Publisher Description

The fourth book in Jean Plaidy's epic Plantagenet seriesMulti-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy paints an incredibly vivid portrait of one of history's most controversial - and terrifying - monarchs... Readers of Philippa Gregory will not be disappointed.'Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama' -- New York Times'Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting.' - Observer'Outstanding' - Vanity Fair'Compulsive reading' -- ***** Reader review'I was gripped and want more!' -- ***** Reader review'Found this book hard to put down and didn't want it to finish' -- ***** Reader review'Brilliant stuff!!!' -- ***** Reader review*****************************************************************************The untimely death of Richard the Lionheart left his nephew Arthur and his younger brother John in contest for the throne of England. Reluctantly the barons chose John, and so began years of rule by a ruthless and greedy tyrant.Yet despite his reputation, John, still manages to seduce the young and beautiful Isabella of Angoulame. But in taking her as his bride he makes an enemy for life.And in the tempestuous years that follow many men come to believe that the House of Anjou was tainted by the Devil's blood, the loathsome monarch was himself Evil Incarnate, the very Prince of Darkness...

Notes

Reissues of these popular historical novels. Arrow's reissues of Jean PLaidy's Tudor series, with the stylish new jacket treatments, have sold over 25,000 copies in their first three months.

Back Cover

The untimely death of Richard the Lionheart left his nephew Arthur and his younger brother John in contest for the throne of England. Reluctantly the barons chose John, and so began years of rule by a ruthless and greedy tyrant. Yet despite his reputation, John, still manages to seduce the young and beautiful Isabella of Angoulme. But in taking her as his bride he makes an enemy for life. And in the tempestuous years that follow many men come to believe that the House of Anjou was tainted by the Devil's blood, the loathsome monarch was himself Evil Incarnate, the very Prince of Darkness... Praise for Jean Plaidy 'Jean Plaidy conveys the texture of various patches of the past with such rich complexity' Guardian ' One of the country's most widely read novelists' Sunday Times

Author Biography

Jean Plaidy, one of the pre-eminent authors of historical fiction for most of the twentieth century, is the pen name of the prolific English author Eleanor Hibbert, also know as Victoria Holt. Jean Plaidy's novels had sold more than 14 million copies worldwide by the time of her deah in 1993. For further information about our Jean Plaidy reissues and mailing list, please

Review

Her novels are still very much to be enjoyed ... Any writer who can both educate and thrill a reader of any age deserves to be remembered and find new fans ... One only has to look at the TV/Media to see that the appetite for this kind of writing is still very much there -- Matt Bates * WH Smith Travel *
Jean Plaidy doesn't just write the history, she makes it come alive. -- Julia Moffat, RNA
Miss Plaidy does full justice to the trials of Henry II's last years.The demands of the vast Angevin Empire, provide strong dramatic material which she handles with her usual skill. * Sunday Times *
Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama * New York Times *
Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting * Observer *

Promotional

The fourth book in Jean Plaidy's epic Plantagenet series.

Review Text

Her novels are still very much to be enjoyed ... Any writer who can both educate and thrill a reader of any age deserves to be remembered and find new fans ... One only has to look at the TV/Media to see that the appetite for this kind of writing is still very much there

Review Quote

Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama

Promotional "Headline"

The fourth book in Jean Plaidy's epic Plantagenet series

Details