Face Down Before Rebel Hooves

Susanna, Lady Appleton #6

by Kathy Lynn Emerson

The moment her friend Sir Walter Pendennis comes to call carrying his wife's crimson cloak over one arm, Susanna senses something terrible has happened - and she's not mistaken. Sir Walter's wife Eleanor, has been trampled by runaway horses, and her dying confession reveals that she has been involved in a plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots. Since the lady's co-conspirators have no idea she is dead, Walter proposes a daring Susanna will impersonate his late wife and take her place among the traitors. Now, caught in a web of treachery, deceit, and double-crosses, where there is a turncoat in the shadows who knows more than she does...and who will stop at nothing to silence her forever..

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

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

aka Kaitlyn Dunnett, Kate Emerson, Kaitlyn Gorton

Kathy Lynn Emerson began writing as a child: a newspaper for her dolls and then a rambling adventure series featuring characters from all her favorite television shows. In addition to contemporary, historical and time-travel romance (some written under the pen-name of Kaitlyn Gorton) and historical novels written as Kate Emerson, Kathy has written children's books, non-fiction, short stories, and historical mysteries. She won the Agatha award for mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries. She also writes as Kaitlyn Dunnett.

Reviews

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Face Down Before Rebel Hooves by Kathy Lynn Emerson is the 6th book of the Susanna, Lady Appleton historical mystery series set in Elizabethan England. In 1569, Susanna is happy visiting Nick Baldwin in Hamburg, but ready to head home to Leigh Abbey. Sir Walter Pendennis, in Antwerp, learns to his horror that his wife Eleanor is part of a traitorous plot. The earls of Westmorland and Northumberland scheme to overthrow Elizabeth and restore Mary, Queen of Scots to England's throne. Eleanor is meant to carry an important letter from Antwerp to the earl of Northumberland. After Eleanor is trampled by out-of-control horses, Walter asks Susanna to impersonate Eleanor and infiltrate the conspirators. Walter had saved Susanna’s life (in a previous book), so she cannot refuse.

The voyage back to Yorkshire is perilous. then Susanna needs all her wits to survive as a lady-in-waiting to Anne, countess of Northumberland, at Topcliffe castle. At first, her primary concern is to escape detection as an inpostor, but when dangerous 'accidents' keep occurring, Susanna realizes that someone is trying to kill her.

Although we know from history lessons that the earls did not manage to overthrow Elizabeth, and the Lady Susanna Appleton series continues (so she must survive the attacks), there is plenty of suspense and intrigue, treachery and surprises to make the story entertaining. For best enjoyment, read this series in order, to understand the full background on the main characters.

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good entry in the mystery series featuring Lady Susanna Appleton, in this story we see Susanna posing as another woman in order to save England from a war between the supporters of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. There are lots of intrigues, plots and counterplots, and of course, lots of suspense.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same setting -- rebellion against Elizabeth I. New, interesting plot. A time passer for after 10 p.m.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this entire series!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched historical fiction centering on the rebellion of the northern earls. The protagonist of these novels is a strong female character, with stories set during an era when women had little to no rights. Another thing I like about this story series is the attention to detail in period clothing, food, medicine and social practices which all helps the reader understand the problems faced by the characters in the story.

[Sherrill Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title was interesting, and the cover illustration, so I picked up this book at the library.
But even the "Who's Who in the Rebellion of 1569" didn't help much when I got to about page 141. What a mess! It was clear that Dennett was a suspect, but who else? Maybe Marion? Wasn't Lady Northumberland crazy? However, she recovered enough by the end of the book to take some direction. Hmmm. Lady Appleton didn't exactly "get her man", because the "man" got herself / himself, and not until page 242. And then got sent away with Lady Northunberland. Maybe to make trouble later???? I did enjoy Lady Appleton's medieval herbal remedies.

History is not very satisfying. Neither was this book.

The best part was the cover picture!! Kudos to Stephen Stines! What a great picture!

[Mary Newcomb]

Intrigue within intrigue within a rebellion is the quick summary of this Lady Appleton tale. Susanna is asked to become Eleanor, recently killed in secret, so as to understand and stop the plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth. Much ensues and Susanna somehow, more or less, manages to put the pieces together.

[Booklogged · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Appleton finds herself embroiled in a treasonous plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth. Great cozy mystery. Rating of 4.5 out of 5. This series is not classic literature, but I rate them high because of the enjoyment factor and they are well-written with good plots. Several surprises, too.

[AndreaH · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very forward widow helps save the day by posing as a friend's wife as the catholics try to stage a rebellion to unseat Queen Elizabeth. Lots of characters, politics, intrigue for so short a book. Just didn't love the story

[Magda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only remembered I'd read this before about a third of the way in.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book but it included a lot of political intrigue.

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good mystery cleverly solved by Lady Appleton.