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Children's reading lists

17 must-have historical fiction books for kids

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Betrayal

The second gripping mystery featuring Lady Grace, Maid of Honour and special secret investigator to Queen Elizabeth I.

The book truly catches the feel of the royal court and the unpredictable plot leads the reader on many wild goose chases

The personal narrative, written with great attention to the details of Court life, is a fascinating and exciting read.

The reader is quickly drawn into the intrigue and chilling atmosphere of court life.

Highly recommend it to people who like mystery stories.

This is a wonderfully gripping novel that brings the Elizabethan era vividly to life. It has an ingenious plot and it's told in a way that totally immerses the reader in the story and its coloufully described characters.

This first of the Lady Grace Cavendish mysteries is gripping, full of fascinating details about the times and the people who lived in them, and superbly researched.

I found this to be a fast-paced book... the beauty of this book is that there is a glossary at the end (which is really good). There are also notes about poisons...apparel and a 'Fact Behind the Fiction' section which I really appreciated. It's nice when an author takes the time to let you in on a part of their research process and distinguishes things that could be either real or fake. All-in-all, I really liked this book.

The historical accuracy is amazing and you'll really feel that you're living the mystery with Grace.

Lady Grace Cavendish was a Maid of Honour at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. She became a ward of the court after both her parents were tragically killed in the service of the Queen.

Life as a sailor must be so exciting! But as Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth, I would never be allowed to try out my sea legs (I am supposed to be a prim and proper lady, you see). At least, that's what I thought - until my fellow Maid of Honour, Lady Sarah, disappeared. 
 
The Court believes she ran away to marry a dashing sea captain, but I just know there's something odd about that note she left behind. And as her Majesty's very own secret investigator, I, Lady Grace, must find out the truth . . .

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Conspiracy

The third brilliant mystery starring Lady Grace, Maid of Honour and special secret investigator to Queen Elizabeth I.

Usually I hate hunting, because I'm not a very good rider and I always end up on my bum. But today the hunt was very exciting, and a little scary too! Because there was almost a terrible accident - and it looks as though someone is trying to hurt the Queen. 
 
Could Her Majesty's closest friend, Robert Dudley, really be to blame? As Queen Elizabeth's favourite Maid of Honour, and her very own secret investigator, it's up to me, Lady Grace, to solve this mystery . . .

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Deception

The fourth intriguing mystery featuring Lady Grace, Maid of Honour and special secret investigator to Queen Elizabeth I.

Everyone at the Royal Court was so excited today - the marvellous Frost Fair has come to London, and we all went ice skating! But there was a terrible discovery when the body of a man was found at the edge of the frozen river. 
 
Why was he killed, and what is the meaning of the silver coins placed over his eyes? Are they a message - or a warning? As the Queen's own special investigator, I, Lady Grace, must uncover the truth . . .

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Assassin

The first thrilling mystery featuring the bold, feisty Lady Grace, Maid of Honour and special secret investigator to Queen Elizabeth I.

My name is Lady Grace Cavendish, and I'm Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's favourite Maid of Honour. Everyone thinks growing up at the Royal Court is all parties and feasts and jewels - but mysterious, dangerous things always seem to happen! And because I am small and smart and very good at sneaking around, the Queen has made me her very own special secret investigator. 
 
Last night was the Valentine's Ball, and I was supposed to pick a suitor there (boring!). But later on, one of them was found dead - with a dagger in his back! And it's up to me to solve the mystery and find the killer . . .

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Loot

A brand new title in this compelling historical series - with a brand new look! Explore the fascinating world of Queen Elizabeth I's Court.

A charming series . . . Lady Grace is an engaging heroine

The reader is quickly drawn into the intrigue and chilling atmosphere of court life

Filled with humour, charm and fun, they're an absolute must for all you amatuer sleuths out there!

Lady Grace Cavendish was a Maid of Honour at the court of Queen Elizabeth, She became a ward of court after both her parents were tragically killed in the service of the Queen. Her daybooks, written for her own pleasure, have now reached a wide audience.

When the crown jewels are stolen from a locked room in the castle right under Queen Elizabeth's nose - she's furious and asks Grace, her secret Lady Pursuivant, to investigate. This is the toughest mystery Grace has had to solve yet. The thief must be amongst them in the palace . . . Can Grace figure out their identity before it's too late?

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Keys

It's just a little bit chilling, but more often it's fun, complete with a ready wit and a challenge young readers will rise to

When the Court clockmaker, Mr Urseau, is found dead in his workshop - a dagger in his chest and a key clutched in his hand - rumours start flying. Was the murderer his young assistant? Or maybe his wife? Both could be after Urseau's private treasure. And where is the key from? What is it for? 
 
Lady Grace, Queen Elizabeth's own Lady Pursuiviant, is determined to get to the bottom of all these questions. But things get even more complicated when Grace discovers that a mysterious clock was delivered to the palace on the day Urseau was killed . . .

Grace Cavendish

This fifth book in the Lady Grace Cavendish series is thrilling and further elaborates the picture of Elizabethan life shown to us in the four previous books

A delightful mix of classic adventure and tudor history . . . Full of intrigue and humour

There's a new arrival - a mysterious and exotic young princess - at court and Lady Grace can't believe how many rumours there are about her already. 
 
The exiled Banoo Yasmine from Sharakand is a beautiful girl with a pet panther and - everyone believes - magical powers. Yasmine also possesses the renowned Heart of Kings Ruby - a huge stone that she wears around her neck to balls and feasts, that legend says has the power to make kings. 
 
When the famed jewel goes missing, the finger is pointed at Grace's dear friend Ellie the laundrymaid. Grace must prove her friend's innocence, find the true thief and restore the stone to its rightful owner.

Grace Cavendish

Praise for The Lady Grace Mysteries: Exile

A gripping historical thriller

This fifth book in the Lady Grace Cavendish series is thrilling and further elaborates the picture of Elizabethan life shown to us in the four previous books

The reader is quickly drawn into the intrigue and chilling atmosphere of court life

A gripping historical thriller

This fifth book in the Lady Grace Cavendish series is thrilling and further elaborates the picture of Elizabethan life shown to us in the four previous books

The reader is quickly drawn into the intrigue and chilling atmosphere of court life

A gripping historical thriller

This fifth book in the Lady Grace Cavendish series is thrilling and further elaborates the picture of Elizabethan life shown to us in the four previous books

The reader is quickly drawn into the intrigue and chilling atmosphere of court life

Books by Grace Cavendish

Series by Grace Cavendish

The Lady Grace Mysteries

Articles featuring Grace Cavendish

17 must-have historical fiction books for kids

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