What do you think?
Rate this book
Mercenary For Hire #3
A Queen's Mercenary
The brothers are heading towards Venice where they plan to sell a stolen arms shipment to the highest bidder. How badly wrong could it go?
Catherine, abandoned in London, finds herself unwillingly recruited by Cecil to spy on her mistress.
William Fitzwarren, Richard’s father, refuses to succumb to his illness and vows to take his revenge on his son if it is the last thing he does.
Robert Fitzwarrren, humiliated by his brother, continues to hunt for him in London.
Princess Elizabeth continues to weather the political storm in England and watches quietly as Mary’s marriage to Phillip begins to fail.
Catherine, abandoned in London, finds herself unwillingly recruited by Cecil to spy on her mistress.
William Fitzwarren, Richard’s father, refuses to succumb to his illness and vows to take his revenge on his son if it is the last thing he does.
Robert Fitzwarrren, humiliated by his brother, continues to hunt for him in London.
Princess Elizabeth continues to weather the political storm in England and watches quietly as Mary’s marriage to Phillip begins to fail.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2018
284 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 8, 2019
Disturbing
June 22, 2019
Wow this series really really impressed me. Historical fact interwoven with fictional brothers and their posse. So well done; loved it.
December 5, 2018
Always a great read.
I can't get enough of Jack and Richard. Burnell does an excellent job setting the scene. The mishaps and tensions are believable, as are the historical bits. I will continue to follow Ms. Burnell and I will continue to follow the saga of the Fitzwarrens.
I can't get enough of Jack and Richard. Burnell does an excellent job setting the scene. The mishaps and tensions are believable, as are the historical bits. I will continue to follow Ms. Burnell and I will continue to follow the saga of the Fitzwarrens.
July 18, 2019
I got this as a free download from bookhub and thoroughly enjoyed it. The only problem I had was that it started from a series that I have not previously read so I didn't get as much out of it as I could have had I read the previous two books. I suppose I can remedy that by starting from the beginning and I will revisit this series at some point in the future. A great plot and interesting characters, I could get some of the political background since I have some knowledge of Tudor England. I will definetly be putting this author on my to read list
November 12, 2018
Good plot twist.
Enjoyed the first in the series and this didn't disappoint neither. The background lives of the main characters are revealed more and new characters brought in to challenge those lives. My only criticism is that there are several grammatical mistakes, that proof reading should have picked up on. Nothing to spoil the story though, this is a thorough and well researched book and I'm looking forward to the next one
Enjoyed the first in the series and this didn't disappoint neither. The background lives of the main characters are revealed more and new characters brought in to challenge those lives. My only criticism is that there are several grammatical mistakes, that proof reading should have picked up on. Nothing to spoil the story though, this is a thorough and well researched book and I'm looking forward to the next one
March 15, 2019
I enjoyed the plotting and characters of the first two books but the third not so much. The plot was weak and full of holes. I understood where it was going less than half way through. Richard who was supposed to be smart in the first two books suddenly turned into a whining, unintelligent loser in this book. I'm no longer interested in the characters or what they have to offer in future books.
March 19, 2019
This is apparently book three in an ongoing series of books.
It is SO DAMN CONFUSING! I'm guessing to really understand the dynamics of the relationships and all, you really need to read the first two books in this series. No thanks. I'm just not that into it.
I wouldn't suggest trying to start with this book.
It is SO DAMN CONFUSING! I'm guessing to really understand the dynamics of the relationships and all, you really need to read the first two books in this series. No thanks. I'm just not that into it.
I wouldn't suggest trying to start with this book.
April 1, 2019
Misadventures
To be fair, the misadventures are caused entirely by a trusted ally who was actually a scheming dirtbag (who was an excellent two faced liar and all round villain).
The only complaint I have was the lack of background. The author seemed to assume the reader already knew the characters for some reason and left the reader to sort them out.
A good entertaining read.
To be fair, the misadventures are caused entirely by a trusted ally who was actually a scheming dirtbag (who was an excellent two faced liar and all round villain).
The only complaint I have was the lack of background. The author seemed to assume the reader already knew the characters for some reason and left the reader to sort them out.
A good entertaining read.
August 1, 2019
The adventures continue as Richard Fitzwarren has a plan, but he will need help. Will his brother Jack join him. And what of Catherine De Bernay, who will help her to get her land back.
I would not recommend this as a standalone story. The story of the Fitzwarrens continues throughout the series.
An entertaining Tudor thriller
I would not recommend this as a standalone story. The story of the Fitzwarrens continues throughout the series.
An entertaining Tudor thriller
April 3, 2019
A good entertaining read with plenty of misadventures, which were caused largely by the foul deeds of a supposed friend. The culprit is wicked beyond belief and one must read to discover whether the heroes will survive the dastardly foe before he drags them all down to their doom.
May 25, 2019
Very entertaining story of early England
The author has written a very intriguing story about how the greedy and power hungry would stop at nothing to ensure they achieve their goal. Very enjoyable reading.
The author has written a very intriguing story about how the greedy and power hungry would stop at nothing to ensure they achieve their goal. Very enjoyable reading.
August 13, 2019
Excellent Read
I enjoyed the story line and the characters. Where's the next one?
I'm not sure if I haven't got the series mixed up! That's the problem when you don't read the full volumes one after the other. Ah So here we go again.😃
I enjoyed the story line and the characters. Where's the next one?
I'm not sure if I haven't got the series mixed up! That's the problem when you don't read the full volumes one after the other. Ah So here we go again.😃
November 18, 2019
Ugh...
I have grown rather tired of most of the characters and the fact that there doesn’t seem to be any conclusion of the story in sight; however, the author’s writing and narrative skills have improved enough to make the tale engaging at times...
I have grown rather tired of most of the characters and the fact that there doesn’t seem to be any conclusion of the story in sight; however, the author’s writing and narrative skills have improved enough to make the tale engaging at times...
September 23, 2020
An annoying book.
A good story without an end , leaving everything in the middle of a very difficult and desperate situation written with the jtention of forcing the reader to buy the next book.
A good story without an end , leaving everything in the middle of a very difficult and desperate situation written with the jtention of forcing the reader to buy the next book.
October 31, 2022
a lot of typos
The story is not bad. It did drag on some on the middle. But overall it’s engaging. It was frustrating reading this however because of the typos. Not as bad as the first two books though.
The story is not bad. It did drag on some on the middle. But overall it’s engaging. It was frustrating reading this however because of the typos. Not as bad as the first two books though.
January 27, 2024
The third in the series and the writing is much better, the narrative flows. The story is gripping and the characters are developing well. Good historical detail and the ending made me start the next one straight away!
September 23, 2018
If you enjoy historical fiction.. Do yourself a favor !!! ... I truly enjoy these books!!!
November 30, 2018
I need the next I installment!
I’m frothing at the bit. I need to know what happens next. I’ll be fen lochly af somle be de nigh.
I’m frothing at the bit. I need to know what happens next. I’ll be fen lochly af somle be de nigh.
December 26, 2018
History revisited
Once again history put into a fun read with just enough history to keep it realistic and intriguing. Couldn’t put it down. There must be another!
Once again history put into a fun read with just enough history to keep it realistic and intriguing. Couldn’t put it down. There must be another!
January 3, 2019
Enjoyed
The brothers struggle through the enemies of the past while they become closer. At the same time things become murkier in England as history weaves it is way
The brothers struggle through the enemies of the past while they become closer. At the same time things become murkier in England as history weaves it is way
March 20, 2019
Ok read.
I had a hard time following parts of the story. And I did not like the change of location. The ending was good.
I had a hard time following parts of the story. And I did not like the change of location. The ending was good.
April 24, 2019
Do not read these out of order. Difficult to follow story line
January 22, 2020
I LIKE THIS BOOK.
March 14, 2020
Excellent
The phrase 'on the edge of the seat' is very apt. The way the tale goes from the brothers to the Court very clever!
The phrase 'on the edge of the seat' is very apt. The way the tale goes from the brothers to the Court very clever!
April 15, 2021
Interesting
Most books I read have a beginning, an end; this book only has a middle. Don’t like being in a position where you are just dropped, not even at the end point.
Most books I read have a beginning, an end; this book only has a middle. Don’t like being in a position where you are just dropped, not even at the end point.
September 22, 2023
Audiobook 4*
December 26, 2024
Really enjoyed this book.
July 22, 2025
Really good
What an interesting take on history during the end of Mary's and before Elizabeth became Queen. I enjoyed reading it.
What an interesting take on history during the end of Mary's and before Elizabeth became Queen. I enjoyed reading it.
August 3, 2025
This book is a continuation of the last book. Elizabeth is back in England and Richard sets out to help a friend sell tons of guns and gunpowder abroad. Richard rounds up his gang along with his needy half brother Jack, although to be fair Jack is doing some growing up as the series races along. The group set off with a small sample of their wares to find a buyer abroad. This plot is more intense than the others with some of Richard's group killed and he isn't sure who he can trust anymore. But we the readers know who is responsible!
Another good fast paced story in the series, am loving these books!!
Another good fast paced story in the series, am loving these books!!
July 7, 2022
With a wry mix of history and imagination, this tale keeps the reader engaged. The ongoing saga of Richard and Jack Fitzwarren, along with Lizbet, is told in contrast and comparison with the intrigue of the court of Bloody Mary, Queen of England, in the period just prior to the ascension of her half-sister, Elizabeth. Many of the historical characters are fleshed out with creative details, combined with fictional characters who make for an intriguing tale.
Worth your attention? Yes, indeed. On to the next installment (Book 4, A Queen’s Knight.
Worth your attention? Yes, indeed. On to the next installment (Book 4, A Queen’s Knight.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews