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May, 1586. Ursula and her retinue return home from a lengthy trip to discover she has an unexpected visitor. Etheldreda Hope is a simple countrywoman who has come to Ursula with disturbing tales of strange goings-on in her rural village. Fearing that Etheldreda's reports of mysterious forest rites indicate a possible conspiracy to overthrow Queen Elizabeth in favour of her cousin, Mary Stuart, the queen's spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, orders Ursula to travel to Etheldreda's home to find out what's really going on.
On reaching Chenston village, deep in the New Forest, Ursula discovers an isolated, suspicious community; the locals deeply in thrall to the old pagan traditions and beliefs. But are these ancient customs harmless - or are they part of a genuine conspiracy against the queen? And, if so, who is behind it?
It's not until the night of Halloween that Ursula will discover the shocking truth.
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
May 1, 2021 -
Formats
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781448305124
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781448305124
- File size: 501 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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June 1, 2021
In 1586, Ursula Stannard, Queen Elizabeth I's half sister and a secret agent working under the direction of Sir Francis Walsingham, goes to a small village in the New Forest where midnight gatherings on traditional pagan dates are becoming more frequent. The leader is masked and urges the "death of an evil queen." Walsingham is concerned that these gatherings might be part of the ongoing threats to Elizabeth by followers of Mary, Queen of Scots. Ursula travels eight days from her Surrey manor with an entourage, staying long enough to observe both the Midsummer and Lammas gatherings and putting herself and a manservant in danger in the process. Like her half sister, the queen, Ursula is a strong woman, holding her own in a world of men. She undertakes risky assignments, all the while managing a household, including nursing those who fall ill. Buckley's narration and dialogue feel modern, but she presents daily life and historical events realistically. The result is a satisfying mix of mystery, history, and a touch of romance.COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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