Prisoners of the Palace by Michaela MacColl 367

Intriguing historical fiction set in London about a recently orphaned young lady who finds herself suddenly the lady's maid of the future Queen Victoria. The author paints a bleak picture of the lives of the working class during this time. In a blink of the eye or rather the sudden horse cart accident killing both parents, Liza's formerly carefree life changes. She was about to be presented to society, instead she is trying to avoid debtor's prison. Victoria's early life also seems rather sad. Her widowed mother and probably lover are scheming to win control of the throne. The princess is kept a virtual prisoner of the house with only a faithful Duchess in her corner. Even her future husband, Albert seems less than interested in her. This is like a richly textured palace wall hanging. The book's subtitle: A Novel of Intrigue and Romance says it all.