FICTION

Girl on the Golden Coin: A Novel of Frances Stuart

by Marci Jefferson
Thomas Dunne: St. Martin's. Feb. 2014. 336p. ISBN 9781250037220. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9781250037213. F
COPY ISBN
Frances Stuart knows she is related to English royalty, and so does the French crown. When she refuses to become King Louis XIV's mistress, he orders her back to England. Frances's return is not welcomed by her family, who must follow in her wake. Almost as soon as she steps off the boat, she is besieged by courtiers who want to ruin her reputation. The only man she cares about, however, is King Charles II, who holds the key to a fortuitous future for her and her family.
VERDICT Jefferson's first novel focuses on a woman and time that recent historical novelists have overlooked: Restoration England. Unfortunately, aside from that novelty, the book fails to create any sense of urgency, turmoil, or tumult that courtiers of the time faced—and that historical fiction fans demand in their novels. Jefferson's work is good, but don't be surprised if readers lose interest after a while; one copy should do the trick for libraries with large historical fiction fan bases.
Reviewed by Audrey Jones, Washington, DC , Nov 15, 2013
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