Queen Elizabeth's half-sister and secret agent Ursula Stannard takes on a dangerous new mission involving mysterious disappearances and murder in Cornwall in this gripping Tudor mystery.
1594. Ursula Stannard is attending on her half-sister, Queen Elizabeth, when she receives an urgent summons from Sir Robert Cecil. Cornishman Master Roskilly was fished out of the sea by Sir Francis Godolphin, and has a shocking tale of being snatched by pirates and put on a slave vessel to Constantinople before his audacious escape. And he's not the only one . . . Folk in Cornwall are mysteriously disappearing. But why are only exceptional or unusual individuals being kidnapped, and could there be a link to two recent murders?
With the queen's annual progress stalled, Ursula agrees to go undercover to unmask those responsible, knowing that Queen Elizabeth would be the most prized captive of all . . .
Fans of S.J. Parris, C.J. Sansom and Rory Clements won't want to miss this compelling, impeccably researched Tudor mystery.
One of the most exciting adventures of the queen's spy Kirkus Reviews
Plenty of action Kirkus Reviews on The Net of Steel
Lovers of Tudor fiction will enjoy the carefully researched details of daily life woven into the suspense. This highly entertaining historical mystery delivers. Publishers Weekly on The Net of Steel
A lively story with excellent historical detail and atmosphere Booklist on Golden Cargoes
The charming spy again gives good value as she unearths secrets in an Elizabethan context Kirkus Reviews on Golden Cargoes
Buckley's vivid portrayal of the resourceful, clever, and devious Ursula carries the plot. Readers will hope to continue seeing more of her Publishers Weekly on Golden Cargoes
The queen of Elizabethan historicals Publishers Weekly on The Scent of Danger
Fiona Buckley is the author of twenty-two previous Ursula Blanchard mysteries. Under her real name, Valerie Anand, she is the author of numerous historical novels including the much-loved Bridges Over Time series.
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