The Doublet Affair

As much as I enjoyed the first book I was a little disappointed with this one. It ran a little slow and I found myself at times skimming for some pages. When the book finally did heat up though I was on the edge of my seat and it was hard to put the book down. I definitely want to continue the series. I can definitely overcome the slow spots to continue with a good story.

I quickly bought this second book of Fiona Buckley's after reading the first book, "To Shield the Queen". Although I didn't find this one quite as intriguing as the first, it was a quick-moving, fun, interesting story. Although it helps if you have read the first novel before reading this one so that you will understand who all the characters and their relationships are, it is not required. This was one that definitely kept me guessing until the end. And again, Ms. Buckley's fictional account of historical events is creative and fun to read.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone that likes a good mystery. From what I know of English history, it is not only historically accurate but also plausible. It is a story about Ursula Blanchard, a Lady in Waiting to the young Elizabeth I of England. The story is set during the beginning of Elizabeth's reign. Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth's cousin and a Catholic, wants to return to England from France, take over the English throne and return England to the "true religion." There are plots afoot to discredit Elizabeth and set the stage for Mary's return. Ursula Blanchard is requested to spy on the Leonard family, who are Catholics that she happens to be friends with, resulting in all sorts of unexpected twists and turns in the plot. The man that had been spying on the family previously has been found dead under suspicious circumstances. The thinking is that because she is a woman no one will suspect Ursula of being a spy. However, there are those that apparently know what she is and they are loyal to Mary. Her intense loyalty to the Protestant Queen Elizabeth is also tested by the fact that her husband, a French Catholic that she loves dearly, demands that she join him in France or the marriage is over. The Queen will not let her go until the plot against her is found out and routed. This is court intrigue at it's best, and a pretty good read. I think I'll have to read some other works by this author.

Fiona Buckley always comes up with intersting plots and story lines. The first 200 pages are a little bit slow but once you hit page 200 you can't put the book down. I can't wait until the next book is out.

In 1561, Lady Ursula Blanchard is elated that her beloved spouse Matthew is willing to take her back after she left him to perform a duty for Queen Elizabeth I (see TO SHIELD THE QUEEN). Ursula quickly makes up her mind to retire from spying and quietly live with her husband and daughter. However, to leave England for France where her husband resides requires Elizabeth's blessing and her majesty knows that Matthew wants to put Mary on the throne. Instead the Queen rejects Ursula's request and tasks her with an assignment.Ursula accepts a job as companion to the children of Ann and Leonard Mason. The Queen and her advisor Sir William Cecil believe the couple is planning treason against her highness. Elizabeth wants the details and Ursula is her dupe to obtain them even if it places her life in jeopardy.The second novel in the Ursula Blanchard historical mysteries is a great amateur sleuth tale that takes readers inside the political treacheries that swirl throughout the higher echelon of sixteenth century England. The authentic story line is a winner that will please fans of the sub-genre. However, it is the characters and their interplay that turns Fiona Buckley's THE DOUBLET AFFAIR into a delectable novel is must reading.Harriet Klausner