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The Crown Paperback – 23 Nov. 2023
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A thrilling, darkly delicious Tudor novel - 'A stunning debut. One of the best historical novels I have ever read' Alison Weir
FOR SECRETS THIS DEADLY, BLOOD WILL DYE THE THRONE OF A NATION...
London, May 1537. As those closest to the throne are locked in a fierce fight against those desperate to save England's monasteries from destruction, young Joanna Stafford faces a far more personal battle. When Joanna learns her cousin is about to be burned at the stake for rebelling against Henry VIII, she makes a decision that will change not only her life, but quite possibly the fate of a nation.
It will mean turning her back on everything she knows, for Joanna is a novice at Dartford Priory - and to save her family, she must break the sacred rule of enclosure. But running away is only the first transgression. From the Tower of London, to secret assignations and from Stonehenge to the royal court - Joanna becomes entangled with a secret whose deadly past stretches farther back than anyone had imagined.
As her mission draws a trail in blood from the last whispered words of a queen to a pattern of unnatural deaths in the royal lineage, Joanna must determine who to trust, and how far she's willing to go to protect her life, her family and everything she holds dear.
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Print length496 pages
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LanguageEnglish
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PublisherOrion
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Publication date23 Nov. 2023
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Dimensions12.8 x 3.6 x 19.6 cm
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ISBN-101398718300
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ISBN-13978-1398718302
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Review
Nancy Bilyeau's polished, inventive debut has all the ingredients of the best historical fiction: a broad cast of characters, well-imagined settings, and vivid storytelling . . . In Joanna Stafford, Bilyeau has given us a memorable character who is prepared to risk her life to save what she most values, while Stafford's desperate search for a lost religious relic will satisfy even the most ardent mystery fans -- Deborah Harkness, author of A Discovery of Witches
A gripping treasure-hunt-like romp through one of the bloodiest periods in British history ― Good Housekeeping
With a strong protagonist and some well-drawn characters, there are political intrigues, power struggles and deadly encounters in this novel of mystery and suspense ― Choice magazine
An amazing first novel, filled with excitement, intrigue, espionage, and set against the background of one of the bloodiest periods of British history; the schism between Church and State. It's an action-packed tale of one nun's dangerous quest to discover the secrets of an ancient relic that dates back to the time of Christ -- Katherine Neville, author of The Eight
Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical detail throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy and betrayal ― O, the Oprah Magazine
Will appeal to fans of Dan Brown and Philippa Gregory ― Library Journal
Strong character development, realistic historical detail, and an atmosphere of pervasive tension coupled to a fast-placed plot make it compulsively readable ― Booklist
The events of the period come to life in Nancy Bilyeau's dazzling and heart-wrenching novel. THE CROWN is is evocative, provocative, and full of intriguing characters - a gorgeously written novel that has mystery and history, pathos and depth. This is a stunning debut about a woman whose spirit shines through and deeply moves the reader -- M J Rose
This fast-paced debut delivers Tudor intrigue and mystical thrills in one satisfying package - and leaves room for a sequel ― Kirkus
Joanna Stafford is a young novice caught up in power struggles familiar to readers of Mantel and CJ Sansom, but with the elements of magic that echo the historical thrillers of Kate Mosse ― Mslexia
A stunning debut. One of the best historical novels I have ever read -- Alison Weir
Fabulous debut thriller ― inStyle UK
A gripping treasure-hunt-like romp through one of the bloodiest periods in British history. ― GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical detail throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy and betrayal. ― O, The Oprah Magazine
Strong character development, realistic historical detail, and an atmosphere of pervasive tension coupled to a fast-placed plot make it compulsively readable. ― BOOKLIST
This fast-paced debut delivers Tudor intrigue and mystical thrills in one satisfying package - and leaves room for a sequel. ― KIRKUS
Will appeal to fans of Dan Brown and Philippa Gregory ― LIBRARY JOURNAL
Nancy Bilyeau's polished, inventive debut has all the ingredients of the best historical fiction: a broad cast of characters, well-imagined settings, and vivid story-telling...In Joanna Stafford, Bilyeau has given us a memorable character who us prepared to risk her life to save what she must most values, while Stafford's desperate search for a lost religious relic will satisfy even the most ardent mystery fans -- Deborah Harkness, author of A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES
The events of the period come to life in Nancy Bilyeau's dazzling and heart-wrenching novel. The Crown is is evocative, provocative, and full of intriguing characters - a gorgeously written novel that has mystery and history, pathos and depth. This is a stunning debut about a woman whose spirit shines through and deeply moves the reader -- M J Rose
With a strong protagonist and some well-drawn characters, there are political intrigues, power struggles and deadly encounters in this novel of mystery and suspense. ― CHOICE MAGAZINE
A Historical Fiction title that not only brought together the elements of the historical beautifully but also wove a mystery within that kept me glued from start to finish...a cracking read. ― FALCATA TIMES
Joanna Stafford is a young novice caught up in power struggles familiar to readers of Mantel and CJ Sansom, but with the elements of magic that echo the historical thrillers of Kate Mosse. ― MSLEXIA
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About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Orion (23 Nov. 2023)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 496 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1398718300
- ISBN-13 : 978-1398718302
- Dimensions : 12.8 x 3.6 x 19.6 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 1,455,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 798 in Tudor Historical Romance
- 23,930 in Historical Thrillers (Books)
- 79,814 in Historical Fiction (Books)
- Customer reviews:
About the author
If you tell Nancy Bilyeau that reading one of her historical novels of suspense is like strapping yourself into a time machine, you'll make her a happy woman. She loves crafting immersive historical stories, whether it's Jazz Age New York City in "The Orchid Hour," the 18th-century European porcelain workshops and art galleries in "The Blue" or "The Fugitive Colours," or Henry VIII's tumultuous England in "The Crown," "The Chalice," and "The Tapestry."
A magazine editor who has worked on the staffs of "Rolling Stone" and "Entertainment Weekly," Nancy drew on her journalism experience to research "The Orchid Hour," which includes real-life figures such as Lucky Luciano, Arnold Rothstein, and Lous Buchalter. While working as deputy editor of the nonprofit Center on Media, Crime and Justice in New York City, Nancy covered organized crime as well as cybercrime and terrorism.
For her Genevieve Planche novels--"The Blue" and "The Fugitive Colours"--she drew on her own heritage to create her Huguenot heroine. Nancy is a direct descendant of Pierre Billiou, a French Huguenot who immigrated to what was then New Amsterdam (later New York City) in 1661. Nancy's ancestor, Isaac, was born on the boat crossing the Atlantic. Pierre's stone house still stands and is the third oldest house in New York State.
Nancy's mind is always in past centuries but she currently lives with her husband and two children in upstate New York. Her quest to cook the perfectly flavored cassoulet is ongoing.
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The task set by Gardiner is for Joanna to find a long lost relic of the ancient King Athelstan; The Crown of the title, which, if found, would confer immense power on the finder and potentially rescue the established Church in England from Thomas Cromwell's wreckers. This search brings immense danger to Joanna and her small team of fellow adventurers, but also intense freedom of thought and action, which is a seductive mix for a woman who thought her life would be lived in prayer and contemplation.
No point in spoiling what is a rollicking tale by giving any more away, but by the end Sister Joanna is wiser, both more and (in a poignant twist!) less alone, but not afraid of what the future holds, which neatly leaves the door open for further adventures. I really liked this character and would happily follow her spirited and spiritual evolution as a dispossed nun in a 16th Century man's world. As for the fate of The Crown, you will have to read this excellent novel for yourselves! Enjoy!
I was not sure if I would find a novel with a young "nun to be" as the protagonist that interesting. I needn't have worried. I loved Joanna and the Friars and the constable. Every now and then you find a story teller capable of weaving a storyline so well that before you know it, you're not even aware you are reading anymore. This was that kind of book for me.
Top reviews from other countries
Mantel ist zu Recht mit Buchpreisen ausgezeichnet worden!
But the day of Margaret's death nothing goes as planned. When Johanna's father attempts to interfere with the execution, both he and Johanna are arrested and thrown into the infamous Tower of London on suspicion of treason. While incarcerated within the Tower's formidable walls, Johanna finds herself the unwilling pawn of the ruthless Bishop of Winchester, Stephen Gardiner. He arranges for Johanna's release, on one condition -she is tasked with finding the legendary crown of Athelstan, the first king of a united Britain, whose crown is rumored to possess incredible and dangerous powers. The crown is rumored to be hidden at Dartford, and only when it is safely in Gardiner's possession will her father be released. And so Johanna returns to the priory under a cloud of suspicion and mistrust, her sacred home, once a refuge, now heavy with the portent of faceless dangers. For while her father's life hangs in the balance, Johanna is faced with an equally graver choice -- can one who sought the peace of a religious life survive the treacherous machinations of court? And more importantly, can her faith survive the trials and discoveries her search for the crown requires?
People, THIS BOOK. The Crown is a fresh, utterly captivating glimpse into Tudor England through the eyes of those faithful to the old ways, those who fought to preserve a way of life threatened by the politics of lust and power. Its a rare thing to discover a debut so absorbing and masterfully executed -- a pitch-perfect historical that reads like a tautly-plotted thriller. The intrigue of Henry's court has provided endless fodder for fictional retellings, from the television show The Tudors, numerous films, and countless novels examining the lives of Henry and his wives. Bilyeau smartly sets her debut outside the court proper -- its influence is felt, but The Crown stands apart by showcasing the ripple effect of Henry's policies on those who sought to live their lives and faith outside the court-proscribed norm.
The Crown is positively saturated with the history of faith. Through the characters of Johanna and those who join her in her bid to preserve a vanishing way of life, The Crown is one of the most stirring, well-drawn portraits of faith that I've ever read. This is an emotionally-charged, vibrantly-detailed picture of faith under fire, both personally and corporately, never shying from its oft-times brutally honest examination of the nature and cost of belief, doubt, and sacrifice. While persecution between groups of people, be it over religious, ethnic, or political differences, is as old as mankind itself, here I was particularly struck by the tragedy of the conflict between Catholic and Protestant. Both claiming belief in the same God and His Son, and each side in turn guilty of horrors in the name of advancing their faith.
Joanna is a wonderfully compelling, multi-faceted heroine. A fiery mix of faith, devotion, and a fierce loyalty and temper, the latter often putting her at odds with the lifestyle to which she aspires. In a world where women were confined to strictly proscribed roles, Joanna is a woman wholly of her time, yet determined to be her own woman, above all striving to be true to herself, her faith, and her God. Bilyeau's cast of supporting players are equally well-sketched -- and let me just say, I cannot wait to see what Bilyeau has planned for Joanna's relationships with the angst-ridden healer, Brother Edmund, and the DELICIOUS constable, Geoffrey Scovill. :)
The Crown is an expertly-plotted, page-turning thriller replete with a wealth of historical detail and atmosphere, bringing the sixteenth-century to life. Bilyeau peppers the narrative with fascinating detail, everything from feast preparations to medical treatments for seizures. Given Joanna's status as a novice, Bilyeau deftly recreates the world of the priory, the beliefs and traditions that form the bedrock of Joanna's character. And the history of relics -- particularly the Athelstan crown -- the reverence with which they were viewed and shadowy legends that grew up surrounding their history. With her stunning debut Bilyeau has delivered a heady, unforgettable mix of fact and fiction. An author to watch, I cannot wait to see where she takes Joanna next!
This was a difficult book for me to get through. I appreciated all the history research for the time period.(although I am not familiar with this period of history and the history of nuns and brothers) an involved plot with good characters-most having their own life struggles.
I will say I was taken by surprise with the high price for this 3 book series in ebook form.
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