{"product_id":"9780312658502","title":"The Tudor Secret : A Novel","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eThe Tudor Secret\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): C. W. Gortner\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe era of the Tudors was one of danger, intrigue, conspiracy, and, above all, spies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSummer 1553: A time of danger and deceit. Brendan Prescott, an orphan, is reared in the household of the powerful Dudley family. Brought to court, Prescott finds himself sent on an illicit mission to the king's brilliant but enigmatic sister, Princess Elizabeth. But Brendan is soon compelled to work as a double agent by Elizabeth's protector, William Cecil, who promises in exchange to help him unravel the secret of his own mysterious past. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA dark plot swirls around Elizabeth's quest to unravel the truth about the ominous disappearance of her seriously ill brother, King Edward VI. With only a bold stable boy and an audacious lady-in-waiting at his side, Brendan plunges into a ruthless gambit of half-truths, lies, and murder. Filled with the intrigue and pageantry of Tudor England, C. W. Gortner's \u003ci\u003eThe Tudor Secret \u003c\/i\u003eis the first book in The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Riveting . . . In Gortner's capable hands, Prescott is a believable and enjoyable hero, a man of strong loyalties but naïve enough to be exploited. And while the Dudleys are mostly broadly drawn villains, Robert has depth, and though readers familiar with the Tudor era will know the key players, they may be surprised by their depiction here. Gortner handles action with aplomb, adding a riveting, fast-paced thriller to the crowded genre of Tudor fiction.” —\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Even Tudor fans who know all the key players and historical backdrop will be captivated by Gortner's storytelling and his engaging hero. He juxtaposes his naïve and loyal hero with the cruel Robert Dudley, enhancing the plot and grabbing reader interest as much as the quick pace and lush historical references. The novel is both entertaining and thoughtful.” —\u003ci\u003eRT Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“An exciting, vividly rendered story of intrigue and espionage.” —\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Dazzling cast of characters . . . at its heart, the brilliant and enigmatic Elizabeth. Never have spy and counterspy been more challenged, villains more duplicitous, and life for those in power--or hoping to be--more dangerous. . . . Fast-moving tale of espionage and suspense . . . The velvet peril of Tudor England comes alive in this haunting look at Elizabeth I's secret spy.” —\u003ci\u003eMargaret George, author of The Autobiography of Henry VIII\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A brilliantly executed plot and three-dimensional characters . . . this is historical fiction, and very well done at that; very highly recommended.” —\u003ci\u003eHistorical Novels Review, editors' choice\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9780312658502\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"St. Martin's Griffin","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":40594783994062,"sku":"9780312658502","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/getimage_181d8a86-a2c9-45ed-8db1-671d23fbbfef.jpg?v=1637817926","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9780312658502","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}