The Deception of Consequences

Historical Mysteries Collection #8

by Barbara Gaskell Denvil

This is an alternate cover edition for B06XFY6X62

Richard Wolfdon, is one of the wealthiest men in England, and occasional adviser to King Henry VIII, yet he finds there is no challenge in his everyday life. He is utterly bored.
Jemima’s father died at sea, now she must give up her home and money to her vile cousin. But the discovery of three mummified bodies in the attic brings Richard Wolfdon into her life. He intends to delve deeper, and discover the identity of the victims, and more especially of the murderer.
But on becoming better acquainted, Richard promptly falls in love. And soon realises that life is not tedious at all, and with murder and love both filling his mind with questions and delight, life soon proves absolutely glorious.
Nothing however, is ever quite that simple. With a treasure hunt into the south of England, attacks from bandits and pirates, kidnapping and invasions, there is far more to face and one adventure chases another. Who is dead and who alive? Who is hero and who villain? And with the squabbles of one man’s six voluptuous mistresses to manage – or ignore – Richard wonders if tedium was the easiest option after all.
This book brings Henry VIII and his second unfortunate wife Anne Boleyn into the plot, and with historical accuracy, defines the events that marked the end of Anne’s life. Surrounding these traumas is the fictional story of Richard Wolfdonn, Jemima Thripp and the convoluted adventure which brings them together with many twists and turns within the vivid excesses of Tudor England.

Genres: Historical Fiction

493 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2018

About the author

I was born approximately two hundred years ago (It sometimes feels that way) in Gloucestershire, England, right in the heart of the Cotswolds. After a few years, I moved to London and fell in love with the history which oozes through the old stones, and the medieval atmosphere leaks from the beautiful old buildings. For many years, I walked the old cobbled lanes and researched the 15th century from original sources, and the books in the British Museum. I worked there in the Department of Ancient Documents, a place which I adored, full of scrolls illuminated by medieval monks, and hordes of informative parchments.

My father was an academic and playwright, my mother was a retired teacher, and my sister was an author of fantasy. I had no other passion except the arts, and books

Already a passionate reader half-crazed by the avid consumption of literature, I had grown out of Enid Blyton when I was about six. Next came a passion for Georgette Heyer, although far too young to understand romance. Once again it was the historical details I loved and I moved quickly onto Shakespeare, Dorothy Dunnett, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and a host of others.

I started writing. Nonsense naturally! But I kept it up and eventually write articles and short stories for current magazines and newspapers. I was also a tutor for scriptwriting, and a reviewer for Books and Bookmen. That kept me busy until I married. A husband and three little girls (including identical twins) were a full-time job, and for most of the time I also worked at secretarial jobs, keeping the threat of starvation at bay and paying for the baked beans.

After leaving my husband, I started writing again but this time I was distracted by something different, as I had a wonderful 18-year romance with a man who lived on his yacht in the Mediterranean, sailing during spring, summer, and autumn, and exploring Europe by car in winter.

My partner died, and I was bereft, deciding to come to Australia for a change instead of sitting around in stagnant tears. Writing again, and seriously this time, I wrote full length books in all my favourite genres. I was accepted by one of the big top 5 publishers, and two of my historical crime/mysteries were published in the traditional manner. However, although I was reasonably well paid and sold reasonably well, I also found myself disliking the control system. I had to write as commanded, insert bucket loads more romance, accept covers I hated, and generally do as I was told.

Now, happy and free, I self-publish, and enjoy every minute of my writing. I live in Australia, adore the weather, the birds and the wildlife, and live a placid life during the day and a wonderfully exciting one in my dreams at night.

I have written fantasy and historical fiction. Very different genres, but all are crime mysteries in one way or another. I have almost finished my children’s series (Bannister’s Muster series, for middle-grade children), no crime here, but a vibrant mixture of history and fantasy. After this is complete I am moving onto a series of modern crime mysteries, and I’m looking forward to that.

Writing is and always has been my passion, now that I am able to do this full time, I am in my element and life couldn’t be better (a little more sunshine might help though).

Reviews

[Cindy Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective

There are many versions of Ann Boleyn's short life and eventual execution as the queen consort of Henry VIII. This plot is a rather new take on the history if her life as queen and unfortunate wife of this king. I have to admit it is very likely scenario of what transpired. The surrounding plot is pretty good. I enjoyed reading the book as author Denvil makes it adventure-filled and interesting using a fast-paced story. I wasn't bored with a lot of overwritten history here. Of course, the nature of the historical events surrounding the first ever queen of England's execution is astounding no matter what your perspective might be.
I would recommend to readers of historical romance novels as uniquely different.

[Kathy Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Denvil has moved from the late Yorkist period into the Tudor era. She uses an old murder mystery to wrap around Henry VIII's machinations to rid himself of Queen Anne Boleyn in order to marry Jane Seymour. The main character Jemima, daughter of a piratical trader, is raised in the house where three long murdered bodies are found. She is dispossessed by a conniving cousin, but is rescued by an occasional advisor to the king, Richard Wolfdon, who has a personal interest in the murders. This is a long, complicated story in which we meet both fictional and historical figures, including King Henry, Queen Anne, Thomas Cromwell, and the Duke of Norfolk. There are three relationships among the characters--Richard and Jemima, Henry and Anne, and Jemima's father and his six(!) mistresses. Unlike Denvil's previous historical novels, which grimly portray living conditions during this time period, this novel has a lot of descriptions of nature and weather conditions. Structurally, it is the middle of the book before anything really starts to happen--a lot of repetition. I thought the portrayal of Anne's predicament, especially her trial, to be very moving.

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is set in Tudor, England. It starts with three dead bodies in an attic. It adds in the Anne Boleyn's situation, a lawyer, a cheating cousin, a pirate's daughter and a man tired of court and prefers to look into mysteries. Love and intrigue are in the air and Jemina is caught in the middle. Some parts of this story are hard to read through, but in the end the mysteries of the three bodies in the attic will be revealed. The dead bodies are not what is important in this story, but the characters who have lived in this house. It's been awhile, since I've read such intrigue while everyone is trying to keep themselves alive either from thieves or the king's hangman noose.

[Hilary Lawler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great if you like a lot of sexual descriptions

I wanted a book of historical mystery just an easy read but this writer seems to feel that her books need to include a great deal of sex in great detail. Also although I read her reason why it is written in modern English, between that and the sex it is not a writer I would choose again.

[Cheryl Clancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant novel by Barbara Gaskell Denvil

The author has the ability to transport you into the world of 16th century England. There are murders, accusations, thievery, love and adventures. Ms. Devil is one of the best authors I have ever read, and I can't wait to start the next novel.

[lynn CROFTS · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several of the books in this series and found this one slower than the others. They held my attention but this one didnt quite keep me as rapt as others. None the less it was an interesting story although the bodies seemed unnecessary.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Tale of Murder and Love

If all books were written with such an interesting in historical fiction I think the reading numbers would be phenomenal. Murder and treachery by the royalty to the commoner in medieval England makes for a fascinating tale.

[Bonnie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I have enjoyed the series greatly. I have cried and laughed at and with the great characters you developed. I also enjoy British history and the tales entertwined are really the best. Thankyou for the hours of great enjoyment and pleasure.

[Sheri Archibald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Good story, but as with one of the others, needs a proof reader as there are typos, spelling errors and typesetting issues.