Inglaterra, siglo XVII, las corte de Jacobo I se hunde en la decadencia y la mediocridad. Asesinato en la torre es otra de las mas apasionantes como fieles reconstrucciones históricas de Jean Plaidy. Ternura, pasión, amor y fidelidad se mezclan con las mas files pasiones.

Loved this book. I didn't know anything about Frances, Countess of Essex (Frances Howard) so this was much enjoyable. Without spoiling the book I will just say I am not a fan of the woman. Great book and another must read. Once again, Jean Plaidy did not disappoint! ( )

Normally, if you read a book featuring James I of England, the main ingredient is the Gunpowder Plot. I assumed this would feature to some degree, but the story opens a few years after the failed plot.

Therefore, the topics at the heart of this novel were new to me. I admit to not having heard of Robert Carr or Frances Howard, so learning about their lives proved interesting. I don’t know how accurate Plaidy’s portrayal of them is, but my sympathies were with Robert, and while they weren’t with Frances, she is indeed a fascination.

James I’s characterization was engaging, and is a different approach to what I’ve read about him elsewhere.

The plot focuses on Frances's devious means of getting what and who she wants, along with Robert’s more subtle and respectful approach to attaining his ambitions.

If only the author made an effort to “show”, rather than “tell”, then this could’ve been a great novel. Scenes that should’ve been exciting were at best interesting because the events are explained, not dramatized.

It’s an opportunity missed on the one hand, but on the other hand, I enjoyed learning about Frances and Robert. ( )

bizarre story ( )

The book is based on the life of Frances Howard, and her loves. She starts out as a passionate young woman and we think we like her, but as she grows and becomes more and more of a selfish evil woman, there is no sympathy for her. I did find sympathy for Robert Carr, the man she fell in love with when she was a married woman.
Robert Carr caught the King James' eye when he fell from his horse as a young man, and quickly shot up in the ranks with titles and favoritism from James. He is portrayed as a pretty boy who really didn't deserve the posts he had since he had to have another man, Thomas Overbury, secretly do most of the work for Robert Carr. They called Thomas a scribe. One thing led to another and once Thomas realizes that Robert wants to marry Frances Howard, he is incensed. He has no respect for Frances and happens to know she had visits with unworthy people who dealt with witchcraft. Since Thomas would not back down, Frances and her witchcraft friends decided to take matters into their own hands. Supposedly Robert Carr has no idea what is going on.
Even though this book has James I in it, I really wouldn't have classified it as part of a Stuart Saga..there was a small storyline with Frances and the King's son, Henry, and a bit on the royal family but not an incredible amount. I don't know what the rest of the Stuart Saga books are about so maybe they are just based in the time period like this one, or maybe they are more having to deal with the actual Stuarts. We shall see. ( )