THE OTHER QUEEN by Philippa Gregory, 2008.

Boring and dull and totally disappointing. How any author could make Mary Queen of Scots so boring is beyond me. Gregory sets this novel during the years 1568-1572, when Mary has fled Scotland into England and becomes Elizabeth I's guest under the charge of George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and his formidable countess, Bess of Hardwick, who are still newlyweds. Pleased to be chosen for such an honor, they soon realize that no sooner is Mary established at Tutbury than plots and intrigues begin swirling around her. Broken promises, threats of rebellion in the North and a Spanish invasion, attempted rescues, secrets and codes and spies at every turn quickly become part of the household's daily life. Shallow characterizations, monotonous dialogue, and far too much repetition by having three narrators go over the same events make this a sluggish and unsatisfying story. Too much focus on Mary's beauty and Shrewsbury's weakness and Bess' penny-pinching--none of the characters were sympathetic. It became tedious to keep reading how the Shrewburys were bankrupting themselves by supporting this other queen and her court and they were getting no reimbursement from Elizabeth. Historical details abound, Gregory is good with description, but the pace is just too slow and the whole thing just so uninvolving. If I had not been recuperating from a recent illness, homebound, with plenty of time to read, I would have dropped this one after about fifty pages and moved on. I can't recommend it.