I got this paperback (with new-to-me cover-art) from a local thrift shop, for another release copy. [Its subject matter may have more interest since the 2012 discovery of Richard III's remains, thought lost for centuries; see more in this History Blog post, with additional information at the University of Leicester's site.]

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, often quite funny, and vastly entertaining. Strongly recommended!

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

I left this book in my Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

Released for:

** 2024 The The challenge **