Thanks to the author, the publisher, and NG for my copy of this book in exchange for my copy of this book. What a great twist on history! I loved it! I have always felt sorry for the little Howard bride. She was just way too young and naive to have been married to culpepper let alone the king! She was just a pawn, a pawn that was killed before her time. I liked how the author stayed as true to her story as possible while branching off to tell a “what if?” Sub plot. I wish something like this could have happened so that she could have lived a more meaningful life, she was just too immature to,have been able to experience life at all. So pitiful
Thank you author for taking her story to a new level.

I’ve always been fascinated by the Tudors and that whole court and time period- this was an Interesting mystery take. Felt a bit wordy and detail heavy at times, but overall good!

The Catherine Howard Conspiracy by Alexandra Walsh

This is a historical fiction book about Catherine Howard and the Tudor family. Alexandra Walsh spins a tale of about the conspiracy of Catherine Howard. This was such a good story I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I am a historical fiction fan but mostly in WW1 and WW2 era is my favorite. This one really pulled me in with the story of how King Henry VIII married so many different women and Catherine Howard was wife number five. She was 15 at the time of the marriage.

While attending a dig, archeologist Dr. Perdita Rivers is informed of some startling news; her estranged grandmother, Tudor historian Mary Fitzroy passed away. Even more interesting is the fact that Perdita and Piper her sibling are now the rightful owners of Marquess House. This is a massive estate. The two did into the unpublished book her grandmother left behind for them. They discover some secrets about what happened to Catherine Howard and some of their own family members.

I really couldn't get enough of this story it was so well written it pulled me in right away and even with some of the cringe worthy behavior of King Henry VIII it was still very entertaining. I found myself researching that time period for King Henry VIII reign in England. I will read the other books to continue with the story. I cannot say enough about the book.

This is a historical fiction book but also with a mystery/thriller aspect so this book could be read by a large part of the reading population if you like historical fiction this book will feed that itch if you are a mystery/thriller there is something in this story for you too.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sapere Books for a free copy of this book for an honest review.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* pretty cool, if long, book, more of a 4.5 and will be reading more from this trilogy

This book sounded interesting, especially with the whole family dynamic and mystery, but I couldn't click with it. I didn't like the characters, and I thought there was too much detail. Of course, that is my own opinion of the book. The writing was great, so I think people who usual go for those types of books would love it.

An amazing novel that tells the life of Catherine Howard! Written with clarity, this was an exciting page turner!

This historical novel was interesting to read. I love the Tudor era and this was just a fun read for me. Never thought of it the way. the author puts it in the storyline of the book. Was there something behind Catherine getting killed? Did Henry Vll wanted her out of the way too like Anne. It kept me turning every page wanting more with every word.

This is to just update that I am currently reading this book. It takes me longer than normal since I only read at night before falling asleep.
I am really enjoying this story. It has a different view of Catherine Howard which is nice. So far it's a solid 4 stars.

I loved the connections and the jump back between Tudor England and modern day. The story of Catherine Howard is well written and I enjoyed that part as much as Perdita's story.

Very quick paced and wonderfully written book. Both parts of the story are amazing. Thank you for the review copy.

I am fascinated by Tudor history and usually enjoy fictionalized accounts of this period. However, I struggled with the premise and did not enjoy the story.

This is a thriller set in dual timelines which was super cool. It was about Catherine Howard who was newly appointed to the court of Henry VIII and it was about a woman in 2018 who was investigating the life of Catherine Howard.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

I adored this book. The authors research is impeccable and her story telling excellent. Each level of the book was exciting. The sisters relationship is so well drawn I cheered them heartily throughout.

What can I say? I loved the book. I loved the conspiracy theory behind Catherine Howard and jumping from the times of Henry VIII to modern times. I can't even tell you which story I loved more: Piper's or Catherine's.
The period of Henry VIII and his six wives is my favourite. I've read Gregory and Plaidy. I've read many others. This book stands out by its audacity and bravery to choose a different path and to go with it.
Author has done a great job in creating characters. I loved them all, even the bad ones.
There is a story of modern heiress and Henry's 5th wife. There are stories of love and loss, violence and deceit. It's a very good mix to keep the story interesting and fun.
Someone will be betrayed and someone will be saved. There is always hope and mermaids...
The villains are a bit badly-done, but it is forgivable. The story does not loose anything by having black-clad dark military men in it.
I hope there will be sequel. I want to see how Piper's life pans out. I want to know...
But I guess, that's the point - we are never to know the whole story.
Author left me hanging. I am hanging for more: to read, to research.
Thank you,

The Catherine Howard Conspiracy was the first book I have read by Alexandra Walsh, and I cannot wait to delve into the next installment of the Marquess House Trilogy, which I have just purchased! This book alternates between the world of the Tudor Court circa 1540, when Catherine Howard became King Henry VIII's fifth queen, and 2018, when a renowned Tudor historian has died, leaving her estate to her twin granddaughters.. Walsh did a masterful job blending historical fact with an intriguing, fast-paced alternate-fiction story that kept me quickly turning the pages. I heartily recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction and stories with a "what-if" twist. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley without obligation. The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.

The Catherine Howard Conspiracy by Alexandra Walsh
Book #1: The Marquess House Trilogy
Source: NetGalley and Sapere Books
Rating: 4/5 stars

Author’s Note: “This is a work of fiction. The conspiracy theory I have built around Catherine Howard is entirely my own creation. However, as far as it has been possible, I have tried to use verifiable fact for the rest of the story.”

I always find the author’s notes in historical fiction reads to be most illuminating and highly recommend reading them, so you go into the book with an understanding of the author’s intentions. In so many ways, understanding the author’s intentions will determine how much you like or dislike the book. For myself, I very much wish I had read the author’s notes before I began this book.

To be sure, history does not give us a happy picture of the life of Catherine Howard. At just 16 or 17 years old when the hapless teenager caught the eye of Henry VIII, Catherine made her way to the throne of England and shortly thereafter lost her head for her efforts. In nearly every book, tv show, documentary, etc. I have seen and/or read about Henry VIII’s wives, Catherine Howard has always been portrayed as a sort of witless wonder, a young girl – too young – caught up in a life she never could have imagined and certainly was not at all prepared to be a part of. As history clearly reveals, Catherine Howard’s youth, inexperience, and considerable back luck cost her life. In Alexandra Walsh’s version of history – revisionist history to be sure – Catherine Howard is a very different young woman whose life, thanks to her own efforts and those of her loved ones turns out quite differently.

Catherine’s reimagined story begins in much the same way as her actual history. As a young woman from a powerful and power-hungry family, placing Catherine at court was a given. As a lady-in-waiting to Anne of Cleves (Henry’s set aside fourth wife) Catherine was easily visible to the king and thanks to her youth, beauty, and the machinations of her family, she quickly caught the king’s attention. What transpires next and throughout the rest of the read is where things become reimagined: Over the course of short marriage to King Henry, Catherine suffers beatings, at least one miscarriage, and grand levels of psychological torture. Throughout her tenure as Henry’s wife and queen, Catherine learns she will never be safe and will likely die if she doesn’t find a way out of her life with Henry. After one particularly nasty beating, Catherine’s trusted family (certainly not the men who put her in Henry’s way!) and friends hatch a plan that will see Catherine safe, alive, and far, far away from her wretchedly awful life at court. If the plan is successful, it will not only be Catherine’s life that is saved, but also that of her unborn child.

Of course, as this reimagined history needs of a way of coming to light, Walsh creates a contemporary family, the Rivers sisters, who inherit a wonderfully large manor house/estate tied to Catherine Howard and her fear-induced escape from court. Perdita Rivers is relentless in her pursuit to understand not only the unexpected inheritance, but the woman who left she and her twin sister everything. As Perdita digs in her own grandmother’s past and research, Perdita begins to unlock the dark secrets of not only her own family, but that of the ill-fated Catherine Howard. What Perdita uncovers will not just change her own understanding of history, but the very fabric of British history. Of course, not everyone is as excited by Perdita’s discoveries and if she isn’t careful, her work is going to cost her life.

The Bottom Line: As I mentioned previously, I truly wish I had read the author’s note regarding this reimagined life for Catherine Howard before diving into the book! I spent a great deal of time being angry at the totally reinvented history found within the covers of Walsh’s book. With that being said, once I read the author’s note I rethought my feelings and discovered I quite liked this version of history. Walsh has given a young woman – someone history largely regards as ignorant and somewhat pathetic – a strong character, an indomitable spirit, and force of will unrivaled. Walsh has given Catherine Howard a sense of strength, dignity, self-preservation, and self-respect that were likely not part of the historical figure. In fact, as Catherine’s reimagined story unfolds I found myself wondering at her audacity and bravery; to escape the court of Henry VIII and live out the rest of her life in safety would have been a truly tremendous feat and one I can well and truly wish had been reality and not fiction. In all, I found the chapters devoted to Catherine Howard to be far more interesting than those related to Perdita; Catherine’s reimagined life can easily stand alone and really doesn’t need the past meets present bit to make her story stronger. Since this is only meant to be a trilogy I’ll stick it out and hope the next book is even a bit better than this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Again a very good read and one I can highly recommend to others.
I could not put this down.
Thoroughly enjoyable.

This is a rare mystery that combines fast, engrossing pacing with rich character development. The characters are textured and believable and the scenery atmospheric, which is difficult to do while trying to keep the action moving. The one drawback is that the chapters are too long to make the book truly fast-paced. Shorter chapters seem to automatically make the action move faster when the book is well-written (as this one is.) The author, I think, made extra work for herself by trying to develop too much of the story by creating longer chapters.

This historical fiction includes a mystery. Switching between the present and the past, the author tells us that some of what we thought we knew about Henry VIII may not be correct. The story gives us a definite "what if" reality and leaves us wondering. Alexandra Walsh obviously spent time and effort to get the historical parts right while developing an outstanding cast of characters for the mystery. A unique book that doesn't quite fit any genre but is definitely a good read.