Stevie‘s review of The Poison Bed by E.C. Fremantle
Historical Mystery Fiction published by Michael Joseph 14 Jun 18
In the past I’ve declared my love of unreliable narrators; however, I feel that this should come with a caveat of ‘when there’s some early clue as to their unreliability’ – or at least a clue that I can spot. Having your entire opinion of a character turned on its head once the story is well underway can be somewhat disconcerting, especially when that revelation also casts doubts on the personalities and motivations of all the other characters involved. On the other hand, I love a historical mystery with its roots sunk firmly in the background to an actual set of events, so having the rug pulled from beneath my feet isn’t going to make me fall completely out of love with a book or its plot.
We first meet Frances and Robert Carr when they have been imprisoned separately in the Tower of London: Frances with their newborn baby and her wet-nurse, Robert mostly alone with his thoughts. The pair stand accused of the murder of Robert’s friend, mentor and former lover, Sir Thomas Overbury, but both declare their innocence, while reliving the events that led to Overbury’s death and their eventual imprisonment. Robert has risen from obscurity, aided by Overbury, to eventually become advisor and lover to King James I of England (James VI of Scotland), even after his marriage to Frances. When Overbury catches the pair together, they fear blackmail and plans are made to have Overbury imprisoned and then exiled – as Ambassador to Russia. Overbury turns down the role he’s been offered, and eventually dies in the Tower. Poisoning is suspected, and suspicion falls first on members of the Carrs’ household, and then on the Carrs themselves.
By her own admission, Frances is no friend of Overbury, in spite of sending pastries to him while he is imprisoned, and her paid companion consorts with alchemists and cunning women with Frances’ full knowledge. Frances presents herself as an innocent victim of her family’s political ambitions, married young to a powerful man who is unable to consummate their marriage, although he has sexual relationships with other women of the court. After falling for Robert Carr, Frances works with her uncle and parents to have her first marriage annulled – against Overbury’s advice to anyone who will listen to him – and that wish is granted shortly after Overbury’s death.
Frances and Robert marry as soon as they are able, but it soon becomes apparent that various factions at court are opposed to their increasing degree of power at court, and the influence it confers on Frances’ family. At last, evidence emerges, linking one or both of them to the alleged murder of Overbury and they are separated and ultimately imprisoned.
I wanted to like this book, in spite of the Big Reveal about a third of the way through that one of the main characters had been lying to us. Sadly, though, I found it difficult to warm to any of them, particularly after my initial opinions of them had been shattered. I found the historical background to the story fascinating, having known little of it beforehand, and I’m tempted to seek out one of the author’s earlier books, to see if a different set of characters in a slightly different era might appeal to me better.
Grade: C
Summary:
A Marriage. A Murder. One of them did it. Which of them will die for it? In the autumn of 1615 scandal rocks the Jacobean court when a celebrated couple are imprisoned on suspicion of murder. She is young, captivating and from a notorious family. He is one of the richest and most powerful men in the kingdom. Some believe she is innocent; others think her wicked or insane. He claims no knowledge of the murder. The king suspects them both, though it is his secret at stake. Who is telling the truth? Who has the most to lose? And who is willing to commit murder?
No excerpt available.
