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Lady Grace Mysteries #9
Intrigue
A new play: Inrigue, is just about to open in Whitehall. The play includes a very clever, convincing death scene, and the Queen is desperate to see it before the rest of her country. But when the Queen goes to watch, the death scene is far too convincing - in fact, it's real! Richard Fitzgrey has just been murdered in front of the Queen. Grace finds as many opportunities as possibile to investigate this dramatic death. She discovers that the motives for Richard's murder are more complicated than she first thought. Can Grace, Masou and Ellie solve the crime before an innocent man is punished.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 5, 2020
Once again, Lady Grace Cavendish sets off to solve a murder, but this time, Queen Elizabeth I has not given her permission to do so--nor has she forbade Grace. Grace and her two friends, Ellie (her Tiring Woman), and Masou (a Court Fool) do their best to discover who killed a famous actor right in front of the entire Royal Court (including the Queen!)--this includes sneaking into an abandoned theatre, going to the Clink (the prison), and even entering a suspect's home to find clues! This was a good tale, and one that had a couple of mild swear words (for anyone under 15, that is), but nothing too dramatic. Definitely a recommended book!
May 2, 2020
3.5 stars.
I used to absolutely love this series when I was younger, so much so that I used to imitate Grace's own language in my diaries (cringe doesn't even cover it). Unfortunately, some of that magic has been lost with time, but I still found this book enjoyable, and can see why I liked Grace's adventures so much.
This mystery takes the Queen, Grace and other members of the Court to see a new play. 'Intrigue' promises its audience a thrilling murder mystery, with a prize to whoever can guess the identity of the true murderer! But things soon take a turn, and to everyone's surprise, the Court is faced with a real murder. Grace must work quickly if she's to protect innocent suspects from being punished, and catch the true criminal.
My main issue with Intrigue was in its narrative style. Grace writes in first person, past tense that looks retrospectively on clues and investigation as they progress. When combined with the self-aware nature of the diary form, readers are constantly reminded that they are behind on the action. This left me feeling somewhat dislocated from the characters and the mystery. I was reading to find out who the criminal was, but I didn't feel as though I could participate in the investigation because Grace simply relays the details after they've been revealed or discovered by herself.
However, as I said, I can understand why I liked this series when I was younger. It is easy to read and provides a relatively complex plot for children, with sufficient red herrings and clues to build up what appears to be a realistic criminal investigation.
I used to absolutely love this series when I was younger, so much so that I used to imitate Grace's own language in my diaries (cringe doesn't even cover it). Unfortunately, some of that magic has been lost with time, but I still found this book enjoyable, and can see why I liked Grace's adventures so much.
This mystery takes the Queen, Grace and other members of the Court to see a new play. 'Intrigue' promises its audience a thrilling murder mystery, with a prize to whoever can guess the identity of the true murderer! But things soon take a turn, and to everyone's surprise, the Court is faced with a real murder. Grace must work quickly if she's to protect innocent suspects from being punished, and catch the true criminal.
My main issue with Intrigue was in its narrative style. Grace writes in first person, past tense that looks retrospectively on clues and investigation as they progress. When combined with the self-aware nature of the diary form, readers are constantly reminded that they are behind on the action. This left me feeling somewhat dislocated from the characters and the mystery. I was reading to find out who the criminal was, but I didn't feel as though I could participate in the investigation because Grace simply relays the details after they've been revealed or discovered by herself.
However, as I said, I can understand why I liked this series when I was younger. It is easy to read and provides a relatively complex plot for children, with sufficient red herrings and clues to build up what appears to be a realistic criminal investigation.
December 15, 2020
Really enjoyable read - got mystery, interesting and different style of writing, not normally read historical but this was great, enjoyed the glossary and additional history at the back to. Would have loved reading when I was younger too - great for youngsters as she doesn't shy aware from using 'long words' or unknown/ unusual words because it's a children's book. Thoroughly enjoyable, especially during these rather gloomy miserable times - a nice easy read
January 8, 2025
A decent read that I could see a fairly literate young person enjoying. I read this one first so there were understandably some ‘gaps’ in my knowledge of the characters and their backstories. That being said, the author did a decent job of proving backfill info so you can pick this one up without having read the rest.
Overall, a decent read for middle grade readers that love the Elizabethan age!
Overall, a decent read for middle grade readers that love the Elizabethan age!
April 11, 2025
A play for the ages, one we must see, a murder most daring... real it cannot be?
This was an interesting idea with a play that parallels the main storyline with the misdirects, small details that seem out of place at moments and uncomfortable situations. It was so great to see Ellie in a handmaiden role and growing so much, Grace has yet to change listening to no-one headstrong to the last. Masou is still as cheeky and lithe as normal but with some more interesting interplay between them now that he is the Queen's Jester. It was a well put together mystery with the information eking out throughout the book.
This was an interesting idea with a play that parallels the main storyline with the misdirects, small details that seem out of place at moments and uncomfortable situations. It was so great to see Ellie in a handmaiden role and growing so much, Grace has yet to change listening to no-one headstrong to the last. Masou is still as cheeky and lithe as normal but with some more interesting interplay between them now that he is the Queen's Jester. It was a well put together mystery with the information eking out throughout the book.
January 23, 2022
Nearing the end of my Lady Grace books now and I don’t think I’ve read this one before (though I amn’t entirely certain it must be said), and I throughly enjoyed it! Could be because it’s aimed at 11 year olds or it could be because it was so exciting but I read this in one day. The mystery was compelling with multiple plot twists and false leads - had me quite convinced several times! Beautifully written as usual.
I don’t want to say too much and give the game away but I will say that while there were some parts of Haunted that made me roll my eyes, I didn’t have that at all with Intrigue. It was gripping right until the end with a healthy dose of danger (and ill advised escapades from the palace, as usual).
I don’t want to say too much and give the game away but I will say that while there were some parts of Haunted that made me roll my eyes, I didn’t have that at all with Intrigue. It was gripping right until the end with a healthy dose of danger (and ill advised escapades from the palace, as usual).
April 6, 2009
Intrigue is the ninth novel in the Lady Grace Mysteries, a series written in the form of the diary of Lady Grace Cavendish, a teenage Maid of Honor to Queen Elizabeth I who solves mysteries at court.
It's August of 1570, and a new play, called "Intrigue," is opening in London. It is a unique play in that it features a mystery for the audience to solve. Queen Elizabeth is eager to see it, and so a special showing for the Queen is arranged, which Lady Grace attends with other members of the Queen's court. But the play's death scene turns out to be all too real when it is discovered that the leading star, popular actor Richard Fitzgrey, has been murdered on the stage. Grace is determined to find out who the murderer is, but the case is very puzzling and even worse, an innocent man may be executed for a crime he didn't commit if she doesn't find out the identity of the real killer in time.
This book was an enjoyable read and I'd recommend it to other readers who enjoyed the previous books in the series. As always, the author includes many interesting details about life in Elizabethan times while telling an exciting story, and I look forward to reading of Grace's future adventures.
It's August of 1570, and a new play, called "Intrigue," is opening in London. It is a unique play in that it features a mystery for the audience to solve. Queen Elizabeth is eager to see it, and so a special showing for the Queen is arranged, which Lady Grace attends with other members of the Queen's court. But the play's death scene turns out to be all too real when it is discovered that the leading star, popular actor Richard Fitzgrey, has been murdered on the stage. Grace is determined to find out who the murderer is, but the case is very puzzling and even worse, an innocent man may be executed for a crime he didn't commit if she doesn't find out the identity of the real killer in time.
This book was an enjoyable read and I'd recommend it to other readers who enjoyed the previous books in the series. As always, the author includes many interesting details about life in Elizabethan times while telling an exciting story, and I look forward to reading of Grace's future adventures.
September 11, 2015
Still having fun with this series for when I need to turn my brain off and just throw myself into historical england but I am heartbroken as the adorable tiny HC books are no more (only large softcovers) and I am slowly running out of them. The books seem to end around volume 12 or 13 and no new ones have come out for a while.
Come on! It's a long road to Z!
Come on! It's a long road to Z!
November 11, 2022
a very exciting and adventurous story. Good Show Lady Grace
May 30, 2012
Same sort of thing as ever really. This book was a bi more annoying than the others except for the one where nobody died.
May 22, 2021
A fun series about a young lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth I who solves mysteries with her friends.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews