The Murder in the Tower: The Story of Frances, Countess of Essex

By Jean Plaidy

Book Overview

The dashing Robert Carr is a well-known favorite of King James I. After attracting his attention by falling from a horse in the tiltyard, Robert rises quickly through the ranks. But when the cunning and beautiful Frances Howard comes to court, a very dangerous liaison changes everything. Married against her will while still a child, Frances emerges from that experience a headstrong force of nature--determined to have her own way, no matter what the consequences. Her attempts to rid herself of an unwanted husband, and later to ensnare a lukewarm lover, have led her deep into the world of spell-makers and poisoners. This is a woman to underestimate at great peril. But not until Robert finds himself ensnared in one of Frances's plots--imprisoned in the Tower of London and accused of murder--does he learn at last what she is truly capable of.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307346218
• ISBN13: 9780307346216
• Release Date: July 2010
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Plaidy is always worth your time

The book is based on the life of a young courtier, Frances Howard, and her loves. She starts out as a likeable passionate young woman, but as she grows and becomes seemingly a selfish evil woman, there is no sympathy for her. I did find sympathy for Robert Carr, the man she fell in love with when she was a married woman. Robert Carr caught the King James' eye when he fell from his horse as a young man, and quickly shot up in the ranks with titles and favoritism from James. He is portrayed as a pretty boy who really didn't deserve the posts he had since he had to have another man, Thomas Overbury, secretly do most of the work for Robert Carr. Once Thomas realizes that Robert wants to marry Frances Howard, he is incensed. He has no respect for Frances, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. There was a small storyline with the King's son, Henry, and a bit on the royal family but not an incredible amount. The story was excellent!

Interesting story well told

Based on a specific odd incident during the reign of James I of England, this book has less historic significance than most of Ms. Plaidy's novels but the protagonists are interesting and the ending satisfactorily combines poetic justice for the wicked countess with compassion for and satisfactory endings for her unfortunate dupes. As in the best of Plaidy, these people come to life.