in the shadow of lady jane a novel of tudor england
it is april 1551 . while the family of lord henry grey are visiting their devon estate the grey sisters are saved from drowning by a local medical apprentice richard stocker . little does richard know that this single act will plunge him into a tide of religious and social upheaval that will change not only his own life but the course of british history . in gratitude for saving his daughters lord henry agrees to employ richard in his household . lady katherine has already fallen for her fathers handsome new employee while richard is in thrall to the intellect of her troubled but brilliant sister lady jane with whom he forms a close friendship . following king edwards death the teenaged lady jane is proclaimed queen . soon however she is deposed and put to the axe . the woman richard has grown to love as a friend confidante and adviser is dead . bereft he abandons the intrigues and deceptions of court life resolving to resume his medical apprenticeship . in the shadow of lady jane is at once a gripping political thriller and a compelling love story .