The Poyson Garden (1999)

A pleasant little read. This is a cosy mystery set in Tudor times with highly improbable, although very intriguing, scenario of Princess Elizabeth investigating a plot to poison her, and all other Boleyns. If you suspend the belief that this would have happened to a heavily guarded political prisoner. Then this is a very enjoyable read. Queen Mary is still in power, although believed to be dying. Princess Elizabeth is banished to Hever Castle, this much is true to history. But having the princess dressing up as a man to climb out from the castle and do her investigations then scuttle back in the morning, or a day or so later – was not believable at all. Mind you, the author had the princess’s lady-in-waiting banning entry to the royal bedchamber of the household members saying that the princess Elizabeth was ill. now, this DID happen in true life – but historians merely thought it a ruse to have a break from the constant watching. Was she really off investigating crimes?

Series: An Elizabeth I Mystery. RGG: Some (unnecessary) references to sexual acts.

Elizabeth, 25 years old, is residing at hatfield House. She is marked for death by a master poisoner and queen mary may have ties to it. This is one of my favorite time periods. It is most defiantly a work of fiction, but i loved it regardless! Can't wait to read the rest in the series. ( )

Mysteries starring famous historical figures require a suspension of disbelief. My group had a hard time buying Detective Bess. Not a favorite ( )

Title: The Poyson Garden
Author: Karen Harper
Genre: Historical fiction
# of pages: 310
Start date: 5/24
End date: 6/02?
Borrowed/bought: borrowed from library
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A [best]: B

Description of the book: The first book in the Elizabethan series by Karen Harper, Elizabeth is exiled in the English countryside awaiting her fate during the last years of her half sister Mary Tudor's reign. She plunges herself into an investigation with multiple murders and a master poisoner. Along the way, she meets many new characters, and forms a "privy plot council" which she continues to use in later books in the series.

Review: This book was great as a work of fiction. I enjoyed its many plot twists and rich descriptions. However, It was difficult for me to suspend my belief long enough to enjoy the fact that it was this historical figure of Royalty that was doing all this crazy stuff. I've read some historical fiction before but never actually about a major historical figure. ( )