'1559. Elizabeth is about to be crowned queen of England and wants her personal musician Kate Haywood to prepare music for the festivities. New to London, Kate must learn the ways of city life and once again school herself as a sleuth.
Life at the center of the new royal court is abuzz with ambition and gossip--very different from the quiet countryside, where Kate served Elizabeth during her exile. Making her way among the courtiers who vie for the new queen's favor, Kate befriends Lady Mary Everley. Mary is very close to Elizabeth. With their red hair and pale skin, they even resemble each other--which makes Mary's murder all the more chilling.
The celebrations go on despite the pall cast over them. But when another redhead is murdered, Kate uncovers a deadly web of motives lurking just beneath the polite court banter, and follows the trial of a killer who grievance can only be answered with royal blood.'
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Murder at Hatfield House, and I thought that the second would be an enjoyable read as well. I have to say that I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first. The first one had more of a mysterious air about it and this one was just mediocre at best. With the first one it seemed that it kept me on my toes more so than this one with treasonous plots and murder at every turn. I expected the same from this book and was sadly disappointed.
Queen Elizabeth is finally be crowned Queen of England and her trusty and loyal musician, Kate Haywood is to take part in the coronation ceremonies. When several red-haired ladies turn up dead, Kate is worried that someone has it out for the queen. She must use her sleuthing skills to find out just who has a grudge against the queen and why they are so hellbent on murder. Elizabeth's temper makes appearances in this novel and she is determined to not let a killer destroy the hopes and dreams she had for being queen. She puts on a stoic and steadfast face and shows England that it takes more than a few murders to bring her down. I have to admire Queen Elizabeth I's steadfast determination to rule her country and make it a better place for all its residents.
There wasn't a lot of suspects, clues or intrigue in this one and the plot was simply too easily figured out. I like to work on figuring my mysteries out and this one was basically handed to me on a platter. I love the time period and the characters, but the author is going to have to really bring it with the next book to convince this reader to continue with the series. I just expected so much more from the way the first book was and was left seriously disappointed with this one. Hoping the next one is much better.
Overall Rating: 2
Title: Murder at Westminster Abbey
Author: Amanda Carmack
Series: Elizabethan Mystery #2
Publisher: Signet
Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Pages: 304
Genre: Historical Mystery
Get It: Amazon; Barnes & Noble
Disclaimer: This book was purchased by myself and I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.