If you enjoy Tudor history, family secrets, and mysteries that connect the past with the present, The Boleyn Curse by Alexandra Walsh has a lot to draw you in. What makes this story particularly interesting is that it takes us beyond the familiar story of Anne Boleyn and gives us a glimpse into the imagined life of her mother, Elizabeth Boleyn. The book follows two women living centuries apart, but their stories are connected by secrets that have been hidden for generations.

In the Tudor storyline, Elizabeth Boleyn is a devoted wife to Thomas Boleyn and a loving mother to Anne, Mary, and George. She believes she can navigate the complicated world of Henry VIII’s court while protecting her family. However, when the king takes an interest in her, she finds herself in a dangerous position. Standing up to a king who is accustomed to getting what he wants comes at a terrible price. Elizabeth eventually records the truth about his actions, determined that her voice will not be lost, even if she cannot protect herself from his vengeance.

The modern-day story follows Tabitha Mundy, a young widow who has found some comfort and purpose in her work as an archivist at Cerensthorpe Abbey in Hampshire. While sorting through the estate’s historical records, she discovers clues connected to a missing manuscript of Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. What initially appears to be a fascinating historical puzzle soon leads her toward the Boleyn family and a mystery that has remained hidden for centuries.

With the help of Edith Swanne and her intriguing nephew, Gulliver, Tabitha begins piecing together the clues. As she uncovers more of the past, the connection between her own investigation and Elizabeth Boleyn’s story becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. The question is whether Tabitha can finally uncover the truth, or whether the secrets surrounding the Boleyn family will continue to haunt the abbey and everyone connected to it.

What I find so appealing about a book like The Boleyn Curse is the opportunity to look at a familiar period of history from a different perspective. We have heard so much about Anne Boleyn, her relationship with Henry VIII, and the tragic events that led to her execution. But what about the people around her? What was life like for her mother, and what might Elizabeth have experienced while trying to protect her family from the dangers of the royal court? That is what makes Elizabeth such an interesting character to explore. She is not simply standing in the background of Anne’s story. In Walsh’s interpretation, she has her own fears, loyalties, and struggles, and she is forced to make difficult choices in a world where even the smallest act of defiance can have devastating consequences. I particularly like the idea of Elizabeth putting the truth into writing, determined that her side of the story should survive even if those in power try to silence her.

The Tudor court is such a fascinating setting for historical fiction because there is always a sense that something dangerous is happening just beneath the surface. Ambition, jealousy, loyalty, and betrayal are never far away, and no one can be entirely certain who can be trusted. The Boleyn family’s rise to prominence and the terrible risks associated with royal favour provide plenty of material for a compelling story.

I also enjoyed the idea of bringing this history into the present through Tabitha’s investigation. Her work as an archivist gives the modern storyline a natural connection to the past. Old documents, hidden clues, and a missing manuscript are exactly the sort of details that make me curious about what might have been concealed and why someone went to such lengths to keep it hidden. The mystery surrounding The Canterbury Tales adds another interesting layer, especially as the investigation begins to reveal connections to Elizabeth Boleyn.

Tabitha herself has an emotional journey to navigate. Having lost her husband, she is trying to find her footing again, and her work at the abbey offers her a sense of purpose. As she becomes more deeply involved in the mystery, she is not just uncovering someone else’s history; she is also finding a reason to look forward and move beyond her own grief. I think that gives the modern storyline an emotional dimension beyond simply solving a historical puzzle.

The way the two timelines complement each other is well done. Elizabeth and Tabitha are separated by centuries, yet both are connected to the search for truth. One is living through the events that will eventually become history, while the other is trying to make sense of the clues those events have left behind. I find that kind of storytelling especially appealing because it encourages us to think about how much of the past we really know and how many stories may have been lost, misunderstood, or deliberately concealed.

That said, a dual-timeline novel does require a little patience. With Elizabeth’s story, Tabitha’s investigation, and the additional clues and written records, there is quite a bit to keep track of. At times, the different strands may feel as though they interrupt one another just when you are becoming absorbed in a particular part of the story. Readers who prefer a straightforward historical novel focused on one main character may find the structure a little busy. However, for readers who enjoy gradually piecing together a puzzle, the different layers are part of the appeal.

I would also keep in mind that Elizabeth’s story is historical fiction rather than a definitive account of what happened. Walsh uses the limited historical record as a starting point for an imaginative story about a woman whose own voice is often overshadowed by the more famous members of her family. For me, that is part of the attraction, provided we remember the distinction between historical fact and the author’s interpretation.

The Boleyn Curse offers an intriguing combination of Tudor drama, family secrets, and a modern-day mystery. Its greatest appeal lies in the chance to see the Boleyn family from a less familiar angle while following Tabitha as she tries to uncover the truth. The idea that a story hidden for centuries might still have something important to reveal is a compelling one, and it gives the novel an atmosphere of suspense that reaches beyond the Tudor court. For me, the most intriguing idea at the heart of The Boleyn Curse is that history is never just about kings, queens, and the events recorded in the history books. It is also about the people whose voices were overlooked, the truths that were never told, and the secrets that someone, somewhere, may still be trying to protect. And sometimes, the most fascinating mystery is not whether a curse exists, but what really happened in the first place.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and author Scott S. Greenberger for the advance reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. This has been my unbiased review of the book.