What do you think?
Rate this book
When the Court clockmaker, Mr Urseau, is found dead in his workshop - a dagger in his chest and a key clutched in his hand - rumours start flying. Was the murderer his young assistant? Or maybe his wife? Both could be after Urseau's private treasure. And where is the key from? What is it for? Lady Grace, Queen Elizabeth's own Lady Pursuiviant is determined to get to the bottom of all these questions. But things get even more complicated when Grace discovers that a mysterious clock was delivered to the palace on the day Urseau was killed.
196 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
7 people are currently reading
451 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 8, 2018
I used to read Lady Grace books all the time, but I stopped for some reason. My mom brought this home for a student, and I picked it up. It was really good, with an interesting and entirely unpredictable ending.
December 30, 2022
Book 11--just as good as books 1-10.
Set in Queen Elizabeth's reign, among her ladies in waiting, this story, like the others, has a young woman named Grace solving a mystery without letting on that she's doing so. That's a bit of a trick, though she has a couple friends who can help her sneak around at night or gather rumors. This one was a locked room murder mystery with a clever solution, and I feel like it worked well. The authors behind the "Lady Grace" pen name do a good job with characterization and dialogue and pacing, but I think they are especially good with setting; they excellent good use of London and the various residences of the queen's in the 16th Century, and the historical elements that go into the stories, including this one, I find not only accurate but instructive.
These are intended for a MG audience, and I think both in terms of interest and quality they should continued to do well with that group--if they find them. The last book was published more than a decade ago, and the later ones in the series, like this one, are kinda rare. Maybe a new edition?
Recommended for young readers as well as older readers who enjoy mysteries with a cozier tone.
Set in Queen Elizabeth's reign, among her ladies in waiting, this story, like the others, has a young woman named Grace solving a mystery without letting on that she's doing so. That's a bit of a trick, though she has a couple friends who can help her sneak around at night or gather rumors. This one was a locked room murder mystery with a clever solution, and I feel like it worked well. The authors behind the "Lady Grace" pen name do a good job with characterization and dialogue and pacing, but I think they are especially good with setting; they excellent good use of London and the various residences of the queen's in the 16th Century, and the historical elements that go into the stories, including this one, I find not only accurate but instructive.
These are intended for a MG audience, and I think both in terms of interest and quality they should continued to do well with that group--if they find them. The last book was published more than a decade ago, and the later ones in the series, like this one, are kinda rare. Maybe a new edition?
Recommended for young readers as well as older readers who enjoy mysteries with a cozier tone.
January 3, 2020
Love it! I don't really like mysteries, but this series is very fun to read as it's set in medieval England.
November 28, 2021
childhood <3
October 13, 2023
These are all brilliant
May 22, 2025
This was so intriguing, I remember reading it by torchlight secretly in my room at night. Kept me up way past my bed time, and I just couldn't put it down. It was gripping, and beautifully written.
March 1, 2010
Keys is the eleventh book in the Lady Grace Mysteries, a series written in the form of the diary of Lady Grace Cavendish, a teenager girl who is goddaughter and Maid of Honor to Queen Elizabeth I. Grace solves mysteries at court with the help of her friends Masou, who is one of the Queen`s fools, and Ellie, who is her best friend despite the fact she is Grace's servant.
Queen Elizabeth I and her court have just arrived at her palace of Hampton Court. Grace and Ellie are out walking the Queen's dogs when they stumble upon a terrible sight - a man who has just been murdered. The man is Nicholas Urseau, the royal clockmaker. From the start, most people at court believe the murderer to be Mr. Urseau's apprentice, Charles Doute, because he was found next to the body. But Grace has her doubts. Charles seems heartbroken at his master's death, and she fears an innocent man may be punished or even killed for a murder he didn't commit. She decides that if no one will believe her about Charles Doute's innocence, she must solve the mystery herself. Enlisting the help of her friends, she sets out to solve yet another puzzling mystery at court.
Keys was another enjoyable read in the Lady Grace mysteries series. Although it would be most enjoyed by readers who have read earlier books in the series, the plot in this book can stand on its own. I recommend this book, and others in the series, to young readers who enjoy historical fiction, as well as to older readers with a special interest in reading about this time period.
Queen Elizabeth I and her court have just arrived at her palace of Hampton Court. Grace and Ellie are out walking the Queen's dogs when they stumble upon a terrible sight - a man who has just been murdered. The man is Nicholas Urseau, the royal clockmaker. From the start, most people at court believe the murderer to be Mr. Urseau's apprentice, Charles Doute, because he was found next to the body. But Grace has her doubts. Charles seems heartbroken at his master's death, and she fears an innocent man may be punished or even killed for a murder he didn't commit. She decides that if no one will believe her about Charles Doute's innocence, she must solve the mystery herself. Enlisting the help of her friends, she sets out to solve yet another puzzling mystery at court.
Keys was another enjoyable read in the Lady Grace mysteries series. Although it would be most enjoyed by readers who have read earlier books in the series, the plot in this book can stand on its own. I recommend this book, and others in the series, to young readers who enjoy historical fiction, as well as to older readers with a special interest in reading about this time period.
March 20, 2011
Why did Lord Ruxbury have o steal the Queens gold?
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews