Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: The Confession of Katherine Howard
Author: Suzannah Dunn
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-201147-3
Release Date: April 2011
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: England, 1540’s (The Tudor Court)
Overall Rating: 3.5
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual/Sexual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: Mild/Moderate
Violent Content Rating: Moderate/Intense
Suzannah's Website/Blog: suzannahdunn.net
Dear Readers:
Suzannah Dunn has written some truly fantastic works of historical fiction, including such titles as; The Sixth Wife and, my personal favorite, The Queen of Subtleties.
In this newest offering, readers are taken back to the time when Henry VIII had been - for the most part - happy. After years of upheaval his court, his people, and his kingdom were enjoying a bit of bliss. The British subjects finally liked their Queen; the nineteen-year-old seemed to be making the King very, very pleased, which brought calm to the Court.
However, as with seemingly all people in King Henry’s Court, Katherine Howard was playing with fire. She was, of course, having an affair with Thomas Culpeper, a man who was very close to the King. In fact, Queen Kate was bored to death with the King. She loved being Queen and wanted to keep all she had, but her heart and body needed more than the King could provide.
Her best girlhood friend is Cat Tilney, who she met when she was placed in the Duchess of Norfolk’s household. Kate really didn’t get along very well with anyone; she was a very risqué girl who liked to play when it came to men - even engaging her own teacher, and a young man by the name of Francis - who Cat falls desperately in love with.
As time goes on and the author takes us through Kate and Cat’s years within the Duchess’s household, we are finally brought into the Tudor world. Here is where Kate’s ex-lover Francis is now working for her, and her girlhood friends have become her ladies in waiting, and help see her through the challenges of being Queen.
As everyone knows, Katherine Howard was the second one to be placed into the Tower and lose her head to the great King Henry VIII, and readers will get a bird’s eye view of the friend she tried to drag down with her.
History buffs will certainly enjoy this novel. And, although this is a good, solid story (as Ms. Dunn always delivers), I have to say that her other books are a bit better. It’s not the writing, the writing is outstanding; but, perhaps, it’s simply come down to the fact that there are just too many books about King Henry VIII and his wives…and it’s time to move on to something else.
Until next time,
Amy
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