Queen Joanna

by Kate Danley

Thrust into a loveless marriage of state, Queen Joanna discovers her new palace is home to many dark secrets. When a face in the mirror confronts her with a dire warning, she realizes her life is at risk. Has she awakened a curse—or been struck by madness?

Queen Joanna presents a haunting twist on the ghost story legend of Bloody Mary.

This short story originally appeared in the "From the Indie Side" anthology.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Short Stories, Fantasy

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2014

About the author

Kate Danley began her writing career as an indie author in 2010. Since then, her books have been published by 47North, she spent five weeks on the USA Today bestseller list, and she has been honored with various awards, including the Garcia Award for Best Fiction Book of the Year (The Woodcutter), McDougall Previews Award for Best Fantasy Book of the Year (Queen Mab), Best of 2014 by Suspense Magazine (M&K Tracking), and the 2017 Utopia Award for Best Anthology of the Year (Once Upon A Kiss - "Galatea & Pygmalion"). Her play Building Madness won the prestigious Panowski Playwriting Award and her play Bureaucrazy was a semi-finalist for the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference. Her works have been produced in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Canada, and the UK. She has over 300+ film, television, and theatre credits to her name, and specializes in sketch, improv, and Shakespeare. She wrote sketch for a weekly show in Hollywood and has performed her original stand-up at various clubs in LA. She learned on-camera puppetry from the man who played Mr. Snuffleupagus and performed the head of a 20-foot dinosaur on an NBC pilot. She lost on Hollywood Squares.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spooky enough short story but more detail would have made it truly frightening.

[Cassandra Hecate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I don't usually read short stories or novellas, this was an exception because I love Kate Danley's Maggie series. This was well told without elaborate embellishments and truly chilling. Excellent!

[Bill Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Ghost Queen

A short story meant to be spooked. Could have been better with a more complete backstory. Interesting short read, see what you think!

[Michelle Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great short story just as I was really getting into it it ended I wish there was more but it was a chilling good read

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Joanna has been ordered by her uncle to marry King Stephen - a man still mourning the death of his first wife. The future of the kingdom is in jeopardy if the marriage doesn't present an heir.

Two people caught by what is demanded.

[JB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy read

I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!

[Barefoot Gypsy Jimerson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure

This story was not a story. It left you hanging an scratching your head. What was all that absolutely nothing

[Tami Berbano · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't know it was a novella. I wish there was more to it. So unsatisfying.

[Lady BooKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself drawing parallels from our own Tudor history as I read this thrilling novella. Poor Queen Joanna, she had no options available to her, and I was drawn into her predicament. A great read for when you have some spare time.

[Christel Devlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Danley is one of my new favorite writers.

[Susan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story. Its one of my favourite short stories, ever. It is a classic and one that I will be reading more than once. Well done, Kate Danley. What a talent.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly wish it was longer

[Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch that first step it's a might hurt

It was a great short story. Just as I was really getting interested in it, it was over. A different experience.

[Angel Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. It wasn't great. It wasn't horrible. Just meh.

[Natacia Louvier · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story I had a hard time getting into mostly because it felt like a light overview of everything. There's no real character interaction or feels like there is much character development.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading "The Woodcutter" I expected something so much better. This was a huge disappointment. I'm glad it wasn't longer.

[Takiyah Dudley · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book but really short. I didn't realize it was based on an historical urban legend until the end. it is kinda of creepy but not enough details to truly scare anyone.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read that I found interesting.