A Cardinal Sin: Corruption in Henry's Court

by Anne Stevens

It is 1539, and Jane Seymour, Queen of England, is dead. Henry is becoming more unpredictable with every passing day, and the court trembles under his gaze. Thomas Cromwell is intriguing to have Anne of Cleves married to the king, The Duke of Norfolk waits for his chance to destroy Cromwell and his Austin Friars people. The baby, Edward, thrives under the watchful guardianship of his uncles, and Cromwell himself. Ned Seymour wishes exclusive access to the young prince, and resents Cromwell's intrusion. He seeks to ally himself to the Duke of Suffolk, and the disgruntled Norfolk. Rafe Sadler is now the king's ambassador to the Scottish court, where he intrigues with Queen Margaret, the sister of King Henry. Will Draper is leader of the King's Examiners, and his influence with Henry grows with each passing day. Tom Cromwell, deprived of his nephew's help, finds it hard to control the state, and relies heavily on those he has cultivated over the years. Whilst Mush is his usual stalwart self, Will Draper must investigate a crime that has touched all at Austin Friars personally, in one way or another. Who is it that has dared to poison Richard Cromwell, and so throw down the gauntlet. Miriam Draper awaits news of her hazardous expedition to the New Found Land, whilst running her various enterprises with her usual verve and cleverness. In a world dominated by men, where kings and dukes rule with an iron fist, the young woman weaves herself about them, investing, making money, and growing in stature. It is inevitable that she will come to the notice of those who wish Cromwell and his company harm, and be drawn into a dangerous web of deceit, intrigue, and murder. 'In Angelo Caetani, Anne Stevens has created one of her most wicked villains to date'. 'The Tudor Crimes' series rushes on with all the fury of a runaway train... and the reader can only await the climax with sweating palms and knotted stomach'. '...Anne Stevens writes with breathtaking ease about Tudor England, and her insight lends a truly authentic taste to her stories.'

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2016

About the author

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Reviews

[Boffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Seymour has died, and Henry VIII wallows in self pity. He is portrayed as a narcissistic man, whose 'love' for Jane was as shallow as he is. Cromwell hides his own grief well, and sets out to get the king remarried as advantageously as possible... preferably a good, solid, protestant girl.

The intrigues abound and each faction vies to do the kings bidding. The dialogue is snappy, often comical, and always incisive. Characters are well observed, and seem human and frail. Great lords find themselves torn between king and state, and all the usual sins are there: jealousy, lust and hatred combine to make the Tudor Court a dangerous place to be.

Compulsive reading, from the first book to this, the latest.