Her Highness, the Traitor

April 9, 2012
Through women’s eyes, Higginbotham (The Queen of Last Hopes) attempts to bring to life England’s interregnal period between the death of Henry VIII and the ascension of Elizabeth I in this dull Tudor historical. Edward succeeds his late father, but given his young age, dominion over the kingdom is conferred upon a royal council, whereupon various men begin jockeying for power. Jane Dudley’s husband, the duke of Northumberland, ingratiates himself to the king, and becomes a trusted adviser. Meanwhile, Frances Grey and daughter Jane watch as Frances’s husband, the duke of Suffolk, positions himself to claim the throne. Hoping to ease tensions between the two families, Jane Dudley’s son marries Jane Grey. Shortly before Edward succumbs to tuberculosis, he appoints Jane Grey as his successor. However, when Edward’s half-sister Mary comes to the fore as a contender for the crown—with the support of the royal council—the Dudleys and Greys stand to lose everything, including their lives. Though Higginbotham stays true to history, her inability to create compelling characters makes her effort light on drama and difficult to follow. Agent: Nicholas Croce, the Croce Agency.

May 1, 2012
In her new historical novel, Higginbotham gives readers another masterful story of honor, ambition, and intrigue surrounding the royal court of England. In the years after the death of Henry VIII, Jane Dudley watches her beloved husband, the Duke of Northumberland, rise to a position of power as advisor to young King Edward VI. Frances Grey sees her acerbic daughter, Lady Jane Grey, married to the Dudleys' son, then leveraged onto the throne when the king dies young and childless. Nine days later, when Mary I comes to claim the crown, both women suddenly find themselves fighting to save their families. In another well-researched, gripping novel highlighting the female members of the royal court, Higginbotham brings the court to life, including vividly described costumes and customs, while producing a fresh view of the people closest to the top in those turbulent times. Fans of her earlier work or that of Philippa Gregory will enjoy this story about the women of position in an age ruled almost entirely by men.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)