The Daughter of Time

Having studied Richard III as part of my A level where I had to study what had been written about him and the influences on those that wrote it, this is a treasure of a find. Using a (fairly) modern twist on the review of a much aligned man is in an interesting way of approaching the story. it is fiction with factual information that makes it all the more interesting to me. Well written and well narrated.

I had read all Ms Tey's books bar this one. I had put it off, thinking oh I am not that interested in the murder of the Princes, what a mistake. I listened to it straight through.



Derek Jacobi reads superbly. The story is gripping and past paced, showing the twists and turns of uncovering the truth, with interesting characters and observations about vested interests and bias and reputation along the way as temporarily bedbound Inspector Grant and his offsiders put the pieces together.

I felt that this was a trifle tedious - not for me! But it was well written and would appeal to others who want detailed historical theories.

In her last novel published in 1951 Josephine Tey used a story involving her detective character Inspector Alan Grant to present her detailed research into Richard III and the murder of the Princes in the Tower. I first read this in the 70's and it made me realise that what we are told about people and events in history should not always be taken as the truth. With the possible discovery of King Richard's skeleton, I felt it was time to revisit this story through this excellent reading by Derek Jacobi. Truth is the Daughter of Time, as Josephine Tey's compelling narrative allows her readers to discover.

I was delighted to come back to this classic Josephine Tey. I first read it at school when a fiercely Richardian, anti Henry Vll history teacher was looking at the period. It's a brilliantly constructed re-examination of what was known at the time about Richard's history, given new resonance by the recent discovery in Leicester of the dead king's body. It's inspired me to listen to all of Tey's detective novels again starting with The Franchise Affair, another classic.

An excellent book setting out the argument for whether of not Richard III murdered his nephews in the tower. It's told in the style of a detective story but provides all the necessary data to enable you to make your own decision and discover the true murderer.

The arguments concerning Richard the Third's part in the deaths of the Princes in the Tower have been resurrected recently because of the discovery of his body . Josephine Tey wrote " The Daughter of Time " long before the renewed interest in the subject but her arguments are relevant and clearly explained through the detective work of a temporarily bedridden policeman and his increasingly enthusiastic researcher . Both are sceptical at first but become more and more convinced of Richard's innocence , as does the reader .This is a very readable book and a challenge to anyone who unthinkingly accepts the Tudor version of events on which we were all brought up .

I found this book to be one of those that draws you in slowly and before you know it, you can't wait to get back to it. I started it while on a long solo drive. I was so entranced, that I arrived home with fewer stops. It was an easy listen. I will definitely keep in my library. For a cold winters weekend in the future. The voice of Derek Jacobi is always easy to listen to, his switch between characters was excellent and I began to forget that it was only one actor. If you like an intriguing historical mysteries, I recommend this one.

So I thought I knew history. But what you think is fact can be hearsay, heresy to any good Police Officer.

Here is History easily presented and beautifuly read by Jacobi. I'm off to see what other stories Tey has written...