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Angela Ranson
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Shades of Death: Murder at the Court of Elizabeth I (Catrin Surovell Tudor Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Angela Ranson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 241 ratings
A new crime series set in Elizabethan England! For fans of S J Parris, Andrew Taylor, S W Perry and Andrew Swanston.

Can two young ladies-in-waiting unmask a ruthless killer?

1560

When Elizabeth Tudor first became queen, the realm rejoiced. Now, two years later, the queen has formed an attachment to Lord Robert Dudley that is causing widespread restlessness and discontent.

The tense situation threatens to become a full-blown disaster when Lord Robert’s wife, Amy, is found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Rumours fly through court suggesting Lord Robert killed her so he could marry the queen.

He is banished from court, but the queen is sure he is innocent. She sends her ladies-in-waiting, Catrin Surovell and Lucy Howard to the scene of Amy’s death, Cumnor Place, to discover as much as they can about what really happened.

Once there, Catrin and Lucy find evidence that the death was no accident, and discover that a stranger was with Lady Amy on the day she died.

And as Catrin investigates further, she finds a secret cache of dangerous documents in Amy’s handwriting, suggesting that she was part of a conspiracy against the crown.

But to find out who was responsible for Lady Amy's death, Catrin will have to put her own life in danger…

Who was the stranger with Amy Dudley on the day of her murder? Did he cause her untimely death?

And can Catrin escape this dangerous web of secrets and betrayal?

SHADES OF DEATH is the first book in the Catrin Surovell Tudor Mystery Series. It is an exciting historical thriller set at the court of Elizabeth I.

THE CATRIN SUROVELL TUDOR MYSTERY SERIES:
BOOK ONE: Shades of Death
BOOK TWO: Death Foretold
BOOK THREE: A Glittering Peril
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Catrin Surovell Tudor Mysteries
  2. Print length
    271 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    November 17, 2023
  6. File size
    1.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CG6GDP45
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 17, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 271 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0854951307
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Catrin Surovell Tudor Mysteries
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 241 ratings

About the author

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Angela Ranson

Angela Ranson

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Once upon a time I earned a doctorate in the history of sixteenth-century England from the University of York, and spent several years publishing articles about the early years of Queen Elizabeth I. I soon realized that the Tudors are steeped in mysteries both large and small, which cannot be solved without a little imagination. That is how academic writing turned into crime fiction.

For more, please go to my website (Dr Angela Ranson, Historian and Author) and blog (Angela Ranson Blogspot, The Edges of Time).

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
241 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Karla J.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    What a refreshing read about the Court of Elizabeth. I love how lady Dudley was actually helping not just murdered for no reason. I am excited to read others in this series.
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  • sarah kellum
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very twist and turny
    Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was a new Author to me and I enjoyed the book very much. I was surprised at the end and was wrong about who the bad guy was.
    If you enjoy Tudor stories then you will lime this one.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Elizabeth's Times
    Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great story if intrigue at Queen Elizabth the Fursts court m. Great insight of the times from.the ladies view. Excellent story.
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  • Dr. Roy Schreiber
    3.0 out of 5 stars Forget the history
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2023
    Format: Kindle
    For fans of “Who Done It?” style detective fiction, Shades of Death checks all the boxes. It has two amateur (female) detectives who solve the mystery. It has two seemingly separate mysteries that are actually one. It has a surprise mastermind villain behind all the murders, and, especially toward the end, it has dead bodies pile up in every increasing numbers.

    On the other hand, for mystery fans for whom the accuracy of the historical background and detail matter, Shades of Death is best avoided. The author attempts to set the story in the early years of Elizabeth I of England’s reign. The attempt leaves much to be desired. Rather than do an in depth study of the people and the era, the authors lays a thin film, a very thin film, of historical background on top of the mystery.

    The complete list of teeth-grinding historical mistakes and their corrections would reach the length of a small book. So I’ll give only a couple. Of all the major historical figures in the story, only Queen Elizabeth I is at all like the nearly universal view of her. The portrayal of her favorite, Robert Dudley, as besotted with his perhaps murdered wife, is quite laughable.

    Then there is the problem that the author knows virtually nothing about aristocrats and aristocratic life in Elizabethan England. Among the groaners, a young woman addresses an earl as “Sir Francis”, not my lord, and with virtually know exceptions, the aristocrats ride about the countryside without any servants.

    The basic historical problem is that the prime mystery: How did Robert Dudley’s wife die? - hasn’t been considered a mystery for some time. As even Wikipedia shows, side effects from breast cancer most likely killed her. With so many unsolved or at least greatly disputed mysteries available, this one is a strange choice.

    Although this story would have worked better set in a fictitious land, with totally fictitious characters, in the distant past, for those looking for a mystery and care little about anything else, Shades of Death is fun to read
    4 people found this helpful
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  • VEdwards
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Take on an Enduring Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024
    Format: Kindle
    I always enjoy reading historical fiction and Shade of Death was right up my alley. I love how Angela Ranson wove actual events and people into the story. Amy Dudley's death remains a mystery to this day, but this book gave an interesting take on what may have happened. I look forward to reading more from this author.
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  • Geraldine Cosentino
    4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2023
    Format: Kindle
    Shades of Death by Angela Ransom is based on the unsolved death of Amy Dudley, wife of Sir Robert Dudley, favorite of Queen Elizabeth I of England. She was found dead at the foot of a flight of stairs with injuries to her head and body. Was she pushed or did she fall? Her death would allow Sir Robert to marry Elizabeth and become King. For this reason Elizabeth sends her trusted lady-in waiting Catrin Surovell to see what she can learn at the Dudley estate. Her adventures investigating the crime with her friend Lucy and the help of the many advisors to Elizabeth are the main story of the book.
    However, Catrin has another mystery to solve. Her mother has disappeared and Catrin doesn't know if she's alive or dead. The plot gets very tangled as Catrin tries to find her mother while investigating possible threats to the Queen.
    Shades of Death is an interesting glimpse into life at Elizabeth's court. The historical detail about the court is good. The young Queen Elizabeth is very sympathetic. An entertaining read.
    Thank you to Sapere Books for an Advance Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.
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  • Denise
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great new historical fiction mystery series
    Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2023
    Format: Kindle
    Thank you to Sapere books for this ARC.

    I really enjoyed this book. Interesting historical fiction about the death of Robert Dudley's wife turned into a bit of a mystery. I liked the strong female characters and it was fun hanging out in Elizabethian era England. Book was well written and researched.

    Looking forward to reading more of these books.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • mrs g. london
    5.0 out of 5 stars Transported to Elizabethan England
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Be transported to Elizabethan England, in the 1560s. If you like this era ,with some murder and mystery, you will enjoy this. Very descriptive, of the age of Elizabeth 1s court. An excellent read. Onto the next one!
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  • Graeme
    5.0 out of 5 stars Surpassed expectations
    Reviewed in Australia on March 8, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I had no expectations going into Shades of Death. Being unfamiliar with the author, nor having read much historical mystery fiction. Despite being a fan of historical fiction in general.
    The novel was well written, and the plot was more than believable. I never found myself being dragged out of the story due to any modern interpretations of the time period. Which is always a risk when it comes to historical fiction.
    Yes the main character is one of Queen Elizabeth I ladies, and she has an agency of her own. But she still has to overcome the limitations of the time. Which is incorporated into the plot in a way that feels authentic. Adding to the narrative, rather than detracting from it.
    Overall, I enjoyed my time with Shades of Death. And would be more than willing to read more in the Catrin Surovell series. In fact, I have purchased the next two books in the series.
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  • jeff
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read.
    Reviewed in Canada on May 1, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book definitely keeps you guessing. Very well written with no unnecessary fillers. Looking forward to the second book.
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  • Liner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written
    Reviewed in Canada on March 14, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is one that will keep you guessing.
    So many twists. This author knows her facts in the time period. Brings you back there. Great read.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I hadn't read a historical novel for a long time when I read this one. I really enjoyed it. I had read before of the demise of Amy, Robert of Dudley's wife and found this an interesting take on the story. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
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