Ebook309 pages4 hours
Perilous Alliance, A
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
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About this ebook
Widow Ursula Blanchard is urged to remarry for the sake of Queen and Country in this latest enthralling historical adventure
January, 1576. After three husbands, widow Ursula Blanchard has no desire to marry again. However, she is not in a position to refuse when Sir Francis Walsingham decides she must wed Count Gilbert Renard, the illegitimate son of King Henri II, in order to build a strategic alliance with the French.
When the Count arrives at her country home to pay court, Ursula’s misgivings grow stronger. Then one of her household staff is found dead at the bottom of the stairs. An accident – or something more sinister?
The disturbing chain of events that follows sees Ursula heading on a perilous journey in a race against time to prevent a national catastrophe. En route she will encounter danger, hardship, conspiracy – and murder.
January, 1576. After three husbands, widow Ursula Blanchard has no desire to marry again. However, she is not in a position to refuse when Sir Francis Walsingham decides she must wed Count Gilbert Renard, the illegitimate son of King Henri II, in order to build a strategic alliance with the French.
When the Count arrives at her country home to pay court, Ursula’s misgivings grow stronger. Then one of her household staff is found dead at the bottom of the stairs. An accident – or something more sinister?
The disturbing chain of events that follows sees Ursula heading on a perilous journey in a race against time to prevent a national catastrophe. En route she will encounter danger, hardship, conspiracy – and murder.
Author
Fiona Buckley
Fiona Buckley is the author of eight historical mystery novels featuring Ursula Blanchard: To Shield the Queen, The Doublet Affair, Queen's Ransom, To Ruin a Queen, Queen of Ambition, A Pawn for a Queen, The Fugitive Queen, and The Siren Queen. She lives in North Surrey, England.
Read more from Fiona Buckley
To Shield the Queen Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Doublet Affair Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Queen's Ransom: A Mystery at Queen Elizabeth I's Court Featuring Ursula Blanchard Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Queen of Ambition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Siren Queen: An Ursula Blanchard Mystery at Queen Elizabeth I's Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Fugitive Queen Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5To Ruin A Queen: An Ursula Blanchard Mystery at Queen Elizabeth I's Court Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Pawn for a Queen: An Ursula Blanchard Mystery at Queen Elizabeth I's Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for Perilous Alliance, A
Rating: 3.4444444444444446 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
9 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5What a terribly insipid story line with the most unlikely & improbable situations. What a terribly insipid story line with the most unlikely & improbable situations... Seemed more like a plot from a children's fantasy novel than a historical mystery written for adults. I abhorred Ursula in this book she showed a complete lack of good judgment throughout the story and all the problems, perils & travails she brought on to herself & unfortunately her staff.... There was very little if any interaction w/ Walsingham, Lord Burghley or Queen Elizabeth, which is what usually makes the series credible.Queen Elizabeth has asked (commanded) Ursula to marry a Frenchman w/ close ties to the French Court.... While staying w/ Ursula someone in the Count's retinue eavesdrops on Ursula's conversation w/ one of the Queen's men, but she opens the door to catch the person much too late.When her maid Joan sees one of the Count's men enter Ursula's rooms she becomes suspicious of them and then eavesdrops on the Count, hearing a part of a sinister plan to do away with the Queen's man. When Joan tells Ursula, all hell breaks loose & Ursula flies into an uncharacteristic rage... which everyone in the household hears and causes Joan to be murdered by one of the Count's men....Even more uncharacteristic to Ursula is the fact that she chooses to believe that Joan fell down the stairs, even though it is pointed out that there are finger bruises on her neck.Even more unbelievably out of balance for the series, is the Count running away w/ one of the other household women's daughters & Ursula et. al. giving chase, which leads to the Count's death in a duel and everyone in Ursula's retinue being kidnapped by a white slaver & pirate....So let me just say the book was fantastically unbelievable and inane. I Hated this book!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is the thirteenth book in this series of Ursula Stannard/Blanchard Elizabethan mysteries. While I always enjoy them, this is mostly because of my familiarity with the regular characters; in this case, it was also because of the story itself, which seemed punchier and more full of dramatic incident than some of the others, especially the events on the ship Lucille, in the Bristol Channel. A very good one, the best since one or two of the very early ones.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Elizabethan intrigue!Ursula Blanchard, illegitimate half sister to Queen Elizabeth, is once again called upon to serve Queen and country. This time the requirement is to marry for political reasons. Ursula has already buried three husbands and remarriage is not on her horizon--although it seems to be taken for granted by those arounds her, Sir Francis Walsingham being the main proponent. Ursula is already fighting off neighbours with an eye to her lands and possessions and now the court takes a hand. The proposed alliance is with Count Gilbert Renard, the illegitimate son of King Henri II.A big question for Ursula is just how much does she have to keep giving, how many times is her life to be disrupted due to her relationship with the Queen. The dangers of childbirth for women, including Ursula and the Queen are referenced, the problem of succession, the place of Catholics under Elizabeth's regime and the reality of marriage as just one more move on the chessboard of international relations.It seems that there is a French spy at court and that particular worry invades Ursula's haven, along with all the other matters. One of her servants is murdered, another disappears, and the life of an English spy in France is being threatened.Intrigue and fast action thread the pages and Ursula's pleasing life is sorely disrupted and threatened from all sides. A big question is just how much 'giving' must Urslua do. Her reasons to acquiesce are as complex as she is. As the plot unravels we are treated to insights into at a strong woman, wary of her position, with no illusions about her value to the court, who somehow maintains her understanding, insights and compassion.A fast paced, very human, historical mystery.A NetGalley ARC
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Perilous Alliance, A - Fiona Buckley
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