The Murder in the Tower

Stuart Saga #3

by Jean Plaidy

The dashing Robert Carr is a well-known favourite of King James I and he rises quickly through the ranks. But when he is married to the cunning and beautiful child-bride, Frances Howard, a very dangerous liaison changes everything. Frances emerges as a headstrong force of nature - determined to have her way, no matter what the cost. Her attempts to rid herself of an unwanted husband, and later to ensnare a lukewarm lover, lead her deep into the world of spell-makers and treachery. This is a woman to underestimate at great peril. But when Robert finds himself ensnared in one of Frances's plots he finally learns what she is truly capable of.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, British Literature, 17th Century, Royalty, 16th Century

286 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Marie Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Murder in The Tower" by Jean Plaidy (pseudonym used by Eleanor Hibbert, aka Victoria Holt)

(The first book in the Stuart Saga series)(1964)

"The drama is played out against the background of the Court of James I."

After finishing this first installment of Plaidy's Stuart Saga by Jean Plaidy, I would still love to delve more into the characters that Plaidy described. When you think of a Tudor or Stuart novel, with this title of Murder, one tends to think of Anne Boleyn, or maybe Mary Queen of Scots. This novel is actually concerning the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, who is not the main protagonist of this intriguing novel.

The book is based on the life of Frances Howard, and her loves and her wicked ways to attain all that she desires. She starts out as a passionate young woman and we think we like her, but as she grows and becomes more and more of a selfish evil woman, there is no sympathy for her. I did find sympathy for Robert Carr, the man she fell in love with when she was a married woman.

Robert Carr caught the King James' eye when he fell from his horse as a young man, and quickly shot up in the ranks with titles and favoritism from James. He is portrayed as a pretty boy who really didn't deserve the posts he had since he had to have another man, Thomas Overbury, secretly do most of the work for Robert Carr. They called Thomas a scribe. One thing led to another and once Thomas realizes that Robert wants to marry Frances Howard, he is incensed. He has no respect for Frances and happens to know she had visits with unworthy people who dealt with witchcraft. Since Thomas would not back down, Frances and her witchcraft friends decided to take matters into their own hands. Supposedly Robert Carr has no idea what is going on.

Even though this book has James I in it, it is not a typical Stuart Saga, asi ti was only set within the time period of James I and his family. There was a small storyline with Frances and the King's son, Henry, and a bit on the royal family and the royal children but not an incredible amount. I don't know what the rest of the Stuart Saga books are about so maybe they are just based in the time period like this one, or maybe they are more having to deal with the actual Stuarts.

This was a quick read, and I definitely loved the deliciously entertaining Frances Howards and her intense need to fulfill her every whim. Although not an influential person by herself in the era, she caused quite a scandal and led a very interesting life which was a joy to read about. Plaidy fans do not want to miss this one, this was a quick read that stays with you.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Robert Carr, James I's favorite, and his disastrous affair with Frances Howard.

Readers who demand rigid adherence to the rule "show, don't tell" probably won't like this book, but I found it fast-paced, especially since I wasn't familiar with the historical events behind the story. Though Frances remained an unsympathetic character to me (as indeed I suspect she was meant to remain), I did find myself caring about Robert, particularly toward the end. I especially enjoyed Plaidy's portrayal of James I. In the last novel I read where he was a character, he was repulsive and one-dimensional, and the little I've read about him indicates that he was a far more complex man than that. Now I'm eager to read more about him and the other characters in this novel, always a sign of a good book.

[MBenzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Plaidy has this way of writing that makes it impossible to set down one of her books once you've started. Even if you're not liking the story very much, you still can't help but plow through it (I found that to be the case with 'The Three Crowns'...so-so book, but I just couldn't stop reading it!). This book, however, was a great read through-and-through.

I've read so much on Henry VIII and Charles II that I've become somewhat bored with them. I love these books about people and scandals that I'm not familiar with but still take place in a time I love to read about. The story of the Countess of Essex is fascinating. What a scary, evil woman she was! And while she is someone you should absolutely despise, Ms. Plaidy manages to write her story in a way that that's riveting, but not repulsive. You see the terrible person that Frances is, but it's done subtly. It's almost as if the author were sitting next to you on your couch, sipping a cup of tea and telling you the story of the downfall of the Countess of Essex.

I also learned a bit about James I from this book. I knew NOTHING about his reign (and still don't, really), but I had no idea he was such a personable King. For some reason, I always thought he was a mean and hated monarch...where I picked up that opinion, I have no clue, but I just assumed after the reign of the great Elizabeth that no one really cared for him, and because of this he was an ill-tempered king. That doesn't seem to be the case at all. I'm definitely gonna have to pick up a book about the reign of James I to learn more about this 'King Solomon' of Britain.

Overall, I absolutely recommend this book. The story of the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury in the Tower of London by the evil Frances Howard, Countess of Essex, is a marvelous one. Frances is a woman who has so much in life, yet is never happy with any of it...always wanting more until finally, she's involved so many people in her scheming that she can no longer hide from the truth and consequences of her actions.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably the first ever book I ever had trouble reading because the heroine was unlikeable. Normally, that kind of thing doesn't bother me, as long as they're complex with clear motivations and consistent behaviors. However, I had not met Frances Howard.

As depicted by Plaidy, Frances is selfish, narcissistic, promiscuous, ambitious, and greedy. She doesn't care about anyone but herself and cannot see any of her luck or privileges. Married at 12 to a boy of 14, Frances is yearning for freedom. Her exposure to the Stuart court in London gives her the worst sort of ideas. All she can imagine is being the mistress of the most powerful men in the land. At first, that's the Prince of Wales and then eventually Robert Carr, the favorite of King James I. She is so single-minded that she turns to witchcraft to achieve her ends, and she is too ambitious to notice how these con artists are just milking her for money.

Honestly, I had a lot of trouble reading this book because of Frances. She obsesses over Robert Carr, and I just can't understand why, especially when he's pretty clear that he's indifferent to her for a good portion of the story. Her miserable end (well, miserable for her) redeemed the story, in my eyes.

Frances wasn't the only narrator of this story. Half of the story was from Robert Carr's perspective. His rise to power is intriguing because of his astuteness. What he lacks in book learning he makes up for in emotional intelligence. He knows how to placate the king, and he holds his position as the Favorite for years, and he would've held it for longer until he meets Frances. However, his ending redeems him, and he is a sympathetic character.

Scribe and poet Thomas Overbury and King James I are among some of the other narrators, but there are others as well, from Overbury's jailor to the wife of Dr. Forman, one of the biggest conmen Frances works with. Plaidy did a good job of illustrating London society in the aftermath of Elizabeth's reign, but I personally think her storytelling suffers when she jumps between so many perspectives. Admittedly, those other perspectives weren't distracting, but I think it would have been more productive to give more page-time to Frances, to round out her character and make her more nuanced rather than just a haughty, spoiled, brat, as well as to flesh out Robert's exact relationship with James I. Historical record suspects James I of being gay, but there's no hint of anything romantic or sexual between James and Robert, which seems odd.

Regardless, this is a fun book, and the ending is great as everyone gets their just desserts. Highly recommend for anyone who is interested in reading about the tragic Stuart dynasty.

[Mbuye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A romanticised and colourful story of Frances Howard, Countess of Essex, and the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, her lover's secretary. It keeps to the known historical facts, which are well documented and well publicised for the time, as the trial eventually threw a shadow over the involvement of the King himself, James I of England.

A large part is devoted to the "Spanish plot" thought up by the Earl of Northampton, Frances's powerful uncle, and the Viscount Rochester, but Plaidy seems to have a real bias towards Rochester, unlike many other writers. Rochester is simply a handsome, gullible fool pulled three ways: by the King, by the Countess of Essex and by a crafty, conniving Overbury who well deserved the death that forms the title of this book.

Unlike other Plaidy novels, this one weaves a slow and tortuous trail across the events of this true crime, at the end of which, indeed, the fickle King had changed favourites! As well, it describes the rise of George Villiers, later the Duke of Buckingham, who was to feature in many a play and novel - not least, in one of Alexandre Dumas's.

While being critical of the Countess (and indeed, the fears that haunt her after her second marriage are downright Lady Macbethian) and Overbury, Plaidy seems to be astonishingly tolerant of King James, of the Viscount Rochester, of Northampton, indeed of all the major players in the sordid affair, whereas by both contemporary and more sober modern accounts, the only persons not really culpable are the victim himself (Overbury) and the Earl of Essex. While what she calls 'the little fish' have only minor rôles in her book, they surely played the largest part in the enterprise, and Plaidy gives credit where it is due.

[Phil Syphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally, if you read a book featuring James I of England, the main ingredient is the Gunpowder Plot. I assumed this would feature to some degree, but the story opens a few years after the failed plot.

Therefore, the topics at the heart of this novel were new to me. I admit to not having heard of Robert Carr or Frances Howard, so learning about their lives proved interesting. I don’t know how accurate Plaidy’s portrayal of them is, but my sympathies were with Robert, and while they weren’t with Frances, she is indeed a fascination.

James I’s characterization was engaging, and is a different approach to what I’ve read about him elsewhere.

The plot focuses on Frances's devious means of getting what and who she wants, along with Robert’s more subtle and respectful approach to attaining his ambitions.

If only the author made an effort to “show”, rather than “tell”, then this could’ve been a great novel. Scenes that should’ve been exciting were at best interesting because the events are explained, not dramatized.

It’s an opportunity missed on the one hand, but on the other hand, I enjoyed learning about Frances and Robert.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE ORIGINAL NET FOR SMALL FISHES
I haven’t read Jean Plaidy since I was 16 fifty years ago. I got the top grade in my year for history o level thanks to her. I read this then so it was an interesting reread and the reason I did this was reading Lucy Jago ‘a net for small fishes’. I am sure LJ must be aware of this writer and her novel ‘the murder in the tower’. Whereas Jago’s is a feminist retelling this makes Frances - Frankie in ‘net’ - out to be vain and evil. Anne Turner doesn’t come over well either whereas Essex is blameless and Carr a bit dim and easily influenced. Plaidy can definitely write a page turner and I enjoyed it. It’s an old library copy printed in 1971 with some bad punctuation mistakes such as inappropriate exclamation marks. I would advise all readers of ‘a net for small fishes’ to read this first.

[pauline high · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Jean Plaidy book I have read in years, and very riveting stuff right from page one. The story although historical fiction, is true based on a factual book I have read previously to this. It is the story of Lady Frances Howard who led an infamous life from age 13 when she married the Earl of Essex son age 14. While seperated for a few years she ends up falling in love with King James I favorite Sir Robert Carr. Subsequently she schemes with her powerful family to divorce her husband on the grounds of impotency so she can marry Robert Carr. A man named Sir Thomas Overbury trying to split the couple up lands up in the Tower and subsequently is poisoned. After two years of his murder and two years of marriage, Frances and Robert find themselves on a murder charge for his death. The most sensational murder trial of the age begins. This book can be read quickly and the character of Lady Frances Howard as a scheming, powerful, determined lady is fascinating stuff.

[Chris Govey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a Jean Plaidy book for many years, but I am totally hooked again. Pretty true to the real events with the people being brought to life. This is a good starting point as it .contains everything that Ms Plaidy does best. Strong story, interesting people and the glamour of olden times. Very addictive.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I didn't know anything about Frances, Countess of Essex (Frances Howard) so this was much enjoyable. Without spoiling the book I will just say I am not a fan of the woman. Great book and another must read. Once again, Jean Plaidy did not disappoint!

[John Tallett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clunky narrative but an interesting way to learn history from a 10,000' view. F'rinstance you can imagine my surprise when I learned that the man responsible for the most important modern English Bible was bi-sexual with a strong preference for men.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew the Stuart dynasty could be almost as interesting as the Plantagenets or the Tudors? I had certainly written them off as being stodgy and dull. After learning about Frances Howard, however, I may have to revisit that opinion.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a number of Jean Plaidy's Tudor novels about ten years ago and didn't feel they were that good. That said, I very much enjoyed this one. Perhaps because it was about a period and a subject I didn't know much about, but also I did feel this was readable and compelling.

[betty russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Susan Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting book about a period of history that I know very little

The times are brought vividly to life and the characters with their flaws and good points are very believable

[Karen Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story about f Robert Carr, one of King James’s ‘favourites’, his rise and his fall. A history lesson in itself.

[Pat Mckay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't make myself finish it.

[Rachael · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy read but too many spelling mistakes to ignore.

[Kili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tale of a real Royal scandal

[Kate Sherrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jean Plaidy's THE MURDER IN THE TOWER
Contrary to what the title probably immediately suggests to the modern reader, this does not concern the most famous murder in the Tower of London, of Richard III's royal nephews; this story takes place several generations and two dynasties later, during the time of James I, son of the unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots (of Royal Road to Fotheringhay and Captive Queen of Scots fame; I find to my surprise that I've not yet read the latter! Oh no, I'm reading a series out of order!). James is, though, of relatively minor importance to this narrative, which concerns itself with one Frances Howard, who becomes Frances Carr by marrying a favorite courtier of James'.

Frances is nobly born -- a member of the almost-royal Howard family (descendents, all of Edward I via a younger son) -- young, and, most importantly for this story, very, very pretty. But whereas the other pretty young girls whose Plaidy accounts I've read this last year or so (Mary, Queen of Scots and Lucretzia Borgia) were pathological people pleasers, Frances Howard is only interested in pleasing herself. Married at age 12 to the 14-year-old Count of Essex, she is considered too young to live with him as his wife and so the Count is sent off to France to get some more education and she, being young and pretty and nobly born, gets to hang out at the royal court, where within just a few years she has seduced and discarded no less a lover than Henry, Prince of Wales and then set her sights on the king's favorite, the very good-looking and charming Robert Carr. Who, let us just observe, knows how to play a fish when he has one on the line.

But then Frances is a very strong fish, determined to pull Robert into the water with her by any means necessary, including witchcraft and poison. Ulp.

Carr, by the way, emerges as almost as unlikeable as Frances, a spoilt young man who exploits his status as King James' bestie (there's only a slight homoerotic subtext here) pretty ruthlessly and is glad to take the position as King's secretary even though he's barely literate, the Renaissance equivalent of a dumb jock, knowing he can just find some underling to do the actual work for him. Enter poor Thomas Overby, who effectively becomes Carr's ghostwriter and thus gets ensnared in Frances' sordid machinations to become Carr's wife instead of Essex's.

Then there's Simon Forman, astrologer, fauxsician, womanizer and all-around scoundrel, probable father of Frances' friend Anne, sees ducat signs and all the gossip he can eat when this beautiful brat crosses his threshold. His appearance in this novel is by far the best thing about it, and comes just in time, at a point when this reader had come to the realization that she hated pretty much everybody of any importance in this story (note, this does not include poor Elizabeth Stuart, the future Winter Queen, who barely shows up here, alas) and was ready for someone to make them all miserable. Alas, there is not nearly enough Simon Forman in this novel, but one takes what one can get, no?

Before long there is a giant conspiracy to off anyone who stands between Frances and her chosen husband, and yes, that includes her original husband. Some plots work, some don't, and soon we see poor, poor Frances (heh) not enjoying her rewards one bit, haunted by guilt and suspicion, waiting for the day when her crimes are discovered and her downfall enacted. After many chapters of watching her scheme and step on toes, this is is pretty satisfying, especially since Plaidy didn't even try to whitewash this frankly awful woman.

This doesn't quite qualify as a hate read, because the storytelling and the prose are quite good, as one expects from Plaidy, but it comes close, just because its two main characters are so thoroughly unappealing. Heh.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book on a little-known ruthless player in post-Tudor England. Historical fiction hasn't yet widely addressed the Stuarts but maybe soon it can be agreed that the market for the late Tudors and those surrounding them has been saturated and we can move on to the eras before and after.
Since this was published long before the current craze, the beginning of which can be more or less traced to Philippa Gregory, it makes it all that more interesting and increases my respect for the author's sheer breadth of good British royal historical fiction. This book does a better job than some of the author's others in relating what feels to be a complete "biography" or story arc, not cut off too early. However, it still seems to have the issue of front-loading the action with an almost afterthought of a denouement.
The characters are given to us without judgement, with mostly just their actions for the reader to judge them by. I don't know anyone that would agree with gaining power through murder, but the motivations are thoroughly understood, with almost a tiny bit of at least empathy for the actions each character considers it necessary to take.
The Scottish accent of James VI, reading as he could have spoken, is absurd to begin with but eventually settles in to make sense of showing how he could be a foreigner at the English court just by opening his mouth. His system of favorites and how that is used by Carr for his advancement is no better or worse than any other monarch's habits of advancing those they enjoy being around for whatever reason. But Carr's ambition pales in comparison to that of Frances Howard, a spoiled and entitled young noblewoman who won't even consider going without what she wants when it comes to power, men, and the combination. With the king favoring young men, she has to advance herself through those favorites, and does literally whatever it takes.
I consider this one of Plaidy's better books that I've read so far, despite what could be considered witchcraft and conspiracy sensationalism. I found it all plausible (which could change had I more information on the era), but I also found all the characters believable and the main players well-rounded which isn't always the case in Plaidy's books.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Published 1971. The story of King James I's favourite Robert Carr.
SYNOPSIS:
The dashing Robert Carr is a well-known favorite of King James I. After attracting his attention by falling from a horse in the tiltyard, Robert rises quickly through the ranks. But when the cunning and beautiful Frances Howard comes to court, a very dangerous liaison changes everything.
Married against her will while still a child, Frances emerges from that experience a headstrong force of nature—determined to have her own way, no matter what the consequences. Her attempts to rid herself of an unwanted husband, and later to ensnare a lukewarm lover, have led her deep into the world of spell-makers and poisoners. This is a woman to underestimate at great peril. But not until Robert finds himself ensnared in one of Frances’s plots—imprisoned in the Tower of London and accused of murder—does he learn at last what she is truly capable of.

[Sara W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was surprisingly great. I say surprisingly because I knew absolutely nothing about James I and events surrounding his life, so I thought I would be a little bored, but that was not the case. I could barely put the book down. The book starts a few years after James I became King of England (after the Gunpowder Plot). The story focuses on Frances Howard (a daughter of the great Howard family of England) and Robert Carr (a long-time favorite of James I). The things Frances was willing to do to get her man (Robert) were astounding, and then to watch the consequences of her actions unfold was pretty incredible as well. I definitely want to read some non-fiction about this woman if any is available. I'm not sure if this book is currently published in the U.S., but it is well worth tracking down.

[Carla Loveless · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was okay. It was very predictable. Call it good foreshadowing if you want; I think it was just the same formula. I know it's historical fiction, which is my preferred genre, so you can't stray too far; it just would have been nice to feel a certain amount of anticipation. And the phrase "she was in despair" was way over-used. Over-used to the point that I actually noticed it. This is definitely not as good, in my opinion, as Victoria Victorious by the same author, but it's an easy read and the subject and characters are interesting enough to keep going regardless of its predictability.

[Xenia0201 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. I was not familiar with Frances Howard, Countess of Essex, although I do know of the story of Sir Thomas Overbury and how he was slowly poisoned to death while being held captive in the Tower. His death has often been blamed on Robert Carr, an upstart that became a favorite of King James I. Interesting twist to the story to have Frances as the villian, so in love with Robert Carr, that she would do anything to become his wife. The unfortunate Overbury bore opposition to their marriage and he was to pay dearly for it.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plaidy tells a Stuart version of the old and all too common tale of a woman who drives her man to do unsavory deeds for her advancement. Lady Macbeth of course comes to mind. Her characters are simply and sharply drawn and evil is palpable in this novel which doesn't waste a word - and an ending that satisfies.

[Anna From Gustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I had no idea it was written back in the 70s. It's as sensual and exciting as anything Phillipa Gregory writes. Frances, Countess of Exeter, is ambitious as hell and remorseless. A very enjoyable read.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Plaidy novels so far, and I've read many of hers. I loved reading about a lesser known person, the Countess, and the plotting she was involved in. I definitely recommend this one to lovers of historical fiction.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has way too much romantic intrigue by minor historical characters and way too little actual historical information about King James VI of Scotland and James I of England, founder of the Untited Kingdom.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not very familiar with this period of history, but I'm always impressed when a fiction author includes a bibliography. I think I would have liked the book more as a straight history since the subject certainly was fascinating.