After the return of Edward IV to the throne and the death of her husband, Margaret Beaufort is more determined that ever that her son, Henry Tudor, should become king. However he is only one of the claimants and others are more powerful than Margaret. A mysterious death at her London house and the appearance of a mercenary band seemingly bent on destroying her means that Margaret is reliant on her steward, Christopher Urswicke, to solve the mystery but it may also be quite close to home for him.
This is a competent enough medieval mystery but it never really flew for me. The premise of the Duke of Burgundy trying to destabilise the throne was great but then some of the flights of fancy seems a little too flighty. I may be completely wrong and these events may be true butit just seemed a little too far-fetched and thus merely entertaining rather than gripping ( )

Historical mystery and power unabated!

Plots and counterplots swirl around Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, and her son Henry Tudor. I love Doherty’s comment in the Author’s Note about Margaret. “In the end she proved to be the dark nemesis of the House of York.” (With that comment Doherty’s title slots in seamlessly),
A nerve racking read filled with the desperation of the age, the evil of men, and all matters pertaining to the lust for power and kingship.
We have Edward of York endeavoring to be rid of a claimant to the English throne; Margaret’s sworn man Christopher Urswicke’s father, Sir Thomas, Recorder of London, plotting and planning, spinning his web far and wide; a hidden group of feared Castilian assassins, the Garduna; and a secret French chapter loyal to the French king, just for starters. Third in this series of enthralling historical novels, we’re once again presented with a riveting portrayal of these violent medieval times, alongside a deep political mystery, all rolled into one. Satisfying indeed!

A Canongate-Severn ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change ( )

Paul Doherty is a prolific writer of historical mysteries, and I follow several of his series, including Brother Athelstan, Hugh Corbett, a series based on the Canterbury Tales, and More. They're all solid reads, "bread-and-butter" historical mysteries that are reliable sustenance for readers of the genre. His Margaret Beaufort series stands above the rest with a large cast of recurring characters, all of them created with a care that lets the reader imagine them as individuals and not just as cardboard cutouts.

Of course, with Margaret Beaufort, Doherty has plenty to work with: an intelligent, politically astute central character; her supporters, who are fierce in her defense, have connections on all levels of English society and who recognize Margaret for the brilliant leader she is; and then the schemers trying to prevent a Tudor triumph over the Yorkists. With its setting during the War of the Roses Doherty should be able to continue this engaging series for many more volumes.
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I read a lot of historical mysteries, and Doherty's Margaret Beaufort titles are the sort that have me putting other books on hold, so I can jump into them and spend more time with these interesting people in the complicated period in history.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own. ( )