Lady-in-waiting Ursula Blanchard has a mandate from the secretary of state to spy on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I. Although she has already proven herself worthy of the Queen's gratitude, Ursula now must travel to France, where civil war may break out at any moment, to hand carry a letter from Elizabeth to the Queen Mother and Regent, Catherine. The mission to mediate peace between warring Protestant and Catholic French factions seems clear, but there are hidden forces at work. Whom can Ursula trust? What will happen to her daughter if she fails? And what are the chances—and consequences—of a reunion with her second husband, a Frenchman and an enemy of Elizabeth's?
This tale of murder, treasure, and passion effortlessly and accurately conveys the high treason in the court of young Queen Elizabeth I.
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"I am actually really enjoying these Ursula Blanchard books. I am listening to them on audio and I like the narrators voice. Sometimes I wish we could hurry it along a little and wonder if I would enjoy them as much were I to read them. But the stories are good so far. "
— Renee (4 out of 5 stars)
“Now is a nice time for Tudor fans to light a flambeau, reach for some sweetmeats, and curl up with Queen’s Ransom.”
— USA Today“Fantastic historical fiction with royal intrigue...Buckley makes the Elizabethan era fun.”
— Midwest Book Review“Buckley’s amusingly modern characters mesh successfully with the well-researched plot, and readers will be wrapped up in the sixteenth-century thrill of pitfalls lurking around every corner.”
— Publishers Weekly" Ind of boring and the history was wrong in places and the story was not good enough to compensate. blag! "
— Rebecca, 12/28/2013" 3rd book in the series, surprise ending...I love Ursula! This is a great historical mystery series set in the Elizabethan period. Long live Gloriana! "
— Stacey, 10/20/2013" Certainly not the best book in the series - Buckley holds your hand a little too tightly throughout. "
— Sarah, 10/10/2013" Another good one from Fiona Buckley! "
— MommaLaura, 9/29/2013" This third installment in this series doesn't end up really being a mystery novel, but it's interesting with enough suspense and character to be enjoyable. "
— Julie, 9/26/2013" I have really enjoyed this series. I can't wait to read them all. "
— Rachelle, 7/4/2013" I was expecting the fictional Elizabeth I to be more of a presence in this one. Not bad, but I am not sure if I will run out and read the rest of the series... "
— Helen, 3/25/2013" Another very good entry in this series. I do wonder how the books will continue now though with the happenings at the end of this installment. The main character in this series is quite engaging and a strong individual. I look forward to the remainder of this series. "
— Gayle, 1/28/2013" I appreciate that the writing has a nice flow and easy to follow. I like this series, but may be getting tired of them, thus just a 3 star rating. I plan on continuing the series. "
— Mel, 11/3/2012" awesome so far. i'm glad i stuck with this series. it just gets better! "
— Misty, 11/6/2011" I am actually really enjoying these Ursula Blanchard books. I am listening to them on audio and I like the narrators voice. Sometimes I wish we could hurry it along a little and wonder if I would enjoy them as much were I to read them. But the stories are good so far. "
— Renee, 10/13/2011" The audio book is read by Nadia may - good story. "
— Bridget, 7/25/2011" Ind of boring and the history was wrong in places and the story was not good enough to compensate. blag! "
— Rebecca, 3/2/2011" awesome so far. i'm glad i stuck with this series. it just gets better! "
— Misty, 7/19/2010" I was expecting the fictional Elizabeth I to be more of a presence in this one. Not bad, but I am not sure if I will run out and read the rest of the series... "
— Helen, 5/12/2010" 3rd book in the series, surprise ending...I love Ursula! This is a great historical mystery series set in the Elizabethan period. Long live Gloriana! "
— Stacey, 12/26/2009" The audio book is read by Nadia may - good story. "
— Bridget, 9/28/2009" This third installment in this series doesn't end up really being a mystery novel, but it's interesting with enough suspense and character to be enjoyable. "
— Julie, 2/17/2009Fiona Buckley is a powerful voice in historical crime fiction, praised for her precise research and finely crafted writing. She lives in England.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.