Description
Ursula Stannard faces the ultimate test in this gripping Tudor mystery. How far is she prepared to go to protect those dearest to her and save her own life?
April, 1590. Ursula Stannard, the queen's half-sister and occasional secret agent, has just left Sir Francis Walsingham's funeral when she is summoned back to her childhood home, Faldene House, by her aunt. Uncle Herbert has died suddenly from natural causes, but Ursula's arrival in the Sussex Downs triggers a shocking sequence of death and devastation.
Through her service to the queen, Ursula has made dangerous enemies. The formidable Mercer brothers are set on revenge, and their cruelty knows no limits. As a deadly net closes around Ursula and her loved ones, can she keep those closest to her safe and stop the Mercers before they strike again?
Review
Fiona Buckley's The Net of Steel is a gripping mystery set at the end of the 16th century. Told from the perspective of Ursula Blanchard, a loyal subject (and notably half-sister) of Queen Elizabeth I, readers are taken on a thrilling journey as Ursula strives to uncover the truth about a mysterious plot that threatens to destroy her life.
The Net of Steel is set in April 1590, in Ursula Stannard's childhood home of Faldene House in the Sussex Downs. As the queen's half-sister and occasional secret agent, Ursula is the perfect protagonist for this mystery-thriller. When Ursula arrives at Faldene to mourn her Uncle Herbert, who has died from natural causes, a shocking sequence of death and devastation begins. It soon becomes clear that Ursula has made dangerous enemies in the form of the Mercer brothers. Driven by vengeance and determined to wreak their own kind of justice, the Mercers' cruelty knows no limits. With lives on the line and time running out, Ursula must keep those closest to her safe and try to stop the Mercers before they can strike again.
Ursula is a determined individual who is fiercely protective of her family and will go to great lengths to keep them safe. She forms close bonds with her servants and shows kindness to those in need. Her loyalty is rewarded as she can rely on those around her to help and be of service in times of distress. As the story progresses, her son Harry is coming into his own and becomes a capable young man, but has his own struggles with love, loss and betrayal. The characters are well written and realistic, and it's not difficult to quickly find an affinity with them.
Fiona Buckley's writing style in The Net of Steel is gripping, full of twists, and perfect for fans of historical mysteries and thrillers. The pacing is excellent, keeping the reader engaged and turning the pages. The vivid historical background Buckley provides brings to life the time period in which the novel is set, allowing the reader to become immersed in the story. Buckley also excels at creating solid plot points that keep the story exciting and unpredictable. All in all, it's clear that the author is a talented storyteller who knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
The Net of Steel is a fantastic historical mystery novel, and although it is the 22nd book in the Ursula Blanchard mystery series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The plot is gripping, and the cast of characters is intriguing. By the end of the novel, you find yourself wondering what could possibly be next for Ursula as she nears 60 years old! After reading The Net of Steel, I am keen on reading the other books in the captivating series. I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking to escape into a world of mystery and intrigue.
