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There is much excitement at Court as the famous painter Levina Teerlinc arrives to paint the Queen's portrait. The Maids of Honor are recruited to help entertain the Queen during the sittings, and to pose for the painter while the Queen is busy. They love being in the studio but have to beware as deadly poisons are used in some of the paints! One of Lady Grace's fellow Maids of Honor, Carmina, begins to act rather strangely--she seems confused and always tired. Her family has recently been involved in a feud with another noble family after her father was killed in a jousting tournament--is it possible that Carmina is being poisoned? Could the painter or her assistants be involved? Can Grace solve the mystery and discover the truth behind the strange happenings at Court?
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 19, 2018
I'm so sad this series is finished :,(
May 11, 2022
Sixth in the series, and I've enjoyed them all.
One of the great pleasures of reading this book and series (in common with the Enola Holmes books) is having a genuine conflict with stakes that give the story interest without raising the temperature so high I have to put it down. That's how this whole series has ended up on my bedstand; it's a pleasure to read around bedtime, when I will enjoy adventure but not agonizing dread.
Well plotted and paced, as always, and internally consistent.
Aimed at younger readers; recommended for just about anyone interested in historical mystery.
One of the great pleasures of reading this book and series (in common with the Enola Holmes books) is having a genuine conflict with stakes that give the story interest without raising the temperature so high I have to put it down. That's how this whole series has ended up on my bedstand; it's a pleasure to read around bedtime, when I will enjoy adventure but not agonizing dread.
Well plotted and paced, as always, and internally consistent.
Aimed at younger readers; recommended for just about anyone interested in historical mystery.
August 22, 2020
Delightful! I continue to enjoy these mysteries with the heroine a teen age lad-in-waiting. Poison and the minerals used in painting are the themes of this tale. Each book also reminds me why I am so glad to live in a century without corsets, stomachers, bumrolls and farthingales. And, that is just some of the items a women's put on each day.
September 13, 2018
great book! So sad that is the last one or are there more?
December 2, 2018
Superb storytelling. Couldn't work out the culprit as the author didn't give much in the way of clues. No matter, it was a well-researched book, transporting readers right into time and place.
September 23, 2022
Ten out of ten. This is the best book of the series and I couldn’t have ever figured out to make a book with this potential. This is a WAY underrated series and O hope it receives more attention in the future.
January 1, 2024
Exciting and quick to read novel that dosent feel like it lulls at any point. Mystery was not predictable so always kept you guessing
February 17, 2017
Lady grace is a fantastic book. the whole way through i was on the edge of my chair wanting to know what would happen next. if you liked the diary of Anne frank and the royal diaries then the lady grace is no exception! so go on! get reading!
August 11, 2007
The Queen is having her portrait painted, but the Queen has more important things to do than stand around all day while people paint her picture. Lady Sarah, who looks somewhat like the Queen, is standing for most of the portrait, and Grace has to sit and read to her. Grace would much rather watch the painters and learn their craft. While watching the artists, Grace learns quite a few things-- especially that certain paints are poisonous.
At the same time, an acting troupe has shown up and Lady Carmina is falling mysteriously ill. Grace suspects, but can't prove, she's being poisoned. Paints are being stolen from the work room-- if Grace can find the thief, will she find the poisoner? Who would want to harm Carmina?
The problem with this book is that a feud Carmina's family is involved in is the turning point of the plot, but it's hidden in the background. The pointers leading to the feud would have been very subtle foreshadowing and would make an almost-twist (and exciting) ending. But, alas, the book is named feud, so we know it's going to be important. The most interesting thing about this book is not the feud or the information presented about feuds. The most interesting thing is the information about the painting and artistic techniques of the Elizabethan age. This story contains more false leads than the previous mysteries and is one of the best.
At the same time, an acting troupe has shown up and Lady Carmina is falling mysteriously ill. Grace suspects, but can't prove, she's being poisoned. Paints are being stolen from the work room-- if Grace can find the thief, will she find the poisoner? Who would want to harm Carmina?
The problem with this book is that a feud Carmina's family is involved in is the turning point of the plot, but it's hidden in the background. The pointers leading to the feud would have been very subtle foreshadowing and would make an almost-twist (and exciting) ending. But, alas, the book is named feud, so we know it's going to be important. The most interesting thing about this book is not the feud or the information presented about feuds. The most interesting thing is the information about the painting and artistic techniques of the Elizabethan age. This story contains more false leads than the previous mysteries and is one of the best.
September 12, 2009
There is much excitement at Court as the famous painter Levina Teerlinc arrives to paint the Queen's portrait. The Maids of Honor are recruited to help
entertain the Queen during the sittings, and to pose for the painter while the Queen is busy. They love being in the studio but have to beware as deadly
poisons are used in some of the paints! One of Lady Grace's fellow Maids of Honor, Carmina, begins to act rather strangely--she seems confused and always
tired. Her family has recently been involved in a feud with another noble family after her father was killed in a jousting tournament--is it possible that
Carmina is being poisoned? Could the painter or her assistants be involved? Can Grace solve the mystery and discover the truth behind the strange happenings
at Court?
I feel I always write the same things about these books, that they were good, had good historical detail, the characters were well-drawn, etc. I really love the characterization of Queen Elizabeth I and Lady Grace herself. These are a fun little romp and a quick read, but the historical detail is good, too.
entertain the Queen during the sittings, and to pose for the painter while the Queen is busy. They love being in the studio but have to beware as deadly
poisons are used in some of the paints! One of Lady Grace's fellow Maids of Honor, Carmina, begins to act rather strangely--she seems confused and always
tired. Her family has recently been involved in a feud with another noble family after her father was killed in a jousting tournament--is it possible that
Carmina is being poisoned? Could the painter or her assistants be involved? Can Grace solve the mystery and discover the truth behind the strange happenings
at Court?
I feel I always write the same things about these books, that they were good, had good historical detail, the characters were well-drawn, etc. I really love the characterization of Queen Elizabeth I and Lady Grace herself. These are a fun little romp and a quick read, but the historical detail is good, too.
March 1, 2010
This is the sixth book in the Lady Grace Mysteries series, about Lady Grace Cavendish, a thirteen-year-old Maid of Honor at the court of Queen Elizabeth I.
It is March of 1570, and a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth I is being painted at court. Lady Sarah, one of Lady Grace's fellow Maids of Honor, is being a stand-in for some of the portrait work. As Grace must accompany her to the workroom, she is able to observe the artists working and learns how deadly and poisonous certain paints can be. Shortly after, Carmina, another of the Maids of Honor, becomes mysteriously ill. Grace wonders if she is being poisoned - but who would poison Carmina, and why? Grace is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.
This was another excellent book in the Lady Grace series. It told an enjoyable story and included many interesting details about life in Elizabethan times. I'd definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoyed the other books in the series.
It is March of 1570, and a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth I is being painted at court. Lady Sarah, one of Lady Grace's fellow Maids of Honor, is being a stand-in for some of the portrait work. As Grace must accompany her to the workroom, she is able to observe the artists working and learns how deadly and poisonous certain paints can be. Shortly after, Carmina, another of the Maids of Honor, becomes mysteriously ill. Grace wonders if she is being poisoned - but who would poison Carmina, and why? Grace is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.
This was another excellent book in the Lady Grace series. It told an enjoyable story and included many interesting details about life in Elizabethan times. I'd definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoyed the other books in the series.
September 20, 2013
4.5
So far this is the only Lady Grace Mystery that I have given 4 stars to. I feel bad but there were a things that really bothered me.
1. The blurb talks about a famous painter and the paint being missing. Grace doesn't learn that the poison is paint until the middle. There is no famous painter. So the blurb is very miss leading.
2. Felt like it was obivious how the culpriet was poisoning the Maid. All she would eat were the sweetmeats
3. The huge coincidence! Its only by mere chance that Grace figured this one out. Had she not heard that one thing at the end, poor Carmina would have died. Had Carmina eaten that final sweetmeat, she would have been dead. The coincidences were really hard to ignore this time.
Otherwise enjoyable and I am ready to read Gold
So far this is the only Lady Grace Mystery that I have given 4 stars to. I feel bad but there were a things that really bothered me.
1. The blurb talks about a famous painter and the paint being missing. Grace doesn't learn that the poison is paint until the middle. There is no famous painter. So the blurb is very miss leading.
2. Felt like it was obivious how the culpriet was poisoning the Maid. All she would eat were the sweetmeats
3. The huge coincidence! Its only by mere chance that Grace figured this one out. Had she not heard that one thing at the end, poor Carmina would have died. Had Carmina eaten that final sweetmeat, she would have been dead. The coincidences were really hard to ignore this time.
Otherwise enjoyable and I am ready to read Gold
March 24, 2015
This was another book from this series where I felt fairly neutral after reading. I think the issue with this one was the fact that it didn't really have much of a mystery, the paint was obviously the thing poisoning Lady Carmina, so I was quite bored at the start of the novel.
One thing I enjoyed about this book was the exploration of paints in this age and the introduction of the pencil, which Grace gets to keep and starts writing her diary with so that she doesn't make any mistakes.
The story-line was drab unfortunately and I just wanted to get through this one to carry on with the series.
On to number 7...
One thing I enjoyed about this book was the exploration of paints in this age and the introduction of the pencil, which Grace gets to keep and starts writing her diary with so that she doesn't make any mistakes.
The story-line was drab unfortunately and I just wanted to get through this one to carry on with the series.
On to number 7...
May 5, 2009
The Queen's portrait painters are hard at work, one of the Maids of Honour is posing as the queen and Lady Grace is set to keep her distracted by reading to her. Grace is more distracted with the art. When one of the other ladies becomes ill and Grace finds that the symptoms can be produced by paint she starts to investigate. This time it is a matter of life and death.
The title pretty much gives a lot of the plot away but these stories are more about the Elizabethan experience than mystery and it is an interesting read.
The title pretty much gives a lot of the plot away but these stories are more about the Elizabethan experience than mystery and it is an interesting read.
November 3, 2008
The sixth in the Lady Cavendish series, this not very lady like 14 year is concerned about the sickness of another Maid in Honor. When she watches court portrait painters she begins to learn about how paints are made and how some are quite poisonous. At the same time an acting troop is at court putting on plays for the Queen. The historical detail is quite interesting and the humor is good as well, especially with all of the females fawning over one of the actors.
January 18, 2010
When one of Queen Elizabeth I maids of honor, Carmina, gets sick her maid of honor Lady Grace works to figure out what is harming her. After she has come to the conclusion that Lady Carmina is being poisoned she catches the culprit with the help of her friends Ellie and Fausto. This book is very suspenseful, satisfying, and would appeal to anyone even if they don't enjoy mysteries.
August 20, 2022
Lady Grace finds herself with nothing to do until another of the maids of honour is ill but with no fever. She discovers by accident that it may be poison, thanks to her botched painting lesson where she almost poisoned herself by eating with paint on her hands. Now Grace must find the poisoner before it is too late.
June 25, 2015
Went on a bit of binge reading, and thinking of reading the last book I own (haunted), because this is awesome. I loved this book best because of all the details that went in regards to how painting works in Elizabethean era. I always love books that teach me new things, and I would have loved to have read this when I was a little girl.
November 6, 2017
Je me suis remise à cette série que j'avais commencé à l'école primaire (donc il y a très longtemps) après être tombée par hasard sur un exemplaire de ce tome-ci. Du coup, cette lecture était pour moi empreinte de nostalgie. Le roman est écrit sous forme de journal intime, tenu par une jeune demoiselle d'honneur à la cour d'Elizabeth Ière d'Angleterre. Vraiment cool!
June 16, 2009
This tale was the most interesting and fun to read in the series so far. I did not guess who the proper antagonist was until the very end. This book did a better job of introducing facts about occupations much better than the previous book (Deception). A very enjoyable read.
March 11, 2012
As usual, Patricia Finney crafts a tight and believeable mystery. The Lady Grace mysteries were favorites from my childhood, for the bravery and intelligence of their heroine. These are really good books.
December 25, 2012
This one was the most simplistic one to date. However I enjoy the series so well that it doesn't mater too much to me. Also I learn a little about history while reading the books so I enjoy that as well.
September 3, 2012
Lady Grace saves the day again! When a fellow Ladies Maid falls ill, Grace discovers the true cause of the illness and who is behind it. Queen Elisabeth has a good friend in the little Lady Grace!
A fun mystery filled with history and characters you won't forget.
A fun mystery filled with history and characters you won't forget.
July 28, 2013
Lady Grace, dans cette nouvelle aventure, nous amène dans son enquête avec brio. Jusqu'au bout, j'ai été captivée. Je n'avais pas trouvé le coupable...Elle se montre encore plus proche des ses amis Masou et Elsie ainsi que de la reine.
March 21, 2015
Lots of interesting information embedded in this book about the process and role of court painting, including the paints used. The plot was a little labyrinthine for the series, and a little too bogged down away from the maids in waiting.
May 30, 2007
I didn't finish. The historical premise was promising, but I thought the book failed to deliver.
May 1, 2007
I htought this was a really god book and this is one of my favorite series
January 28, 2008
I was previewing these for Violet. They're a little old for her, but not much. They are quick, easy, light, escapism reading for me!
August 23, 2008
There's less action in this book than in the first two in the series, but the mystery is just as satisfying, and the details of life in Queen Elizabeth's court are just as interesting.
October 29, 2011
Grace is pulled into this latest mystery when a fellow maid of honor becomes mysteriously sick. Forays into Renaissance painting and feuds reveal all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews