The Princess Spy

(Paperback)

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Description

Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But then an injured man is brought to Hagenheim Castle, claiming to be an English lord who was attacked by Claybrook and left for dead. And only Margaretha-one of the few who speaks his language-understands the wild story. Margaretha finds herself unable to pass Colin's message along to her father, the duke, and convinces herself "Lord Colin" is just an addled stranger. Then Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well, and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy-not only is she unable to keep anything secret, she's sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. Though when Margaretha overhears Claybrook one day, she discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Colin but Claybrook as well. It is up to her to save her father and Hagenheim itself from Claybrook's wicked plot.

Reviews

Margaretha is the daughter of a fifteenth-century German duke, and her family and acquaintances have always noted not only her penchant for talking incessantly but also her deeply romantic nature. She is looking forward to finding her one true love, and she thinks it might be her latest suitor, Lord Claypool. In a chance meeting with Colin, an Englishman come to the continent claiming that Claypool has murdered good people and seeking justice, Margaretha learns not only that her suitor may not be as honorable as she thought but also that she can successfully pare down her chattiness, keep an important secret, and help take righteous action. She and Colin join forces in a well-paced adventure that pits good against evil, features a strong and credible young woman, and relies on accurate social history in its Christian orientation. Margaretha's sensations, expectations, and fears are all evoked realistically, making this a good choice for readers who loved Katherine Paterson's Lyddie (1991) or Karen Cushman's Catherine, Called Birdy (1994) and are now ready for more romance. --- Francisca Goldsmith Booklist

Author Bio

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer's Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader's Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.