[XZS]∎ [PDF] Assassin The Grace Mysteries Lady Grace Cavendish 9780385731515 Books

Assassin The Grace Mysteries Lady Grace Cavendish 9780385731515 Books

Download As PDF : Assassin The Grace Mysteries Lady Grace Cavendish 9780385731515 Books

Assassin The Grace Mysteries Lady Grace Cavendish 9780385731515 Books

This well written and fun book is definitely geared for tween and young teen girls. I am definitely not a tween, much, much older, but like reading YA fiction ever since Harry Potter showed us that this could be done in a way it could entertain adults. So, to reiterate, this book is not like that, it is targeted toward a younger reader, in the way the characters think, speak and act, as well as the basic plot. I think I would have enjoyed it very much when I was 10 or so.
But here is why I recommend it (and why I read it in the first place). The author is an incredibly accomplished writer of historical fiction. She easily transports you completely to a different time and place, and whether or not she is truly accurate, she writes so convincingly you believe the details of life she inserts so effortlessly are real and that is how it must have been. She also writes with humor and a good sense of pacing, so you are kept entertained on every page. So if you want to spend a few hours in Elizabethan England, learn what it was like to be a handmaiden in the Queen's court and be entertained by a fun and twisty mystery, read this book. If you want slightly more adult fare, read this author's other series, all extremely good, well written and with the same fabulous historical immersion.


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Assassin The Grace Mysteries Lady Grace Cavendish 9780385731515 Books Reviews

Lady Grace Cavendish is a Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth the First in the year 1569. Taken under the Queen's protection after her mother was poisoned (inadvertently preventing an assassination attempt in the process), Grace is given a daybook in which she can record her daily life. Told in the format of diary entries, Grace narrates her adventures as she solves various mysteries in 16th century England.

Approaching her thirteenth birthday means she is nearly of marriageable age, and the Queen has chosen three suitors for her young and handsome Lord Robert Radcliffe, old and amiable Sir Charles Amesbury, and arrogant but wealthy Sir Gerald Worthy. Grace is given the opportunity of choosing which of the three she prefers, with the Queen devising a test in which each one gives her an anonymous gift. Of these gifts, Grace is to select the one that she prefers, and the husband that goes with it.

For her part, Grace would rather walk the Queen's dogs and spend time with her secret friends, the acrobat Masou and the laundry-maid Ellie, but a fiancé is duly selected.

But later that night one of her rejected suitors is found dead and another is thrown into prison on suspicion of murdering him. Certain that her fiancé is innocent, Grace seeks permission from the Queen to investigate the matter further. Along with Masou and Ellie, she begins to question witnesses, uncover clues, and discover truths not only about the murder, but all three of her suitors and their families.

It's always tricky writing a story in diary-form, not only does first-person narrative run the risk of rampant egoism, but it's difficult to generate suspense when the reader is well-aware that the protagonist survives at least long enough to record their experiences at a later date, but author Patricia Finney handles the format well. Grace is a chatty and friendly young woman, managing to come across as a girl of her time-period, but also with enough modern sensibilities that the reader can relate to her.

Finney cleverly incorporates many of the outdated beliefs and superstitions of the time (Grace suggests that they look at the murder victim's corpse in the hope that the murderer will be reflected in his eyes) with common sense and rudimentary science that helps Grace discover the real culprit behind the murder. Furthermore, she captures the flavor of the Elizabethan era in regards to the language, culture, beliefs and details of the period, scattering in plenty of historical trivia that add to the richness of the reading experience. There's even a glossary added at the end of the book to help out readers with some of the terms used in the book.

This is a great first installment in a historical mystery series for young readers great heroine, intriguing plot, fast paced, well researched, and with the promise of more to come.
I like the spunky heroine but she sure does talk a lot. Lots of action and good story line.
Patricia Finney is a favorite author of mine and she did a fine job on this story which is for younger readers than me of course. Period details are always correct and Lady Grace gave everyone a fine romp.
Lady Grace is a bright, spunky Maid of Honor to Queen Elizabeth who has the nerve to think for herself. When one of her suitors is murdered and another accused, she takes it on herself to solve the crime.
Lady Grace is a charming new detective, and I hope to see much more of her.
This YA by Patricia Finney is actually pretty good. It kept my attention throughout. I think it sells the YA audience short, as it felt unsophisticated, or some adjective I'm having a hard time coming up with. So don't look for the quality you'll find in Patricia Finney's other books. That said, suspend a bit of your own sophistication, and enjoy a light reads journey into the court of Elizabeth I.
This well written and fun book is definitely geared for tween and young teen girls. I am definitely not a tween, much, much older, but like reading YA fiction ever since Harry Potter showed us that this could be done in a way it could entertain adults. So, to reiterate, this book is not like that, it is targeted toward a younger reader, in the way the characters think, speak and act, as well as the basic plot. I think I would have enjoyed it very much when I was 10 or so.
But here is why I recommend it (and why I read it in the first place). The author is an incredibly accomplished writer of historical fiction. She easily transports you completely to a different time and place, and whether or not she is truly accurate, she writes so convincingly you believe the details of life she inserts so effortlessly are real and that is how it must have been. She also writes with humor and a good sense of pacing, so you are kept entertained on every page. So if you want to spend a few hours in Elizabethan England, learn what it was like to be a handmaiden in the Queen's court and be entertained by a fun and twisty mystery, read this book. If you want slightly more adult fare, read this author's other series, all extremely good, well written and with the same fabulous historical immersion.