Despite the January cold, practically all of London is abuzz with merriment and celebration for the upcoming Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in London's Westminster Abbey in 1559.

The lovely dark-haired Kate Haywood is now the Queen's favorite musician, as her lute music soothes her. Today for the coronation, Kate is tasked with ensuring all the musicians are in readiness for their roles. It is a big task, yet her father has faith in Kate. He had been the court's musician for many years, but now his aged fingers and fragile body no longer allow him to continue in this role, so Kate has quietly stepped into his shoes. The young princess and Kate had bonded during their days at Hatfield Court, and the new Queen Elizabeth trusts Kate both for her playing as well as for ferreting out information that might be useful to her.

Despite not being a royal, Kate is a member of court but has no perceived influence, so her friendly manner and inquisitive nature naturally gives her access to information at different levels. Kate has also discovered that wearing the clothes of a boy would more easily allow her to slip into areas of the city where it would be difficult to go as a young female, especially to see her friend, the handsome and nimble acrobatic actor Rob Cartman.

Now, as she slips into Southwark, Rob is in a mess. He is fearful that he will hang for the murder of Nell, an attractive and lively red-haired whore, who is his girlfriend's sister. Rob swears he is innocent, but can Kate be sure? When more lovely red-haired young women, including her best friend, Lady Mary Everley, are brutally murdered, Kate begins to fathom their resemblance to the Queen and believes that much more is at stake. Who is behind the attacks? Who is an intended target? What court intrigue and politics are at play?

MURDER AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY is the second book in Amanda Carmack's new Elizabethan Mystery series featuring Kate Haywood as a young musician and investigative sleuth. While both books can be read independently, Carmack's fans will enjoy this new adventure that builds on the first book, Murder at Hatfield House. Carmack also writes historical romances under the names of Amanda McCabe and Laurel McKee, so there is a little frisson of romance in the story that adds in nicely with how two men in her life help move the story along as Kate valiantly strives to help her Queen by gathering information.

I really love the Tudor period, and I particularly like how Carmack is able to weave in the interlinking stories of the various royal families as well as the political and religious intrigue between the Protestants and the Catholics as a natural and authentic part of the story. Her details on the sights, sounds and smells of London as well as her descriptions of court attire and typical manner of interactions really serve to bring this period to vivid life. Additionally, Carmack has a deft hand with quickly making the characters realistic as to who they are without being stereotypical. This allows them to pop to life so they are easy to visualize. In particular, I am impressed with her depiction of Elizabeth as she grows and strengthening her will to be a strong Queen, determined not to let her enemies get the upper hand.

Whether you are a lover of English history or not, MURDER AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY by Amanda Carmack is a very intriguing and suspenseful historical mystery that you will not want to miss! Enjoy!