki Thomas. She did a great job. I enjoyed listening to her. She kept me engaged the whole time.
Overall I’d say 3.75 stars ⭐️
The book: first, I did not realize this was part of a series when I requested it. It is the second book. However, many details are in the book to where I don’t think reading book one would be necessary. It could be read as a standalone.
Overall, the book was ok. There were a lot of characters. That made it confusing to follow at times. But that could just be a me problem, honestly 😅 and yes, they are all necessary characters, too. I had the “who done it” figured out pretty early on. But I was still able to stay engaged in the story enough to want to stay until the end.
The narrator: this book is narrated by Nikki Thomas. She did a great job. I enjoyed listening to her. She kept me engaged the whole time.
Overall I’d say 3.75 stars ⭐️
March 28, 2026
This one is about an uber rich man with a series of wives (and exes) whose daughter is abducted. That same daughter’s mother went missing years ago, adding an extra element of mystery. It’s an interesting premise, and the story is engaging enough (even if not a whole lot happens). I liked the alternating perspectives and the Martha’s Vineyard setting. It has cozy mystery vibes. I also listened to the audio version of this one, and the narrator was pleasant. However, there were too many characters that I felt unnecessarily complicated the story. And I hated the ending - really hated it actually. There were just way too many loose ends, and the whole thing just felt so widely unbelievable that it took you out of the story. All that being said, it was still a nice one to listen to in the background! Thank you so much to Netgalley for my copy!
March 19, 2026
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
Unfortunately this one wasn't really for me. I just couldn't really get into this book and honestly felt confused at times. The pacing seemed off and at times felt like the plot wasn't really advancing. I loved the concept and this book really has a lot of opportunities to be a very messy and gripping book. Unfortunately I just didn't feel very compelled by the portrayal of the court politics that I was really hoping would drive a lot of this book. The narration also felt a bit flat and it was hard to tell apart the characters, especially when the point of view would change. Unfortunately this book didn't work for me.
Unfortunately this one wasn't really for me. I just couldn't really get into this book and honestly felt confused at times. The pacing seemed off and at times felt like the plot wasn't really advancing. I loved the concept and this book really has a lot of opportunities to be a very messy and gripping book. Unfortunately I just didn't feel very compelled by the portrayal of the court politics that I was really hoping would drive a lot of this book. The narration also felt a bit flat and it was hard to tell apart the characters, especially when the point of view would change. Unfortunately this book didn't work for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨️ALC REVIEW✨️
Thankyou Netghalley for this Advance Listening Copy.
The narration was well done though. Very well performed.
The story line really captured me at first the mystery of the kidnapping but about halfway then it fell a bit flat for me. It was easy to zone out of listening it didnt hold my attention. The pacing was quite slow. It was also quite confusing I thought I was listening to one POV but then realise it had actually switched which made it really hard to connect to any of the characters. I really wanted to love this but unfortunately it just wasn't for me but it might be for you.
Thankyou Netghalley for this Advance Listening Copy.
The narration was well done though. Very well performed.
The story line really captured me at first the mystery of the kidnapping but about halfway then it fell a bit flat for me. It was easy to zone out of listening it didnt hold my attention. The pacing was quite slow. It was also quite confusing I thought I was listening to one POV but then realise it had actually switched which made it really hard to connect to any of the characters. I really wanted to love this but unfortunately it just wasn't for me but it might be for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nan's daughter has been kidnapped. The daughter she left behind 8 years ago when she left her billionaire husband, Hank. In order to see her daughter again, Nan has to return to her old life, risking everything.
Unfortunately this book for me fell short. I didnt realise this was part of a series, however you could read this as a stand alone. A modern day take on Henry VIII and his many wives.
A web of family members made it a little hard to follow and the narration wasn't brilliant to keep me entertained.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Unfortunately this book for me fell short. I didnt realise this was part of a series, however you could read this as a stand alone. A modern day take on Henry VIII and his many wives.
A web of family members made it a little hard to follow and the narration wasn't brilliant to keep me entertained.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review
March 6, 2026
I was a bit surprised when I started reading this book. I picked it up, not realizing it was a Henry 8 modern-day twist. Of course, I love the historical fiction of Henry 8, so this modern-day version was one I wanted to get into. Unfortunately, it did not quite work for me. The sheer number of characters is painful to keep track of. This is book 2 in the series, and while it works as a standalone, you miss some of Kate and Henry's interactions and character progression. The pacing was a bit inconsistent as well. Maybe I was just not in the right mindset for this book. I won't be following this series.
#netgalley #ADefiantWoman
#netgalley #ADefiantWoman
March 12, 2026
The premise of this book was intriguing, but did not live up to its promise for me. The Tudor period (specifically King Henry the VII and his wives) did not translate well into contemporary times. Perhaps if I was a history buff, I would have been able to make better connections to the story. However, I didn't find any of the relationships or characters compelling. Henry the VII was rewritten as a billionaire, but a billionaire doesn't have the same power as a king and therefore his ex wives' worries didn't seem believable. This kept me at arms length from the story and uninvested in the ending.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC copy of the audiobook.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC copy of the audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the follow up book to "the inconvenient wife" which is a modern Tudor series book. I read the first book maybe 2 years ago and remembered liking it. This book picks up a short time after the other book ended. So the cliff hanger we were left with, is addressed and the multiple storylines continue. I liked how this book ended and enjoyed the plot twists along the way. The premise of this story took a different turn than the last book which I think was much needed. I'd say more, but I don't want to give any spoilers.
March 4, 2026
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the early listening copy. This was a stellar production! Karen E. Olson has crafted a truly intriguing storyline, and Nikki Thompson’s narration was the perfect complement, enhancing every twist and turn. I found myself completely immersed from the start. A top-tier recommendation for any thriller enthusiast's audio library.
This is a review of the audiobook.
This is a review of the audiobook.
March 7, 2026
A Defiant Woman was an interesting listen overall. The audio production itself was well done and the narration quality was solid. However, since I experienced the story as an audiobook, I sometimes had a hard time clearly differentiating between the main characters. At times the voices blended together a bit, which made it harder to stay fully immersed in the story. Still, the production value was good and the story kept my attention enough to finish it.
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