Forest of Secrets (An Ursula Blanchard mystery, 19)
Set in 1586, Forest of Secrets is book 19 in the Ursula Blanchard mystery series. After returning home from a journey, Ursula is approached by Etheldreda Hope, a woman dressed in simple clothing. When Etheldreda regales Ursula with strange tales coming from her village of Chenston, she does not know what to make of it. With whispers about Mary, Queen of Scots, Sir Francis Walsingham sends Ursula to Chenston in order to investigate the village. While there, she finds a group of people who still follow the old pagan ways. Do these people pose a threat to Queen Elizabeth? Only time will tell.
This was my first time reading a book by Fiona Buckley. I thoroughly enjoyed this masterfully woven narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat. In Ursula Blanchard, we find a clever woman who is adept at what she does. The plot was good and the pacing was fast. The tone was one of mystery and foreboding. Finally, the characters and dialogue were also well written. This book gripped me from the beginning and kept me engaged to the very end.
