The Poyson Garden

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 show more 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? show less

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, show more 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. show less

Princess Elizabeth languishes at Hatfield awaiting the pleasure (or death) of her sister Queen Mary. When she learns of the attempted murder of one of her Boleyn relatives, she sneaks away to see the family. When another family member dies by poison, Elizabeth suspects a plot and starts to investigate.

I enjoyed this book. I love this time period and this portrayal of Elizabeth as a daring young woman is quite appealing to me. I enjoyed the cast of characters and the history is pretty good. If you can suspend belief a bit (Elizabeth does some pretty risky stuff), I think you will enjoy this first book in the series.

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.

Although this got overall good reviews, I just could not get into the story. There were parts meant to be a bit humorous but that did not help either. I think I just could not get into Elizabeth being the type to solve the mystery of the poisoner in the ways she did. Dressing up as commoners, breaking into manors and then stealing, just did not fit my idea of her as the future queen. Never really read the last 100 pages, just not in the mood.

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

I just love all of this series which features Queen Elizabeth I as a detective solving all sorts of murders. These are just great fun fast books to read and historical true.