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The Tudor Secret

The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles, Book 1

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The Tudor Secret

By: C. W. Gortner
Narrated by: Steve West
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About this listen

The era of the Tudors was one of danger, intrigue, conspiracy, and, above all, spies.

The summer of 1553 is a time of danger and deceit. Brendan Prescott, an orphan, has been reared in the household of the powerful Dudley family. Brought to court, Prescott finds himself sent on an illicit mission to the king’s brilliant but enigmatic sister, Princess Elizabeth. But Brendan is soon compelled to work as a double agent by Elizabeth’s protector, William Cecil, who promises in exchange to help him unravel the secret of his own mysterious past.

A dark plot swirls around Elizabeth’s quest to discover the truth about the ominous disappearance of her seriously ill brother, King Edward VI. With only a bold stable boy and an audacious lady-in-waiting at his side, Brendan plunges into a ruthless gambit of half-truths, lies, and murder.

Filled with the intrigue and pageantry of Tudor England, The Tudor Secret is the first book in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles.

©2011 C. W. Gortner (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Historical Mystery King Fiction Royalty Espionage Emotionally Gripping Exciting Tudor

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Critic reviews

"Gortner handles action with aplomb, adding a riveting, fast-paced thriller to the crowded genre of Tudor fiction." ( Publishers Weekly)
"An exciting, vividly rendered story of intrigue and espionage." ( Booklist)
All stars
Most relevant  
The narration is just awful. Like a sit com. A shame for the writer. Unless it’s him narrating.

Dreadful narrator

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What did you like best about The Tudor Secret? What did you like least?

I tend to pick up anything to do with the Tudor period and I liked the idea of weaving in the setting up of the Elizabethan network of spies. The fictional nature of the book was apparent from the first. I found the basic premise unconvincing and the speed with which the hero got involved in intrigues and then resolved them seemed in the best style of melodrama. Although the history of the period appeared well-researched, the book lacked for me the Tudor atmosphere of other novelists of the genre.

What will your next listen be?

A more modern spy story! Perhaps Le Carre.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No

Derring do worthy of Rupert of Hentzau!

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I absolutely love this book!!!! Once you start to listen, you are no longer in modern times.
you are transported back to Tudor times, with its smells, looks, people and buildings.
This author is superb, and the narrator brilliant!!!

Riveting

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Very enjoyable, listen narration, very good and the story excellent all put together to make a very enjoyable listen

Compulsive, listening

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If only this were true. Intriguing plot line. Beautifully narrated. I couldn’t stop listening. Sat in the sunshine and devoured the whole book over two days.

Loved it!

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Everything you would expect, from a good Tudor novel. The treachery, never fails to shock.

Enjoyable, Historic Thriller

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I really enjoyed this jolt into history
an intriguing story and well written .
the narrator was excellent!

I enjoyed this book

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I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and it was a treat given I didn’t have to use a credit. I like the historical period and thought the author had invented an interesting main character with an intriguing back story. However the narrator mispronounced so many words which grated and detracted from the novel. I have got the next two instalments as they’re free and shall just have to ignore the undoubted mispronunciations to come. Such a pity as the novels deserve better.

Absorbing novel marred by narration

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really enjoyed this book and look forward to next in the series, good for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

a good listen

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A sparkling ending to a complex & beautifully conceived & written story!
We still don’t discover ‘the secret’, though…so the hope is that there will be a sequel, plus more from a gifted new author!
Thanks to Audible for putting this out — I was riveted & calmed at the same time, by the crystal-clear interpretation:
Thank you!

A fine cast of characters, brought brilliantly to life!

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