This is a novelization of the soon-to-be major motion picture starring Cate Blanchett and Clive Owen - an eloquent exploration of the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh at the height of the queen's power. "The Golden Age" is the sequel to the 1998 critically acclaimed film 'Elizabeth', which earned seven Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture and a Best Actress nomination for Blanchett. This sequel will follow the relationship between the queen and the dashing explorer Walter Raleigh, from their initial meeting to the magnificent victory over the Spanish Armada.

At her friend Ivy's behest, Lady Emily Ashton reluctantly agrees to attend a party at the sprawling English country estate of a man she finds odious. But the despised Lord Fortescue is not to be her greatest problem. Kristiana von Lange, an Austrian countess once linked romantically with Emily's fiancE, the debonair Colin Hargreaves, is a guest also. And a tedious evening turns deadly when their host is found murdered, and his protEgE, Robert Brandon--Ivy's husband--is arrested for the crime.

Determined to right a terrible wrong, Emily embarks on a quest that will lead her from London's glittering ballrooms to Vienna's sordid backstreets--and into a game of wits with a notorious anarchist. But putting Colin in deadly peril may be the price for exonerating Robert--forcing the intrepid Emily to bargain with her nemesis, the Countess von Lange, for the life of her fiancE.

From gifted new writer Tasha Alexander comes a stunning novel of historical suspense set in Victorian England, meticulously researched and with a twisty plot that involves stolen antiquities, betrayal, and murder

And Only to Deceive

For Emily, accepting the proposal of Philip, the Viscount Ashton, was an easy way to escape her overbearing mother, who was set on a grand society match. So when Emily's dashing husband died on safari soon after their wedding, she felt little grief. After all, she barely knew him. Now, nearly two years later, she discovers that Philip was a far different man from the one she had married so cavalierly. His journals reveal him to have been a gentleman scholar and antiquities collector who, to her surprise, was deeply in love with his wife. Emily becomes fascinated with this new image of her dead husband and she immerses herself in all things ancient and begins to study Greek.

Emily's intellectual pursuits and her desire to learn more about Philip take her to the quiet corridors of the British Museum, one of her husband's favorite places. There, amid priceless ancient statues, she uncovers a dark, dangerous secret involving stolen artifacts from the Greco-Roman galleries. And to complicate matters, she's juggling two very prominent and wealthy suitors, one of whose intentions may go beyond the marrying kind. As she sets out to solve the crime, her search leads to more surprises about Philip and causes her to question the role in Victorian society to which she, as a woman, is relegated.

London's social season is in full swing, and Victorian aristocracy can't stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. But he's not the only topic of wagging tongues. Drawing rooms, boudoirs, and ballrooms are abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been systematically stealing valuable items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen.

Light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is found murdered, and the mysterious thief develops a twisted obsession with Lady Emily Ashton. It will take all of Emily's wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, while faced with a brewing scandal that threatens both her reputation and her romance with her late husband's best friend, the dashing Colin Hargreaves.

In this gripping new novel in the New York Times bestselling series, Lady Emily travels to Greece where a ghost from her past returns to haunt her amid the ruins. On a quest to distract her lifelong friend Jeremy from his recent heartbreak, Lady Emily organises a holiday in Greece. As a lover of all things Greek, she quickly finds herself occupied with tours of ancient ruins, lively debates with Margaret, a devoted Latinist, and slightly more scandalous endeavors with her dashing husband, Colin Hargreaves. But the pleasantries are brought to an abrupt halt when a man long-believed dead greets the party at their island villa. Lord Philip Ashton, Colin's childhood best friend and Emily's first husband, has returned. But can Philip really be who he claims, even if he has the scars and stories to prove it? Where has he been for all this time? And will his undying love for Emily drive him to claim what's his? Intrigue mounts as Philip reveals that he has been plagued for the past few years by an illegal antiques trader who believes he is in possession of a piece of Achilles' helmet, a priceless relic that was stolen from him moments after he unearthed it on an archaeological dig. Emily must employ all of her cunning and expertise to thwart thieves who threaten not only her own safety, but that of those precious artifacts she holds so dear. A trail of overheard conversations, murderous assailants and dead bodies leads her on a chase to uncover more than one buried truth.

A dance with death... After the final curtain of Swan Lake, an animated crowd exits the Mariinsky theatre brimming with excitement. But outside the scene is somber. A ballerina's body lies face down in the snow, blood splattered like rose petals over the costume of the Swan Queen. The crowd is silenced by a single cry - "Nemetseva is dead!" Among the theatergoers is Lady Emily, accompanying her dashing husband Colin in Russia on assignment from the Crown. But it soon becomes clear that Colin isn't the only one with work to do. When the dead ballerina's aristocratic lover comes begging for justice, Emily must apply her own set of skills to discover the rising star's murderer. Her investigation takes her on a dance across the stage of Tsarist Russia, from the opulence of the Winter Palace, to the modest flats of ex-ballerinas and the locked attics of political radicals. A mysterious dancer in white follows closely behind, making waves through St. Petersburg with her surprise performances and trail of red scarves. Is it the sweet Katenka, Nemetseva's childhood friend and favorite rival? The ghost of the murdered etoile herself? Or, something even more sinister?

A ruined abbey on a beautiful estate in Derbyshire, a murdered peer, and a most unlikely romance make "New York Times" bestseller Tasha Alexander's new novel "Behind the Shattered Glass "absolutely irresistible
Anglemore Park is the ancestral home of Lady Emily Hargreave's husband Colin. But the stately calm of country life is destroyed when their neighbor, the Marquess of Montagu, bursts through the French doors from the garden and falls down dead in front of the shocked gathering. But who has a motive for murdering the young aristocrat? The lovely cousin who was threatened by his engagement, the Oxford friend he falsely accused of cheating, the scheming vicar's daughter he shamelessly seduced or the relative no one knew existed who appears to claim the Montagu title? Who is the mysterious woman seen walking with him moments before he was brutally attacked?

The trail takes readers into the gilded world of a British manor house and below stairs to the servants who know all the secrets. One family's hidden past and a forbidden passion are the clues to a puzzle only Lady Emily can solve.

Anglemore Park is the ancestral home of Lady Emily Hargreave's husband Colin. But the stately calm of country life is destroyed when their neighbor, the Marquess of Montagu, bursts through the French doors from the garden and falls down dead in front of the shocked gathering. But who has a motive for murdering the young aristocrat? The lovely cousin who was threatened by his engagement, the Oxford friend he falsely accused of cheating, the scheming vicar's daughter he shamelessly seduced or the relative no one knew existed who appears to claim the Montagu title? Who is the mysterious woman seen walking with him moments before he was brutally attacked? The trail takes readers into the gilded world of a British manor house and below stairs to the servants who know all the secrets. One family's hidden past and a forbidden passion are the clues to a puzzle only Lady Emily can solve.

From New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander comes a stunning novel of historical suspense set in Victorian England, meticulously researched and with a twisty plot that involves stolen antiquities, betrayal, and murder Lady Emily's first mystery . . . For Emily, accepting the proposal of Philip, the Viscount Ashton, was just an easy way to escape her stifling home life and overbearing mother. So when her new husband dies on safari soon after the wedding, she feels little grief. After all, she barely knew the man. Now, nearly two years later, she discovers that Philip was a far different man from the one she had married so cavalierly. His journals reveal him to have been a gentleman scholar and antiquities collector who, to her surprise, was deeply in love with his wife. Emily becomes fascinated with this new image of her dead husband and immerses herself in his intellectual pursuits, studying Greek and spending time in the quiet corridors of the British Museum. But there, amid priceless ancient statues, she uncovers a dark, dangerous secret involving stolen artifacts from the Greco-Roman galleries - and as she sets out to solve the crime she discovers even more surprises about the husband she never knew . . . Praise for Tasha Alexander 'This engaging, witty mix of Victorian cozy and suspense thriller draws its dramatic spark from the endearingly headstrong heroine's growth in life and love. A memorable debut' Booklist 'Enchanting... Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very end' Publishers Weekly 'Tasha Alexander is one to watch - and read... despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, there's a depth of sensitivity that sets her apart' The Huffington Post 'Fans of Anne Perry and Elizabeth Peters will welcome this debut novel' The Denver Post

From New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander comes the second Lady Emily mystery set in Victorian England, meticulously researched and with a twisty plot that involves an audacious cat burglar and a brewing scandal for Lady Emily . . . London's social season is in full swing, and the aristocracy can't stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Drawing rooms, boudoirs and ballrooms are also abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been making off with precious items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen. But light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is murdered and the thief develops a twisted obsession with Lady Emily Ashton. It takes all of Lady Emily's wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, all while faced with a brewing scandal that threatens both her reputation and her romance with the dashing Colin Hargreaves. Praise for Tasha Alexander 'Historical mystery at its best. Ms. Alexander has delivered an amazing sequel to her debut novel' Fresh Fiction 'Immediately engrossing and thoroughly entertaining... Alexander writes with a fullness and richness that leaves the reader extremely satisfied' Crimespree 'Sometimes touching, sometimes funny and always absorbing, this Victorian-era mystery hits all the right notes' Romantic Times 'The vivacious and well-read Emily is back in rare form... Alexander has vividly captured Victorian mores, and the society intrigues are fascinating' The Tennessean 'Enchanting... Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very end' Publishers Weekly 'Tasha Alexander is one to watch - and read... despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, there's a depth of sensitivity that sets her apart' The Huffington Post

Lady Emily must stop a serial killer whose sights are set on the new king . . . Lying on her deathbed, Queen Victoria asks to speak privately with trusted royal agent Colin Hargreaves, slipping him a letter with her last command: Une sanz pluis. Sapere aude. 'One and no more. Dare to know.' The year is 1901 and the death of Britain's longest-reigning monarch has sent all the Empire into mourning. But for Lady Emily and her dashing husband Colin, the grieving is cut short as another royal death takes centre stage. A body has been found in the Tower of London, posed to look like the murdered medieval king Henry VI. And soon after, a second corpse is discovered in London's exclusive Berkeley Square, the mutilated remains staged to evoke the violent demise of Edward II. It becomes evident that the individual behind the crimes plans to kill again and again. The quest to find the murderer takes Emily deep into the capital's underbelly. But clues leading to the killer are elusive, and even more puzzling are the anonymous letters Colin has been receiving since Victoria's death. Could the killer be targeting her successor, Edward VII? Praise for Tasha Alexander: 'Tasha Alexander has created Victorian London's most colourful sleuth' Jacqueline Winspear 'Tasha Alexander is one to watch - and read . . . she knows how to construct a compelling plot . . . there's depth and sensitivity which sets her apart' Huffington Post

In this newest entry in the New York Times bestselling series by Tasha Alexander, Lady Emily Hargreaves travels to the south of France where an apparent suicide may be something far more sinister. Emily and husband Colin have come to the French Riviera for what should be a joyous occasion - the engagement party of her lifelong friend Jeremy, Duke of Bainbridge, and Amity Wells, an American heiress. But the merrymaking is cut short with the shocking death of one of the party in an apparent suicide. Not convinced by the coroner's verdict, Emily must employ all of her investigative skills to discover the truth and avert another tragedy.

"The Huffington Post" calls "Tears of Pearl" author Tasha Alexander "one to watch--and read" and "Death in the Floating City," her new Lady Emily mystery set in Venice, proves it Years ago, Emily's childhood nemesis, Emma Callum, scandalized polite society when she eloped to Venice with an Italian count. But now her father-in-law lies murdered, and her husband has vanished. There's no one Emma can turn to for help but Emily, who leaves at once with her husband, the dashing Colin Hargreaves, for Venice. There, her investigations take her from opulent palazzi to slums, libraries, and bordellos. Emily soon realizes that to solve the present day crime, she must first unravel a centuries old puzzle. But the past does not give up its secrets easily, especially when these revelations might threaten the interests of some very powerful people.

Newly returned to her home in Mayfair, Lady Emily Hargreaves is looking forward to enjoying the delights of the season. The delights, that is, as defined by her own eccentricities - reading "The Aeneid", waltzing with her dashing husband, and joining the Women's Liberal Federation in the early stages of its campaign to win the vote for women. But an audacious vandal disturbs the peace in the capital city, splashing red paint on the neat edifices of the homes of London's elite. This mark, impossible to hide, presages the revelation of scandalous secrets, driving the hapless victims into disgrace, despair and even death. Soon, all of London high society is living in fear of learning who will be the next target, and Lady Emily and her husband, Colin, favourite agent of the crown, must uncover the identity and reveal the motives of the twisted mind behind it all before another innocent life is lost.

Set amid the beauty and decadence of the Ottoman Empire, Lady Emily's latest adventure is full of intrigue, treachery, and romance.

Looking forward to the joys of connubial bliss, newlyweds Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves, diplomats of the British Empire, set out toward Turkey for an exotic honeymoon. But on their first night in the city, a harem girl is found murdered, strangled in the courtyard of the sultan's lavish Yildiz Palace. Sir Richard St. Clare, an Englishman who works at the embassy in Constantinople, is present and recognizes the girl as his own daughter who was kidnapped twenty years earlier. Emily and Colin promise the heartbroken father that they'll find her killer, but as the investigation gains speed, they find that appearance can be deceiving--especially within the confines of the seraglio.

As a woman, Emily is given access to the forbidden world of the harem and quickly discovers that its mysterious, sheltered walls offer no protection from a ruthless murderer. As the number of victims grows, Emily must rely on her own sharp wit in a heart-stopping finale if she is to stop a killer bent on exacting vengeance no matter how many innocent lives he leaves in his wake.

Set in the lush countryside of Normandy, France, the fifth Lady Emily mystery is filled with intrigue, romance, mysterious deaths, and madness . . . Returning from their honeymoon and near brush with death in Constantinople, Lady Emily and her husband Colin Hargreaves are relaxing at his mother's beautiful estate in Normandy. But the calm she so desperately seeks is shattered when, out riding her horse, she comes upon the body of a young woman who has been brutally murdered; and whose wounds are identical to those inflicted on the victims of Jack the Ripper. Pursuing a trail of clues and victims to the beautiful medieval city of Rouen, Emily begins to fear for her own sanity. She hears the cries of a young girl she cannot find and discovers blue ribbons left in the child's wake. And as Emily is forced to match wits with a brilliant and manipulative killer, only her courage and instincts can prevent her from becoming his next victim . . . Praise for Tasha Alexander 'Historical mystery at its best' Fresh Fiction 'Immediately engrossing and thoroughly entertaining' Crimespree 'Sometimes touching, sometimes funny and always absorbing, this Victorian-era mystery hits all the right notes' Romantic Times 'Enchanting... Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very end' Publishers Weekly 'Tasha Alexander is one to watch - and read... despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, there's a depth of sensitivity that sets her apart' The Huffington Post 'Alexander's love for the Victorian era elevates a captivating mystery into an unforgettable tale. Dangerous to Know is the perfect novel to curl up with and chase away the world' examiner.com 'Readers who enjoy historical mysteries with strong female characters will find much to enjoy here' Booklist 'Lady Emily Hargreaves is our favorite Victorian detective. If you love high society crimes then don't miss this series by Tasha Alexander, one of today's best mystery writers' BookManBookWoman 'Infused with wit and charm, with just the right amounts of danger, romance and detection blended in' Denver Post

Set in the lush countryside of Normandy, France, this new novel of suspense featuring Lady Emily Hargreaves is filled with intrigue, romance, mysterious deaths, and madness.

Returning from her honeymoon with Colin Hargreaves and a near brush with death in Constantinople, Lady Emily convalesces at her mother-in-law's beautiful estate in Normandy. But the calm she so desperately seeks is shattered when, out riding a horse, she comes upon the body of a young woman who has been brutally murdered. The girl's wounds are identical to those inflicted on the victims of Jack the Ripper, who has wreaked havoc across the channel in London. Emily feels a connection to the young woman and is determined to bring the killer to justice.

Pursuing a trail of clues and victims to the beautiful medieval city of Rouen and a crumbling chateau in the country, Emily begins to worry about her own sanity: She hears the cries of a little girl she cannot find and discovers blue ribbons left in the child's wake. As Emily is forced to match wits with a brilliant and manipulative killer, only her courage, keen instincts, and formidable will to win can help her escape becoming his next victim.

Some corpses lie undisturbed longer than others. But when Emily discovers a body hidden in plain sight amongst the ruins of Pompeii, she sets in motion a deadly chain of events that ties her future to the fate of a woman whose story had been lost for nearly two thousand years. Emily and her husband, Colin Hargreaves, have accompanied her dear friend Ivy Brandon on a trip to Pompeii. When they uncover a corpse and the police dismiss the murder as the work of local gangsters, Emily launches an investigation of her own. She seems to be aided by the archaeologists excavating the ruins, including a moody painter, the enigmatic site director, and a free-thinking American capable of sparring with even the Duke of Bainbridge. But each of them has secrets hiding among the ruins. The sudden appearance of a beautiful young woman who claims a shocking relationship to the Hargreaves family throws Emily’s investigation off-course. And as she struggles to face an unsettling truth about Colin’s past, it becomes clear that someone else wants her off the case - for good. Emily’s resolve to unearth the facts is unshakable. But how far below the surface can she dig before she risks burying herself along with the truth?