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Diviner
Duchess
A murder confession was all he left behind. She thought she knew her husband. But everyone has secrets, and some secrets can kill.
Damara had the perfect husband. Ever since the war started, she’d been prepared for this moment: when a messenger arrived to inform her of his death. What she hadn’t expected was his sister, the Queen, to deliver the news. And nothing could have prepared her for the truth: he was a murderer and the king’s spy.
While trying to uncover a plot against the king, he was killed. Before he died, he left evidence behind and put his wife and son in danger. Now it’s up to Damara to expose them before they come for her too. To do so, she must follow the clues her husband left behind and join the secret society he had infiltrated.
The deeper she goes, the more she questions her own alliances. In court where deceit and betrayal are common, no one can be trusted, even family. Torn between the ghost of her husband, and her new role as spy, Damara must find the real killer, before she becomes their next victim.
A murder mystery, and courtly intrigue that readers say left them guessing until the end. Get this standalone prequel to the Reign of Prophecy series today!
Damara had the perfect husband. Ever since the war started, she’d been prepared for this moment: when a messenger arrived to inform her of his death. What she hadn’t expected was his sister, the Queen, to deliver the news. And nothing could have prepared her for the truth: he was a murderer and the king’s spy.
While trying to uncover a plot against the king, he was killed. Before he died, he left evidence behind and put his wife and son in danger. Now it’s up to Damara to expose them before they come for her too. To do so, she must follow the clues her husband left behind and join the secret society he had infiltrated.
The deeper she goes, the more she questions her own alliances. In court where deceit and betrayal are common, no one can be trusted, even family. Torn between the ghost of her husband, and her new role as spy, Damara must find the real killer, before she becomes their next victim.
A murder mystery, and courtly intrigue that readers say left them guessing until the end. Get this standalone prequel to the Reign of Prophecy series today!
167 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2014
80 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
Nicolette Andrews
41 books617 followersNicolette Andrews is a born and raised San Diegan with a passion for fantasy, especially if it has a romance and some mystery and intrigue mixed it doesn't go amiss either. Apart from writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, preferably somewhere outside enjoying the San Diego sunshine.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 24 reviews
January 15, 2019
Alot unanswered questions get answered in this Novella
I actually enjoyed this Prequel Novella of the Diviner's Prophecy very much. A lot of questions I had gets answered in this one especially of Damara Florett and few other characters as well such her son Layton , Hilliard and especially Johai one of my favorite characters. Damara's husband is killed while on a mission for the King during the current war with Neaux. After his death the Queen appoints Damara as a Spy after finding out that Artor was murdered and uses her to find out who the real killer is. There are a lot of secrecy in kingdom and the mysterious Oder of the oak also poses a threat. But Samara is determined to finding out the truth. I love the writing and the story is easy to follow the characters has become like old friends. I highly recommend The Duchess for those who like fantasy with a dash of romance and intrigue.
I actually enjoyed this Prequel Novella of the Diviner's Prophecy very much. A lot of questions I had gets answered in this one especially of Damara Florett and few other characters as well such her son Layton , Hilliard and especially Johai one of my favorite characters. Damara's husband is killed while on a mission for the King during the current war with Neaux. After his death the Queen appoints Damara as a Spy after finding out that Artor was murdered and uses her to find out who the real killer is. There are a lot of secrecy in kingdom and the mysterious Oder of the oak also poses a threat. But Samara is determined to finding out the truth. I love the writing and the story is easy to follow the characters has become like old friends. I highly recommend The Duchess for those who like fantasy with a dash of romance and intrigue.
September 8, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It is a quick read and will keep you guessing until the end. I love a good murder mystery, especially set in the time period of dukes and kings. The olden language was done well and the main character was likeable. Although she grieved for her husband, she was not portrayed as 'weak' or 'needing to be saved.' She embarks on a quest to find her husband's killer and finds little clues along the way.
June 22, 2015
Short story
Leaves the reader wanting more! Thicker plot lines and twists would have helped. Also, the are characters are not as well defined.
Leaves the reader wanting more! Thicker plot lines and twists would have helped. Also, the are characters are not as well defined.
June 30, 2018
Wow. Another great , even if it’s short. More of an introduction. Superb characters.
October 9, 2018
Twisting plot
Duchess is a story of twisting and interlocking plots , clues and murder.
Damara finally receives a missive she knew was coming but dreaded. Her husband was dead lost to the war. However nothing is so cut and dry as she learns he was a King's spy and left clues for her to follow and avenge his death.
Damara however learns that duplicity is a part of palace life and is dragged far further than vengance leaving her life and that of her son's entwined in the secrets she wishes to free them from.
I enjoyed this quick read and as with her other stories (Thornwood, The Dragon Saga) have enjoyed this and look forward to reading The Diviner's Trilogy. Though Duchess is a bit slow to start you will not be disappointed in finishing.
Duchess is a story of twisting and interlocking plots , clues and murder.
Damara finally receives a missive she knew was coming but dreaded. Her husband was dead lost to the war. However nothing is so cut and dry as she learns he was a King's spy and left clues for her to follow and avenge his death.
Damara however learns that duplicity is a part of palace life and is dragged far further than vengance leaving her life and that of her son's entwined in the secrets she wishes to free them from.
I enjoyed this quick read and as with her other stories (Thornwood, The Dragon Saga) have enjoyed this and look forward to reading The Diviner's Trilogy. Though Duchess is a bit slow to start you will not be disappointed in finishing.
July 2, 2022
Prequel to the World of Diviner’s series.
I enjoyed reading this novella even though the story is a series you can read this book as a stand alone.
When Damara’s husband is killed, the queen appoints her as her spy to find our who murdered her brother. I quickly deduced who was the bad guy and good guy long before Damara figured it out.
I enjoyed reading this novella even though the story is a series you can read this book as a stand alone.
When Damara’s husband is killed, the queen appoints her as her spy to find our who murdered her brother. I quickly deduced who was the bad guy and good guy long before Damara figured it out.
June 6, 2021
Well done.
With her husband murdered and being manipulated by the queen Damara's life has done an about face. She must be strong for herself and her son to overcome the dreadful events in her life. I found this to be a very good introduction to a series.
With her husband murdered and being manipulated by the queen Damara's life has done an about face. She must be strong for herself and her son to overcome the dreadful events in her life. I found this to be a very good introduction to a series.
June 12, 2018
A finely written favorite...Like all ANDREWS stories,a "dire" dilemma only takes one smart woman to figure it out,and save the day!
June 22, 2018
Meh...didn't finish
December 6, 2018
Loved this book. Look forward to reading more of Nicolette's books.
May 11, 2023
To see more of the inner workings of a character is fabulous. The trials will be many. Thank you for the trip.
August 7, 2023
good short book
August 17, 2018
Duchess- a review by Rosemary Kenny
Nicolette Andrews makes an early attempt at a historic spy-romance drama novella in Duchess, the prequel to The Diviner's Trilogy, with its naive young widow, the eponymous Duchess, Damara Florett's search for her murdered husband's killer.
Amid treachery, romance and mysterious clues left by her husband and passed to Damara by her sister-in-law the Queen, the heroine tries to find a clear path to achieve the revenge her late husband asked as his last wish, by taking over his role as the King's spymaster. Will Damara succeed and survive to tell the tale to the new love in her life? Buy Duchess now and discover the truth for yourself.
Nicolette Andrews makes an early attempt at a historic spy-romance drama novella in Duchess, the prequel to The Diviner's Trilogy, with its naive young widow, the eponymous Duchess, Damara Florett's search for her murdered husband's killer.
Amid treachery, romance and mysterious clues left by her husband and passed to Damara by her sister-in-law the Queen, the heroine tries to find a clear path to achieve the revenge her late husband asked as his last wish, by taking over his role as the King's spymaster. Will Damara succeed and survive to tell the tale to the new love in her life? Buy Duchess now and discover the truth for yourself.
December 20, 2015
I wanted to love this. I really, really did, but it didn't hook me.
I coudn't get into the characters. They felt rather flat and forgettable. Damara Florett, Our Heroine, felt like she was well and truly out of her depth in the game of noble politics. She spends too much time being used as a pawn and not enough time being a proactive character.
Also I wanted more worldbuilding. This is clearly a fantasy world and I wanted something deeper than the standard European template with contemporary social interactions.
I coudn't get into the characters. They felt rather flat and forgettable. Damara Florett, Our Heroine, felt like she was well and truly out of her depth in the game of noble politics. She spends too much time being used as a pawn and not enough time being a proactive character.
Also I wanted more worldbuilding. This is clearly a fantasy world and I wanted something deeper than the standard European template with contemporary social interactions.
September 26, 2016
Hmmm
Well, this was not what I thought it would be. I was hoping for a different end result, but it turned out how I imagine one in this position would turn out in reality. There was extramarital relations although you don't see it. I didn't really like the duchess. I had a hard time relating to her and her choices.
I received this book free from one of the book subscription emails.
Well, this was not what I thought it would be. I was hoping for a different end result, but it turned out how I imagine one in this position would turn out in reality. There was extramarital relations although you don't see it. I didn't really like the duchess. I had a hard time relating to her and her choices.
I received this book free from one of the book subscription emails.
April 28, 2017
Surprisingly good read!
I was v.surprised by how much I enjoyed this book based on the one review on Amazon.co.UK!
Do not be fooled, this is a well rounded and well written story of momentous times, and, tragic and dangerous circumstances.
I ended up sympathizing with the main character and engaged fully with the turbulent times of the setting.
Be brave and give this talented writer a chance to tell you her story!
I was v.surprised by how much I enjoyed this book based on the one review on Amazon.co.UK!
Do not be fooled, this is a well rounded and well written story of momentous times, and, tragic and dangerous circumstances.
I ended up sympathizing with the main character and engaged fully with the turbulent times of the setting.
Be brave and give this talented writer a chance to tell you her story!
July 28, 2015
Duchess-Great Story
What a great story. You never knew who was good and who was bad. Finally you got the picture and hoped for the best! Everyone will enjoy reading this intriguing story.
What a great story. You never knew who was good and who was bad. Finally you got the picture and hoped for the best! Everyone will enjoy reading this intriguing story.
April 3, 2015
Did not enjoy
Knew the plot and truth early in the story. It was annoying waiting for the main character to figure it out. She was not believable or sympathetic.
Knew the plot and truth early in the story. It was annoying waiting for the main character to figure it out. She was not believable or sympathetic.
Want to read
April 18, 2015kindle
August 7, 2015
Compared to the other stories, this one is lacking.
March 2, 2016
No depth
There was no depth to this book. The main character was incredibly unbelievable and exceedingly under developed, like the plot.
There was no depth to this book. The main character was incredibly unbelievable and exceedingly under developed, like the plot.
January 19, 2020
I enjoyed Duchess and its fantasy world, and the court intrigue involved, and look forward to reading more in this series!
May 12, 2016
even though it was not my genre , i still liked its turn of events
Displaying 1 - 23 of 24 reviews