This is the third installment in the Joanna Stafford mysteries. The series should be read in that order as the story continues through the books.

Joanna takes different path here - from king's enemy to his servant? But yes, it is possible - as the king both recognizes Joanna's intelligence and gifts in the tapestry making and her young cousin Catherine's beauty. Joanna desperately tries to protect her young friend from herself alone, to ensure her own livelihood and - to save her very life.

I like Joanna Stafford very much. While I find this book to be weakest in the series (a bit prolonged and too much historical events and characters through the England and continental Europe - and the love triangle gets on my nerves!), I would read this novel anytime because of how consistent Joanna is. I mean - finally the woman with the religious background to believe and behave like one! Now, do not be scared/pleased here based on your bias :) Joanna is a former novice of the Dominican order and consistently behaves based on her faith and values, which I like because many, many of the historical novels are simply a pure erotica (not to my taste) or religious women so often changes into very different characters, as if their religious ways was only props - but not here. Joanna recognizes her faith as a good thing and behaves likewise. But she is also a proud woman coming from a noble house - and she is also a half Spaniard, which does not help to being demure :). And she behaves likewise, too. And I admire the authoress to be able to combine these characteristics into one real, relatable woman. Because Joanna Stafford is her own woman, following her conscience and decisions.
Which is not easy for the men around her (and not easy on me, as "men issue" is precisely the one where Joanna does not understand herself. She is torn between sensitive, deep and compassionate friar Edmund (Tudor England with the cloisters dissolved!) and simply hot constable Geoffrey Scoville (yes, team Geoffrey here). And her undecisiveness (or lack of understanding to herself) is very frustrating. But it also gives the plot some freshness, too.

As for the historical part - Ms Bilyeau had done her homework well. The Tudor England is well portrayed and one can only imagine to live in such cruel, unpredictable time, where the powerful ones can do just anything - and they can fell down anytime, based on the king's caprices or fear! The moral conflicts of the era are portrayed well, too, and they give background information to many powerful historical movements. The authoress smartly interwoves real historical figures here - and the beliefs and superstitions of these times, too. What a times! High education and intelligent scientists - and dark secrets, occults and hunger for information and power in any places, even those forbidden. While I would like for Joanna to stay in England more and observe the politics here, the continental Europe events must have been too tempting for the authoress to share - and I have gained some interesting pieces of knowledge.

All in all, this was an intelligent, enjoyable ride. Hands down, Ms Bilyeau.