Helpful Score: 2
A departure from Faye Kellerman's usual subjects. From the book cover:
"Rebecca Lopez enjoys a life of privilege in Elizabeth's England - yet she guards secrets she dares not reveal. The beautiful, tempestuous daughter of the queen's own physician, Rebecca is also a converso - a Jew who practices her prohibited religion clandestinely - helping others of her banned faith escape persecution and death. And her insatiable hunger for excitement often takes her to the bustling streets of London in male garb to experience the kind of adventure available only to men. But one such outing is leading her into a dangerous viper's nest built of intrigue and foul murder in the company of a dashing young actor who inflames her romantic passions, even as he escorts her toward peril, a charming and fearless would-be playwright who calls himself Will Shakespeare." This may remind you a bit of the plot of the movie "Shakespeare in Love," but Kellerman's novel has much more depth and many more twists and turns. This is a marvelous historical novel, which will open your eyes to the brutal treatment of Jews in 16th century Europe. A marvelous tale, with Kellerman writing at her best.
"Rebecca Lopez enjoys a life of privilege in Elizabeth's England - yet she guards secrets she dares not reveal. The beautiful, tempestuous daughter of the queen's own physician, Rebecca is also a converso - a Jew who practices her prohibited religion clandestinely - helping others of her banned faith escape persecution and death. And her insatiable hunger for excitement often takes her to the bustling streets of London in male garb to experience the kind of adventure available only to men. But one such outing is leading her into a dangerous viper's nest built of intrigue and foul murder in the company of a dashing young actor who inflames her romantic passions, even as he escorts her toward peril, a charming and fearless would-be playwright who calls himself Will Shakespeare." This may remind you a bit of the plot of the movie "Shakespeare in Love," but Kellerman's novel has much more depth and many more twists and turns. This is a marvelous historical novel, which will open your eyes to the brutal treatment of Jews in 16th century Europe. A marvelous tale, with Kellerman writing at her best.
OK, FAYE KELLERMAN IS NOT AS GOOD A WRITER AS SHE WAS. SHE NEEDS TO STICK TO RENA LAZARUS.
another great book by kellerman
Subtitle: A Novel of Intrigue in Elizabethan England. The fiery daughter of Queen Elizabeth's physician craves adventure and often sneaks about in male dress. During one of her masquerades, she is involved in a sword fight with dramatist Will Shakespeare. The two of them embark on an adventure of passion and danger.
"A sprawling historical tale... entertaining." The Kirkus Reviews
This book is set in Elizabethian England so is a bit different from Faye Kellerman's usual stories, but very interesting and intertaining. Especially if you love mysteries and historical themes.
Rebecca Lopez is the beautiful, fiery daughter of Roderico Lopez. Queen Elizabeth's own physician. On the surface, Rebecca and her family are good and loyal Protestant subjects of the crown. But the Lopezes are Jews who practice their illegal religion in secret-and help smuggle in other Jews from Portugal, where the Inquisition rules the land.
An interesting premise and a glimpse into the life of Elizabeth's court. It's fun to read a story with Shakespeare as a character. Enjoyable.
Witty, bawdy and fun -- "a novel of intrigue in Elizabethan England"
A Novel of Intrigue in Elizabethan England.
Historical fiction by the mystery author. (Brief law suit said Shakespeare in Love was plagarizing this novel.)
Written in 1989, this is different than her usual writing, it is an historical novel.
