The Sisters Who Would Be Queen: Mary, Katherine, and Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Tragedy

While multitudes of books and films focus on King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, and Mary Stuart, de Lisle’s intelligent and well-researched biography of the three Tudor sisters demonstrates that not enough attention has been lavished on these fascinating women. Lush details on the youth, education, social life, and sad fates of Henry’s grandnieces and heirs—Mary, Katherine, and Jane—bring to life a panoramic view of the time, not just the individuals. Wanda McCaddon skillfully weaves her way through the dense prose and mountains of information. Despite a tendency to trill with too much excitement, she renders the three sisters and their era with polish and panache. A Ballantine hardcover (Reviews, June 15). (Oct.)