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!
1559. Elizabeth is about to be crowned queen of England
and wants her personal musician Kate Haywood to prepare
music for the festivities. New to London, Kate must learn
the ways of city life…and once again school herself as a
sleuth.
Life at the center of the new royal court is abuzz with
ambition and gossip—very different from the quiet
countryside, where Kate served Elizabeth during her exile.
Making her way among the courtiers who vie for the new
queen’s favor, Kate befriends Lady Mary Everley. Mary is
very close to Elizabeth. With their red hair and pale skin,
they even resemble each other—which makes Mary’s murder all
the more chilling.
The celebrations go on despite the pall cast over them. But
when another redhead is murdered, Kate uncovers a deadly web
of motives lurking just beneath the polite court banter, and
follows the trail of a killer whose grievance can only be
answered with royal blood.
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