In 1483, Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, were supposedly murdered in the Tower of London by their uncle, King Richard III. This is based on the fact that the boys were missing after Henry VII seized the English crown and Richard III died in battle. Author Philippa Langley discovers letters, diaries and historical clues to the young boys' whereabouts and follows the information as a detective probing into a cold case of murder. It is a fascinating story, reading how and what evidence she uncovers, and then piecing together the centuries-old information. Her conclusion is that the young boys survived the Tower, were spirited away with Richard's help, and escaped to the continent. I can't recommend this book enough if you like mysteries and history. This is a great combination of the two, and what's better -- it's real!
This is a true story of how newspaper columnist Peter Watson -- using an assumed named and persona -- helped uncover theft and smuggling in the art world. He set up a huge sting, complete with his false identity, a residence in London, and actually meeting with various members of the art smuggling ring in the US, England, and the continent. I was fascinated not only by how he pulled off this elaborate scheme but also by information of art smuggling. I had no idea it is such a huge on-going concern. If you like mystery, the art world of Old Masters, and learning of the behind-the-scenes of nabbing these crooks, I think you'll like this book. I honestly couldn't put it down.
An account of fraudulent practices in the profitable world of fine art details the international search for Renaissance art treasures that have been stolen and smuggled out of Italy
I am a lover of the Plantagenet, Tudor, and Stuart decades of Britain. I enjoy reading about the history but also about the people who created that history. I didn't know anything about James VI and I except that he was Mary, Queen of Scots' only child and that he was the first monarch to hold the title in Scotland, Ireland, and England. I always he got short mention and was dismissed merely as a 'fool'. Which is why I was eager to read this book. It's a bit more than a biography -- it shows Scotland and England during his time, and what he had to govern. It was a much more violent and complicated time than I had ever expected. And my admiration for James increased dramatically as I learned of all the problems he had, both personal and with other countries as well as his own. If you like this period of history, you might really enjoy this book. Not only is the story of the era interesting, but you might think of James a bit more kindly when you've finished reading.
James VI and I, the first monarch to reign over Scotland, England and Ireland, has long endured a mixed reputation. To many, he is simply the homosexual King, the inveterate witch-roaster, the smelly sovereign who never washed, the colourless man behind the authorised Bible bearing his name, or the drooling fool whose speech could barely be understood. For too long, he has paled in comparison to his more celebrated Tudor and Stuart forebears.
But who was he really? To what extent have myth, anecdote, and rumour obscured him?
In this new and ground-breaking biography, James's story is laid bare and…
Bluegrass band Moorland Grass is on the verge of turning pro and hitting the music world like a cymbal crash. But the death of their fiddler, Dylan Ingram, has thrown a sour note into the band's future as well as thrown the lads' working relationships off-key. Now, one year after the murder, former police detective Michael McLaren is asked to investigate. As McLaren pokes into the case, he hears about sharp words and flat expectations, and gets an earful of anger—some coming from the band members, some from Dylan's family. And there's that strange black car that attempts to run McLaren off the road...or worse. The case comes together with help of a piece of music. But the finale nearly decomposes one night in a desperate run across the moor—and threatens to take McLaren along in that fade out.
