Review: An interesting short story!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 28, 2014
Roger Ascham was tutor to King Henry VIII’s twelve year old daughter, Bess. On the day he presented himself and Bess to the King’s court, he knew he was in trouble. He knew the King had an issue with him, with something he had done, but when King Henry sought him out after the audience with his people, on his own, Roger had no idea what was in store for him.King Henry VIII had a favourite prostitute, Isabella, and it seemed she had gone missing. No-one knew where she was, where she went – she just vanished. The King told Ascham to find her – he wouldn’t take no for an answer, even when it was realized there was obviously trouble ahead.As Ascham set about his task, leaving Bess in the care of Gilbert, who loved to play chess and would teach her a move or two, he wondered if he would see his star pupil again. The danger was intense, the feeling there was a psychopath out there was strong – would he find the vanished prostitute? Would she be alive or dead?This novella is set seven months prior to the beginning of The Tournament, which I am yet to read. I found the story to be quite good; the mystery was great, the twist at the end surprising, but it seemed (in my opinion) to be lacking something. But it’s a very short story, a very quick read, and I’m glad I read it before getting to The Tournament.