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The Queen's Game: Lady Mary Grey goes head to head with Queen Elizabeth I...
A thrilling account of the later years of Tudor reign! For fans of Philippa Gregory, Elizabeth Chadwick, Carol McGrath and Anne O’Brien.
A game of succession has begun…
England, 1565
Queen Elizabeth Tudor is wary of the cousins. Ever since the ill-fated Lady Jane Grey nearly wrested the throne from her family, Elizabeth has been keen to ensure the fate of England doesn’t land in Grey hands.
She has banished Catherine Grey from court, along with her two children, but her unwed sister Mary remains at Whitehall Palace as one of Elizabeth’s courtiers.
Mary has ambitions for her family and she realizes she may be the only one who can continue the bloodline, seeing as Catherine’s marriage has been deemed illegitimate.
She does not want to waste any time in bearing children, as she is worried her scoliosis may make pregnancy difficult, so she begins to search for a suitable husband at court.
But while she does so, she finds out that her cousin, Lord Darnley is scheming to marry the widowed Queen Mary Stuart.
If that marriage goes ahead, Darnley’s child may have a strong claim to the throne, which increases Mary Grey’s ambition to have an heir of her own.
As the game of succession intensifies, will Mary Grey see her family name rise to victory, or tumble into obscurity…?
THE QUEEN’S GAME is a biographical historical novel of set during the 16th century Tudor era in England.
A game of succession has begun…
England, 1565
Queen Elizabeth Tudor is wary of the cousins. Ever since the ill-fated Lady Jane Grey nearly wrested the throne from her family, Elizabeth has been keen to ensure the fate of England doesn’t land in Grey hands.
She has banished Catherine Grey from court, along with her two children, but her unwed sister Mary remains at Whitehall Palace as one of Elizabeth’s courtiers.
Mary has ambitions for her family and she realizes she may be the only one who can continue the bloodline, seeing as Catherine’s marriage has been deemed illegitimate.
She does not want to waste any time in bearing children, as she is worried her scoliosis may make pregnancy difficult, so she begins to search for a suitable husband at court.
But while she does so, she finds out that her cousin, Lord Darnley is scheming to marry the widowed Queen Mary Stuart.
If that marriage goes ahead, Darnley’s child may have a strong claim to the throne, which increases Mary Grey’s ambition to have an heir of her own.
As the game of succession intensifies, will Mary Grey see her family name rise to victory, or tumble into obscurity…?
THE QUEEN’S GAME is a biographical historical novel of set during the 16th century Tudor era in England.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
About the author
Raymond Wemmlinger
13 books21 followersRaymond Wemmlinger is the curator and librarian at The Hampden-Booth Theatre Library, New York City, which specializes in nineteenth-century British and American theater. He has lived his entire life in or around New York City, where most of Booth's Daughter is set.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 13, 2025
Although I've been reading Tudor historical fiction for more than 50 years, The Queen's Game is the first book that focuses on the youngest Grey sister. One would think that Lady Mary Grey would be grateful that she was at Court, considering her family history and the deadly nature of Tudor politics, right? Think again. Even though Queen Elizabeth kept her cousin at court, where she could keep an eye on her, Lady Mary was scheming to put a child of her own on the throne. Not an easy task considering her physical deformity and lack of a husband.
Any historical references to Lady Mary Grey always describe her as a dwarf, and I was surprised to learn that her disability was likely severe scoliosis that manifested at the onset of puberty. Even this disability wasn't enough to curb her royal ambitions. The Queen's Game is a fascinating look at a Tudor woman who gets very little historical attention beyond her physical abnormality. You know the story of Jane Grey, the nine-day queen, and her unfortunate sister, Catherine. Now you can read the story of the youngest Grey sister, Lady Mary, who dared to reach much higher than her short stature. If you enjoy Tudor fiction, you must put The Queen's Game on your to-be-read list.
Any historical references to Lady Mary Grey always describe her as a dwarf, and I was surprised to learn that her disability was likely severe scoliosis that manifested at the onset of puberty. Even this disability wasn't enough to curb her royal ambitions. The Queen's Game is a fascinating look at a Tudor woman who gets very little historical attention beyond her physical abnormality. You know the story of Jane Grey, the nine-day queen, and her unfortunate sister, Catherine. Now you can read the story of the youngest Grey sister, Lady Mary, who dared to reach much higher than her short stature. If you enjoy Tudor fiction, you must put The Queen's Game on your to-be-read list.
November 12, 2025
Good
I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book as I don't believe there has been any other historical fiction written just about Lady Mary Grey. For the most part it was interesting and I enjoyed it. However, the entire part of her life during which she was forced to live in a household where she clearly was not wanted was left out. It jumps to when she was released and able to live freely and quickly concludes after that. I do feel that I got to know her a little bit better but not as well as her sisters. Rate 3.5 stars rounded up.
I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book as I don't believe there has been any other historical fiction written just about Lady Mary Grey. For the most part it was interesting and I enjoyed it. However, the entire part of her life during which she was forced to live in a household where she clearly was not wanted was left out. It jumps to when she was released and able to live freely and quickly concludes after that. I do feel that I got to know her a little bit better but not as well as her sisters. Rate 3.5 stars rounded up.
June 4, 2026
This was a very enjoyable book representing what the life of Lady Mary Grey might have been. The authors characterization of Lady Mary and Thomas Keyes was very well done and I think anyone who is interested in historical fiction will truly enjoy this book. I intend to read some others in the series and look forward to them.
April 15, 2026
Not A Bad Story
While it's not 100% An accurate description of the time and of Lady Mary Grey. It Is very enjoyable very good read
While it's not 100% An accurate description of the time and of Lady Mary Grey. It Is very enjoyable very good read
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews