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Children's reading lists

17 must-have historical fiction books for kids

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Betrayal

The second gripping mystery featuring Lady Grace, Maid of Honour and special secret investigator to Queen Elizabeth I.

The book truly catches the feel of the royal court and the unpredictable plot leads the reader on many wild goose chases

The personal narrative, written with great attention to the details of Court life, is a fascinating and exciting read.

The reader is quickly drawn into the intrigue and chilling atmosphere of court life.

Highly recommend it to people who like mystery stories.

This is a wonderfully gripping novel that brings the Elizabethan era vividly to life. It has an ingenious plot and it's told in a way that totally immerses the reader in the story and its coloufully described characters.

This first of the Lady Grace Cavendish mysteries is gripping, full of fascinating details about the times and the people who lived in them, and superbly researched.

I found this to be a fast-paced book... the beauty of this book is that there is a glossary at the end (which is really good). There are also notes about poisons...apparel and a 'Fact Behind the Fiction' section which I really appreciated. It's nice when an author takes the time to let you in on a part of their research process and distinguishes things that could be either real or fake. All-in-all, I really liked this book.

The historical accuracy is amazing and you'll really feel that you're living the mystery with Grace.

Lady Grace Cavendish was a Maid of Honour at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. She became a ward of the court after both her parents were tragically killed in the service of the Queen.

Life as a sailor must be so exciting! But as Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth, I would never be allowed to try out my sea legs (I am supposed to be a prim and proper lady, you see). At least, that's what I thought - until my fellow Maid of Honour, Lady Sarah, disappeared. 
 
The Court believes she ran away to marry a dashing sea captain, but I just know there's something odd about that note she left behind. And as her Majesty's very own secret investigator, I, Lady Grace, must find out the truth . . .

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Conspiracy

The third brilliant mystery starring Lady Grace, Maid of Honour and special secret investigator to Queen Elizabeth I.

Usually I hate hunting, because I'm not a very good rider and I always end up on my bum. But today the hunt was very exciting, and a little scary too! Because there was almost a terrible accident - and it looks as though someone is trying to hurt the Queen. 
 
Could Her Majesty's closest friend, Robert Dudley, really be to blame? As Queen Elizabeth's favourite Maid of Honour, and her very own secret investigator, it's up to me, Lady Grace, to solve this mystery . . .

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Deception

The fourth intriguing mystery featuring Lady Grace, Maid of Honour and special secret investigator to Queen Elizabeth I.

Everyone at the Royal Court was so excited today - the marvellous Frost Fair has come to London, and we all went ice skating! But there was a terrible discovery when the body of a man was found at the edge of the frozen river. 
 
Why was he killed, and what is the meaning of the silver coins placed over his eyes? Are they a message - or a warning? As the Queen's own special investigator, I, Lady Grace, must uncover the truth . . .

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Assassin

The first in a thrilling mystery series featuring the bold, feisty Lady Grace, special secret investigator to Queen Elizabeth I.

Watch the new TV adaptation launching on the BBC in spring 2026! 
 
‘A gripping historical thriller’ Sunday Times 
 
Murder descends on a Tudor court! 
 
In spring 1569, thirteen-year-old Lady Grace, youngest lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I, must choose between three suitors at a glittering ball: kindly old Sir Charles, flashy Sir Gerald or sweet, anxious Lord Robert. The choice is easy for Grace: she doesn't want to marry any of them! 
 
When Sir Gerald is found dead after the ball, suspicion falls on Lord Robert. But Grace has noticed that Sir Charles has been acting strangely – and there is something odd about the body… 
 
With her friends Ellie the maid and Masou the acrobat, Lady Grace sets out to protect the Queen, and discover what really happened that night. 
 
A thrilling mystery series for readers 9-12, perfect for fans of Katherine Woodfine, Robin Stevens and Enola Holmes.

Lady Grace Cavendish is a Maid of Honour at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. She became a ward of the court after both her parents were tragically killed in the service of the Queen.

Watch the new TV adaptation launching on the BBC in spring 2026! 
 
Murder descends on a Tudor court! 
 
In spring 1569, thirteen-year-old Lady Grace, youngest lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I, must choose between three suitors at a glittering ball: kindly old Sir Charles, flashy Sir Gerald or sweet, anxious Lord Robert. The choice is easy for Grace: she doesn't want to marry any of them! 
 
When Sir Gerald is found dead after the ball, suspicion falls on Lord Robert. But Grace has noticed that Sir Charles has been acting strangely – and there is something odd about the body… 
 
With her friends Ellie the maid and Masou the acrobat, Lady Grace sets out to protect the Queen, and discover what really happened that night.

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Loot

A brand new title in this compelling historical series - with a brand new look! Explore the fascinating world of Queen Elizabeth I's Court.

A charming series . . . Lady Grace is an engaging heroine

The reader is quickly drawn into the intrigue and chilling atmosphere of court life

Filled with humour, charm and fun, they're an absolute must for all you amatuer sleuths out there!

Lady Grace Cavendish was a Maid of Honour at the court of Queen Elizabeth, She became a ward of court after both her parents were tragically killed in the service of the Queen. Her daybooks, written for her own pleasure, have now reached a wide audience.

When the crown jewels are stolen from a locked room in the castle right under Queen Elizabeth's nose - she's furious and asks Grace, her secret Lady Pursuivant, to investigate. This is the toughest mystery Grace has had to solve yet. The thief must be amongst them in the palace . . . Can Grace figure out their identity before it's too late?

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Keys

It's just a little bit chilling, but more often it's fun, complete with a ready wit and a challenge young readers will rise to

When the Court clockmaker, Mr Urseau, is found dead in his workshop - a dagger in his chest and a key clutched in his hand - rumours start flying. Was the murderer his young assistant? Or maybe his wife? Both could be after Urseau's private treasure. And where is the key from? What is it for? 
 
Lady Grace, Queen Elizabeth's own Lady Pursuiviant, is determined to get to the bottom of all these questions. But things get even more complicated when Grace discovers that a mysterious clock was delivered to the palace on the day Urseau was killed . . .

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Gold

A brilliantly action-packed and thrilling adventure in this sparkling historical series. Now published in paperback with a lovely new commercial look.

The seventh book in the Lady Grace Cavendish series once again gives the reader a lively picture of what life in Queen Elizabeth's court must have been like . . . This is an interesting mystery for fans of historical fiction

A great adventure that will appeal to die-hard fans and newcomers alike . . . The whole series offers pure escapism and it seems the prolific writer is not about to run out of steam

Preparations for the wedding of one of Lady Grace's fellow Maids of Honour are interrupted when a shipment of gold, on its way to the Queen, is stolen! The culprit is a single masked horseman, all in black - or is it a gang of ruffians from the forest? The clues seem to point in several different directions and Grace, as Queen Elizabeth's trusty secret Lady Pursuivant, can't make head or tail of them. Could one of the newcomers to court be involved? And will Grace be able to help recover the fortune?

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Haunted

A fabulously spooky mystery to add to this compelling historical series, featuring an intrepid Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth I. Now published in paperback with a lovely new commercial look.

The Queen and her Maids of Honour are spending the summer at a nobleman's estate, where a new manor house is being built. But the work has to stop when a mysterious spook appears. Could the ghost of a murdered Earl be haunting the site of his death? Grace begins to investigate and finds that there are many rumours about the ghost - and uncovering the truth could be dangerous . . .

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Jinx

A brand new title in this compelling historical series - now with a fabulous new look!

Lady Grace's diary entries not only describe an interesting mystery but they also give readers an intriguing picture of what court life was like during Queen Elizabeth's reign

It's the height of summer and the palace is full of ambassadors and ladies from the Spanish court. When a visit to the famous St Bartholomew's fair is planned to entertain the guests, Grace jumps at the chance to get out for the day. Not everybody feels the same though and there's a lot of superstision amongst the ladies about the gypsies, fortune tellers and herbal medicine that will be at the fair. 
 
When a mysterious fire at the fair leaves Lady Sarah injured and a gypsy woman dead, it seems the ladies were right to be worried. But was the fire started on purpose? And can Grace get to the bottom of this mystery?

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Feud

A fantastic new look paperback for this exciting sixth book in the series.

An excellent addition to the brilliant Lady Grace Mysteries series

Makes for a diverting read but is also educational for its young readers

There is much excitement at court as the famous painter Levina Teerlimc arrives to paint the Queen's portrait. 
 
The Maids of Honour are recruited to help entertain the Queen during the sittings, and to pose for the painter whilst the Queen is busy. They love being in the studio but have to beware as deadly arsenic is used in one of the paints! 
 
One of Lady Grace's fellow Maids of Honour, Carmina, begins to act rather strangely - she seems confused and always tired. Her family has recently been involved in a feud with another noble family after her father was killed in a jousting tournament - is it possible that Carmina is being poisoned? 
 
Could the painter or her assistant be involved? Can Grace solve the mystery and discover the truth behind the strange happenings at Court?

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Intrigue

A fabulously spooky mystery to add to this compelling historical series. Explore the fascinating world of Queen Elizabeth I's court within the daybooke of Lady Grace Cavendish, her favourite Maid of Honour.

A brilliant idea, brilliantly executed. Plenty of mileage left in this most excellent series and it provides so much accurate historical background, it should be compulsory reading for children!

Historical fiction written in an accessible style

The atmosphere of court life is brilliantly captured . . . One of the most promising series to be created in recent years

A PUZZLE ON THE STAGE! 
 
A new play: Intrigue, is just about to open in Whitehall. The play includes a very clever, convincing death scene, and Queen Elizabeth is desperate to see it before the rest of her country. But when the Queen and her court go to watch, the death scene is far too convincing - in fact, it's real! Richard Fitzgrey is murdered in front of the Queen! 
 
Leaf through the pages of the daybooke of Lady Grace, favourite Maid of Honour of Queen Elizabeth I, and enter a theatrical world full of mystery . . .

Grace Cavendish

This fifth book in the Lady Grace Cavendish series is thrilling and further elaborates the picture of Elizabethan life shown to us in the four previous books

A delightful mix of classic adventure and tudor history . . . Full of intrigue and humour

There's a new arrival - a mysterious and exotic young princess - at court and Lady Grace can't believe how many rumours there are about her already. 
 
The exiled Banoo Yasmine from Sharakand is a beautiful girl with a pet panther and - everyone believes - magical powers. Yasmine also possesses the renowned Heart of Kings Ruby - a huge stone that she wears around her neck to balls and feasts, that legend says has the power to make kings. 
 
When the famed jewel goes missing, the finger is pointed at Grace's dear friend Ellie the laundrymaid. Grace must prove her friend's innocence, find the true thief and restore the stone to its rightful owner.

Grace Cavendish

Praise for The Lady Grace Mysteries: Exile

A gripping historical thriller

This fifth book in the Lady Grace Cavendish series is thrilling and further elaborates the picture of Elizabethan life shown to us in the four previous books

The reader is quickly drawn into the intrigue and chilling atmosphere of court life

A gripping historical thriller

This fifth book in the Lady Grace Cavendish series is thrilling and further elaborates the picture of Elizabethan life shown to us in the four previous books

The reader is quickly drawn into the intrigue and chilling atmosphere of court life

A gripping historical thriller

This fifth book in the Lady Grace Cavendish series is thrilling and further elaborates the picture of Elizabethan life shown to us in the four previous books

The reader is quickly drawn into the intrigue and chilling atmosphere of court life

Books by Grace Cavendish

Series by Grace Cavendish

The Lady Grace Mysteries

Articles featuring Grace Cavendish

17 must-have historical fiction books for kids

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