The Boleyn Curse

by Alexandra Walsh

The court of young King Henry VIII seethes with secrets and scandals, but every ambition has its price. Elizabeth Boleyn, loyal wife to Thomas Boleyn and devoted mother to Anne, Mary and George, believes she can navigate the shifting tides of court life. But when she catches the eye of the lascivious king, Elizabeth is drawn into a perilous game and the cost of her defiance will echo through the generations.

In present day Hampshire, Tabitha Mundy has found a haven in Cerensthorpe Abbey. Since the death of her husband, her work as archivist for the abbey’s owner, Edith Swanne, has been her refuge. When her research uncovers hidden clues rumoured to lead to a lost manuscript of The Canterbury Tales and a connection to the Boleyn family, Edith is eager to investigate. With the help of Gulliver, Edith’s enigmatic nephew, Tabitha begins to decipher the riddles and before long a mystical thread binds Elizabeth and Tabitha across the ages – two women destined to protect the truth.

As Henry’s vengeance consumes Elizabeth, she sets his treachery down in writing, determined her voice will not be silenced. But another man’s secrets mean that Elizabeth’s tale has been hidden. Can Tabitha finally unlock the mysteries of the past or will the Boleyn curse haunt Cerensthorpe Abbey forever…

A spellbinding story of love and heartbreak, loyalty and revenge.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, British Literature, Tudor Period, Historical

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2026

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story about Anne Boleyn's mom and the part she may have played in all of the intrigue at court at the time. This was well-researched and I enjoyed the dual timeline with the modern day trying to track down the treasures of the household. It did drag for me at times but overall, this was an interesting look at life at court during Henry VIII's reign and the genealogy research conducted in the modern era.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good historical dual timeline book which really brings history to life. It wasn't dry and boring but, very interesting and I learnt alot about the era in history. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this different viewpoint of the Boleyn family. Normally we hear about Anne and Mary but this wonderful dual timeline by Alexandra Walsh covers the story from their mother Elizabeth point of view. Her rise through the Howard family and marriage to Thomas.
Present day and Tabitha is curating documents at Cerensthorpe Abbey previously owned by Elizabeth Boleyn. A mystery diary written in the early 1900"s takes the family on a treasure hunt as they try to find out if a unique copy of Chaucers Tales is hidden somewhere in the Abbey.
Whilst I loved both timelines I did prefer reading about the Tudor times.

[Ashley Cloninger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boleyn Curse is another dual time historical novel by Alexandra Walsh. I love her dual time Tudor novels and this one tells the story of Elizabeth Boleyn, matriarch of the ill-fated Boleyn Family.

Tabitha Mundy has taken on the job as in-house historian and transcriptionist at Cerensthorpe Abbey. Her boss is the delightful abbey owner Edith Swanne and her nephew Gulliver. Tabitha is recovering from the death of her husband and has found a refuge at the abbey. Edith asks her to translate her grandfather’s journal which she feels in the clue to finding a legendary copy of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, The journal is written like a treasure hunt with clues leading hopefully to the book, As Tabitha, Gulliver and Edith work together to solve the clues, they are unaware of a dangerous foe waiting in the wings to destoy them.

In the late 15th Century, Elizabeth Howard is growing up as the eldest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Surrey, She is the grandaughter of the Duke of Norfolk who loses his life fighting for Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth. WIth her father taken prisoner by Henry the VII, the future looks bleak, however the Howards have a way of landing on top. Elizabeth grows up in a loving family and meets and falls in love with the handsome Thomas Boleyn. Together they have three children, Mary, Anne, and George. We all know the sad fate of Anne and George, but what is not known is the obsession that Henry VIII has for Elizabeth and how his obsession turns into tragedy for the Boleyn family.

The two stories merge with the search for the missing manuscript and repercussions are felt through both timelines with tragic consequences.

Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood books and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

[Michelle Wileman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story. Although, like most people, I was aware of the stories of Mary & Anne Boleyn I was totally unaware of their mother Elizabeth. This book brings her to light and within it makes you wonder about the fuller story of what really happened to her children and of Henry Viii’s involvement. She was certainly a courageous woman of her time and I look forward to hearing more about her at some point.

In the meantime this is much to be recommended, a hugely interesting read. Absorbing, revealing and leaves you thinking even more about the mysteries of those Tudor times. It also has a modern day timeline running alongside it full of mystery, romance and interesting characters.

[MidgeB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

This book told in dual time line tells the story of Anne Boleyn’s mother Elizabeth and in present day Tabitha who is searching for clues to find a lost copy of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales . Whilst researching she finds out about Elizabeth’s life within the Tudor Court and the trials and tribulations she faces . I love historical fiction with the Tudor period being something i find so interesting so I flew through this book and thoroughly enjoyed it . Have read this authors previous Tudor mystery books and this one was equally brilliant.

[Raji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find this review and more on my blog at Worlds Unlike Our Own .

Thank you to the publisher, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth Boleyn catches the eye of young Henry VIII, but she is devoted to her husband and family and has no interest in becoming his mistress. What she presumes to be a childish infatuation however, grows into a dangerous obsession over the years, and her ambitious family is willing to do anything to seek royal favor. Fearful of the consequences of her continued refusal, Elizabeth begins to set down her true story in writing so that her tale will not be lost. Tabitha Mundy works as an archivist for Edith Swanne, the owner of Cerensthorpe Abbey. When she happens across clues during her research that might lead to a long lost manuscript of The Canterbury Tales with a rumoured connection to the Boleyn family, Edith is eager to know the truth as she has long searched for the book. As Tabitha begins to decipher the clues and uncover truths long hidden, she finds there might also be a connection to her own family mixed up in it all.

💭 Initial Thoughts: I’ve read several of this author’s works previously but somewhat fell out of touch in the last year or two, so when I saw this book was available to request, I was very excited to read it, even though it was so last minute.

🌎 Plot, World building & Atmosphere: Elizabeth Boleyn is an interesting choice of protagonist. Though I have been reading Tudor era novels for nearly 20 years now, I have only come across one other book centered on her, The Boleyn Bride by Brandy Purdy, and her portrayal in these two books couldn’t be more different.

Dual timelines can be tricky to right, not giving away too much in the past timeline as the characters in the present timeline unravel the tale or mystery. Walsh usually writes books like this, but in this case, there was something lacking. The present day plot was strong, and Tabitha’s work as an archivist for Cerensthorpe Abbey and how she got drawn into the search for a priceless book intricately linked with the history of the Swanne family was well thought out and put together. I tend to be a fan of the past timeline in stories like this, but this time, I definitely enjoyed the present day story more.

However, the Tudor era story was where things didn’t measure up, the primary issue being that there wasn’t nearly enough substance to that plotline. It started unnecessarily early, with Elizabeth as a child, perhaps to show that she had a bit of the sight, but those were wasted chapters in my opinion and it could have been conveyed another way. Later when Elizabeth joined the royal court and caught the eye of Henry VIII, it was more or less chapter after chapter of the same thing, but I thought it might be working up to some major in-story reveal only to be disappointed (more on this later). And lastly, this timeline stopped just short of what would have been the most interesting events. Even though this was by design as the author explained in the afterword, adding this content, however briefly, could have boosted the plot by a lot.

✍🏻 Writing & Narration: The pacing felt quite uneven to me through most of this book. While I am usually a fan of novels narrated in parallel timelines, this one didn’t quite hit the mark as plot aside, each timeline moved at a very different pace with Elizabeth’s story involving frequent time leaps of several years and Tabitha’s being a more continuous narrative. It made going back and forth between timelines difficult as one was not always guaranteed to pick up anywhere near where it had previously stopped.

👥 Characters: The characters in both timelines were interesting, particularly Tabitha, Edith and Elizabeth and it was fun to see how all their stories eventually intersected. I didn’t enjoy the secondary characters as much such as Tabitha’s family or even the romance with Gulliver, Edith’s nephew as in my opinion they slowed down the plot of an already short book.

🎬 Ending: The present day timeline conclusion came together beautifully and it was quite an exciting couple of chapters with many reveals and even a bit of action and excitement. The Tudor era timeline on the other hand, was rather disappointing. The ending here was one I was able to guess way too early in the book but I had hoped there would be something more, a last minute twist, that ultimately didn’t materialize.

❓ Final Thoughts & Recommendation: The Boleyn Curse was an interesting take on these historical events but the execution needed some more work. Still, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author. I would recommend this for fans of the genre and era.

[NikyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the Marquess House series, I was keen to read this novel about Anne Boleyn’s mother. A dual timeline story about a treasure hunt to find Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales with a mysterious extra chapter and links to an abbey left to Mary Boleyn. A great mixture of historical information and a quest to find the links between the families. Really enjoyed it.

[Val Colvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely gripped by this book, a fantastic mix of historical fact and fiction.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This,was a very interesting idea on the story of the Boleyn family looking at the story from the angle of the history of Elizabeth Boleyn the mother.
I was hooked from the very first page with the hints of the curse and the modern family connections between the Swanne family who lived in the manor and Tabitha family who seemed also to have a connection.
It was a great read I really enjoyed reading Alexandra Walsh novels
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood books for my arc copy

[Heidi Malagisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The court of Henry VIII was a treacherous place for anyone, but especially for the Boleyn family. We all know the stories of Anne, Mary, George, and Thomas, but one figure from this illustrious family does not get enough attention: Elizabeth Boleyn, the mother of Anne, Mary, and George. What was her relationship like with her family, her husband, and most importantly, King Henry VIII? And what does a Chaucer manuscript recently discovered at Cerensthorpe Abbey have to do with Elizabeth and the Boleyns? Alxandra Walsh explores the life of Elizabeth Boleyn and the mystery of the missing Chaucer in her latest dual-timeline novel, “The Boleyn Curse.”

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I enjoy a good dual-timeline novel, and when I saw that this one also featured Elizabeth Boleyn as the main character, I was intrigued. Elizabeth Boleyn has not been the focus of novels of the Boleyn family that I have read, so I was interested to see how her story would translate into historical fiction.

Since this is a dual timeline novel, there are two main timelines. We get to explore the Tudor period with Elizabeth Boleyn and the modern day with Tabitha Mundy, the archivist of Cerensthorpe Abbey. We begin with the modern storyline and Tabitha, who is employed by the owner of Cerensthorpe Abbey, Edith Swanne, to archive the entire estate. Tabitha is dealing with the death of her husband, Blake, when she meets Edith’s nephew and heir to the estate, Gulliver. Edith gives Tabitha the task of finding a missing Chaucer manuscript by decoding clues left behind in a journal from the 1900s. The journey to the missing manuscript holds a connection to Elizabeth Boleyn and the curse upon the family.

We also jump back to the life of Elizabeth Boleyn, who was Elizabeth Howard when the audience is introduced to her in 1485. Her father was arrested by the new King Henry VII for supporting King Richard III, but eventually the family rebuilt their reputation. Elizabeth falls in love with Thomas Boleyn and joins the glittery court of King Henry VIII, where she catches the eye of Henry VIII himself. Elizabeth fights for her family and the love of her husband, even if it means making an enemy of the crown itself.

I think this was a decent novel, even though it explored my least favorite rumor about the Boleyn family. I also thought the diary entries were a bit distracting from the rest of the narratives, a case of too many stories going on at once. Overall, I did enjoy this book. If you want a novel that is a dual timeline or a novel that features Elizabeth Boleyn, you should check out “The Boleyn Curse” by Alexandra Walsh.

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dual timeline novel asks about Elizabeth Boleyn, mother to the three famous Boleyn siblings. The premise is that Elizabeth refused King Henry the Eighth when he wanted her to be his mistress, in order to preserve the sanctity of her wedding vows. She then had to suffer untold agonies as the King took revenge upon her children, husband and members of the Howard family relatives.
This very intriguing viewpoint would make perfect sense. Henry would have suffered wounded vanity, a frustrated sexual desire, and this could have led to a deep rooted dislike towards a family who had refused to obey his command.
Henry did see himself as a protector of the female sex, his grand gestures and a love of chivalry was probably a result of being brought up in a mainly female household. He didn’t come to appreciate masculine friendships until later in life, he was originally destined for the church, being the second son.
His pursuit of both the Howard and Boleyn females is chilling in both its planning and execution ( no pun intended.)
The modern day story concerns a treasure hunt, using clues that have been hidden in paintings that are said to reveal the truth of the Boleyn curse, a long lost letter, supposedly written by Elizabeth Boleyn, that shows a grieving mother, mourning her dearly loved children, and wishing to tell her side of the story.
Living in Norfolk, with Blickling Hall so close, it is easy to see that the fascination with this family has endured over the centuries, if the number of visitors are anything to go by. My personal quest would be to find out where Mary Boleyn is buried, she is my favourite of the family, a real Tudor treasure hunt.!
I love intrigue in history and this novel has a particularly audacious suggestion. A very skilful blend of historical fact and fiction, there is so much we cannot know for certain, but I have really enjoyed this version of events. The research is detailed and reads well, it stimulates the mind and curiosity.
This has given much pause for thought , fun and pleasure in reading this novel, another one for my groaning bookshelves.
A five star read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Boldwood Books for my advance copy, freely given in return for my honest review. I will post to Goodreads and Amazon UK later.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boleyn Curse is a beautifully woven dual‑timeline novel that blends history, mystery, and a touch of the mystical into a story that feels both sweeping and intimate. From the Tudor court to modern‑day Hampshire, the narrative moves with an effortless grace, drawing the reader into two women’s lives as they reach across centuries in search of truth.

The historical thread, centred on Elizabeth Boleyn, is particularly compelling. She is often a shadowy figure in Tudor fiction, but here she steps into the light—complex, loyal, and quietly courageous. Her struggle to navigate the dangerous attentions of Henry VIII, protect her children, and preserve her own integrity is rendered with emotional richness. The tension of court life, the whispers of scandal, and the ever‑present threat of the king’s displeasure create a vivid, immersive backdrop. Elizabeth’s decision to record her truth, even at great personal risk, gives her storyline a powerful sense of agency and poignancy.

In the present day, Tabitha Mundy offers a gentler but equally engaging perspective. Her grief, her retreat into the quiet rhythms of archival work, and her growing connection to Cerensthorpe Abbey make her instantly sympathetic. The treasure‑hunt element—hidden clues, riddles, and the tantalising possibility of a lost Chaucer manuscript—adds a wonderfully atmospheric layer. The partnership between Tabitha and Gulliver brings warmth and subtle chemistry, while Edith Swanne’s enthusiasm and eccentricity round out the modern cast beautifully.

The novel shines in the way it binds its timelines together. The echoes between Elizabeth and Tabitha—two women seeking truth, voice, and purpose—are handled with elegance rather than heavy‑handedness. The “curse” that threads through the story feels more like a legacy of silenced women, and watching Tabitha piece together what history tried to bury is deeply satisfying.

Lyrical, immersive, and emotionally resonant, The Boleyn Curse is a spellbinding blend of historical drama and contemporary mystery. Perfect for readers who love richly atmospheric dual‑timeline stories filled with secrets, resilience, and the enduring power of women’s voices.

with thanks to Alexandra Walsh, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Laura Maynard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.

I have always help a fascination with Henry VIII and am always eager to read books about this time period in England, whether fiction or non-fiction.

This novel just okay for me. I really liked the triple POV and timelines - the author did a nice job making it very clear which POV and timeline I was reading. That can sometimes be a tricky thing to do, but it was well written. I also really enjoyed the fresh perspective of Anne Boleyn’s mother, Elizabeth. There’s been so much written about Henry and Anne that it sometimes feels like their story has been overdone and I really liked that this story was really about Anne’s mother, rather than Anne. This is a work of historical fiction and I thought it was well researched and that Walsh did a very good job capturing what was likely Henry’s personality, based on the written historical records we do have. I though it was an interesting theory/story - that Henry punished Elizabeth’s refusal to sleep with him by destroying the lives of her children, her husband, and several other members of her family and his anger towards Elizabeth Boleyn was the catalyst for his relentless pursuit of Anne. While I think this was highly unlikely, I do like how Walsh was able to use historical accounts of Henry’s behavior to support this work of fiction.

The pace of the book was a little slow at spots, but picked up in the last 10-15% of the book. It was an easy read and easy to follow, despite the triple POV and timelines, as I previously mentioned.

With that said, I didn’t really love the present day characters. I felt there wasn’t much development of them as the story went on and it was a pretty predictable ending from the love story to the villain.

Overall, I’d give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. I would r it to fans of Tudor England, Henry VIII, and those who would like a fresh perspective on Henry.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Elizabeth Boleyn, mother to the three Boleyn siblings, Mary, Anne and George, the latter two being killed by Henry VIII. Elizabeth refused to be Henry’s mistress, in order to preserve the sanctity of her own happy wedding to Thomas Boleyn. She then had to suffer agonies as the King took revenge upon her children, husband and members of the Howard family relatives. The conventional picture of Henry as ruthless, power mad, and cruel has the addition of a psychopathic spoilt brat, unloved by his father and coddled by his mother. When Elizabeth rejected him he flew into an insane rage, cursing Elizabeth and her family and friends.
This is a layered story, the modern one concerns a treasure hunt, using clues that have been hidden in paintings that are said to reveal the truth of the Boleyn curse, a long lost letter, supposedly written by Elizabeth Boleyn, that shows a grieving mother, mourning her dearly loved children, and wishing to tell her side of the story. The modern version taked place in an abbey in which the 91 year old Edith lives, and with Tabitha an art researcher and Gulliver Edith’s great nephew. His wife Lucia turns out to be an art forger and evil. Like all layered stories the two epochs come together in the end. The story at the Tudor end is rather more interesting and likely than the modern one, as it elucidates much Tudor History, highlights the role of Elizabeth Boleyn while presenting an utterly dreadful picture of Henry VIII, worse than Trump. As a lapsed Anglican it is a shocking thought that such a man called himself Defender of the Faith and God’s Representative on Earth, and founder of the Anglican Church. On knowing this, Anglicans should switch sides immediately.

[Perrin Larton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in two different times, and ultimately three different times, this book was an eyeopener. Once you hear the story of King Henry the VIII, you become interested in his wives as well. What did they do to deserve the treatment they got? This book gives lots of backstory on why he was the way he was, but as a footnote. The book was about Elizabeth Boleyn, the infamous Anne Boleyn's mother, and her addition to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, so she could tell her story about the past.

In the present, we're becoming acquainted with descendants of Mary Boleyn, Elizabeth's older daughter, who are still living in the priory/estate that came to the family through Elizabeth Howard Boleyn's marriage dowry. There is a bit of a mystery regarding this present time tale.

Honestly, this book didn't begin quickly enough for me. There was just so much about who was kin to whom and where everyone was in the hierarchy of the palace. It wasn't until we saw little Prince Henry in discussion with Katherine at his mother's knee that I began to put the book together and was looking forward to the story unwinding.

Lots of research went into this book and I also took time to Google some of the comments to see if what I was reading was truly based on fact. Well done and once I got over the begats, the book was interesting and I learned something! That to me, is the mark of a good book.

Four and a half stars rounded up to five!

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boleyn Curse by Alexandra Walsh is an absolutely enchanting and immersive read that completely swept me away. Blending past and present so seamlessly, this dual-timeline mystery is both deeply emotional and impossible to put down—I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” until I reached the end.

The story moves between the Tudor era and modern day, following Elizabeth Boleyn and Tabitha, an archivist uncovering long-buried secrets. I loved how both women, though separated by centuries, are connected through shared experiences of loss and resilience. That emotional thread running between timelines gave the story so much depth and made it feel especially powerful.

The historical sections are rich and atmospheric, bringing Elizabeth Boleyn to life in a way that feels both fresh and thought-provoking. It shines a light on a lesser-explored perspective of Tudor history, which made it all the more fascinating. At the same time, the present-day mystery adds an engaging layer of intrigue, with discoveries that keep the tension building.

The writing is beautifully detailed and immersive, making it easy to get completely lost in the story and its different timelines. It’s the kind of book you sink into and don’t want to leave.

Overall, this is a compelling, emotional, and wonderfully crafted historical mystery that I’d highly recommend to anyone who loves dual timelines, hidden histories, and stories that linger long after the final page.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book featuring the Tudor era and I’m there so I was looking forward to reading this. A dual timeline book, triple if you include the journal of Wilbur Swanne in the early 1900’s, set in the 16th century and the present. Clearly a lot of research has gone into the early storyline, I know a lot about this era but there were things I hadn’t been aware of beforehand.

Briefly, in the present, following the death of her husband, Tabitha Mundy has taken a live in job as an archivist at the family home of the Swanne family, Cerensthorpe Abbey. The family matriarch is hoping to find a lost Chaucer manuscript rumoured to include an additional chapter written by Elizabeth Boleyn. Elizabeth Boleyn is devoted to her husband Thomas Boleyn and children Mary, Anne and George but she has caught the eye of King Henry VIII and he isn’t a man who takes kindly to the word no!

Whilst both timelines were good I was really engrossed in the earlier timeline. Elizabeth was a brave woman to risk the wrath of Henry VIII I’m guessing not many people stood up to him. Henry himself comes across as an arrogant and entitled man, in fact not very nice at all. In the present I really enjoyed the character of Edith Swanne, the matriarch of the family and one determined but kind and caring lady. An entertaining mix of present day mystery/romance and historical drama. Very enjoyable.

[Tony Riches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexandra Walsh’s The Boleyn Curse is an imaginative and engaging historical novel that blends mystery, history, and the resonant power of female voices. This dual-time novel is actually a ‘triple-time’ story, as a third era is introduced between the Tudors and present day.

In the sixteenth-century timeline King Henry VIII is malevolent and chilling, abusing his power in the worst possible ways. Elizabeth Boleyn is a loyal wife and devoted mother, and her struggle to navigate the treacherous world of Henry’s court is portrayed with authenticity and compassion.

I particularly liked subtle references which are only meaningful for dedicated readers of Alexandra Walsh’s other books, and the present day ‘treasure hunt’, following enigmatic clues that link the three timelines.

Anyone interested in history dreams of a new discovery of a verifiable primary source which reveals a fresh perspective on our past. Alexandra Walsh turns this to good effect in her story - and explains her inspiration in an author’s note at the end of the book.

The Boleyn Curse builds to an exciting end, and raises thought provoking questions about the little known life of Elizabeth Boleyn. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

[Chelsea Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boleyn Curse by Deborah Cohen is a refreshing "romantasy" and historical thriller that skillfully weaves together a 16th-century origin story with a high-stakes modern-day mystery.

What I Loved:
Unique Historical Twist: Reimagining a young Anne Boleyn as a witchcraft apprentice to Leonardo da Vinci is a bold, creative choice that sets this apart from typical Tudor fiction.

Dual Timeline Execution: The transition between Anne’s past in the French Royal Court and PhD student Ellie Bowlan’s present-day quest is smooth and keeps the tension high.

The "Titanium Trio": The camaraderie and wit of the central characters (Ellie and her companions) add a fun, modern "cool-quotient" to the darker supernatural elements.

Atmospheric Pacing: The book is a fast-paced "page-turner" that manages to combine meticulous historical research with the urgency of a crime thriller.


While the supernatural elements are vividly wrought, readers who prefer strictly factual history may find the "witchcraft" plot a bit of a stretch for a figure as well-known as Anne Boleyn. Additionally, while the mystery is compelling, some small editorial inconsistencies slightly break the immersion in a few chapters.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the present day, Tabitha Mundy takes up the role of archivist at the beautiful Cerensthorpe Abbey where together with members of the family she attempts to piece together intricate, and at times macabre, clues which will hopefully lead to the discovery of a long lost manuscript. However, the search is complicated and throws up more questions than it does answers.

Back in Tudor Times the Abbey once belonged to Elizabeth Boleyn, wife to Henry VIII’s trusted ambassador, Thomas Boleyn, and mother of Mary, Anne and George. It details Elizabeth’s complicated relationship with King Henry VIII and poses the question whether Elizabeth and Henry were ever intimately acquainted. The Tudor element is particularly well done and offers an imagined glimpse into what life could have been like with an irascible King, who hated being thwarted, and of a beautiful woman who wanted her family’s story to be told.

It has been a real pleasure to read this rather unusual slant on the usual Boleyn story. The clever time slip element allows a strong sense of history and combining it with a modern day mystery about the search for a lost copy of The Canterbury Tales gives the author room to manoeuvre through time with seamless effect.

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful dual timelines story, where both timelines had me engrossed and could easily have been stories on their own!

We go back in time to 1485 to hear the story of Elizabeth Howard, and the turbulent times she finds herself living in and how her family were caught up in a lot of the drama of the times over the year.

and in the present timeline we follow Tabitha who has retreated from life since the death of her husband, and finds refuge in a new job at Cerensthorpe Abbey, where she is cataloguing the archives of Gulliver and his family and she soon finds herself at the heart of a mystery as she uncovers clues for a treasure hunt.

I loved the switching between the timelines, and there's so much going on in both of them that the action and mysteries don't seem to stop! There's so much drama in the world of Elizabeth Howard, soon to be Boleyn, that you're fully immersed in the history of that, and then in the present there's lots of secrets from the past being uncovered as well as more on the family she's working for, as well as the where the curse began. An engrossing historical story which I highly recommend!!

[Debora Lima · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always loved Phillipa Gregory books, so when I saw that Boleyn Curse was quite similar, I went for it, even thought I didn't had much expectations. But I got surprised.
Usually when we talk about Boleyns our minds got directly to Anne Boleyn and her tragic fate, but this one focus instead in Elizabeth Boleyn, Anne's mother and how the Tudor court was implemented and the intrigues that came with a new reign. You can really feel how precarious everything was on this world, especially for the woman.

We have the dual timeline with modern days and Tabitha and her connections to the Boleyn house, but the biggest star is Elizabeth and her story. Tabitha feels quite a minor actor, but her layer of mystery keeps you wanting to turn the pages to check how everything is going to come together. But since everything is not perfect, it quite feels a little too much sometimes, so focusing on one timeline probably it would be better to help the focus.

In general, it's an amazing book and totally worth the reading if you like historical fiction with real characters and how woman shaped the world that we live today.

I got this book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

[Zandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The. Boleyn Curse is a fascinating book. It is a dual timeline or almost a triple timeline. In the early 1500s, Henry VIII took a fancy to Elizabeth Boleyn, mother of Mary, Anne and George, even though she was married to Thomas Boleyn. The story is told from her point of view. It describes the lavish life at court and all the jealousies and cruelties that took place at the time. The other timeline is the present day, when Tabitha, whose husband has died becomes the archivist at Cerensthorpe Abbey. Wilbur Swanne has written a diary in the early 1900s and wasn’t sure to whom he should leave a very early copy of Chaucer’s tales. So he decided to make up a complicated treasure hunt and whoever solved it would keep it - maybe!
Besides the historical connection to the Tudor Court, there is romance, intrigue, and attempted murder, Cerensthorpe Abbey features in both timelines as it had belonged to Elizabeth Boleyn and so the Boleyn Curse had passed down with the Abbey through the ages.
A very well researched book. My thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood books and Alexandra Walsh.

[Nico bookreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this ARC.
The book uses double timeline to know of the origin of the Boleyn curse, with Elizabeth Boleyn (former Howard) and the bases set for the curse, and at the same time we get to discover through a treasure hunt in our own era the discovery of the very book written by that very same Elizabeth, said book has been hidden from history since its writting,or so it appears like.
Digging through history, and on modern relationships at the same time, might look like a challenge, but I assure you it is worth it, the rediscovering of the undiscovered material are the joy of life of our main character Tabitha, whom is head archivist of a propierty that she discovers have seen the boleyn blood curse grow into modern times.
The book is about the mother of the famous Anne Boleyn and at the same time, her descendants, skipping the known Anne, to get us to find romance and trouble and magic in modern times.
Maybe the Boleyn blood carries more than just cells, maybe it doesn't, found out the truth in this marvelous book!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read this was! It kept me gripped from start to finish. It is set in the present day and in the late 1400s and 1500s. It also has excerpts from a a diary dated in the early 1900s. Cerensthorpe Abbey is the main line between the different timelines. Tabitha is the main character in the present day and she is working at the Abbey as a curator. She has her own traumatic backstory. Elizabeth Boleyn is the main characters of the earlier period. I enjoyed this telling of her story although it was fraught with danger for her and her family. I loved how the stories and the characters were all linked and everything came together at the end. There is also a number of riddles to be solved around the house that will supposedly lead to finding a rare manuscript. This was a very engaging read, I’ve read a number of books by this author and always found them to be a very good read. They are always well researched, which I appreciate. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting perspective about Henry V111 and Elizabeth Boleyn, the mother of Anne and Mary. Taking Henry's actions as spite at being thwarted by Elizabeth, it gives a whole new slant on the affairs of the time. This is a dual timeline novel, with secrets abounding and clues needing to be resolved in the present day. In Elizabeth’s time there are a lot of people with similar names, so you have to concentrate a bit, and there is a list of people at the front , which doesn’t work as well with an ebook. Despite that, this is an entertaining read and it makes you wonder how life was under the petty tyranny of a vengeful petty king. I really liked the way Elizabeth was portrayed as a thoughtful, clever and principled person. If you enjoy historical fiction, I would recommend this book to you. And if you enjoy reading about Henry V111 times, this is a different take on it. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC, and these my genuine thoughts.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! A dual timeline story that features Elizabeth Boleyn, mother to the infamous Anne Boleyn. It's a fresh take on the times and the court of Henry VIII, positing what might have been behind Henry's fascination with Elizabeth's daughters, and ultimately the destruction of their family. The second story involves a lost copy of the Canterbury Tales. Set in modern day, a young woman works as an archivist on an estate that was once an Abbey. Rumors or legends about the book abound, but Tabitha's task becomes more than archiving - she finds clues to the books possible hiding spots, and learns more about the mystery of the book and the Boleyn's curse.

Reading about Elizabeth was a refreshing change, as well as very informational! I loved the mystery around the family and the supposed Boleyn curse. The portrayal of Henry the VIII was particularly interesting. A really good read, one that I had trouble putting down!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review!

As someone who loves the Tudor era, I was immediately intrigued by this novel. While I mostly read historical fiction, I actually have not read many books centered around this time period, so I was excited to read a story connected to the Boleyn family.

This novel follows a dual timeline, which is something I normally enjoy. However, in this case I found myself struggling to connect with the modern-day characters. I was more interested in the historical storyline and wanted more parts involving the Boleyn family.

I do think that Alexandra Walsh did a really good job with the historical portion of this novel, and I would have loved to see the story focus more on the Boleyn aspect. That said, the writing itself was strong and well-written, which made it an easy book to read!

[Ann-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cerensthorpe Abbey has stood for centuries, hiding its secrets well and now connecting Elizabeth Boleyn and Tabitha Mundy across those centuries – will the secrets finally be uncovered?

Elizabeth Boleyn has incurred the wrath of Henry VIII and to protect herself and her family adds her tale to the secrets held at the Abbey. In the present day Tabitha, the curator at the Abbey, has found a diary written by the present owner’s ancestor which contains clues to find a treasure – is this the rumoured original copy of Chaucer’s Tales?

Another superb dual timeline story by Alexandra Walsh, which drew me in from the beginning and held me spellbound. Full of intrigue, history, drama, secrets, endings and beginnings – absolutely wonderful.

Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.