The Tidal Poole

Bess Tudor Mystery: 2

ISBN: 0-7887-4984-6 Order from: Recorded Books

An colorful look at early Elizabethan politics and intrigue, the murder investigation is colorful but a bit contrived.

Reviewed by David on May 17, 2003

Genre: Mystery (Amateur Sleuth, Politics, Intrigue, Historical, Elizabethan England)

Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of The Tidal Poole. With her sister Mary's death, the twenty-five year old Princess Elizabeth has finally reached the throne of England. While heartily welcome by many, Elizabeth's reign is still shaky, with the opposition by Catholics, as well as those who doubt Elizabeth's parentage or her ability to govern.

As her coronation procession winds though crowded London streets, a small eddy in the crowd slows down the progress and causes her guards some concern. Whisked away, Elizabeth doesn't find until later about the seemingly unrelated causes—a mad dog in the street, an old woman in the crowd injured, a young woman assaulted and strangled in an empty room. However, as details emerge, Elizabeth realizes that something larger is afoot—something that affects the friends and possibly herself.

While now a queen, Elizabeth still cannot do her own investigation. However, can she trust the proper authorities—Lord Constable—to get to the bottom of this mystery? Apparently not, and the Queen calls on her "privy plot council", including the actor Ned and herb girl Meg, to quietly look into the matter.

Full Review: This mystery is as colorful as its predecessor. Elizabeth, hampered by a bad cold, convention, and politics, is still thwarted in conducting a full-scale and open investigation. As she gets more powerful, her adventures on the street seem a bit less plausible.

The mystery investigation itself is solid, with clues slowly emerging and causing suspicions to shift in a logical progression.

The major issue in the book is the absence of a highly sympathetic character. Elizabeth herself seems rather distant and self-centered, rather appropriately. The rest of the crew, while featured prominently, are clearly supporting actors.

Despite lack of depth and a truly engaging protagonist, the book is entertaining and colorful.

Overall: 5; Plot: 5; Characters: 6; Style: 5.5; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6;

ISBN: 0-7887-4984-6 Order from: Recorded Books