In a Treacherous Court

Author Michelle Diener bursts onto the historical fiction scene with an exciting and wonderfully-written read about a virtually unknown woman from Tudor-era England. Her name is Susanna Horenbout, a young woman who is sent the court of Henry VIII from Belgium to serve as the king's personal illuminator. After an attempt is made on Susanna's life, she is put in the care of courtier John Parker, who she eventually develops feelings for. But, of course, their romance isn't that simple. After discovering that Susanna is the key to a plot to overthrow the king, she and Parker are forced into a wild and unexpected conspiracy where no one knows what could happen next.

Treacherous Court is about as exciting as it sounds. Told through the eyes of show more a well-constructed and fascinating protagonist, the novel perfectly balances a sweet and realistic romance with some intriguing and awesome court intrigue (really, some of the best court intrigue I've ever read).

Diener also strives for historical accuracy along with vivid period detail and the desire to bring little-known people and events to life, which really helps infuse the story with some refreshing originality for a Henry VIII-era novel (yeah, I was worried that this would just be another run-of-the-mill Tudor novel, but it wasn't).

Highly recommended for fans of Tudor-period historical fiction who are looking for something different. show less

IN A TREACHEROUS COURT is Michelle Diener’s exciting debut novel. The story is set in the court of Henry VIII when he was still married to his first wife Catherine of Aragon. John Parker, one of the king’s most trusted and loyal courtiers, is sent to meet the king’s new court painter arriving by ship from the Netherlands. He is surprised to learn that the Flemish artist is a young woman named Susanna Horenbout, and that she was the witness to the murder of a spy. The secret message for the king that the dying man whispered to Susanna has put her life in grave danger, and it’s Parker’s duty to deliver her to Henry safely. Soon Parker and Susanna become entangled in a plot against the king, and they must find who’s responsible show more before Susanna becomes the next victim.

IN A TREACHEROUS COURT is an interesting blend of historical fiction, mystery, suspense and romance. I love stories set in the Tudor period, and I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of this time and place, both the beautiful and the cruel. Henry VIII is one of history’s more intriguing rulers, so I loved that he was a character in this book.

The main characters were also based on actual historical figures. Susanna Horenbout was a Flemish artist who is thought to have worked for the king at one time. John Parker was the King’s Keeper of the Palace of Westminster and his Yeoman of the Crossbows. They seemed well suited for each other since the story tells us neither were traditional players in Henry’s court. Their romance blended nicely into the story as a whole. My favorite character was Parker, who could be ruthless yet compassionate when needed.

The mystery surrounding the plot against the king, including the major players involved, was well researched and very convincing. The book started out strong, but the pacing did slow down in the middle. However, the ending was very suspenseful – there were plenty of nail-biting moments. This is the first book in a series, and I will definitely be reading the next installment, KEEPER OF THE KING’S SECRETS. I would recommend IN A TRECHEROUS COURT to fans of historical fiction/mystery who like a good romance included.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

Full review to be posted soon:

I rarely read mysteries but I do love this setting and time period. Susanna and Parker were fantastic characters and I loved how unconventional they were compared to the courtiers and nobles in the royal court of King Henry the 8th. Parker being a self made man who went up the ranks to the King's yeoman and Susanna being a court artist and illuminator, added a different dimension to the usual roles I have read and it was interesting to note they were based on real people too. Their romance was also a highlight and the strongest element in the book, Parker was really intense and ruthless which surprised me and I really liked that and Susanna's honesty and frankness was refreshing too. My only gripe was the show more mystery which kind of dragged in places especially in the middle and I think it lost the tension and momentum of the tense tone although it definitely picked up later in the book. I will definitely pick up the next book in the series because I was really engrossed with the main characters and what kind of intrigues they would get caught up in future books. I really think this will appeal to both mystery and romance readers! show less

A quick and easy read, fun and action-packed.

Susanna Horenbout travels from Belgium to England to join the court of Henry VIII as his personal painter. En route she unwittingly becomes entangled in a treasonous Yorkist plot and her life is in danger. She and her protector, John Parker, must discover who is behind the plot and who is trying to kill them.

There is lots to like in Diener's first novel. Susanna is a likable heroine, capable and assertive, yet without 21st century pretensions, and John Parker makes a very dashing male lead. I did appreciate the historical note at the end stating what was fact and what was fiction.

What let the book down imo was how Susanna walked from one attempt on her life into the next - the constant round show more of assasination attempts, abductions and muggings. People who like a lot of action with their historical fiction will like this, I didn't. The author clearly knows the time period, so I would have liked for her to mix it up a bit; as it was, we found ourselves in some alley every few pages, daggers and swords at the ready. I also would have liked to hear a bit more about Susanna's art, which I thought would have added a different dimension.

Because of the spacing between the lines the book is a lot shorter than the page count would suggest. This is the first book in a series and since the story isn't completely resolved, I will just have to get on with the next one.

In short, liked it but didn't love it. show less

Assassination attempts, political plots, mystery, and court intrigue – this historical is an action packed fast read. The romance between John and Susanna was the icing on the cake. Both of these characters had intriguing backgrounds and both of them had interesting positions in King Henry VIII’s court.

I would have liked to have read more about Susanna’s craft and what type of work the king might have put her to task creating--and maybe one or two less attempts on her life.

The Reader’s Guide at the end was a bonus, but I really enjoyed the Author’s Note. I wish I had read that first, as I hadn’t realized Susanna and John were actual historical figures, and that they did marry. I think Ms. Diener did an excellent job show more weaving fact and fiction, and I look forward to reading her next book. show less

It is always interesting to read about real people in history that are relatively unknown. Susanna and John did live and meet. But all the intrigues made up around this story are the works of imagination, perhaps and who knows.

This book is a nice mix of romance and intrigue. Susanna is sent to the court as a painter until her brother gets there, but she is a good artist on her own (though sadly nothing seems to be left of her work, we have only 2nd story sources). There she gets involved by accident in a dangerous plot to usurp the kingdom. Poor Susanna, she loved to paint and I liked how she saw the beauty in everything and just wanted to sit down and catch it in a sketch. She also had a good head on her shoulder and that is truly show more needed here. She is a damsel in distress, but at the same time not because she will fight back.

But she would have been dead at once if it had not been for our hero John Parker. He saves her from murder attempts while he tries to figure out who is behind the scheme to take the throne. John is strong, smart and in the end I like him because I know he would do anything to protect the woman he is falling for, even go against a king if necessary.

The plot thickens and makes this a real adventure. Because even if you catch one guy you still gotta find the man to controls everything. And trust me, they do not have it easy, because they will fight for their lives. I did mind one thing though, I felt at one time that enough was enough. There was no point in trying to kill poor Susanna any more since she had truly said all she knew.

There are also more books coming and that makes me intrigued. First, there is a good ending so do not worry about cliffhangers or anything like that (and it is a happy one too). But I guess there will be another court intrigue to come since there sure were a lot back then. And especially with a king like this.

Conclusion:
I enjoyed the intrigues and the look at this court we all know so well. The romance was good and it was just a very short, easy and enjoyable book to read. show less

In A Treacherous Court is a historical mystery set in 1525, England, during the reign of King Henry VIII. Flemish artist Susanna Horenbout is sent to England to work as the King’s illuminator. On the ship over to England she witnesses the death of an English spy who gives her information to pass on to the King only.

John Parker is sent to escort Susanna to the palace. Owing to the secret Susanna knows both their lives are in danger during the journey. Susanna and Parker must find out firstly what is going on to put them in danger and secondly, who is behind it all.

This was a quick read at just under 300 pages. It is the first of a series. The second is already available and I will definitely be reading it.