‘The Lost Queen’ by Carol McGrath

My Review (4 stars out of 5)

Berengaria of Navarre is destined to be the wife and queen of King Richard I (Richard the Lionheart). This story relates how Berengaria’s future mother-in-law, Eleanor of Aquitaine, took her on a journey to meet up with the young woman’s future husband, Richard.

I’d never heard of Berengaria, so this story is all new to me. Set in the 12^th century, the author weaves her tale with lots of detail – about the people, their day-to-day lives, and the changing landscapes – as well as the many hazards of such a long journey that were commonplace at that time in history. It also demonstrates the wealth of research that has gone into recreating Berengaria’s life. Written from the perspective of two women (one of whom is Berengaria) the writing occasionally felt a little heavy-handed and I found the pace a bit slow at times, but it is the attention to detail that makes the book interesting and kept me reading. A fascinating tale about strong women, packed with adventure, pirates and would-be assassins.

Author Bio

Following a first degree in English and History, Carol McGrath completed an MA in Creative Writing from The Seamus Heaney Centre, Queens University Belfast, followed by an MPhil in English from University of London. The Handfasted Wife, first in a trilogy about the royal women of 1066 was shortlisted for the RoNAS in 2014. The Swan-Daughter and The Betrothed Sister complete this highly acclaimed trilogy. Mistress Cromwell, a best-selling historical novel about Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of Henry VIII’s statesman, Thomas Cromwell, was republished by Headline in 2020. The Silken Rose, first in a medieval She-Wolf Queens Trilogy, featuring Ailenor of Provence, saw publication in April 2020. This was followed by The Damask Rose. The Stone Rose was published April 2022. Carol is writing Historical non-fiction as well as fiction. Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England was published in February 2022. The Stolen Crown 2023 and The Lost Queen will be published 18^th July 2024. Carol lives in Oxfordshire, England and in Greece.