Royal Mysteries


Book Description

An in-depth look at the true crime tales surrounding the British royal family during the eleventh to fifteenth centuries. Royal murder mysteries never fail to intrigue readers and TV viewers. Here are some of the Middle Ages’ most haunting and horrific episodes. Based on the latest historical research and historiography, and authentic and rare sources, including archaeology and DNA evidence, these are wonderful tales of pathos, tragedy, suffering, and romance. This is history for specialists and general readers—and sceptics. The famous and also less well-known mysteries, which may be new to readers, surrounding British Royalty, are included from around the 11th to the 15th centuries. The murder mysteries show personal and individual tragedy but are also a vehicle for historical analysis. William II—William Rufus—was he murdered or killed accidentally by a “stray arrow,” allowing brother Henry to seize the throne, or was it God’s punishment for William’s irreligious living and persecution of the church? Or was Edward II murdered at the instigation of Queen Isabella—“she-wolf of France”—and her lover, Roger Mortimer, who assumed the throne? Did he survive to live peaceably in Italy? Richard II resembled Edward II, as a rather inadequate figure, and was deposed by his rival, Henry IV. Did he die, and if so, was it murder or suicide? Was Edward IV a bigamist? Mystery, if not murder, but wrapped in dynastic rivalry and sex scandal, and usurpation of the throne. The “Princes in the Tower” and who killed them if anyone? A beguiling mystery for over 500 years with their usurping uncle Richard III’s guilt contested by “Ricardians.”




A Royal Pain


Book Description

Lady Georgiana finds herself in a heap of royal trouble in the second novel in the New York Times bestselling Royal Spyness Mystery series. London, 1932. Poor Lady Georgiana—thirty-fourth in line to the throne—has nothing to serve her Bavarian princess houseguest, even though the Queen of England has requested that she entertain her. Then there's the matter of the body in the bookshop and the princess's unwitting involvement with the Communist party. It's enough to drive a girl mad...




Royal Mysteries of the Tudor Period


Book Description

The Tudor period is familiar to British public in reading and viewing in books, TV series and film - the list is endless, from Shakespeare and Fletcher in the 1600s to Hilary Mantel et al, and involving internationally famous authors and actors. This is backdrop to the 'Royal Mysteries' which reflect aspects of enduring modern interest. These include royal family drama, sex, scandal, violence, tragedy, murder both judicial and from personal rivalry. The period is dominated and overshadowed by the gigantic and brutal figure of Henry VIII , the 'British Stalin', with his six wives with two got rid of by judicial murder. Royal Mysteries occur throughout the period. The battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 did not end the Wars of the Roses, Henry VII's claim was disputed by Pretenders, and following the unresolved disappearance of the 'Princes in the Tower', Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck with considerable and allegedly Yorkist support. Then came Anne Boleyn, who to many, including modern writers and top historians, a religious reformer, idealist and gifted woman, ruthlessly put down and maligned and executed by the brutal Henry VIII and victim of manipulating figures like Cromwell in a royal court full of 'spin' and 'fake news'. And the stories Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots are similarly packed with mystery and scandal. Elizabeth's possible suitor and potential husband was Robert Dudley and his ailing wife died in suspicious circumstances. And the long saga of Elizabeth and Mary involved Mary's tangled affairs involving murder and conspiracy to replace Elizabeth on the English throne.




Longboat Blues


Book Description

A burned-out trial lawyer is conscripted to aid his friend, whose girlfriend's body was found on his balcony.




Her Royal Spyness


Book Description

THE FIRST ROYAL SPYNESS MYSTERY! The New York Times bestselling author of the Molly Murphy and Constable Evan Evans mysteries turns her attentions to “a feisty new heroine to delight a legion of Anglophile readers.”* London, 1932. Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, 34th in line for the English throne, is flat broke. She's bolted Scotland, her greedy brother, and her fish-faced betrothed. London is a place where she'll experience freedom, learn life lessons aplenty, do a bit of spying for HRH—oh, and find a dead Frenchman in her tub. Now her new job is to clear her long family name...




Murder Key


Book Description




The Windsor Knot


Book Description

“Sheer entertainment… Bennett infuses wit and an arch sensibility into her prose… This is not mere froth, it is pure confection.” – New York Times Book Review “[A] pitch-perfect murder mystery… If The Crown were crossed with Miss Marple…, the result would probably be something like this charming whodunnit.” – Ruth Ware, author of One by One The bestselling first book in a highly original and delightfully clever crime series in which Queen Elizabeth II secretly solves crimes while carrying out her royal duties. It is the early spring of 2016 and Queen Elizabeth is at Windsor Castle in advance of her 90th birthday celebrations. But the preparations are interrupted by the shocking and untimely death of a guest in one of the Castle bedrooms. The scene leads some to think the young Russian pianist strangled himself, yet a badly tied knot leads MI5 to suspect foul play. When they begin to question the Household’s most loyal servants, Her Majesty knows they’re looking in the wrong place. For the Queen has been living an extraordinary double life ever since her teenage years as “Lilibet.” Away from the public eye and unbeknownst to her closest friends and advisers, she has the most brilliant skill for solving crimes. With help from her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, a British Nigerian officer recently appointed to the Royal Horse Artillery, the Queen discreetly begins making inquiries. As she carries out her royal duties with her usual aplomb, no one in the Royal Household, the government, or the public knows that the resolute Elizabeth won’t hesitate to use her keen eye, quick mind, and steady nerve to bring a murderer to justice. SJ Bennett captures Queen Elizabeth’s voice with skill, nuance, wit, and genuine charm in this imaginative and engaging mystery that portrays Her Majesty as she’s rarely seen: kind yet worldly, decisive, shrewd, and, most important, a superb judge of character.




Royal Mysteries and Pretenders


Book Description




Non Extinct: A Royal Antigen Mystery


Book Description

Based on a true story in the 1980's, a virtually unknown woman (whose name has been changed to Leia Martin) became the first person to test positive of the old royal antigen since the 1950's and the only person known to test positive for it in the United States of America. From an undisclosed Kentucky medical office, Leia's blood was sent to the Mayo Clinic and later to Switzerland for testing. Leia herself denied having any kinship to royalty from the very beginning. It turned out to be a positive royal antigen, thus making her related to the bloodlines of England's Queen Victoria. It's viewed as extraordinary and mysterious since it's been extinct for many years. Thus, she becomes suspect of having a hidden royal family ancestry. Thus, she becomes trapped in a dangerous spy ring with foreigners...




The Akshaya Patra; Manasa Bhajare: Worship in the Mind


Book Description

The Akshaya Patra series is written as a book to augment books of philosophical inquiry; and to assist true inquiry in such a way, so as to inspire the Mysteries that unfold on the path of initiation. Let us begin by breaking bread together, by this first step, that we may destroy the tome of ignorance with that first principle in prayer saying; "A house that is loved is always satisfied." This house is the Temple of Self; inspired by life and the touch of nature, the Akshaya Patra throughout is filled with inner depth and determination. These first works of the Akshaya Patra, were inspired by, and dedicated to, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, whose influence was, and still is, too vast for words; and whose love has satisfied the genius in this Tomb and Tome of Time. This first book of Volume ONE begins, with the features of introductory, for taking the earliest footsteps, on the path of sacred life; dedicated to Self-Transformation. As a Tree of Knowledge is planted, its roots fan out thru many traditions, and its branches stretch to provide shelter and protection over all. Its leaves call for all to come and take their share of comfort beneath the shadows in its shade; delighted and lighted by the sun by day, and with night fascinated to discover the ringlets of the moon and stars that gave first light in the residence of space. We are THAT Time, we are that Space; we are that Consciousness. "Tat Twam Asi" ... the pursuant in pursuant search, in the sea, of supreme reality. Self-Mastery is a personal journey and there is only one friend; and that is the sacred messenger, who comes to life as the resident within. There are many years involved in coming to this writing of the Akshaya Patra Series. The examinations here have taken us to this first place in the writing; that is nothing more than the satisfaction of ethical journey, working forward from the true beginning. There are many more volumes and books to follow for us, in order to reach our destination in this vast work of self-transformation. Are we ready? Are we deserving? We have been fooled by fools maybe, and we are, or are we, the fools to dream that we are more than this fool we have come to be. We come to this knowing that we have not come to terms with our true identity. Maybe we have fed ourselves unwisely, and only broken bread that is dry, tasteless, and come unsatisfied, from drink before a shallow empty well. The Akshaya Patra Volume ONE Book ONE; entitled Manasa Bhajare: Worship in the Mind; means to satisfy. The Mind will be the first portal passed; before transitioning thru its own death and resurrection. It is here in this first book of Volume ONE that we are first entertained; breaking down our traditions that take shape into something immaterial but tangible. In all, Volume ONE alone will consist of nine books. More to be published. This is Book ONE. Seven Volumes are written and every day these are maturing waiting for release. Currently there are hiding behind this Volume ONE Book ONE about 17 books written... It is to unfold the culmination of a lifetime of work. Each Volume evolves thru seven stages of Initiation; as if passing thru seven days labor on the path towards liberation. In this it is like the Bhagavata. Our purpose, objective and ends may be summed up in the advice given in these words of Sai Baba: (True knowledge) instructs you to reform yourself first. After transforming yourself, try to reform others. That is the advice offered by Vidya (True Knowledge). The delusive attachment to the objective world can be uprooted by means of selfless service rendered as worship to the Lord. Genuine devotion is characterized by LOVE FOR ALL, at all times, everywhere. Sai Baba