Golden Cargoes

June 27, 2022
Set in 1589, Buckley’s tense 21st Tudor mystery (after Shadow of Spain) finds Ursula Stannard—half-sister of Elizabeth I and an occasional spy—with nothing more on her mind than making an appearance at the wedding of a tenant’s beautiful daughter, Arabella Mercer, whose family holds many unpleasant secrets. Trying to be helpful to Arabella’s difficult mother, Ursula visits the local healer, Mother Lee, for a migraine remedy and is surprised to spot two golden goblets, unlikely riches for a humble healer to possess. Ursula suspects something fishy is going on after learning from a sea captain that the goblets are part of a set taken as booty from a Spanish ship—and when Mother Lee is strangled, she’s sure of it. Meanwhile, Ursula is summoned to court and discovers that the queen and her counselors are disturbed by rumors of a trio of English ships that are robbing their fellow Englishmen rather than attacking Spanish vessels. It’s up to Ursula to search the southeast corner of England for the hidden treasure of the pirates, a mission riddled with danger. As usual, Buckley’s vivid portrayal of the resourceful, clever, and devious Ursula carries the plot. Readers will hope to continue seeing more of her. Agent: David Grossman, David Grossman Literary (U.K.).

June 15, 2022
A wedding invitation plunges Ursula Stannard into one of her oddest adventures. Although 1589 finds Queen Elizabeth's illegitimate half sister in her 50s, Ursula's unusual life as a spy has kept her younger than her years. Now she's traveling to Evergreens, a house she's rented to Mistress Joan Mercer, accompanied by her manservant, Roger Brockley, and his wife, Fran Dale, who are more than servants, as well as her son, Harry, and her adopted son, Ben. Joan's daughter, the beautiful Arabella, is betrothed to Master Sylvester Waters, a wealthy neighbor, but refuses to marry him because she's in love with Gilbert Gale, a talented local carpenter whose status is nothing compared to Waters'. Arabella refuses to listen to Ursula's advice; only a severe beating from Joan makes her go through with the wedding. Joan's sons have done well as captains of ships, though some of the items they own seem much more valuable than their business would account for. Ursula, who never shies away from mysteries, is soon investigating both the sons and a village vendetta against Mother Lee, whose potions help alleviate Joan's headaches but make her suspect as a witch. Soon after information on piracy is reported at court, Ursula and her friends are looking in earnest for a place where valuables may be hidden. Then Mother Lee is murdered, and Arabella's marriage gets even unhappier when Waters finds that she's with child by Gilbert. The mysteries are related and unveiled in an unexpected conclusion. The charming spy again gives good value as she unearths secrets in an Elizabethan context.

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September 15, 2022
Ursula Stannard, the half sister of Queen Elizabeth I, is enjoying some leisure time. She and her entourage are preparing to attend the wedding of Arabella Mercer, her tenant's daughter. Once they arrive, however, they find that all is not well in the Mercer family. Arabella refuses to marry her intended, Sylvester Waters. Ursula notices that the family seems to have acquired gold and jewels that are well beyond their station. Mercer's sons are traders who captain ships that the family owns. When the queen asks Ursula to investigate ships that are plundering English vessels, her vacation trip turns dangerous. Are the Mercers involved in the thefts? Matters are further complicated with the discovery of the body of a herbalist believed to be a witch. Will Ursula be able to find the culprits and survive? As always, Buckley provides a lively story with excellent historical detail and atmosphere. Followers of the series will find much to enjoy here, and historical-mystery readers new to Ursula's adventures will have no trouble diving into the action.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.