The Plot to Kill a Queen by Deborah Hopkinson

The Plot to Kill a Queen by Deborah Hopkinson, Scholastic Press, 2023. 9781338660586
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4.5
Format: Paperback ARC (10/17/2023)
Genre: Historical fiction
What did you like about the book? Deborah Hopkinson is well known for her non-fiction but does not enter the realm of fiction frequently.  Here she combines a story written as a play with characters who really existed but whose exploits she has fictionalized to present a realistic view of England in the time of Shakespeare,1582. Emilia Bassano, thirteen years old, is an orphaned lute player living with the Walsinghams after the death of her father.  Sir Francis Walsingham is the secretary of state in the court of Queen Elizabeth and her spymaster. He has a daughter, Frances, two years older than Emilia.  Emilia is a very early proponent of women’s rights when women were not permitted to act in plays nor go to college.  And Emilia is fascinated by plays, intending to enter a contest which would permit the winning play to be produced for the stage.  Sir Francis has asked her to spend a month at Sheffield Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots, has been imprisoned for the past twenty-five years, posing as the lute player that she actually is, but really as a spy.  It is feared that Mary plans to have her cousin Elizabeth assassinated in order to retain her rightful role as queen.  Emilia also has her faithful companion Mouse, her little dog that accompanies her everywhere. Can Emilia uncover the plot to kill Queen Elizabeth before it is too late?
Hopkinton’s backmatter contains information about the true history of the players in the story along with additional history of that time period. There are a number of illustrations included throughout the story which add greatly to the experience. Books, websites and a timeline of actual events is also included.
Anything you did not like about the book? No.
To whom would you recommend this book? Readers who like historical fiction written in the time of Shakespeare, who like plays and stories filled with intrigue will enjoy this one.
Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries
Where would you shelve it? J fiction
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?  No.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review
Date of Review:  August 24, 2023