Member Reviews

Thanks everyone for the copy of this book, in fact for the trilogy. Sadly I cannot say it was one of my favorites. I think I’m just over historical fiction. I’d rather read the nonfiction foibles. The first book in the series was interesting enough that I thought I’d try the next book, but I think this whole strange mystery subplot just ruins it for me.

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Oh no, I messed up and didn't realise this was book 2 in the trilogy. Ok, this was totally my mistake and my bad and I don't feel like I can rate a book lower based on this issue of mine. I was unable to finish the book as bits of it didn't make sense to me and I struggled with understanding some points. However, I will read the first book and try this again in future.

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

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Fascinating Alternate View with Surprise Ending

Historical fiction is so much fun, especially when it poses an alternate view to accepted history. The author has clearly researched the Tudor era in great depth. While I do know some English history, I'll admit that I did find parts of this book confusing because of all the similar names, code names, and the sheer volume of people mentioned (not just Elizabethan ones). I feel like the present-day parts didn't have the interest and the intrigue that the historical times had, and this slowed the book down. The end was a surprise, fascinating but implausible. Still, all in all, I found this a compelling read that was hard to put down.

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I am so, so glad that I gave this book a second read. As a lover of the Tudor Era, as well as time-hop story lines, I was thrilled to discover what Alexandra Walsh had done with her book THE ELIZABETH TUDOR CONSPIRACY. And she knocked it out of the courtyard. In 1586, we get to hang out with Queen Elizabeth I, who has had a secure hold on the crown for 20+ years. But now? Now there's a secret that could threaten her secure reign; two secrets, to be exact.

Fast forward into 2018 with Perdita and her twin sister Piper. Perdita is doing some digging into the English royal line, and discovers some groundbreaking information. What will happen if she chooses to expose it? And what will happen to Queen Elizabeth I?

A definite recommend!

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This was a very interesting book. It’s the second book in a trilogy, however I didn’t have trouble following. I do feel like I would have enjoyed it even more had I read the first. I did enjoy it enough to read the first, and plan to read the the third.

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The second novel in the Marquess triology where the twins battle the present dangers to their lives whilst the story unfolds of life at the Elizabethan court where the Queen has a secret circle of ladies protecting her.. As Elizabeth I deals with plots to take her throne she is aware that there are two legitimate heirs to that throne that are hidden from all but her tight circle of friends who correspond via code. whilst Perdita and Piper in the present day hide in Andorra but they continue to examine the ancient documents that their grandmother was studying at the time of her death. The Secret Government Department is still in pursuit of them but so too is a close relative and how this dual story is beautifully told through twists and turns that leaves the reader
wishing to read the last part of the triology!

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This is the second book in the Marquess House trilogy. The first novel, the Catherine Howard Conspiracy, was one I really enjoyed. It was a bit different, like a mix of The Da Vinci Code and a Tudor Historical Fiction. The Elizabeth Tudor Conspiracy was more of the same, this time focusing on the events of the reign of Elizabeth I. I don't want to spoil the twists and turns of the plot, but if you enjoyed the first book then you will enjoy this one too. Personally I preferred the first book, but I think this is more a reflection of my fondness for stories set during the reign of Henry VIII. I am eagerly awaiting the third book in the trilogy, and am now closely following the author's social media to make sure I don't miss it's release!

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Though a little hard to follow at times I found mystery about the Tudor heritage very enjoyable to read.

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The second book in The Marquess House Trilogy gives as stellar a performance as the first, The Catherine Howard Conspiracy. Telling two stories, past and present, the author keeps the reader engaged and guessing throughout. Her research is excellent and combined with her wonderful writing, you get a book you won't want to put down.

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I loved the first book in this trilogy, The Catherine Howard Conspiracy (HERE), so it was with great anticipation that I embarked on the second book. It did not disappoint. If you enjoyed the first, this book follows a similar style with chapters in the past and present with a mystery that continues to unravel. However, you most definitely need to have read book one before reading this latest instalment.

‘Would a woman be capable of reigning for so long without a man to guide her while creating a prosperous country and resolving so many of its political issues? Elizabeth worried most men of her era because she was strong, politically astute, clever and educated to a higher standard than most of her privy council’

Returning to this clever scenario set up by the author, I still thoroughly embraced and enjoyed the whole twist on the accepted thinking of the Tudor lineage. The dual narrative once again works well as the author has really done her research in an attempt to make the whole plot appear plausible! Love it! On the flip side however, I did not find this book to read at quite the same pace of the first but found it still to be a rollicking good tale. Also, for the Elizabethan chapters, you really had to be thinking straight with the large (and I mean large) assortment of characters (all real though - which is actually mind blowing when you think about it). However, sometimes it did read a little like a history text book of ‘who’s who’ and you had to look past the rather large information dumps. Similar to the first, you really have to suspend your logical thinking and just go with it, for given the combination of fact and fiction, it really makes you wonder just what could have been.

On the contemporary side of things, the story surrounding the MI1 Elite conspiracy is fun with all the characters returning from the first book and some loose ends tied up. It really is a wonderful trilogy and I can’t wait to read the final instalment. The author’s note at the end helps to explain exactly where her thinking was coming from and how she tried to substantiate her claims. If you are a Tudor fan, you simply cannot pass up this opportunity to read a most effective and plausible version of events. It is Tudor history at its best.

‘Contrary doesn’t even begin to cover it but if you filter in all that we’ve discovered, these strange decisions begin to make more sense.’


This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

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I am a Tudor fanatic so this was really interesting for me. I didn't read the first book but that didn't stop me from enjoying this one. So many theories and what-ifs i still cant stop wondering. Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.

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The Elizabeth Tudor Conspiracy is the second book in the Marquess House trilogy by Alexandra Walsh. Released 2nd June 2019 by Sapere, it's 475 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a dual time line historical thriller with a parallel narrative. The plots intertwine between 1557-1586 and 2018. The stories are well labeled and aren't confusing to keep track of. The writing is consistent and the additional historical details are interesting. I'm a huge fan of the period, so it was exciting to see the stories intertwine with historical occurrences resonating profoundly down to the present day.

In some ways it reminded me a lot of The Da Vinci Code. Shadowy conspiracy history thugs, and a lone academic (with sidekicks) foiling all their nefarious plans. I have to admit that I really did enjoy the book most when I just silenced my suspension of disbelief's annoying whine and tossed it into to the closet. For readers who are looking for meticulous verisimilitude and realistic plot devices, this one might not fit the bill. On the other hand, for readers who (even secretly) love Dan Brown, and movies like National Treasure (with a dash of Indiana Jones on the side), this one could be a good selection.


For Kindle Unlimited subscribers; this title is available in the KU subscription to borrow and download for free. It's also worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.


It was a bit too 'Mission Impossible' for me personally, but I've no doubt it'll be turned into an expensive movie soon. Three stars for me personally, four+ stars for fans of the historical thriller in the Dan Brown mold.

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The second installment in Alexandra Walsh's Marquess House Trilogy, this book brings Piper and Perdita back in their fascinating discoveries of Catherine Howard and Elizabeth Tudor and the history that may never have happened. I am always ready to read about Elizabeth I and this is not disappointing. Can't wait for book 3!

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I had a tougher time reading than the Catherine Howard Conspiracy. The novel picks up where the first novel picks off. The mystery was very predictable, and there was very little suspense. Still, I recommend this for fans of the Elizabethan era.

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"We are the keepers of a shattering secret..."

The second book in the Marquess Series starts similarly to the first book. We start from Queen Elizabeth's perspective in 1557 and from there we follow the same format as "then - Elizabeth" and "now - Perdita."

I struggled with this book because I had a hard time coming to terms with the new main "conspiracy theory." Without giving too much away, it seemed quite a stretch from what could actually be plausible. The last book, I 100% thought that Catherine Howard having children could be very true. Records were not kept in the most of meticulous manners.

I stated in "The Catherine Howard Conspiracy" review that I had a hard time with the authors writing. She would jump around very quickly. One moment Perdita and Kit would be reading a text from 1557 and the next they have the whole story put together. It was just very quick moving when I felt that there should have been more details explained. How did they get from A to Z? There was one chapter in the book, from Elizabeth's perspective, and it is when Elizabeth's ladies are dressing her. There was so much detail and you could easily envision what it takes to dress a monarch and the symbolism behind each article of clothing and jewelry. I wish that this level of detail was used during Perdita's and Kit's research.

I also struggle because Alexandra Walsh does a good job at keeping you engrossed in the story, even though I was thinking, "there is no way this is feasible," I still had to keep reading to find out what happens next. I also understand that this is a work of fiction, the author is not trying to say these things actually happened, so I can appreciate the work from that perspective. I also loved the emphasis that the author put on the women of Elizabeth's era. They are often overlooked in history so it was refreshing to read something from their perspective.

Overall, I am not sure I will read the third book. One half of me just needs to finish the trilogy and the other is interested to know what happens and how this gets wrapped up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

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What a remarkable story! Ill admit I was nervous at first but I am so glad I took a leap of faith and enjoyed this decadent read! The Elizabeth Tudor Conspiracy follows Dr. Perdita Rivers and her sister Piper as they track history in Andorra. There was Tudor history, time travel, conspiracies and a whole lot more in this thrilling read.

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After years on the throne of England, Elizabeth I, the daughter of Henry VIII, was the last of the Tudor monarchs. Or was she? With two more legitimate heirs, known only by a select few, the question of who will take control after Elizabeth’s death is a hotly-debated subject. Now Phillip II of Spain has discovered the secret and it is feared that he will use it to his advantage to claim the throne as his own.

Fast forward over 400 years, and Perdita Rivers and her twin sister, Piper, are ensconced in Castle Jerusalem in Andorra, after their research uncovered a new Tudor bloodline that certain agencies would kill to keep hidden. With their latest discoveries, the sisters are, once again, placed in danger. Is revealing the truth worth more than their own lives?

The Elizabeth Tudor Conspiracy is the second book in the Marquess House trilogy and follows on from The Catherine Howard Conspiracy. For this reason, it is advisable to read this series in sequence so you can fully understand the circumstances the Rivers sisters have found themselves in.

I really enjoyed the first in this series so was looking forward to reading the next installment. In this book, we spend more time in the past than The Catherine Howard Conspiracy, and this was understandable seeing as we already know Perdita and Piper and the reasons behind them being where they are. Both time frames are as intriguing as the other and I really enjoyed how the two parts were woven together.

As someone who is interested in Tudor history, I especially enjoyed the importance the author has placed on the women of the time, in particular the relationship between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. At a time when the men in power were intent on war, I liked reading about the machinations of the Ladies of Melusine who were covertly discovering more about potential plots than those whose job it actually was! I think we have also been given a hint here as to something that may occur in the third book: Melusina, a female spirit of fresh water… Rivers… hmm…

In The Elizabeth Tudor Conspiracy, we read about an alternative take on the Tudors which, if true, would change the face of British history. The twist relating to the death of Elizabeth was definitely not one that I was expecting!

For fans of dual timeline stories, this is a great read. I am looking forward to reading the final part of the trilogy and seeing where Perdita and Piper’s research takes them next.

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This is a spellbinding tale about Queen Elizabeth and her modern day heirs. I enjoyed the suspense and action of the plot. Walsh does an impressive job bringing this story so much attention to detail. I look forward to his next book.

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I want to begin by saying that I received this book for free through Netgalley, but all thoughts are my own. This book is the second in the Marquess House Trilogy and earlier this year I read the first one and absolutely adored it, so when I was able to read the second one I was very excited. This book took me a little longer than usual to get through as I had hit a bit of a reading slump, but still this book was absolutely incredible. It once again is written in two time periods, one being modern day, and one being the 1580’s, when Elizabeth I was reigning as the last Tudor monarch… or was she? This book had a lot of drama and the theory behind this entire trilogy is incredible. I need to be careful with what I say so I don’t give spoilers, but if you’re reading this review, I would assume you’ve already read the first and understand what I mean when I say that it is a continuation of the theory presented of Catherine Howard in the first book. It develops even more and I found this so interesting. This idea of history being completely different, but hidden from the public as it would have such big consequences was fascinating and kinda does bring into question can we really believe what is written in our history text books? Obviously this is fictional but the idea makes you really think. I loved Alexandra Walsh’s writing and I do think this trilogy will be an all time favourite, I’m already really looking forward to the final book! There’s so much going on in this book and it definitely did get me out of a reading slump. If you are at all interested in the Tudors, definitely give this series a read, and if you enjoyed the first book, please give this a read too as you will enjoy it just as much if not more.

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