The Siren Queen

Ursula Blanchard #8

by Fiona Buckley

The year is 1569. Ursula Blanchard, illegitimate half sister to Queen Elizabeth I and sometime spy on the Queen's behalf, is happily married to wealthy Hugh Stannard and living quietly in the country. Ursula's thoughts are on domestic matters as she watches her daughter, Meg, grow up. Meg will soon be fourteen, so perhaps it is time to think of a betrothal.
When an invitation to visit arrives from the powerful Duke of Norfolk, Ursula and Hugh welcome the chance for Meg to meet an apparently worthy young man of the Duke's household, Edmund Dean. Is he a possible husband for Meg?
It's love at first sight, at least on Meg's part. Young Dean seems to admire Meg as well, and he's even more impressed with her promised dowry. Ursula, though, has her doubts. Does she see something cruel in the man's eyes?
Soon, more weighty matters demand Ursula's attention. Two men are dead under mysterious circumstances, and there may be a new plot to put Mary, Queen of Scots, on the English throne. A letter written in cipher may contain the information Ursula needs -- but can she decode the letter in time to save the half sister and Queen she loves? And what shattering personal discovery will the letter reveal?
Surrounded by treachery, Ursula wonders whom she can trust. Is the great Duke of Norfolk himself part of the plot against Queen Elizabeth? And what about the young man who would marry Meg?
With richly drawn characters and riveting historical accuracy, The Siren Queen sweeps us into a suspenseful and passionate re-creation of one of the most tumultuous and colorful eras of English history.

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

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

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

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may not be great literature, but it is an entertaining historical mystery. I was trapped at an airport for 8 hours and this was the perfect diversion: enough content to keep me occupied, but light enough that I didn't have to struggle.

The conflict between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots presents countless story lines and this book makes good use of court intrigue and politics as the center of a domestic mystery puzzle. I would have enjoyed a bit more local colour. Ms. Buckley is well aware of what it takes to make a readable novel, but for my taste she was a bit light on the historical details that add zest to a period story and provide effortlessly gained knowledge to the reader.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series. Ursula is quite the lady and the twists and turns of her story just keep coming.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Siren Queen by Fiona Buckley is the seventh book of the Ursula Blanchard mystery series set in 1569 England. Ursula was born a Faldene. Her mother attended Queen Anne Boleyn at court, returned home pregnant, unwilling to ever name the father. Ursula's Aunt Tabitha and Uncle Herbert raised Ursula. However they disowned her completely when she married for love, to Gerald Blanchard, the man they hoped would marry their own daughter. Gerald and Ursula had one daughter, Margaret (Meg). After Gerald's death, Ursula began attending Queen Elizabeth at court. She served on many secret missions for the Queen, directed by Sir William Cecil.

Ursula met and fell passionately in love with Matthew de la Roche, while covertly foiling his plot to overthrow Elizabeth and put Mary Stuart (Mary, Queen of Scots) on England's throne. Ursula tried to live with him at this chateau in France, but her beloved Meg was in England. Ursula returned to England for yet another secret mission. At its conclusion she learned Matthew had died of the plague. Deeply despondent, she refused secret missions and mourned in private at Withysham, a country estate given to her for her loyal service to the crown. Ursula met and married Hugh Stannard of Hawkswood, a calm and steady friend who shares her longing for a quiet and peaceful life. They alternate residence between Withysham and Hawkswood, with Ursula's loyal servants Fran Dale and Roger Brockley.

But Sir William Cecil is not done with Ursula. He sends her on a mission: officially a visit to the Duke of Norfolk to meet a potential suitor for Meg. Although Meg isn't even fourteen yet, she will be considered eligible for marriage at seventeen. The prospective suitor is Edmund Dean, an aide to Norfolk. The secret mission was not meant to be dangerous, but of course it is. And Ursula distrusts Dean on sight, regardless of Meg's infatuation.

After murders at Norfolk's estate, Ursula sends Meg home, and reluctantly agrees to Cecil's next command: officially be a companion to Sir Ridolfo's wife Donna, covertly spy on Ridolfo's business. Ursula intercepts encrypted messages, and learns to decrypt them: there is yet another plot underway to put Mary on the throne, plus a very shattering fact. Cecil and Elizabeth deceived her!

Interesting plot twists reveal continuing treachery, skulduggery and murder, up to a cliffhanger ending.

[J. Kirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Siren Queen is another suspenseful and thoroughly enjoyable book in the Ursula Blanchard historical Elizabethan era crime fiction series. In Siren Queen we get not 1 but 2 murders to solve, and the espionage and political intrigue throughout the book adds plenty of mystery and unpredictability. I found it fun trying to guess the murderer(s)? and you will too.

Another strength of the book is that it really is well-written to be a standalone. I have made the mistake, alas, of reading this series out of order, but despite that this book was not one bit less enjoyable. The characterization of our main protagonist Ursula is strong and likeable, and her family and retainers also begin to feel like people we've known all our lives. Ursula's daughter, Meg, has a fun subplot in this book involving her marriageability and coming of age. New secrets about Ursula's past are revealed too. There's a lot going on in this book as Ursula tries to derail plans for rebellion among the pro-Catholic minority among England and Scotland's northern earls.

Fiona Buckley excels at slipping in vivid and in-depth subplots, making her Elizabethan England feel so real. For example, one of Ursula's retainers in the book, a Welsh woman named Gladys Morgan, gets into *all kinds* of trouble. We learn through the story much of how accusations of witchcraft came about and how criminals were dealt with in Elizabethan times.

Overall, I highly recommend The Siren Queen. Best of all, the ending is filled with drama and even a small but extremely significant cliffhanger that will get you primed and excited for the next book in the series, Queen Without a Crown.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
This installment was paced for a fast read and I enjoyed it. Mostly I have listened to this series but due to the introduction of cyphering, which would be impossible to narrate, I read the hardcover edition. I confess I am looking forward to the next book as i am eager to put the Mary question to rest. I loved learning of the topiary gardens which I never imagined in that era.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This is my second reading. I read it long enough ago that it felt fresh. And my impression was as positive as it was the first time. Lots of threads and they all tie up to make sense in the end.

[Rickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Volare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This series just keeps getting better and better!

[Cheri Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing Novel.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A library find. February 2024.
Enjoyable fast read.
Written well.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

FABULOUS! Possibly four and a half stars!!

"Mystery at Queen Elizabeth I's Court" drew me in like a moth to a light. Historical mystery?! LOVE it! Buckley weaves a tapestry of characters together in a wonderfully gossipy way. It's like your best friend, whom you haven't seen in forever, has sat down to tell you all that's happened to her since seeing her last; only better because of the intrigue and mystery!

When I first purchased this book, I did not realize that it is the 8th or 9th in a series called the "Ursula Blanchard mysteries". And, other than I want to read all the others now, it didn't make much difference. Buckley gives the history you need to know in the first few pages. It is very possible to read this book on its own, but I suspect much better to start at the beginning to see all the characters grow. I will definitely be looking for the predecessors to this one and reading them!

The characters, by the way, are wonderfully developed. Compared to most "elizabethan" fiction in which the characters are often heavy, Buckley's are like a breath of fresh air. Her heroine, Ursula Blanchard Stannard, is surrounded by people who genuinely like her and care for her as she does them. As the mystery unfolds, she doesn't keep absolutely everything a secret; carrying the burden by herself. She shares it with others which is fresh, warm and (to me) slightly more realistic than these spies that can't and don't tell anyone they love anything about what they do.

The mystery of this book evolves around the Ridolfi plot to restore Mary of Scotland to the Scottish throne (and then some), but the mystery is more than discovering the plot. There are murders to solve and romances to resolve throughout. The Ridolfi plot, by the way, is real. I looked it up! How Buckley brings it together, especially with the number of people involved (and from all different backgrounds and social classes) is amazing.

When reading a mystery, I'm always on the lookout for things that seem to be nothing, but later are something. There were plenty in this book! What's fabulous about Buckley is the twists she has when bringing some of these things back. I can safely say I didn't even come close to guessing how some little thing would twist the story as it did and I thoroughly loved the twist and she brought everything together!

It was a joy to see all the layers of this great story woven together. As I said, it made a beautiful tapestry; an easy to read, easy to enjoy mystery!

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The development of Ursula throughout this series is really starting to show. I am enjoying seeing it happen. My biggest problem with the first three or four books was Ursula's constant pining. It seemed she was always whining about Matthew and how much she needed to sleep with him. Once Matthew was dead, Ursula was finally able to become the character I thought she had potential to be from page one, book one.

The introduction of Hugh as Ursula's third husband was a fantastic addition to the story. Hugh is someone who seems to understand Ursula and does a fantastic job keeping her level headed. He makes an excellent sidekick.

However, it's all about to change. Apparently Ursula discovers Matthew isn't really dead. I thought that was a great plot twist. I never saw it coming. It is a plot twist that worries me moving forward. I fear the next novel is going to go back to the pages and pages of Ursula whining about Matthew. The reader is going to have to push through Ursula wrestling with her conscious. Does she stay with Hugh? Does she go back to the man who apparently was the best sex ever? I am a little afraid of what the next books will bring but I am going to continue moving forward. The series is moving into some of the more eventful episodes of Elizabeth's reign and I look forward to seeing what role Ursula is going to play.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) The 8th book in the Ursula Blanchard series has Ursula and her husband pondering an offer for an early betrothal for Ursula's daughter, Meg. The offer has come from the Duke of Norfolk for a young man who has been working as one of his secretaries while his father's business in trading recovers from some political issues. While Meg is charmed by Edmund, both Ursula and her husband have great unease about him. Ursula has other issues as well, with a food poisoning incident that implicates her servant Gladys, and the death of a messenger that turns out to be a double agent for the Queen's spymaster. She must figure out a potential plot against the Queen, once again involving Mary, Queen of Scots, and save her daughter from a potentially dangerous relationship. Ursula puts all of her skills to the task, but in the end she learns that Meg has more spirit and integrity than she ever suspected when a locket given in kindness turns out to be the key to solving the puzzle.

[EJ Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Ursula Blanchard Mystery at Queen Elizabeth I's Court. Ursula is a thrice married mother in her mid 30’s who also happens to be the Queen’s unknown half-sister. She is an able spy and has experience helping the court. This book is about the real life Ridolfi plot that tried to put Mary, Queen of Scots, back on the throne. Adding to the intrigue is the romance between Ursula’s daughter Meg and Edmund Dean. This is the first in the series that I have read. I think there were 7 before. It was an interesting look of Queen Elizabeth I's time. I enjoyed all the characters in the book. It is an easy, enjoyable read.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another of the Ursula Blanchard series at Queen Elizabeth's Court, another of Buckley's Elizabethan mysteries. Fiona Buckley writes historical fiction but admits to using facts loosely in a historical setting. The action and intrigue give you a flavor of what it was to live in the mid-1500's during Queen Elizabeth's reign. This mystery deals with the Duke of Norfolk's part in a plot to assassinate the Queen and marry the deposed Mary, Queen of Scots, who at this time is in house arrest. It is kind of interesting that the political maneuverings are not so different today...just the means of transportation and data flow.

[Lalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book continues the series that this author has created featuring Ursula Blanchard, a half sister to Queen Elizabeth,who is often called to court to help put an end to plots and people who would remove the Queen from her throne.
The main theme in this book is a plot to restore Mary,Queen of Scots to power. There are sub plots that add to the pace of the story as well. Ursula's daughter is more involved in this novel as well as an old woman that Ursula has befriended in the past. I really enjoy this series and since I like history and historical fiction, I find that well written mysteries that use historical events as a plot are interesting and absorbing.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first Buckley novel and it won't be my last. I would've like to have begun with the first book, as throughout the story references are made to earlier happenstances, but if you are familiar with England's political players of this time period you won't feel lost. The novel includes quite a bit of factual info, as well as a few interpretations of historical events (in which evidence was lacking) that are "outside of the box". There are several small plots interweaved within the story line that are all related, but they are interesting enough that could stand alone as well.

[Bookfanatic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally don't read historical mysteries, but this one caught my eye. I'm glad I read it. It's interesting enough to hold your interest, and the plot is good and well-paced, but not so intricate that it's confusing. There are some red herrings that will make you think the murderer is someone other than who he/she is. There are some surprising twists. This held my interest and I'm not one who particularly likes mysteries at all.

[Moonmomie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Elizabethan Historical Fiction, which is what brought me to this series. I had never been interested in any kind of mysteries up until reading these books. They were a complete surprise to me. The plots in all of the Ursula Blanchard Mysteries are rich and fun, the characters are interesting and complex. I really loved this entire series of books.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last in the series.

This is a strong end to the series, though it doesn't end quite as a series finale would likely end. Perhaps Buckley intended to continue the series but didn't. Still, I'm happy with this ending and really recommend the entire series to those who like historical mysteries. It's not perfect, but it's very entertaining and a swift, comfortable set of books.

[Charlotte Osborn-bensaada · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series set in Queen Elizabeth's court. Buckley takes several real historical mysteries and asks what if... Worth reading for a strong interesting heroine that while sometimes needing rescue is rather good at figuring out her own options given the limited options available to women of the time.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

#8 in the series (#9 coming Jan 2012). A good, solid detective series with enough twists and upsets to keep the reader interested and turning pages. And the fact that it's taking place during the time of Queen Elizabeth I helps to make that time period come alive. I enjoyed these books and eagerly await the next :)

[Mary Newcomb]

Ursula Stannard is once again undertaking small missions for her sister (shh) Queen Elizabeth I and her Secretary of State, Lord Cecil. Things become very complicated as a plot is uncovered, Ursula's daughter has a suitor and Gladys Morgan is accused of being a witch. Life as the queen's half sister is quite interesting!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good read. How does Buckley come up with all these different plots? Amazing! I like the way the familiar characters develop (particularly Meg), and the introduction of new interesting characters into this series. This rates about 3.5 stars.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book series all written about Queen Elizabeth's top woman who solves murders and mysteries surrounding Elizabeth.

[Basia Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

LIked the book Interesting historical info

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

The later Ursula Blanchard mysteries feel less historical than the earlier ones, and a bit formulaic when you read them four in a row.

[Tex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time is so interesting to me. So many different plots forming in such a small country. Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart are merely backdrop to the mystery though. Good story.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good historical, mystery series but I definitely start with book one "To Shield the Queen".

[Wynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was losing interest and then there was a shift in the plot with a surprise. To quote Philomena "I did not see that coming". Made the concept more interesting.