Published by Macmillan,
12 October 2001.
ISBN: 978-0-3339-0415-2 (HB)
Set in Scotland in 1566, we enter the story when Mary
Queen of Scots is resident at Craigmillar Castle. My Lord Bothwell is her favourite,
but she is surrounded on all sides by plots and intrigue. When he is accosted
one evening by one Will Fellows who says that he has just saved his Lordships
life from being stabbed by a woman who was following him, James Bothwell fears
for his life.
Recounting
the tale to his mistress of eleven years, Janet Beaton, she immediately
instructs her servant Tam Eildor to investigate. There are many suspects, as
James Bothwell has not always spread sweetness and light to those around him.
There is his new bride Jean Gorod, who has hardly seen him she they were wed,
and what of Anna Throndsen, the mother of his son, whom he abandoned once he
had secured her dowry.
As Tam
Eildor investigates, he is drawn into the life at court and in particular to
one of the Queen's ladies. But what of Tam himself, who arrived at Janet's home
just a few months ago, but has no memory of his former life. Who is he really?
Alanna Knight weaves a
fascinating tale of life at court in Scotland in the 16th century, and set
around the murder of Henry Darnley. This is the first in a new series and I
look forward to the next adventure of Tam Eildor.
------
Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
Alanna Knight
(1923-2020) one of the most popular authors in
UK libraries. Named as one of The Times’ “100 Masters of Crime”, she was a
leading crime writer with three historical crime series: the Victorian
detective Inspector Jeremy Faro, lady investigator Rose McQuinn, and time-traveller
Tam Eildor. She has published more than 70 books, works which include romance,
thrillers, historical novels and non-fiction. Alanna is an authority on Robert
Louis Stevenson, and she has written true crime, 'how to write' guides and
biographies.Hon
President of Edinburgh Writers' Club, Honorary President and founder member of
Scottish Association of Writers, member of Society of Authors and Crime
Writers' Association, and Mystery People. She appeared regularly at
Edinburgh International Book Festival and many other literary events.
No comments:
Post a Comment