Preview
  • The Tudor Secret

  • The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles, Book 1
  • By: C. W. Gortner
  • Narrated by: Steve West
  • Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,439 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Tudor Secret

By: C. W. Gortner
Narrated by: Steve West
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.56

Buy for $15.56

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

The era of the Tudors was one of danger, intrigue, conspiracy, and, above all, spies.

The summer of 1553 is a time of danger and deceit. Brendan Prescott, an orphan, has been reared in the household of the powerful Dudley family. Brought to court, Prescott finds himself sent on an illicit mission to the king’s brilliant but enigmatic sister, Princess Elizabeth. But Brendan is soon compelled to work as a double agent by Elizabeth’s protector, William Cecil, who promises in exchange to help him unravel the secret of his own mysterious past.

A dark plot swirls around Elizabeth’s quest to discover the truth about the ominous disappearance of her seriously ill brother, King Edward VI. With only a bold stable boy and an audacious lady-in-waiting at his side, Brendan plunges into a ruthless gambit of half-truths, lies, and murder.

Filled with the intrigue and pageantry of Tudor England, The Tudor Secret is the first book in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles.

©2011 C. W. Gortner (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"Gortner handles action with aplomb, adding a riveting, fast-paced thriller to the crowded genre of Tudor fiction." ( Publishers Weekly)
"An exciting, vividly rendered story of intrigue and espionage." ( Booklist)

What listeners say about The Tudor Secret

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    793
  • 4 Stars
    418
  • 3 Stars
    164
  • 2 Stars
    41
  • 1 Stars
    23
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    855
  • 4 Stars
    285
  • 3 Stars
    118
  • 2 Stars
    27
  • 1 Stars
    12
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    723
  • 4 Stars
    357
  • 3 Stars
    147
  • 2 Stars
    43
  • 1 Stars
    22

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best novels I've listened to

What did you love best about The Tudor Secret?

Grabs you from the beginning with the characters and plot and won't let go until you finish it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Tudor Secret?

The impact of the story and performance on the very first page. I had to change my schedule to make sure I could maximize my listening ... from morning to just before I dozed.

What about Steve West’s performance did you like?

Beautiful English accent and all the characters came were individuals and came to life. You weren't "listening" you were in the story. Great pacing and performance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The introduction to the future Queen Elizabeth and her complex character.

Any additional comments?

Don't have any more time to waste ... got to start on the second in the series ...now ... bye

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The incredible amount of research!

This book is amazing and engaging. It kept me interested from beginning to end. And though there is a romance, it really takes a back seat to the self discovery of the main character reminding us that often the key to who we are doesn’t lay in who we sleep with... not always. The author convincingly writes about the subtle differences between love and attraction to honor and specifically to finding a purpose or cause -a duty -to be of value in one’s life, aside from love of family and self. The author also convincingly writes about the mechanizations of society -particularly court life. This shows us that the board room antics of the corporate present are not so far removed from the Tudor court of long ago. I find this book highly entertaining AND informative. Driving home how important it is that we know our past not through rose colored glasses but through the eyes of people that are like people today- in a journey of self discovery.

I particularly like the Author’s dedication at the end of this book- who was thanked and why they were thanked gives great insight to this reader of the solitary humility it takes to be deemed “a writer.” I would like to thank the writer for being one of my story tellers. It’s not often one gets to stumble upon a story so good and so well written as to be admirable in every way. In truth it shows that someone well rounded in the deeper philosophical insights of life has written this book. I will be looking for this author’s books in the future.

The reader (voice actor) is very convincing and does not lapse into characters’ voices that are overly simplistic, but manages to maintain that subtle balance of differentiating dialogue convincingly with slight alterations of voice. The deep resonance and inflection of the first person narration reminds me very much of the voice of Julian Sands -an actor I admire very much with a voice I find very engaging. Bravo!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved the storyline!

Loved the storyline! Great idea that there may have been another Tudor heir. Very believable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Slow start, good story

It took 2 h to get into the main plot line. Compelling once they get into the Story. Believable characters, interesting fictional supposition
The reader does a great job.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Tudor Secret, enjoyable story

This historical fiction is an enjoyable story and glimpse at what might have been the intrigue and life struggles especially during Tudor change of power after the death of Henry the VIII. Narration is clear and enjoyable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent yarn

A great narrator and a really interesting story about life for the royalty in the sixteenth century, a period which amazes me that anyone survived. It could have been true, but of course no one would ever know.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

English History

I've always been fascinated by Henry the 8th and the period after his death. The enmity between the church of England and the Catholics has been the subject of much writing and I've read some. If you are ignorant, this might not be the book for you. If, as I am, you're a history buff, go for it.
While reading, I learned quite a bit about this period since much of the book is based on fact, all but the main character. It's a wonderful story, if a bit confusing with all the Lords, Dutchesses etc. If you read it, I would use some reference material (I confess I used Wikipedia) to keep the folks straight.
Plots and counter plots abound and make for a really enjoyable narrative.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

31 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not a big fan of fiction

I sure wish Audible would label each audiobook as fiction or nonfiction along with the author’s name, publication date, etc.

Though this book is well written very well performed, I’m just not that into fiction. But I did complete the book for comment’s sake.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Delightful

Great characters and dialogue. I enjoyed the narration and the twists this story took. Looking forward to the second book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

good story & well read.

the reader was excellent & the story mostly believable which is always a challenge with historical fiction. listening to 2nd in series immediately after finishing 1st!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!