Genre: Historical fiction
Publisher: Preseli Press
Pub date: 5 June 2024

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Frances Walsingham is the only surviving child of Queen Elizabeth’s ‘spymaster’ Sir Francis Walsingham. Better educated than most men, her father arranges her marriage to warrior poet Sir Philip Sidney.

After Philip Sidney is killed in battle, Frances becomes Countess of Essex, and is banished from court after her husband Sir Robert Devereaux’s rebellion against the queen.

Can she marry for love, if it means turning her back on her faith and all she knows?

Based on extensive historical research, this is the story of Frances, Countess of Essex and Clanricarde.

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Having enjoyed the previous four books in Tony’s Elizabethan series, I was very much looking forward to another instalment.
Frances is the daughter and heiress of the renowned spy master Sir Francis Walsingham.
Frances receives an exceptional education for a female of her time, and this leads to a very interesting life alongside her father and following his death.

Tony has managed to bring Frances out of the shadows of her father and husbands and give her a voice of her own whilst still ensuring her skills learned from her father are retained throughout her life.

Frances led an extraordinary life, and Tony’s research is apparent in telling the reader her story. The events of Elizabethan England are told through the eyes of Frances, and whilst she may have been banished from court, she was certainly not oblivious to events.

Tony has an incredible way of not just telling someone’s story but also making you feel as if you’re there witnessing events and feeling the emotions, I will admit the sadness I felt when Frances lost her father.

I must congratulate Tony for another successful book, I truly enjoyed Frances and found her story to be intriguing and often emotional. I highly recommend Frances and the rest of the series. In fact, I’d recommend Tony’s Tudor trilogy and his Brandon trilogy as they are also exceptional!

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