The Unfaithful Queen: A Novel of Henry VIII's Fifth Wife

Written by Carolly Erickson

Narrated by Stina Nielsen

From New York Times bestselling author of The Last Wife of Henry VIII, a novel about Catherine Howard, wife of Henry's later years

Amid the turbulent, faction-ridden late reign of the fearsome Henry, eager high-spirited Catherine Howard caught the king's eye—but not before she had been the sensual plaything of at least three other men. Ignorant of her past, seeing only her youthful exuberance and believing that she could make him happy, he married her—only to discover, too late, that her heart belonged to his gentleman usher Tom Culpeper.

As the net of court intrigue tightens around her, and with the Tudor succession yet again in peril because of Prince Edward's severe illness, Queen Catherine struggles to give the angry, bloated and impotent king a son. But when her relations turn against her, she finds herself doomed, just as her cousin Anne Boleyn was, to face the executioner.

The Unfaithful Queen lays bare the dark underbelly of the Tudor court, with its sugared rivalries and bitter struggles for power, where a girl of noble family could find herself sent to labor among the turnspits in the kitchens or—should fortune favor her—be exalted to the throne.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Dec 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781427227133

Carolly Erickson

Distinguished historian Carolly Erickson is the author of Rival to the Queen, The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots, The First Elizabeth, The Hidden Life of Josephine, The Last Wife of Henry VIII, and many other prize-winning works of fiction and nonfiction. Her novel The Tsarina’s Daughter won the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction. She lives in Hawaii.

Reviews for The Unfaithful Queen

[tina1969_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Unfaithful Queen by Carolly Erickson is about Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII. This is the first book by this author that I have read.The story begins with Catherine living with her grandmother Agnes where she discovers her sexuality with first Heny Mannox and then Francis Dereham. The story then follows Catherine as she becomes Queen and then is executed.I quite enjoyed this book. No surprises as having an interest in the Tudors I have read other accounts by different authors. I did find the story was drawn out a little in the middle. Then I felt that towards the end with Catherine's downfall, this section was a little rushed. This I felt could have been more detailed especially with the story being told by Catherine. What I enjoyed was that the book was nice to read. It isn't a bodice ripper and there was very little bad language.What I didn't enjoy was that there was a few liberties in the story. It is a work of fiction, but based on fact. I haven't come across before Henry having an affair with Catherine's mother who then died along with her child by Henry. Was there really any need for this in the story, I don't think so. There were historical facts missed out also, such as Catherine running after Henry down the corridor pleading. Overall though I enjoyed reading this account and would recommend to anybody who enjoys the Tudor history or anybody who wants to start reading about the Tudors.

[Joey Loeffelbein · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you're not worried about actual historical events and are just looking for an easy, fun read then this is definitely a book for you. It can be difficult to write about someone who has been portrayed on both ends of the spectrum. I love Erickson's novels but have to remind myself of the fiction part of historical fiction.

[Malini Inderdeo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book. It is fiction, but it was nice seeing the event from Catherine’s perspective.

[ladypembroke · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While there were definitely liberties taken with the subject matter, the overall story was sound. I will read more of her work, and I am intrigued by her non-fiction books as well.