THE TOWER

Kristin Atherton brings a regal ambiance to this compelling historical fiction featuring Mary, Queen of Scots. After the rebellion of her Scottish lords, Mary is imprisoned in remote Lochleven Castle with three of her ladies-in-waiting. Pregnant and forced to abdicate, Mary suffers her plight, all the while plotting her escape. Atherton's delivery reflects the escalating tension as the jealous maids compete for the Queen's favor. Atherton artfully handles the period details and drama, never overplaying the women's anguish or the claustrophobia within the tiny space. Earthy details--the smell of chamber pots, unwashed women, Mary's miscarriage of twins--provide a vivid portrait of her imprisonment and the machinations of men who won't accept a female ruler. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2024]