The Queene’s Christmas ( An Elizabeth Mystery)
Author: Karen Harper Publication date: 2003
Setting: 16th century, England
Lisandra’s Thoughts:
A historical mystery, The Queene’s Christmas by Karen Harper, is set in England in 1564. In celebration of “Yuletide,” an old English term for the Christmas season that begins on December 25th and lasts until January 5th/6th, the story explores various religious practices, feasts, and entertainments during this festive period. Harper writes in the third person, sharing Queen Elizabeth’s inner thoughts, food recipes, and her excitement about celebrating the twelve days of Christmas alongside her court. However, her joy is short-lived when one of her beloved cooks, Hodge Thatcher, is found murdered, dressed as one of the Queen’s Christmas recipes, the “roast peacock.” This shocking event leads her to suspect that the murderer is someone she knows and deeply trusts, turning the celebration into a mystery that shatters her hopes for a joyful Christmas.
Karen Harper, a 21st-century writer, does a phenomenal job intertwining the history of the 16th century with a mystery story that feels plausible for that time. I particularly enjoyed how she portrayed Queen Elizabeth I as a brave and independent woman who expressed love and care but refused to let any man come before her throne and kingdom. This persona was frowned upon for women during that era, yet the Queen carried it proudly. In the 16th century, societal expectations often pressured women to marry, but the Queen continuously defied these norms, choosing to remain independent. While her position of power allowed her this freedom, her refusal to prioritize a man over her own ambitions resonated with me, much like the character in the text.
Lastly, I appreciated the historical context woven throughout the story, including real recipes, traditions, and practices of Yuletide celebrations. The rich historical details and the character of Queen Elizabeth I make this an extraordinary novel for 21st-century readers seeking to understand the origins of Christmas celebrations in the Western world.
12 Days of Christmas Recipes/Traditions Found Within the Text:
Cardamom Christmas Cake
To Make a Kissing Bunch
Roast Peacock
Hippocras (used as a digestive or to sweeten one’s stomach)
Maids of Honor
Mince Pie Mangers
Mulled Cider
Christmas Tussie-Mussies
Suckets
A Christmas Fool
Roast Suckling Pig
Christmas Candles (made from beeswax)
Wassail
Figgy Pudding
Winter Sallet
Rie Pie Crust
Twelfth Night Cake
To read more about the traditions of each day leading up to Christmas, check out the link below:
English Heritage - Twelve Days of Christmas
