Forest of Secrets

by Fiona Buckley

Overview

May, 1586. Etheldreda Hope, a simple countrywoman, has come to Ursula Blanchard with tales of strange goings-on in her rural village. Fearing that her reports of mysterious forest rites indicate a possible conspiracy to overthrow Queen Elizabeth, Sir Francis Walsingham orders Ursula to travel to Etheldreda's home to find out what's really going on.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781448306138
Publisher:	Severn House
Publication date:	01/27/2022
Series:	Ursula Blanchard Series , #19
Edition description:	Large Print
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.55(w) x 8.74(h) x (d)

About the Author

Fiona Buckley is the author of eighteen previous Ursula Blanchard mysteries, and a historical saga, Late Harvest. Under her real name, Valerie Anand, she is the author of numerous historical novels, including the much-loved Bridges Over Time series. Brought up in London, she now lives in Surrey.

Editorial Reviews

Atmospheric … Buckley makes full use of a fascinating time and place in British history - Publishers Weekly

A satisfying mix of mystery, history, and a touch of romance - Booklist

From the Publisher

An authentic Elizabethan cliffhanger

Kirkus Reviews on A Web of Silk

Ursula is a determined, intrepid sleuth ... Another satisfying mix of mystery and Elizabethan history

Booklist on The Scent of Danger

2021-03-31
A half sister to Queen Elizabeth I continues her life of deceit and danger.

Upon her return home from her latest adventure in 1586, Ursula Stannard is confronted by an unwanted visitor. Etheldreda Hope is afraid to return to her own village of Chenston in the New Forest, whose native inhabitants have treated her as a witch ever since her mule gave birth to a filly. Etheldreda’s account of strange goings-on in the woods, where the leader of the strange pagan rites—a man with antlers—has been speaking against an unnamed evil queen, brings Ursula to immediate attention. After consulting with Elizabeth’s spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, she departs with her loyal servants, Brockley and Dale, for the estate of Sir Henry Compton, near Chenston. Also with her is Mildred, a young woman recovering from a disastrous love affair. The village of Chenston is certainly odd, and its geographical isolation has kept its population inbred. The minister, Daniel Atbrigge, is little help, but he and the susceptible Mildred are instantly attracted to each other. When Brockley is taken ill, Ursula spies on a midnight meeting and is horrified to see villagers wearing masks and the horned leader sacrificing a goat and lying with a village virgin. After she reluctantly agrees to let Mildred marry Atbrigge, the filly is stolen, and only Brockley’s quick action on Lammas Eve saves the horse from becoming the next sacrifice. Despite the dangers, Ursula must continue to seek out any possible danger to the queen while Walsingham plots Mary Stuart’s downfall.

Pagan rituals combine with a thorny mystery and the ongoing adventures of the franchise mainstays.

Kirkus Reviews