The Lost Queen

'Well researched, elegantly written, with a deft touch for both romance and historical detail. The Lost Queen is a gripping historical drama to be savoured' ANNE O'BRIEN

'An excellent read, meticulously researched, beautifully told. Berengaria is a delicious heroine, thoroughly engaging, a refreshingly unusual viewpoint for this epic tale' JANE JOHNSON

1191 and the Third Crusade is underway . . .

It is 1191 and King Richard the Lionheart is on crusade to pitch battle against Saladin and liberate the city of Jerusalem and her lands. His mother, the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine and his promised bride, Princess Berengaria of Navarre, make a perilous journey over the Alps in midwinter. They are to rendezvous with Richard in the Sicilian port of Messina.

There are hazards along the way - vicious assassins, marauding pirates, violent storms and a shipwreck. Berengaria is as feisty as her foes and, surviving it all, she and Richard marry in Cyprus and continue to the Holy Land. England needs an heir. But first, Richard and his Queen must return home . . .

The Lost Queen is a thrilling medieval story of high adventure, survival, friendship and the enduring love of a Queen for her King.

Acclaim for Carol McGrath's ROSE trilogy:

'Powerful, gripping and beautifully told' KATE FURNIVALL on The Silken Rose

'A tour de force of gripping writing, rich historical detail and complex, fascinating characters' NICOLA CORNICK on The Stone Rose

'A beautifully narrated novel' K J MAITLAND on The Damask Rose

What readers love about Carol McGrath's novels:

'Brilliant historical fiction brought to life'

'Brilliant. You feel you are lost in a bygone time'

'Wonderfully enjoyable'

'Page-turning and gripping'

'A feast for the senses'

An excellent read, meticulously researched, beautifully told. Berengaria is a delicious heroine, thoroughly engaging - a refreshingly unusual viewpoint for this epic tale Jane Johnson
A rich, tightly-woven tale of a fascinating and under-told period through the eyes of two intriguing heroines. A must-read for medieval history lovers Joanna Courtney
A compelling read... Well researched, elegantly written, with a deft touch for both romance and historical detail. The Lost Queen is a gripping historical drama to be savoured. Anne O'Brien
The Lost Queen takes us on a sweeping adventure across 12th-century Europe and the Levant, and portrays in vivid and compelling colours the beauty and brutality of the crusading era. A sumptuous historical feast, spiced with intrigue, romance and jeopardy, this novel is highly recommended Ian Ross
Carol McGrath's elegant prose weaves a sumptuous tale of Templar knights and fine ladies, courtly love, exhilarating adventure and stalwart heroism as exquisitely crafted as a Pre-Raphaelite painting Historical Novel Society Book Reviews
A fascinating tale about strong women, packed with adventure, pirates and would-be assassins Colin Garrow
McGrath was able to craft a luscious novel that was meticulously researched that any fan of medieval historical fiction novels will adore. Adventures of a Tudor Nerd
McGrath's ability to blend history and storytelling makes this a must-read Charlotte Betts
I really enjoyed learning about the character of Berengaria of Navarre, the wife of King Richard I. She has passed through popular history with little note, and it was great to get to know more about her. Left on the Shelf Book Blog
The characters portrayed in The Lost Queen by Carol McGrath are rich and vivid. They come to life on the page. Sharon Bennett-Connolly
I particularly love how she brings these strong female women who have been regularly brushed out of the history books into the limelight...Another winner, Ms McGrath and I look forward to your next one Denise Barnes

Carol McGrath is the author of the acclaimed Rose Trilogy - The Silken Rose, The Damask Rose and The Stone Rose. Born in Northern Ireland, she fell in love with historical fiction at a young age, when exploring local castles, such as Carrickfergus, and nearby archaeological digs - and discovering some ancient bones herself. While completing a degree in history, she became fascinated by the strong women who were silenced in record, and was inspired to start exploring their lives. Her first novel, The Handfasted Wife, was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Awards, and Mistress Cromwell was widely praised as a timely feminist retelling of Tudor court life. Her novels are known for their intricacy, depth of research and powerful stories.

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