Cara/Andrea here, Today I'm delighted to welcome back my dear friend Amanda McCabe, a favorite with many of our readers for her scintillating Regency romances for both Signet and Harlequin. But today she's wearing her Tudor velvets and jewels as she tells us a little about her historical mystery series, written as Amanda Carmack, set in the court of Queen Elizabeth. (Those of you who haven't read them are in for a treat!) Amanda loves historical detail as much as we do, so without further ado, I shall let her fill you in on some of the fun details behind Murder In The Queen's Garden, her latest release.
Amanda here, Kate Haywood and her adventures are, of course, a work of imagination (even though she often feels like a real friend to me, after I've been lucky enough to follow her through three books!). But one of the fun “perks” of writing, I've always found, is the research. The chance to jump into a time hundreds of years in the past, discover the people and places and events, and try to make it feel “real” again—I love all of that.
Ever since I did a history report on Anne Boleyn in elementary school (complete with costume and a lute made of cardboard!), the Tudor era has held a special fascination for me. It was an exciting time of enormous social and political change, as well as amazing artistic achievement (especially in poetry and the theater) at a level beyond anything before or since. Bawdy, colorful, fast-paced, and populated by so many fascinating characters, what's not to love??
I also discover new things every time I happily dive into my research library. For Murder in the Queen's Garden, I loved exploring the worlds of the Elizabethan fascination with astrology and the occult; the intriguing figure of Dr. John Dee; and the gorgeous (and now sadly vanished) Nonsuch Palace.
The building of Nonsuch Palace, in Surrey, started on April 22, 1538, about six months after Prince Edward was born, but it took several years to complete. In fact, it was still incomplete when Henry VIII died in 1547. It was meant to compete with the glorious chateaus of France, and cost over 24,000 pounds to construct (almost 
104 million today!). Though it was a simple layout, built around two inner courtyards, with a fortified gatehouse and several outer courtyards, it was gorgeously decorated with elaborate ornamental, stucco panels depicting classical gods and goddesses, and tall octagonal towers at every corner that gave it a “fairy tale” look. The gardens were said to be some of the most beautiful in England.
After Henry's death, the palace lay neglected for some time, until Queen Mary sold it to Lord Arundel, one of the richest noblemen in England, in 1556. Queen Elizabeth managed to buy it back in the 1580s, but it met a sad fate. Charles II gave it to his favorite mistress, 
Barbara Castlemaine, who tore it down to pay some gambling debts in 1682. It was excavated in 1959, and there is a lovely scale model of it that I used for much research. (I am not sure King Henry actually brought Catherine Howard there in 1541, but they did go on a long progress. Wouldn't he have wanted to show it off to her?? Queen Elizabeth did visit in the summer of 1559, where Lord Arundel hoped to persuade her to marry him. It was always a vain hope, poor man…)
I hope you enjoy exploring Nonsuch Palace with Kate as much as I did! For more “behind the book” info, visit my website, http://amandacarmack.com. I'm also on Facebook, and (way too often) on Pinterest.
If you could visit any site in history, what would it be? Amanda will be giving away a copy of her new book to one reader, chosen at random, who leaves a comment here between now and Wednesday at midnight.
Thanks so much for visiting, Amanda! Nonesuch Palace sounds amazing. One of my dream visits is Istanbul. There’s so much incredible history in that city—I’m sure I could spend days wandering around looking at all the fascinating places.
Thanks so much for visiting, Amanda! Nonesuch Palace sounds amazing. One of my dream visits is Istanbul. There’s so much incredible history in that city—I’m sure I could spend days wandering around looking at all the fascinating places.
Thanks so much for visiting, Amanda! Nonesuch Palace sounds amazing. One of my dream visits is Istanbul. There’s so much incredible history in that city—I’m sure I could spend days wandering around looking at all the fascinating places.
Thanks so much for visiting, Amanda! Nonesuch Palace sounds amazing. One of my dream visits is Istanbul. There’s so much incredible history in that city—I’m sure I could spend days wandering around looking at all the fascinating places.
Thanks so much for visiting, Amanda! Nonesuch Palace sounds amazing. One of my dream visits is Istanbul. There’s so much incredible history in that city—I’m sure I could spend days wandering around looking at all the fascinating places.
Fascinating, Amanda. I didn’t know that about Barbara Castlemaine. She really was a piece of work.
Jo
Fascinating, Amanda. I didn’t know that about Barbara Castlemaine. She really was a piece of work.
Jo
Fascinating, Amanda. I didn’t know that about Barbara Castlemaine. She really was a piece of work.
Jo
Fascinating, Amanda. I didn’t know that about Barbara Castlemaine. She really was a piece of work.
Jo
Fascinating, Amanda. I didn’t know that about Barbara Castlemaine. She really was a piece of work.
Jo
Thanks so much for having me here today!! i loved writing this book, and imagining a summer visit to Nonsuch with Queen Elizabeth. It must have been an amazing, fairy-tale place. (and I totally agree about Barbara Castlemaine! Give her a fabulous castle, and what does she do? Pull it down for parts! Though Nonsuch was way past its heyday by then…)
Thanks so much for having me here today!! i loved writing this book, and imagining a summer visit to Nonsuch with Queen Elizabeth. It must have been an amazing, fairy-tale place. (and I totally agree about Barbara Castlemaine! Give her a fabulous castle, and what does she do? Pull it down for parts! Though Nonsuch was way past its heyday by then…)
Thanks so much for having me here today!! i loved writing this book, and imagining a summer visit to Nonsuch with Queen Elizabeth. It must have been an amazing, fairy-tale place. (and I totally agree about Barbara Castlemaine! Give her a fabulous castle, and what does she do? Pull it down for parts! Though Nonsuch was way past its heyday by then…)
Thanks so much for having me here today!! i loved writing this book, and imagining a summer visit to Nonsuch with Queen Elizabeth. It must have been an amazing, fairy-tale place. (and I totally agree about Barbara Castlemaine! Give her a fabulous castle, and what does she do? Pull it down for parts! Though Nonsuch was way past its heyday by then…)
Thanks so much for having me here today!! i loved writing this book, and imagining a summer visit to Nonsuch with Queen Elizabeth. It must have been an amazing, fairy-tale place. (and I totally agree about Barbara Castlemaine! Give her a fabulous castle, and what does she do? Pull it down for parts! Though Nonsuch was way past its heyday by then…)
Welcome to the Word Wenches, Amanda. I love historical murder mysteries — I started reading them years ago with Ellis Peters and the Cadfael books. Looking forward to reading yours. The Tudor period is a fascinating one.
Welcome to the Word Wenches, Amanda. I love historical murder mysteries — I started reading them years ago with Ellis Peters and the Cadfael books. Looking forward to reading yours. The Tudor period is a fascinating one.
Welcome to the Word Wenches, Amanda. I love historical murder mysteries — I started reading them years ago with Ellis Peters and the Cadfael books. Looking forward to reading yours. The Tudor period is a fascinating one.
Welcome to the Word Wenches, Amanda. I love historical murder mysteries — I started reading them years ago with Ellis Peters and the Cadfael books. Looking forward to reading yours. The Tudor period is a fascinating one.
Welcome to the Word Wenches, Amanda. I love historical murder mysteries — I started reading them years ago with Ellis Peters and the Cadfael books. Looking forward to reading yours. The Tudor period is a fascinating one.
Thanks for giving me a few more facts about Nonsuch Palace. One of my favorite keeper books is one that features Nonsuch Palace as a major “character” in the development of the plot. It is a cross between romance/historical/modern/reincarnation. It is The Nonsuch Lure by Mary Luke, first printed in 1976.
An architect (Andrew) finds a diary by a young man (Julian) written in 1699/1700. He decides to look into it. He ends up staying at a small hotel in London that Julian had stayed in when it was a private home.
And there he sees and becomes obsessed with the same portrait that Julian had become obsessed with in Williamsburg. He ends up doing research as to who it was a portrait of.
There is a lot about the history of the Cuddington family who were the original owners of the land that King Henry the VIII confiscated the land from. So on and so forth.
Eventually he finds his own flesh and blood version of the portrait. This sounds like a weird book but it is actually very well written and flows very nicely. I’ve only read it 10 or 12 times (grin).
Thanks for giving me a few more facts about Nonsuch Palace. One of my favorite keeper books is one that features Nonsuch Palace as a major “character” in the development of the plot. It is a cross between romance/historical/modern/reincarnation. It is The Nonsuch Lure by Mary Luke, first printed in 1976.
An architect (Andrew) finds a diary by a young man (Julian) written in 1699/1700. He decides to look into it. He ends up staying at a small hotel in London that Julian had stayed in when it was a private home.
And there he sees and becomes obsessed with the same portrait that Julian had become obsessed with in Williamsburg. He ends up doing research as to who it was a portrait of.
There is a lot about the history of the Cuddington family who were the original owners of the land that King Henry the VIII confiscated the land from. So on and so forth.
Eventually he finds his own flesh and blood version of the portrait. This sounds like a weird book but it is actually very well written and flows very nicely. I’ve only read it 10 or 12 times (grin).
Thanks for giving me a few more facts about Nonsuch Palace. One of my favorite keeper books is one that features Nonsuch Palace as a major “character” in the development of the plot. It is a cross between romance/historical/modern/reincarnation. It is The Nonsuch Lure by Mary Luke, first printed in 1976.
An architect (Andrew) finds a diary by a young man (Julian) written in 1699/1700. He decides to look into it. He ends up staying at a small hotel in London that Julian had stayed in when it was a private home.
And there he sees and becomes obsessed with the same portrait that Julian had become obsessed with in Williamsburg. He ends up doing research as to who it was a portrait of.
There is a lot about the history of the Cuddington family who were the original owners of the land that King Henry the VIII confiscated the land from. So on and so forth.
Eventually he finds his own flesh and blood version of the portrait. This sounds like a weird book but it is actually very well written and flows very nicely. I’ve only read it 10 or 12 times (grin).
Thanks for giving me a few more facts about Nonsuch Palace. One of my favorite keeper books is one that features Nonsuch Palace as a major “character” in the development of the plot. It is a cross between romance/historical/modern/reincarnation. It is The Nonsuch Lure by Mary Luke, first printed in 1976.
An architect (Andrew) finds a diary by a young man (Julian) written in 1699/1700. He decides to look into it. He ends up staying at a small hotel in London that Julian had stayed in when it was a private home.
And there he sees and becomes obsessed with the same portrait that Julian had become obsessed with in Williamsburg. He ends up doing research as to who it was a portrait of.
There is a lot about the history of the Cuddington family who were the original owners of the land that King Henry the VIII confiscated the land from. So on and so forth.
Eventually he finds his own flesh and blood version of the portrait. This sounds like a weird book but it is actually very well written and flows very nicely. I’ve only read it 10 or 12 times (grin).
Thanks for giving me a few more facts about Nonsuch Palace. One of my favorite keeper books is one that features Nonsuch Palace as a major “character” in the development of the plot. It is a cross between romance/historical/modern/reincarnation. It is The Nonsuch Lure by Mary Luke, first printed in 1976.
An architect (Andrew) finds a diary by a young man (Julian) written in 1699/1700. He decides to look into it. He ends up staying at a small hotel in London that Julian had stayed in when it was a private home.
And there he sees and becomes obsessed with the same portrait that Julian had become obsessed with in Williamsburg. He ends up doing research as to who it was a portrait of.
There is a lot about the history of the Cuddington family who were the original owners of the land that King Henry the VIII confiscated the land from. So on and so forth.
Eventually he finds his own flesh and blood version of the portrait. This sounds like a weird book but it is actually very well written and flows very nicely. I’ve only read it 10 or 12 times (grin).
That should say confiscated the land to build Nonsuch Palace….
That should say confiscated the land to build Nonsuch Palace….
That should say confiscated the land to build Nonsuch Palace….
That should say confiscated the land to build Nonsuch Palace….
That should say confiscated the land to build Nonsuch Palace….
I read a book about the Nonesuch years ago. Castlemaine sold off the decorations piecemeal to raise money. Similar things happen to old buildings in this country, oddly many of them banks. Locally, a preservation group halted the sale/demo of a bank building, but when they gained entry they discovered the magnificent central staircase had already been removed! Under cover of night, obviously.
I read a book about the Nonesuch years ago. Castlemaine sold off the decorations piecemeal to raise money. Similar things happen to old buildings in this country, oddly many of them banks. Locally, a preservation group halted the sale/demo of a bank building, but when they gained entry they discovered the magnificent central staircase had already been removed! Under cover of night, obviously.
I read a book about the Nonesuch years ago. Castlemaine sold off the decorations piecemeal to raise money. Similar things happen to old buildings in this country, oddly many of them banks. Locally, a preservation group halted the sale/demo of a bank building, but when they gained entry they discovered the magnificent central staircase had already been removed! Under cover of night, obviously.
I read a book about the Nonesuch years ago. Castlemaine sold off the decorations piecemeal to raise money. Similar things happen to old buildings in this country, oddly many of them banks. Locally, a preservation group halted the sale/demo of a bank building, but when they gained entry they discovered the magnificent central staircase had already been removed! Under cover of night, obviously.
I read a book about the Nonesuch years ago. Castlemaine sold off the decorations piecemeal to raise money. Similar things happen to old buildings in this country, oddly many of them banks. Locally, a preservation group halted the sale/demo of a bank building, but when they gained entry they discovered the magnificent central staircase had already been removed! Under cover of night, obviously.
Sounds like a very fascinating book, Vicki!
Sounds like a very fascinating book, Vicki!
Sounds like a very fascinating book, Vicki!
Sounds like a very fascinating book, Vicki!
Sounds like a very fascinating book, Vicki!
Yes, isn’t it terrible to see such stately buildings cut up and sold, Artemisia? Banks usually had such wonderful marble interiors, designed to feel timeless and lasting. Nothing is built like that anymore, so it’s important to preserve it both historically and architecturally.
Yes, isn’t it terrible to see such stately buildings cut up and sold, Artemisia? Banks usually had such wonderful marble interiors, designed to feel timeless and lasting. Nothing is built like that anymore, so it’s important to preserve it both historically and architecturally.
Yes, isn’t it terrible to see such stately buildings cut up and sold, Artemisia? Banks usually had such wonderful marble interiors, designed to feel timeless and lasting. Nothing is built like that anymore, so it’s important to preserve it both historically and architecturally.
Yes, isn’t it terrible to see such stately buildings cut up and sold, Artemisia? Banks usually had such wonderful marble interiors, designed to feel timeless and lasting. Nothing is built like that anymore, so it’s important to preserve it both historically and architecturally.
Yes, isn’t it terrible to see such stately buildings cut up and sold, Artemisia? Banks usually had such wonderful marble interiors, designed to feel timeless and lasting. Nothing is built like that anymore, so it’s important to preserve it both historically and architecturally.
Amanda, how fascinating! (And I’d have like to see that school report with the cardboard lute. *G*)
Not being familiar with the Tudor period, I knew nothing about Nonsuch Palace–yet interestingly, I did read The Nonsuch Lure. I don’t remember much about it, but given that it’s been several decades, it says something about the book that I remember the title if not much else.
It sounds like you’re having a wonderful time with the Tudor! Now I’ll have to hunt down this new identity of yours. *G* Thanks for visiting the Wenches again!
Amanda, how fascinating! (And I’d have like to see that school report with the cardboard lute. *G*)
Not being familiar with the Tudor period, I knew nothing about Nonsuch Palace–yet interestingly, I did read The Nonsuch Lure. I don’t remember much about it, but given that it’s been several decades, it says something about the book that I remember the title if not much else.
It sounds like you’re having a wonderful time with the Tudor! Now I’ll have to hunt down this new identity of yours. *G* Thanks for visiting the Wenches again!
Amanda, how fascinating! (And I’d have like to see that school report with the cardboard lute. *G*)
Not being familiar with the Tudor period, I knew nothing about Nonsuch Palace–yet interestingly, I did read The Nonsuch Lure. I don’t remember much about it, but given that it’s been several decades, it says something about the book that I remember the title if not much else.
It sounds like you’re having a wonderful time with the Tudor! Now I’ll have to hunt down this new identity of yours. *G* Thanks for visiting the Wenches again!
Amanda, how fascinating! (And I’d have like to see that school report with the cardboard lute. *G*)
Not being familiar with the Tudor period, I knew nothing about Nonsuch Palace–yet interestingly, I did read The Nonsuch Lure. I don’t remember much about it, but given that it’s been several decades, it says something about the book that I remember the title if not much else.
It sounds like you’re having a wonderful time with the Tudor! Now I’ll have to hunt down this new identity of yours. *G* Thanks for visiting the Wenches again!
Amanda, how fascinating! (And I’d have like to see that school report with the cardboard lute. *G*)
Not being familiar with the Tudor period, I knew nothing about Nonsuch Palace–yet interestingly, I did read The Nonsuch Lure. I don’t remember much about it, but given that it’s been several decades, it says something about the book that I remember the title if not much else.
It sounds like you’re having a wonderful time with the Tudor! Now I’ll have to hunt down this new identity of yours. *G* Thanks for visiting the Wenches again!
If I could visit any site in history it would be The Tower of London.
If I could visit any site in history it would be The Tower of London.
If I could visit any site in history it would be The Tower of London.
If I could visit any site in history it would be The Tower of London.
If I could visit any site in history it would be The Tower of London.
I thank you for the information on Nonsuch Palace. I hve been a fan of Elizabeth I for quite sometime. She was such a complicated woman.
For me, the historical site would be a toss up – Tower of London – one of the people who are in my family background escaped – his wife helped him disguise himself as a woman. (Can you imagine that discussion? “You want me to do what?”)
The other place I think would be Bath. It seems so many of the stories I have read make it sound like a truly lovely and peaceful place to visit.
I thank you for the information on Nonsuch Palace. I hve been a fan of Elizabeth I for quite sometime. She was such a complicated woman.
For me, the historical site would be a toss up – Tower of London – one of the people who are in my family background escaped – his wife helped him disguise himself as a woman. (Can you imagine that discussion? “You want me to do what?”)
The other place I think would be Bath. It seems so many of the stories I have read make it sound like a truly lovely and peaceful place to visit.
I thank you for the information on Nonsuch Palace. I hve been a fan of Elizabeth I for quite sometime. She was such a complicated woman.
For me, the historical site would be a toss up – Tower of London – one of the people who are in my family background escaped – his wife helped him disguise himself as a woman. (Can you imagine that discussion? “You want me to do what?”)
The other place I think would be Bath. It seems so many of the stories I have read make it sound like a truly lovely and peaceful place to visit.
I thank you for the information on Nonsuch Palace. I hve been a fan of Elizabeth I for quite sometime. She was such a complicated woman.
For me, the historical site would be a toss up – Tower of London – one of the people who are in my family background escaped – his wife helped him disguise himself as a woman. (Can you imagine that discussion? “You want me to do what?”)
The other place I think would be Bath. It seems so many of the stories I have read make it sound like a truly lovely and peaceful place to visit.
I thank you for the information on Nonsuch Palace. I hve been a fan of Elizabeth I for quite sometime. She was such a complicated woman.
For me, the historical site would be a toss up – Tower of London – one of the people who are in my family background escaped – his wife helped him disguise himself as a woman. (Can you imagine that discussion? “You want me to do what?”)
The other place I think would be Bath. It seems so many of the stories I have read make it sound like a truly lovely and peaceful place to visit.
I’ve enjoyed some of Amanda’s Harlequin historicals, but I had no idea she wrote historical mysteries too. I’m definitely going to check those out. The historic building that I would love to visit is Alhambra Palace in Spain.
I’ve enjoyed some of Amanda’s Harlequin historicals, but I had no idea she wrote historical mysteries too. I’m definitely going to check those out. The historic building that I would love to visit is Alhambra Palace in Spain.
I’ve enjoyed some of Amanda’s Harlequin historicals, but I had no idea she wrote historical mysteries too. I’m definitely going to check those out. The historic building that I would love to visit is Alhambra Palace in Spain.
I’ve enjoyed some of Amanda’s Harlequin historicals, but I had no idea she wrote historical mysteries too. I’m definitely going to check those out. The historic building that I would love to visit is Alhambra Palace in Spain.
I’ve enjoyed some of Amanda’s Harlequin historicals, but I had no idea she wrote historical mysteries too. I’m definitely going to check those out. The historic building that I would love to visit is Alhambra Palace in Spain.
I would most like to visit present day London. It would definitely be a dream come true. Also I can’t wait to read “Murder in the Queens Garden!!!
I would most like to visit present day London. It would definitely be a dream come true. Also I can’t wait to read “Murder in the Queens Garden!!!
I would most like to visit present day London. It would definitely be a dream come true. Also I can’t wait to read “Murder in the Queens Garden!!!
I would most like to visit present day London. It would definitely be a dream come true. Also I can’t wait to read “Murder in the Queens Garden!!!
I would most like to visit present day London. It would definitely be a dream come true. Also I can’t wait to read “Murder in the Queens Garden!!!