Upcoming Release: The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory

After having been released in Australia months ago, it is finally coming up to release time for the latest Philippa Gregory book, The Other Queen, in the UK at least. The UK release date is 21 August, whilst it is not too much longer to wait in the US where the release date is 16 September.

A dramatic novel of passion, politics and betrayal from the author of The Other Boleyn Girl, in which Mary, Queen of Scots, fights to regain her kingdom whilst under the guard of Queen Elizabeth's trusted accomplice, Bess of Hardwick Mary is Queen of Scotland but she has been forced to flee her land and take refuge in an England that is ruled by her cousin Elizabeth. But England, precarious in its Protestant state, set against the mighty powers of Spain, France and Rome, doesn't need a charismatic Catholic figurehead at large. So Elizabeth's chief advisor, Cecil, devises a plan in which Mary will live under guard with his trusted accomplice: Bess of Hardwick. Bess is a self-made woman, a shrewd survivor. She is newly married to her fourth and most distinguished husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury. But what marriage can withstand the charms of Mary? Or the threat of rebellion that she always carries? Mary must wait in her privileged imprisonment for the return to Scotland and her infant son; but waiting is not the same as doing nothing!With her characteristic combination of superb storytelling and authentic historical background, Philippa Gregory brings to life this period of great change in her final novel in the Tudor series.

You may have noticed that I said that the book was released months ago here. You might assume that might mean that I have actually read it, but it is not the case! Because I am currently trying to limit my book buying a little, I have had my name on the request list at the library since the beginning of the year. It appears as though that the library is buying their copy from the American publisher instead of the Australian publisher because it is still on order now, and the catalogue has a picture of the American cover as well!

We have previously posted a Cover Story for this book showing the two very different covers for the same book in the UK (and Australia) and the US.