Karen Harper, The Hooded Hawke

The Hooded Hawke

Karen Harper

Dunne, February 2007, $23.95

ISBN: 0312338872

In 1569, Queen Elizabeth I continues her effort to strengthen her control of the throne, while her prime rival Mary, Queen of Scots, and several northern lords brew rebellion. Though concerned over her safety, Elizabeth refuses to be a prisoner, as she was when her late stepsister was queen. Accompanied by Francis Drake, she goes out on an outing, but someone tries to assassinate her; killing her falconer instead. A second attack comes close to her while she consulted with her herbalist.

Not one to sit around as a target, Elizabeth begins an investigation as to who is behind the attempts on her life, as she suspects it is not the obvious suspects like Mary. She enlist her loyal servants and Francis to help her unravel the truth, as she begins to suspect she is not the objective, but that someone else close to the crown is, and the assailant has also to be in the inner royals circle. If her theory is wrong, a dead Elizabeth would be the proof.

As always with this delightful sixteenth century mystery series, readers must accept Queen Elizabeth I as a private investigator extraordinaire. If one can accept that basic axiom, the exciting storyline is fascinating, as the audience obtain a deep look at Elizabethan England inside a cleverly devised whodunit with suspects galore.