First in a historical mystery series centered around Margaret Beaufort. The Wars of the Roses always interest but the mystery wasn’t well developed and easily guessed. Good sense of place and knowledge of relevant history but not enough to fully compensate. I won't be continuing.

I would like to thank netgalley and Severn House for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This isn't a mystery, I don't know quite what it's trying to do. There is way to much information dumping.

Paul Doherty introduces Margaret Beaufort as the centre of a very noir historical mystery Dark Queen Rising. At the centre of the Yorkist triumph and Lancastrian defeat, Margaret and her trusted servants must save her son and sew seeds of destruction in Yorkist ranks. Welcome to dark intrigue and murder in London where no one is as they seem as everyone has a murderous agenda.

This was an interesting take on what it would be like if Margaret Beaufort was an amateur sleuth. There were a few historical errors that distracted me from reading. However, I thought the mystery was well-done, and I look forward to more.

I wanted to love this book, because I HATE Margaret Beaufort. I know, that makes no sense. Basically, what I'm saying is that I love to hate her in all the other fiction books I have read that feature her, but in this book, you don't really get the chance. She is simply one of many characters that all seem to share equal stage time.

The book is interesting in parts and made for a nice afternoon by the fireplace when the weather outside was inclement, but it isn't much of a mystery until over halfway through and even then, it isn't difficult to figure out what is happening. I wish there would have been a greater opportunity to get to know the woman at the supposed heart of the story.


Overall, I can recommend this book to others because it is interesting historical fiction, but not for those who want to grab it because of Margaret Beaufort being the central character.


This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I’ll say straight off that although I know Paul Doherty has written dozens of books, this is the first one I have read. And I call myself a Medieval Mystery lover: I know, disgraceful.

It was the associated with Lady Margaret Beaufort that attracted me to this book, as a historian with a fairly good knowledge of the Wars of the Roses and the key figures and events in them. In a way I was a little disappointed. There is no real mystery until over halfway through. Now, I’ve read mysteries where the main event does not happen until a long way in before, but I think what’s annoying is that this story is ‘sold’ as a mystery. The crime is made out to be the central focus of the novel. It’s not and is solved very quickly.

I would really say this novel is more of a political thriller, with a strong emphasis on plots and intrigue: and violence. The descriptions of executions, torture, severed heads and limbs, and dismembered human remains are frequent and graphic. As a historical thriller this novel works actually works reasonably well, but mystery buffs might not be impressed.
Whilst the characters of Urswicke and Margaret Beaufort were both fascinating. There were some interesting historical tidits, like the suggestion that some people regard Urswicke as the father of the modern security service, and that John Tiptoft the notorious ‘butcher’ of England might have served under Vlad the Impaler at one point in his career.

However, I’m not sure I fully agreed with how a lot of characters were depicted. Someone else mentioned there is no evidence that Richard Duke of Gloucester or George Duke of Clarence personally murdered anyone, and I agree. I also don’t believe Margaret would so heinously betrayed her own Lancastrian relatives. Not least because plotting to put her son on the throne before 1471 would literally have been an act of treason against not only Edward IV, but her own family as well.
Also, I found the depiction of some characters was very simplistic and one-dimensional. I understand this is probably done for the sake of the story, but I just wasn’t always convincing for me. Clarence, for example, was almost a cartoon villain.

Finally, I’m not entirely sure that everything is based on evidence as the author’s note claims. A lot is, but there is no evidence that Henry VI never consummated his marriage to Margaret of Anjou, nor is there any actual evidence that he said Prince Edward of Westminster was ‘conceived of the Holy Spirit’. That particular, widely circulated, story comes from a Yorkist Chronicle written years after the Prince’s birth by someone who was not present. Its gossip, pure and simple.

There was also a curious reference to Christopher using a ‘hand-held arbalest’- another name for a crossbow. But this description suggested a sort of miniature device that could be operated with one hand and I don’t know of any evidence such things existed in the 15th century.
I’d certainly consider reading some of this author’s other work, and this novel was probably not the best introduction to it.

Thanks to Severn House Publishing for providing a copy via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

I am sorry to be disappointed yet again. I love history and simply adore historical fiction. I read a lot on Tudors and War of the Roses. I am really interested in this period. That is why I asked for this book to review.
This book is yet another account of the end of the War of the Roses. Another re-hashing of the battles and re-telling the story through 'parting speech' of Somerset to Margaret Beaufort was not necessary.
This installment did not add anything interesting. It did the complete opposite, in my view.
I had to make myself to persevere with the book as the characters I enjoyed in other books looked flat and boring in this one.
Too many 'flashbacks'. Too many unnecessary detail (like sitting down at the planning or reporting meeting in the office).
Too bad

Thank you to NetGalley and Paul Doherty for allowing me to read and review Dark Queen Rising. I think I'm maxed out on books like this one. It takes a lot to produce a new spin and I think I've hit royal fatigue.

Although the cover and description indicate Dark Queen Rising to be a mystery, I found it more a historical novel. Doherty is best know for his historical mysteries, and I'm sure Severn House was capitalizing on his past success.

Most of the fiction I've read concerning the Wars of the Roses and the rise of the Tudors has been from the viewpoint of the Yorkists, and not exactly flattering to Margaret Beaufort, This really was a dark and bloody period of English history, and the author doesn't attempt to whitewash either side. Historically, Margaret was a fascinating woman, and I enjoyed reading Doherty's version of her machinations to survive and safeguard her son, the future Henry VII.

I was fortunate to receive the eARC from Severn House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Another masterful rendition of history!

It's official! I am enslaved to Paul Doherty's historical novels. Now a brand new writing that encompass's the time of Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, and the sweeping tale of the woman who would put her son on the throne of England.
The balancing acts, the fragile knitting together of fact and fiction displayed by the lead characters particularly Christopher Urswicke, Margaret Beaufort’s personal clerk, reflect the masterful unfolding of the penmanship of Doherty as he weaves a saga based on his avid research, the truths he has to work with, the findings of others and his not inconsiderable storytelling talent.
I was aghast as I trudged knee deep in blood and gore with the antagonists, and witnessed the sacrifices carried out towards the goal of wearing the crown of England, from the inexplorably command for foes to be cut down 'no quarter' given, to the dank back paths of 1470's London.
At its center Edward of York (King Edward IV) and his brothers, George of Clarence and Richard Duke of Gloucester, the Lancasters, and the last of her line Margaret Beaufort. Her faithful household are no less unwavering. Reginald Bray and the artful Urswicke as Doherty notes.
And then there's the three Barnabite spies referred to as the Three Kings, plotting and gathering scandal to bring down a kingdom.
Given "‘the seed for the sowing’, a seed these three had "'planted and tended the growth of this rich, bountiful harvest: a veritable treasure chest of intrigue and scandal.’ "And they had not yet finished!
Jealousy and envy surrounding the York brothers adds to the mix.
Margaret and her house would come involved with these dangerous men as her household hunted for what the Three Kings had found.
The plot grows darker as Margaret betrays friends and foes in her quest to have her son survive.
As a bonus, Doherty's research notes give an even more rounded picture of the times.
Fabulous!

A NetGalley ARC

The year is 1471. The War of the Roses has pitted the houses of York and Lancaster against each other. Edward of York has taken the throne, and is destroying anyone who supported the Lancasters. Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry Tudor, is forced to hide in the shadows, determined to protect her son. She and two of her men, Christopher Urswicke and Reginald Bray, are the main characters in this book, surrounded by political intrigue and upheaval, the effects of war, and lots of death and betrayal.

I think the blurb for this book was a bit off. I expected a historical mystery.....but this book is more historical fiction. Very little mystery here. And the history is definitely fictionalized. Some facts -- like Margaret Beaufort's husbands -- are off. In my opinion, even when writing a fictionalized account, the stories of real people should be spot on.....with only the daily occurrences, conversations, and events that can't be historically proven being fiction. it constantly pulls me out of a story when I have to go fact check when I suspect a historical fact has been altered.

Now, I'm not saying this isn't an enjoyable story. It is. There is a lot of action and intrigue. The book is well-written and moves along at a nice pace. For readers who liked the White Queen and other similar historical fiction novels, this boo is perfect. It tells the story from the point of view of the Lancasters and Margaret Beaufort. For me, I just wish it had been a little truer to actual events....and that it had actually provided a mystery component with Margaret and her minions doing some detective work behind the scenes. Instead there was a lot of political maneuvering, hiding and plotting.....which I am sure actually happened given the violence and upheaval of the time.

I would have given this five stars but for the historical inaccuracies. But it's a solid 4 star, even with that little ding. I enjoyed the intrigue, but I think this story just got a little confused. Is it historical fiction? Or a historical mystery? In the end, it sort of didn't hit either mark very well for me. But it had enough suspense and action to keep my attention.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Severn House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

A fictionalized account of the Wars of the Roses beginning at the Battle of Tewkesbury largely from Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond's, point of view. Christopher Urswicke and Reginald Bray, retainers of the countess, work to help Margaret shield her son Henry Tudor from the triumphant Yorkists who are out to annihilate anyone that could threaten their newly formed dynasty.

Readers who note the subtitle and expect to find Margaret in the role of sleuth will be disappointed. The story is enjoyable and the historical detail solid, but it's not what the cover leads you to believe. Margaret is not a sleuth here - she is cunning, manipulative, and ruthless - a political player of the highest stakes. A mass murder takes place more than half-way through the narrative, but it is rather quickly solved by Urswicke who plays all sides against one another. More books highlighting the historical feminine POV are always welcome, even if this one treads well worn ground by portraying Margaret as the cold-blooded schemer. Well written but any student of that time period already knows how this story goes and will be quite familiar with this characterization of Margaret.

I'm a longstanding fan of Paul Doherty and was happy to read this book.
It's more historical fiction than mystery, the pace is quite slow and there are so many characters.
It takes a bit but if you keep on reading you will be involved in the book and appreciate both the plot and the cast of characters.
I don't know the historical timeframe well and was happy to learn something new.
I hope that there will be more mystery in the next instalment.
Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC

This doesn't know what it wants to be- is it historical fiction, is it a historical mystery? Obviously, the latter incorporates the former but mystery fans might find themselves arguing the there isn't much of a mystery here. If you're a fan of the Tudor period you might find this factually challenged. If you aren't familiar with it there's a lot of information, some of which overwhelms the narrative. Margaret Beaufort and Christopher Ulswicke are well written but the rest of the characters are not so clear. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I had high hopes for this and I expect others will enjoy it more than I did.

OK so if you like the Showtime show The White Queen (or the book which i have not read yet) then you will enjoy this book. Set during the War of the Roses, it tells the story from Margaret Beaufort POV and her hired man Urswickeas she fleas and goes into "hiding" and the sneaking and plotting her and her team do to put her son on the throne. It's not much of a mystery more of a historical fiction. I enjoyed it because I loved the White Queen, so it's cool to see why Margaret was so Mother Dearest. It did take me a minute and I did almost give up but when I realized who the characters were it all clicked together and made sense to me.

This new series starts with the Battle of Tewkesbury during the War of the Roses, and the machinations of Margaret Beaufort with her two henchman Reginald Bray and Christopher Urswick. In which Urswick is instructed by George of Clarence to find the guilty party in the deaths of four of his retainers
Unfortunately this first 60% of the book was historical fiction. (When I have wanted to read about this time period I have read history books.) So the first half was a struggle to get through, and then the mystery occurred. Basically a locked room scenario. Then the story became more interesting as did the characters. If this series develops as a mystery series (which is what the book was described as) then I could be tempted to read more.

Dark Queen Rising by Paul Doherty is a difficult book to get into. There's a huge amount of information in the first third of the book to process, even for those who might think they know enough about the Wars of the Roses - and it takes some time to work out who everyone is, and what's going on, and why.
However, it is well worth persevering with. Once the action moves from Tewkesbury to London, and into the stable hands of Christopher Urswicke, this reads very much more like a Paul Doherty book and is very enjoyable. Not to say that Margaret Beaufort is not an interesting character, she is, and she also has her moments in London, but I believe it's Urswicke who carries much of the story.
Doherty is, as ever, in his prime, when ensuring we understand just how yucky the London of the 1470's was, and the attention to detail is to be lauded - not just place names, but street names as well.
I look forward to the next book, which no doubt, will contain some quite explosive fallout from the end events in Dark Queen Rising.

Full of historical inaccuracies - such as the names of Margaret Beaufort's husbands - and unconvincing dialogue. If one is going to make a real historical figure a villain, one must at least make it convincing. Struggled to finish.

If you are looking for a book with all kinds of emotions, this is it! I fell in love with this story and could not put the book down! Fabulous!!

This may be a really confusing review... which is probably good because I'm really conflicted on exactly how I feel about Dark Queen Rising.

I picked Dark Queen Rising fully expecting more murder mystery than historical fiction, but I personally wouldn't have categorized it as a mystery at all.

Although it didn't have the mystery I was looking for, overall, I did actually enjoy the story. It begins with Margaret witnessing a horrific slaughter in what should have been a place of sanctuary. (I mean, how could you go wrong from there, right?)

The story goes back and forth between Margaret and her trusted henchman, Ulswicke. Ulswicke was definitely my favorite character in this book! He's funny, smart, and scary all at the same time. He also came across as more of believable/relatable character than Margaret (which seems a little odd now that I'm sitting here writing it down for all the world to see. I mean, he kinda kills some people... weird).

At the beginning of the book, there are a lot of people thrown at you and it got confusing for me trying to keep up with everyone. Thankfully, it doesn't take long for the main characters to surface and it gets easier to follow who's who, who did what, who's on who's side, etc. There was also a handy dandy list of key players at the start, so that was nice!

There were times when it seemed like there was too much detail and it slowed the pacing down for me. Other times, I couldn't seem to put the book down because I was so into it! (Another sign of how conflicted I am with this one!)

I could totally see this being made into a movie. And I'd definitely go watch it... and I'll probably be reading the next book in this series when it comes out... So a definite "okay" pick...

I'd recommend it for fans of historical fiction, especially fans of fiction during the War of the Roses.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book. This in no way influenced my review.