I found this fair-condition trade paperback at the Used Book Superstore, and as I'm always glad to find another inexpensive release copy of this wonderful book, I nabbed it.

I've loved Tey's wonderful historical-mystery novel ever since I first read it, decades ago; it's probably among my top ten "recommend to others" book, and I re-read it fairly often. (I have a keeper copy, of course, in addition to the many I've released!)

About the book itself: it presents a unique twist on the standard mystery novel (a twist that's been copied since, but that I think had been done seldom, if at all, before Tey did it) - her detective spends the entire book flat on his back in a hospital bed, and instead of solving a current crime he tackles one out of the history books as a way to fend off "the prickles" of boredom. Since the character has a fondness for analyzing the faces of the victims, suspects, and witnesses in his cases, he chooses his historical mystery from a stack of portraits - and is astonished to find that the wise-but-sad-looking fellow whose face captures his attention is in fact the legendary Crookback Dick, said to have had his young nephews murdered so he could take the crown.

Tey is unabashedly pro-Ricardian, and by the end of the book I was too, though I realize that her arguments are not as conclusive as I'd have liked them to be. Even so, the way she sets up the story, presents the evidence, and combines the modern-day lives and romances of the main characters with the historical drama and tragedy is simply masterful and vastly entertaining. Strongly recommended!

[The TV Tropes page may also be of interest.]

I'm adding this book to k00kaburra's Medieval/Renaissance bookbox, which will be on its way to the next stop, ravencat in NY, soon. Hope someone enjoys the book! [While much of the action takes place in the modern day, the focus of the story is on Richard III and his time - and since the bookbox showed a leaning towards the Tudors I wanted to give the Plantagenets a nod {grin}.]

Picked from the Medieval/Renaissance bookbox.

This was an excellent book with a little bit of humor,history and mystery all mixed together surrounding the rumors of King Richard III the last in line of the Plantagenets and his reputation of one being a villain and hunchback to being accused of murdering his two young nephews to secure his crown. And just as I was finishing the book news came out that Richard III skeletal remains were found under the Grey Friars parking lot in Leicester,England. His remains showed he had a painful condition known as scoliosis of the spine which probably would have caused so much pain throughout his life and accounted for his nickname "Crookback". While the mystery surrounding the murder of the nephews or what kind of personality he really had will never be known, the author provides an entertaining way of helping you decide your interpretation of Richard III. This was a great choice from the Medieval/Renaissance bookbox and thanks GoryDetails for passing it along and I will do my best to see that it is read by others.

March 11, 2013 Now traveling Bookray. Here is the list:
1. Icila/France/Int. ship

2. Froggie66/Canada/Int. ship int

3. dutch-book/Netherlands/EU ship

4. Originalmulli/UK/Intl ship

5. bluezwuzl/Germany/EU ship

Arrived yesterday along with the Tudor Secret. Thanks a lot given your expensive mailing rate.

I didn't know of this author but I'll put his other books on my wishlist.
It was an entertaining reading and Richard won my sympathy.
Thank you ravencat, I hadn't made the link with the new found skeletal.

On its way to Canada.

Received it a few days ago just before the weekend but didn't have time to check it in. Looks really interesting.

Sorry but I couldn't get into this book. It actually caught partial interest but I found it boring and didn't have the patience to get past chapter 4. Anyways will be sending this on to the next person in the list.

This was mailed off to the next person in the reading list. Sorry it took so long. It went off by sea so could take up to 6 weeks.

This actually arrived a few weeks ago. I was under the impression that I had already journalled it. Sorry. It's here though.

I have finally finished this book which was okay, albeit a little confusing at times. It still is an interesting period so this book is interesting in that aspect. I am definitely going to look into more of this period.
I will now PM the next person.

Off to the next in line.

Received safely thank you, looking forward to it.

Sorry to have had this so long but I had to read it twice. I feel like I know the Edward IV/Richard III/Henry VII period quite well but, in spite of being familiar with all the multiplicity of minor characters fleetingly mentioned and not well explained, I found it really difficult to follow. I think it's poorly, almost childishly, written in places. As if she just churned it all out in a long stream and never proof-read it. Certainly an interesting twist on the usual 'historical novel' format of trying to make history accessible to fiction readers, but I really had to force myself through it the first time. I was simultaneously reading both a historical novel and a history text on this period, so it was fascinating to have a comparison throughout.

Sent to Bluezwuzl in Germany.

This book arrived to bluezwuzl a while ago but was unable to JE due to computer problems and difficulties with Bookcrossing site and only able to receive PM from members. They asked me to please make a JE for them.

- - - Thanks, Ravencat. The problems have not vanished, but from time to time I can now register a book or an entry again! - - -

What an inspiring read! Makes you wonder about how history is MADE - and not always by the persons concerned...
I used to be quite ashamed about how much I forgot about my history lessons at school; perhaps I should be glad about that and try the "see for yourself" - attitude instead. But then - You simply don't have the opportunity to get first-hand-reports everytime you want it (even in the age of the computer - as I had to learn recently...). Still - the book inspired me to plan a session of browsing the available online-archives from time to time - just for the fun of it!
Thanks for sharing this great book, which is (as it was said before) highly recommendable!

I received this book in the mail today, thank you bluezwuzl and thank you for the extra added gifts in the package!!

Not for me, very difficult to get to the end of this one. Too bad as I was looking forward to reading it.

Left in service waiting area

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