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Lady Grace Mysteries #3
Conspiracy
Another romp through Elizabethan England, with the indomitable Grace at the fore. Grace can't help worrying about a series of accidents that have befallen the Queen. Was it just a coincidence that she fell off her horse in the same day that a statue tumbled in the garden and almost hit her?
233 pages, Hardcover
First published February 8, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 3, 2018
I must say that I'm quite enamored of this series and consider it the best written mystery books I've read in the past, say, five years. Considering that the target audience is pre-teens, I've even gone back to read an adult-level novel and a highly rated YA book to see if I was just mistaken (due to my fanatic delving into fanfiction just a few months prior). But I stand by my opinion. I found the adult writing much too wordy (gotta drum up the word count) and the YA novel dull and cliched.
While most mysteries in the "cozy mystery" camp are mostly filler comprised of the protagonist's every day lives and/or love life, this series has quite interesting historical tidbits. The excellent writing comes from tying those facts in to the mysteries of each book rather than reading like data dumping. Not only that, there are actual mysteries in which you guess the culprit about one chapter ahead of the protagonist. Now that's really saying something. Usually in mysteries, the reader has usually guessed the villain from the second chapter or the villain is a Scooby-doo bad guy--which means they unveil the person at the end, and the audience says a collective, "HUH?" because no one can even remember when that person skulked onto the scene.
This particular one I enjoyed because of the author's own spin on Elizabeth's ill-fated romance with Robert Dudley. Of all the things Queen Elizabeth ever was or accomplished, this is the story that everyone remembers and it is included in every single interpretative fiction piece set in her time period. I must have read about five different variants of the Robert Dudley character in my lifetime--some depicting him as endlessly Machiavellian, some just mindlessly ambitious, some cast him as a horndog. This is the only piece I've come across that depicted him as someone who genuinely loved Elizabeth, and that the reason she couldn't marry him was because of the scandal behind his wife's death. That, although he wasn't the culprit behind it, it had cast such a shadow over his name that the country would never countenance such a match, and that because of it, she was quite broken up about it. I really enjoyed this new interpretation, and the author or authors behind this series are just well-versed in history and writing to make it believable.
Oh, and the protagonist is really delightful. I know most female protagonists in books nowadays claim they're not interested in boys and are only interested in books, etc., but they turn right around and gush over every other male to cross their path. This was a truly believable, non-boy-crazy gal who made it believable. When two other Maids are discussing gowns and dancing and suitors, she's wondering when she can go exercise the Queen's dogs, or being scolded for ruining another kirtle (skirt) with ink spots. This book was especially heart-warming because she really did have a thing for John Hull in this book, but it wasn't so much that she gushed over him, but that she felt embarrassed in his presence and didn't understand why and she would babble in his presence. Sure, I wouldn't have been opposed to seeing a good romance for Lady Grace, but for once, this is a mystery that seems intent on avoiding that pitfall.
In the end, though, it's just good writing, a good, fast-paced plot (although the second in the series was more adventure than mystery) and despite the horrendous summaries attached to these books, I cannot endorse this mystery series enough. I've gone through five of these books in two days, and that's saying something, since I usually don't like reading series. I've read most of the first in the cozy mystery series and given them up because most have just not had the potential to keep me interested.
While most mysteries in the "cozy mystery" camp are mostly filler comprised of the protagonist's every day lives and/or love life, this series has quite interesting historical tidbits. The excellent writing comes from tying those facts in to the mysteries of each book rather than reading like data dumping. Not only that, there are actual mysteries in which you guess the culprit about one chapter ahead of the protagonist. Now that's really saying something. Usually in mysteries, the reader has usually guessed the villain from the second chapter or the villain is a Scooby-doo bad guy--which means they unveil the person at the end, and the audience says a collective, "HUH?" because no one can even remember when that person skulked onto the scene.
This particular one I enjoyed because of the author's own spin on Elizabeth's ill-fated romance with Robert Dudley. Of all the things Queen Elizabeth ever was or accomplished, this is the story that everyone remembers and it is included in every single interpretative fiction piece set in her time period. I must have read about five different variants of the Robert Dudley character in my lifetime--some depicting him as endlessly Machiavellian, some just mindlessly ambitious, some cast him as a horndog. This is the only piece I've come across that depicted him as someone who genuinely loved Elizabeth, and that the reason she couldn't marry him was because of the scandal behind his wife's death. That, although he wasn't the culprit behind it, it had cast such a shadow over his name that the country would never countenance such a match, and that because of it, she was quite broken up about it. I really enjoyed this new interpretation, and the author or authors behind this series are just well-versed in history and writing to make it believable.
Oh, and the protagonist is really delightful. I know most female protagonists in books nowadays claim they're not interested in boys and are only interested in books, etc., but they turn right around and gush over every other male to cross their path. This was a truly believable, non-boy-crazy gal who made it believable. When two other Maids are discussing gowns and dancing and suitors, she's wondering when she can go exercise the Queen's dogs, or being scolded for ruining another kirtle (skirt) with ink spots. This book was especially heart-warming because she really did have a thing for John Hull in this book, but it wasn't so much that she gushed over him, but that she felt embarrassed in his presence and didn't understand why and she would babble in his presence. Sure, I wouldn't have been opposed to seeing a good romance for Lady Grace, but for once, this is a mystery that seems intent on avoiding that pitfall.
In the end, though, it's just good writing, a good, fast-paced plot (although the second in the series was more adventure than mystery) and despite the horrendous summaries attached to these books, I cannot endorse this mystery series enough. I've gone through five of these books in two days, and that's saying something, since I usually don't like reading series. I've read most of the first in the cozy mystery series and given them up because most have just not had the potential to keep me interested.
October 22, 2021
sometimes, all you need is a light-hearted English mystery
February 13, 2022
Third in the series. Still very cute, well plotted, well researched, and fun.
This is intended for a MG audience, and IMO is nicely tuned to that age group, but the readers aren't condescended to, which is why it works for older readers, too. Obviously, a writer of fiction is allowed to take liberties with facts, and few middle graders would notice if the novel was unrealistic in its depiction of the setting or characters, but I credit the author(s) with doing an excellent job of recreating Queen Elizabeth's court and the people within it. The overall setting is believable, the characters are generally constrained by the norms of their time, and the historical events and context are handled in a way that is both instructive and (thankfully) unobtrusive.
Entertainment was the primary goal of the series, I suspect, not social studies instruction, but historical accuracy and educational value were clearly significant concerns for the author and publishers. (The mention of teacher tools in the back rather confirms this.) And there's a lot to learn here. Sir Walter Scott's Kenilworth taught me a lot about the place and time, which makes sense because he was a brilliant scholar, but I'd be a liar if I said I didn't also learn quite a few things about the Earl of Leicester, Kenilworth Castle, and life for people at court from reading this novel. It's all packed in there, just part of the deal.
I also like the main character. Lady Grace make a fine detective ("pursuivant" here) and an entertaining protagonist for the series. She isn't a bumbling goof (a type I never enjoy), but neither is she excessively skilled, and is in the sweet spot to make the mystery work. She can't fight, she doesn't dance well, and other than climbing trees is not any kind of action star. Neither is she some kind of Sherlock, solving mysteries by cigarette ash and footprints. But she's brave enough, resourceful enough, persistent enough, and clever enough to make a fine POV character.
I liked it.
This book and the previous two were written by Patricia Finney (writing as Grace Cavendish, in the same way that the Hardy Boys authors were all called Franklin Dixon), but she didn't do any more. The following titles are written by other authors; I'm hoping they continue the excellence.
Let's find out. :)
This is intended for a MG audience, and IMO is nicely tuned to that age group, but the readers aren't condescended to, which is why it works for older readers, too. Obviously, a writer of fiction is allowed to take liberties with facts, and few middle graders would notice if the novel was unrealistic in its depiction of the setting or characters, but I credit the author(s) with doing an excellent job of recreating Queen Elizabeth's court and the people within it. The overall setting is believable, the characters are generally constrained by the norms of their time, and the historical events and context are handled in a way that is both instructive and (thankfully) unobtrusive.
Entertainment was the primary goal of the series, I suspect, not social studies instruction, but historical accuracy and educational value were clearly significant concerns for the author and publishers. (The mention of teacher tools in the back rather confirms this.) And there's a lot to learn here. Sir Walter Scott's Kenilworth taught me a lot about the place and time, which makes sense because he was a brilliant scholar, but I'd be a liar if I said I didn't also learn quite a few things about the Earl of Leicester, Kenilworth Castle, and life for people at court from reading this novel. It's all packed in there, just part of the deal.
I also like the main character. Lady Grace make a fine detective ("pursuivant" here) and an entertaining protagonist for the series. She isn't a bumbling goof (a type I never enjoy), but neither is she excessively skilled, and is in the sweet spot to make the mystery work. She can't fight, she doesn't dance well, and other than climbing trees is not any kind of action star. Neither is she some kind of Sherlock, solving mysteries by cigarette ash and footprints. But she's brave enough, resourceful enough, persistent enough, and clever enough to make a fine POV character.
I liked it.
This book and the previous two were written by Patricia Finney (writing as Grace Cavendish, in the same way that the Hardy Boys authors were all called Franklin Dixon), but she didn't do any more. The following titles are written by other authors; I'm hoping they continue the excellence.
Let's find out. :)
December 16, 2021
Deception will still remain my favorite. But I also liked this one. It was a fast-read, and what i mean by that is that I wasn't bored from it, because it wasn't exactly a fast read for me because I started on nov 30 and just finished today so, but thats not because I wasn't entertained, it was because of my hilarious time management. But anyway, I saw the twist, it was very obvious. I really like the relationship of the Queen & Grace, its such a nice thing to read about. Anywho, I'm done with this.
July 11, 2018
Toujours aussi sympa de retrouver Grace et la reine Elizabeth Ière avec cette nouvelle enquête à résoudre à Kennilworth, domaine du comte de Leicester, Robert Dudley, où ont lieu de drôles d'accidents autour de la personne royale : accidents ou actes délibérés ? La reine serait-elle en danger ? A Grace, en compagnie de son amie Elsie, de le découvrir, tout en se pliant aux obligations de la cour !
January 12, 2020
I picked up this book at a thrift store just for a quick and easy read. I love the time period and anything about the royals, even though this would have been a made up tale, a lot of the characters are real. It’s a mystery, which the main character Lady Grace has to solve for the queen. It’s entertaining and I’m looking forward to reading the other two books in this series.
June 14, 2021
This was an entertaining, well-written read that combines history, mystery, and a tiny bit of romance. I highly recommend it for young readers, as well as readers who enjoy Elizabethan history fictionalized.
September 21, 2022
Just like the other two books, the conspiracy against the queen was very well planned. The villain was almost never anticipated and their intentions made sense as well as the time and place of the events. This was a really clever book idea and I’m glad I decided to read this series.
Read
June 22, 2020An amazing book indeed!!
August 16, 2023
entertaining middle grade historical cozy mystery
November 27, 2023
Predictable but a fun easy read
March 18, 2023
Starting is low but halfway through you will get fully invested
March 1, 2010
This is the third book in the Lady Grace Mysteries series, about Lady Grace Cavendish, a thirteen-year-old Maid of Honour at the court of Queen Elizabeth I.
Thirteen-year-old Lady Grace Cavendish and the rest of the Maids of Honor are on summer progress with Queen Elizabeth I and many other members of her court. While they are staying at the home of the Earl of Leicester, the Queen's old suitor, a series of mysteries accidents happen, all apparently targeting the Queen. Are they truly accidents -- or is someone trying to damage the Earl's reputation? Could it be the Queen's latest suitor, a Swedish prince, whose chances at winning Elizabeth's hand in marriage would be better if she was to become angry with the Earl, believed by many to be her one true love? Grace, with the help of her friends Ellie the laundry maid and Masou the tumbler, is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery before more damage is done.
Readers who enjoyed the first two mysteries featuring Grace are sure to like this third book in the series. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy mysteries set in historical times. The Elizabethan setting is very interesting, and the characters are very likable. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Thirteen-year-old Lady Grace Cavendish and the rest of the Maids of Honor are on summer progress with Queen Elizabeth I and many other members of her court. While they are staying at the home of the Earl of Leicester, the Queen's old suitor, a series of mysteries accidents happen, all apparently targeting the Queen. Are they truly accidents -- or is someone trying to damage the Earl's reputation? Could it be the Queen's latest suitor, a Swedish prince, whose chances at winning Elizabeth's hand in marriage would be better if she was to become angry with the Earl, believed by many to be her one true love? Grace, with the help of her friends Ellie the laundry maid and Masou the tumbler, is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery before more damage is done.
Readers who enjoyed the first two mysteries featuring Grace are sure to like this third book in the series. I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy mysteries set in historical times. The Elizabethan setting is very interesting, and the characters are very likable. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
June 4, 2009
When Margaret Cavendish, one of Elizabeth I’s Gentlewomen of the Bedchamber, lost her life in a bungled attempt to kill the Queen, her daughter, Lady Grace,
became a protégée to the monarch, who takes her under her wing. Now Grace, a spunky girl who romps through the gardens with the laundry maids and court
tumblers and rolls her eyes at her fellow ladies, chronicles the court intrigues that swirl around her. . . .
The Royal Court is on its summer travels and Lady Grace is sure something strange is going on. As Queen Elizabeth narrowly escapes a series of mysterious
accidents, Grace must investigate just who might be behind the conspiracy. Could it really be one of the Queen’s faithful friends—or even her latest suitor?
this is the third in the series and I really liked this. I read it out of order though— I still have to read book 2— but I think I'll be OK reading these out of order. The historical detail is great, and well-incorporated. Perfect for young readers.
became a protégée to the monarch, who takes her under her wing. Now Grace, a spunky girl who romps through the gardens with the laundry maids and court
tumblers and rolls her eyes at her fellow ladies, chronicles the court intrigues that swirl around her. . . .
The Royal Court is on its summer travels and Lady Grace is sure something strange is going on. As Queen Elizabeth narrowly escapes a series of mysterious
accidents, Grace must investigate just who might be behind the conspiracy. Could it really be one of the Queen’s faithful friends—or even her latest suitor?
this is the third in the series and I really liked this. I read it out of order though— I still have to read book 2— but I think I'll be OK reading these out of order. The historical detail is great, and well-incorporated. Perfect for young readers.
August 8, 2007
Lady Grace, the Queen, and the rest of the court are traveling through England to escape London during the worst plague months. While staying with Robert Dudley (the Earl of Leicester), they are joined by Prince Sven of Sweden. It is well known that the Queen and the Earl have been in love for a long time, but the Swedish Prince is out to marry Queen Elizabeth. Jealousies and tensions are running high as both men compete for the Queen’s hand. Things get worse when a series of accidents threaten the Queen’s life. Lady Grace is sure they aren’t mere accidents and is on the case! Who is trying to kill the Queen? Can Grace find out before they succeed?
June 8, 2009
This series of books is very cleverly constructed. The titles progress by the letters of the alphabet as well as by theme. Another feature i found fantastic and have noted in a few other books is the glossary at the end of each book. I think this is a great way for a book to be educational and entertaining. I cannot recall how many times I question what a word means and then never get around to looking it up. Whereas, these books are classified as children's literature, I found them to be very entertaining and well written. The plots are original, the writing clever and concise, and the characters well developed.
June 26, 2010
Lady Grace is back and hot on the trail of another mystery! On summer progess attending Elizabeth I, all sorts of mishaps are encountered, a few of which might even be attempts on the Queen's life...
Grace is definitely growing up a bit in this one (she's certainly interested in a young nobelman...), but it still remains totally appropriate for younger readers. The plot is decent and the characters are likable. Another solid volume in the series.
As I've said before, this is definitely a decent children's series. Easily one I would recommend to fans of Nancy Drew (the old books, not the new cartoon-y ones) and kids that enjoy historical fiction.
Grace is definitely growing up a bit in this one (she's certainly interested in a young nobelman...), but it still remains totally appropriate for younger readers. The plot is decent and the characters are likable. Another solid volume in the series.
As I've said before, this is definitely a decent children's series. Easily one I would recommend to fans of Nancy Drew (the old books, not the new cartoon-y ones) and kids that enjoy historical fiction.
March 24, 2015
This one was so much better! The writer kept the decent writing style and blended it with an interesting story-line like the first novel and produced this. I was glad I kept going with the series after this one.
I absolutely loved the story-line! The conspiracy to murde the Queen kept the bopok well-paced and the mystery, alike to the first, kept you guessing throughout. I loved the mascarade ball and the historical facts about the preparations involved in making a feast fit for the Queen.
There wasn't really anything I disliked, I guess the only thing to improve was to age Grace a bit more, she was often quite childish at times when she is meant to be 13.
On to number 4...
I absolutely loved the story-line! The conspiracy to murde the Queen kept the bopok well-paced and the mystery, alike to the first, kept you guessing throughout. I loved the mascarade ball and the historical facts about the preparations involved in making a feast fit for the Queen.
There wasn't really anything I disliked, I guess the only thing to improve was to age Grace a bit more, she was often quite childish at times when she is meant to be 13.
On to number 4...
June 10, 2013
"This is the third book in the excellent young adult, historical fiction, mystery series that is really written by Patricia Finney. Finney puts together the excellent historical research she uses for her adult books and makes a wonderful entry-level series for young readers interested in historical fiction. The heroine is great, the plot entertains, and there is some lovely humor sprinkled throughout. I enjoyed these as an adult reader as a quick read, and I think others would too. Grace is particularly funny and heartwarming in this volume. Highly recommended."
August 29, 2013
This one I remembered the least. out of the first three and was reminded how much I enjoy Lady grace mysteries. They are thought through and the twists are understandable. The motives are very well done. My favorite scene is the ball room where the queen is in disguise and only a few know who she is.
I also like how romance is finally introduced into this story. Looking forward to Deception in my adventure rereading these classics
I also like how romance is finally introduced into this story. Looking forward to Deception in my adventure rereading these classics
October 23, 2008
The third about Queen Elizabeth's Maid of Honour, Grace Cavendish, a fun loving 13 year old breaking out of her usual dull life. This time mysterious accidents all aimed at Queen Elizabeth and possibly perpepuated by her suitors occur as the entire court is travelling one summer. Wonderful details from that time period, good humor especially about some of the other Maids of Honour and a good mystery as well.
June 21, 2013
Wonderful. Just wonderful. Another insight into Elizabethan times and another mystery pursued and solved! Lady Grace perfectly feigns innocence and projects authority in her quest to find wrong-doers as she so calls them. In a series of diary entries, she manages to capture a fiend who is blackening the queens favorite, Lord Robert Dudley's, name. It was well enjoyed. Perfect for young teens or adults who want a light read
June 4, 2015
I picked this on a whim at Hay-on-Wye and I had a great time reading it. It's a girly, simple mystery but with enough twists and with an amazing concept. I always had a thing for books that teach us things, especially history, and this one, focused in Queen Elizabeth I's court does indeed get a lot of information and details that I do love learning.
I already bought a bunch of the books, and look forward to reading them.
I already bought a bunch of the books, and look forward to reading them.
June 10, 2022
1569 and Lady Grace accompanies Queen Elizabeth to the castle of her Favorite, the Earl of Leicester. Danger lurks there for the queen on the hunt, in the gardens and elsewhere. Lady Grace is charged to find out who is trying to blacken Lord Robert Dudley's name. In this fast paced book, Lady Grace, with the help of her friend, Ellie will suss out the vile saboteur yet.
June 15, 2016
I picked this series up on a whim and I'm definitely glad I did. Grace Cavendish is a wonderful, strong little girl who would be an excellent role model for any young lady. Set in Elizabethan times and rife with political intrigue that a kid can understand, this book livens up history in a way that will appeal to all ages.
March 11, 2012
The third book in this series follows the story of the Royal Court on summer progress. Lady Grace is with them as they move on to the home of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and child hood friend of Queen Elizabeth I. But something is wrong-there have been 'accidents' endangering the Queen's life. Someone is trying to kill the Queen or...incriminate someone else.
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!
October 5, 2011
Queen Elizabeth's lady persuviant must find who is causing mysterious accidents affecting the Queen on Progress while she is at the estate of her beloved Robin. Grace finds this mystery has a twist that leaves her a bit sad.
February 12, 2015
I used this series for a book club with some mature 5th grade girls. Generated lots of discussion, comparison of characters and similarities/differences in the plots. Great fun for a lunch bunch, 5th-7th grade.
February 6, 2008
Good late middle ages historical fiction with a mystery. It's part of a series, so if you're looking for a new series, you might want to try this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews