Joseph Delaney used to be an English teacher, before becoming the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

Joseph Delaney

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Grace Cavendish

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: Assassin

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: Feud

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: Keys

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: Haunted

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.

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Exile

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: Gold

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: Loot

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