The Boleyn Secret

by Alison Weir

A Boleyn woman is no stranger to secrets...

At twelve years old, Kate Carey attends her aunt, Queen Anne Boleyn, to the scaffold. Horrified by what she witnesses, Kate is convinced that King Henry VIII has sent an innocent woman to a terrible death.

As the Boleyns fall from favour, Kate serves her now motherless cousin, the young Lady Elizabeth. Bound by Boleyn blood, the two girls are like sisters, until Kate marries for love - and leaves a jealous Elizabeth behind.

At court, Kate cannot ignore the sly looks thrown her way, nor the whispers behind her back. Only when her mother, Mary, lies dying, does she learn the life-shattering truth that the Boleyns have been hiding for years.

It is a secret that will haunt Kate throughout her life, as her family flee into exile, only returning home when Elizabeth becomes queen. But the bond between the Boleyn cousins will never be the same again...

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

560 pages, Hardcover

Published May 21, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Alison Weir is an English writer of history books for the general public, mostly in the form of biographies about British kings and queens, and of historical fiction. Before becoming an author, Weir worked as a teacher of children with special needs. She received her formal training in history at teacher training college. She currently lives in Surrey, England, with her two children.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm always excited to jump into the newest Alison Weir book. Having written fictional accounts of Henry VIII, all six of his wives, his mother and daughters, and even his closest advisor, Weir is now delving into uncharted territory with a book about the Tudor king’s likely-illegitimate daughter, Katherine Carey. The eldest child of Henry’s former mistress, Mary Boleyn, and niece to Anne Boleyn, we come upon Kate at the tender age of twelve, when she is called to wait upon the disgraced queen during her imprisonment in the Tower. As Weir herself later admits, this may be more myth than history, but it forms the basis of Kate's hatred for the poisonous king who, unbeknownst to her, is also her biological father.

Alison Weir’s novels have a cozy vibe to them, and they always start strong. The irony of Kate despising Henry, only to one day learn their true connection, is set up well, although the moment of the big reveal doesn’t quite pack the punch that it should, and is dropped not long thereafter. Through Kate, we get to experience the reigns of four English monarchs, and see Elizabeth (who, the more I read about her, the more she comes across like a sociopath) through the eyes of one of her closest confidantes. Less is known about Kate’s life than those of Weir’s other subjects, giving her room to be more creative in how she crafts the story. Unfortunately, this is an opportunity that Weir does not seize, instead falling back on her habit of narrativized history over historical storytelling. Kate has many, many children, all of whose births are relayed to us, but none of whom become dynamic characters in their own right. There is a deep love between Kate and her husband, Francis, which is intended as the focal point of the book, but their romance is fairly bland and unremarkable.

More compelling is Kate’s close twenty-year bond with her stepfather, William Stafford, whom we learn was much more involved in court affairs than previously known (he even got remarried to a granddaughter of Margaret Pole, cousin of Elizabeth of York) as well as a devout Protestant convert. I would have liked to know if this was borne out of Weir’s research or if she decided to emphasize their relationship for the purpose of the story. Kate’s brother, Henry, by contrast, is rarely ever mentioned (in one unintentionally funny scene, Kate learns that Henry has had five kids since the last time she spoke to him). Weir may also be the one Tudor historian still stubbornly aboard the Jane-Boleyn-was-evil train. Despite many other historians conceding that the primary evidence for Jane’s treachery simply isn’t there, Weir makes it plain that she believes Jane betrayed the Boleyn siblings to their deaths, which she implies was spurred by years of sexual abuse at her husband’s hands (why Jane receives so little sympathy for being subjected to George's cruelty, however, is beyond me).

Unfortunately, The Boleyn Secret is worn down by the same issues as most of Alison Weir’s fictional novels: telling instead of showing, and length. This book is way, way too long. Even with a merciful time skip during Edward VI’s reign, the print book (I read the e-book) comes in at over 550 pages long. Not enough happens to justify the size beyond not wanting to cut a single detail. In that case, Weir should have opted for a traditional biography instead of a novel. Huge swaths of this book were plodding and uneventful, and it greatly weakened what could have been a much stronger novel.

[HalKid2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm as big a Tudor fan as anyone. So, of course, I admire Alison Weir, a recognized scholar and bestselling author of all things Tudor. Unlike most other Tudor authors, Weir writes both fiction and non-fiction. But THE BOLEYN SECRET felt less like fiction to me than other Weir novels I've read. I wouldn't call it a clunker but I only gave it three stars.

This book's protagonist is Katherine Carey*, daughter of Mary Boleyn and friend-cousin-lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. Katherine is usually an invisible historical figure. So, I was looking forward to Weir fleshing her out and learning more about her life living so close to the dysfunctional Tudor royal family. I did learn some. But, for me, the Katherine of this book remained two-dimensional. She observed a lot of history, but always remained somewhat removed.

The story begins with Katherine (age 12) witnessing the execution of her aunt, Queen Anne Boleyn. She becomes a playmate for young Princess Elizabeth which allows us, through second hand gossip, to learn about King Henry VIII's four subsequent marriages. Eventually, Katherine goes to court as a lady-in-waiting to two queens and, at the age of 16, marries Francis Knollys. Their marriage is a happy one, peppered with many pregnancies (16!). Along the way, readers glean information about multiple monarchs [Henry VIII, Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey (if you count her), Mary I, and Elizabeth I].

As I progressed through this novel, I increasingly felt Weir wasn't clear about whose story she was telling. It's not really about a Boleyn secret - because that gets revealed about 1/3 of the way in and turns out to be more well-known conjecture than big surprise. The book contains way too much extraneous detail to simply be a story about the life of Katherine Carey. And while Katherine's life was certainly impacted by this era's contention around religion, the novel is more than a story about the tension between Catholics and Protestants.

In addition, the book felt too heavily weighted toward narration instead of dialogue. Weir explains so much, rather than allowing the characters to show us. For example, there are explanations about some of the differences between the two religions. There's horrible detail about the many Protestants burned by Queen Mary. There's extensive discussion about Queen Elizabeth not wanting to marry. Even a lot of attention to the mysterious death of Amy Robsart Dudley, wife of royal favorite Robert Dudley. And even when context IS shared through back and forth conversations between characters - I simply didn't find the dialogue the least bit believable.

The result is that THE BOLEYN SECRET felt tediously long (560 pages) and slow. While I'm generally a fan of including period detail to increase authenticity, I felt too much was heavy-handed and only tangentially related to Katherine's life. Perhaps the book would have been stronger if it had been written in Katherine's first person, voice. Instead, she was mostly a witness in the room.

Or, perhaps, as a historian, Weir just knows so much about this period, it's hard for her to not include everything. It may also be that I'm a reader who already knows too much about the Tudors. I bet the book will be more engaging to those who were new to the Tudor world.

Overall, I still recommend THE BOLEYN SECRET. But I certainly wouldn't describe it as a page-turner and I've found other novels by Weir much more skillfully written. Be sure to read the Author's Note at the end where Weir reveals what is actually known about Katherine Carey and what is made up.

[Christina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love Tudor history and stories about Henry VIII and his wives, The Boleyn Secret is a great read. I especially enjoyed how the story focused on Catherine, following her life from being Anne Boleyn’s cousin to her experiences at court. The political intrigue, relationships, and historical details made the novel engaging from start to finish. The narration was also excellent and really helped bring the characters and emotions to life. A wonderful historical fiction novel for fans of the Tudor era.

[grace mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first, I was really interested in the story, but as the chapters went by I think it dragged on. There was a lot of repetition and I don't believe it needed to be so dragged out to 500 pages. The secret was also a let down? It makes barely any impact on the story. I understand that that is probably true to the nature of the real story, although I confess I don't know this much about history and the personal lives of past monarchs, but what brought me to keep reading after the secret was revealed was how it serves the narrative. I appreciate the amount of work and research that must have gone into this, but for me the repetition took me out of the story a lot, and I believe some parts weren't necessary. It reads like Kate's diary.
The writing is good, and the characters are interesting, but a little lackluster in my opinion. The mother I didn't care for, the father I wish I knew more about so that I could feel something about him and the whole situation, and Elizabeth... she's the most fleshed out character of all of them (including Kate) and I did appreciate seeing that, but I also didn't like her. Fair, maybe I'm not meant to. Kate's character felt a little all over the place. Going back to her parents and the backstory, I think it would have made a nice understanding of how/ why Kate is the way she is. She had no identity, no views, nothing, and is easily pushed by her husband. Except from the end where she had a litter of kids (again, going back to how it reads like a diary, I don't believe I needed to read about each of her children, which served nothing to the story, except to show that yes people had a lot of kids in that time.) I did, however, feel very sorry for Kate for being surrounded by selfish people. At first, I was disappointed in the ending, but I do think it suits the theme of the story.
However, I do appreciate the author writing about a person and part of history that isn't widely known (or at least, I didn't know!)
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

[Adrienne Dillard]

The Boleyn Secret is very much standard fare for Alison Weir: competently written, atmospherically Tudor, and firmly situated within the interpretive universe she has built across her historical novels. Longtime readers will recognize the familiar rhythms of her characterization and thematic interests, but they may also find little here that feels new or revelatory.

The greatest weakness lies in the portrayal of Catherine Carey. Despite the historical record suggesting a marriage of intellectual and emotional equality, Catherine is given remarkably little agency. I kept waiting for her to demonstrate the qualities that would justify her husband’s evident regard, but those moments never truly arrived, leaving her frustratingly underdeveloped.

Weir’s Elizabeth I, by contrast, is vividly drawn, if unevenly so. I appreciated the willingness to explore Elizabeth’s full spectrum of cruelty, and I spent much of the novel genuinely furious with her, a reaction that speaks to the power of the portrayal. At times, however, that cruelty tips into something more simplistic, edging toward a villainous caricature rather than a complex ruler shaped by fear, politics, and survival. In the end, The Boleyn Secret is readable and familiar, but unlikely to surprise or deeply satisfy readers hoping for fresh insight.

[Fiona]

Tudor novels excite me. Especially ones set around Anne Boleyn. Katherine Carey is right at the heart of the Anne Boleyn’s execution which is traumatising for her as she was only a teenager.
Katherine then goes onto play a part in the fringes of the Tudor Court, through Henry’s next two wives, and the next three monarchy’s.

This is the first novel that I have read that has included Mary Tudor’s reign and I found this quite traumatic.

I guessed the secret straight away – the fact that Henry had liaisons with Anne Boleyn’s sister is quite a well-known Tudor fact so it could be that the her child could be Henry’s. Katherine is not granted access to the King’s thoughts, and once she made up her mind that Henry was a monster she repeated this ad nauseum until his death.

I found Kate to be a woman of her time. 12 Children and a husband who just seemed to like making babies and being at Court. Katherine has no real opinion of her own and whilst showing herself to be capable of running the manor she doesn’t really stand up for herself; or frame any view other than that of her her husband.

I think maybe the length of the novel and the time periods it skimmed over put me off. Maybe if it had spent more time in one period rather than Henry, Mary and Elizabeth’s rein I would have enjoyed it more. But for me it was to long and tom detailed with events that didn’t need the tine spent on it.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy in return for an honest review. This one is for hardcore Tudor lovers.

[Lauralee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Boleyn Secret follows the life of Katherine Carey, who was the niece of Queen Anne Boleyn. In 1536, Katherine was sent to the Tower of London to become a lady-in-waiting to her aunt, Anne Boleyn. She witnesses Anne Boleyn’s execution which had a profound effect upon her. Immediately afterwards, Katherine forms a close bond with Princess Elizabeth, who has been declared illegitimate upon her mother’s execution. When Katherine’s mother, Mary Boleyn, falls ill and is dying, she tells Katherine a secret that changes her life forever.

Katherine Carey is one of the most mysterious figures in the Tudor. This is because many historians have believed that she was secretly the daughter of King Henry VIII. Therefore, I was intrigued by how Mrs. Weir approaches the subject. I found Katherine’s character development to be pretty bland. She seems like she is mostly a background character. She is largely overshadowed by her husband and later on Queen Elizabeth. Katherine Carey immediately falls in love with Francis Knollys, who is a courtier under King Henry VIII. She soon marries him and bears his children. Francis is devoted to the Protestant faith, and Katherine becomes a Protestant because of him. When she becomes a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, she is upset because she wants to be at home raising her family. However, she realizes that she must put Queen Elizabeth’s needs above that of herself, her husband, and her children. Therefore, I found Katherine to be a very weak character. I wanted her to have more of a backbone and stand up to Queen Elizabeth at times.

Overall, this book is about secrets, family, and duty. I did like the characterization of most of the characters. Queen Elizabeth was the one I found most fascinating. I thought that this novel was meticulously researched, and I thought the descriptions of the Tudor court were well-done. I did think that this novel was very repetitive and drawn out at times. It could easily have been much shorter. Nevertheless, The Boleyn Secret was still a very enjoyable and fascinating read! I liked that it told the story of the Tudors from a different perspective! I recommend this book for fans of Rival to the Queen, The Queen’s Governess, and The Boleyn Bride!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)

[Danielle | daniellereadslikealot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve not read much about Katherine Carey before beyond her being just a mention or small child in other Tudor historical fiction so I was very excited about this one. What a life she had! I really loved the way she was written. Yes, a little naive and idealistic at times, but so kind, loving and loyal. I loved seeing her grow up during such an incredibly volatile time in history between Henry VIII’s changing moods and temper to Mary’s vengeance and Elizabeth’s stubbornness. I LOVED how Elizabeth was written and enjoyed seeing her relationship with Kat, even though her selfishness and unkindness drove me crazy sometimes. I also really enjoyed the book using the theory that Katherine was Henry’s daughter and I found their scenes together so tense and interesting! I loved Mary Boleyn and Will Stafford so much. I was not expecting to cry during the book, but as always, I cry anytime I read about Anne Boleyn’s execution (which was done so beautifully here), I cried when Mary died and also at the very end. It’s a sweeping, multi decade saga filled with drama, tension and political intrigue and I think any Tudor historical fiction lover will enjoy it so much.

Thank you to Ballantine Books for the digital reader’s copy!

[elemenjae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, this book is amazing. This might be my favorite book from Alison Weir so far. This was written so well and the story was intriguing. I am so grateful that I was able to get early access to this book!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love any books about Tudor history and The Boleyn Secret gave me a chance to learn about a Tudor who I was unfamiliar with - Katherine Carey. What I enjoyed about this book, was the opportunity to learn more about an unfamiliar Tudor through the backdrop of the familiar and (in)famous events of the time - from Anne Boleyn’s execution to the Queen Elizabeth’s time on the throne.
It’s a difficult book to assign a rating too. It’s a very long book, which I can understand given all that happened within Kate’s life - but when I got to the 50% mark, I felt like I had been reading the book for forever. It kept me interested and even inspired to read up further on events within the book (though in terms of the heresy burnings, I wish I hadn’t!) but around the 70% mark, my interest wained and I skim read to the end. I really struggled with many of the characters in her life (Francis and Elizabeth, I am looking at you!) who were rage bait as my teenagers would say. I did enjoy the writing and the way the author framed the tension at Anne Boleyn’s execution and during Mary’s reign was so effective.
In short, I liked a lot about the book but it could have been more effective had it been more succinct.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

[Arleigh Salerno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ill be honest and say I thought about not finishing this audiobook. Not because of the narrator though... the storyline just never pulled my attention, and it felt like it was hard to keep it.

[Karen’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m seriously Tudor obsessed so when I noted that Alison Weir was writing about a new Tudor, Catherine Carey, daughter of Mary Boleyn, and niece to Queen Anne Boleyn, I was all in!

The book starts with a young 12 year old Catherine who was one of Anne’s maidens during her beheading.

Catherine was also in young Elizabeth Tudor’s household as her cousin and best friend.

The story takes us through all of the intrigues through Henry’s rule, Edward’s short rule, Bloody Mary’s reign, and finally Queen Elizabeth’s.

The books goes into great detail about the persecution of the Protestants and Catherine fleeing England with her husband and children.

Catherine learns a secret about her birth which is never discussed or brought into the open. But there are whispers.

I loved seeing the Tudor history through the eyes of a lesser known historical figure. Was it a bit long and tedious in some parts? Yes. Sure it was… As is history. I still loved it.

I look forward to any and all future Tudor novels from Alison Weir as I’ve read all she’s written to date. (Historical fiction novels that is.)

*Thanks so much to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the gifted eARC!*

[Keely · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I review historical fiction, I always review as if they are characters rather than real people. As there is too much unknown, especially on thoughts, feelings and beliefs. It's all on interpretation. So all opinions should be applied to this interpretation of their character, rather than the real person themselves. Especially when they're shrouded in mystery like Catherine carey. The records about her are scant.

This was alright. One of the big reasons I struggled with this was that I never bought the "great love story" that is woven throughout this novel. It never felt like he truly loved her at times, it just seemed he had a raging libido and she satisfied that. I truthfully thought Francis was a bit of a knob and was really cruel at times. I know he's gotta be misogynistic because it is the times, lalala and all that, but I quickly found it tiring. Like his attitude after she tries to breastfeed her child, which I know wasn't sadly normal, but I found him way too harsh towards a woman who he is supposed to love and has just give birth to your heir for 37 hours!!! "Remember your duty to me!" 37 hours of labour and he's like, breastfeeding makes it not likely to conceive and obviously we need 16! children. "Your duty is to provide me with sons and to help ensure that they are well raised, well educated, and well married. You are not a milch-cow! I will brook no further argument. A wet nurse will be engaged.” Yeah. He really sounds like he loves her deeply doesn't he? And I know it's the time period but it's not like this is a well known fact about their relationship, it's all made up so why do we need it here? "I strongly advise you to remember your vow of obedience and be compliant as a wife should.” Icky. "When Francis had seen that she was willing to obey him, he was pleased to put her small rebellion down to her deranged womb, and showed himself as loving as ever." Ahhh, such true love isn't it. True love that will only run smooth if one person gets their way 100% of the time.

I also do believe her way too many pregnancies lead to her dying earlier than maybe she would've if she didn't have that many pregnancies, like some years, she was legit having babies every single year for quite a while, legit getting pregnant a few months after birth. That can't have been easy on her body. I also didn't like that Francis wouldn't allow a bad word to be said about Henry, but would happily talk badly about Elizabeth. I felt like the character of Kate was a bit wishy washy. She didn't come across as having a strong personality and would give in, a lot. She had very little agency. Even her religious views changing, felt like it was to please Francis, rather than from her own convictions.


I also do believe that she was most probably Henry VIII child rather than William Carey's especially when we focus on Lettice's appearance. so it was interesting to see Catherine wrestle with that, though I thought it would be a slight more prominent than it was. (Her brother Henry was William's imo)

Catherine's relationship with Elizabeth was really interesting. It was interesting to see how it developed from childhood to adulthood. And I felt the personality of Elizabeth came across strongly. She could be kind, selfish, vindictive and it showed a huge wound she had from losing her mother. That wound transferred onto Catherine and Kate Ashley, Blanche Parry etc. Elizabeth was desperate to keep them close and would not let them go. I understood that some of her cruelty towards catherine came from that utter desperation.

I have gotten bored of "Jane Boleyn was evil" train and that was a feature in this book.

I also thought the relationship between Mary and William was an interpretation I haven't read a lot, their relationship was really sweet. And how close Catherine was with her step dad.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

If you were to ask the question "how many books can there be about the Tudors?" THE BOLEYN SECRET is an answer that says "always at least one more."

The first section of the book, covering Henry VIII's reign, does feel like treading ground that has been trod many, many times (to the point of being over trod and repetitive). If this hadn't been an Alison Weir book, I suspect I wouldn't have picked it up because I am a little over novelisations of this period. Kate's perspective doesn't really add much to the discourse around him - she is disgusted by his behaviour towards his wives. Also, if you have read THE OTHER BOLEYN SISTER, then you know the secret of the title, which takes some of the tension and mystery from the story.

The book really picks up after his death as it begins to explore the protestant movement in England. Kate, in this book, through her husband becomes a protestant and the hope that Edward VI brings for the cause is explored. Edward VI is an oft overlooked king thanks to his short reign and being book ended by Henry VII (who looms large - too large, in my opinion - over the period) and Mary I (who has a terrible reputation.) Here, though, time is actually given to his reign and what it meant for the religious upheaval in the land.

I found the section during Mary's reign fascinating. Katherine and her husband Francis are protestants who end up fleeing the country to live in Europe because of their beliefs. It was a part of Mary's reign that I had not known much about, and it was really interesting to get a sense of the lives lived by those who felt compelled to leave for their own safety.

Then Elizabeth comes to the throne and the tension comes from how possessive Elizabeth is. It means that the politics of Elizabeth's early reign - particularly the so-called marriage game - are not the focus, but instead the relationship between the women, which offers a different perspective. It also explores the tensions between motherhood and royal duty, the sacrifices asked of the women who served Elizabeth.

I also really liked how the relationship between Kate and her husband Francis was portrayed. It is a deeply loving one (which we can guess from the record) and offers a good counterpoint to the terrible marriages of the royals at the time. The societal customs and hierarchies of the time are observed but the book explores how a more equal reality may have played out between a couple who deeply loved and respected one another.

In all this was a good book, with a different perspective in the later two acts of the book.

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For an author so well-known and liked, this book is extremely disappointing. I have heard so many great things about the author and really wanted to like it, but I didn't. Although this book was clearly well researched and covers a great deal of Tudor history, I had to stop reading at 12% despite loving many books set in this era.

For me, the biggest issues were the quality of the writing and a lack of believability.

Settings, clothing, and characters are described in only the briefest detail, and the details that are mentioned don't add much to the feel of the book or immersion in the time period.

Transitions feel off, the sentence-level writing is often clunky, and the book is very unnecessarily repetitive. Though I stopped early, there are already numerous times when Kate would think something or the narrator would mention it, and suddenly a different character would repeat that same thing a few lines later.

Kate feels very flat. Readers have no sense of who she is or how she feels other than when we are told she cries, clenches her hands, or is angry without giving any detail or nuance in the depiction of her emotions. So far, she also hasn't done much of anything.

She has rarely spoken more than a few words at a time, but other characters speak for pages. For example, in the segment that made me give up, a character spends eight straight Kindle pages telling Kate back story they would never tell a twelve year old. During this, Kate only interjects a single sentence. This whole scene is a massive info dump to give the reader context rather than weaving the information in naturally.

This long one-sided conversation is also entirely unbelievable because the character talks about a time and place, describing things they nor anyone else in this era would ever be able to know, even with the flimsy excuse given for why she knows it in the book. It is entirely unnecessary, and all it does is pull the reader out of the story.

This book was not for me, and I cannot recommend it for readers who are are easily frustrated by bland, repetitive prose or who have difficulty suspending disbelief when characters, descriptions, or dialogue do not fit the time period.

I do, however, think the concept is interesting, and the book can be a fun and enlightening read for those who want to learn more about the Boleyn/Carey family in a digestible fiction format.

[Tzia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katherine (Kate) Carey, niece to Anne Boleyn, lives a life intrinsically linked to the Tudor court. Serving Queen Anne through her execution and then the young Princess Elizabeth, Kate is highly aware of the fact that rumour and scandal follow her family. She meets and marries Francis Knollys with whom she enjoys the joys and many trials of life, but is never far from the family secret.

I love a good historical fiction, and the Tudor Age is my favourite period of UK history - so this should have been the perfect book for me. Unfortunately, it turned out to be something of nothing. This book was very bloated - it absolutely didn't need to be 500+ pages - and as a result very repetitive. I was captivated during the first third of the book but sadly it wasn't able to keep my attention, and if I'm honest I pretty much skimmed the final third because I just wanted to finish.

I think the biggest issues this book had were a lack of a main, strong focal character and also that it tried to cover far too much in terms of time. Kate is a sympathetic character throughout but at points she comes off as simpering and childish. She is very much a woman of her time in that she defers to her husband in most matters, bears a large number of children, and learns to be mistress of a great household at a young age - and I respect that those things were accurately represented. However there was no real narrative for her to follow and any character development ended up being overlooked. The timeline is a long one - 30 years or so - and follows Kate through the reign of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. There are so many names, families and Acts of Parliament that it's impossible to keep up. And a personal thought - this book contains one of the worst descriptions of female pleasure I have ever read. You'll know it when you get there.

There are selling points to this book. It is painstakingly, meticulously researched - as are all of Alison Weir's works. She paints a vivid picture of life at court, religious uncertainty and persecution in the reign of Mary, and the famous vanity and selfishness of Elizabeth. She invites you to wonder what it might have been like to live in the aftermath of a Queen being executed and to look at the bold ambition some of the leading families of the day had.

Overall not one I'll be returning to or adding to my bookshelf - Alison Weir is an excellent historian and her non-fiction work is generally stellar; but this falls short for me.

- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -

[Kandace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley for this e-ARC and ALC.

The Boleyn Secret is historical fiction. Alison Weir bases much of her novels and characters in the facts as she can, researching these topics thoroughly. If you do not know Tudor history and do not wish to be spoiled, skip to the end.

We follow Catherine Carey— daughter of Mary Boleyn, niece to Anne Boleyn. Queen Anne is tried and executed for treason against King Henry VIII, which Catherine witnesses. This begins her hatred of Henry VIII. Despite the fact that the Boleyns are now cast out, Catherine is assigned to be a lady-in-waiting to her cousin, Lady Elizabeth— the future Queen Elizabeth I.

Catherine and Elizabeth have a close sisterly bond due to their Boleyn blood. Though, she can’t ignore the looks and whispers thrown her way. Her mother, Mary Boleyn, was previously a mistress of Henry VIII prior to Anne’s marriage. Whispers of Catherine being the daughter of the King float around. This rumor has never been confirmed to this day, but Weir uses it as fact for the sake of the story. So on Mary’s deathbed, she confesses to Catherine her parentage.

Catherine is then assigned to the household of Anne of Cleves, where she meets her beloved Francis Knollys. The two follow the Protestant religion, forcing them to flee England once Queen Mary—the daughter of Queen Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII— comes to inherit the throne. Only when Elizabeth reigns do they return. Catherine and Elizabeth are reunited, but with Catherine now waiting on her cousin, the bond they once shared is never the same.


Much of Tudor history I am aware of. It’s something that’s always fascinated me! Henry VIII absolutely sucks for his treatment of his wives, but he is one of the most popular subjects in his family history. Due to Mary being cast out following Anne’s marriage to the King, I actually hadn’t known much about her or her daughter, so a lot of this was new to me. Despite this, I recognized many of the characters and knew their stories already— this greatly helped me in allowing me to focus on Catherine alone and not wonder about anyone else.

This was deeply researched and well written. I think Alison Weir may be my go-to author for Tudor history now. 4.5/5 stars, I enjoyed this so much!

[Lexie Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 Stars, rounded up)

Thank you so much RBMedia and Netgalley for this advanced copy of The Boleyn Secret. All views are my own.

I have always been so fascinated by the Tudor dynasty and all the dynamic players vying for power. The Tudor court is rife with scandal, betrayal, and power struggles, especially under Henry VIII who is known for being so salacious.

The Boleyn Secret follows Catherine Carey, the daughter of Mary Boleyn, as she grows up with the Tudors. This book walks through Catherine’s, Cate’s, life as she serves her cousin, watches her aunt fall victim to the axe, sees many queens rise and fall, falls in love, and bears witness to the shocking persecutions of Protestants. While Cate is never in the spotlight, she is privy and witness to some of the most influential events in the sixteenth century.

Firstly, I learned so much reading this book. I found myself doing more research beyond the book as I kept reading. Cate is so interesting and I wish we knew more about her! I believe the author has done a fantastic job capturing her life, love, and sense of duty. The love story is really one the highlights of this book! Catherine finds true love and it’s so beautiful. The author’s portrayal of Elizabeth is one that I believe is accurate, but definitely does not endure anyone to her!

The big thing that was difficult for me was that this book felt like watching an interesting documentary, but that was taking too long. We follow Cate from the time she is 11-12 to her death at 45. That’s a lot of time, and to be frank it feels that way by the time you finish. Again, I enjoyed learning and Cate is really interesting, but sometimes even a good book feels like it’s dragging on.

I did listen to this book via audiobook, and I believe the narrator did a fairly good job. I was able to distinguish between most everyone’s voices, but I do think that sometimes the narrator’s voice contributed to the documentary feeling of the story.

Overall, I am still glad I read this book! I learned a ton about the Tudor’s and would have never known anything about Catherine Carey without this book. This story is rife with knowledge and even some wonderful romance. If you’ve even been interested in the Tudor’s I recommend.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alison Weir returns with a richly woven Tudor tale that feels both intimate and sweeping, offering a fresh vantage point on one of history’s most mythologised families. The Boleyn Secret follows Kate Carey—niece to Anne Boleyn and cousin to Elizabeth Tudor—whose life is shaped by the shadows of ambition, loyalty, and a truth buried deep within her family’s past.

From the opening pages, Weir captures the emotional shock of Anne Boleyn’s fall through the eyes of a twelve‑year‑old girl who witnesses far more than any child should. Kate’s horror, confusion, and fierce loyalty form the emotional spine of the novel, grounding the political tumult in something deeply human. As the Boleyns scatter and the court shifts its allegiances, Kate’s bond with the young Elizabeth becomes a tender, complicated thread—sisterly, competitive, and ultimately strained by choices neither girl fully understands.

Weir excels at exploring the private spaces behind public history. The whispers that follow Kate through court, the jealousies that simmer beneath Elizabeth’s brilliance, and the devastating revelation delivered on Mary Carey’s deathbed all combine to create a narrative that feels both historically resonant and emotionally gripping. The secret at the heart of the novel is handled with delicacy, shaping Kate’s life in ways that feel tragically inevitable.

What stands out most is the novel’s sense of atmosphere: the quiet dread of Tudor politics, the fragility of female survival, and the lingering ache of a family marked by both scandal and love. Weir’s meticulous research is present, but never heavy; instead, she allows her characters to breathe, to falter, and to shine in ways that make this story feel startlingly alive.

The Boleyn Secret is a captivating exploration of identity, loyalty, and the cost of truth. Fans of Weir’s Tudor novels will find much to love here, but so will readers drawn to stories of complicated women navigating impossible worlds. A beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant addition to the Tudor canon.

With thanks to Alison Weir, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

[Sofia Baraklilis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for a free ebook copy in exchange for a review.

If you say Tudor or Boleyn- I’m usually interested. I’m no expert but since reading Philippa Gregory’s Tudor novels in my teens I’ve always been fascinated by this time period. Having a novel focused on Katherine Carey, Mary Boleyn’s supposed daughter with Henry VIII was instantly fascinating to me as I haven’t read any fictional book focused on her before and her life in general is interesting. There were things this novel touched on that I was aware of ( her questioned/ open secret parentage, her marriage to Francis Knollys, her close relationship to Elizabeth 1) but there was a lot that I was unaware of and I really enjoyed learning about her life, her marriage, and the wild times she lived in.

Of course some things are speculative fiction but getting a full picture of this woman and what it would have been like to be an unacknowledged daughter of royalty really sent my mind spinning. I was always led to believe that both Kate and her brother Henry were illegitimate children of Mary Boleyn and Henry VIII but this novel has it that only Katherine was considered Henry’s illegitimate child, which was an interesting interpretation. The prosecution of Protestants during Mary’s reign was something I knew about, I have even read a historical biography by this author on her, but having it from the perspective of someone who’s life is actually in danger is how Katherine and Francis had to flee England was something that was new to me and also interesting to learn about.

The only negative, if there is a negative, is the writing style was a little hard for me to get into. I have a hard time describing what exactly about it was hard, but if I had to put it in words I think I would say the author wrote more like this was a historical biography- almost a little dry and bland- and less than a fictionalized novel, which made it less engaging.

Overall, if you are as fascinated with the Tudor period as I am and intrigued by Mary Boleyn’s daughter and her role in this time period, I would highly recommend this novel.

[Michelle M · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/6
Having read other books taking place at Henry VIII’s court (The other Boleyn girl for example) I already knew what the secret was going to be. That did not, however, take away from my enjoyment of this book! I have read a few of Alison Weir’s books, both the historical fiction, and historical non-fiction, and I believe she is fantastic at what she does! Katherine Carey, called Kate, was a compelling heroine and main character. I was very much interested in her day to day life, serving the Princess Elizabeth, serving Queen Anna of Kleves, and most interestingly, serving Queen Anne Boleyn, her aunt, as Anne waited for her execution. Kate was young when that happened, and the horror she felt and witnessed stayed with her her whole life. Truly a traumatic experience, one I definitely wouldn’t want!

Katherine Carey, I think is most known for her close relationship with Princess, and then Queen, Elizabeth the First. It was a compelling relationship between the two women, though I must say, Elizabeth was just as selfish as her father, and I didn’t like her very much. Kate was also a push over when it came to Bess. (This book is about historical figures and these types of books usually end when the main character dies, so I don’t feel like this is spoilers but….) I especially disliked Elizabeth when she repeatedly denied Francis Knollys, Kate’s husband, leave to come be by his dying wife’s side!!

This story also explores the character’s conversion to Protestantism and how devoted to their faith both Kate and Francis were. Being a cradle Catholic, the parts about Protestantism didn’t appeal to me personally, but I could see how Kate would convert. I was impressed with Elizabeth’s moderate take on religion, and her lack of religious persecution, it was a very modern take for someone so selfish. Though perhaps that was because she was looking out for her own interests, wanting to keep both her Catholic and Protestant subjects happy.

All in all, if you enjoy historical fiction set in the Tudor period, the beginnings of Elizabeth’s reign, and some potentially damning secrets, this is the book for you!!

[moonlitbookwitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boleyn Secret by Alison Weir is a richly detailed historical fiction novel that follows Catherine Carey, the daughter of Mary Boleyn and niece to Anne Boleyn, as she navigates the dangerous and ever-changing Tudor Court. After witnessing the execution of Queen Anne for treason against King Henry VIII, Catherine develops a deep hatred for the king while struggling with the fallout of the Boleyn family’s disgrace. Despite this, she becomes a lady-in-waiting to her cousin, Lady Elizabeth, and the two form a close sisterly bond rooted in their shared Boleyn blood. Rumors surrounding Catherine’s true parentage—whether she may actually be Henry VIII’s daughter—add another layer of intrigue to the story, especially after Mary Boleyn’s confession on her deathbed. Catherine’s journey later takes her to the household of Anne of Cleves, where she meets Francis Knollys, and eventually into exile during Queen Mary’s reign before returning to England under Queen Elizabeth I.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and especially loved watching Catherine and Elizabeth’s relationship evolve as they grew older. Elizabeth was portrayed as intelligent, spirited, and occasionally rambunctious, making her scenes particularly engaging to read. Alison Weir’s descriptions of the Tudor era, from the royal properties to court life itself, created an immersive setting that brought the time period vividly to life. While the plot moved at a slower pace and many chapters covered long spans of time, the story felt well developed and emotionally layered. One of the strongest themes explored was the role of women in society and the struggle between duty, reputation, and personal choice. This book is an excellent starting point for readers beginning their journey into Boleyn history and the Tudor Court, as it balances historical detail with accessible storytelling. Overall, I greatly enjoyed Weir’s writing style and look forward to reading more of her historical fiction novels.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.Alison Weir

[Loreweaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boleyn Secret is the latest of Alison Weir's Tudor novels and centers on Katherine Carey, the daughter of Mary Boleyn. As with many of Weir's historical novels, the story is rooted in real historical debates and speculation. In this case, Weir embraces the theory that Katherine was the biological daughter of Henry VIII, making her not only Elizabeth I's cousin but also her half-sister.

This possibility adds an intriguing layer of tension to the novel. Elizabeth's own legitimacy was already precarious after her parents' marriage was annulled and she was declared illegitimate. If Katherine truly were Henry's daughter, her existence could have complicated an already fraught succession question. Weir does an excellent job exploring the political and personal implications of that possibility.

One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the inclusion of Margaret Butler, however briefly. Giving her the gift of foresight was a creative touch, and I especially liked the scenes where she describe glimpsing confusing images of the future, including crowds of visitors gathering at the Boleyn family home, which has become an important historical site. Those moments added a subtle sense of connection between the Tudor world and the present day.

The novel is richly detailed and well grounded in historical research, which is one of Weir's greatest strengths. However, I did find Katherine herself a little too perfect. She is intelligent, virtuous, kind, and capable, but she lacks some of the contradictions and flaws that make historical figures feel fully alive on the page. While I sympathized with her and enjoyed following her story, I wished she had been given more texture and complexity as a character.

Overall, The Boleyn Secret is an engaging addition to Alison Weir's Tudor fiction. While Katherine's characterization could have been more nuanced, the historical premise is fascinating, the political stakes are compelling, and the novel succeeds in bringing another corner of Tudor history to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging and well researched retelling of a familiar Tudor period, made more interesting by its unusually wide chronological range. Going beyond Henry VIII’s death and into the reigns of his children was a real strength.

As you would expect from Alison Weir, the language feels authentic, with no distracting anachronisms. There are some familiar frustrations of the genre, particularly that much of the political action happens offstage and is relayed second hand rather than shown.

We do not know a great deal about Katherine Carey, just as we do not know much about her mother, Mary Boleyn. She must have been a remarkable woman to give birth to sixteen children and to hold such a place in the heart of one of England’s greatest monarchs, and Weir makes her a largely sympathetic character, if at times slightly naive.

Kate’s resentment at having to serve the Queen grated on me at first, especially given how close she had recently come to execution. That said, my view shifted toward the end of the novel, when her enforced separation from her family began to feel less like inconvenience and more like deliberate cruelty. It also raised an uncomfortable question about Elizabeth herself, suggesting that despite her reputation, she could be capable of emotional harshness reminiscent of her father.

One area I would have liked to see explored further was Elizabeth’s determination to remain unmarried. The novel hints at certain motivations, but given how much of this remains conjecture, it would have been interesting to see alternative interpretations considered or more clearly articulated.

The final section is slower and occasionally repetitive, but the ending is poignant and lingering, and ultimately shaped my overall impression. I have little doubt that Katherine Carey was Henry VIII’s daughter, and Weir’s musing that the Tudor line lived on through Katherine, when others believed it had died out, is thought provoking.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Boleyn was the lucky sister. She survived the disgrace of her brother George and sister, Queen Anne , when they were jointly accused of treason and executed. Mary had a daughter, Catherine, and son Harry, with her husband Will Carey, but there were always rumours about Catherine’s parentage as Mary was a Royal mistress.
The Boleyn secret suggests that King Henry the Eighth was the father of Catherine, and that would have made her of royal blood. Never publicly acknowledged, Catherine still managed to gain posts at court, she became companion to Princess Elizabeth, her cousin and possibly half- sister, and the two ladies remained close friends right up until Catherine’s death.
Catherine married into a prominent family, the Knollys. She and her husband Francis had sixteen children, with fourteen surviving into adulthood.
What is the evidence for this Boleyn secret?. There is a portrait of Catherine Carey, Lady Knollys, showing a lady with auburn hair and facial features of King Henry and Queen Elizabeth. Red hair is a dominant gene, and Will Carey was dark haired. . Mary Boleyn was in a relationship with the King in the 1520’s when Catherine was born. Not absolute proof but still very convincing, it is up to the reader to draw their own conclusions.
There has been an extensive amount of research for this book, but too much detail and repetition really interrupted the flow of this read, it did seem to drag over the many chapters. There is an art in knowing what to leave out, perhaps tighter editing would have improved this novel?
My favourite has always been Mary Boleyn, a true survivor, but who lies in an unknown grave. My ambition has been over the last ten plus years to find out where she rests, but she is as elusive in death as the many secrets she kept when alive.
I gave a four star rating, a very intense and complicated read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers,Headline Review, for my advance copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will copy and post to Goodreads and Amazon UK later.

[Bookish Travels]

I have spent many an hour reading and listening to the fiction and non fiction books of Alison Weir, so thank you Publishers and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this one prior to publication, always excited when i see that she has a new book out.

I have often wondered what book Alison Weir would write next, and a novel about Katherine Carey, is what i think the Tudor fiction world needs.

The story starts with Katherine or 'Kate' being called to the Tower of London to help with the final days of her aunt Anne Boleyn, we have all heard and read about Anne Boleyn and her death, but this book tells that part of the book through Katherines eyes as a young girl, she went onto the scaffold with Anne and saw the blow that took her head off, what a sight for a young girl, but in the Tudor world, they are grown and ready for marriage at a tender age.

This book is around the same length as a lot of her novels and amongst those pages we encompass many years and sovereigns, namely Henry VIII of course, Mary I and Elizabeth I and we follow Katherine through these times, we grow up with Katherine through these times, tumultuous on occasion, as was the tudor court she survived the religious upheavals, marriage, excile, many children and reconcilement with England when Elizabeth come to power. I really liked the fact that Weir picked Katherine, a lesser known 'charecter' in this world that we read in, knowing that Katherine was a real person and the she actually lived through all this makes her more remarkable.

The secret that is on the cover is one that, you will have to find out for yourself, but if you know your history and / or read theories, then i think you can guess it..

I never skip a Weir Tudor novel and even though they are a tad long ( a slower reader that i used to be ) it enjoyed my time between the pages.

I really hope that we continue to get more and more!
Thank you so much to the publishers and to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to sink myself into this book and enjoy it.

[Pippa Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boleyn Secret is the life story of a lesser known Boleyn: Katherine Carey, daughter of Mary Boleyn and cousin to Anne Boleyn.
The story follows the girl, Katherine Carey, as she grows into a young woman, becomes a mother, and then attendant to Queen Elizabeth. We experience the highs and lows of life, as she falls in love and marries her soul mate, Francis, and eventually becomes Lady Knollys.
But as Katherine gains status and respectability, as the monarchs change and religious winds shift, her family face persecution which causes them to flee into exile. And then when Elizabeth ascends to the throne and it is safe to return, Katherine finds her life is not her own in a whole new way.
I greatly enjoyed this book which is a satisfying, immersive read. The evocation of life at the Tudor court is skillfully done and one can only imagine the depth of research that has gone in to crafting this world.
The author’s notes explain little was known about Katherine’s life, and this book is blend of fact and fiction. Some creative licence is used to the benefit of the narrative, but it is never outrageously out of place. For example, in the story the young girl Katherine accompanies her aunt, Anne Boleyn, to the Tower of London and witnesses the disgraced queen’s beheading. Apparently, there is no evidence this happened, and yet the scenario is a plausible given their family relationship. Another example is that Katherine regularly visits her cousin, the infant Elizabeth, hence part of the reason for their close relationship.
As for the secret of the title, no spoilers so I won’t tell you what it is…but don’t expect any earth shattering revelation and it’s not hard to guess. However, I do wonder (and this is me being pedantic) if the book title is a slight misnomer, as it’s not really a ‘Boleyn’ secret (looking at it from Elizabeth’s perspective, as she has more at stake)…but you’ll have to read the book to see if you agree.

[Faith Lavezoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The Boleyn Secret tells the story of Kate Carey, the niece of Anne Boleyn, and the secret that follows her throughout her life. The idea of having this secret permeate the story could have been very compelling, but it ended up falling flat. I'm a big history nerd, so I already knew what the secret was and I was anticipating the revealing of the secret. Kate learns the secret about a third of the way through and while it has some pretty interesting implications and potential, the knowledge has very little impact on Kate's life. In that way, the story was a little bit more grounded and realistic, but I was hoping for a little bit more intrigue and suspense because it was marketed around the secret and the Boleyn family. It was still a good story that I kept wanting to return to, it was just a little slow.

Aside from the disappointment around the secret, the other main complaint I had was that this book was so repetitive! The characters had the same conversations over and over. There were some big decisions that needed a lot of talking over, but some of the conversations were exactly the same, fully written out, and ended with the same conclusion, when they could have just been mentioned. A lot of these repeated conversations were Kate letting Francis walk all over her, which I understand was expected of her at the time, but I was waiting for her to put her foot down about something! That definitely does provide juxtaposition Elizabeth, as she goes against norms to remain unmarried, but still I wished Kate had a little bit more agency in her life. There was a also a lot of repetition of the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism, which might be helpful for those who are unaware of those differences and want a better understanding, but a lot of those details didn't feel super necessary for the plot.

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boleyn Secret felt less like listening to a history lesson and more like quietly wandering the halls of Tudor court, constantly afraid I had overheard the wrong conversation. Alison Weir’s prose paired beautifully with Rosalyn Landor’s narration creating an atmosphere so immersive that I genuinely felt pulled into the shifting loyalties, whispered betrayals, and dangerous politics surrounding the court of multiple Tudors.

What I loved most was the balance between historical fact and dramatic fiction. The story never lost the weight of real history but it also gave emotional depth and humanity to figures who often feel distant in textbooks. Some characters became far more sympathetic, while others became even more unsettling once their motivations and ambitions were explored. The constant tension of court intrigue made every alliance feel fragile and every decision potentially deadly.

The narration especially elevated the experience. Landor’s rich, calming British accent made the long runtime feel cozy and immersive. It is almost like sitting beside a fire listening to court gossip unfold in real time.

My biggest critique is that the story is dense with historical players and political context. If you are not already somewhat familiar with Tudor history, the sheer number of names, relationships, and shifting allegiances can occasionally become confusing. It is also a long audiobook (~20 hrs). The pacing may feel heavy at times for listeners who prefer faster-moving historical fiction.

Overall, this was an atmospheric and emotionally immersive Tudor audiobook that made history feel vividly alive. Perfect for listeners who enjoy court politics, historical drama, and getting completely lost in another era.

Thank you NetGalley and Recorded Books audio for the advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is wonderful for anyone who went through a heavyyyy Tudor phase and Alison Weir is one of the best in the game.
Having written fictional accounts of Henry VIII, all six of his wives, his mother and daughters, and even his closest advisor, Weir is now delving into uncharted territory with a book about the Tudor king’s likely-illegitimate daughter, Katherine Carey. Katherine is the eldest daughter of Mary Boleyn, Anne’s older sister and while not confirmed, likely could have been the illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII. When she’s twelve, she is forced to attend to her aunt during her imprisonment in the Tower.
Kate grows up with disdain for Henry VIII, watching him go through multiple young wives, discard people, and always being subject to his whims. We see her go through her early life, marriage, and the birth of over a dozen children, all while attending various people in the tudor court and witnesses the madness. She spends a significant amount of her adult life in Elizabeth I’s court, being one of her closest confidants, all while never knowing that they could be half sisters.
Alison Weir writes historical fiction that easily toes the line between historical accuracy and fiction. My biggest critique of this book, and with several of her others, is that it’s SO LONG and feels like it’s full of some things that the readers truly don’t need- for instance, we get a lot of content about her very many births and certainly some of the softer aspects about her relationship with her husband, but not enough of the relationship with her stepfather, their crisis with religious persecution, or her own inner monologue.
This was a good read, but definitely could be closer to 350 pages instead of over 550.
The Boleyn Secret is due to be published June 2, 2026 and I received an advanced audio copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.