Review: The Mind’s Evil Toy by G. Lawrence

Blurb

A body is found at the bottom of a flight of stairs at Cumnor Place, the body of Amy Dudley, wife of Robert Dudley, favourite and some say lover of Queen Elizabeth I. Was it accident, suicide or murder? Everyone knows how close the Queen and Robert Dudley are, as everyone knows that Amy was his ignored and neglected wife, a wife standing in the way of Robert marrying the Queen, to become King. As scandal erupts in Tudor England, everyone wants to know how Amy died, and not the least of them is Amy herself.

In company with Death, Amy will travel through past and present, seeking answers to her questions. Who killed her, and why?

The Mind’s Evil Toy is a historical fantasy, by G. Lawrence.
The author’s thanks are due to Julia Gibbs, proof reader of this work, and Betibup33 Design Studio, the cover artist.

My Review

Told in first person, this is an intriguing approach to the mystery of Amy Dudley’s death. The poor, neglected wife of the queen’s favorite, found at the foot of her stairs with a broken neck, meets with Death, who is willing to take her through all the steps leading to her demise—at her request. To do this, they travel backwards through time and observe scenes like ghosts. Amy learns much about Queen Elizabeth that was hidden from her, and reluctantly begins to understand the complicated relationship between her husband and her sovereign.

“I remember such a time, however,” the Princess said, “when I was much without friends, and yet another prisoner, shut away from the world as I was, importuned me to remember that many in this country love her.”
I shook my head. “That was his message?” I demanded of Death. “Did you bring me here to make me angrier?”
“You asked to know the truth,” said Death.
I turned from his dark gaze and glared at my husband.

Amy learns that Elizabeth wasn’t all bad, and Robin’s faults became all too clear to her. Throughout, Death gives an objective commentary, and Amy becomes almost friendly with him. It is a healing experience for this murdered lady, and she comes away with an explanation for her death that the reader will find intriguing. Of course, by then, she is morphing into the afterlife and matters of the world are no longer important. The author freely admits that this story is pure speculation, hence labeled historical fantasy. It doesn’t matter; the “history” as we know it is well presented, and the speculation makes perfect sense.