Author: Alison Weir
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Ballantine
Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Pages: 560
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: The New York Times bestselling author of the Six Tudor Queens series explores the dramatic, mysterious life of Katherine Carey, niece of Anne Boleyn, in this surprising novel that delves into one of the deepest secrets of Henry VIII’s court.
At twelve years old, Katherine Carey attends her aunt, Queen Anne Boleyn, to the scaffold. Horrified by what she witnesses, Katherine is convinced that King Henry VIII is a murderer and has sent an innocent woman to a terrible death.
Although the Boleyn family, once so influential at court, has now fallen from favor, Katherine still manages to secure a coveted role as companion to her now-motherless cousin, the young Lady Elizabeth. Bound by Boleyn blood, the two girls grow as close as sisters, though Katherine has trouble ignoring the sly looks thrown her way and continual whispers behind her back. Only when her mother lies dying does Katherine learn the life-shattering truth that the Boleyns have been hiding for years.
It is a secret that follows Katherine throughout her life, as she flees religious persecution with her husband and lives abroad in fear, returning home only when Elizabeth becomes queen. But the bond between the Boleyn cousins will never be the same again.
With her usual entertaining and authoritative style beloved by readers, renowned historian Alison Weir exposes a dramatic, little-known Tudor mystery in this fascinating, revelatory novel.
My Review: The Boleyn Secret follows the life of Katherine Carey, who was the niece of Queen Anne Boleyn. In 1536, Katherine was sent to the Tower of London to become a lady-in-waiting to her aunt, Anne Boleyn. She witnesses Anne Boleyn’s execution which had a profound effect upon her. Immediately afterwards, Katherine forms a close bond with Princess Elizabeth, who has been declared illegitimate upon her mother’s execution. When Katherine’s mother, Mary Boleyn, falls ill and is dying, she tells Katherine a secret that changes her life forever.
Katherine Carey is one of the most mysterious figures in the Tudor. This is because many historians have believed that she was secretly the daughter of King Henry VIII. Therefore, I was intrigued by how Mrs. Weir approaches the subject. I found Katherine’s character development to be pretty bland. She seems like she is mostly a background character. She is largely overshadowed by her husband and later on Queen Elizabeth. Katherine Carey immediately falls in love with Francis Knollys, who is a courtier under King Henry VIII. She soon marries him and bears his children. Francis is devoted to the Protestant faith, and Katherine becomes a Protestant because of him. When she becomes a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, she is upset because she wants to be at home raising her family. However, she realizes that she must put Queen Elizabeth’s needs above that of herself, her husband, and her children. Therefore, I found Katherine to be a very weak character. I wanted her to have more of a backbone and stand up to Queen Elizabeth at times.
Overall, this book is about secrets, family, and duty. I did like the characterization of most of the characters. Queen Elizabeth was the one I found most fascinating. I thought that this novel was meticulously researched, and I thought the descriptions of the Tudor court were well-done. I did think that this novel was very repetitive and drawn out at times. It could easily have been much shorter. Nevertheless, The Boleyn Secret was still a very enjoyable and fascinating read! I liked that it told the story of the Tudors from a different perspective! I recommend this book for fans of Rival to the Queen, The Queen’s Governess, and The Boleyn Bride!
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
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