Book of the Week: The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
August 22 is the anniversary of The Battle of Bosworth Field, fought in 1485. It was the last significant battle in the War of the Roses, the civil war between the houses of Lancaster and York. Henry Tudor, leader of the Lancasterians defeated his opponent Richard III, the last king of the House of York, who was killed in the battle.
Richard III was interred in an unmarked tomb in the Greyfriars church, which was demolished in 1536. In 2012, archaeological excavations revealed the location of the church and also uncovered a skeleton which was determined to be that of Richard III.
There is much debate about Richard's character. Sources from his own era are subjective portraying the King as noble or villanous, depending on the bias of the writer. He is frequently blamed for the murder of his nephews the Princes Edward and Richard.
In The Daughter of Time, Josephine Tey addresses this legend though the conventions of a mystery novel. Protagonist Alan Grant, a Scotland Yard inspector bedridden in hospital, begins an investigation of the disappearance of the princes with the help of friends and a researcher from the British Museum.
While the novel has not put an end to the speculation about Richard III's guilt, it is a very enjoyable read and in 1990 was named the top crime novel of all time by the Crime Writers' Association.
The Daughter of Time is available in:
• Regular Print
• Audiobook
• eAudiobook
• Large Print
• Talking Book (restricted to Print Disabled patrons)
Related Post:
3 thoughts on “Book of the Week: The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey”
It is a wonderful read. In addition to being a good puzzle, it demonstrates how using old documents can provide evidence for historical research. It also explains how and why Shakespeare’s play came to portray Richard in such a confusing and generally negative light. There is a whole society dedicated to rehabilitating Richard’s reputation. And finally, if you want to bring history as an academic subject alive, this is your tool!
One of my all-time favourite books – and authors!
Loved this book and so glad the library has many “versions” of it. I would also recommend a more conventional mystery by the author called “Brat Farrar” 🙂