Rating: 
Summary: A brilliant rethinking of an historical misconception
Review: It doesn't matter if you love mysteries or hate them, you simply must read The Daughter of Time. This is a brilliantly written novel calling into question the legend of Richard III of England as fabricated by his enemies - a hunchback, a killer of innocents and an incarnation of evil. Thoroughly researched and impeccably written, it provides not only a refresher course in English history, but in how all history is created.
Rating:
Summary: Nice popularization of history
Review: Nicely told story of how a modern-day detective using instinct and common sense unravels the defamation of England's King Richard III. Unfortunately the alternate suspect proposed for the murder of his nephews is probably not the guilty party; the most likely suspect, Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, is only mentioned in passing. Also some evidence is now outdated. Still, a nicely told rebuke to the traditionalists and Shakepeare for perpetuating the defamation of a man who might have become one of England's greatest and most humane monarchs.
Rating:
Summary: If you love a good mystery...try this...it's different
Review: After having enjoyed Josephine Tey's other mysteries, I stumbled on the Daughter of Time. Inspector Grant at his absolute best! He's stuck in hospital flat on his back and spends his time trying to solve the enigma of Richard III. Was he as evil as most historians say, or was his reputation the result of Tudor propaganda? It's a delightful read...and historically rather well researched. Only thing I didn't like was that it was too short
Rating:
Summary: A Detective Yarn with King Richard III as Chief Suspect !
Review: I was given this book as a present and it sat on my shelves
for many years before I peeked inside. A couple of hundred
pages later it had taken its place in my personal top ten of
books.
My first impression was of a whodunnit peopled with
endearingly ordinary characters thrown together by one of
life's minor calamities. By the time I reached the end I
was ready to question the veracity of every snippet of
sanitised history I had absorbed, unquestioningly, in my
school days. And as for Richard III...well, see for yourself
Rating:
Summary: Essential reading for anyone who likes history...
Review: ...Or for anyone who thinks that they don't.What happens when a bored detective meets a postcard of an evil man? What happens when he decides that the man doesn't look so evil? A fascinating search into revisionist history, that's what! Alan Grant, detective extraordinaire, is laid up in the hospital when he comes across a picture of Richard III. You know, the ugly, hunchbacked guy who murdered his nephews, usurped their throne, and then yelled "My kingdom for a horse!" before dying his much-deserved death at the hands of Henry VII. The only problem is that Alan, who is never wrong about a face, thinks that Richard looks like a pretty decent guy. With the help of a few intrepid assistants who have access to the outside world, he decides to unravel the mystery of the Princes in the Tower. He must first work through 500 years of propaganda, lies, and questionable historical research. Is this book the end-all of the pro-Richard v. anti-Richard debate? No. It's not a traditional history, and should not be taken as such. It is a very fun detective story that opens up a fascinating window of how and why historians work, and will inspire anyone who reads it to think twice before taking any history at face value. Although anyone who loves history will adore this book, I think that it would also be a great book for someone who DOESN'T like history, such as a high school student who is bored to tears trying to memorize lists of names and dates. This book is a fun and quick read that shows how history is not quite as dry or as simple as our textbooks always taught us.
Rating: 
Summary: Scotland Yard is on the Case!
Review: Mysteries are usually not my proverbial cup of tea, however the premise of this story is, the Scotland Yard detective layed-up in hospital, devealing into a historical mystery, to keep bordam at bay. After looking at some photographs and portraits, he is drawn by a portrait of Richard III, and recalls the story of the murder of the Princes in the Tower, which has been historically laid at his feet.
While this book was written I think in the 1950s and is not up to our modern CSI style of whodunnit, it does show a more modern way of thinking about motives, and questioning supposedly sound historical commentary.
Rating:
Summary: What a treasure!
Review: Oh my god!! I am SO in love with this book. Josephine Tey, where have you been all my life?!? I'm so glad I have now discovered this author (she published under the pseudonym of Gordon Daviot as well). I totally ate this book up. Yum!! Oh, Richard III, I'm so glad I got this chance to learn so much about you. Shame on Shakespeare and Sir Thomas More for maligning him all these years. This was just such a treasure, I was so thoroughly hooked. I loved the way the characters were written, and I was in great suspense while reading this book (even though my friend felt that the "suspense" part would only really apply if you were British royalty, I still cared immensely)
Rating:
Summary: much beloved by readers
Review: Josephine Tey's detective novel, "Daughter of Time", was first published in 1950s. Since then, this book has attained a kind of cult status among readers of British mysteries, especially those with an interest in history. I heard the book favorably mentioned for years, finally found time to read it, and realized the hype is not overdone.
The narrative tone is a little---but noticeably--different in tone from current books of the genre; it is perhaps slightly more formal, more cerebral. The reader is soon aware of the author's carefully chosen words and wit, and senses that here is a rewarding leisure-time read.
I won't reveal the plot of the book or spoil any of the mystery except to say that Richard III is presented here in a new, entirely plausible view. Facts, inductive intuition, and a good understanding of human character and motives,unite to aid the detective, who is stuck in bed recovering from an injury, to reach his conclusions.
A great read to savor and enjoy---highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Time Well Spent
Review: I read this story a few years ago and would reccommend it to any history class as an example of history made interesting.
The story is pretty simple. I do not know how she came upon it, but, all in all, she does a fantastic job setting up the situation and then bringing in the mystery, seemingly from left field.
Her examination of the evidence leaves no doubt about the guilt and innocence of the those involved. As it turns out (I forget if it is mentioned in this book or elsewhere) a lot of history has been written correcting the popular fable, but the popular fable keeps on keeping on.
It is quaint that Ms. Tey mentions Shakespeare's "Richard III" in another book, "Miss Pym Disposes", “criminal libel on a fine man, a blatant piece of political propaganda, and an extremely silly play”.
Ms. Tey's writing style is very English. She reads very easily and correctly. I have been reading some of Ruyard Kipling's work recently and it reads the same. These stories by British authors are fun and easy to read.
Rating:
Summary: Miss Tey Takes on History
Review: From his hospital bed, Scotland Yard detective Alan Grant is intrigued by a portrait of Richard III, the humpback, the child murderer. Grant is impatient with himself for thinking that the notorious king looks more like a judge than a criminal.
So from his bed, and with a little help from American student Brent Carradine, Grant takes on history, and researches the case with a detective's eye.
Richard is innocent, he decides. Bit by bit, like drops of cream in coffee, Tey introduces the facts of the case-- not what people said, or reported long after the fact, but what they did.
This is by far one of the best, if not the best, mysteries from that great fount of paperback mysteries, England. This book is the definition of "page-turner." People who know nothing of Richard III, and have never cared really, whether the historical rcerd is correct, will not only be fascinated by this story, but will, after putting it down, be ready to carry the banner of Richard's innocence.
One warning: do not begin this book late in the day. You will probably want to read it cover-to-cover, so if you do not start reading early enough, you will end up losing a night's sleep.
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