Okay I’m addicted. I will now be a keen follower of this series and what promises to be, one amazing set of books! With this one being the first in the series, I went into it thinking what an epic plot and set of circumstances it sounded and it blew me away! I need ten more. An infinite amount more. This book really ticked all the boxes.

Historical fiction set in Elizabethan times? Yes please, what a great era to host a book in. Awesome characters you’re bound to love? Check, it has that too. Kit is one amazing lead character and one that I fell in love with instantly. You will really be rooting for her and I loved following her story as she carved her way into a mans world and flourishing in her role as spymaster (spymistress?) for the famed Walsingham.

There’s a plot afoot threatening Queen Elizabeth’s life and a ploy to place Mary Stuart on the throne. A battle against time ensues to ensure her safety and that this plot doesn’t come to fruition. The unassuming Kit is placed on the case but she isn’t alone. Walsingham pairs her with Iomhar (oh yeah, did I mention it has a sulky, dark and brooding soldier too? double and triple check).

The reluctant partnership (and subsequent banter) made for very entertaining reading and I was completely hooked and there for it. I can’t believe how quickly the pages dwindled and I was near the end before I knew it. I wasn’t ready! I want to read it all over again. Book two needed!

There is a lively portrayal of Kit, the gentlewoman spy. She is feisty, brave and resourceful as she should be as a woman in a dangerous world normally reserved for men. I like the portrayal of the relationship with her make sidekick. Suspicious at first then with a growing respect and affection. The book had too many flashpoint incidents and not enough historical detail for me. It was more action adventure than historical fiction. Having said that, it is enjoyable as the former genre.

Sir Francis Walsingham is Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster. He is sworn to protect and serve her Majesty, and to do this job, he has a vast network of spies, decoders, map readers and other intelligencers, both in London and other foreign capital cities. The threat to Queen Elizabeth is real, there are many in the Kingdom who believe that Elizabeth has no right to be on the throne, and her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots is the rightful heir. There are many plots that need the special skills of those employed by Walsingham, and this is the debut of one Kit Scarlett.
Kit has been in his household since she was found begging on the streets as a four year old. She is a useful addition to his stable, a female is not expected to be engaged in spy work, and this gives her greater freedom to access more places and meet people in situations where a man may be too conspicuous. The book opens with a hair raising trip to Edinburgh Castle, Kit is climbing the outer walls in order to gain access to the dungeons, in order to retrieve a hidden message for Walsingham, that is hidden upon a prisoner. She is hindered by a man, who is pretending to be a soldier, and after a narrow escape, manages to get back safely to London.
When the message has been delivered safely,Kit is introduced to Iomhar Blackwood, a fellow intelligencer, and they are asked to work together, to prevent a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. They are used to independent working, so this new relationship doesn’t get off to a good start. They bicker and fight, compete against each other to be the best, and at first, they manage to put each other under suspicion and in danger. They gradually start to trust each other, and Sir Francis begins to relax and have confidence about this new partnership.
The reader really begins to care deeply about Kit and Iomhar, this relationship is an absolute joy, and further adventures would be the icing on the cake, a really engrossing and light hearted romp through Tudor England, with two really likeable characters.
Many thanks to Sapere books and Netgalley for my advance digital copy. This is my honest and unbiased review of a five star read. Looking forward already to the next book in this wonderful series.

Wonderful addition to the genre of Elizabethan spy stories. And this time the lead is a woman. Well-written novel with engaging, and believable, characters.

Would recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction, especially books set in the Tudor period.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for an ARC.

The characters of Kit and Iomhar are well drawn and lead to a tension that is almost sexual, but not quite. They are forever arguing about things, and sometimes Walsingham the Spymaster is obliged to prevent this. Will they manage to save queen Elizabeth, that is the question, and if so how? This fast paced novel kept me entertained and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it. For those who like the Tudor period, this is a fine historical novel.

A new heroine for fans of historical fiction.

Still deep in my historical spy fiction craze, I was happily devouring the SW Perry series of Jackdaw mysteries when Netgalley offered up a book set in exactly the same period. The blurb grabbed my attention so I decided to jump right in.

And what a revelation it was.

"The Gentlewoman Spy" opens in Edinburgh, in 1584 where we find lady spy Kit Scarlett scaling the walls of Edinburgh Castle, in order to retrieve an important message from a prisoner. Her hasty exit from the castle results in a hell-for-leather chase through the streets of Auld Reekie to her boat in Leith docks. Her escape is almost thwarted by a determined soldier, who she only avoids after slashing him with her knife. Some days later she is reporting to Sir Francis Walsingham, spymaster to the Tudor Queen, Elizabeth. Imagine her surprise when he teams her up with a fellow spy, none other than the soldier she so recently escaped from.

What follows is a non-stop race against time, as Kit and fellow spy and Scot Iomhar Blackwood seek to uncover the plot to murder Elizabeth and restore Mary, Queen of Scots, to the throne. It's a rollicking ride, with plotters, spies, traitors and heroes. The pace doesn't let up for a minute. Glorious chases through 16th century London, narrow escapes and dubious encounters all lead to an exciting finish.

The characters of Kit and Iomhar, and their fractious relationship are a joy. Both are used to working alone, and both have secrets in their past, not all of which are revealed. But as they grow to trust each other, the reader is truly invested in their fates. The sights and smells of Elizabethan London are nicely conveyed, and there's just enough history to add context to the story.

Readers of SW Perry, Andrew Taylor or CJ Sansom should find the lighter tone and less history-laded narrative a nice change. I certainly did, and I thoroughly recommend it to fans of historical detective fiction. I was glad to receive the Netgalley ARC, but I'll be keen to get my hands on a proper copy for another read.