A Murder for Her Majesty

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Read
Review: 'A Murder For Her Majesty', deals with a young girl who witnesses the murder of her father and must deal with men who conspire to murder her in turn. The novel is a wonderful combination of suspense and heart; Alice Tuckfield's journey in discovering who she is and where she belongs as well as all the people she encounters along the way will appeal to all readers of all ages. The book is well-written and extremely fast-paced, a great solution for boredom and leaving readers wishing for a sequel.

Rating:
Summary: I first read this at least ten years ago
Review: And I keep rereading it (I'm 25 now)!

Alice's father has been killed in a not-so-accidental hunting accident, and she overhears someone saying the Queen will be pleased. Fleeing for her life to the only person who may help her, Alice is stumbled upon (literally) by two choristers at the York cathedral. They take her in and turn her into Alister and get her enrolled in the choir school. Little do they know how near danger is...

I just read that there may be a prequel...if so, how exciting! This is a delightful book, and I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Review from a 3rd grade student
Review: I enjoyed reading the book A Murder for Her Majesty. The book is about a girl named Alice who's father is murdered. Alice goes looking for her father's friend, Lady Jenny, when a boy from a church school choir bumps into Alice, and she (or should I say "he") sets off on a adventure of a lifetime. I recommend for you to read this book, because it shows how such a little girl, can have such a great adventure.

Rating:
Summary: A fun read, but not historical
Review: I first read this book in fifth grade (now I'm a college student), and the next year I signed up for choir. I've been singing ever since! The descriptions of music opened up a whole other world I'd never particularly thought about, and without which my life would be immeasurably poorer. And if you're a kid reading this, please don't dismiss it because I make it sound boring and educational--it's really exciting!

Rating:
Summary: a great book that draws kids to music
Review: I first read this book in fifth grade (now I'm a college student), and the next year I signed up for choir. I've been singing ever since! The descriptions of music opened up a whole other world I'd never particularly thought about, and without which my life would be immeasurably poorer. And if you're a kid reading this, please don't dismiss it because I make it sound boring and educational--it's really exciting!

Rating:
Summary: What a great book!
Review: The book I read is called "A Murder for her Majesty", by Beth Hilgartner. It is set in York (England) in the 1500s. This book is about a girl named Alice who dresses up as a boy and joins the boys choir. Nobody knows that Alice is a girl (except the other choirboys). So to keep it that way, the choirboys call her "Pup".
Two months later, Father Cooper (the priest) Kidnaps Pup. What will Father Cooper do to Pup? What will Pup do? Read "A Murder for her Majesty" to find out. I liked this book because it is suspenseful and full of mystery. I also liked this book because it's about murder. This book is a bit boring at the beginning, but it gets better as you read more. I think people who like history will really like this book.

Rating:
Summary: A fun read, but not historical
Review: The book was an engrossing and enjoyable read, with sympathetic characters and, as discussed by previous reviewers, a lovely depiction of the joys of making and listening to music. However, if you're looking for historical fiction to illuminate Elizabethan England, this is most definitely not the book for you. There is so little of the period in it that it could be happening any time from the late Middle Ages to the Victorian era. As a most basic example, Alice is referred to throughout as a "girl", rather than a "maid"! (At least the author avoids the pitfall of having her characters speak in modern slang.) If you're looking for a good book that will give you a feel of life in Elizabethan times, I'd recommend A Traveller in Time, by Alison Uttley. So enjoy -- but don't expect a history lesson along with your enjoyment.

Rating:
Summary: Give your child this book, and they will love reading
Review: This is, without a doubt, the best book I've ever read. I had the pleasure of reading Ms. Hilgartner's book first when I was about twelve years old; I am now eighteen and still read it regularly. Ms. Hilgartner is an amazing author and indeed there is more to come from her.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful Reading!
Review: This was a well-writtren and enjoyable novel in which several children have intriguing adventures. While reading my fingers were always poised, ready to turn the pages and read on. Murder for her Majesty takes your mind on a journey to England. As you read this book, you will delight in a mystery that casts suspicions on the queen herself and a race against time to try to prevent yet another murder.

Rating:
Summary: Read it again and again
Review: You travel back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I. Alice Tuckfield witnesses her father's murder and is now in fear for her own life. Where can a young girl alone in the 16th century hide? How can she disappear? I just love this book and plan to reread it this summer. This story is full of music and history and sends you back to another place and time. An interesting look at life in the cathedral choirs. It makes me want to visit York someday. If you get hooked on the time period you can go on and read King of Shadows by Susan Cooper (love it) and The Shakespeare Stealer series by Gary Blackwell.