The Locksmith's Daughter: A Novel - Softcover

Brooks, Karen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0062686577 ISBN 13: 9780062686572

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, 2018

Synopsis

From acclaimed author Karen Brooks comes this intriguing novel rich in historical detail and drama as it tells the unforgettable story of Queen Elizabeth's daring, ruthless spymaster and his female protégée.

In Queen Elizabeth's England, where no one can be trusted and secrets are currency, one woman stands without fear.

Mallory Bright is the only daughter of London's most ingenious locksmith. She has apprenticed with her father since childhood, and there is no lock too elaborate for her to crack. After scandal destroys her reputation, Mallory has returned to her father's home and lives almost as a recluse, ignoring the whispers and gossip of their neighbors. But Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth's spymaster and a frequent client of Mallory's father, draws her into his world of danger and deception. For the locksmith's daughter is not only good at cracking locks, she also has a talent for codes, spycraft, and intrigue. With Mallory by Sir Francis’s side, no scheme in England or abroad is safe from discovery.

But Mallory's loyalty wavers when she witnesses the brutal and bloody public execution of three Jesuit priests and realizes the human cost of her espionage. And later, when she discovers the identity of a Catholic spy and a conspiracy that threatens the kingdom, she is forced to choose between her country and her heart.

Once Sir Francis's greatest asset, Mallory is fast becoming his worst threat—and there is only one way the Queen’s master spy deals with his enemies...

 

About this title

From the Back Cover

The unforgettable story of Queen Elizabeth’s ruthless spymaster and his daring protégée

Mallory Bright is the only daughter of London’s most ingenious locksmith and has apprenticed with her father since childhood. After scandal destroys her reputation, Mallory has returned to her father’s home and lives almost as a recluse, ignoring the whispers of their neighbors. But Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster and a frequent client of Mallory’s father, sees potential in Mallory and draws her into his world of danger and deception. The locksmith’s daughter is not only good at cracking locks, he discovers, she also has a talent for codes, spycraft and intrigue. With Mallory at his service, no scheme in England or abroad is safe from discovery.

But Mallory’s loyalty wavers when she witnesses the brutal and bloody public execution of three Jesuit priests and realizes the human cost of her espionage. And later, when she discovers the identity of a Catholic spy and a conspiracy that threatens the kingdom, she is forced to choose between her country and her heart.

Once Sir Francis’s greatest asset, Mallory is fast becoming his worst threat—and there is only one way the Queen’s spymaster deals with his enemies . . .

About the Author

Australian-born Karen Brooks is the author of nine novels, an academic, a newspaper columnist and social comentator, and has appeared regularly on national TV and radio. Before turning to academia, she was an army officer, and dabbled in acting. She lives in Hobart, Tasmania.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0062686577
• ISBN 13: 9780062686572
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 576