From acclaimed author Karen Brooks comes this intriguing novel rich in historical detail and drama as it tells the unforgettable story of Queen Elizabeth’s daring, ruthless spymaster and his female protégée.In Queen Elizabeth’s England, where no one can be trusted and secrets are currency, one woman stands without fear. Mallory Bright is the only daughter of London’s most ingenious locksmith. She … ingenious locksmith. She has apprenticed with her father since childhood, and there is no lock too elaborate for her to crack. After scandal destroys her reputation, Mallory has returned to her father’s home and lives almost as a recluse, ignoring the whispers and gossip of their neighbors. But Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster and a frequent client of Mallory’s father, draws her into his world of danger and deception. For the locksmith’s daughter is not only good at cracking locks, she also has a talent for codes, spycraft, and intrigue. With Mallory by Sir Francis’s side, no scheme in England or abroad is safe from discovery.
But Mallory’s loyalty wavers when she witnesses the brutal and bloody public execution of three Jesuit priests and realizes the human cost of her espionage. And later, when she discovers the identity of a Catholic spy and a conspiracy that threatens the kingdom, she is forced to choose between her country and her heart.
Once Sir Francis’s greatest asset, Mallory is fast becoming his worst threat—and there is only one way the Queen’s master spy deals with his enemies…
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I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. In return for honest review . And this will be honest review. I enjoyed this book even through this book was super long amazing. I loved this book and everything this book gave me. I didn’t know about what happened during those times. Even this story was about a young girl who had returned from home from being rescued from the pain and that she over come. Returning home and fearing about her reputation. And how her parents dealt with her being home. Mallory is a strong young woman who really admire through this whole book. Her father being a locksmith needed to get her out and working due to the fact her mother was still mad. She then meets Sir Frances had he adds her to his team. Which on one can find out. She is hired to spy on catholics to which are a threat to queen. Which is very heart breaking. This far one of the best historical book I have read and remember this and this one has a special place. This book comes out July 31, 2818 highly recommend this read. It is very big book but a definitely great one.
I’m not a big fan of Medieval literature, but this proved to be a wonderful book, much better than I would have imagined. It covers so many things, and so well. There’s espionage, family intrigue, betrayal, cruelty, romance, and, of course, locksmithing.
The star of the book is Mallory Bright, the daughter of a brilliant and inventive locksmith. Mallory has grown up in his workshop and has developed remarkable skill as a lock pick. Her mother, originally from Italy, still worships the forbidden Catholic faith. With Elizabeth I as Queen, that is not a good thing. It could wind up with all of them either imprisoned or put to death in the most horrible manner. Worse, Mallory has done somethings that if found out would tarnish her reputation. Her father has a friend who can help, and he does, offering Mallory a job. It’s not the position her father imagines, and it puts her well-being in jeopardy on more than one occasion.
Her friend, Caleb, is a playwright and actor. He edges the dangerous more than once with the controversial themes in his plays. Mallory worries that he’ll go overboard and get in trouble with the Queen.
Enter Lord Nathanial, a man ahead of his time. He and his young sister welcome Mallory into their acquaintance. Can they overcome their differences? Will he become more than Mallory’s friend and employer?
I adored this book. The story-lines were original and intriguing. I thought the writing was spectacular in how it intricately wove together all those different story-lines. The characters were believable and, for the most part, lovable. I learned quite a bit about England under Elizabeth I and locksmithing. I’ll be on the lookout for other books by this author.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. I thank them for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. Also, while I originally received the book from Netgalley, I was not able to finish it before the allotted time. I then requested and received the book through my local library. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Thanks to Book Club Girls & HarperCollins Publishers via NetGalley for a gifted copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.
Trigger Warnings for sexual assault, physical abuse, and torture. If I’d have known about the violence and torture, described so vividly and extensively, I would never have read the book. I skipped over those parts while I was reading but I really can’t recommend this book. I know not everyone feels the same about these topics, since many other reviewers gave it 4 and 5 stars and didn’t even mention the violence.
Now you know the bad, so let me also share the good: A well-researched historical novel about spies in Elizabethan England. A strong female heroine, intriguing plot, great descriptions of clothes, architecture, the social order, word usage and morals of the time, realistic interspersing of fictional characters with actual people.
I also think this novel should be classified as a romance in the same category as a “bodice ripper.” Another genre I don’t usually read and wasn’t expecting.
This book just wasn’t for me, but for its over-the-top violence I’m rating it only 1 star.
The Locksmith’s Daughter by Karen Brooks is an excellent historical fiction novel that takes place during Elizabethan England. A story exceedingly rich in detail, the reader follows along with Mallory, a young woman who ends up smack in the middle of the spy network of Sir Francis Walsingham. Political intrigue, mystery, suspense, and difficult decisions and choices that have cascading effects, are all things that Mallory ends up involved in during this book. What will she choose? Who will she side with? What will the end results be? Those are all questions that are drawn out throughout this novel.
I enjoyed how Ms. Brooks took real events and figures and created a side story to delight the senses.
5/5 stars
great book
Fascinating topic. Good historical fiction.
This is a great book if you like historical fiction, and I do mean historical. The author interweaves actual historical figures into the story and includes several historical events. Very descriptive, interesting made-up characters too. I will read more from her. I even bought a hard copy for my Anglophile sister-in-law and she loved it as well.
absolutely recommend ! I could not put it down.
Easy reading. But unrealistic happy ending.
I really enjoyed this book…it has good characters, an intriguing story line, and a well developed mystery. It doesn’t keep you on edge, but I kept wanting to get back to it, and was pleased with my purchase. Recommend!
Lack of sleep, several house guests and an Easter brunch and dinner to host could not stop me from reading this book. I practically ignored it all. Who knew that a drama set in the 1500s could get me so attached, so involved. The character building was phenomenal as was the build to the climax of the story. Well done, Karen Brooks. Well done.
Excellent book. Very well written, great characters and hard to put down.
This story was a great twist about the Elizabethan era. It included well known individuals and facts from that time period mixed with great supporting fictional characters creating a wonderful story and read. If you are a fan of this era you will not be disappointed but will have a delightful romp thru the neighborhoods of London and surrounding areas.
the author brought a slice of Elizabethan times to life with a twist, thorough the eyes of a young lady . I thoroughly enjoyed it, it wasn’t the usual “historical romance” but had plenty of action and adventure.
I just finished it last night. It was so good. It is set in old England and about Queen Elizabeth, her spymaster who knew all the secrets in the land and loved to hunt down Catholics, a young woman who went to work for him and her life and family and we can’t leave out some romance. It is a well written book that I really enjoyed.