Penman is the greatest historical fiction author I have ever read and I believe thatthis is her best book. She does a great job of presenting to alternate viewpoint to the story of Richard III. I find it to be very admirable indeed Penman is able to include so much detail in her books without becoming pedantic and dull. Her stories are full of action and intrigue and are in no danger of becoming the dry histories did are so cocmmon in her genre.