The Secret Life of Elizabeth I by
P.C. Doherty
hbk out April 06
Published by Greenwich Exchange
at £16.99
Though not a crime novel in the accepted sense, this certainly has a large
'whodunit' element and is written by the well-known and very prolific
writer of historical mysteries, Paul Doherty.
A new departure in his wide-ranging historical interests, which swing
from ancient Egypt though Saxon England to the Brother Athelstan 14th
century series, this book examines in great depth the more murky side of
the first Elizabethan era, especially the great queen's relationship with
Robert Dudley, later Earl of Leicester.
The author uses a fictional matrix to deliver his historical researches,
though each chapter is followed by a fully-referenced commentary on the
facts he alleges. The story is delivered by an elderly lady soon after
Elizabeth's death. Though un-named, she has been a lady-in-waiting and
companion to the queen for most of her life, and in the book she is
snowed-up in her country house with two old friends who are equally
interested in getting to the truth of the late queen's private life.
There is long episodic dialogue between these three, with some looking-
over-the-shoulders in those uncertain times, when unwise comments
might end at the beheading block on Tower Hill.
Long known as 'The Virgin Queen', the book throws doubt on the epithet
and some of the discussion centres on whether Elizabeth and Dudley had
a son, Arthur Dudley, who lived abroad for much of his life and was
seized by the Spanish the year before the Armada sailed.
Much of the book concerns the long-running mystery of the death of Amy
Robsart, Dudley's wife, who was conveniently found at the foot of a
staircase with a broken neck soon after Elizabeth ascended the throne.
This is a masterly piece of 'faction', by an author whose range of
knowledge is fabled and whose literary output is staggering, given that he
is also headmaster of a large comprehensive school.
This is a book about what you wanted to know about Good Queen Bess,
but were afraid to ask!
(
Bernard Knight
ex Home Office Pathologist and author of the highly acclaimed Crowner John series)
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The Secret Life of Elizabeth I by
P.C. Doherty
