When the Court clockmaker, Mr Urseau, is found dead in his workshop – a dagger in his chest and a key clutched in his hand – rumours start flying. Was the murderer his young assistant? Or maybe his wife? Both could be after Urseau’s private treasure. And where is the key from? What is it for? Lady Grace, Queen Elizabeth’s own Lady Pursuiviant is determined to get to the bottom of all these questions. But things get even more complicated when Grace discovers that a mysterious clock was delivered to the palace on the day Urseau was killed.

I think this book would be very good for children. O.C. (S1) *****

It’s the height of summer and the palace is full of ambassadors and ladies from the Spanish court. When a visit to the famous St Bartholomew’s fair is planned to entertain the guests, Grace jumps at the chance to get out for the day. Not everybody feels the same though and there’s a lot of superstition amongst the ladies about the gypsies, fortune tellers and herbal medicine that will be at the fair. When a mysterious fire at the fair leaves Lady Sarah injured and a gypsy woman dead, it seems the ladies were right to be worried. But was the fire started on purpose? And can Grace get to the bottom of this mystery?

I would recommend this book. It is a really good book. O.C. (S1) ***

There is much excitement at court as the famous painter Levina Teerlimc arrives to paint the Queen’s portrait. The Maids of Honour are recruited to help entertain the Queen during the sittings, and to pose for the painter whilst the Queen is busy. They love being in the studio but have to beware as deadly arsenic is used in one of the paints! One of Lady Grace’s fellow Maids of Honour, Carmina, begins to act rather strangely – she seems confused and always tired. Her family has recently been involved in a feud with another noble family after her father was killed in a jousting tournament – is it possible that Carmina is being poisoned? Could the painter or her assistant be involved? Can Grace solve the mystery and discover the truth behind the strange happenings at Court?

Interesting. Good words. Amazing. E.B. (S1) ****

Preparations for the wedding of one of Lady Grace’s fellow Maids of Honour are interrupted when a shipment of gold, on its way to the Queen, is stolen! The culprit is a single masked horseman, all in black – or is it a gang of ruffians from the forest? The clues seem to point in several different directions.

Very good; entertaining; exciting. E.B. (S1) *****

Lady Grace and her fellow Maids of Honour are travelling with the Queen and the rest of the Court on their summer Progress. It should be lots of fun but Grace can’t help worrying about a series of accidents that have befallen the Queen. Was it just coincidence that she fell off her horse in the same day that a statue tumbled in the garden and almost hit her? Grace, the Queen’s Lady Pursuivant, investigates just who could be behind these accidents – is there a conspiracy at work? Could the Queen’s one true Love, the Earl of Leicester, be involved, or perhaps her trusted advisor, Lord Cecil. And surely her latest suitor, the dashing Swedish prince, wouldn’t be attempting to murder his potential bride? Another fantastic romp through Elizabethan England, with the indomitable Grace at the fore.

I think this is a really great book. I would recommend it. Secondary school kids would enjoy it. O.C. (S1) ****

There’s a new arrival – a mysterious and exotic young princess – at court and Lady Grace can’t believe how many rumours there are about her already. The exiled Banoo Yasmine from Sharakand possesses the Heart of Kings Ruby – a huge stone that she wears around her neck. When the jewel goes missing, the finger is pointed at Grace’s friend Ellie.

This book is a really good book for children, teenagers and adults. I think this book should be rated 10 out of 10. I highly recommend it.  E.B. (S1) *****

Queen Elizabeth is furious at the delays to the production of her new coin – and so Lady Grace and her fellow Maids of Honour escape her bad temper and set off to skate on the frozen Thames. But, their outing turns sour when a body is discovered on the banks – a man blindfolded with coins on his eyes. Grace is sure something odd is going on.

This book is a really good and catchy children’s book. I think other kids would enjoy it really well. It is a really good book even for adults and teenagers. I would really recommend this book.

O.C. (S1) *****