The Queen's Secret: A Novel of England's World War II Queen

Karen Harper

May 2020 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

If you love Jennifer Robson or The Crown you will love New York Times bestselling author Karen Harper’s novel about Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

1939. As the wife of the King George VI and the mother of the future queen, Elizabeth—“the queen mother”—shows a warm, smiling face to the world. But it’s no surprise that Hitler himself calls her the “Most Dangerous Woman in Europe.” For behind that soft voice and kindly demeanor is a will of steel.

Two years earlier, George was thrust onto the throne when his brother Edward abdicated, determined to marry his divorced, American mistress Mrs. Simpson. Vowing to do whatever it takes to make her husband’s reign a success, Elizabeth endears herself to the British people, and prevents the former king and his brazen bride from ever again setting foot in Buckingham Palace.

Elizabeth holds many powerful cards, she’s also hiding damaging secrets about her past and her provenance that could prove to be her undoing.

In this riveting novel of royal secrets and intrigue, Karen Harper lifts the veil on one of the world’s most fascinating families, and how its “secret weapon” of a matriarch maneuvered her way through one of the most dangerous chapters of the century.

Ratings and reviews

No one expected that Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon would ascend to be Queen when she married the Duke of York in 1923. He was not the heir to the throne, and was perfectly content not being in that position. Then came Wallis Simpson and the abdication of Edward VII. Elizabeth, her husband "Bertie" and their two young daughters (Elizabeth and Margaret) found themselves in Windsor Castle, and their children were next in line for the throne. Most significantly, Elizabeth had a long memory and her own insecurities often led to some rather 'grudge-like' decisions: the ultimatum against Wallis Simpson - an until death dislike. With snippets from her childhood and past mixed in to the present, several moments with and from people from all walks of life, small vignettes of her daughter's wanting to fight, and her ability to 'draw others' into conversations and sharing their lives that provided insight, and I am sure were heartwarming and welcoming to those she encountered. A lovely story that gives those unfamiliar with Queen Elizabeth II's strength and persona a glimpse into the beginning, as well as showing the Queen Mother as a person with onerous responsibilities who never forgot who she was, or what the Royals represent to the country, people and world. I received an eArc of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author KAREN HARPER is a former Ohio State University instructor and high school English teacher. Published since 1982, she writes contemporary suspense and historical novels about real British women. Two of her recent Tudor-era books were bestsellers in the UK and Russia. Harper won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for Dark Angel, and her novel Shattered Secrets was judged one of the best books of the year by Suspense Magazine.