Murder in the Queen's Wardrobe: An Elizabethan Spy Thriller

Kathy Lynn Emerson

As someone who studied European History in a former life, I am drawn to books written in my favorite historical period.  This book touched on all my interests.  Elizabethan era, spies, a murder mystery... There were so few ways women could be independent during this time, it was interesting to read about Rosamond and the ways she found to take charge of her own life.  Despite herself, she gets pulled into this web of political machinations and finds that she is beginning to care about the people forced into her life.  

Her unusual upbringing and exposure to typically male pursuits makes Rosamond the ideal spy. However reluctant she was at first, she seems to relish using her above average intelligence and education. Rosamond guarded her independence so carefully, not wanting to answer to anyone.  Not only did she help solve the mystery at the center of this novel, she learned that being her own woman didn't have to mean being cut off from the ones she loves.  A very enjoyable historical mystery!