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The Other Queen

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The Other Queen

By: Philippa Gregory
Narrated by: Madeleine Leslay, Richard Armitage, Alex Kingston
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About this listen

Pre-order BOLEYN TRAITOR now – Philippa Gregory’s landmark return to the Tudor court, coming Autumn 2025 …

A dramatic novel of passion, politics and betrayal from the author of The Other Boleyn Girl.

1568. Mary Queen of Scots, fleeing rebellion in her kingdom, is offered a safe haven by Elizabeth I with George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his indomitable wife, Bess of Hardwick. The arrival of an extravagant queen turns the household upside down, as it becomes clear that the visit is a house arrest.

Queen Mary makes Bess’ hard-won house a centre for unrest and treason, and – perhaps worst of all – Mary Queen of Scots’ fabled beauty starts to work on the Tudor loyalist, Bess’ own husband, George.

The two women fight for their own rights: Mary to regain the crown and the kingdom of Scotland; Bess to win back her husband and houses. A third woman can decide: Elizabeth the First, and nobody knows how far she will go to protect her own safety.

With an exclusive afterword written and read by Philippa Gregory, exploring the inspiration behind The Other Queen.

©2011 Philippa Gregory (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Royalty Thriller & Suspense Marriage Fiction Romance Scotland Tudor Mystery

Critic Reviews

‘Written from instinct, not out of calculation, and it shows.’
Peter Ackroyd, The Times

‘For sheer pace and percussive drama it will take a lot of beating.’ Sunday Times

‘Gregory is great at conjuring a Tudor film-set of gorgeous gowns and golden-lattered dining. She invokes some swoonsome images…while the politics are personal enough to remain pertinent.’ Daily Telegraph

‘The contemporary mistress of historical crime fiction is Philippa Gregory. Her novels are filled with strong, determined women who take their fate into their own hands…Gregory brings to life the sights, smells and textures of 16th-century England.’ Kate Mosse, Financial Times
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Great read. Loved the different story line. The narrators were completely engaging. I couldn't stop listening

very different perspective

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I have to say upfront that I am a fan of Philippa Gregory, I have read most of her books and have always enjoyed them.
This was the first book I used Audible for and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to listen to in fact I almost prefer it to reading it myself. The narration was very engaging.
As for the story itself, I loved how it was told from three different perspectives; they gave you a complete and complex story that you fully understood from all of the characters perspective making it very satisfying.

Thoroughly engaging

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its a really good story about a little known part of Mary Queen ofScots imprisonment in England. I loved hearing of Bess of Harwicks role

A interesting of the Mary Queen of Scots story t

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I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book having read several of Philippa Gregory’s books previously. The research is exemplary and the extrapolation of characters and their stories, very creative.
The narration by the three main characters was excellent.

Historical fiction at its best

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