The Net of Steel

A gripping story, vivid historical background, plenty of twists and a solid plot. It's hard to find any fault in this series and/or this instalment and they're always well done and entertaining.
The author is a talented storyteller and this book is up to the rest of the series.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

An exciting, sometimes terrifying addition to a long-running series, A Net of Steel isn't a conventional mystery since we learn the identity of the villain(s) fairly early in the book. From that point it's a historical thriller as Ursula Stannard and her friends and family try to thwart the evil aimed at them. The middle section of the book was moving slowly then suddenly the action picked up and raced along to the end. Great pacing and it's always a pleasure to follow the lives of the characters. Probably a series best read in order given how much the plot relies on the actions in previous novels. One of my favorites in the series. Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC.

The Net of Steel
by Fiona Buckley
Pub Date: 02 May

An Excellent Historical Mystery Fiction 🗝📚🕯🔍🪶📚📖🔎

Ursula Stannard faces the ultimate test in this gripping Tudor mystery. How far is she prepared to go to protect those dearest to her and save her own life?

April, 1590. Ursula Stannard, the queen's half-sister and occasional secret agent, has just left Sir Francis Walsingham's funeral when she is summoned back to her childhood home, Faldene House, by her aunt. Uncle Herbert has died suddenly from natural causes, but Ursula's arrival in the Sussex Downs triggers a shocking sequence of death and devastation.

Through her service to the queen, Ursula has made dangerous enemies. The formidable Mercer brothers are set on revenge, and their cruelty knows no limits. As a deadly net closes around Ursula and her loved ones, can she keep those closest to her safe and stop the Mercers before they strike again?


#TheNetofSteel #HistoricalFiction

It is April 1590, and Ursula Stannard, half-sister to Queen Elizabeth and secret agent, has received the news of two deaths, Sir Francis Walsingham, master of spies, and her Uncle Herbert. Having left Walsingham’s funeral, Ursula heads to the childhood home filled with sorrowful memories. The visit turns even more dreadful when Ursula’s Aunt Tabitha is found the morning after, dead from an apparent suicide. Ursula is surprised when her cousin Francis tells her that her uncle and aunt have left Faldene to her upon the occasion of their deaths, but she doesn’t have long to think of that. While Herbert’s death appears natural, Aunt Tabitha’s does not. Ursula does not believe that Tabitha’s faith would allow her to take her own life.

When she arrives back at Hawkswood, Ursula is visited by Captain Julien de la Roche, Harry’s half-brother. He confirms her suspicions when he tells her of a plot by the Mercer brothers intent on revenge against Ursula. It’s a race to protect all of those she loves and those closest to her.

I have read all of Fiona Buckley’s Ursula Blanchard novels, because it is one of my favorite historical mysteries. There is so much rich history shrouded with just enough facts that it feels as if it could be real. However, there is also enough fiction that makes it solely the author’s own. It would be a good idea to read the series in order as none are standalone novels.

I love the characters, Ursula, the Brockleys, and all supporting characters. I feel sad for Ursula and all the people she has lost. However, I have a fear that the series is beginning to be repetitious. There’s always someone who “attacks” Ursula’s character, and no one to really be supportive. I found myself surprised that when her household was under attack, Ursula didn’t send them to her half-sister the Queen or even to Cecil, Lord Burghley. It would be one of those times that she would and should have relied on their protection.

I’m torn between what I would like to read next. Another Ursula adventure, or could Ursula become the next very secretive Sir Francis Walsingham? I think I would like to see Ursula in a more commanding role. I know it was unlikely for women to be such, but this series has supplied such “unladylike” qualities, why shouldn’t readers wish for more?

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

Fiona Buckley's The Net of Steel is a gripping mystery set at the end of the 16th century. Told from the perspective of Ursula Blanchard, a loyal subject (and notably half-sister) of Queen Elizabeth I, readers are taken on a thrilling journey as Ursula strives to uncover the truth about a mysterious plot that threatens to destroy her life.


The Net of Steel is set in April 1590, in Ursula Stannard's childhood home of Faldene House in the Sussex Downs. As the queen's half-sister and occasional secret agent, Ursula is the perfect protagonist for this mystery-thriller. When Ursula arrives at Faldene to mourn her Uncle Herbert, who has died from natural causes, a shocking sequence of death and devastation begins. It soon becomes clear that Ursula has made dangerous enemies in the form of the Mercer brothers. Driven by vengeance and determined to wreak their own kind of justice, the Mercers' cruelty knows no limits. With lives on the line and time running out, Ursula must keep those closest to her safe and try to stop the Mercers before they can strike again.


Ursula is a determined individual who is fiercely protective of her family and will go to great lengths to keep them safe. She forms close bonds with her servants and shows kindness to those in need. Her loyalty is rewarded as she can rely on those around her to help and be of service in times of distress. As the story progresses, her son Harry is coming into his own and becomes a capable young man, but has his own struggles with love, loss and betrayal. The characters are well written and realistic, and it's not difficult to quickly find an affinity with them.


Fiona Buckley's writing style in The Net of Steel is gripping, full of twists, and perfect for fans of historical mysteries and thrillers. The pacing is excellent, keeping the reader engaged and turning the pages. The vivid historical background Buckley provides brings to life the time period in which the novel is set, allowing the reader to become immersed in the story. Buckley also excels at creating solid plot points that keep the story exciting and unpredictable. All in all, it's clear that the author is a talented storyteller who knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats.


The Net of Steel is a fantastic historical mystery novel, and although it is the 22nd book in the Ursula Blanchard mystery series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The plot is gripping, and the cast of characters is intriguing. By the end of the novel, you find yourself wondering what could possibly be next for Ursula as she nears 60 years old! After reading The Net of Steel, I am keen on reading the other books in the captivating series. I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking to escape into a world of mystery and intrigue.

TW: rape, murder and emotional abuse.
I'm new to reading Fiona Buckley but she does not disappoint! The Net of Steel kept me hooked from beginning to end. Of course, now I want to read more of this delightful series! I loved the main character, Ursula Stannard. She's such a strong and loving woman, who doesn't back down from doing the right thing.
Ursula Stannard is Queen Elizabeth's half-sister and she dabbles with being her secret agent, sometimes, too. She's unexpectedly asked to journey to her childhood home after her uncle dies suddenly, Most surprising of all is that it's her Aunt who has requested her presense at Faldene House by her aunt Tabitha. She always thought that her aunt had no use for her.
The next thing she knows, her loved ones start dying or being attacked. Could this be one of the many enemies that she's made, in service to her queen? Now, she must do all she can to protect those she loves and cares for.

The Ursula Blanchard series just keeps getting better…

It’s hard to believe that The Net of Steel is Fiona Buckley’s twenty-second Ursula Blanchard mystery, and the series is still going strong. And in fact, it might even be getting better.

As the The Net of Steel opens, Ursula faces a number of life’s milestones: her son, Harry, has gotten engaged; the aunt and uncle who were her harsh-but-mostly-adequate guardians have passed away; and even the death of Sir Francis Walsingham, with whom she had a complicated working relationship, turned out to have an unexpected emotional impact. But Ursula still (mostly) maintains her appreciation of the small and normal things in life, with only an occasional ear to the “call of the wild geese” that leads to that other aspect of her personality – her role as a sometime spy for her half-sister, Queen Elizabeth I.

Unfortunately, however, in this case, the wild geese don’t call to her – that other life comes calling on her instead. As an agent for Elizabeth, Ursula has made some enemies. And now the pirates from the previous book, Golden Cargoes, are out for revenge. The rough outline of what’s going on becomes clear rather early on, but the devil is in the details. Who are the Mercer brothers going to target next as they work their way closer to Ursula herself? And what role is Julien de la Roche playing? He’s the son of Ursula’s second husband, Matthew, and thus he’s also Harry’s half-brother. But did he really break free of the Mercers’ influence or is he part of the plot too?

As with most of the Ursula Blanchard series, The Net of Steel is more of a historical intrigue/spy story with a mystery sub-plot than a true historical mystery. But either way, it’s a treat to read. For some reason, Buckley’s descriptions of everyday Elizabethan life are still fascinating, even twenty-two books in. And if readers want a bit more excitement, there are a few truly terrifying moments towards the end, although of course, everything eventually gets resolved.

Perhaps best of all, however, there’s a nice hint at the end that there may be another book in the works. After all the chaos and hullabaloo, as Ursula is settling in as mistress of Faldene, she hopes that the queen won’t decide she needs her services again. But then she muses: “Don’t lie to yourself, Mistress Stannard. You know quite well that you hope she will.” And I’ll be looking forward to that twenty-third book! And finally, my thanks to Seven House and Net Galley for the advanced review copy…

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was intricately plotted, fascinating, fast-paced and suspenseful. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

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Ursula Stannard is leaving the London funeral for Sir Francis Walsingham, the Queen’s official, when she is notified that she should hasten to Faldene House, the home of her Uncle Herbert and Aunt Tabitha. Uncle Herbert has died. This was not an unexpected death but it raised sad memories of a lonely childhood as an unwanted child, unloved after her mother died. So the Stannard family retinue made its way for Faldene House rather than home. And there would begin a series of events to strike fear in even Ursula’s stout heart. After Herbert’s funeral, there is another death, one that leaves Ursula worried that something may in fact be unnatural.

When she returns to Hawkswood, Ursula will learn more than she wants about what is happening in her world because of her past dealings with the pirate Mercer brothers. But there are other developments too, chief among them the maturing of her son, Harry, being groomed to eventually be the owner and steward of Hawkswood. He is now betrothed.

So much happens in this episode. Ursula is challenged in ways not seen before. She is now a woman in her 50s, feeling her age but still vital and in charge. Every inch the Queen’s sister. This may not be the best book in the series to begin with as the cast is so large and harkens back to past events. But even with that said, it’s an exciting read and great historical fiction.

Recommended

Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in return for an honest review.