THE SPYMASTER'S DAUGHTER
AUGUST 2012
In the court of Elizabeth I, the daughter of the queen’s powerful spymaster becomes a secret agent, and plays a dangerous role in saving her country from its ruthless enemies.
In Tudor England, traitors are everywhere and the queen’s spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, is assembling the greatest intelligence-gathering network in the world. Walsingham’s only daughter, Lady Frances Sidney, smart, courageous, and unhappy in love, longs for the excitement of decoding encrypted messages and setting traps for those working for rival Mary, Queen of Scots. But Frances's father refuses her any opportunity to contribute to the desperate effort of keeping England safe.
Then Elizabeth, impressed with Frances’s fiery spirit, calls her to court as a lady-in-waiting, and Frances seizes the chance to prove herself. Soon, she wins the trust of her father’s de-coders and begins her secret work, thrilled with the freedom to test her talents. But her peril is compounded as her beauty and wit also attract the romantic attention of two men, one the reckless Earl of Essex and the other her own brilliant but low-born servant, Robert Pauley. And when Frances uncovers the most dire plot of all, she will risk her father’s condemnation, her heart’s longing, and her very life to safeguard her queen.
Praise for The Spymaster's Daughter
"... it is a must-read for Tudor history fans who enjoy historical fiction. The characters and setting are brought to life beautifully and the plot-line keeps the reader hooked."
—Tudor Book Reviews
"Rich in historical detail and intrigue, Westin's latest is an impeccably crafted novel."
—Chicago Tribune
"Westin offers a fresh take on Tudor-era intrigue in her well-paced newest. Lady Frances Sidney, is the unhappily married daughter of Elizabeth I's spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham. All she wants in life is to become a spy...Frances is a strong protagonist and readers will enjoy the chemistry between her and (her servant and also a spy) Robert Pauley who proves more than a match for her tenacity and charisma. "
—Publishers Weekly
“A compelling, unforgettable historical novel.”
—Karen Harper, author of The Queen’s Governess
“Highly recommended.”
—Historical Novels Review (Editor’s Choice)
|