The Plot to Kill a Queen

by Deborah Hopkinson

From award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson comes a mystery about a young girl's quest to foil a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I.

Emilia Bassano is a girl who relishes the music of words. Although she plays the lute and writes poetry, Emilia nurtures a dream: to hear her words come alive on stage. Emilia wants to write soliloquies for heroes and kings and queens of old, fashion fierce villains to make audiences howl, and try her hand at comedy and romance. Most of all, she wants to create unforgettable women characters.

On one of her trips to the theater, an unfortunate series of events leaves her penniless, with no way of watching the show. That is until a boy by the name of Will Shakespeare helps her sneak in to see the play. They realize they're both aspiring playwrights and Emilia convinces Will to join her in her efforts to win a playwriting competition at the palace of Queen Elizabeth I.

However, when Emilia accidentally uncovers a plot to kill the queen, she is given the job of traveling to the castle where Mary Queen of Scots is being held captive, to discover who is responsible for the plan to murder Queen Elizabeth—and to thwart it! Can Emilia and her friends stop the plans of a disguised murderer on the loose?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Mystery, Historical, Childrens, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 17, 2023

About the author

I write nonfiction and historical fiction, picture books, and Golden Books. I speak at school, libraries, and conferences. I also love to garden and offer manuscript critiques. (Deborahhopkinson@yahoo.com)

NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.

I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't my first time reading Deborah Hopkinson and I'm happy I picked this one up! It's a great mix of historical fiction and mystery.

The Plot to Kill a Queen is a fictionalized account of the relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots. The story also centers main character Emilia who is interested in having her writings performed on stage in the theater. Unfortunately, this dream is pushed to the side when Emilia discovers a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth I. Sent under disguise to figure out the true intentions of Mary Queen of Scots, Emilia quickly learned that things are never what they seem.

What Worked: I LOVED that Hopkinson wrote this as if readers are engaging with an actual play. It brings the character of Emilia to life and it's a fun way to play into her dreams of becoming a playwright. While Hopkinson does take some historical liberties with this text (i.e. Emilia would have never met a young William Shakespeare), it still provides enough historical accuracy to draw in the attention of younger readers. This book is proof that there is a way to draw students into the tidbits of history that are fun, engaging, and high stakes. The relationship between Elizabeth and Mary was truly strained, but adding in a few more high energy elements, Hopkinson is able to provide a history lesson with some added fun. I loved the moments where Emilia would break the fourth wall to give readers an aside about the current environment of play. It made me, as reader, feel more connected to her as a character.

Overall, this was a fast paced and fun read that explored one of my favorite periods of history. This is one that I would recommend to middle grade readers that love both historical fiction and mysteries!

[Janssen]

A fun, quick read aloud.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun! I would have loved this as a kid too. Emilia Bassano is a plucky heroine, and I loved the combination of storylines: Elizabethan theatre and the rivalry and plotting between Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. Our heroine is a lute player at the court of Queen Elizabeth and undertakes a spying mission to Sheffield Castle for Sir Francis Walsingham. I love the blend of real historical figures and the author’s made up characters like the delightful Field family. There was a lot of history tucked into the pages but in a way that blended well with the story. Emilia is an aspiring playwright and the novel is divided into acts and scenes. So fun! Emilia’s small dog Mousekin plays a key role too.

[swiftie 💗💗🤭💅 jinu wife!!:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay but I rlly wanna read more about Mary

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have loved this book as a kid! The main character is a strong, realistic feminist who has empathy for both queens. I love the little pauses in the story to define different elements of playwriting, Shakespeare, historical bobs and bits, etc. - this would be a great book to use with an elementary class!

[Aimee Potts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute book. It's a great book to share with kids if you want to get them into Shakespeare, Tudor history, and the theater.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emilia Bassano loves writing and plays and sneaks off to the theater to catch a play one afternoon. While walking home, she overhears a conversation that sounds like a threat to Queen Elizabeth. She is soon off to play spy at the castle where Mary, Queen of Scots, is imprisoned, with a mission to uncover what is being plotted and who is doing the plotting. She is also writing her own play to enter into a writing contest, though she has to keep her writing secret so she doesn't blow her cover.

The plot is fun. I enjoyed reading about the twists and turns to the mystery, though it did take a while for me to get into it. Unfortunately, I'm already forgetting the details and I literally just read it. There are explanations throughout of how plays work, and the action is split into acts and scenes. However, it isn't really written like a play with dialogue and stage direction. There is backmatter with some historical details, and the short play that Emilia writes is also included at the end.

[Olivia Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! Loving theater and English history as a kid, I would have adored this when I was young. The story is a twisty mystery kids and adults can enjoy with a charming and brave heroine. And it comes with a play!

[Lisa Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! I liked how the narrator shifted to talk to the reader at times. Also, great to read an historical fiction set during this time period.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots—the plot to kill which one? Amazing historical fiction. Middle Grades

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
The book’s format is unique as the author presents the story as a three-act play. However, the story itself is written as a familiar narrative, not the scripted format of a play. The opening pages offer a teaser about a chase scene later in the book until the narrator realizes she should probably start at the beginning. The titles of each act are shared which helps readers anticipate what’s to come. The narrator explains that the prologue talks about past events and gets the audience ready for the show. Asides are included where the narrator speaks directly to readers and shares specifics about topics related to the plays or the story in general. There’s even a soliloquy, a longer form of an aside.
Information from this time is shared which makes the book historical fiction. It describes Emilia’s clothing including her thoughts that pants would be much more comfortable and useful than petticoats and dresses. She is the main character and meets William Shakespeare early in the book (before he’s written any of his famous plays) and she discovers they share a passion for writing stories and plays. The moat protecting Queen Elizabeth’s castle is also where body waste is dropped and transportation is by horseback or carriage. The well-known conflict concerning claims to the English throne by Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots establishes the major problem driving the plot. A section at the end of the book provides further details concerning the connections between the book and actual historical events during this time.
The narrative is told through the eyes of Emilia so readers gain insight into the complicated contrast between her thoughts and her actions. She has no experience as a spy but she’s been warned about what to expect in Mary’s castle. She remembers Shakespeare’s comments about an actor becoming their character and she heeds that advice as a lute player. Emilie’s nervousness will create empathy in readers since there’s an air of hostility from many of the castle residents she encounters. Her job is to discover how Mary is secretly communicating with supporters outside the castle which creates a mystery for readers to solve. Also, Emilia must secretly pursue her interest in writing a play as women don’t have the same opportunities as men. As always, she is accompanied by her pet dog named Mouse and the spaniel proves to be a competent assistant in adventure and the spy business.
What didn’t work as well:
Readers may want more drama in the plot although Emilia mounts a daring escape from Mary’s castle. The evidence she uncovers doesn’t generate the reaction she expects and that part of the story may feel anticlimactic.
The final verdict:
The author develops an entertaining, informative story featuring the intrigue surrounding the contested claims to rule England between Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots. Emilia’s relatable character carries the plot as she tries to create a contest-winning play while investigating alleged plots to bring Mary to the throne. Readers may want more suspense but I still recommend you give this book a shot.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emilia's father used to be one of Queen Elizabeth's lute players until his death. The kindly Sir Frances Walsingham, his wife, and daughter have welcomed Emilia into their family. While out doing research for a play she wants to write, Emilia overhears 2 men saying they have a foolproof way of getting letters to Mary, Queen of Scots that evade her captors. Emilia knows Sir Frances needs to know right away. He is Queen Elizabeth's spy master. What Emilia overheard aligns with some other things Sir Frances has heard of late, so he recruits Emilia to be a spy placed in the castle where Mary is being held by posing as a lute player sent as a gift from Elizabeth to Mary for a month. Emilia and her dog Mousekin are on their way to see if they can find out how the letters are getting in and out without being discovered herself.

This is an information-rich historical fiction spy thriller. The events included aren't necessarily historical, but the setting, most of the characters involved, and the premise for why spying would be going on are all historical. It was an engaging way to learn about this time period. I knew Hopkinson could write excellent nonfiction, and it turns out she can also write engaging fiction (and slips in plenty of informational elements in side bars and text boxes along the way). The Tudor/Stuart time period isn't my favorite one to read about, but I would totally read another book by Hopkinson set in it.

Notes on content:
Language: None that I remember
Sexual content: None
Violence: It is mentioned that the penalty for treason is death and Emilia knows what she's doing is dangerous but no one comes to harm in the main story. (Mary's eventual fate is related in extra information but no gory details about her execution.)
Ethnic diversity: There are many British characters. Emilia's family came from Italy. There are people in the courts from France, Scotland, and other places in Europe.
GBLTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Social class and gender inequalities of the time period are pointed out.

[Shradha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel this book might fall into the category of "titles I enjoyed for the brief time I read them, but will honestly forget I ever did unless I look through my Goodreads history." It's not a bad book by any means, but there is nothing present to make this book stand out from any other children's historical mystery. Girl who dresses as a boy? Check. Characters that largely fall into a dichotomy of good or bad with almost no shades of gray? Check. A mystery, the solution of which is fairly obvious and will be "revealed" in the last twenty pages after the protagonist has remained more or less clueless? Check.

To the author's credit, she makes no effort to disguise the fact that she cared nothing for historical accuracy when writing the book, and mostly focused on writing what she thought would be enjoyable. And for a younger audience, that may be the case. Although the book is marketed as middle grade fiction, the writing is a bit more juvenile in nature and the plot is a bit more simplistic as well.

As an aside, one thing I did appreciate that raised this book from a 2.5 to a full 3 star read for me was the inclusion of a one-act play that not only fit the theme of acting that the author went for in this book, but also was explicitly stated by the author to be approved for a class activity. There was no need for them to go to the effort of writing an extra play that the protagonist is supposed to be creating, but they did. I just found that endearing and kind of the author.

Thanks to YABC for sending me a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Hailey]

I'm a little confused by Hopkinson chose Emilia as her main character. Typically, it seems like most historical fiction authors try to keep their stories as plausible as possible. However, Hopkinson writes in the author's note at the end that Emilia Bassano never acted as a spy, nor did her mother pass away (which is part of her backstory in the novel), as well as other differences between the real Emilia and her fictional version.

Finding out the various historical liberties she took after reading the novel almost felt a little bit like a betrayal. It didn't make sense to me why she chose Emilia as the main character instead of creating an original character to keep the story more probable.

While the plot was a fun concept, I wish Emilia had done more purposeful spying. While she does find out the plot against Elizabeth, it happens entirely through coincidence. I think she would have been a stronger main character if she'd been more active.

The novel is structured uniquely, broken up into three acts with various asides and intermissions sprinkled throughout. While these added a fun element to it, the fourth ball breaking did throw me off a little, mostly because it was clear in them that Emilia knew she was writing to an audience far in the future. There also was one note where it was the author interrupting the story rather than Emilia, which really confused me at first.

The Plot to Kill a Queen had a lot of potential to be a really fun novel. However, it left me wanting more. I think it's best suited for younger middlegrade readers.

[Nancy Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just recently gotten into historical fiction and this book by Deborah Hopkinson demonstrates why it's such a popular genre. She has combined the historical settings and real people seamlessly with the fictional elements of the story. The story revolves around Emilia Bassano, a young court musician during the reign of Queen Elizabeth who is sent as a spy to Sheffield Castle, where Scottish Queen Mary is imprisoned, to find out who is plotting to kill Elizabeth. At the same time, Emilia wants to enter a play-writing contest, an unusual ambition for women of the time (Maybe. Who knows?)

A young Will Shakespeare enters the narrative and of course, British history and the Bard are endlessly fascinating subjects. But the idea of a young woman of the era harboring a deep desire to write a play is the driving force of the narrative. And she has a cute little dog! What's not to like? In the backmatter, the author has supplied the script for the play Emilia writes. It's such a genius idea and adds another dimension to the book. It could be performed by any classroom or theater group.

After finishing the book, I spent a lot of time googling the historical people and events that make an appearance in the book. Perhaps that's the beauty of historical fiction -- it can generate interest in history and introduce us to people and subjects we might not otherwise come across. Deborah Hopkinson has mastered the genre.

[Sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this on a flight home from a trade show where I picked up this arc (thank you, Scholastic rep Sydney 🥳) and I flew through it. I really liked the structure of the different acts/play structure, and 13-year-old Emilia Bassano is a great heroine to root for!

Emilia is the orphaned ward of Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth I’s spymaster. A musician and aspiring playwright, she sneaks out one night to attend a play (meeting an 18 year old Will Shakespeare!) and accidentally overhears a plot to kill a queen.

UGH my app just crashed and wiped the review I was editing and adding to. Basically, I was delighted by this and I hope it’s a gateway to get kids into historical fiction! Emilia gets recruited by her guardian to journey to Sheffield Manor where Mary Queen of Scots is being held prisoner by her cousin Elizabeth, and keep her eyes and ears open for anyone smuggling messages in and out. Shenanigans ensue.

I loved how fully realized this world was, and I was sucked in immediately. Emilia has to learn who to trust (no one, basically) and she makes some friends along the way (ALICE my beloved!)

[Devin Redmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deborah Hopkinson’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 was an enjoyable historical fiction book for 4th grade +. But there is a lot going on. It was a mix of a spy story, a feminist manifesto (that’s an exaggeration because it’s a kid’s book, but the main character has a lot to say that girls and women weren’t treated fairly in the 1580s), a theatrical stage play, a musical, and a guide to writing. I think it will take a niche reader. I loved the spunky main character Emilia Bassano. Plus, she has a sweet little dog as a sidekick.
Cheating a bit and posting the blurb from Follett: “In 1582 thirteen-year-old Emilia Bassano is a lute player and aspiring playwright who stumbles on a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth, and is recruited by Sir Francis Walsingham to go to the castle where Mary Queen of Scots is being held and discover who is responsible for the plot.”
I almost forgot! Hopkinson included a play that can be put on in classrooms or for families. It’s cute.
I loved all the historical notes throughout the book and at the end.
3 / 5 stars.

[BookstrovertReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The strong main character, the English history, and the distinctive format all make this book a great read!

I loved the unique format of this book. The creativity of splitting into three acts like a play because the main character is a fledging playwright is amazing. It even has an intermission!!!

Personally, I am super interested in old, English royal history. This book takes place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. A middle grade historical fiction based in the Elizabethan era, wow! Hopkinson creates the perfect balance of history and fiction.

I also can't not mention the feminism in this book. Emilia, our main character, constantly gives comments about the prejudice towards woman back then and the disproportionate advantages men had. Instead of glorifying and skipping over the inequality, Hopkinson points it out for what it is. I think it is great when books do this because it creates an awareness in the minds of the young people who will read this book.

Overall I would recommend this book to MG lovers and historical fiction enthusiasts.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun historical novel. Hopkinson provides many historical details throughout the story without bogging down the plot. Her excellent end notes point out what is real vs. what's fictional. And, I really liked that she includes the script of the play Emilia writes, along with permission to perform the play in schools, communities, or in private settings with family and friends.

I did become annoyed at Emilia's asides, constantly wondering about future readers. Although her real history does suggest that she was a woman ahead of her time, these asides often seem too modern for a young Elizabethan girl. They also make the book seem very agenda driven, instead of letting kids make their own inferences from the story itself.

My issues aside, I do recommend this for middle grade readers who will learn some English history while enjoying a fun story.

Review based on an eARC received through Edelweiss+

[Blaire Journey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of great potential, but I feel like the execution could've been better. The footnotes at the beginning with all the "I hope in your time things are better," and the constant mention of hoping things are better in the future, it just felt very unrealistic. None of the characters really had that much of a personality, and the "mystery" was barely anything, with it being on a standstill like, forever, and then suddenly being solved using none of the main characters wits at all. this just feels completely underdeveloped, and while the concept held a lot of potential, it was just overall lacking. If you're looking for a good mystery, unfortunately, I wouldn't really recommend this. 3 stars.

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not the intended audience for this book as it is aimed at late elementary or early middle school students. That being said, this book as just terrible even looking at it from that perspective. It was just trying too hard to be witty and educational. The story was a mess and just seemed like it wanted to include as many famous names as possible. The play at the end of the novel did not even make any sense. The asides to a modern audience read like a schoolbook trying to teach a lesson rather than something fun. The book is not quite right for classroom reading but it isn't appealing as a book to read for fun either for anyone of any age.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this theatrical bit of historical fiction, Emilia is a musician who occasionally performs with her cousins for Queen Elizabeth I. When she sneaks out disguised as a boy to see a play, she meets William Shakespeare and overhears a plot to kill the queen. When she tells her guardian, Sir Francis Walsingham, of the plot he recruits her to spy in the castle where Mary, Queen of Scots is imprisoned. With her trusty dog Mousekin at her side, Emilia bravely sets out determined not only to discover who is behind the plot but to write her own play. Includes a bonus play written by the author.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 for the book itself - 4 because of the audio narration. This was a unique book that is written in the style of a play and is historical fiction in London. It was interesting with pieces of a not often written about time period for middle grade. I honestly don't know the kid appeal factor though so I would like to see what a few kids think of it because maybe it is one of those that appeal a little more to adults due to the topic being more obscure (i.e. not the WW2 trend for MG Lit).

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

My son and I picked this up, hoping for a fun middle grade historical mystery. Unfortunately, it did not really satisfy either one of us. The mystery component was slow and once revealed, kind of boring. The story does have some interesting historical elements, but it felt as if the author wasn't sure if this was historical fiction, mystery, or an introduction to theatre terms, and as a result, it dragged and became muddled. Thankfully it was short - moving on now to a true page turner.

[Chris G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s 1582, and thirteen year old orphaned Emilia is fortunate that Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster is her guardian. A talented lute player, Emilia helps provide entertainment for the Queen and is excited to be sent to play for Mary, Queen of Scots on a mission from her guardian to investigate a plot against Elizabeth. An enjoyable historical fiction/mystery. EARC from Edelweiss.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hopkinson brings her wealth of historical nonfiction writing to this fictional tale surrounding the rival Queens in the Tudor era. That can make the story feel overfull at times, but also, it means there is a little something for everyone whether it's the spy narrative, theatrical framing device, feminist asides, or historical details about the half-sisters who are plotting to kill each other.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. One of my favorite things about reading historical fiction is learning more about people, places, and events in history. I'd read some about Queen Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scot, but I feel like I learned so much more through this engaging and well researched book. A mystery kids will enjoy and a great way for them to learn more about this time in history.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love how it is two stories in one.
You can read/ hear her play at the end, The Princess who saves the cakes.

I wish she would have met William Shakespeare. Irl.
Or that she wrote a play. And used his name.

[Michelle Halber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the format of a play, this was a fun, engaging story set in Tudor England about a girl musician who is sent to the castle where Queen Mary is being held prisoner to hunt for plots against the English Queen Elizabeth.

[AllyP Reads Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Kids would like it. I really don't like books that take real people and put them in false situations that they never would have encountered. I don't see the point; just use a made up character.