Today has a been a day I’ve been waiting to announce for several years! It’s the U.S. launch date for one of my all-time favorite authors and people, C.W. Gortner, and his second novel in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles, The Tudor Conspiracy!
We’re introduced to the main male protagonist, Brendan Prescott, in the novel The Tudor Secret which started the series–and is practically is responsible for this blog coming about as well! You can even read my review of this first novel by clicking HERE. The Tudor Conspiracy picks up after The Tudor Secret, during the time with Mary 1 on the throne as Queen and traitors from the last novel are in the Tower. Brendan is sent back to court and begins to be a double agent between the espionage, paranoia, and drama happening amongst Queen Mary and her half-sister, Elizabeth. All of England is at each other’s throats over religion and both facets, Queen Mary’s Catholic followers and Elizabeth’s Protestants, want to be in charge and able to dictate conversion among the masses.
Brendan, who for those of you that read The Tudor Secret know, has a special tie to this Tudor family. The Tudor Secret set-up the character of Brendan so well that I urge you to please go back and read it if you haven’t yet. You’ll feel completely connected to Brendan and it will give you a more invested interest in The Tudor Conspiracy. You’ll understand his motives more and your reading experience will be better for it. I don’t wish to say anything in this review that might give away the story of the first book in the series, as it is SO wonderful and I had such a great time reading it.
Brendan is conflicted and caught between both sisters and Gortner again does a fabulous job of showing Brendan’s emotions and thought processes as he keeps his feelings in check around almost everyone. There is a spy in every person, and eyes around every corner. Life in Tudor court in this time period is unstable and everyone is unreliable, with personal pursuits and feelings hidden and kept close to the vest.
The loss of one of the main characters halfway through this novel is heart-breaking and I don’t know how Gorter penned through that, except that he must have funneled his own personal feelings from the recent loss he had of his beloved dog, Paris. That’s the mark of a spectacular author to be able to channel life tragedies and complexities into their works of fiction so that readers can literally feel what a character is feeling. I could relate to Brendan’s emotional loss of this friend and mourned this character myself, partly because I had become endeared to him in the first book.
As the reader, I felt strapped into the mindful roller coaster of emotions that Brendan must surge ahead with every day in pursuit of doing what he feels is the most right . For such an entertaining novel with a fictional character (unlike many of his other bestsellers based on true women of history), he does extremely well as a writer in character development. I realized I’d come to know the characters personalities quite thoroughly, yet without all the overindulgence of some historical fiction novels. His detail is just enough for a mind picture, while also being subtle enough that the drama and mystery propel the story forward. I didn’t want to put down this book as I traveled with Brendan on his journey and tasks! I was a spy right along with him, and loving every minute of it!
People complain that the Tudor era is over done in books, and maybe it is over saturated, but readers are still interested in their stories because there is so much speculation. What makes the Spymaster Chronicles so readable, and what The Tudor Conspiracy as the second Spymaster Chronicle book continues to do, is the fact that it takes a commonly historical time period with similar cast of characters and completely gives it to us as a suspense mystery told from the view-point of a male, rather than from the strong women of this time period. It isn’t just telling history, it’s using history to weave an enjoyable, imaginative story. We are used to hearing about the Queens, Princesses, Duchesses, and court drama, but I believe Gortner’s series stands-out from the rest as rather than being heavily history laden, it’s in fact light, fun, entertaining, and perplexing.
Gortner gives us a glimpse of Queen Mary in a different light, showing her personality as strong, yet forgiving, loyal and endearing. Doesn’t sound much like Blood Mary, does it? It’s a side less commonly reported but is believable. We can relate to this Mary. On the other side, we can see the wild abandon and motivated essence of Elizabeth for her cause and her country. Both views of each woman is fantastic and I feel that Gortner does a wonderful job of really looking into the feelings of these historical women based on their historical experiences. He knows enough on the subject of each, and is a skillful researcher, that he can bring us their personalities without overindulging historical references or clichés.
Among other delightful things already mentioned, I loved his use of animals in the book as well. The beautiful horse, Cinnabar (great name!!) and the sleek and lovable Urian, a greyhound, were great companions to his human characters.
The Tudor Conspiracy is a book that’s fast-paced, emotional, full of intrigue, and dripping with drama. We are tasked along with Brendan in figuring out the espionage-laden intricacies, which fence together like swords, making dramatic music until finally it crescendos to a resounding high note.
I can’t recommend this series enough! If you’ve read The Tudor Secret, don’t pass up The Tudor Conspiracy, but buy it today for one of your summer reads. If you’ve not read any Spymaster Chronicles, I’d pick up both! They are perfect for those of you who want an immersing, intricate, and intelligent read that’s laced with fun and excitement.
Here’s a look the the first book in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles, The Tudor Secret:
And be sure to watch tomorrow, July 17, for my exclusive interview with C.W. Gortner!
THE TUDOR CONSPIRACY, Synopsis~
US Publication Date: July 16, 2013
St. Martin’s Griffin
Paperback; 352p
ISBN-10: 0312658494
If you need the UK Version:
UK Publication Date: July 18, 2013
Hodder & Stoughton
Paperback; 352p
ISBN-10: 1444720856
Hunted by a shadowy foe in Bloody Mary’s court, Brendan Prescott plunges into London’s treacherous underworld to unravel a dark conspiracy that could make Elizabeth queen—or send her to her death in C.W. Gortner’s The Tudor Conspiracy
England, 1553: Harsh winter encroaches upon the realm. Mary Tudor has become queen to popular acclaim and her enemies are imprisoned in the Tower. But when she’s betrothed to Philip, Catholic prince of Spain, putting her Protestant subjects in peril, rumors of a plot to depose her swirl around the one person whom many consider to be England’s heir and only hope—the queen’s half-sister, Princess Elizabeth.
Haunted by his past, Brendan Prescott lives far from the intrigues of court. But his time of refuge comes to an end when his foe and mentor, the spymaster Cecil, brings him disquieting news that sends him on a dangerous mission. Elizabeth is held captive at court, the target of the Spanish ambassador, who seeks her demise. Obliged to return to the palace where he almost lost his life, Brendan finds himself working as a double-agent for Queen Mary herself, who orders Brendan to secure proof that will be his cherished Elizabeth’s undoing.
Plunged into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a mysterious opponent who hides a terrifying secret, Brendan races against time to retrieve a cache of the princess’s private letters, even as he begins to realize that in this dark world of betrayal and deceit, where power is supreme and sister can turn against sister, nothing—and no one—is what it seems.
Praise for The Tudor Conspiracy
“The Tudor Conspiracy weaves a suspenseful, tangled skein of intrigue. It is a vibrant historical mystery and crime-thriller with an A-list cast of characters. Here are Elizabeth Tudor and her Robert Dudley in a light you’ve seldom seen them. —Margaret George, author of Elizabeth I
“C.W. Gortner has done it again! Intrigue at the Tudor court never looked more lethal than in his capable hands, as forbidden desires and deadly rivalries turn sister against sister and plunge our bold hero into a labyrinth of deceit. Full of breathtaking action, dark twists and unexpected revelations, this is an unputdownable read!” —Michelle Moran, author of Nefertiti
“In C.W. Gortner’s skillful hands, the plots and counterplots come to seething life, with Brendan using every ounce of his brains and courage to protect those he loves while struggling to stay alive. . . . Lovers of Tudor history and suspense fiction will be riveted by this swift-paced, sexy, enthralling novel.” —Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown
“Suspense, intrigue, betrayal, and deadly rivalry: what more can you ask for? From the serpentine halls of the court to the vicious back alleys and stews of Tudor London, Gortner has brewed a swashbuckling, perilous adventure that you simply can’t put down!” —M.J. Rose, author of The Book of Lost Fragrances
“C.W. Gortner has an unmatched talent for bringing the past to life. The Tudor Conspiracy is historical fiction at its best: a compelling story masterfully told, vivid characters fully drawn, and an accurate depiction of history of the time. A novel not to be missed.” —Tasha Alexander, author
Author C.W. Gortner, Biography~
C.W. Gortner holds an MFA in Writing, with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies. Raised in Spain and half Spanish by birth, he currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In his extensive travels to research his books, he has experienced life in a Spanish castle and danced a galliard in a Tudor great hall.
He welcomes readers and is always available for reader group chats. Please visit him at www.cwgortner.com for more information. You can also follow Christopher on Facebook and Twitter.
Link to Tour Schedule: http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thetudorconspiracyvirtualtour/
Twitter Hashtag: #TudorConspiracyTour
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