The Eyes of the Queen

This clever and fun novel casts John Dee as a spy for Elizabeth I. Mary Stuart is being held prisoner and watched closely on suspicion that she is plotting against the Queen, while everyone also worries about Philip of Spain sending ships to invade England and overthrow the Queen. Francis Walsingham has concocted a ruse to divert some of this trouble, but it goes wrong and he sends John Dee to fix the mess. The mess turns out to be more complex than expected, and the result is an enjoyable spy novel with an unusual hero.

Mary Stuart is portrayed as truly awful, so beware if you are a Mary Queen of Scots fan.