An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason

This young adult novel plunges readers into the political intrigue of Elizabethan England, where Lady Katherine, driven by her father's unjust execution as a Catholic, plots to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I. Disguising herself as a boy, she infiltrates a theater troupe performing for the Queen, only to discover that the play itself is a counter-plot orchestrated by a charming young spy, Toby Ellis, with whom she develops a complicated romance. The book explores themes of loyalty, identity, justice, and the blurred lines between love and duty amidst a backdrop of historical tension and religious persecution. It's a fast-paced, witty story perfect for teens aged 12-18 who enjoy historical fiction, romance, and espionage.

When Lady Katherine's father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she discovers he was also involved in a murder plot against the reigning Queen Elizabeth I. She disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to take it one step further: kill the queen herself. She is cast in William Shakespeare's newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But the play is a plot to destroy the rebellion, masterminded by fellow cast-member Toby Ellis, a young spy for the queen with secrets of his own. -- adapted from jacket