Reviews for Watch the Lady:
'The research and historical detail are impeccable. Fans will enjoy this evocation of Elizabeth’s tumultuous court.' The Times
'Fast-paced, atmospheric and enthralling, Watch the Lady offers up a new and refreshing perspective on the beautiful, mysterious Penelope Devereux as well as providing fascinating insights into the likes of political genius Robert Cecil, court poet Philip Sidney and the foolhardy Earl of Essex.
This is the personal and political played out to best dramatic effect as Fremantle keeps one eye on the facts and the other on the intimacies and small details which make her historical fiction so absorbing, exciting and breathtakingly authentic.' Lancashire Evening Post
'Sharp, perceptive and dramatic' Sunday Express
'I was gripped by this tale of risky political and sexual shenanigans in the court of Elizabeth I' Woman & Home
'Be transported to the court of Elizabeth I, where Penelope Devereux is prepared to do anything in the scramble for power. Watch The Lady by Elizabeth Fremantle combines fast-paced storytelling with rich period detail' Good Housekeeping
'Watch the Lady is a glorious novel, rich in Tudor detail and splendour, chilled by Tudor cruelty and jealousy...An enormously exciting historical thriller.' Kate Atherton, For Winter Nights
'Wonderfully addictive... atmospheric and exciting.' Bookshelf Butterfly
'Popular period drama at its backstabbing best.' Sunday Sport
'Amazingly Thrilling,' The Bookbag
'A powerfully gripping narrative that jumps of the page... Fremantle’s work is on par with any offering from writers such as Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory or Hilary Mantel and may in some cases supersede those bestselling literary giants.' Henry Tudor Society
‘If you want an immersive read then this is it. The remarkable story of the beautiful Penelope Devereux comes vividly alive, bursting with colour and detail. The reader is transported to the perilous Elizabethan court, with all its plots, treachery and heartbreak, and gains fascinating insights into some of the most important figures of the time. Yet again Elizabeth Fremantle has produced a pacey, powerful narrative that kept this reader riveted throughout.’ Jane Thynne Author of A War of Flowers
'Fast-paced, atmospheric and enthralling, Watch the Lady offers up a new and refreshing perspective on the beautiful, mysterious Penelope Devereux as well as providing fascinating insights into the likes of political genius Robert Cecil, court poet Philip Sidney and the foolhardy Earl of Essex.
This is the personal and political played out to best dramatic effect as Fremantle keeps one eye on the facts and the other on the intimacies and small details which make her historical fiction so absorbing, exciting and breathtakingly authentic.' Lancashire Evening Post
'Sharp, perceptive and dramatic' Sunday Express
'I was gripped by this tale of risky political and sexual shenanigans in the court of Elizabeth I' Woman & Home
'Be transported to the court of Elizabeth I, where Penelope Devereux is prepared to do anything in the scramble for power. Watch The Lady by Elizabeth Fremantle combines fast-paced storytelling with rich period detail' Good Housekeeping
'Watch the Lady is a glorious novel, rich in Tudor detail and splendour, chilled by Tudor cruelty and jealousy...An enormously exciting historical thriller.' Kate Atherton, For Winter Nights
'Wonderfully addictive... atmospheric and exciting.' Bookshelf Butterfly
'Popular period drama at its backstabbing best.' Sunday Sport
'Amazingly Thrilling,' The Bookbag
'A powerfully gripping narrative that jumps of the page... Fremantle’s work is on par with any offering from writers such as Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory or Hilary Mantel and may in some cases supersede those bestselling literary giants.' Henry Tudor Society
‘If you want an immersive read then this is it. The remarkable story of the beautiful Penelope Devereux comes vividly alive, bursting with colour and detail. The reader is transported to the perilous Elizabethan court, with all its plots, treachery and heartbreak, and gains fascinating insights into some of the most important figures of the time. Yet again Elizabeth Fremantle has produced a pacey, powerful narrative that kept this reader riveted throughout.’ Jane Thynne Author of A War of Flowers
Reviews for Sisters of Treason:
“Katherine and Mary come to life courtesy of Fremantle. Fremantle portrays each sister so brilliantly…"Sisters of Treason" is a wonderful read for Tudor fans. It is a fresh take on doomed sisters and really gives an interesting and wonderful look at the court of two paranoid and difficult Tudor queens. This novel is a wonderful representation of sisterhood, loyalty, and love of all kinds.”
http://www.examiner.com/article/book-review-sisters-of-treason-by-elizabeth-fremantle
“In Katherine and Mary Grey – otherwise fairly shadowy figures in history – Fremantle has hit upon a perfect device to bring to life the multi-layered paranoia of late Tudor days. Fans of historical fiction will love it.”
http://www.openlettersmonthly.com/book-review-sisters-of-treason/
“A dazzling account of Catherine and Mary Grey, the sisters of England’s famous nine day queen Lady Jane Grey, who find themselves precariously close to the crown following their sister’s execution in 1554. Fremantle presents a captivating portrait of two young women whose Tudor blood led only to anguish and misery in this finely-tuned novel.”
http://www.bloggers-recommend.com/2014/07/sisters-of-treason-by-elizabeth-fremantle/
“I especially recommend it if you are a fan of the Tudor period, as it explores some of the less well-known figures from that time.”
http://takeawalkonthewriteside.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-sisters-of-treason-by-elizabeth.html
http://www.examiner.com/article/book-review-sisters-of-treason-by-elizabeth-fremantle
“In Katherine and Mary Grey – otherwise fairly shadowy figures in history – Fremantle has hit upon a perfect device to bring to life the multi-layered paranoia of late Tudor days. Fans of historical fiction will love it.”
http://www.openlettersmonthly.com/book-review-sisters-of-treason/
“A dazzling account of Catherine and Mary Grey, the sisters of England’s famous nine day queen Lady Jane Grey, who find themselves precariously close to the crown following their sister’s execution in 1554. Fremantle presents a captivating portrait of two young women whose Tudor blood led only to anguish and misery in this finely-tuned novel.”
http://www.bloggers-recommend.com/2014/07/sisters-of-treason-by-elizabeth-fremantle/
“I especially recommend it if you are a fan of the Tudor period, as it explores some of the less well-known figures from that time.”
http://takeawalkonthewriteside.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-sisters-of-treason-by-elizabeth.html
Kate Saunders – The Sunday Times
'Elizabeth Fremantle has conjured up the rich tapestry of Tudor Britain with all its attendant intrigues and affaires to perfection. Above all, SISTERS OF TREASON is readable... it is a novel of extraordinary power and accuracy, and a perfect read. I love it.' Books Monthly
'The story of the three Grey sisters is one of the most tragic of the Tudor period and it deserves the pen of a fine writer. Elizabeth Fremantle is such a writer. The Tudor period is not my favourite but in Sisters of Treason we are given a less familiar story but one that is made unforgettable.' For Winter Nights – a Bookish Blog
'The story of the three Grey sisters is one of the most tragic of the Tudor period and it deserves the pen of a fine writer. Elizabeth Fremantle is such a writer. The Tudor period is not my favourite but in Sisters of Treason we are given a less familiar story but one that is made unforgettable.' For Winter Nights – a Bookish Blog
Press reviews for Queen's Gambit:
'Smart, sensual and suspenseful as a thriller, Gambit is a must read for Philippa Gregory fans – and heralds a brilliant new player in the court of royal fiction.' People Magazine
'Fremantle’s vivid, finely detailed reconstruction of Katherine Parr’s marriage to Henry VIII is a guaranteed best seller [that] fills the void just when historical fiction fans were beginning to feel the dearth of new works.' Library Journal
'This compulsively readable fictional biography of the ultimate survivor is infused with the type of meticulous attention to historical detailing that discerning fans of Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory have come to expect in the Tudor canon. Booklist
'Fremantle details the dangers of 16th-century sexual politics while humanizing powerful women, including Katherine herself; clever, willful Elizabeth; and lonely, suspicious Mary…like Katherine, she navigates Tudor terrain with aplomb.' Publishers Weekly
'Sins, secrets and guilt dominate the landscape of British writer Fremantle’s debut…Fremantle’s emphasis is on intrigue, character portraits and the texture of mid-16th-century life. Solid and sympathetic.' Kirkus Reviews
'Filled with all the intrigue, fear and secrecy that Tudor-era aficionados love, Fremantle’s earthy, vivid descriptions bring the era and her characters — especially wise and compassionate Katherine — to life.' RT Book Reivews
'A powerful debut novel about Henry VIII's last wife, Katherine Parr' – The Guardian
'A painstakingly researched and bold retelling of the final years of Henry’s reign,' Lancashire Evening Post
'"Queen's Gambit" is lively, gamey, gripped with tension and within reason. One of the best historical novels I've read.' Liz Smith – New York Social Diary
'A sumptuous epic saturated in the politics of the time' – Metro, Claire Allfree
'Hilary Mantel fans will devour this novel...Rich in atmosphere and period detail this is an enticing read for historical fiction fans.' Stylist Magazine (top 10 must-reads for March)
'The Tudor Court comes to life in this gripping story of Katherine Parr... where passion, secrecy and betrayal power the suspense.' Fanny Blake woman & Home
'A must read,' Instyle Magazine
'Fremantle’s vivid, finely detailed reconstruction of Katherine Parr’s marriage to Henry VIII is a guaranteed best seller [that] fills the void just when historical fiction fans were beginning to feel the dearth of new works.' Library Journal
'This compulsively readable fictional biography of the ultimate survivor is infused with the type of meticulous attention to historical detailing that discerning fans of Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory have come to expect in the Tudor canon. Booklist
'Fremantle details the dangers of 16th-century sexual politics while humanizing powerful women, including Katherine herself; clever, willful Elizabeth; and lonely, suspicious Mary…like Katherine, she navigates Tudor terrain with aplomb.' Publishers Weekly
'Sins, secrets and guilt dominate the landscape of British writer Fremantle’s debut…Fremantle’s emphasis is on intrigue, character portraits and the texture of mid-16th-century life. Solid and sympathetic.' Kirkus Reviews
'Filled with all the intrigue, fear and secrecy that Tudor-era aficionados love, Fremantle’s earthy, vivid descriptions bring the era and her characters — especially wise and compassionate Katherine — to life.' RT Book Reivews
'A powerful debut novel about Henry VIII's last wife, Katherine Parr' – The Guardian
'A painstakingly researched and bold retelling of the final years of Henry’s reign,' Lancashire Evening Post
'"Queen's Gambit" is lively, gamey, gripped with tension and within reason. One of the best historical novels I've read.' Liz Smith – New York Social Diary
'A sumptuous epic saturated in the politics of the time' – Metro, Claire Allfree
'Hilary Mantel fans will devour this novel...Rich in atmosphere and period detail this is an enticing read for historical fiction fans.' Stylist Magazine (top 10 must-reads for March)
'The Tudor Court comes to life in this gripping story of Katherine Parr... where passion, secrecy and betrayal power the suspense.' Fanny Blake woman & Home
'A must read,' Instyle Magazine
Blog reviews – a selection:
'This is a magnificent endeavour; anyone would have been proud to have written it at any stage of their writing career: as a first novel, it’s truly outstanding.' Scott's Miscellany
'The immediacy of the present tense narrative and the urgency of the prose gives Queen’s Gambit a modern feel. I liked this a great deal.' For Winter Nights: a Bookish Blog
“Queen’s Gambit” is Utterly Enthralling.' Words and Stitches
'The immediacy of the present tense narrative and the urgency of the prose gives Queen’s Gambit a modern feel. I liked this a great deal.' For Winter Nights: a Bookish Blog
“Queen’s Gambit” is Utterly Enthralling.' Words and Stitches
Author and Industry Praise for Queen's Gambit:
'Widowed for the second time, Katherine Parr returns reluctantly to court and soon catches the eye of the handsome and seductive Thomas Seymour. But the ageing king is on the hunt for his sixth wife and he finds Katherine's air of gentle modesty appealing... this is a superbly written novel, the suspicion and claustrophobia of Henry VIII's court jump off the page as does the character of katherine, an intelligent woman buffeted by the harshest of times. Fremantle is surely a major new voice in historical fiction and this book is the answer to the question about what Hilary Mantel fans should read while waiting for the final part of her trilogy.' The Bookseller
'Beautifully written and finely observed, this suspenseful tale of Henry the Eighth's last wife expertly conveys all the dangerous intensity and passion of the Tudor court' Rachel Hore, author of A Gathering Storm
'With a painter’s eye for detail, Fremantle brings the dazzling, dangerous Tudor court to life and sheds an intriguing new light on Katherine Parr, one of history’s great survivors. An enthralling tale of power and passion, loyalty and betrayal.' --Elizabeth Wilhide, author of Ashenden
"Queen's Gambit is a lovely, sensual, subtle read, telling the story of Katherine Parr with both rich imagination and scrupulous attention to factual detail. After reading this historical novel, you truly comprehend what it would mean to be the sixth wife of a dangerous man wielding absolute power. Katherine is no selfless nurse here, nor religious fanatic, but a complex and compelling person who both men and women were drawn to. This is a very impressive novel." --Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown
"Queen's Gambit is an earthy, vivid portrait of Tudor England seen through the eyes of Henry VIII's last wife Katherine Parr and her loyal maid servant. Elizabeth Fremantle has added a richly written and engrossing novel to the endlessly fascinating story of the Tudors." --Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude and Camille: A Novel of Monet
"Elizabeth Fremantle's rich narrative breathes vibrant life into Henry VIII's most intriguing, intelligent and least known wife, Katherine Parr." Anne Easter Smith
'Beautifully written and finely observed, this suspenseful tale of Henry the Eighth's last wife expertly conveys all the dangerous intensity and passion of the Tudor court' Rachel Hore, author of A Gathering Storm
'With a painter’s eye for detail, Fremantle brings the dazzling, dangerous Tudor court to life and sheds an intriguing new light on Katherine Parr, one of history’s great survivors. An enthralling tale of power and passion, loyalty and betrayal.' --Elizabeth Wilhide, author of Ashenden
"Queen's Gambit is a lovely, sensual, subtle read, telling the story of Katherine Parr with both rich imagination and scrupulous attention to factual detail. After reading this historical novel, you truly comprehend what it would mean to be the sixth wife of a dangerous man wielding absolute power. Katherine is no selfless nurse here, nor religious fanatic, but a complex and compelling person who both men and women were drawn to. This is a very impressive novel." --Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown
"Queen's Gambit is an earthy, vivid portrait of Tudor England seen through the eyes of Henry VIII's last wife Katherine Parr and her loyal maid servant. Elizabeth Fremantle has added a richly written and engrossing novel to the endlessly fascinating story of the Tudors." --Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude and Camille: A Novel of Monet
"Elizabeth Fremantle's rich narrative breathes vibrant life into Henry VIII's most intriguing, intelligent and least known wife, Katherine Parr." Anne Easter Smith
