“Berengaria is a delicious heroine…an excellent read, meticulously researched, beautifully told”. Jane Johnson, Author
“A sumptuous historical feast, spiced with intrigue, romance and jeopardy’ Ian Ross, Author
“Elegantly written, with a deft touch for both romance and historical detail.” Anne O’Brien
“A rich, tightly-woven tale of a fascinating and under-told period… gripping historical drama.” Joanna Courtney, Author
“Carol McGrath’s elegant prose weaves a sumptuous tale of Templar knights and fine ladies, courtly love, exhilarating adventure and stalwart heroism, as exquisitely crafted as a Pre-Raphaelite painting. Berengaria emerges as intelligent and indefatigable, fighting to reconcile her dearly won agency with the complicated, tested and enduring devotion she cannot deny for her lord and king (if never with the contradiction inherent in holy war). Magical.” K. Darbey, Historical Novel Review, USA
“I have read all of Carol McGrath’s novels and The Lost Queen is my favourite to date! …She is a consummate storyteller, not a spin doctor. McGrath’s grip on the period, the culture, the mentality of the people she writes about, and the detail of their everyday lives is watertight. It isn’t that she just knows about the period – it is that she actually inhabits it.” Anna Legat, book-blogger
“It is the attention to detail that makes the book interesting and kept me reading. A fascinating tale about strong women, packed with adventure, pirates and would-be assassins”. Colin Garrow
“…positively enthralling. It was filled with twists, turns, high drama, and romance. I loved reading this novel and I was genuinely sad when it ended. McGrath was able to craft a luscious novel that was meticulously researched that any fan of medieval historical fiction novels will adore. If this sounds like you, I highly suggest you read The Lost Queen. Adventures of a Tudor Nerd
“The Lost Queen is a thrilling medieval story of high adventure, survival, friendship and the enduring love of a Queen for her King.” Allthingsbookie.com
“Carol McGrath’s historical research is thorough, and it lends a wonderful depth to the descriptions and characterisations that really helps you feel that you’re being immersed in the time period”. Charlotte, Amazon reviewer
“The story showcases various aspects of medieval life. From the grandiosity of royal ceremonies to the brutality of warfare, the novel provides a multifaceted view of the time. One particularly memorable vignette involves the putting on of a medieval play, a rewritten version of Persephone in the Underworld, which serves as a fascinating glimpse into the cultural practices of the period. The Lost Queen is a well-researched and engaging historical novel that will appeal to fans of the medieval era. McGrath's ability to blend history and storytelling makes this a must-read.” Charlotte Betts, Historical Novelist
“I really enjoyed learning about the character of Berengaria of Navarre, the wife of King Richard I. She has passed through popular history with little note, and it was great to get to know more about her. She was a strong and resilient woman who showed great courage. The novel was clearly well-researched and the author used enough detail to create a realistic feeling Medieval period. There were a few surprises along the way and the novel had a dramatic feel. Any fans of historical fiction, particularly the Medieval period will love this novel.” Left on the Shelf Book Blog
“Rich, vivid, and excellently researched, The Lost Queen tells a tale from so long ago, but it felt like I was actually with these historical figures, some of whom I only knew the basic facts about. Berengaria is consigned to history as Richard the Lionheart’s wife. I never knew details, and it was certainly an interesting and immersive read. Amazon Reviewer
“Carol McGrath recreates the world of the late 12th century, from medieval England to the Holy Land – you can almost feel that sand between your toes and the burning sun on your face. My favourite part of the book is Berengaria’s relationship with her sister-in-law, Joanna, dowager queen of Sicily and sister of Richard the Lionheart. Joanna is, as any regular reader will know, one of my favourite medieval women. And I love how Carol McGrath portrays the developing friendship between the two women, thrown together by necessity, but appreciating each other’s strengths and character.” Amazon Reviewer
Whilst the attention of the book is very firmly on Berengaria of Navarre, a more intimate, fictional story, of a young lady named Avelina, travelling to the Holy Land in search of her husband, offers the reader a more intimate experience of the non-royal crusaders and the lives of them and their families. As well as the dangers inherent in women travelling to far-off places. Carol McGrath uses Avelina’s story, and the stories of those around her, to demonstrate the different people and events – and personal tragedies – associated with the Crusades. It also serves to remind the modern-day reader that news travelled slowly in medieval times and that letters that were lost or waylaid could have a huge impact on people’s lives. Amazon Reviewer
“The characters portrayed in The Lost Queen by Carol McGrath are rich and vivid. They come to life on the page. This is a must-read book for anyone interested in the Plantagenets!” Author Sharon Bennett-Connolly “ … I have read all Carol McGrath's novels and thoroughly enjoyed the learning process as well as the story along the way. For one thing, I had no idea that women sometimes went on crusades. She allows the reader a wonderful glimpse into the privileged lives of the royals contrasting with their servants' daily lives in the various periods she writes about. I appreciate the amazing amount of research she must have to do in order to write such a believable and compelling story of Berengaria and her husband, King Richard the Lionheart. I particularly love how she brings these strong female women who have been regularly brushed out of the history books into the limelight…Another winner, Ms McGrath and I look forward to your next one.” Denise Barnes
“Another beautifully written book by Carol McGrath. I am so glad a book was written about Berengaria of Navarre by a good author who always does lots of research. Little is known about Berengaria just a few mentions in chronicles. It was good to have Berengaria pregnant but we will never know. Richard spent so little time with her. His main love in his life seemed to have been fighting and killing and of course, his mother who he seemed to have adored. We will never know about his sexuality. Personally, I think he was bi-sexual. As Miss. McGrath says, sharing beds was common practice in Medieval times, but it only seems Richard was classed as homosexual, which was unfair. I greatly enjoyed this book and will definitely read it again. Thank you Miss. McGrath.” Amazon Reviewer
“A fine piece of historical fiction, impeccably researched, centering on a really interesting female character who is rarely depicted in novels set in this era - Berengaria, soon-to-be-wife to Richard the Lionheart, who shows us little by little her qualities and strength as she deals with a succession of dangers and trials crossing the Alps in the depths of winter to meet with her bridegroom is Sicily, before he engages with what comes to be known as the Third Crusade at Acre. Perfect details, lovely characterisation: you know you're in the hands of an expert when you start this book, and can relax into the story.” Amazon Reviewer
“The Lost Queen is a well-researched and engaging historical novel that will appeal to fans of the medieval era. McGrath's ability to blend history and storytelling makes this a must-read for anyone interested in the lives of medieval queens and the intricacies of their worlds. Through Berengaria's eyes, readers experience the triumphs and tribulations of a queen in one of the most turbulent times in history”. Amazon Reviewer
“McGrath’s grip on the period, the culture, the mentality of the people she writes about and the detail of their everyday lives is watertight. It isn’t that she just knows about the period – it is that she actually inhabits it.” Amazon Reviewer
“If you love carefully researched historical fiction, with total command of the detail and the history, this is a book for you.” Amazon Reviewer
“This book is very readable and brings this period of history to life. Berengaria was a strong woman who made the best of her circumstances and stood up to Richard when he was prepared to marry off his sister for his own purposes. On reading further I was pleased to see Berengaria led a long life. Well researched and written.” Amazon Reviewer
“A really well written and brilliantly researched book about a little known queen of England who never even stepped on English soil. Everyone has heard of Richard the Lionheart, but who has heard of his queen from Navarre? Or even about the few women who went on the crusades, why they went, and what it must have been like for them?It filled in quite a few gaps in my knowledge of that period in history, with the spotlight on the Mediterranean for a change. I look forward to reading more by this author.” Amazon Reviewer
“I found the book absorbing and loved going on the journey with [Berengaria]. Can thoroughly recommend.” Amazon Reviewer
“I’m amazed by how historically accurate this book is, and the research that went into this book is fascinating. Reading about the real Berengaria in these notes, what she went through after the events of the book, just made me love her more as a character and I’m glad this book has been written to give a voice to a queen who has largely been forgotten in history.” Amazon Reviewer