They had killed the man who cheated them they had stolen the Willards’ fortune and they had kept their daughter from marrying Ned.”Īway from Kingsbridge, Follett paints a wider, but no less cruel picture. As a young Protestant Elizabeth Tudor takes the throne, Europe unites against England. Elizabeth is set against her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, who is waiting to wrest the throne from her. Mary Tudor is on the throne friends are tortured and even executed, as Catholics and Protestants go to war, although often betrayal is for economic gain, rather than belief. Ned loses Margery, as her Catholic family needs a more auspicious alliance. In Christmas 1558, Ned Willard returns home to Kingsbridge to win his true love, Margery Fitzgerald. The first two were worldwide best sellers and the third is absorbing: it will doubtless tempt new readers, like me, to read the earlier books. This engrossing book is the third novel in Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge series. He will spend his life protecting his monarch from the tyrants who aim to destroy her or die trying.

He cannot stay in Kingsbridge and watch the love of his life marry another, and as fires burn and extremism begins to spark throughout Europe, Ned makes his choice. As she searches for those who will make the difference, one man stands out.įor Ned Willard the opportunity to serve his queen is God-sent. There are many who would see her removed, not least Mary Queens of Scots, who lies in wait in Paris.Įlizabeth determines to set up a new secret service: a group of resourceful spies and courageous agents entrusted to keep her safe and in power.

Elizabeth Tudor has ascended to the throne but she is not safe in this dangerous new world.

Synopsis: The page-turning saga that began in The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, which now continues with Ken Follett's magnificent, masterful A Column of Fire.ġ558, and Europe is in revolt as religious hatred sweeps the continent.

A column of fire review