To Shield the Queen

Ursula Blanchard #1

by Fiona Buckley

In this compelling debut of her historical mystery series, Fiona Buckley introduces Ursula Blanchard, a widowed young mother who has become lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. Armed with a sharp eye, dangerous curiosity, and uncanny intelligence, Ursula pledges...
To Shield the Queen

Rumor has linked Queen Elizabeth I to her master of horse, Robin Dudley. As gossip would have it, only his ailing wife, Amy, prevents marriage between Dudley and the Queen. To quell the idle tongues at court, the Queen dispatches Ursula Blanchard to tend to the sick woman's needs. But not even Ursula can prevent the "accident" that takes Amy's life. Did she fall, or was she pushed? Was Ursula a pawn of Dudley and the Queen?

Suddenly, Ursula finds herself at the center of the scandal, trying to protect Elizabeth as she loses her heart to a Frenchman who may be flirting with sedition against her Queen. She can trust no one, neither her lover nor her monarch, as she sets out to find the truth in a glittering court that conceals a wellspring of blood and lies.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, British Literature, Audiobook

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Valerie Anand is a British author of historical fiction. Under the pen name Fiona Buckley she writes the series of historical mysteries, set in the reign of Elizabeth I of England, featuring "Ursula Blanchard" (whose full name is Ursula Faldene Blanchard de la Roche Stannard). Under her own name she writes historical fiction based on the royalty of England and the Bridges over Time series which follows a family from the eleventh century through the nineteenth century.

Series:
* Ursula Blanchard

Reviews

[Kate Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first installment of a highly enjoyable series about an Elizabethan sleuth. Ursula Blanchard makes for an unusual heroine: a resourceful young widow who serves Queen Elizabeth as a lady in waiting, and is offered the chance to supplement her meager income by spying for Elizabeth's intelligence master Sir William Cecil. Desperate to support her young daughter, Ursula takes on the task of watching over Amy Robsart, the sickly and paranoid wife of the Queen's favorite Robert Dudley. Amy ends up dead at the bottom of a staircase, and Ursula must unravel a murder, a Catholic plot, and a disquieting romance of her own with a court gallant who just might be a traitor to the queen. Ursula makes a moving narrator as she struggles believably between her duties to queen, country, family, daughter, and conscience, and Buckley offers an intriguing new solution to the historical mystery of Amy Robsart's death. A strong start to a good series.

[Jessica Janeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I buddy read this one with Kate! This book exceeded my expectations! I highly recommend if you are looking for a historical murder mystery, that works in some “real life” conspiracies during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and her Cousin rival Mary Queen of Scots. The book followed closely the livelihood of the time period. This had a little bit of everything in it and I cannot wait to continue on with the series!

[J. Kirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Shield the Queen is the start of the excellent and entertaining Ursula Blanchard series. Full disclosure: I read these out of order, reading a later book in the series first. To me it's a great sign that going back to reading the first book in the series despite where I started did not one bit detract from the awesomeness of the first book.

What I loved: Ursula's resourceful, empathic, and extremely well-rounded character development. She's not just a crime sleuth in Elizabethan England. She comes off as a fully fledged human being with all kinds of concerns regarding court intrigue, her tricky (dare I say perilous) relationship with her family and half-sister, her deceased husband, and so much more.

Often times I get frustrated with mystery books because the crime itself and the sleuthing to solve it take over the entire narrative to the point where the rest of the world feels almost like a two-dimensional backdrop. But Fiona Buckley's Elizabethan England comes off as so real and you can tell that she did an immense amount of research to make it that way. More than that, I enjoyed the fact that the author weaves some romance subplot into her mystery, making Ursula Blanchard feel much more human and interesting than a typical purely crime-focused detective type character.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't "wow" me as I expected it too. Maybe it is a case of having high expectations. However, it was well researched and for the most part, well written. There were certain areas where I felt the story dragged on too much or details were added that were unnecessary. For example, I can't tell you how many times "farthingale" and "ruffles" were mentioned. In case the reader forgot what era it was, Ursula was always on hand to mention someone's dress to remind you.

I don't read much mystery, but when I do I like to be surprised. Unfortunately, certain mysteries in the plot were predictable. I didn't solve some of it completely, but I knew the persons responsible and so it made the reveal predictable. This is a slow build mystery and it is a few pages of "revealing." If you are into faster pace HF mysteries chances are this is not the book for you.

Overall, this is a solid start into the series. For me, I don't think I will continue on because after reading the book previews of the next ones it seems like much of the same to me.

[dianne b. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Tudors knew how to bogart and utilize the mainstream media. This is yet another paean to Elizabeth I. What would history have done - and all of us whack-a-doodles - without the monarchy? And did anything happen in 16th C England besides sniveling poor-loser Catholics plotting against the Virgin Queen, only to be found out and patiently given justice in the realm so very different than the prior less kindly ones under Henry VIII and Mary Tudor?
Perhaps current Prince Andrew, the Dull and Mendacious (who recently labelled himself over-endowed with "honor" in reference to his need to stay with a convicted child rapist & trafficker for 4 nights again) would know. Special inbred sorts, aren't they?
In this tale Ursula the Feisty figures everything out, and like Mighty Mouse, saves the day amid words like "bruit" and "ostler" and "farthingale". May i suggest reading Shakespeare, Eliz's original propagandist instead?

[Bookish Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in a day - a lovely little historical fiction visiting Elizabethan times and that great mystery of the time: the death of poor Amy Robart.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a story that has been told many times, about the romance between Robert Dudley and Queen Elizabeth I. However it is taken from a completely different point of view and focuses mainly on what happened to Dudley's wife who was found at the bottom of a flight of stairs with her neck broken.

I liked the book, not rocket science or extremely emotionally compelling but it was interesting and got pretty good at the end. I will definitely read the next in the series.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Shield the Queen by Fiona Buckley is the first book of the Ursula Blanchard mystery series set in Elizabethan England. Ursula Blanchard is newly widowed, with an infant daughter. Her marriage was for love, against the wishes of her family and her husband's, so she cannot turn to family for help. She must earn money to feed herself and her daughter, so she accepts a position serving the Queen. Serving at court means she must leave her daughter to be cared for by another woman in her village; a grim necessity.

Ursula soon finds serving at court is more expensive than she expected; she cannot afford her own personal servants. She is tremendously relieved to be offered a generous stipend to leave court and live at Lord Dudley's estate. Lady Dudley, an invalid, suspects her husband is trying to kill her. Ursula's task is to comfort and assure Lady Dudley she is not in danger.

Over time, Ursula wonders if Lady Dudley might actually be in danger. When her worst fears are confirmed, she travels through the countryside with a few trusted friends to uncover a traitorous plot. In her loyalty, she sets aside a new romance and secure future, "to shield the Queen" from scandal.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first historical fiction/mystery I can remember reading from the Tudor era, and I loved all that detail. It was so fun to have parts of the story set in Elizabeth I's court and to have historical characters woven into the plot with fictional characters. The mystery itself is layered and it does take over half the book to get to the mystery plots. I was listening on audio, so I think I felt a little more impatient than if I had been reading a physical copy. I really like how this story brings out the tension in England at this time between Protestants and Catholics and how that affected everyone at all levels of society. I will definitely keep reading in this series.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckley har en enorm skicklighet i att skapa spänning utan att använda speciellt mycket fysisk fara eller hot. Den skickligheten syntes iden förra boken jag läste av henne, och den är lika tydlig här, med tillägget att denna bok har ett par riktigt eleganta och välfunna fraser. Den är väl värd sin tid, om man gillar genren.

[Mal Warwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nearly a quarter-century ago, an English technical journalist and industrial editor named Valerie Anand (1937-) sat down to write a series of mystery novels set in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. To Shield the Queen, published in 1997 under the pen name Fiona Buckley, was the first of what to date is a series of eighteen books. It’s a worthy introduction to the long-running series and a great read for anyone enamored of historical mysteries. Anand’s protagonist, Lady-in-Waiting Ursula Blanchard, has the stuff to sustain readers’ interest through thick and thin. And there is no lack of intrigue in Queen Elizabeth’s court.

A passel of recognizable historical figures

Anand has done her research well. To Shield the Queen is set in 1560, four years after Elizabeth’s accession to the throne. If you’re familiar with the history of the period, you’ll recognize the Queen and a number of other familiar figures in her court. Robin Dudley, Lady Jane Seymour, Sir William Cecil, Lady Katherine (or Catherine) Grey, and Sir Thomas Gresham all figure prominently in the story. So does the atmosphere of treachery and intrigue that permeated Elizabeth’s court, with Queen Mary of Scots and her Catholic allies plotting to overthrow or murder the Queen.

Plenty of intrigue in Queen Elizabeth’s court

Recently widowed by smallpox, Ursula Blanchard gains a position at court among the Ladies of the Presence Chamber. (They’re ranked below the Queen’s intimates among the Ladies of the Privy Chamber but are still privileged.) However, Ursula quickly finds that she is too poor to support the lifestyle expected of her position. Robin Dudley and the Queen herself rescue her from poverty. Dudley pays her a lavish sum to journey to attend his dying wife miles away from London—to reassure her that he is not attempting to hasten her death to free himself to marry Elizabeth.

In fact, there is a “sizzling attraction” between Dudley and the Queen, and everyone knows it. However, as history has taught us, the Queen has no intention of marrying Dudley, or anyone else, for that matter. But the gossip was unstoppable, nonetheless. And Dudley’s wife fears he will have her murdered before her life is taken by the breast cancer that afflicts her. Ursula will be hard pressed to convince her otherwise.

Conspiracies, plots, and abundant intrigue

Established in Dudley’s home, Ursula soon finds herself under suspicion by nearly all the men and women surrounding his wife, Amy Robsart. In short order, the conspiracies that fester in the Queen’s court surface in Ursula’s life. She will, in the end, unravel not one but two dangerous plots that threaten the Queen. And in the process she will prove herself to be an able investigator and catch the attention of Elizabeth’s Secretary of State, Sir William Cecil. Her success bodes well for the adventures that surely will follow as she makes her way through the thickets of intrigue in Queen Elizabeth’s court.

[Aneca · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Shield The Queen is an Elizabethan mystery but unlike my previous read (The Poyson Garden) the detective here is one of the queen's lady's in waiting. Ursula Blanchard is a young widow, when she finds herself almost destitute after the death of her husband a post is found for her as lady in waiting to the queen thanks to the fact that her own mother was fulfilled that same role for queen Anne Boleyn.


When Ursula arrives in court it is common knowledge that the Queen and Robert Dudley, her Master of the Horse are romantically linked. Nothing inappropriate has happened but they do spend a lot of time together and since Dudley is married there is a lot of gossiping going round. Ursula is adjusting to her new duties and its obligations when Dudley, with the Queen's accent, asks her to go to his wife, Amy Robsart, and assure her that he is not trying to harm her as she, and half the court believes.
Ursula manages to gain Amy's trust and tries to convince her but the truth is that a few weeks later Amy Robsart is found dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Ursula suspects murder but unable to prove it she directs her efforts to find the killers of her trusted servant John instead. While she follows the killer's trail and uncovers a plot against the queen she ends up finding out exactly what happened to Amy.
I really enjoyed reading about Ursula, she was an intelligent and strong willed woman, forced to make her own way in the world to support herself and her young daughter, but still a woman of her time with the restrictions and limitations of the period. Then I really liked that there's a true sense of history. In fact it almost feels like Buckley used the historical facts we know and believably connected all the dots, explaining what we do not know, it's always nice to have an author filling the "holes” of history so well. And then I really enjoyed the subplot and how the political and religious unrest also played a huge part in this story.
I can't wait to find out what happens next both to Ursula Blanchard!

Grade: 4.5/5

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

TO SHIELD THE QUEEN (Historical Mystery-England-1500s) – G+
Buckley, Fiona – 1st of series
Pocket Books, 1978- Paperback
Mistress Ursula Blanchard, a new member to the court of Elizabeth I, has been asked to stay with Robin Dudley's ailing wife Amy. There are rumors that Dudley is trying to kill Amy to clear his way for a possible marriage to Elizabeth I. But when Amy dies of a broken neck and Ursula sends a letter to court with her man John, who is brutally killed, Ursula is determined to find the truth of the events.
*** Ursula is a strong, independent woman, but not unrealistically so for her background or position. The mystery is okay, but the characters and depiction of the period kept me involved. Although it dragged a bit at times, Buckley paints a wonderful picture of the life and intrigues of court life. I would read another.

[Msjodi777 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard about this book a couple of years ago over on ravelry, but am just now getting around to listening to it. I did enjoy the story, though it was a bit too predictable. It was well written, believable, and the history was well researched. However, I do have to mention the fact that, for me, the narrator, Nadia May, was the best part of the book. It was a fun read, and I do recommend it for those who like historical mysteries. <><

[the Kent cryptid · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so satisfying when you read a book, love it, and then realise it's the start of a series and you've got so many more books to read and enjoy.

To Shield the Queen (or The Robsart Mystery as my version was actually called; To Shield the Queen is a better title) follows a young widow named Ursula who takes up a place as a lady in waiting at the court of Elizabeth I. Needing extra money to provide for her daughter, she accepts an assignment from Robert Dudley - scandalously, the queen's paramour - to guard his estranged wife, who fears death by poison.

This book is under 300 pages, but the author still manages a complex plot with a lot of moving pieces and a ton of great character development. On page two Ursula describes her sadness at having to dismiss a man who's worked for her during her entire life, and who she obviously regards as family, because she can't afford to continue paying him. When I found myself getting choked up, despite literally having just met both these characters, I knew the book was going to be a winner.

There's also a lot of delicious detail about clothes, the speed a group of horse riders can travel in a day if one of them isn't very good rider and keeps falling off their horse, court politics and the social divides caused by living in a country which has spent the last thirty years seesawing dangerously between Catholicism and Anglicanism, which is absorbing rather than distracting.

[Laurel Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 blue stars, not rounded up

This reminds me so much of the kind of books I loved as a teenager - history and mystery with just a little bit of romance. The author builds her plot around the well-known but never solved death of Amy Robsart, Lady Dudley. Here is all the court intrigue, the constant plots surrounding Elizabeth and Mary Stewart, and the religious turmoil between Catholic and Protestant. Ursula Blanchard is recently widowed with a young daughter. Her family circumstances have left her quite impoverished when she is sent to be a lady-in-waiting to the young Queen Elizabeth. Then Elizabeth sends Ursula to attend Lady Dudley and to use her powers of observation to find out if there is any truth in the rumors that someone wishes her dead, perhaps even her own husband. In the wake of Amy's death, Ursula has sent her servant with an urgent message to the court, but he is set upon and killed. From that point on, Ursula is determined to find out who killed him and bring them to justice. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way. Ursula is a strong and independent woman, but not out of character for the time period. She is fiercely loyal to her Queen and willing to sacrifice her own happiness to ensure her safety. I can't wait to read more of what promises to be a delightful series.

Description: Rumor has linked Queen Elizabeth I to her Master of Horse, Robin Dudley. And what rumors, at that: but for his ailing wife, Amy, Dudley would wed her majesty, the gossipmongers are whispering. To quell idle tongues, Elizabeth dispatches Ursula Blanchard to tend to the sick woman's needs. But not even Ursula can prevent the "accident" that takes Amy's life. Did she fall or was she pushed? Was Ursula a pawn of Dudley and the Queen? Suddenly Ursula finds herself at the center of the scandal, trying to protect Elizabeth as she loses her heart to a Frenchman who may be flirting with sedition against her Queen. She can trust no one, neither her lover nor her monarch, as she sets out to find the truth in a glittering court that conceals a wellspring of blood and lies.

[Joy O’Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable mystery set in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Ursula Blanchard is believable and intriguing. I enjoyed the court interactions and her quick grasp of situations. I look forward to reading the next in the series.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The debut of Ursula Blanchard was excellent. Generally I find that when I book is the first in a series, the author spends a large majority of the book giving the main protagonist a background story. I like in this instance how the author gives us what we need to know at the beginning and then successfully manages to tie the character's background into the current events of the story. The author doesn't have to take time away from the events of the story to explain character motives. In this case the character motives are made clear when Ursula goes back to her childhood home to get back her daughter Meg. The author is able to present Ursula's background and use it as a motive for Ursula to remove Meg from the Faldene household.

While I didn't find the mystery in this novel to be an edge of your seat, page turner thriller, I did find it interesting enough. The death of Amy Robsart is one of those Tudor mysteries that continues to fascinate people because we will more than likely never really know what happened. Much like the Princes in the Tower, there are several theories, none of which can really be proven. Everyone has their own conclusion they have come to for various reasons. The Virgin's Lover suggests William Cecil was the mastermind behind Lady Dudley's death. I have yet to read a book pinning Lady Dudley's death on her husband. I loved the twist at the end of this novel involving Lady Catherine Grey's involvement in the plot. Anyone who knows anything about the Grey sisters, knows that Lady Catherine did not make very good choices. Keeping the good graces of her sovereign wasn't exactly high on her list of priorities. Anyone interested in more about Catherine Grey should seek out A Dangerous Inheritance: A Novel of Tudor Rivals and the Secret of the Tower. It wasn't a fantastic book but it gives a decent background on Lady Catherine Grey.

The mystery surrounding the murder of John Wilton was a little weak. Just my opinion. I had pretty well deduced that Matthew played a role shortly after Ursula set out on her mission to bring Wilton's killers to justice. For a short time I thought maybe Matthew was directly responsible for Wilton's death but as the story progressed that seemed highly unlikely. I was also able to pretty quickly deduce the murder was an issue of religion. Part of this might be due to my knowledge of the era. Religion was always an issue, no matter who sat on the throne (Elizabeth I can thank her father for that).

I already have the next book waiting for me. I am excited to see where the author goes with Ursula's story. I like the idea of starting a series early in Elizabeth I's reign. I am interested in seeing what Buckley does with regards to the Mary Stuart situation.

One final note on the novel. I found it pretty funny when early in the novel, Ursula explain that the decision to name her child Meg came about because the other name they were considering, Catherine, was much too popular. Let's assume Meg is short for Margaret. Margaret was still a pretty common Tudor era name. One can argue Margaret can be shortened in a few more ways than Catherine but Margaret was still a pretty popular name none the less. On a personal note, I have quite a few popular Tudor names among my trio of girls. Between first and middle names, we have Elizabeth, Mary, Bridgette (I don't know how popular this name was but there is a Bridget mentioned in this novel and I know Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville were parents to a daughter named Bridget), and Margaret. I wanted an Anne but the husband thought that might be overkill with an Elizabeth. With a lack of boys around here, we decided to call the fish Henry.

[J. Else · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Arianna Franklin, I was excited to find this book at our local used bookstore. Same type of story idea, different author. After reading Fiona Buckley’s narrative style, I felt it worked! What I love about this book is the complete immersion into the time period. The way the characters talked, references made, setting details, it all fit with the times. The main character, Ursula, is a strong independent woman but not unrealistically so for the time period. There was no dressing as a man, overtly breaking social boundaries (Ursula rides her horse sidesaddle as was common for that era), or defending herself with weapons. Buckley provided strength of character despite social constraints.

I truly delighted in the casual observation of Ursula’s dislike of the “new fashion” of using Mrs. instead of Mistress or Mr. instead of Master. Who knew our modern abbreviations were once a new fashion of Elizabethan decorum! I love those details of daily life that Buckley expertly wove into the story.

I also very much enjoyed that the focus was not on late-night escapades. I am always a bit shy of reading novels set within this time period as I've encountered too many details about physical pleasuring. I don’t like to read that. Buckley is never graphic about personal affairs. Character emotions were emphasized in their subtlety (in a look or a gesture) rather than physical acts in bed.

One thing that was absent for me was the lack of physical evidence. Ursula presented many theories, but she had no physical evidence to substantiate her claims in the end. Maybe this was commonplace in the 1500s? My knowledgebase on the time is limited. However, I was hoping she would have some document to help prove her story. As such, I felt Ursula made connections to the perpetrators without firm foundations (i.e., her uncle’s mysterious donation noted in his accounting book).

While I didn't find the mystery in this novel to be an edge-of-your-seat page turner, it was the characters and settings that made me want to continue reading. This was an intriguing jaunt into a stressful time in English history where religious turmoil and politics threatened to destroy a nation. I will definitely go back to my local bookstore to get the other novels of this series! I felt the character voice was compelling and the plot well narrated.

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of a well-done historical mystery, and this is the first of a series that leaves me wanting to read more. I like the mix not just of historical and fictional characters, but of historical and fictional mysteries set in the Elizabethian Age, and the Tudor period is certainly one I find fascinating and is evoked nicely here. The historical mystery in this case revolves around the death of Robin Dudley's first wife, Amy Robsart which Walter Scott made the subject of his novel Kenilworth. Interestingly when I was reading this I saw a new non-fiction book surrounding this real mystery, and reading a bit through it, I was all the more impressed with the obvious research that went into Buckley's novel. I also liked the sleuth and narrator, Ursula Blanchard. Newly widowed and a young mother, she is a member of the court of a Queen Elizabeth who has been on the throne less than two years. Ursula is arguably too modern in her attitudes--but then its a fine line in making a character both authentic and sympathetic. I like her and the characters surrounding her enough I'd like to read more, as much to find out what happens to her than to read more mysteries set in a rich period.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess when one has already read the genius of Philippa Gregory it is hard to come by a a histrical novel on the same subject that matches the standards set by Gregory's novels. This was a fun read, however the plot was a bit choppy and only about 2 chapters take place in the actual court. The portrayal of Amy Dudley was very different from the one in Gregory's "The Virgin's Lover," and I found her character quite pathetic and fool hardy. The mystery of her death is given a fictional explination, one which I didn't find that believable, perhaps because I have read so many different versions of the story. The main character Ursula is likeable enough, and this was a book one might want to read while waiting for a better one to come along. I also never really read mysteries, and this one seemed to drag on once you got about 2/3 of the way through. It didn't have to do so much with Elizabeth as it did Ursula trying to find out who killed her man servant. I can't give it more than 3 stars because it was definitly not a page turner, but for mystery lovers who don't know that much about Elizabethan history might enjoy it more than I did.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, a Tudor novel that doesn't annoy me! I've been looking for one for ages. In this, the main character is compelling, and feels relatable to me as a modern reader without feeling like she doesn't fit within her time period. Similarly, the settings and details are clearly well-researched, but very smoothly integrated. At no point does it feel as though the author has included a detail just because she learned it during her research and liked it; instead, little points about food, clothing, medicine, and the like are woven in very naturally.

The primary (and actually historical) mystery here is also handled extremely well. The resolution is compelling and feels plausible, but because the main character is clearly fictitious, said resolution is clearly plot and not historical fact, so it doesn't trigger my "but that couldn't have happened because..." instinct. I would strongly recommend this to fans of Tudor England or to fans of mysteries who like, or at least don't mind, a historical setting!

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been searching for another well-written mystery series, and this one is excellent. Set during Elizabethan England, To Shield the Queen introduces the reader to Ursula Blanchard, a widowed young Lady of the Presence Chamber at Queen Elizabeth I's court, who gets involved in murder and political intrigue surrounding the mysterious death of Amy Robsart, also known as Lady Dudley - which is based on an historical case. Am looking forward to reading the next installment.

[Art Enyedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Shield the Queen is the first book in a series of medieval mystery novels featuring Ursula Blanchard. The series is now up to 23 volumes, even longer than the famed Brother Cadfael novels by Ellis Peters. Brother Cadfael is based in the middle of the 12th century, while Ursula is at the court of Queen Elizabeth during the latter half of the sixteenth century, so more than 400 years separates these two fictional sleuths, though to a distant reader like me, it all seems to be part of "the Middle Ages".

Ursula Blanchard arrives at the court of the young Queen Elizabeth with hardly more than her name (she is an illegitimate daughter of King Henry VIII, which makes her a half sister to the queen.) Ursula's husband has just perished from smallpox, leaving her destitute and with a young daughter, Meg, to raise. The glittering court is full of intrigue and rivalries, the opening part of the novel is the slowest part, as Buckley introduces us to too many nobles; perhaps all of these characters play a bigger role later in the series. The other courtiers suggest that Ursula buy new gowns, and a horse, and hire some servants - but of course Ursula can afford none of these things. One member of the court attracts Ursula's attention, the Spanish ambassador - is he trying to recruit Ursula to the Catholic cause, or is he trying to warn her of certain intrigues at the court? Another noble catches Ursula's eye: Matthew de la Roche - he is handsome and considerate, and Ursula feels welcome in his presence (unlike so many of the haughty nobles, who disdain the impoverished Ursula). But, alas! de la Roche is a Frenchman, and a Catholic to boot. Opposites attract.

The most scandalous talk at the court involves speculation that Queen Elizabeth is enamored with Robert Dudley, the master of the Horse. The queen dances with Dudley, and is frequently seen enjoying his company. The courtiers are scandalized - Dudley would make a horrible king. The kingdom would revolt. Fortunately, Dudley is already married - his loyal wife remains back at his estate. But word comes that Amy is ill, should she die, Dudley would be free to woo the queen herself. Would Dudley actually murder his own wife in an attempt to win the throne? Rumors fly.

Dudley approaches Ursula - would she be willing to travel to his estate and protect Amy from any possible nefarious plot? Rather than kill Amy, Dudley apparently wants to shield himself from any possibly accusation of foul play should the stricken Amy die. Ursula, desperate for money, accepts the position and travels to Dudley's manor, Cumnor Place. With Dudley's backing, Ursula can afford to hire a couple of servants and pay to have Meg, her daughter, housed while she is traveling.

Ursula's is not warmly welcomed at Cumnor Place. Rather than accepting Ursula as a guardian and confidant, Amy is convinced that Ursula has been hired by Dudley to kill her. After all, Amy has been suffering from strange illnesses (in addition to her serious affliction, which sounds like advanced breast cancer, though it is never described as such) - has Dudley been trying to have her poisoned? Ursula volunteers to become the official taster for Amy. It is not just Amy who is suspicious of Ursula, the secretary Master Forester clearly does not want Ursula around, while the chief servant, Mrs Pinto, radiates obvious hostility. Strange men occasionally come to Cumnar Place from the court - are they set by Dudley to kill Amy? Ursula finds herself deep in treacherous waters, unable to trust anyone but her own servants. Fortunately, she is both resourceful and courageous.

The eternal strife between Catholics and Protestants is a big part of this novel. There are plenty of powerful men would love to see the Catholic queen, Mary Queen of Scots, placed on the throne of England. They would do anything to hurt Elizabeth.

There is a bibliography at the back of the novel; Buckley studied the Elizabethean court before writing this novel. The story rings true. It is interesting enough that I might pursue the next book in the series, if I can find it in the library.

*** Warning - Spoilers below ***

If there is a plot point I found hard to believe, it was that de la Roche would still be willing to marry Ursula, even after she expresses anger and horror at his role in trying to unthrone Elizabeth. I also was a bit incredulous how Lady Catherine Grey blurted out such a damning confession at the end.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging main character thrust headlong into the political machinations of Elizabeth I’s court.

To Shield the Queen is the first book in author Fiona Buckley’s (pen name of Valeria Anand) long-running historical mystery series featuring Ursula Blanchard, a widowed mother of one and a lady in service to Queen Elizabeth I. Set in 1560, early in Elizabeth’s long reign, Ursula is summoned to court after the death of her husband, Gerald (a love match), to serve as a lady-in-waiting to the young queen. The court is awash with rumors of Elizabeth’s relationship with her Master of Horse, Sir Robin Dudley, a married man with a critically ill wife whom he keeps sequestered in the country. When speculation escalates, hinting that Dudley may be trying to hurry his wife’s imminent death along so he can pursue a marriage with the queen, he and Elizabeth send Ursula to attend the ailing Amy Dudley and safeguard her from any such evil assistance and hopefully quell the rumors. However, on her arrival at the country estate, Ursula finds there may actually be some truth behind the rumors. Still, it’s unclear to her whether Sir Robin is aware of what may be underway on his behalf, but she’s suspicious.

This first book in the series is a riveting tale once all the heavy lifting of establishing the time, place, and characters is complete. It feels like it had to have been a massive task, with so much known or speculated regarding the intrigue during Elizabeth’s reign, all the historical figures involved, and the intersection of factual and fictional storylines. Halfway through the book, I was still wondering when the mystery would start, but it definitely does, and the action never lets up from that point on.

Ursula is a likable character, and her personal story is a tragic one, beginning with her illegitimate origins, a cruel childhood at the hands of self-righteous relatives, a runaway marriage, and the sudden death of her beloved young husband. But she is a survivor, strong and determined not to be a victim ever again. An astute observer of human nature, Queen Elizabeth recognizes Ursula’s potential value and her deep loyalty to the crown and puts her to good use.

A romantic relationship evolves with Matthew de la Roche, a newcomer to the court, who aggressively presses his suit with the young widow, even following her, uninvited, to Amy Dudley’s bedside several days’ ride into the country. While it felt like their feelings for each other were a bit rushed, their courtship really extended over a couple of months. I’m anxious to see how this all plays out, considering what occurs between the two as the story unfolds. The descriptions of the settings and life in 1560 are vivid and really put me in the story. A number of secondary storylines develop along the way and are left unresolved, but they are mentioned in the resolution as the basis for Ursula’s next moves in future books in the series.

I enjoyed listening to the Hoopla Digital 2005 Blackstone Audiobook edition narrated by Nadia May, but it took me a good length of time to sync my understanding with her fast pacing, pronunciation, and accent. As the characters who are speaking change, she does a good job of altering her voice to add some discrimination. However, her speaking voice is just different enough from my region that I had to readjust to her voice every time I began listening. While I wouldn’t search out additional titles this narrator voiced, I wouldn’t not listen to her again, and it doesn’t appear she narrates any more of the books in this series.

I recommend TO SHIELD THE QUEEN to readers of historical cozy mysteries.

[Bethany T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for historical murder mysteries. This ranks up there with the Canterbury Tales mysteries by Paul Doherty. The best parts of the book are when Ursula Blanchard, a member of Queen Elizabeth I's court, actually starts sleuthing and piecing together the circumstances surrounding the murder of a servant, John. (Unfortunately, I found the first death in the book, that of Robert Dudley's wife, Amy, to be a bit uninteresting.)

Ursula is such a brilliant, driven, and capable character. I best liked the moments in which she was able to utilize her skills for more than being a well-mannered member of the court and declaring fealty to Queen Elizabeth I. Her interactions with William Cecil in the end of the book and his admiration of her were just wonderful.

Here are some of my critiques...
1. Let’s talk about those sex scenes.
The post-marriage sex scene was not as laughable as most, but it was pretty ridiculous and unnecessary. (Let me explain: I’m not prudish about sex scenes. I just don’t find them highly enjoyable or interesting, and authors have a tendency to describe sex and sex drive in ways that aren’t true to real life.) I wish the book had nixed the romance between Matthew and Ursula because it seemed inconsequential in the end.

2. A bit too long.
The book seemed too long. I was starting to lose interest around the time of the wedding between Matthew and Ursula. However, the moments near the end in which Ursula speaks with Cecil and later Lady Katherine Grey were the best parts of the book. Ursula confronting Lady Katherine answered a lot of questions regarding Amy (Robstart) Dudley and offered an interesting insight into how people in the queen’s court likely did act and handle emotions.

Verdict
It's a solid start to a series and an enjoyable book. I'll likely read more in this series.

So, who would enjoy this book?
Anyone who has read and enjoyed books by Paul Doherty (I found the writing styles to be similar) or anyone who likes works of fiction set in the Elizabethan era. The murders are fairly tame, so this won't be too intense for those who aren't quite fans of murder mysteries. I might not recommend it for those who are used to the bodice-ripping drama of some Tudor period fiction -- this story is more cozy than titillating.

[Donna Church]

After being recently widowed, Ursula finds herself entering the palace as a woman in waiting to Queen Elizabeth. Her initial fears of fitting in with minimal funds quickly seem trivial as she navigates the political tensions in the palace. She also meets Matthew de la Roche and both are immediately attracted to one another.

Elizabeth seems intent on making her Master of Horses, Robin Dudley, the next king much to the consternation of many in her court. At present, Dudley's wife, Amy, is a roadblock but many feel he may kill her to become king. Fearing the scandal, Elizabeth and Dudley send Ursula to be with Amy who is suffering from an incurable disease, to ensure that no scandal surrounds her death.

As Ursula becomes closer to Amy, she realizes that all in the household isn't as it seems leading to her own suspicions that Amy's life is in danger. This fear proves true when Amy is found at the bottom of a staircase with a broken neck. While the initial verdict is an accidental death, it sets Urusula on a path to determine if Dudley is involved. As she pursues the possible killers, she learns that her servant, John Wilton, has been murdered. Her continued pursuit of the potential killers of both victims uncovers a possible treasonous plot to overthrow the queen.

Her journey takes her to her abusive aunt and uncle who have abducted, Meg, Ursula's child. As she gains more knowledge of the plot and her own family's involvement, she must marry de la Roche to save her daughter and try to protect her queen even if it means losing her own heart.

[Beachreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Shield the Queen is a historical mystery set in Elizabethan England with many of the same historical characters and plot points that are present in The Virgin's Lover by Phillipa Gregory.

As I read this, I found myself comparing events from the two books. This book does not delve into the relationship between Elizabeth and Dudley as extensively as Gregory's, but it does depict life at court and the courtiers and their roles.

Where these two books differ is in the people involved in the plot against Amy Dudley and the first name of Dudley which is Robin in this book and Robert in the Gregory books. I haven't seen Dudley referred to as Robin anywhere in biographical entries, so this bothered me. The author gives no explanation for using this alternate name.

Ursula Blanchard, the protagonist in this story, is an interesting character with a natural curiosity and a gift for observation. These are the attributes of a good spy, and her role at court is cemented at the conclusion of the book when William Cecil, Secretary of State, and Elizabeth are impressed with Ursula's success in uncovering a treasonous plot.

This promises to be an interesting series. I am intrigued by Ursula and look forward to the next book. I am 23 years late discovering this series, so if all the books are as good as the first, I have months of pleasurable reading ahead.

Historical mystery - my favorite sub genre.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, light read. Yes, there is an element of danger and suspense but not at the “I can’t put it down” level with a likable heroine.

There were many instances of Ursula Blanchard being in places normally not acceptable for a single woman and in questionable circumstances ---yet as a widow there would be more leeway. A few historical inaccuracies, which can be accepted as part of the storyline, did not distract a reader well-versed in the Elizabethan era. In fact, the writer assumed the reader knew some of the history. Buckley offers an explanation for the death of Dudley’s wife at the hands of Courtiers which a reader will realize is doubtful historically but not so farfetched as to take away the enjoyment of the narrative.

Interestingly, Buckley wrote a statement which this reviewer has wondered about as the current support given to many politicians throughout the world proves baffling:
“I remembered again what Amy Dudley had said. Ordinary people, in alehouses and round wellheads and dinner tables, were not good at working things out. Those ordinary people would look at once for the simplest, most obvious explanation—and, yes, for the dirtiest.”