The Uncrowned Queen

The final volume in Graeme-Evans's War of the Roses trilogy heaves within its historical fiction bodice, but never quite sheds it. In rendering the 30-year standoff between the House of York and the House of Lancaster, Graeme-Evans does a masterful and colorful job portraying the haughty, decadent aristocracy, the grim political and social conditions, even the clothes, diet and lack of personal hygiene of the day. Unfortunately, she neglects to include much action, provides little suspense, and the royal romance, between Anne de Bohun (who bears an illegitimate son) and King Edward IV (who's already married), while tender, is without passion. The story jumps back and forth between England, France and Holland, with the obvious plot lines taking as long to develop as Edward's plan to invade England, and Anne and Edward's fates telegraphed early on. (June)