By Trea Martyn
BlueBridge, $22.95, 336 pages

Queen Elizabeth in the Garden is a book detailing the decades-long rivalry between Lord Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Sir William Cecil. Both men were vying for Queen Elizabeth’s favor, and did so by building elaborate gardens for her entertainment. This book takes you along a tour of these gardens as they are unveiled for the queen.

While it is an interesting topic and there is a wealth of information as to the history of this book, I found that the book generally was made up of long descriptions that were difficult to visualize as a reader. It was interesting to read about the dynamic between the two men but because of the difficulty of visualization, the book was a bit difficult to get through as it came across as dry in spots. However, if you are a history buff or are interested in Queen Elizabeth, this is an interesting read to check out. If you are looking for an engaging historical fiction, this might not be the book for you.

Rachel J. Richards

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